Celtic star Sebastian Tounekti needs a spark to unlock his quality at Parkhead, in the view of Motherwell defender Stephen O'Donnell. The post Celtic Star Been Waiting For A Spark Believes Defender appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
Nico Paz opted to stay at Como amid mass speculation surrounding his future, but their thumping win over RB Leipzig vindicated his decision. The post Paz wanted to stay at Como ‘for nights like this’ after memorable Champions League bow appeared first on SoccerNews.
Cristiano Ronaldo could have a huge massive boost as Al Nassr could reportedly clear Kingsley Coman off for Al Nassr's debut in the 26-27 AFC Champions League Elite. Cristiano Ronaldo will make his return to Asia’s premier club competition in the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite, marking what could potentially be his final campaign to capture the trophy. With their sights set on the opener, the Portuguese superstar could receive a major tactical boost, as Al Nassr are reportedly targeting the return of winger Kingsley Coman. Al Nassr next travel to face Al Khaleej on Saturday for Matchday 7 of the Saudi Pro League. However, manager Ange Postecoglou is expected to manage squad rotation and limit minutes for stars like Ronaldo ahead of Tuesday, September 15, when the club opens its continental schedule against Al Ain. One key status to monitor leading into the match is Coman, who sustained an injury during the recent fixture against Al Ittihad. Diagnostic testing proved optimistic, with an MRI confirming the French international suffered only a mild hamstring tear. According to Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah, Al Nassr’s medical staff could clear Coman to return for the AFC Champions League Elite opener against Al Ain. While continuing his recovery protocol at the club’s training facilities, he has already been ruled out for Saturday’s league match against Al Khaleej. Kingsley Coman of Al Nassr. (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) The start of the 2026-27 campaign has proven frustrating for Coman, who has yet to record a goal or assist through six appearances for Al Nassr. However, his 1-v-1 isolation skills and service remain vital components of the attack alongside Ronaldo, making his inclusion a potential game-changer. Cristiano Ronaldo looking to conquer Asia Ronaldo signaled ahead of the 2026-27 season that the campaign could mark his final year as a active professional. Having earned the moniker “Mr. Champions League” across Europe after lifting five titles while setting the competition’s all-time scoring record, the Portuguese forward aims to add an Asian continental trophy to his resume. This season represents Ronaldo’s third appearance in the AFC Champions League with Al Nassr. His debut run came during the 2023-24 campaign, where he recorded six goals and two assists in nine matches before Al Nassr suffered a quarterfinal elimination against eventual champions Al Ain in a penalty shootout. His second run in 2024-25 produced his finest individual returns, with Ronaldo scoring eight goals in eight matches. However, Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale ended Al Nassr’s run in the semifinals with a 3-2 victory on Saudi soil before falling to Al Ahli in the final.
Nico Paz's two assists in Como's historic Champions League debut win made him the youngest Argentine to do so since Lionel Messi in 2008. Nico Paz delivered a performance that immediately drew comparisons to Lionel Messi as Como kicked off their first-ever Champions League campaign in style, routing RB Leipzig 4-1 at the newly renovated Stadio Sinigaglia. According to OptaJoe, Paz’s two assists made him the youngest Argentine to set up multiple goals in a single Champions League match since Messi did the same for Barcelona against Basel in October 2008, when Messi was 21 years and 120 days old. Paz, at 22 years and two days old, becomes the first Argentine to repeat that feat since Messi accomplished it 18 years ago, though Messi still holds the record as the youngest player ever to do it. Messi’s last Champions League assist came on November 2, 2022, setting up Kylian Mbappe’s opener in a 2-1 win over Juventus that closed out PSG’s group-stage campaign. 2 – 🇦🇷 Nico Paz (22y 2d) is the youngest Argentinean player to assist 2+ goals in a UEFA Champions League game since Lionel Messi in October 2008 (21y 120d v Basel).Tens. pic.twitter.com/BY8rc2MUEW— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 10, 2026 The Argentine finished that tournament with 4 goals and 4 assists in seven appearances, and the round-of-16 elimination to Bayern Munich that followed turned out to be his final Champions League run before his move to Inter Miami closed the book on his European career, a stretch of history Paz now finds his name attached to nearly two decades later. Como’s debut win goes down in the Italian football history books Como’s 4-1 rout of RB Leipzig stands as more than just three points to open their maiden Champions League campaign, it’s the widest winning margin ever recorded by an Italian club in a European competition debut. Martin Baturina got things started before setting up Tasos Douvikas, and Assane Diao and substitute Maxi Perrone rounded out the scoring in the second half, with Andrija Maksimovic’s strike serving as Leipzig’s only reply. At the end of the match, Nico Paz revealed that his desire to make history with Como was behind his decision to stay in Italy, despite rumors linking him to Real Madrid. “It was for nights like this that I wanted to stay, I knew this is where I would grow the most, and I am really pleased with my decision. I made the right choice,” the Argentine said.
Como marked their first-ever Champions League match with a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig, but Cesc Fabregas has called for calm. The post Fabregas not getting carried away after Como’s debut Champions League win appeared first on SoccerNews.
Bayern Munich 5-0 Bodø/Glimt, Como 4-1 LeipzigLens win 3-2 at Slavia Prague with last-gasp doubleBayern Munich opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Norway’s Bodø/Glimt.The six-times winners were frustrated before half-time by Bodø/Glimt but cruised once Jamal Musiala smashed in the opener two minutes into the second period and the floodgates opened. Continue reading...
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
