Match Details

Related News

• Victor Pereira leads Nottingham Forest to dominant victory in Istanbul

  New manager Vítor Pereira enjoyed a perfect debut as Nottingham Forest secured a commanding 3-0 away win against Fenerbahçe in the Europa League playoff first leg.

  ​Forest took control through goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and captain Morgan Gibbs-White, placing them firmly in the driver’s seat for the return leg.

  Pereira, the club’s fourth coach this season, replaced Sean Dyche only days ago.

  The victory provides a massive boost for the Premier League side, who currently sit 17th domestically and face a daunting clash against Liverpool this Sunday.

  ​Elsewhere in European action, Genk secured a 3-1 victory in Zagreb, while Bologna edged out Brann 1-0 thanks to a Santiago Castro winner.

  Premier League counterparts Crystal Palace struggled, managing only a 1-1 draw against Bosnian champions Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League.

  These two-leg playoffs determine which sides will join the top eight teams in the prestigious round of 16 next month.

• Tottenham appoints Igor Tudor as interim boss amid possible Pochettino return

  Tottenham Hotspur have hired former Juventus defender Igor Tudor as interim manager until the end of the season following the dismissal of Thomas Frank.

  ​Tottenham have reached an agreement with Igor Tudor to serve as interim manager until the end of the season.

  The club turned to the 47-year-old former Croatia international after sacking Thomas Frank following a dismal run of two wins in 17 games.

  Spurs hope Tudor’s appointment will provide an “instant impact” as the North London side sits just five points above the relegation zone.

  ​The short-term deal intentionally leaves the door open for a potential summer reunion with Mauricio Pochettino.

  Tudor faces a daunting start against Arsenal next Sunday while navigating a “huge injury list” including James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

  While Tudor could earn the role permanently, the hierarchy is reportedly monitoring long-term candidates like Roberto De Zerbi and Andoni Iraola for the 2026-27 campaign.

• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain weighs Celtic move against Arsenal coaching role

  Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is weighing an offer to join Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff while simultaneously negotiating a playing contract with Scottish champions Celtic.

  ​Free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been offered a coaching position at Arsenal by manager Mikel Arteta while currently in transfer talks with Celtic.

  The 32-year-old has been training at the Emirates to maintain fitness and completing his UEFA B license.

  Despite Arteta’s interest in integrating him into the backroom staff, the former England international has expressed a strong desire to continue his professional playing career.

  ​The midfielder’s move to Glasgow hit a minor snag regarding contract duration, causing him to miss the Europa League registration deadline.

  Celtic remain optimistic but are reportedly considering Tiemoue Bakayoko as a contingency. “I love it. At the end, that history of the club, people who have lived those experiences, bring something different,” Arteta stated regarding former players returning to help lead the Premier League leaders.

• Preview: Embattled Xabi Alonso faces crisis match against Alavés

  Under immense pressure after winning only two of his last eight matches, Xabi Alonso takes his injury-plagued Real Madrid side to face an in-form Deportivo Alavés in a match where defeat could cost him his job.

  Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso faces intense scrutiny as his side travels to Deportivo Alavés, having won just two of their last eight matches across all competitions.

  Following an impressive start of ten wins in 11 matches, the team’s form has quickly unravelled since a November loss to Liverpool.

  A defeat at the Estadio de Mendizorrotza on Sunday is widely speculated to be the “final nail” in Alonso’s coaching coffin.

  The match presents an unusually difficult challenge for Real due to a severe injury crisis, especially in defense. Alonso was without eight defenders against Manchester City mid-week, and key players like Militão, Alexander-Arnold, Mendy, and Carvajal are confirmed absentees for the Alavés tie.

  Further complicating selection are suspensions for Endrick, Carreras, and Fran García, making a functional starting XI difficult to assemble.

  Meanwhile, 11th-placed Alavés are on a decent run of form, entering the match on a two-game winning streak following victories in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

  Their top scorer, Carlos Vicente, with six goals this season, poses a threat to Real Madrid’s decimated defense.

  While a narrow 2-1 win is predicted for Madrid, the result may not be enough to secure Alonso’s long-term future.

• Guardiola vs. Real Madrid: The shifting dynamics of Europe’s defining rivalry

  The continued epic rivalry between Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Real Madrid highlights the sustained European power of Real, even as the fixture increasingly becomes a battle between Guardiola and his managerial “disciples.”

  This 49th meeting between Pep Guardiola and his great rival Real Madrid underlines the truth about the Champions League power balance.

  Despite Man City’s 2023 title, it is Real who continue to hold the real power, which Guardiola “always calls Real ‘the kings of Europe’.” City remains yet to dominate as many predicted after their first European win.

  The context shifts with City now perhaps in the “second bracket” of favourites, while Real remains in the top tier despite Xabi Alonso’s “awkward start.”

  The match is now also a contest against Guardiola’s legacy, as the Champions League is populated by top managers—including Alonso—who are his former players or assistants.