The Champions League group stage draw takes place later today and Manchester United face possibly their toughest draw in 20 years. Benfica, PSV Eindhoven and Red Star Belgrade secured the final three qualifying berths on Wednesday night after Ajax, AEK Athens and Young Boys progressed from their two-legged qualifiers the previous evening. Now the seedings have been confirmed, Liverpool have dropped into pot three while United are in pot two. United are joined by Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Napoli, Tottenham and Roma while the top seeds consist of the champions in the six highest-ranked leagues, as well as Champions League holders Real Madrid and Europa League winners Atletico Madrid. Despite finishing outside the top two in four of the last five Premier League seasons, United's coefficient ranking still places them above Liverpool and Tottenham. A possible worst-case scenario for United would be Real Madrid, Monaco and Internazionale, yet they could also nab a … [Read more...] about Champions League teams Manchester United could face in group stage
Champions league team
32 Champions League teams to receive $2.28B prize fund from UEFA
UEFA has announced big increases in Champions League prize money topping $2 billion next season, to be paid out in a new system favoring elite clubs with most historical success. Three-time defending champion Real Madrid is already sure to earn more than 50 million euros ($60 million), plus a share of Spanish television rights money, before playing a game next season. The 32 Champions League teams kicking off in the group stage in September will share a prize fund of 1.95 billion euros ($2.28 billion), up from 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 billion) this season, UEFA said Tuesday. A new distribution system sees 30 percent — 585 million euros ($683 million) — of the fund now allocated via a points table ranking teams by 10 years of UEFA competition results and European trophies won since the 1950s. It changes a system that better rewarded clubs from the most valuable broadcasting markets, such as England and Italy, by giving them a larger share of those rights deals, known as … [Read more...] about 32 Champions League teams to receive $2.28B prize fund from UEFA
UEFA to pay €1.95B prize fund to 32 Champions League teams
UEFA has announced big increases in Champions League prize money next season, with defending champion Real Madrid sure to earn more than 50 million euros ($60 million). UEFA says the 32 Champions League group-stage teams will share a prize fund of 1.95 billion euros ($2.28 billion), up from 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 billion) this season. Each team gets a 15.25 million euros ($17.8 million) entry fee, then 2.7 million euros ($3.15 million) per win and 900,000 euros ($1.05 million) per draw in the groups. More fees are earned for reaching each subsequent round. A new distribution system sees 30 percent, 585 million euros ($683 million), allocated via a points table ranking teams by 10 years of UEFA competition results and European trophies won since the 1950s. Top-ranked Madrid will get 32 shares each worth 1.1 million euros ($1.3 million), totaling 35.5 million euros ($41.4 million). The 32nd-ranked team will get one share. Fifth-ranked Manchester United will get 28 shares worth 31 … [Read more...] about UEFA to pay €1.95B prize fund to 32 Champions League teams
Andy Robertson named in Champions League team of the tournament
Liverpool's Andy Robertson has been selected for another Champions League team of the season. The rampaging Scottish left-back has enjoyed a campaign to remember and he'll be desperate to end it style by lifting the famous European trophy in Kiev on Saturday night. The 23-year-old former Queen's Park and Dundee United man will almost certainly start against Real Madrid tomorrow night as he looks to write another chapter in his fairytale rise to the top. BT Sport viewers have named their XI and there is a place for Robertson alongside a glittering array of talent. Robertson was also selected for the team of the tournament by BBC Sport earlier this week. Fellow Liverpool team-mates Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Milner and Mo Salah also made the cut, alongside legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. After impressing at Hull, Jurgen Klopp spent £8million on the amiable Scotland international and he's shown his class since breaking into the team before Christmas. Robertson … [Read more...] about Andy Robertson named in Champions League team of the tournament
Champions League team of the season 2017/18: Independent Sport’s best XI from Europe’s elite club competition
The Champions League final is upon us, with Real Madrid and Liverpool playing off for glory in Kiev on Saturday night. But who have been the stars that most lit up this incredible season of football at Europe's top table? Well, as you might expect there are plenty of representatives from Real Madrid and Liverpool FC in the XI - which was chosen by Independent Sport writers. Champions League team of the season 2017/18 12 show all Champions League team of the season 2017/18 1/12 The Champions League has several sides that think they should win it, but only one can Getty 2/12 GK: Alisson (Roma) The shotstopper established himself as one of Europe's best this season Getty 3/12 RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) Trent's maturity and mindset bely his tender age Getty 4/12 CB: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) Love him or hate him, another stellar season bailing out Madrid Getty 5/12 CB: Gerard Pique (Barcelona) Barca conceded just one goal in the group … [Read more...] about Champions League team of the season 2017/18: Independent Sport’s best XI from Europe’s elite club competition