Giant-Killers Bodo Sink Dortmund in Champions League

 Bodo/Glimt's Norwegian midfielder #20 Fredrik Sjovold (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League football match between Bodo/Glimt and BVB Borussia Dortmund at the Aspmyra stadium in Bodo, Norway on October 14 2026. (NTB / AFP)
Bodo/Glimt's Norwegian midfielder #20 Fredrik Sjovold (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League football match between Bodo/Glimt and BVB Borussia Dortmund at the Aspmyra stadium in Bodo, Norway on October 14 2026. (NTB / AFP)
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Giant-Killers Bodo Sink Dortmund in Champions League

 Bodo/Glimt's Norwegian midfielder #20 Fredrik Sjovold (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League football match between Bodo/Glimt and BVB Borussia Dortmund at the Aspmyra stadium in Bodo, Norway on October 14 2026. (NTB / AFP)
Bodo/Glimt's Norwegian midfielder #20 Fredrik Sjovold (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League football match between Bodo/Glimt and BVB Borussia Dortmund at the Aspmyra stadium in Bodo, Norway on October 14 2026. (NTB / AFP)

Fredrik Sjovold's 52nd-minute strike secured a 1-0 victory for Bodo/Glimt over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, extending the Norwegian side's remarkable home record against Europe's elite.

Bodo were a cut above the 2024 Champions League runners-up and took the lead through Sjovold just after the break.

Dortmund improved in the final half hour but were unable to strike back, despite a late chance for Felix Nmecha.

"There's nothing we can complain about, we deserved to lose," Dortmund coach Niko Kovac told DAZN.

"We didn't bring enough passion today -- that's something Bodo did much better. They took the lead and after that we woke up, but by then it was too late."

Dortmund join Manchester City, Inter Milan and Sporting as recent big-name scalps on the artificial turf of Bodo's Aspmyra stadium.

"Each of us needs to ask ourselves what the problem was," Dortmund captain Waldemar Anton said.

"In several areas we were missing our intensity today and without this intensity you won't win a game."

Bodo's run to the round of 16 last season was underpinned by an excellent record at their 8,200-capacity home, officially the smallest venue in this year's competition.

Dortmund arrived in the Arctic Circle on a seven-game unbeaten run but struggled to get a foothold.

The hosts were far more comfortable in the opening half, with Sondre Fet and Ole Blomberg inches away from scoring.

Bodo continued their domination after half-time and broke through when Sjovold turned a low Sondre Auklend cross in at the near post.

Dortmund's level improved after Kovac made four changes on the hour mark, with substitute Nmecha forcing a fingertip save from goalkeeper Nikita Haikin moments later.

The Germans upped the pressure in the dying stages but failed to find a way through as they fell to a first defeat this campaign since the season-opening German Super Cup.



Leipzig’s Demichelis Relishing City Clash with ‘Best Friend’ Maresca

Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)
Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)
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Leipzig’s Demichelis Relishing City Clash with ‘Best Friend’ Maresca

Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)
Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)

RB Leipzig coach Martin Demichelis said it was an "honor" to face long-time friend and Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash.

Demichelis, 45, and Maresca were neighbors during their time playing together at Malaga and the Leipzig coach said Tuesday he considered the Italian as his "brother".

"I know Enzo very well -- he's one of my best friends in football. I'd say we're almost like brothers," Demichelis said Tuesday.

"We lived together -- or rather, right next door to each other -- in Spain. I'm familiar with his philosophy, his ideas.

"Our kids grew up together. Early on as players, we both wanted to become coaches.

"We started the journey together. He's very intelligent and pragmatic and it'll be an honor to take the pitch with him tomorrow."

The Argentinian, who took over in Saxony in the summer, said Maresca had called him on Monday trying to get the inside scoop of Leipzig's likely starting XI.

"Enzo is a winner. He'll be doing everything he can to win titles with Manchester City," Demichelis added.

"There was a lot of interest in my line-up when we spoke yesterday. We think very much alike when it comes to football...

"Enzo wants to know our line-up. I won't say anything. He'll find out tomorrow."

Demichelis spent three seasons at Manchester City, winning the 2013-14 Premier League title and two League Cups during the period the club were found guilty of having broken financial rules.

The coach said the looming penalties and the potential of having his titles stripped did not concern him.

"I spent three fantastic years there, but it was a long time ago," Demichelis said.

"(The charges are) not interesting, it's a long time ago, football has changed.

"I'm the coach of RB Leipzig and all I want tomorrow is a good game from RB Leipzig."


Saliba Back in Training with Arsenal After Being Out Injured Since the World Cup

UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)
UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)
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Saliba Back in Training with Arsenal After Being Out Injured Since the World Cup

UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)
UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)

William Saliba has returned to full training at Arsenal, 3½ months after his last game — in the World Cup semifinals for France.

Saliba has been out of action with a back injury that didn't require surgery but an extended period of rehabilitation, Arsenal said in July.

The center back took part in a training session on Tuesday, a day before Arsenal's Champions League match at Slavia Prague.

Saliba hasn't played since being substituted out of France's 2-0 semifinal loss to Spain at the World Cup during the first half.

Saliba has struck up an impressive, yearslong center-back partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes that was key to Arsenal winning the Premier League title last season.

However, despite his ball-playing qualities and excellent reading of the game, Saliba might not be rushed back into the first team by manager Mikel Arteta.

That's because the man who has replaced Saliba for the start of this season — summer signing Ezri Konsa — has put in a slew of strong performances so far and Arteta might not be ready to break up the Konsa-Gabriel combination just yet.

One option could be to switch Konsa to right back, where he occasionally has played for former club Aston Villa and England. Arteta also has Jurrien Timber and Ben White as options at right back.


West Ham Sack Head Coach Nuno After Poor Start to Championship Season

11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)
11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)
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West Ham Sack Head Coach Nuno After Poor Start to Championship Season

11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)
11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)

West Ham sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on Tuesday after a disappointing start to the Championship season.

The 52-year-old Portuguese manager oversaw the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League last season but stayed with the London club.

Many viewed them as favorites to win automatic promotion back to the top flight but they are currently eighth in the second-tier table, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough, after 13 games.

West Ham had a good run after a shaky start to the season but have lost their past two league games, against Southampton and West Brom.

Nuno, who previously managed Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, was appointed in September last year but was unable to keep West Ham in the Premier League.

"West Ham United can confirm that men's first-team head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has left his position with immediate effect," the club said in a statement.

"Following a thorough review of the start to the EFL Championship season, the board of directors believe that a change is necessary at this time in order to ensure that the club's objectives and expectations remain on track."

Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa have also left the club.

West Ham said the process of recruiting a new head coach was already under way.