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Liverpool and Real Madrid Meet Again in the Champions League

Real Madrid's Uruguayan Fede Valverde celebrates after scoring the 0-1 during the Spanish La Liga match between CA Osasuna and Real Madrid at El Sadar stadium in Navarra, Pamplona, northern Spain, 18 February 2023. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Uruguayan Fede Valverde celebrates after scoring the 0-1 during the Spanish La Liga match between CA Osasuna and Real Madrid at El Sadar stadium in Navarra, Pamplona, northern Spain, 18 February 2023. (EPA)
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Liverpool and Real Madrid Meet Again in the Champions League

Real Madrid's Uruguayan Fede Valverde celebrates after scoring the 0-1 during the Spanish La Liga match between CA Osasuna and Real Madrid at El Sadar stadium in Navarra, Pamplona, northern Spain, 18 February 2023. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Uruguayan Fede Valverde celebrates after scoring the 0-1 during the Spanish La Liga match between CA Osasuna and Real Madrid at El Sadar stadium in Navarra, Pamplona, northern Spain, 18 February 2023. (EPA)

Champions League royalty go head-to-head on Tuesday when Liverpool hosts holder Real Madrid at Anfield.

The two giants of European football meet in a repeat of last year's final and the standout match of the round of 16.

While Liverpool and Real Madrid share 20 Champions League titles between them, Manchester City continues its quest to win the trophy for the first time and Napoli has emerged as a surprise contender after an outstanding start to the season.

Liverpool’s revenge mission

Liverpool has the chance to avenge the 1-0 loss to Real in the final in Paris last May and goes into the first leg in much-improved form after back-to-back wins against Everton and Newcastle in the Premier League.

It has been a season of struggle for a team that was competing for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies last year. So much so that, up until the past week, winning the Champions League looked like its best chance of qualifying for next season's competition.

But there have been encouraging signs in those morale-boosting wins that leave Jurgen Klopp's team just six points off the top four and a Champions League-qualifying spot.

Real is aiming to be crowned champion of Europe for a record extending 15th time and is fresh from winning the Club World Cup earlier this month.

But it faces a fight to hold onto its Spanish league title, with Barcelona leading the way at the top of the standings.

Man City’s year?

The Champions League is the one major trophy City has failed to win since being taken over by Abu Dhabi's ruling family in 2008.

While the arrival of Erling Haaland last summer looked like a potential game-changer in Europe, question marks hang over Pep Guardiola's team in the Premier League.

A 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday saw Arsenal overtake City at the top of the table and highlighted vulnerabilities that have been evident for much of the season.

But City has looked strong in the Champions League, cruising through the group stages and is the overwhelming favorite to win when it travels to RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

But Guardiola's time in charge at City has been punctuated by surprise exits in Europe, so the potential for an upset is real.

The City manager is still waiting to win his first Champions League title with a team other than Barcelona featuring Lionel Messi, having lifted it twice with the Catalan club in 2009 and 2011.

The surprise package

Napoli was the most impressive team of the group stages and is racing away at the top of the Italian league, leading by 15 points. It faces Eintracht Frankfurt away on Tuesday on the back of a five-game winning run.

Striker Victor Osimhen looks unstoppable in front of goal, with 19 this season and nine in his last nine games.

His performances have seen him linked with a summer move to Manchester United and he can further enhance his reputation as the Champions League returns.

Based on form, Napoli looks like one of the leading contenders to win the trophy and will take some stopping if it can maintain it.

Lukaku’s back

Inter Milan, which is the closest challenger to Napoli in Italy, is also in action in the Champions League this week when it hosts Porto on Wednesday.

If it is to stand a chance of going far in the competition, much could rely on Romelu Lukaku staying fit and getting his goal-scoring form back.

In that sense, it was encouraging to see him score for the first time since October in Inter's 3-1 win against Udinese on Saturday - even if it did come from the penalty spot.

World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez has been lethal in front of goal since returning from Argentina's success in Qatar, scoring eight in his last 10 games.

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Sports

Saudi PIF and ATP Launch Program to Support Rising Talent

The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF
The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF
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Saudi PIF and ATP Launch Program to Support Rising Talent

The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF
The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the ATP launched the ATP Next Gen Accelerator on Thursday, a program aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South as they seek to break onto the ATP Tour.

Eligible players will gain access to ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF, ⁠an integrated performance technology ⁠platform, along with medical support, structured education and enhanced promotion across ATP platforms.

The initiative seeks to level the playing field for emerging players and provide greater stability ⁠for young professionals.

The launch aligns with PIF’s 2026–2030 strategy, under which the fund plans to focus investment across six key themes as it looks to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy beyond oil.

Sports

Inspired by Nadal, Ruud Returns for Madrid Defense

Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
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Inspired by Nadal, Ruud Returns for Madrid Defense

Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Casper Ruud hoped his short training stint at Rafa Nadal’s academy in Mallorca would reignite his season as the 27-year-old returns from an injury to defend his Madrid Open title this week.

Ruud, who lifted his maiden Masters 1000 title in the Spanish capital last year, sustained a leg injury and was forced to retire from his third-round match at the Monte Carlo Masters against Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier this month.

The Norwegian then ramped up his comeback under the close watch of ⁠22-times Grand Slam ⁠champion Nadal.

"I'm happy to say I'm fully recovered,” Reuters quoted Ruud as saying in Madrid.

"I was a bit worried at first, I thought Madrid would be tough. But I've had good days of recovery. I spent a week in Mallorca, training at Rafa's academy and ⁠working on fitness off the court. I'm really pleased to be here, ready to compete again."

Ruud said he was inspired by the now-retired Nadal’s determination during a glittering playing career that came to an end in 2024.

“If there's one thing you can learn from him, it's determination,” Ruud added.

“He never gave up, and he was able to win many matches without being at his best because he was ⁠so well ⁠prepared physically and mentally.

"There are so many things you can learn from Rafa. This time, we didn't spend much time together on court. He encouraged me to keep going and told me I have plenty to fight for in the coming weeks."

Ruud begins his Madrid campaign against Jaume Munar or Alexander Shevchenko in the second round.

The twice French Open runner-up is eyeing a strong run in the weeks leading up to Roland Garros, which begins on May 24.

Sports

Leipzig and Union's Bundesliga Clash Shows Changing Face of Football

Players of RB Leipzig celebrate with their supporters after winning the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig in Frankfurt, Germany, 18 April 2026. EPA/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF
Players of RB Leipzig celebrate with their supporters after winning the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig in Frankfurt, Germany, 18 April 2026. EPA/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF
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Leipzig and Union's Bundesliga Clash Shows Changing Face of Football

Players of RB Leipzig celebrate with their supporters after winning the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig in Frankfurt, Germany, 18 April 2026. EPA/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF
Players of RB Leipzig celebrate with their supporters after winning the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig in Frankfurt, Germany, 18 April 2026. EPA/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF

RB Leipzig's home Bundesliga clash with Union Berlin on Friday has the two sides chasing different season goals, while showing the changing face of the game.

Third-placed Leipzig can take a massive step towards returning to the Champions League with victory, after missing Europe for the first time this season.

For Union, victory would send the Berliners nine points clear of the relegation playoff spot with three matchdays remaining, all but ensuring they beat the drop for another season.

Coached by Marie-Louise Eta, the first woman to coach a men's side in a major European league, Union face RB Leipzig, whose CEO Tatjana Haenni is the first female club boss in German football history.

The only two top-flight clubs situated in the former East Germany, Leipzig and Union share few other similarities but the hirings reflect a focus on merit and competence, with both Eta and Haenni considered right for the job.

Henni, a former Swiss international with 23 caps who took over the club on January 1, told AFP and other media on Tuesday that Eta's appointment reflected where football -- and society -- were at.

"It's the most popular sport on the planet. It's about quality and it's about the right people at the right place," she said.

"It's a cultural shift which has to happen and it is happening. With me being here and Marie-Louise being the head coach at Union Berlin, it's just happening.

"It's about quality, expertise, trusting people and having the right mindset."

Eta's appointment captured global headlines and the 34-year-old recognised her pioneering role but seemed much more comfortable talking about the game itself.

"It creates a responsibility for me, whether I like it or not," Eta told Germany's Die Zeit on Wednesday.

"My primary goal was never to strengthen the role of women. I have always wanted to convince through performance. I want to be seen as a football coach."

Bayern Munich wrapped up the title last week but there's still plenty to play for at the other end of the table.

Wolfsburg's win over Union last week kept their hopes of avoiding a first relegation alive. Still second last, the victory took Wolfsburg two points behind St Pauli, who are on 26 points in the relegation playoff spot and play at last-placed Heidenheim on Saturday.

Wolfsburg face Borussia Moenchengladbach who are one of four teams locked on 31 points.

One to watch: Jackson Irvine (St Pauli)

Already a cult hero in Hamburg since arriving in 2021, St Pauli captain Jackson Irvine has been a key figure in the club's relegation fight.

Since the Australian reclaimed the captain's armband in February, St Pauli have won three matches -- as many as they had won all year until then -- and only lost three of nine games with him on the pitch.

St Pauli striker Abdoulie Ceesay praised Irvine's leadership in a media roundtable on Tuesday.
"He's a very good leader. He's always there to push us. Sometimes you think he's upset with you and he screams at you, telling you bad words. But afterwards he'll tell you he's doing it to help you, to make you better.

"He's there pushing us every single day to fight for everything and to stay in this league."

RB Leipzig's home Bundesliga clash with Union Berlin on Friday has the two sides chasing different season goals, while showing the changing face of the game.

Third-placed Leipzig can take a massive step towards returning to the Champions League with victory, after missing Europe for the first time this season.

For Union, victory would send the Berliners nine points clear of the relegation playoff spot with three matchdays remaining, all but ensuring they beat the drop for another season.
Coached by Marie-Louise Eta, the first woman to coach a men's side in a major European league, Union face RB Leipzig, whose CEO Tatjana Haenni is the first female club boss in German football history.

The only two top-flight clubs situated in the former East Germany, Leipzig and Union share few other similarities but the hirings reflect a focus on merit and competence, with both Eta and Haenni considered right for the job.

Henni, a former Swiss international with 23 caps who took over the club on January 1, told AFP and other media on Tuesday that Eta's appointment reflected where football -- and society -- were at.

"It's the most popular sport on the planet. It's about quality and it's about the right people at the right place," she said.

"It's a cultural shift which has to happen and it is happening. With me being here and Marie-Louise being the head coach at Union Berlin, it's just happening.

"It's about quality, expertise, trusting people and having the right mindset."

Eta's appointment captured global headlines and the 34-year-old recognised her pioneering role but seemed much more comfortable talking about the game itself.

"It creates a responsibility for me, whether I like it or not," Eta told Germany's Die Zeit on Wednesday.

"My primary goal was never to strengthen the role of women. I have always wanted to convince through performance. I want to be seen as a football coach."

Bayern Munich wrapped up the title last week but there's still plenty to play for at the other end of the table.

Wolfsburg's win over Union last week kept their hopes of avoiding a first relegation alive. Still second last, the victory took Wolfsburg two points behind St Pauli, who are on 26 points in the relegation playoff spot and play at last-placed Heidenheim on Saturday.

Wolfsburg face Borussia Moenchengladbach who are one of four teams locked on 31 points.

One to watch: Jackson Irvine (St Pauli)

Already a cult hero in Hamburg since arriving in 2021, St Pauli captain Jackson Irvine has been a key figure in the club's relegation fight.

Since the Australian reclaimed the captain's armband in February, St Pauli have won three matches -- as many as they had won all year until then -- and only lost three of nine games with him on the pitch.

St Pauli striker Abdoulie Ceesay praised Irvine's leadership in a media roundtable on Tuesday.

"He's a very good leader. He's always there to push us. Sometimes you think he's upset with you and he screams at you, telling you bad words. But afterwards he'll tell you he's doing it to help you, to make you better.

"He's there pushing us every single day to fight for everything and to stay in this league."