Summary

  • Liverpool v Atletico Madrid on 11 March 2020 was the last game at a sell-out stadium in England

  • Get involved with your stories: Tweet #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

  • Liverpool and PSG into Champions League quarter-finals

  • Premier League news conferences

  • Man Utd, Spurs, Rangers and Arsenal in Europa League action

  1. Until next time...published at 11:56 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    I wanted to leave you with that great comment from Chris just before we wrapped up our coverage this morning.

    For many people, it's been the small things that we have missed the most, rather than the actual football itself.

    Pre-match refreshments, singing songs, victory or consolidation hugs at full-time.

    Hopefully they will all return soon, but for now at least, stay safe!

    JurgenImage source, Getty Images
  2. get involved

    Get Involved - what have you missed about full stadiums?published at 11:52 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    #bbcfootball

    Chris: Pies. I miss pies

  3. get involved

    Get Involved - what have you missed about full stadiums?published at 11:46 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    #bbcfootball

    Andrew: Last game was Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League on the 12th March. Lots of chat of it being cancelled beforehand. Sadly lost 3-1 but good memories.

  4. Scottish champions on European dutypublished at 11:41 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Slavia Prague v Rangers (17:55 GMT)

    Alasdair Lamont
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Rangers' next European opponents, Slavia Prague, have a long and storied past, with a former Celtic player at the very heart of it.

    Just after the turn of the 20th century, Johnny Madden was appointed as the club's first manager and stayed at the helm for the next 25 years.

    Known as the 'father of Czech football', he is still revered by followers of Slavia - and beyond - such was the extent of his influence.

    When Rangers enter the Eden Arena, or Sinobo Stadium as it is now known, one of the empty stands will be the Johnny Madden Stand, named in his honour before a friendly with Celtic a few years back.

    Read more here.

    BBC
  5. get involved

    Get Involved - what have you missed about full stadiums?published at 11:33 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    #bbcfootball

    Alex: Last game was Plymouth Argyle v Cambridge, taking my 5 year old son to his first match. It was a boring 0-0 but I’d take one of those just to be back

  6. 'This project is going to go bang'published at 11:25 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Olympiakos v Arsenal (20:00 GMT)

    In case you'd forgotten, it's just worth mentioning that there are four British clubs in Europa League action this evening...

    Speaking ahead of his side's tie with Olympiakos, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says his Gunners project will explode into life when everything clicks into place.

    Arsenal are currently 10th in the Premier League and saw their defence of the FA Cup end with a fourth-round defeat to Southampton in January.

    That leaves the Europa League as their only hope of silverware - though Arteta says the future is bright even if they do not end the season with a trophy.

    "I think this project is going to go 'bang'," said the Spaniard.

    Read more here.

    ArtetaImage source, Getty Images
  7. get involved

    Get Involved - what have you missed about full stadiums?published at 11:17 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    #bbcfootball

    Matt: The last time I was in a full stadium was Salford v Bradford in League Two thanks to an Ashley Hunter masterclass. Would give anything to experience an atmosphere like that again

  8. Postpublished at 11:08 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    That's all from Steve Bruce.

    How he'd love to get one over his old club tomorrow and steer Newcastle closer to safety.

    Steve BruceImage source, Getty Images
  9. 'He has given us something different'published at 11:00 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Steve Bruce says midfielder Joe Willock has given his side "something different" since joining Newcastle on loan from Arsenal.

    "He [Willock] has played further forward before but I'm also wary of the impact he's had in midfield so there's a decision to be made," said Bruce.

    "I've been very pleased with him. He has given us something different and has the energy in midfield and he can score a goal."

  10. 'Hopefully we can make the right decisions'published at 10:55 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle were held to a goalless draw at relegation-threatened West Brom in their last outing, but manager Steve Bruce says his players will hopefully "make the right decisions" against Aston Villa on Friday.

    "We had two wonderful opportunities in the first ten minutes," said Bruce.

    "We were a bit unfortunate on both - one was a great bit of defending. Hopefully we'll get in that position tomorrow, make the right decisions, take our chances and win the match."

  11. 'The international break may do us a favour'published at 10:49 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    More from Newcastle boss Steve Bruce on his injury list now...

    "Everything is going to plan [with Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson]," said Bruce.

    "Almiron is making particularly good progress which is good news.

    "The international break may just do us a favour so let's hope they can keep responding the way they are."

  12. Fernandez back amongst it - Brucepublished at 10:43 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle manager Steve Bruce says he has no fresh injury concerns ahead of his side's Friday night game with Aston Villa.

    He also confirms Argentine defender Federico Fernandez is "back amongst it".

    "We've got no new injuries to report," said Bruce.

    "Javier Manquillo has worked extremely hard and was a week or two quicker than expected so it was good to see him around it. [Federico] Fernandez is back amongst it too which is good news."

  13. Postpublished at 10:37 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Now then, as promised, let's hear from Newcastle boss Steve Bruce...

  14. HB Didier Drogba!published at 10:34 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    This chap knows a thing or two about playing in front of packed out stadiums!

    The striker turns 43 today, and even if you're not a Chelsea fan, you'll probably enjoy this...

    Media caption,

    Happy Birthday Didier Drogba - watch some of his best Premier League goals

  15. get involved

    Get Involved - what have you missed about full stadiums?published at 10:27 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Text 81111 (UK only)

    We're all social beings and few things beat the joy of celebrating a win or a goal with thousands of similarly devoted people. And when we leave the ground after a defeat, someone will usually say something funny to lighten the mood.

    CBM

  16. Smith signs off, Bruce up nextpublished at 10:21 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    That's all from Villa boss Dean Smith. We'll be hearing from his opposite number Steve Bruce shortly...

  17. Smith 'respectful' of Brucepublished at 10:16 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Villa come up against former boss Steve Bruce's Newcastle on Friday, with the Magpies just a point above the relegation zone.

    Villa boss Dean Smith says he is "very respectful" of his opposite number.

    "I’m very respectful of what he’s done in the game and his achievements," said Smith.

    "I’m not here to tell anyone what Steve Bruce can do. If I can get to 100 games like he has done, he's a more experienced manager than I am."

  18. 'We have progressed quicker than we thought'published at 10:11 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Having avoided relegation on the final day of the previous season, Aston Villa are currently ninth in the table despite one win in their last five games.

    Asked about their position, Villa boss Dean Smith said: "I would have taken it at the beginning of the season. We have progressed a lot quicker than we thought we would this season. We weren't satisfied with last season.

    "The response to anytime we feel we haven’t played well has been good. But like many teams, since new year we’ve been up and down."

  19. Unavailable Grealish maturing - Smithpublished at 10:05 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has been out injured since 13 February, and manager Dean Smith says his "maturing" talisman will not be available to face Newcastle on Friday.

    "You won’t see Jack at Newcastle," said Smith.

    "He is a lot better but it didn’t help that he’s been ill this week too. Very hopeful that he will be available for selection against Tottenham.

    "He takes part in the meetings. He has a voice and an opinion. He’s in the training ground. He’s maturing an awful lot and takes on a lot of responsibility."

  20. Smith incoming...published at 09:57 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Newcastle v Aston Villa (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    We'll be hearing from Dean Smith ahead of his side's trip to Newcastle shortly.

    Stay tuned for updates from Aston Villa boss...

    Dean SmithImage source, Getty Images