Summary

  1. 'It's going to be an absolute cracker'published at 10:50 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Man City v Real Madrid (3-3 agg, 20:00 BST)

    Former England and Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson has predicted plenty of goals in Manchester City's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid tonight.

    Last week's first leg in Madrid produced a sensational 3-3 draw and Robinson is expecting more of the same at Etihad Stadium tonight.

    "There’s going to be goals," Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

    "We’re going to have a fantastic game at the Etihad tonight that could go all of the way - extra-time and penalties. It’s going to be an absolute cracker."

    You can listen to this morning's BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast show in full here.

    Erling Haaland and Antonio RudigerImage source, Getty Images
  2. Relegated Rotherham sack head coach Richardsonpublished at 10:41 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Rotherham United have sacked head coach Leam Richardson, two weeks after their relegation to League One was confirmed.

    The Millers have endured a torrid campaign and are 22 points adrift of safety with three games to play.

    Richardson took over in December from the sacked Matt Taylor but won just two of his 24 games in charge.

    "The search to appoint a new first-team manager is already under way, with further communication to follow in due course," the club said in a statement., external.

    Leam RichardsonImage source, Getty Images

    Rotherham reappoint Evans after Richardson exit

    Rotherham United reappoint Stevenage boss Steve Evans as manager after sacking Leam Richardson.

    Read More
  3. The peril of Treble talk for Guardiolapublished at 10:37 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Man City v Real Madrid (3-3 agg, 20:00 BST)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    The Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup trophies at Etihad StadiumImage source, Getty Images

    It was notable that when faced with Bernardo Silva's assertion that the prospect of completing a historic double Treble was both "an inspiration and a motivation", Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola chose to step back from such conversations.

    Guardiola has to sit in front of groups of media four times a week, virtually every week.

    He knows we like to talk of the potential of historic achievements long before they have even become close to reality.

    He also knows we can easily be asking what has gone wrong if a match or two are lost.

    Silva does not have to do that. If City lose to Real Madrid on Wednesday, he can choose whether he wants to speak to the media or not. It gives him more freedom to talk from the heart.

    I am sure the prospect of creating history - an unprecedented four Premier League titles in a row and becoming only the second team after Real themselves in the Champions League era to win the tournament in successive seasons - is something that gets a mention from time to time in the City dressing room.

    But there is peril in talking about it for Guardiola.

    "The first time I thought about the Treble was after we beat Manchester United," he said about last season and City's FA Cup final victory over their neighbours.

    I am not sure that is correct. But it was the first time he spoke expansively about it in the media.

    I suspect that approach is not about to change.

    BBC Sport has a dedicated Manchester City page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

  4. 'It's all in Man City's hands'published at 10:29 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Man City v Real Madrid (3-3 agg, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City are in control of their own destiny this season, according to former England and Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

    City go into tonight's Champions League quarter-final second leg at home to Real Madrid sitting top of the Premier League table. They are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

    Robinson told 5 Live Breakfast that there is now a "distinct possibility" that Pep Guardiola's side could win an unprecedented second consecutive Treble.

    "This last weekend gone just seems a little bit pivotal in the title race with both Arsenal and Liverpool dropping points all of a sudden," said Robinson.

    "Bernardo Silva did his press conference and said ‘it is in our own hands, we’re sat top of the league and two points clear and it is all down to Manchester City now'.

    "With the Champions League opportunity they’ve got now, could they win the fourth Premier League in a row? Could they win a second treble in a row? They’ve got the semi-final against Chelsea this weekend.

    "It is all becoming a very, very distinct possibility for Manchester city and like Bernardo Silva said, it’s all in their own hands."

    You can listen to this morning's BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast show in full here.

    Erling Haaland and Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images
  5. On the road to Wembley?published at 10:15 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    We are going to move on now to get further Champions League reaction and build-up.

    The focus in today's back pages is firmly on tonight's quarter-final ties, as defending champions Manchester City host Real Madrid and Arsenal travel to Bayern Munich.

    Can they set up an all-Premier League clash in the last four?

    Remember, the ultimate carrot is the chance to play this year's final at Wembley, against either Paris St-Germain or Borussia Dortmund, who made it through Tuesday night's last-eight ties.

    It's all set up for City and the Gunners, but both their respective quarter-finals are level heading into tonight's second legs...

    Champions League trophy and ball in front of WembleyImage source, Getty Images
  6. Man Utd stadium talks beginpublished at 10:08 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    The Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force has held its first meeting since it was set up by new Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe last month to explore ways of incorporating a new stadium for the club as part of an ambitious development project around Old Trafford.

    Task Force chair Sebastian Coe said it was "too soon" to know where the journey will end, although Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has previously told BBC Sport a decision could be reached at some point from the middle to the later months of 2024, although I have privately been told that timescale may be optimistic.

    Coe, who led the successful 2012 London Olympic bid, which transformed the whole Olympic Park area in Stratford, said he was "excited" to be part of the project.

    “This meeting marked the start of a multi-stakeholder process to explore options for the stadium and surrounding area,” he said.

    “We are at the start of this journey and it is too soon to know where it will lead. But we will consult closely with fans and local residents and keep everyone informed of progress.”

    Old TraffordImage source, Getty Images
  7. Arsenal out to 'rewrite' storypublished at 09:58 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Wednesday's back pages

    The Times

    Finally, the Times reports that Mikel Arteta has challenged his Arsenal players to "write a different story" in the club's Champions League history as the Spaniard attempts to guide them past Bayern Munich.

    Arsenal have never won the Champions League or European Cup, with the last of their two European titles coming in the 1994 Uefa Cup Winners' Cup. The Gunners also won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970.

    The Times' main sport pageImage source, The Times
  8. 'In for the Kyl'published at 09:50 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Wednesday's back pages

    The Daily Telegraph

    The Telegraph's main sport page features a poster image of Paris St-Germain star Kylian Mbappe after his two goals helped down Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.

    There are also stories on Jude Bellingham's "no-brainer" to pick Real Madrid ahead of Manchester City and Harry Kane eyeing "revenge" against Arsenal.

    Telegraph's main sport pageImage source, Daily Telegraph
  9. 'Firing Lion'published at 09:42 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Wednesday's back pages

    The Daily Star

    The Star leads with a similar line to the Mirror, on the threat posed to Manchester City and Arsenal by England's Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

    There is also a story on comments made by Bellingham about his summer move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, with a headline saying he is "on the right team tonight" after the 20-year-old midfielder fielded questions on whether he held talks with Manchester City before deciding on his switch to the La Liga leaders.

    Star back pageImage source, Daily Star
  10. 'Lion in wait'published at 09:31 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Wednesday's back pages

    Daily Mirror

    The Mirror leads on the challenge facing Manchester City and Arsenal in the Champions League tonight, with England stars Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane lying in wait in their respective quarter-final ties.

    Mirror back pageImage source, Daily Mirror
  11. Jude will be key for Real - Ancelottipublished at 09:22 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Man City v Real Madrid (3-3 agg, 20:00 BST)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    I remember asking Carlo Ancelotti at a press conference in Los Angeles during the summer what his first impressions were of new signing Jude Bellingham.

    The Italian remarked that Bellingham was one of the best players he had come across at finding space when his team didn't have the ball, which was why he was trying him in the number 10 role.

    It is fair to say Ancelotti's impressions have developed after nine months working with the England star.

    "Bellingham is really good," he said.

    "He is a modern player with a lot of quality. He is technically strong and can cover a lot of space.

    "He is doing really well and in the future he will be one of the most important players at Real Madrid.

    "He is only 20 years old and sometimes we forget this because he is really mature. He is fantastic player for us."

  12. 'Football authorities need to do more'published at 09:15 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Man City v Real Madrid (3-3 agg, 20:00 BST)

    Media caption,

    Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid midfielder calls for more to be done to tackle racism

    You can read more on those comments from Jude Bellingham by clicking this link, and also watch his news conference above.

    The 20-year-old England midfielder has called on the football authorities in Spain "to do more" to tackle racism but he "doubts it will happen".

  13. 'Disgusting'published at 09:10 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Wednesday's back pages

    The Daily Mail

    Real Madrid's England midfielder Jude Bellingham has labelled the torrent of racist abuse in La Liga as disgusting and admits he has become accustomed to slurs from fans since moving to Spain, reports the Mail.

    Mail back pageImage source, Daily Mail
  14. 'Sancho wants fresh start at Man Utd under new man'published at 09:03 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Wednesday's back pages

    The I

    According to the i, Jadon Sancho is open to returning to Manchester United next season, following the end of his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, with the future of current manager Erik ten Hag uncertain at Old Trafford.

    The i back pageImage source, The i
  15. 'Fired up Kane'published at 08:55 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Wednesday's back pages

    The Daily Express

    The Express reports that former Tottenham striker Harry Kane has a "burning fire inside" to knock Arsenal out of the Champions League and win the trophy with Bayern Munich.

    Express back pageImage source, Daily Express
  16. Postpublished at 08:45 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    OK, we will have more on the EFL later, but for the moment we will skip from the League Two relegation battle back to tonight's Champions League quarter-finals, which dominate today's back pages.

    Let's have a look at how the national newspapers are building up to a big night for defending champions Manchester City and Arsenal.

    City, of course, face a tough test at home to La Liga leaders Real Madrid, with their tie in the balance at 3-3 following the first leg in Spain, while Arsenal travel to Bayern Munich with it all to do after they drew their home leg 2-2...

  17. Postpublished at 08:41 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    Just for you Chris, here is the bottom half of the League Two table.

    Colchester United's 2-0 win over Grimsby Town last night meant that bottom side Forest Green Rovers were relegated from League Two after seven seasons in the EFL.

    Sutton United are currently occupying the second relegation place...

    League Two bottom halfImage source, .
  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:35 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Chris: A broad church you say... well can we get a shout out to Tom Hopper - 3 goals in 2 games have given Colchester United 6 points and on the brink of survival [in League Two]. His previous 20 games saw just 1 goal. Great attitude and coming good when we need it most.

    Tom Hopper playing for ColchesterImage source, Getty Images
  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:32 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I kept thinking last night why Erik ten Hag could not get the best out of Marcel Sabitzer (and Jadon Sancho). And which other current Manchester United players would light up a Champions League quarter-final in another environment. Makes you wonder how managers react to players thriving at other clubs when they failed to perform for you.

    Aldar

    Jadon SanchoImage source, Getty Images
  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 17 April 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Forget the Super Bowl and the NBA playoffs! The Champions League is the best club competition bar none and last night's games were a brilliant advert for football! Drama and goals galore in both, let's hope tonight's fixtures are just as good. I'm backing the winner of Man City v Real Madrid to go on and win it! I would love Arsenal to win, but I can't see it. We need a more competitive squad to challenge for Champions League and the Premier League!

    Rob from Sutton

    Julian Brandt scores for Borussia DortmundImage source, Getty Images