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“Just a heads up that, while I would love it to be true, a win tonight for Newcastle doesn’t put us in the last 16,” writes David. “It puts us in the first round of 16, which is really the last 24 (playoffs), to then get into the actual last 16. Two extra matches just what everyone wants right now …”
Silly me. Thanks David.
David Hytner
Thomas Frank was backed into a corner on every level, including team selection. The Tottenham manager had next-to-no options, only 11 established outfield players for the Champions League home game against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.
The expectation was for an either/or choice between Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie at left-back. But when the teamsheets dropped, it turned out Frank had picked them both and left Randal Kolo Muani on the bench. It was the latest low point for Kolo Muani, who has to be regretting his decision to join on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Ben Fisher
Below the zigzagging contrails that paint the blue Brussels sky, Christian Burgess is reflecting on the latest chapters of his extraordinary journey, those since joining Royale Union Saint‑Gilloise almost six years ago. At the time he felt that his career was at risk of stagnating, but after rummaging Wikipedia to get a handle on the club and learning of their big ambitions, it felt a leap of faith worth taking.
Even so, there is a detectable disbelief at how that decision led him to the Champions League and an unlikely reunion with Harry Kane, with whom he last duelled as an 18-year-old on trial at Tottenham more than 15 years ago. On Wednesday Union play at Bayern Munich in arguably the biggest match in their history, knowing a positive result would keep alive their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
Thoughts about any of this stuff? Mail me.
The former Chelsea legend* David Luiz.
*There is of course no such thing as a former legend. Once you’re a legend, you’re a legend.
It’s 1-1 in both the matches that kicked off early: Galatasaray v Atlético Madrid and Qarabag v Frankfurt.
Chelsea are 14th in the table as it stands, and after the expected victory tonight against Pafos and the Stamford Bridge alumnus David Luiz, may also force themselves in the reckoning for a top-eight spot.
Yesterday, Liam Rosenior insisted Enzo Fernández will be at Chelsea for the long haul amid interest from such European heavyweights as Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Jacob Steinberg has the story:
If Newcastle beat PSV, they will secure a spot in the last 16 playoffs, while maintaining faint hope of finishing in the top eight. Will Eddie Howe be smiling come 10pm-ish?
Preamble
Does it get any bigger than a cold, rainy Champions League league phase night in mid-January? Yes it does, but here we are, and there is plenty on the line for all concerned.
Chelsea v Pafos, Newcastle v PSV and Juventus v Benfica are among the matches on the lineup beyond the Marseille v Liverpool encounter at Stade Vélodrome, which Michael Butler is blogging on Channel 1. There’s also Slavia Prague v Barcelona, Bayern Munich v Union Saint-Gilloise, not to mention Atalanta v Athletic Club. It’s probably raining outside your window, and it might just be raining goals on your telly later, too.
An indeterminate number of footballs will be kicked in various directions by all sorts of players. We’ll bring you all the goals, all the action, all (OK some) of the analysis and probably just shout ‘The Chaaaaaaampions!’ a lot. This is going to be fun and there will be great banter.
Kick-offs at 8pm UK time.
