Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique is treating the upcoming home and away Champions League fixtures as a knock-out tie as they try to navigate their way out of a ‘group of death’.
The heavyweight Group F, which also includes Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle, remains tight after the opening two fixtures, and Enrique believes the next two games could determine PSG’s fate as Milan visit the French capital on Wednesday before the return fixture in two weeks’ time.
“This is a turning point for everyone,” Enrique said. “For us, this is a great opportunity. There are two matches against Milan, it’s almost a direct elimination. But it’s the same for them. You have to take it game by game. We will try to do things better than AC Milan.”
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will face his boyhood club, having first broken into the Milan side at the tender age of just 16, making the switch to PSG in 2021.
The 24-year-old admitted it would be a special occasion, but promised it would not affect his game.
“There will be a lot of emotion, it will be special,” Donnarumma said. “We have to put that aside and just think about the match.
“I feel very good here, it’s like a big family, like I had in Milan. I will always be grateful to Milan. I found a wonderful atmosphere in Paris from the first day. I want to give everything for PSG now.
“The beginnings were not easy here because I had a lot of friends and family in Milan. But little by little, I was able to get my bearings here, and now I have friends, I speak a little of the language and I feel very good.”
PSG were on the wrong end of a 4-1 thrashing in their last Champions League match, away to Newcastle, another night that put the spotlight on Donnarumma, who has often been criticised for his game with the ball at his feet.
“I’m always trying to improve,” Donnarumma said. “I always said I had to improve on everything. Every day I want to learn and listen to my coaches. My goal every day is to grow. I am very happy with my growth. I have a little experience and I try to help young people too.
“(The Newcastle game) was one where we had to do better. We were very upset, but we have to look forward. We know that the group is very balanced, very difficult. It will be a great game, with a lot of emotions for me.”
Milan go into the game looking to extend a four-game unbeaten run against French opposition, but coming off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Juventus in Serie A, and they are yet to win in the Champions League this season.
“We have to do better,” coach Stefano Pioli said. “Each game tells us where we need to improve. Becoming more concrete is an objective.”
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali trained with his team-mates on Tuesday morning amid speculation that an investigation into breaches of betting rules was close to reaching a conclusion.
Reports from Italy have suggested the 23-year-old former AC Milan player could learn his fate before Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park, with some predicting a lengthy ban.
However, the Italy international was among the group which trained at the club’s Darsley Park training headquarters as they completed their preparations for the Group F fixture under grey skies and incessant rain.
Tonali’s representatives reportedly spent Monday in discussions with prosecutors, who launched an investigation while he was away on international duty earlier this month.
He and compatriot Nicolo Zaniolo, currently on loan at Aston Villa from Galatasaray, are subject to a probe by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in relation to illegal betting activity.
Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso had claimed the player was living with a “gambling addiction” and if breaches were found to have taken place, he could face many months on the sidelines.
The midfielder, who joined the Magpies in a £55million summer move from Milan, is accused of placing bets on the Rossoneri and former club Brescia during his time with them.
He has made 11 appearances to date for Newcastle, including a start in the 4-1 Champions League victory over Paris St Germain earlier this month.
Erik ten Hag believes Sir Bobby Charlton will always remain an inspiration to Manchester United as they prepare for their first home game since the World Cup-winner died on Saturday.
Tributes to Charlton, who was 86, will take place before Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Copenhagen, in the form of a minute’s silence, a wreath being placed on Charlton’s seat in the directors’ box and players and club staff wearing black armbands.
Charlton will also be remembered in the official programme for both the Copenhagen match and Sunday’s derby against Manchester City. There will be a minute’s applause prior to the City match as well as expressions of remembrance via flags and banners in the stadium.
Fans have already been flocking to Old Trafford to leave flowers, scarves and messages around the statue of Charlton, Denis Law and George Best – the ‘United Trinity’ – which is located outside the ground.
And when asked if Charlton would be an inspiration for his side not only on Tuesday but beyond, Ten Hag pointed to the statue.
“He is in front of Old Trafford,” Ten Hag said. “With Denis Law and George Best. He is always with us. They are always a huge inspiration for us, every day, and in every game.”
Ten Hag cited Charlton as an inspiration for his players in Saturday’s 2-1 win away to Sheffield United, secured by Diogo Dalot’s winner, but a match at Old Trafford will be an opportunity for the entire club to pay tribute on and off the pitch.
Ten Hag wants to mark the occasion with a victory, something United badly need in the Champions League after opening their Group A campaign with defeats against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, while they have stuttered in the Premier League too.
“First we want to win as a tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, but also you want always to do that in a certain way and that is what we are aiming for,” Ten Hag added. “It is not always possible in football, sometimes you don’t play that well but you have to find a way to win.
“I was happy on Saturday that we could show tribute with a win but also with the way we scored that second goal.”
Although they ground out the victory, United were again far from their best in Saturday’s win over the Blades, with social media full of grumbling from fans amid a pedestrian start to the campaign.
But Ten Hag said he continues to feel the firm backing of the supporters inside Old Trafford, and expects a special atmosphere on Tuesday night.
“It’s always special every night at Old Trafford, the fans are always so behind us,” the Dutchman said.
“I remember the last game, the home game against Brentford, even when the game is not going in our direction they stayed behind us in difficult moments and moments of adversity around Manchester United the fans are still with us and we are with the fans, we are fighting together.
“Definitely tomorrow after the passing away of Sir Bobby Charlton, their hero, their legend, their giant, I’m sure there will be an even more emotional evening tomorrow.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers wants his team to show they can take on the best in the world when they host Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
The Hoops are looking for their first points of the Champions League campaign after going down against Feyenoord with nine men and losing to a last-gasp goal against Lazio after being denied the lead for a second time by a marginal offside decision.
Rodgers said: “We are playing one of the top clubs in the world and one of the best teams.
“We want to be able to take on the best teams in the world. We don’t have to be the best in the world but we certainly want to be able to take them on.”
Celtic warmed up with a dominant display in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Hearts.
“The players will go into it with great confidence,” Rodgers said.
“It will be an amazing atmosphere, we will try to start with energy and quality and devise a plan.
“The players have been unfortunate they haven’t picked up something. In the two games the performance level has been good, considering we had nine men against Feyenoord and the last game was hugely frustrating.
“But a great chance to play against a really good team and see if we can get our first points on the board.”
In-form midfielder Matt O’Riley will go into the game with a positive mindset after hitting his sixth goal of the season in style at Tynecastle.
The 22-year-old said: “If we play well and take our chances, and we believe we can do it, then anything is possible.
“We have seen that before in previous Champions League games in the past, I think performance is definitely there, it’s just a matter of being ruthless in both boxes to be honest.”
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he does not have “freedom of expression” to talk about referees as he prepares his side for their Champions League Group C trip to Sporting Braga.
Ancelotti appeared to back referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea after the weekend draw in Sevilla but later conceded on his club’s official media channels that he used “irony” when questioned about officials.
In a pre-match press conference dominated by questions about the state of refereeing, Ancelotti refused the opportunity to echo Spanish referees’ chief Pedro Rocha and call officials from the country the best in the world.
Ancelotti said: “If you ask me who the best players in the world are, I say Real Madrid players. There are some very good referees with a lot of experience and there are others who need to improve.
“You know that I don’t have freedom of expression when it comes to talking about referees. If I say what I think, I get suspended and I want to work and make the most of the matches, which excite me. I can’t answer these kinds of questions.”
Ancelotti says his players will not be distracted by next week’s El Clasico against Barcelona as they look to make a statement by winning their second straight game in the group.
“We’ve never talked about the next game we have in the league, we’re focused and dedicated to the one we’re playing right now,” added Ancelotti.
“The players are making the most of it and recovering well to get to full strength for tomorrow’s game, which is the most important one at the moment.”
Real are once again without Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao but David Alaba is expected to feature after coming through against Sevilla, while Nacho is in the squad despite currently serving a domestic suspension.
Braga, bidding for a fifth straight win in all competitions, fought back from 2-0 down to beat Union Berlin 3-2 in Germany in their previous Group C match earlier this month.
Artur Jorge’s side finished third in the Portuguese top flight last season to secure Champions League football for the first time in 11 years and beat Serbia’s Backa Topla and Panathinaikos to reach the group stage.
Former Braga defender Jorge is relishing Braga’s first-ever meeting with the Spanish giants.
He told a press conference: “This game will be very special and will go down in Braga’s history.
“We are playing against one of the best teams in the world, but we always seek to be competitive and fight in every match. We will have our opportunities and must try to be effective in the big moments.”
Mikel Arteta is hoping he will be left talking about football after his Arsenal side take on Sevilla in Spain on Tuesday.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was allegedly racially abused during Saturday’s LaLiga clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
Vinicius later took to social media to praise staff in the ground for ejecting a fan and reporting him to the authorities.
The Brazilian then said he had also seen footage of abuse being aimed at him from a child, posting on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Congratulations to Sevilla for their quick positioning and punishment in yet another sad episode for Spanish football.
“Unfortunately, I had access to a video of another racist act in this Saturday’s match, this time carried out by a child.
“I am very sorry that there is no one to educate you. I invest, and I invest a lot, in education in Brazil to form citizens with attitudes different from these.”
Just three days later and Arsenal will be the visitors for their Champions League Group C clash.
Arteta echoed Vinicius’ sentiment and is hoping he is left discussing the result when he addresses the media after Tuesday’s game.
“What I can say is Sevilla reacted in a really strong and quick way,” he said.
“Great. Let’s enjoy a beautiful football atmosphere. It doesn’t get much better than the atmosphere here and I hope that we can just talk about the football and enjoy that atmosphere tomorrow.”
Arteta is once again expected to prefer David Raya over Aaron Ramsdale in goal, although the latter has travelled despite reports he would stay in England following the birth of his child on Saturday.
The goalkeeping position at the Emirates Stadium has dominated discussion in recent weeks, especially following a nervy performance from Raya in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Saturday.
Asked if Raya was suffering from the intensity of the attention at the moment, Arteta replied: “I haven’t seen that. If I am fair, I haven’t seen that at all.
“That’s the pressure of playing in big clubs where you have to win and you have to be at your best, and you have someone next to you who is pushing you every single day.
“If we go player by player, position by position, you will tell me what’s happening at left-back, what happens with the holding midfielder.
“That’s the debate. That’s the beauty of the game as well. The fact that you have other options as well is going to make those talks more frequent.”
Boss Rudi Garcia admits Napoli must beat Union Berlin to ensure they maintain a strong position in the Champions League.
Garcia’s men sit second in Group C, three points behind leaders Real Madrid, who won 3-2 in Naples earlier this month.
Napoli opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Braga in Portugal and now go to Union Berlin on Tuesday.
“We know all about Union Berlin’s recent history, they reached the Champions League after an excellent season last year,” said Garcia.
“They have strong players like (Leonardo) Bonucci and (Lucas) Tousart. The Champions League is a great competition to play for both players and coaches.
“We started well, but then we didn’t take any points against Real Madrid and we have to win tomorrow.”
The Serie A champions ended a run of successive home defeats by Real in Europe and Fiorentina in the league with a 3-1 win at Verona on Saturday in which Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice.
However, they will once again be without star striker Victor Osimhen as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Berlin coach Urs Fischer has told his Champions League debutants to have “fun” as they attempt to end a dreadful run of eight successive defeats in all competitions.
Fischer told a press conference: “We have a difficult opponent ahead of us, the Italian champions, but we must remain optimistic and remember that football is fun.
“We will face Napoli in the right manner to try to take away points.”
That is something the Germans, who finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season, have failed to do in either of their games to date after losing 1-0 at Bernabeu Stadium courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time strike before going down 3-2 to Braga at the Olympiastadion in a game in which they had led 2-0.
They have suffered on the domestic front too after going into the international break on the back of a 4-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund and emerging from it to lose 3-0 at home to Stuttgart on Saturday.
However, midfielder Rani Khedira, who made his first league start of the season at the weekend after injury, insisted he and his team-mates had to remain optimistic.
Khedira said: “The key is to continue to have confidence and optimism. Tomorrow we will have to play with humility, and it will not be easy, but we must not get down about it and we must try to win.”
Germany international Robin Gosens is a doubt for the game, while much-decorated Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci will hope for a return after failing to make it off the bench at the weekend.
Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi believes red-hot Lautaro Martinez should be in contention for the Ballon d’Or.
The striker has scored 11 goals in nine Serie A games, including four in the 4-0 rout of Salernitana last month.
He also netted in Inter’s Champions League opener – a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad – last month.
Martinez is on course to beat the Serie A scoring record of 36 goals in a season, set by Gonzalo Higuain for Napoli in 2015-16 and Ciro Immobile for Inzaghi’s Lazio in 2019-20.
Ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with RB Salzburg at the San Siro, Inzaghi feels his striker, who won the World Cup with Argentina last year, deserves recognition in the Ballon d’Or.
Inzaghi told a press conference: “Yes, given the journey he’s been on and the trophies he’s won, I think it’s only right that he’s among the candidates to win it and he needs to carry on working in the same way.
“What comes to mind is Ciro’s record, as he achieved it with me. Lauti only returned a day-and-a-half ago from South America, he is in great shape and the team gives him all the support he needs too.”
Inter, top of Serie A, are second in Group D behind Sociedad on goal difference.
“This is a delicate match because the entire group is very balanced. Every game is important and we’ll need to be highly focused,” said Inzaghi.
“Heading into this game, we’re doing well. We won against Torino, which was no easy task. Tomorrow’s match will be important in a group that is very balanced.
“We need to stay focused because Salzburg are a tough side to face and won away to Benfica on the opening matchday.
“Salzburg play good football and have an aggressive playing system, even if they played differently in our pre-season friendly.
“They know how to switch it up and – when in possession – quickly get it to their forwards, who are very physical. We’ll have to produce a true Inter performance.”
Salzburg are a point behind in the group, having beaten Benfica and lost to Sociedad and boss Gerhard Struber expects an improvement after three winless games.
“We have to play better than we have done recently, for sure. It will definitely be a totally different match in a totally different competition. We won’t be favourites,” said the former Barnsley manager.
“We are playing a top Italian team who are right at the top of Serie A. We definitely have more to win than we have to lose and we want to play successfully there too.
“We have to put our core values out on the pitch again for that.”
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has hailed “world-class” Harry Kane ahead of their Champions League trip to Galatasaray where the German giants could move five points clear at the top of Group A.
Tuchel’s men have won both of their group matches so far but will come up against another unbeaten side in the form of the Turkish champions on Tuesday, and the goalscoring prowess of Kane could prove key in the clash.
The England captain took his tally to 10 goals in 11 appearances for Bayern when he found the back of the net in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Mainz, and Tuchel has praised the way his star striker has started since his summer arrival in Germany.
“He’s more than talented, he’s absolutely world-class,” said Tuchel, quoted on UEFA’s website.
“He has talent, ability, aura, personality, modesty, and love and dedication to the game. We persuaded the captain of England to leave England and I think we can pat ourselves on the back for that for a while.
“He’s a huge signing. Harry has made a super start and will get even better the longer he trains with us and once his family arrives too. When he feels at home here, we’ll see his full potential.
“With him everything is exemplary so it’s just good to have him here.”
Bayern travel to Turkey having beaten Manchester United and Copenhagen in their opening two Group A matches to establish themselves as firm favourites to reach the knockout stages.
However, Galatasaray have also started well, netting twice late on to draw against Copenhagen before stunning United 3-2 at Old Trafford.
They have also won eight of their nine matches in the league so far this season, and Tuchel knows the dangers his side face in Istanbul.
Tuchel, who led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021 and also reached the final as Paris St Germain boss, said: “The competition is so tight now that the group stage is never easy anymore.
“I’ve never had an easy group stage. You have to be alert, wide awake and focused for 90 minutes on what you’re doing.
“In a group with Galatasaray, Manchester United and Copenhagen, you can’t allow yourself to make a single mistake, never mind two, so we are working on becoming more resilient and robust.
“We’re well on the way to this. We have turned a few games around after falling behind. We didn’t let it rattle us and we’re developing a certain toughness in this competition.”
England and Scotland’s Champions League representatives return to action this week with some looking to maintain momentum and others determined to kick-start their campaigns.
Holders Manchester City and Newcastle currently top their respective groups while Arsenal are well placed after two games, but Manchester United and Celtic are yet to open their accounts.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the teams the British contenders face in the latest round of fixtures.
Manchester United v Copenhagen (Tuesday)
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Danish champions Copenhagen began their campaign in the second qualifying round, easing past Iceland’s Breidablik 8-3 on aggregate, but were extended much further to secure their place in the play-offs as they drew 0-0 with Sparta Prague at the Parken Stadium before progressing 4-2 on penalties after an eventful 3-3 draw in the Czech capital.
Polish champions Rakow Czestochowa provided the opposition as they fought for a place in the group stage and a 1-0 away win in the first leg proved decisive as the sides drew 1-1 in Denmark in the return.
Copenhagen are currently a point clear of Silkeborg and Brondby at the top of the Danish Superliga, but have won only once in their last four games in all competitions – Saturday’s 2-1 home victory over lowly Vejle BK.
They launched their Group A campaign with a 2-2 draw at Galatasaray, where they led 2-0 before defender Elias Jelert was sent off and were beaten 2-1 at home by Bayern Munich last time out, having gone ahead once again.
The game could prove something of a family affair for United striker Rasmus Hojlund, 20, who could come up against 18-year-old twin brothers Oscar and Emil, both part of former club Copenhagen’s squad for the competition.
Sevilla v Arsenal (Tuesday)
Sevilla are making their ninth appearance in the group stage and qualified as a result of extending their record as UEFA Cup or Europa League winners to seven with a penalty shoot-out victory over Roma in last season’s final in Budapest.
They have not made it to the last 16 in their last two attempts and welcome the Gunners to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, having drawn both their Group B fixtures to date.
The Spaniards led French side Lens 1-0 at home in their opener courtesy of Lucas Ocampos’ early strike, but had to settle for a point after Angelo Fulgini levelled and they were pegged back once again in a dramatic conclusion to their trip to PSV Eindhoven, where they were 1-0 up and 2-1 ahead before Jordan Teze snatched a 2-2 draw deep into stoppage time.
Sevilla, who lost to Manchester City on penalties in August’s European Super Cup clash in Athens, finished 11th in last season’s LaLiga table, 39 points adrift of champions Barcelona and again find themselves in mid-table.
They have won only two of their 12 games in all competitions to date this season, but drew a second-successive league game on Saturday, when visitors Real Madrid needed a Daniel Carvajal equaliser to emerge with a point.
Celtic v Atletico Madrid (Wednesday)
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Twice runners-up – on both occasions to derby rivals Real Madrid – Atletico have genuine Champions League pedigree, although they failed to make the last 16 for the first time in five seasons in 2022-23.
The sides have met on six previous occasions in European competition with the Spaniards having come out on top four times, the last of them a 1-0 Europa League victory at Celtic Park in November 2011, with the Scottish champions’ only reward two draws.
Atleti currently top Group E on goals scored ahead of Lazio with both sides on four points and Feyenoord a point behind.
They drew 1-1 in Rome – where the Serie A side were indebted to goalkeeper Ivan Provedel’s last-gasp equaliser – and twice came from behind at the Estadio Metropolitano, where Alvaro Morata’s double either side of an Antoine Griezmann strike secured a 3-2 victory over the Dutchmen.
Diego Simeone’s men head into the game on the back of a six-match winning run culminating in Saturday’s 3-0 league victory at Celta Vigo.
Newcastle v Borussia Dortmund (Wednesday)
Last season’s Bundesliga runners-up, Dortmund were European champions in 1997 and went down 2-1 to compatriots Bayern Munich in the 2013 final.
They have made it to the knockout stage of the Champions League in eight of their 10 most recent campaigns, but went out to Chelsea in the round of 16 last season.
Their record in England, however, does not augur well with seven of their last eight visits having ended in defeat – both the Blues and Manchester City got the better of them last season.
Dortmund have collected just a single point from their two Group F outings to date, but are yet to find the back of the net following a 2-0 defeat at Paris St Germain and a 0-0 home draw with AC Milan.
However, the reverse in Paris remains the only one they have suffered in 11 games in all competitions and they have won their last five league games – the most recent of them a 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Friday – to sit two points adrift of early leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Young Boys v Manchester City (Wednesday)
The Swiss champions are playing in the Champions League for the 10th time having missed out on a place in last season’s Europa League after a play-off defeat by Anderlecht.
They collected five points from their six games on their last appearance in 2021-22 and finished bottom of their group as a result.
Young Boys won their first home Champions League game against an English club – Tottenham in a 2010-11 play-off – but eventually went down 6-3 on aggregate and their last, a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in September 2021 on a night when Cristiano Ronaldo scored but Aaron Wan-Bissaka was sent off.
They went down 3-1 at home to Leipzig in their opening fixture, but were denied victory at Red Star Belgrade when Osman Bukari’s late goal ensured it ended 2-2.
They are unbeaten in four games in all competitions, but were held to a goalless home draw by FC Zurich on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag has told his Manchester United players they must channel their emotions following the death of club great Sir Bobby Charlton when they face Copenhagen in a must-win Champions League game on Tuesday night.
United are in mourning after World Cup winner Charlton died at the age of 86 on Saturday, and Ten Hag began a press conference on Monday by leading a minute’s silence at the club’s Carrington training ground.
Ten Hag cited Charlton as an inspiration for his players in Saturday’s 2-1 win away to Sheffield United, secured by Diogo Dalot’s late winner, but Tuesday’s match will be United’s first home game since Charlton’s death, an opportunity to pay tribute on and off the pitch.
“Sir Bobby was a legend, a giant, not only for Manchester United but for football,” Ten Hag said.
“The legacy that he left for standards, high standards, we have to live it every day. Of course first of all our thoughts are with his family, his wife, children and grandchildren.
“But it’s also what he meant for Manchester United, his importance for Manchester United. The standards he set, we have to live it and in the last couple of days they were emphasised…
“We are professionals and it is our job but you can’t ban emotions. You use emotions in the right way.”
United certainly need a win after starting their Group A campaign with defeats to both Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, the first time they have begun a European campaign with back-to-back losses.
“We have to win every game,” Ten Hag said. “If you see the group, if you lose the first two games you definitely have to win.”
Dalot’s powerful strike at Bramall Lane drew comparisons with some of Charlton’s goals, something the Portugal international said he had been honoured to be told.
“I was fortunate enough to get to know him since I arrived at the club,” Dalot said.
“He was always there after the game no matter if we won the game or lost the game, he was always there ready to give you a word of appreciation or sometimes to say we have to play a little bit better.
“He represented the standards for this club and the standards that we wanted for this club.”
Although they ground out the victory, United were again far from their best in Saturday’s win over the Blades, with social media full of grumbling from fans amid a pedestrian start to the campaign.
But Ten Hag said he continues to feel the firm backing of the supporters inside Old Trafford, and expects a special atmosphere on Tuesday night.
“It’s always special every night at Old Trafford, the fans are always so behind us,” the Dutchman said.
“I remember the last game, the home game against Brentford, even the game is not going in our direction they stayed behind us in difficult moments and moments of adversity around Manchester United the fans are still with us and we are with the fans, we are fighting together.
“Definitely tomorrow after the passing away of Sir Bobby Charlton, their hero, their legend, their giant, I’m sure there will be an even more emotional evening tomorrow.”
The game also promises to be a special occasion for United striker Rasmus Hojlund, the 20-year-old summer signing who came through the ranks at home-town club Copenhagen, where his younger brothers Emil and Oscar still play.
“You know it’s a special game for him,” Ten Hag said of a player who has scored three in two Champions League appearances for United so far.
“He grew up at the club and you know he will be highly motivated. It’s for me, for the team but especially of course for him to use that in the right direction, the right balance.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola distanced himself from Mikel Arteta’s success at Arsenal, insisting he learned just as much from his fellow Spaniard as opposed to the other way around.
The narrative of Sunday’s skirmish between two sides tipped to be vying for the Premier League title at the end of the season centres on Guardiola the master going up against Arteta the protege.
Arteta was one of Guardiola’s assistants for three years before leaving for Arsenal in December 2019, making gradual strides to the point where they were City’s closest top-flight challengers last season.
Any notion Guardiola is indirectly responsible for Arsenal’s resurgence was rubbished by the former Barcelona manager, who believes he had a reciprocal arrangement with Arteta during their time at City.
Asked if he sees a lot of his characteristics in Arteta, Guardiola said with a smile: “Zero. He has a completely different father and mother and he has his own personality.
“All the success he has belongs absolutely to Mikel and his people at Arsenal, not me. People say ‘he was with Pep and learned a lot’. I learned a lot from him.
“People say always I have to teach my assistant coaches; I bring the assistant coaches here to teach me. I am here, the figure in front of the microphone but I learn like the players.
“People believe we teach the players but we learn off them to take the decisions many times. All of the good things about Mikel belong to him, his genetics his mum and dad are giving to him. Not me.”
En route to a historic treble last season, City collected a third successive league title as they finished five points ahead of Arsenal, who claimed a top-four spot for the first time since 2016.
Guardiola thinks Arteta can bring back the glory days at Arsenal, who signed England midfielder Declan Rice for a club record £100million, plus £5m in add-ons, in July after City dropped out of the race.
Guardiola said: “Everybody knows that we wanted him. In the end, Arsenal pushed more and wanted him more. Maybe Mikel was more convincing than me. We could afford it maybe less, that’s why.”
Arsenal, who are unbeaten after seven league games and lie just one point City in the table, also paid more than £60m for Kai Havertz and their spending power suggests they will be challengers for a while.
Guardiola added: “Normally when Manchester City spent this amount of money it’s crazy, when it’s the other ones how smart they are.
“I’m not denying that everyone can do whatever they want and never judge the other one. We have been judged all the time but it’s fine.
“When we were in the middle of the table it never happened (like) that, it was not a problem, we were not under scrutiny from the rest.
“At the moment Arsenal’s recruitment is really good. They have a young squad for many, many years.
“The perspective for many is the fact that they will be there many times and, of course, Declan Rice is an exceptional, exceptional holding midfielder with the national team. He is an exceptional player.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola doubts Sunday’s visit to Arsenal will have a significant impact on who wins the Premier League this season.
Arsenal flourished under former City assistant Mikel Arteta last season but settled up for a runners-up spot as Guardiola’s side claimed a third successive top-flight triumph en route to a historic treble.
The Gunners are unbeaten after seven matches of this campaign and lie one point behind City, who are bidding to bounce back from last weekend’s surprise 2-1 defeat at Wolves.
Guardiola, though, insisted this showdown being so early in the season places less of an emphasis on the title race, even if he regards Arsenal as one of their main rivals.
He said: “This will not define a lot. It will be different when they come here at the Etihad (at the end of March) – then it will depend on the situations we are in.”
Instead Guardiola’s main focus in the weeks ahead is on guaranteeing progression from their Champions League group, having started the defence of their crown with wins over Red Star Belgrade and Leipzig.
He said: “We know where we came from with the treble. After that the tendency is to go down. We can play better or worse but in general in the training sessions the focus is there.
“We made an incredible step forward in the Champions League. In this month, the Champions League is the most important thing by far, until February when it starts again.
“What I want is to arrive here in February when we start the Champions League to be in the competitions and that it’s close. To be close to the top of the league and keep the distance short and make the last 10 games in our competition ‘let’s do it again’.
“(If you qualify for the Champions League knockout stages) you can focus on the Premier League until it is back again. We made a big step on Wednesday (by beating Leipzig), now we have Arsenal.”
Guardiola will be without Rodri this weekend as the midfielder serves the final game of a three-match domestic suspension while John Stones and Kevin de Bruyne remain on the sidelines.
De Bruyne is a long-term absentee after undergoing hamstring surgery but his absence has not unduly troubled City, who have found the back of the net at least once in every league game this season.
Guardiola said: “Since I arrived we scored a lot of goals, a lot. We have this ability with proper strikers, false nines, wingers, different pressing, different build ups. I am delighted with everyone.”
If City lose at the Emirates Stadium, it would mark the first time they have been beaten in successive league games since December 2018.
Asked to pinpoint why they have been so successful in bouncing straight back from a defeat, Guardiola added: “It shows what we have done. It is the exception – what we have done is incredible.”
Dan Burn realised a dream he never imagined would come true when he scored in Newcastle’s Champions League triumph over Paris St Germain.
The Magpies defender was earning £9 an hour collecting trolleys when he got his break in football as a 17-year-old YTS trainee with Darlington.
On Wednesday night, his header put his side 2-0 ahead in their Group F clash with the French champions at St James’ Park, and they went on to secure a famous 4-1 victory to give themselves a genuine chance of qualification.
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Asked afterwards if he had ever dreamt of scoring in the Champions League, the 31-year-old said: “I dreamt of it. I never thought it was going to happen.
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in. The next few days once I’ve watched it back about a hundred times and managed to celebrate with my family, it probably will.
“But (it was) just a special night all round for the city.”
Burn’s big moment, which came after Miguel Almiron had fired the home side in front, was surrounded by drama after he headed home Bruno Guimaraes’ cross and immediately saw the flag go up to spark a lengthy VAR check.
But the 6ft 6in defender eventually got the answer he craved to spark wild celebrations on and off the pitch.
He said: “It spoiled it a little bit because as soon as I scored, I looked up and saw the offside flag and you’re a bit deflated.
“But as it went longer and longer, you think it might be a goal and just to have the lads jumping on you and looking around, and I’ve got all my family here as well…
“To be able to say that I’ve scored in the Champions League for Newcastle is amazing.”
Much of the talk before the game centred on how a Newcastle defence shorn of the services of key man Sven Botman would handle the threat of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.
In the event, Burn, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar – who also got his name on the scoresheet – coped admirably to blunt a potentially lethal attack.
Asked about Mbappe, Burn said with a smile: “He stayed on the left side, so I was quite happy, to be fair. But even to say I was playing against Mbappe is crazy.
“As I said, he kept over to Tripps’ side more, so I was happy with him.”
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The Magpies will resume their campaign after the international break with another home tie against Borussia Dortmund, but will do so having made a significant statement about their prospects.
Burn said: “We don’t fear anyone. We worked very, very hard to get to this point and we want to enjoy it, but we’ll only enjoy that playing the way that we play.
“We’ve just got to keep the momentum going.”
Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston believes they can be a “really top team” if they sharpen up in both boxes but he accepts they are running out of chances in the Champions League.
The Scottish champions suffered defeat by the narrowest of margins against Lazio on Wednesday night.
Luis Palma was ruled offside by the VAR officials after thinking he had put Celtic 2-1 ahead in the 81st minute after it was decided that the ball skimmed off the leg of Daizen Maeda on its way to the winger.
Then Lazio got the crucial third goal of the night five minutes into stoppage time after former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Pedro won the ball back and headed home seconds later with the VAR officials ruling him just onside.
Celtic are on zero points from two matches after going down to nine men in an opening defeat by Feyenoord and now face a pivotal double-header against Atletico Madrid, who visit Glasgow on October 25 after beating the Dutch champions 3-2 to move on to four points.
Johnston said: “We still believe. I think we have shown we can play with anyone. That was a top team and we had a lot of spells with the ball where we were comfortable.
“But you need to find a way to turn that into wins because every match, especially when you go away in the Champions League, is going to be difficult.
“Our mind is still on getting out of this group and I still think there’s a chance but this next match becomes all the more important. We know that. You lose again and the ride is probably done.
“We need to really dig in and find a way in these next two games against Atletico to get some points on the board.”
Celtic took an early lead through Kyogo Furuhashi after a penetrating move but conceded an equaliser from a corner.
Johnston added: “We just need to get a little more ruthless in both boxes, in terms of defending our box and set-pieces, and just be a little more clinical.
“If we can add that element in both boxes I think we can be a really top team because we showed in the middle third that we can play with these teams.”
Celtic had looked the likelier team to get in front for most of the second half.
The Canada international said: “It felt really good second half, like we could move the ball around, we were comfortable, breaking through their press. We probably didn’t create as many clear-cut chances as we would have liked but we weren’t really conceding much.
“With the crowd behind us, we always felt like we were going to get one, and it felt like we did with Palma finishing it off.
“That’s football, isn’t it? Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t but we want those ones to start falling our way because it feels like there have been a couple now that have gone against us and we need to find a way to get the win.
“The margins are so slim, one slip and this level of players will punish you. I mean, that’s Pedro with the header at the back post, for crying out loud, from one little thing.
“We need to be extra cautious and that’s part of my role in the Champions League, to be really defensive-minded. There was one moment where I kind of get caught out and all of a sudden they are scoring at the back post. That’s what is frustrating for myself personally and I think for the team as well.
“I would love to say we are going to learn from this and we will but at this stage you just don’t even want to make that mistake, we feel we are past that.
“It’s frustrating but we have to move on and bounce back.”
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