Premier League sides dominated the top eight, claiming five of the automatic qualification places and underlining England’s strong presence in this season’s tournament. Arsenal finished top of the league standings after completing a perfect run, sealing first place with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Kairat to end on 24 points. The result left the Gunners three points clear of Bayern Munich, whose only defeat of the campaign came against the north London club.

Bayern finished second with 21 points after edging PSV 2-1 away, while Liverpool claimed third place with 18 points following a commanding 6-0 demolition of Qarabag FK at Anfield. Tottenham Hotspur secured fourth place with 17 points after a disciplined 2-0 away victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Barcelona booked their place in the round of 16 by finishing fifth on 16 points, courtesy of a convincing 4-1 home win over Copenhagen. They were joined on the same points tally by Sporting CP, who edged Athletic Bilbao 3-2 away to secure sixth place.

Chelsea became the fourth English club to qualify automatically, finishing seventh after a narrow 3-2 victory over Napoli, a result that ended the Italian side’s Champions League campaign. Manchester City claimed the final automatic qualification spot in eighth place, with a 2-0 home win over Galatasaray taking them to 16 points and ensuring five Premier League teams progressed directly to the knockout stage.

​​​​​​The new agreement builds on the successful sponsorship programme that saw European football’s governing body partner with the German food retailer at UEFA EURO 2024.

As part of the partnership, Lidl will take its Lidl Kids Team initiative to its 30 European operating countries. The programme, which has been set up through its partnership with the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, affords children between the ages of six and ten the unique experience of becoming official Player Mascots for one of the two competitions’ matches and aims inspire youngsters across the globe to become more active.

Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA marketing director, said:

“We are delighted to build on our successful partnership with Lidl during UEFA EURO 2024 this summer as we welcome them as an official global sponsor of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League.

“Lidl is one of the leading food retailers in Europe, with a significant international presence, and we are excited to work together to bring the dynamism and vibrancy of European football to even more fans. Together, we look forward to creating a positive social impact through the power of football.”

Dr. Jennifer Cords, Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Lidl International, added:

“We are proud to add the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League to our wide-ranging roster of sports partners. We as a company are closely connected to Europe – born 51 years ago in the heart of Europe, Lidl is now present in over 30 countries.

“At Lidl, our core beliefs are linked to our international CSR strategy and therefore international collaboration is fundamental to inspire and promote conscious nutrition and an active lifestyle to all.”

The new 36-team UEFA Europa League league phase kicks off with Matchday 1 on 25 September while the UEFA Conference League, which also now includes 36 clubs, gets under way on 3 October. A comprehensive guide to the new format of UEFA men’s club competitions can be found here.

Credit: UEFA

The success of this new approach at UEFA EURO 2024, understood by the actors of the game and welcomed by the public opinion as unquestionable progress for the image of football, boosts our confidence that this is the way forward. Fair play and respect are values that football, the most popular game in the world, must convey to our societies.

Starting with the new season of UEFA club competitions ready to kick off next week, this approach will therefore be extended to all matches in UEFA competitions.

Referees have now an open line of dialogue with the teams to explain key decisions, including those involving VAR. These information and explanations are provided only to the team captains, who are the only players entitled to speak to the referee and request clarifications in a respectful manner.

Captains must also take responsibility for their team-mates, asking them to respect the referee, keep their distance and not surround the match officials.

Where the captain is the goalkeeper, therefore not close to the action in the majority of cases, the teams are requested to nominate a single outfield player authorised to speak with the referees, to receive their explanations.

Players disregarding these instructions and approaching the referees to show dissent or to act disrespectfully are cautioned.

Credit: UEFA

The former Manchester City captain replaced Thomas Tuchel, who left at the end of a trophyless campaign with the European heavyweights.

Although Kompany is coming in after leading Burnley back to the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League, Kuffour argues the Belgian has the right materials to succeed in Germany.

“When he was coming we had a debate on our legends platform. It was a huge debate and I was in support. Why not give somebody the benefit of the doubt? Because I think he understands. From his team, if he had the quality like Man City, he can do better,” he told Angel TV’s Saddick Adams.

“So if he has the quality to be in this great club and the kind of our quality he has. I think he will cause a big surprise in Europe,” he added.

Bayern Munich will make winning the Bundesliga a priority but Kuffour is confident Kompany can even do well in Europe.

“Yes of course. Did we deserve to lose against Real Madrid? Absolutely no. I mean this is how football is but I believe if you have the opportunity to coach a team like Bayer Munich. This is a great thing you have to do to protect your image,” he said.

Credit: Ghanasoccernet 

UEFA and Mastercard celebrated their 30-year partnership at a special ceremony at this year’s final featuring UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis and Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mastercard. For three decades, Mastercard has been a proud supporter of Europe’s premier club competition providing priceless experiences to fans across the globe, and will continue to offer children the opportunity to become player mascots as well as continue its collaboration with the UEFA Foundation for Children on countless initiatives.

Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA marketing director, said: “We’re delighted to extend our partnership with Mastercard until 2027. For over three decades, Mastercard has been an unwavering supporter of the UEFA Champions League, bringing fans and cardholders priceless moments and unparalleled experiences. Entering this new era of UEFA men’s club competitions, we’re excited to continue this extraordinary journey together – one of the longest standing partnerships in world football – ensuring fans continue to enjoy the very best of the beautiful game on the ultimate stage.”

Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of Mastercard, said: “As a proud sponsor of the UEFA Champions League for 30 years, we have helped create incredible experiences on and off the pitch and witnessed the intense passion that fans have for this competition. Connecting our cardholders to their passions – and each other – is at the heart of our brand, and we are thrilled to continue bringing fans closer to the UEFA Champions League action in the years to come.”

Through Mastercard’s partnership with the UEFA Champions League, cardholders across the globe are connected to exclusive, priceless experiences, including the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see their children walk out on to the pitch with some of the greatest teams in Europe as a player mascot.

Mastercard follows Heineken, Just Eat Takeaway.com and Pepsi as UEFA Champions League sponsors from 2024–27. The worldwide sales of all UEFA club competition sponsorship rights are being carried out by TEAM Marketing AG on UEFA’s behalf.

Credit: UEFA

Madrid’s victory over Manchester City after a penalty shootout on Wednesday sent it to a record 17th semifinal appearance and kept it on course to add to its unequaled haul of 14 European Cups.

It was fitting that Rudiger finished off City after he anchored a spirited defensive effort by Madrid that weathered wave after wave of attacks by Pep Guardiola’s side.

For Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, it was a question of survival.

“There was only one way to get out of here alive. We had to dig in and fight hard,” Ancelotti said. “We showed the attitude and commitment demanded by this jersey. This is a very special competition for us and we always deliver something that people are not expecting us to produce. Everyone was writing us off but we’re still here.”

Those soccer purists who delight in Guardiola’s passing-and-pressure game (think Barcelona fans) like to say Madrid lacks a distinctive style. But as Ancelotti has said, he doesn’t want his team to have a “set philosophy” that would make it predictable; his team must be chameleonic so it can adapt to each rival, each game, each moment.

Madrid’s top scorer Jude Bellingham credited Ancelotti with letting his players expose their individual talents in order to make the team versatile.

“I think our biggest strength is that he finds a way to let our boys play with freedom,” Bellingham said. “Some teams are a bit more structured in terms of their passing styles and their patterns of play. And it is really interesting to watch and it is definitely difficult to play against, but I think one of our biggest strengths is that we are so off the cuff.”

City completely dominated the ball in the away leg of their quarterfinal in Manchester – even though it never led and needed Kevin De Bruyne to cancel out Rodrygo’s opener – and hemmed mighty Madrid into its box for most of the match and extra time.

But Madrid showed that its strength lies in its ability to do whatever is needed to get a win. Ancelotti’s bunch matched City’s scoring prowess last week in the 3-3 draw in Spain’s capital, and then at Etihad Stadium it had no qualms packing its area and hanging on for dear life.

Rudiger solidified his status as Madrid’s sheriff at the back. The Germany player has also helped Madrid lead the Spanish league after fellow central defenders David Alaba and Eder Militao went down with injury earlier in the season.

Last season, when City beat Madrid in the semifinal on its way to winning the title, Rudiger was left on the bench at the start of a 4-0 loss in Manchester. This time, he played both legs that ended 4-4 on aggregate.

De Bruyne’s equalizer came after Rudiger’s only blemish of an otherwise superb outing when the City midfielder fired in a ball the defender failed to clear. Otherwise, Rudiger bossed the area and again kept Erling Haaland scoreless.

“Normally, we’re the ones who dominate our opponents,” said Nacho Fernández, Rudiger’s partner in central defense who also scored in the shootout. “We showed the other side, defending spectacularly and doing an incredible job in the lower-middle block.”

And when City’s talented passers did manage to create a rare opening in Madrid’s box, there was Andriy Lunin to stop them.

The Ukrainian goalkeeper entered the preseason as the backup to the injured Courtois Thibaut and had to earn the starting job after Kepa Arrizabalaga’s arrival. Lunin was the team’s saviour on Wednesday night after stopping penalties by Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic. His saves tilted the shootout in Madrid’s favor after Luka Modric missed their first kick.

Rudiger may have even played a part in Lunin’s save of Kovacic’s try. Rudiger gestured to Lunin that Kovacic, who Rudiger played with at Chelsea, would shoot to Lunin’s right — and he was right.

Lunin said he was “exhausted” after helping to defend 18 corners – to one for Madrid – and absorb 34 goal attempts by City.

“You can’t always play with the ball or be the best team on the pitch,” Lunin said. “It was an amazing experience for me and the team put in an incredible effort for the 120 minutes.”

Guardiola praised his team’s effort and recognized that to best Madrid, which also knocked his team out two years ago when Rodrygo sparked a late comeback, required more than just a good game.

“To beat Real Madrid, we had to perform our best,” the Catalan coach said. “We were our best but it was not enough.”

The mettle showed by Madrid contrasts with the fragility in defense of its next rival: Barcelona visits on Sunday in a league clasico.

Barcelona was, likewise, ahead by a goal against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday before Ronald Araújo’s tackle outside the area with only the goalie to beat earned him a direct red card. Without its best one-on-one defender, Barcelona fell apart and conceded four unanswered goals – including two to Kylian Mbappé, the star linked to a move to Madrid.

Barcelona’s trip to the Santiago Bernabeu will be its last chance to breathe some life into its Spanish league title defense. A win at its fierce rival would reduce Madrid’s advantage to five points with six more rounds remaining.

But Madrid measures the success of its season on whether or not it wins the Champions League. Next up it will face Bayern Munich in another classic continental rivalry.

“We’re delighted, but we’re very tired,” Ancelotti said.

“Now we have to celebrate because it’s a very important qualification. From (Thursday) we have to prepare well for Sunday’s game. The clasico is crucial for the league.”

Credit: AP

UEFA allocates €20,000 to research menstrual cycle effects on athletes’ performance and help teams and clubs improve their players’ health and well-being.

Recognising the pressing need for a reduction of the carbon footprint of European football, UEFA has integrated climate advocacy in its Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, Strength through Unity. With the launch of the Carbon Footprint Calculator today at Emirates Stadium in London, UEFA aims to empower member associations, clubs and leagues to become active drivers of change.

Based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and with the methodology validated by a third party, the UEFA Carbon Footprint Calculator is the result of a collaborative effort spanning two years, engaging two dozen football organisations and external advisors. It enables football organisations to comprehensively assess and understand their carbon emissions, with a focus on football-specific areas such as mobility, purchased goods and services, facilities and logistics.

Laura McAllister, UEFA vice-president, said at the conference: “The UEFA Carbon Footprint Calculator embodies our ambition to showcase that football can be part of the solution in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. By providing stakeholders with the tools and guidance, we are facilitating collective action towards a more sustainable future for our sport and the planet. Together, we can demonstrate to governments, investors, fans, and commercial partners that football is committed to addressing climate change in a unified and strategic manner.”

In addition to the Calculator, UEFA has also produced a user guide, tutorial videos and a full methodology document to support users at every step of their sustainability journey. By offering these resources, UEFA aims to promote transparency, consistency and comparability in carbon reporting across the football ecosystem.

The UEFA Carbon Footprint Calculator is available to all football stakeholders and can be accessed here www.uefa.com/carboncalculator.

Credit: UEFA

Swissquote became the first online bank to enter an exclusive partnership with both competitions in 2021, initially for three seasons. The renewed sponsorship will allow Swissquote to maintain perimeter advertising and enjoy hospitality rights at all matches, along with close collaboration with UEFA to create exciting content on social media and digital marketing campaigns through to 2027.

The Swiss company will also continue to utilise the competition trophies and football ambassadors to engage its employees at employee events, its customers at the finals and the online banking industry at trade shows.

Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA marketing director, said: “We are excited to continue having Swissquote as a sponsor of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League for the new competition cycle, which will feature the new league phase format. Our partnership has proven successful for all sides, so we are very pleased to continue working together as we embark on the next phase of our journey.”

Marc Bürki, CEO of Swissquote, said: “Our partnership with UEFA has already significantly enhanced Swissquote’s brand awareness throughout Europe, transforming fans into loyal customers. Extending this agreement ensures the continuation of our success. Football stands for passionate competition, the pursuit of triumph, and the spirit of enthusiasm shared by all. These are values that align perfectly with our company and our partnership with customers. We are thrilled to sustain our support for their favourite teams and meet them at the stadium.”

Swissquote joins Engelbert Strauss as partners of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League for the 2024–27 competition cycle.

Credit: UEFA