Summary

  1. get involved

    Get Involved - what do you think of the new CL format?published at 13:40 British Summer Time 19 September

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

    Simply, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

    Jez, Bolton

    Assuming you are referring to the Champions League format Jez, rather than Bolton Wanderers' defence, given their 4-0 home defeat to Huddersfield at the weekend...

  2. 'All teams in Premier League able to beat any opponent'published at 13:34 British Summer Time 19 September

    West Ham v Chelsea (Sat, 12:30 BST)

    West Ham United

    West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui on his side's failure to pick up a point from their opening two home games, following defeats to Aston Villa and Manchester City, and whether he is key that they improve that record at home to Chelsea on Saturday: "In each match in the Premier League you have big difficulties, all the teams competing in the league have quality and strengths and are able to beat any opponent. This is one of the biggest strengths of the Premier League.

    "It does not matter if you play home or away, the most important thing is you have to compete if you are to win matches.

    "In this case it is Chelsea, so we put the focus on Chelsea 100%, knowing we are going to have a tough match, but in the same way believing in our strengths and believing in us, trying to be focused on our development."

  3. What’s on the agenda for Dyche today?published at 13:28 British Summer Time 19 September

    Leicester v Everton (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Shamoon Hafez
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Sean DycheImage source, Getty Images

    Four games played – zero points. Everton have made the worst start from the 96 clubs in Europe’s top five leagues.

    On Saturday, the Toffees face a monumental clash against Leicester, who were relegated at Everton’s expense two seasons ago.

    Manager Sean Dyche faces the media this afternoon, will he be asked about his position? Is the pressure piling up on him?

    The former Burnley boss said after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat on penalties against Southampton that he had only 12 fit first-team players to choose from.

    Will that number be boosted for this weekend’s crunch game? Is star defender Jarrad Branthwaite any closer to returning?

  4. Team news - Hammers monitor Emerson 'knock'published at 13:24 British Summer Time 19 September

    West Ham v Chelsea (Sat, 12:30 BST)

    West Ham United

    Julen LopeteguiImage source, Getty Images

    West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui says he is waiting until Friday for a full update on the fitness of his players, so could not give much of an update on team news.

    However, he said the medical team are evaluating former Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri after he picked up a knee injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Fulham.

    He added: "Fortunately Emi was not an important one, a big knock, but we have to review and wait every day. We have 48 hours to the match so we have time."

  5. get involved

    Get Involved - what do you think of the new CL format?published at 13:19 British Summer Time 19 September

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

    Would prefer a format that copies the FA Cup with every round a knockout from the preliminaries onwards.

    Valky

  6. Lopetegui incoming...published at 13:15 British Summer Time 19 September

    West Ham v Chelsea (Sat, 12:30)

    West Ham United

    West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has taken his seat to chat to the media ahead of his side's clash with Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime. The Hammers have won one game of their opening four.

    Quotes coming shortly.

  7. 'They were just relentless'published at 13:12 British Summer Time 19 September

    Celtic 5-1 Slovan Bratislava

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Former Scotland striker Darren Fletcher on Celtic's commanding 5-1 win against Slovan Bratislava at Park Head last night: "It was absolutely fantastic, but let’s not take it out of context Bratislava were poor.

    "But as Brendan [Rodgers] said, the intensity with and without the ball was absolutely fantastic.

    "They way they played, the way they pressed, they were just relentless. To win 5-1 in the Champions League is a great start for them."

    On playing Borussia Dortmund away next: "It’ll be the same intensity, the same work rate without the ball because they are not going to have as much of the ball in Dortmund.

    "They know it’s going to be hard but they stepped up last night and they know it’s time to step up away from home now."

  8. Shakhtar miss penalty as Bologna held on UCL debutpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 19 September

    Bologna 0-0 Shakhtar

    Bologna's first ever Champions League match ended with a hard-fought point claimed at home to Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk.

    The Italian side last played in Europe's elite competition when they lost in the preliminary round of the 1964-65 European Cup.

    In front of a packed Stadio Renato Dall'Ara their opponents Shakhtar were given a fourth-minute penalty when Bologna defender Stefan Posch took out Eguinaldo in the area.

    But Heorhiy Sudakov's low spot-kick to the left was brilliantly saved by Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.

    Click here to read more

  9. get involved

    Get Involved - what do you think about the new CL format?published at 13:00 British Summer Time 19 September

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

    Champions League needed a refresh. I like the new format where you play 8 different teams.

    Scott, Celtic

  10. Keeper howler gifts PSG win over debutants Gironapublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 19 September

    PSG 1-0 Girona

    Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga's late howler gifted Paris St-Germain victory against Champions League debutants Girona.

    Portuguese left-back Nuno Mendes drilled a low effort at Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga from a tight angle, but the keeper made a major error and let the ball sneak through his hands.

    The hosts looked as if they would be held to a draw by the Spanish side's steely and determined defensive performance before Gazzaniga’s error.

    Click here to read more

  11. Sparta Prague win first Champions League match in 21 yearspublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 19 September

    Sparta Prague 3-0 Red Bull Salzburg

    Sparta Prague marked their return to the Champions League after almost 19 years with a thumping win over Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.

    The Czech champions' last appearance in the competition proper came in December 2005 when they finished last in a group containing Arsenal, Ajax and FC Thun.

    After such a long wait Sparta needed just 107 seconds to take the lead at home to Salzburg through Kaan Kairinen's effort on the rebound.

    Click here to read more

  12. Gittens scores twice as Dortmund beat Club Bruggepublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 19 September

    Club Brugge 0-3 Dortmund

    Jamie Gittens scored twice as Borussia Dortmund beat Club Brugge in the Champions League.

    Last season's beaten finalists went ahead in the 76th minute when England Under-21 forward Gittens shot from the edge of the box and the ball deflected off two defenders before looping into the far corner.

    Gittens doubled Dortmund's lead when he produced two stepovers in the box before firing into the bottom corner.

    Serhou Guirassy was fouled by Brandon Mechele in added time and converted the resulting spot-kick with a chip down the middle.

    Click here to read more

  13. Zagreb manager steps down after Bayern defeatpublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 19 September

    If Uefa was looking for a grand opening to their new Champions League format, then Harry Kane and his Bayern Munich team-mates duly obliged.

    Click below to enjoy all nine goals as Vincent Kompany's side set a new record for the most goals scored by one team in a single Champions League game with Tuesday's 9-2 demolition of Dinamo Zagreb.

    It provided great viewing for the neutral observer, but not so great for Dinamo Zagreb manager Sergej Jakirovic, who, it has just been announced, has left the Croatian champions by "mutual agreement".

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - what do you think about the new CL format?published at 12:33 British Summer Time 19 September

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

    Now you have seen the new Champions League format in action, what do you think?

    Thumbs up if you are in favour, or thumbs down if you are against it.

    Tell us your initial thoughts using the contact details above. And please include your name, as well as any team you support.

    Thanks!

  15. Still to comepublished at 12:24 British Summer Time 19 September

    We've got plenty more to bring you today. Football never stops.

    This afternoon we've got a few Premier League news conferences. West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui will sit down to face the media in just under an hour. We're also set to hear the latest from Everton, Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton.

    We'll continue build-up to tonight's Champions League matches including Arsenal's trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta.

    But first here's a few highlights from what we've seen so far in the competition and if you want to watch all the goals - you can find them here.

  16. 'We are on the right path'published at 12:20 British Summer Time 19 September

    Atalanta v Arsenal (20:00) UEFA Champions League - League Stage

    Jorginho of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on October 21, 2023 in London, England.Image source, Getty Images

    Jorginho has challenged his Arsenal team mates to use their Champions League opener against Atalanta tonight as a springboard to success in their crucial clash with Manchester City this weekend.

    The Italian veteran believes a positive performance and result at Atalanta will pave the way for more of the same against City.

    "If you want to achieve big things you need to have the mentality of trying to win every single game," he said.

    "That is what we need to do and that is what we want to do. You have to keep believing in what you are doing.

    "We are doing that and we keep working hard to improve and doing right the things.

    We are on the right path and we need to keep it going."

  17. 'What does Arteta do with his team selection tonight?'published at 12:15 British Summer Time 19 September

    Atalanta v Arsenal (20:00 BST)

    Ian Dennis
    BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

    Mikel ArtetaImage source, Getty Images

    Arsenal's form in the Champions League last season was a little indifferent but if you look at their away form in the Premier League, boy it's mightily impressive. Nine clean sheets in 11 Premier League games in 2024, they're yet to trail, unbeaten in those 11, they've won ten of them - that's good form.

    The thing is what does he do with his team? Manchester City have got an advantage that they’ve got an extra 24 hours to rest, so what does Mikel Arteta do with his team selection tonight?

  18. Saka available for Atalanta clashpublished at 12:09 British Summer Time 19 September

    Atalanta v Arsenal (20:00 BST)

    Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after winning the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024 in London, England.Image source, Getty Images

    Winger Bukayo Saka is available to play in Arsenal's Champions League match against Atalanta tonight.

    The 23 year old winger was taken off late on in Sunday's derby win at Tottenham as Arteta said he "could not continue".

    "Yes he was able to train today [Wednesday], he completed most of the session and he is available," said the Gunners boss before Thursday's match against last season's Europa League winners.

    Arteta's side are in the midst of a busy seven days that started with a 1-0 victory at Tottenham in the north London derby last Sunday.

    The schedule was made trickier by the absence against Tottenham of key midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard due to suspension and injury, respectively.

    Arsenal were knocked out at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League last season following defeat by Bayern Munich and Arteta hopes his side can learn from that.

    "We weren't happy or satisfied at all because we want more," he said.

    "I think we have the ability, we certainly have the quality - and now we have to prove it."

  19. Bristol City name Kirby as women's managerpublished at 12:04 British Summer Time 19 September

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

    Stephen KirbyImage source, Getty Images

    Bristol City Women have named Leicester City’s Stephen Kirby as their new manager.

    Kirby spent two years as Leicester City Women’s first-team coach, acting as interim manager for the Foxes alongside Jennifer Foster last season.

    He has previously worked with MK Dons’ academy and development squads.

    "It is super exciting and I am ready to kick on and try to get us back to the WSL [Women's Super League]," said Kirby.

    "I have watched both games so far and I have been impressed with the performances.

    "It is a club which fits my style and how I like the game to be played. I hope we can now get us firing on all cylinders."

    Click here to read more

  20. When will the Women Champions League draw take place?published at 12:01 British Summer Time 19 September

    Women's Champions League trophyImage source, Getty Images

    The 12 play-off winners in Women's Champions League qualifying will join Barcelona, Chelsea, Lyon and Bayern Munich in the draw for the group stage.

    That draw will take place on Friday, 27 September.

    Barcelona qualify automatically as holders, while Chelsea, Lyon and Bayern Munich bypassed the qualifying rounds as their country's league champions.

    The first round of matches in the group stage will take place on 8-9 October.