Barcelona fight back twice from two-goal deficits to beat Benfica 5-4. Raphinha's 96th-minute winner seals Barca's spot in the Champions League last 16.

Barcelona Pull Off Thrilling Comeback to Beat Benfica in Seven-Goal Epic

In a game that had everything – goals, howlers, drama, and a 96th-minute winner – Barcelona came back from the brink not once, but twice, to stun Benfica 5-4 in a pulsating Champions League clash. Wojciech Szczesny, making his first Champions League start in years, endured a nightmare evening, while Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha inspired a remarkable turnaround that sealed Barca's spot in the last 16.

Benfica made a dream start, and Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis was the star of the show early on. He smashed home a sensational 30-minute hat-trick, leaving the Barcelona defence and Wojciech Szczesny in tatters

The first goal came courtesy of full-back Alvaro Carreras, who got in behind Jules Kounde and delivered a perfect cross for Pavlidis to emphatically finish. But things took a turn for the comical with Szczesny’s first howler. The Polish keeper collided with his own teammate, Alejandro Balde, while trying to clear a routine long ball, leaving Pavlidis free to slot into an empty net.

Szczesny then compounded his misery by clattering into Benfica winger Kerem Aktürkoglu to concede a penalty. Pavlidis coolly dispatched it, completing his treble and leaving the Barcelona faithful wondering what they’d just witnessed.

Despite Szczesny’s struggles, Barcelona weren’t going down without a fight. Robert Lewandowski converted from the penalty spot after Tomas Araujo stepped on Alejandro Balde’s foot, giving Barca their first glimmer of hope.

The visitors pushed forward, with Gavi forcing a smart save from Anatoliy Trubin, and Ronald Araujo heading narrowly over from a corner. But for all their effort, they went into halftime 3-1 down.

The Late-Game Chaos: Barca’s Stunning Comeback

Barcelona turned up the heat as the game entered its closing stages. Lewandowski, once again clinical from the penalty spot, made it 4-3, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.

Eric Garcia then rose highest to head home an equaliser in the dying minutes, and just as it seemed both sides would share the points, chaos erupted.

First, Szczesny redeemed himself slightly with a crucial block to deny Angel Di Maria, before Benfica had a penalty shout turned down after a VAR review. While the home crowd protested, Barcelona pounced.

Raphinha raced away on the counter, slotting past Trubin in the 96th minute to complete the comeback and silence the Estadio da Luz. The scenes were pure drama, and for Benfica, heartbreak.

Barca Seal Last 16 Spot, Benfica Left Wondering

The victory means Barcelona have guaranteed their place in the Champions League last 16 with 18 points. The Catalans showed incredible resilience to recover from two separate two-goal deficits and seal an unforgettable win.

For Benfica, this will be a tough one to swallow. After such a strong start, they’ll be left wondering how they let this slip away. Szczesny’s errors might have opened the door, but it was Raphinha, Lewandowski, and the relentless spirit of Barcelona that slammed it shut.

Barcelona's Dramatic Comeback Stuns Benfica in 5-4 Thriller

Chelsea’s young squad faces growing pains, with wasted chances and defensive errors hurting their season. Is inexperience the root of their struggles?

Chelsea’s Struggles: Youth, Mistakes, and Missed Chances

Chelsea fans looking for a scapegoat in their recent slump won’t hesitate to point fingers at one man – goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The Spaniard has had more mishaps than a clumsy waiter, leading to his replacement by Filip Jorgensen. But while Sanchez has had his share of howlers, he’s not the only one under scrutiny.

Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea’s erratic frontman, is also in the firing line. After scoring eight goals in his first 15 Premier League games, it seemed he was finally evolving from ‘promising’ to ‘prolific’. But since then? One goal in 10 games, as Chelsea have gone from pushing for second place to scrambling for a Champions League spot.

If you’re looking for hard evidence of Chelsea’s wastefulness, Opta has provided a damning stat. Since December 4, Cole Palmer has created 32 chances – the most in Europe’s top five leagues. And how many have Chelsea converted? Not a single one.

Palmer’s expected assists figure in that period is 3.96, but thanks to wayward finishing, that number might as well have been generated by a malfunctioning calculator. Unsurprisingly, Jackson is the main culprit, squandering seven of those Palmer deliveries – the most of any player. Amusingly (or worryingly, if you're a Chelsea fan), defender Tosin Adarabioyo is second with six.

These struggles highlight three fundamental issues in Chelsea’s current setup: Their squad-building philosophy, The consequences of that philosophy, The costly price tag compared to the results.

The Boehly Blueprint: Young, Long-Term, and Inconsistent

Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake took over, Chelsea’s recruitment strategy has been clear – buy young, tie them down on long-term deals, and hope for future growth. On paper, it makes sense. Invest in talent early, develop them, and either turn them into stars or sell them on for a profit.

Chelsea’s starting XI this season has been the youngest in the Premier League by a considerable margin and will go down as one of the youngest in the competition’s history. Remarkably, they are the only team in the league that hasn’t given a single minute to a player aged 28 or older.

In this squad, Adarabioyo, Sanchez, and Christopher Nkunku – all 27 years old – are the elder statesmen. Yes, Chelsea’s |veterans| are younger than most clubs’ prime-age players.

The problem with banking entirely on youth is that player development isn’t linear. Just because a squad grows together doesn’t mean they all improve at the same rate. Young stars inevitably go through dips in form, and teams adapt to counter their strengths.

This is where experienced players come in handy – to steady the ship during rough patches. When a young squad loses momentum, there’s no battle-hardened leader to step up and steer them through. Joe Cole summed it up perfectly on TNT Sports before Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in January:

|I think it's a little bit of inexperience. This time of the year is crucial – the Christmas period, December, and coming out of it. The weather is bad, the games come thick and fast, and if you're not in form, you can really fall away.|

Cole’s solution? Sprinkle some experience into the squad to balance out the youthful energy. A squad full of promise is exciting, but in the brutal grind of a Premier League season, promise alone isn’t enough.

Conclusion: A Long-Term Plan, But Short-Term Pain

Chelsea’s struggles are a direct consequence of their strategy. A young, inexperienced team is always going to face inconsistency. Right now, the lack of experienced heads is hurting them – when things go wrong, there’s no safety net.

The long-term plan could still bear fruit, but Chelsea fans may need to brace themselves for more growing pains before they see any real rewards. Until then, missed chances, defensive mishaps, and frustrating results might continue to define this team.

The question is: will Boehly and Co. tweak their approach, or will Chelsea fans have to suffer through more ‘learning experiences’ before success arrives?

Chelsea’s Youthful Gamble: Why They’re Struggling

Kobbie Mainoo scores and assists as Manchester United beat FCSB 2-0 to reach the Europa League last 16, avoiding the play-off round.

/images/news/manchester-united/Mainoo.webp

Kobbie Mainoo stole the show as Manchester United secured a 2-0 victory over FCSB, sealing their spot in the Europa League last 16. The teenage midfielder bagged a goal and an assist, capping off a composed performance that helped Ruben Amorim’s side avoid the dreaded play-off round.

For the first 60 minutes, the match in Bucharest felt like one of those Europa League group games you instantly forget. But then, Mainoo decided it was time for some excitement.

The 19-year-old’s pinpoint low pass found Diogo Dalot, who ghosted in at the back post to tap home the opener. Eight minutes later, Mainoo turned from provider to scorer, calmly side-footing Alejandro Garnacho’s cut-back into the net for his first goal of the season.

|I enjoyed it| Mainoo told TNT Sports after the match. |I am just happy to be on the pitch for Manchester United|.

The win means United finish third in the league phase and will face one of Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar, or FC Midtjylland in the last 16. Crucially, they avoid a two-legged play-off in February, giving Amorim’s squad more time to train and |build connections|.

United looked sluggish in the first half, with little attacking spark. Amorim, however, had a plan. At half-time, he introduced Amad Diallo and Garnacho, sacrificing left wing-back Tyrell Malacia and defensive midfielder Toby Collyer.

The impact was immediate. Within 80 seconds, Garnacho pounced on a defensive mix-up and smashed a shot against the post. Moments later, Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar with a long-range effort.

With United’s wing-backs pushing forward, FCSB’s defence began to crumble. Dalot’s goal came from an overlapping run, while Mainoo’s composed finish followed another slick move down the flank.

Casemiro also made his long-awaited return, coming on in the 72nd minute for his first United appearance since December 30.

FCSB’s Rare Threats and United’s Control

FCSB did have their moments, with Daniel Birligea thumping the crossbar shortly after Dalot’s opener. In the first half, Mihai Popescu nearly converted a dangerous Risto Radunovic free-kick.

But these were mere flashes of hope. For most of the match, United were in cruise control, managing the game with ease.

/images/news/manchester-united/Mainoo2.webp

Unbeaten and Eyeing Champions League Return

With the Europa League winners earning a Champions League spot, United will be eager to go all the way. They remain the only unbeaten team in the competition and, after a dominant second-half display, will fancy their chances in the knockout rounds.

For now, though, it’s mission accomplished in the group phase – with Mainoo leading the charge.

Mainoo Stars as Man United Reach Europa League Last 16

Bundesliga refs will announce VAR decisions to fans in a trial aimed at boosting transparency, following similar efforts in rugby and the Women’s World Cup.

German Football to Trial VAR Announcements in Stadiums

In a move to boost transparency and fan understanding, German football will trial match officials announcing VAR decisions to stadium crowds in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 this weekend. The system, already seen in other sports like rugby union and American football, aims to make the often-confusing VAR process more accessible for fans in attendance.

At five selected games on 1 and 2 February, referees will explain their decisions after reviewing incidents at the pitchside monitor or following a VAR recommendation to overturn a call. Nine clubs, including heavyweights like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen, have volunteered to take part in the trial.

Ansgar Schwenken, the DFL’s director of match operation and fans, said the initiative aims to |increase the transparency of referee decisions| and |ensure greater understanding among the fans|.

VAR announcements are not a new concept in the wider sporting world. Rugby union and American football have long used stadium announcements to explain officiating decisions, while the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand also trialled the system.

England has already dipped its toes into the idea. In the Carabao Cup semi-finals, Stuart Attwell explained why Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke had a goal disallowed for offside against Liverpool on 8 January. The Premier League has also indicated plans to introduce in-game VAR announcements at some point this season.

Fans attending this weekend’s Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches at participating clubs will witness the trial in action. With high-profile clubs like Bayern and Dortmund involved, all eyes will be on how the system impacts the in-game experience and whether it can effectively demystify VAR for fans.

The VAR announcement trial marks a significant step towards greater transparency in football officiating. While some fans may remain sceptical about VAR as a concept, explaining decisions in real time could help bridge the communication gap and improve the matchday experience for supporters.

If successful, this initiative could set a new standard for how football leagues worldwide handle the often-contentious topic of VAR decisions.

German Football Trials VAR Announcements in Stadiums

Manchester United risk breaching financial rules and warn of ticket price increases as the club battles £300m losses over three years.

/images/news/manchester-united/old-trafford.webp

Man United Face Financial Woes: Ticket Prices Could Rise

Manchester United have admitted they are at risk of breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and warned fans that ticket prices could increase next season to address the club’s financial losses. In a letter to fan groups, the club outlined the challenges they face, revealing significant financial struggles that could impact their ability to compete on the pitch.

Acknowledging Fan Loyalty, But Warning of Challenges

In their letter, United assured fan groups – including The 1958 and Fan Coalition 58 – that they value the loyalty and passion of their supporters. |We agree that our fans are what makes Manchester United the greatest football club in the world.| the letter read.

However, the club acknowledged that drastic measures are necessary to tackle what they describe as “unsustainable” losses. |We are determined to ensure that our current fans can continue to afford to attend games and that tickets are accessible for future generations of fans. But we are making a significant loss each year – over £300m in the past three years.| the statement continued.

According to the BBC, Manchester United’s losses over the past five years total £370 million, with £300 million of that coming in the last three years alone. In response, the club has already raised ticket prices for members to £66 and removed concessions for children and pensioners in November.

Despite these changes, the club is still grappling with the harsh reality of needing to balance the books to avoid breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

/images/news/manchester-united/old-trafford-2.webp

The letter also revealed the club has already made difficult financial decisions, including reducing their workforce and cutting spending across multiple areas. These measures, while painful, are described as essential to restoring financial sustainability and ensuring United can compete both domestically and in Europe.

|We will get back to a cash-positive position as soon as possible and we will have to make some difficult choices to get there| the club stated.

Unsurprisingly, fan groups have expressed concerns about the impact of rising ticket prices on the Old Trafford faithful. Many fear that increasing costs could alienate core supporters, especially those who have stood by the club during its ups and downs.

The club, however, insists that financial stability is key to their long-term ambitions, with the letter stating: |Restoring financial sustainability to the club will underpin us as we work to get back to the top of English and European football.|

Manchester United’s financial woes highlight the fine line the club must walk between balancing their books and maintaining the loyalty of their fanbase. While they insist they’re making tough decisions in the name of sustainability, the spectre of higher ticket prices may test the patience of even the most die-hard supporters.

One thing is certain: the road to recovery, both financially and on the pitch, won’t be an easy one for the Red Devils.

Man United Warn of Ticket Price Hikes Amid Financial Struggles

Man City face elimination as Liverpool, Arsenal, and Villa thrive in the Champions League. Thrilling finale awaits in revamped 36-team league phase!

/images/news/pep-guardiola/sad-looking.webp

The revamped Champions League is delivering drama by the bucketload, with just two games left in the new 36-team league phase. While Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa are cruising, Manchester City are flirting with disaster. Oh, and Celtic? They’re somehow still clinging on.

Defending champions Manchester City are not exactly having the time of their lives. A 2-0 loss to Juventus has Pep Guardiola’s side sitting in 22nd place, just one point above the elimination zone. Yes, 22nd.

Their next match? A must-win clash against PSG in Paris on Wednesday. PSG, fresh from a 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg, are breathing down City’s neck. The loser of this heavyweight showdown could find themselves circling the Champions League drain.

Even Real Madrid, the reigning champions of Europe, aren’t safe. Despite a hard-fought 3-2 win at Atalanta, they’re only one point ahead of City and just two ahead of PSG. Basically, this isn’t the script anyone expected for Europe’s top clubs.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are making it all look easy. A 1-0 win over Girona keeps the Reds as the only side to win all their games so far. They sit comfortably at the top of the table and have already guaranteed themselves a spot in at least the play-off round. Classic Klopp chaos, but this time with a lot of control.

Barcelona, after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund, are second in the table and also through to at least the play-offs. Dortmund, meanwhile, are hanging on in ninth place and might need a miracle to avoid slipping out of contention.

Arsenal and Aston Villa are flying the flag for English football, both sitting pretty in the top eight. Arsenal cruised past Monaco, while Villa pulled off an impressive win against RB Leipzig. If Unai Emery’s side keeps this up, he might start getting free dinners in Birmingham.

Joining them in the top spots are Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan, Brest, and Lille. Yes, Brest – the Cinderella story of the tournament. In their first-ever European campaign, they’ve beaten PSV 1-0 and are proving that fairy tales can still happen in football. Though, thanks to UEFA’s stadium requirements, they’re hosting games in Guingamp. Apparently, their home ground didn’t make the cut – no glass slippers allowed.

/images/news/pep-guardiola/concentrated.webp

While most of the competition is still wide open, Leipzig, Slovan Bratislava, and Young Boys have already been shown the door. All three are winless after six games and are the first to be eliminated. Better luck next time, lads.

The stage is now set for an explosive finale on 29 January, when all 18 remaining matches will be played simultaneously at 20:00 GMT. Expect chaos, nerves, and plenty of broken hearts (and maybe a few smashed water bottles from Guardiola).

With heavyweights like Manchester City and Real Madrid teetering on the brink and underdogs like Brest stealing the spotlight, the revamped Champions League is proving to be as unpredictable as it is thrilling. The next two rounds will decide who’s dining at Europe’s top table – and who’s left staring longingly from the outside.