UEFA won't punish Roma over alleged monkey chants at Antonio Rudiger

Antonio Rudiger joined Chelsea from Roma last summer. UEFA has closed disciplinary proceedings against Roma after some of their supporters allegedly directed monkey chants at Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger during October's Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge. In a statement, UEFA announced its control, ethics and disciplinary body "has decided to close the disciplinary proceedings." Press Association Sport reported there was insufficient evidence to proceed. Germany defender Rudiger left Roma for Chelsea last summer, having previously expressed...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/as-roma/story/3273581/uefa-wont-punish-roma-over-alleged-monkey-chants-aimed-at-antonio-rudiger

AC Milan don't need Champions League to balance the books - Fassone

Gab Marcotti explains why he believes Italy's World Cup qualifying failure could factor into Napoli's clash against Milan. AC Milan general manager Marco Fassone says the Serie A club would be able to survive without Champions League football next season. Milan committed over €200 million to the signing of new players in the summer -- the first transfer window since the club was taken over by Chinese investors in April -- and Fassone was invited to Nyon, Switzerland, this week to discuss his club's accounts with UEFA. UEFA's financial fair play regulations foresee sanctions for clubs spending significantly more...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/ac-milan/story/3273266/ac-milan-dont-need-champions-league-to-balance-the-books-general-manager

Basel to replace pitch at ahead of Man United game after qualifier damage

Janusz Michallik and Alexis Nunes break down Sunday's World Cup playoff matches, as Switzerland and Croatia qualify. Basel will replace the pitch on ahead of next week's Champions League game against Manchester United because of the damage sustained in Switzerland's World Cup qualifier. Heavy rain in the build-up to Sunday's goalless draw against Northern Ireland meant the match was in some doubt leading up to kickoff. It went ahead but the boggy surface did not do either side any favours with the pitch cutting up and restricting the speed of the ball. The club have decided it is so bad their only option is to...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/fc-basel/story/3268568/basel-to-replace-pitch-at-ahead-of-man-united-game-after-qualifier-damage

Manchester City supporters won't take historic start for granted

The ESPN FC crew ask whether anyone can stop Manchester City. The ESPN FC crew ask whether anyone can stop Manchester City. Belief isn't something that comes naturally to Manchester City fans. After being beaten down for years by regular embarrassments, they've been burned one too many times to fall into the trap of feeling confident. They won't think their team will do the expected, all too wary of the unexpected creeping up and pinching them on the bottom. Every club has their misfortunes, of course, but it seems to be only City that can tell tales of being knocked out of the FA Cup by a balloon (2-1 at Sheffield United...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/manchester-city/382/blog/post/3265078/manchester-city-supporters-will-not-take-historic-start-for-granted

Neymar: Paris Saint-Germain targeting Champions League glory this season

With Neymar out of PSG's match at Angers, Sebastian Salazar and Jonathan Johnson examine his impact on PSG's dressing room. Neymar has said success for Paris Saint-Germain must always come before individual achievement. The Brazil international, who joined from Barcelona this summer in a world-record €222 million move, said he was targeting the Champions League trophy. He told PSG magazine Paris Saint-Germain, au coeur du club: "The Champions League is PSG's big objective, that is clear. The whole team wants to achieve this goal. "Only after collective trophies have been won will it be time to think about...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/paris-saint-germain/story/3265104/neymar-paris-saint-germain-targeting-champions-league-glory-this-season

Lisbon, Istanbul vying to host 2020 Champions League final

With four out of the five English teams leading their UCL group, the FC crew debate whether or not it's too soon to call it a renaissance. NYON, Switzerland -- Lisbon and Istanbul are competing to host the 2020 Champions League final. UEFA says the Stadium of Light and Ataturk Olympic Stadium are in a contest that excludes the 13 member federations who are co-hosting the 2020 European Championship. Both venues would be hosting European soccer's top club match for the second time. Benfica's home stadium hosted the 2014 final, when Real Madrid beat city rival Atletico 4-1 in extra time. In the "Miracle of Istanbul" game in 2005, Liverpool...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/story/3257260/lisbon-and-istanbul-competing-to-host-2020-champions-league-final

Juventus still have the team to succeed in Europe

Paolo Bandini breaks down Juventus' chances to go far in this year's UEFA Champions League.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3256326/juventus-still-have-the-team-to-succeed-in-europe

Why can't Conte win in Europe?

The FC panel try to make sense of Antonio Conte's current Chelsea struggles and past UCL failures with Juventus.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3256324/why-cant-conte-win-in-europe

Watch: Is this an English UCL renaissance?

With four out of the five English teams leading their UCL group, the FC crew debate whether or not it's too soon to call it a renaissance.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3256314/watch-is-this-an-english-ucl-renaissance

Zinedine Zidane facing his toughest test yet with struggling Real Madrid

After Real Madrid's back-to-back defeats, Craig Burley discusses how Zidane & Co. can overcome their 'mini crisis.' The ESPN FC panel break down one of Tottenham's biggest ever wins, as Spurs exposed Real Madrid to having serious issues throughout their squad. Cristiano Ronaldo discussed Madrid's defeat to Tottenham and accepted that the squad is weaker without Morata, James and Pepe. Wednesday was a night that will haunt Real Madrid, who turned in a Wembley performance more shocking than anything the previous evening's reputation could possibly have conjured. Zinedine Zidane reserved his own fright night for All Saints' Day and sent out a side with so many individual sinners that they barely resembled the reigning European and Spanish champions. Tottenham Hotspur announced their arrival among Europe's elite with a sparkling performance, displaying football truly worthy of the...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3256399/zinedine-zidane-facing-his-toughest-test-yet-with-struggling-real-madrid

Sergio Aguero: No limit to what Manchester City can achieve

Sergio Aguero broke Man City's all-time goal record to help defeat Napoli and advance from Group F to the round of 16. Sergio Aguero broke Man City's all-time goal record to help defeat Napoli and advance from Group F to the round of 16. Steve Nicol believes Manchester City are currently the team to beat in the UEFA Champions League and are his favourite to win it all. NAPLES, Italy -- Sergio Aguero says Manchester City are not setting any limits after his record-breaking goal helped them into the Champions League's round of 16. Aguero scored his 178th goal in the 4-2 win over Serie A leaders Napoli to become the club's record all-time goal scorer -- breaking Eric Brook's 78-year record. As well as advancing to the knockout stages with a 100 percent record, City are five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and Aguero told reporters after breaking the...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-city/story/3255531/sergio-aguero-no-limit-to-what-manchester-city-can-achieve

How far can McTominay go at Man United?

After Scott McTominay's outing against Benfica, Paul Mariner and Alexis Nunes chew over his potential at Manchester United.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/video/3255766/how-far-can-mctominay-go-at-man-united

Trending: Tottenham deepen Real Madrid misery; Man City beat Napoli

Real Madrid suffer their first group stage loss since 2012 at the hands of Tottenham at Wembley Stadium. Real Madrid suffer their first group stage loss since 2012 at the hands of Tottenham at Wembley Stadium. The ESPN FC panel break down one of Tottenham's biggest ever wins, as Spurs exposed Real Madrid to having serious issues throughout their squad. Thursday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending ... REAL MADRID: Tottenham Hotspur booked their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Real Madrid. - Zinedine Zidane said Real Madrid team must "keep their heads" in this "bad moment." - Cristiano Ronaldo was Madrid's best performer with 6/10 in Matt McGinn's player ratings. - Karim Benzema has hit out at football pundits, telling Les Inrockuptibles he feels "sorry...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3255390/trending-tottenham-deepen-real-madrid-misery;-man-city-beat-napoli

Mario Gotze is the bright spot amid Borussia Dortmund's struggles

The ESPN FC crew assess Borussia Dortmund's problems and focus in on their defensive frailties. Christian Pulisic and Mario Gotze reflect on Dortmund's disappointing draw versus Apoel and what they need to fix against Bayern. Mario Gotze struggled to make sense of a difficult, disappointing night for Borussia Dortmund. On the one hand, a 1-1 home draw with APOEL of Nicosia was nothing less than a huge embarrassment and sporting disaster. "We have two points after four games in the Champions League," the BVB midfielder told reporters at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday. "There's no point in putting a nice gloss on that. That's not the level we aspire to." At the same time, Peter Bosz's team had created more than...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3255660/mario-gotze-return-a-bright-spot-amid-borussia-dortmund-struggles

Pulisic, Gotze remain positive despite Apoel draw

Christian Pulisic and Mario Gotze reflect on Dortmund's disappointing draw versus Apoel and what they need to fix against Bayern.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/video/3255657/pulisic-gotze-remain-positive-despite-apoel-draw

Pochettino's Tottenham must learn lessons and build after Madrid glory

The ESPN FC crew discuss Tottenham's superb win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The ESPN FC crew discuss Tottenham's superb win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The ESPN FC crew discuss Tottenham's superb win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The ESPN FC crew discuss Tottenham's superb win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The ESPN FC crew discuss Tottenham's superb win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The ESPN FC crew discuss Tottenham's superb win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. As Tottenham fans "Ole'd" every pass, revelling in Real Madrid's humiliation, thoughts drifted back to the last time Spurs had hosted the European champions. White Hart Lane rather than Wembley was the setting for Inter Milan's visit in November 2010 but then, just as now, Spurs sent a message to Europe with a seismic 3-1 win. Then, it was Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, now of Real, who came of age and on Wednesday it was Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Kieran Trippier & Co. The win over Inter was Tottenham's...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/tottenham-hotspur/367/blog/post/3255637/pochettino-tottenham-must-learn-lessons-and-build-after-tormenting-madrid

Ronaldo on form: Google 'Cristiano goals'

When questioned on his scoring form, Cristiano Ronaldo reminds critics that they can find his goals on Google.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/video/3255616/ronaldo-on-form-google-cristiano-goals

Guardiola: Man City had 'to suffer' during Napoli win

Pep Guardiola praises Manchester City's response to going behind and outlasting Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/video/3255611/guardiola-man-city-had-to-suffer-during-napoli-win

Sevilla president wants full stadium against Liverpool for 'big football party'

Sevilla sit second in their Champions League group after beating Spartak Moscow. Sevilla president Jose Castro has appealed to fans to come out in force when the club host Liverpool in the Champions League on Nov. 21. The Spanish outfit beat Spartak Moscow 2-1 on Wednesday with 38,002 spectators at their 42,714-capacity Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. Sevilla's second win in the competition this season has left them second in Group E, one point adrift of leaders Liverpool with two games remaining. The Andalusian club host Liverpool, who won 3-0 at home to Maribor on Wednesday,...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/sevilla-fc/story/3255553/sevilla-president-wants-full-stadium-against-liverpool-for-big-football-party

Vote: Are Aguero, Alli, El Shaarawy, Kurzawa, Proto the UCL stars?

Relive the best moments from Wednesday's Champions League action, headlined by Tottenham's win over Real Madrid. Relive the best moments from Wednesday's Champions League action, headlined by Tottenham's win over Real Madrid. Relive the best moments from Wednesday's Champions League action, headlined by Tottenham's win over Real Madrid. Relive the best moments from Wednesday's Champions League action, headlined by Tottenham's win over Real Madrid. Relive the best moments from Wednesday's Champions League action, headlined by Tottenham's win over Real Madrid. Another round of UEFA Champions League fixtures has come and gone, leaving us with a number of memorable performances during the fourth week of the group stage. There's no denying that Tottenham Hotspur made a statement with a 3-0 victory against Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium that left them top of Group H. Sergio Aguero also celebrated when he set a Manchester City club record with his added-time goal against Napoli. But there were some curious results, too, such as Atletico Madrid's draw against...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3255504/vote-aguero-alli-el-shaarawy-kurzawa-proto-the-stars-of-ucl-matchday-4

Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/index