Two European giants, two paths: Real Madrid and Liverpool’s diverging fortunes
Real Madrid and Liverpool are two of football’s biggest teams with the same aspirations of being domestically dominant, to shine on the Champions League stage and to be crowned the best team in Europe.
Yet despite these similarities, they had paradoxical seasons in 2024/25, wildly different summer windows in 2025 and even presently are experiencing vastly different seasons in 2025/26.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Wanga Charma takes a closer look at how two European powerhouses have walked very different paths over the past two seasons.
Champions League news: Galatasaray take first-leg advantage with 1-0 win over Liverpool
Galatasaray produced a disciplined performance in Istanbul to take a narrow first-leg lead against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
The Turkish side secured a 1-0 victory on a tense European night, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg at Anfield.
Chelsea news: Chelsea face PSG in high-stakes Champions League RO16 reunion after Club World Cup final
Chelsea are set to travel to their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final opponents, Paris Saint-Germain, and the home side will look to enact revenge on the 3-0 loss suffered at the hands of the Blues.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Howson predicts the outcome of this heavyweight European clash.
Champions League news: Five talking points from Newcastle Utd’s last-16 draw with Barcelona
The Champions League round of 16 kicked off on Tuesday night, headlined by a clash between Newcastle United and Barcelona at St James’ Park. Many expected a drubbing, a showing of true class from Hansi Flick’s side, but what ensued was far from that, with the home side holding the Spanish giants to a 1-1 draw.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Zephryn Dockree provides five talking points from the much-anticipated game.
England’s Champions League charge: Six Premier League clubs enter crucial last-16 showdowns
The 2026 UEFA Champions League knockout stage has delivered a draw loaded with narrative, pressure, and opportunity for English clubs.
With UEFA’s new coefficient-based system offering the Premier League a potential fifth qualification spot for the following season, every tie involving English sides carries extra weight.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joshua Topping analyses what’s at stake.
Travel sickness costing Newcastle Champions League qualification
Newcastle United’s away form has been a concern this season, with only three victories on the road, and it looks unlikely they’ll qualify for the Champions League.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu takes a look at the Magpies' struggles away from home.
Alejandro Grimaldo denies Newcastle a win against Bayer Leverkusen
Despite a valiant comeback from Newcastle United, Alejandro Grimaldo's 88th-minute equaliser denied Newcastle the chance of re-entering the top eight in the Champions League.
Alejandro Grimaldo’s 88th-minute equaliser earned Bayer Leverkusen a point and denied Newcastle United a second away win in the Champions League.
The Magpies showed worrying problems ahead of an incoming fixture run that starts with the Tyne-Wear Derby.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu reflects on a disappointing result for Eddie Howe.
Champions League analysis: Five key talking points from Real Madrid vs Man City
In just their second ever victory at the Bernabeu, Manchester City were worthy winners against a largely lacklustre Real Madrid side.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Tom Gardiner gives his thoughts on the game.
Champions League news: Five key talking points as struggling Liverpool edge Inter Milan at San Siro
Dominik Szoboszlai’s 88th-minute penalty edged Liverpool past Inter Milan at the San Siro in a vital Champions League win.
Arne Slot’s struggling Reds now sit in the top eight, significantly boosting their chances of avoiding a play-off match.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ruben Picardo Ashworth takes a look at five key talking points from the clash.
Champions League analysis: Five takeaways from Newcastle’s defeat to Marseille
Newcastle United suffered their second defeat in the Champions League this season as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's brace gave Olympique de Marseille their second win of the campaign.
That is now four successive away defeats for The Magpies in all competitions.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu reflects on another disappointing away result for Newcastle.
Inside the mind: Deconstructing the cult of the manager - The four myths of ‘Zombie Leadership’
In the second article of Sports News Blitz’s new series, ‘Inside the Mind,’ Ted Purcell tells all on why sacking the manager rarely solves a club’s problem.
Champions League 2025/26: Outright Betting & Matchday 4 Preview
The opening phase of the 2025/26 Champions League reaches the halfway stage during the first week in November.
Matchday 4 features some eye-catching fixtures, many of which will have a significant bearing on the race to progress to the last-16 of the competition.
Read on as we look at the latest betting for the Champions League, before previewing what promises to be a thrilling fourth round of matches.
Hugo Ekitike cements place in starting line-up as Liverpool beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1
Hugo Ekitike bagged his first Champions League goal of the season on Wednesday, October 22, in what was a demolition job over Eintracht Frankfurt as the Reds won 5-1 in Germany.
The former Frankfurt forward opened Liverpool’s scoring to level the game with a delightful finish, stroking the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs after latching on to a through ball by Andy Robertson.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Will Thomas reflects on Ekitike’s performance in the Reds’ return to winning ways.
Chelsea vs Ajax: Enzo Maresca’s young stars shine in 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax
Champions League nights at Stamford Bridge are back this season, and so far, have been delivering to the Chelsea faithful, with a 5-1 win over Ajax the latest triumph.
The success on the night of Wednesday, October 23, was Chelsea’s fourth win in four games - Benfica, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and now, Ajax.
Despite the unavailability or lack of match fitness of key players, Enzo Maresca still managed to pick up yet another important win.
He fielded a young squad, with the starting XI having an average age of 22 years and 163 days - the second youngest in the competition's history. Still, the youngsters proved themselves in front of the home crowd.
Chelsea edge Benfica 1-0 for first Champions League win under Enzo Maresca
On Tuesday, September 30, Chelsea enjoyed their first win in the Champions League after 939 days since their last - a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge in April 2023.
Tuesday’s 1-0 win was also at home, this time against Spanish side, Benfica, managed by former Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho.
England duo Harry Kane and Cole Palmer shine as Chelsea fall 3-1 to Bayern Munich in Blues’ Champions League return
While it was nice to see Chelsea back in the UEFA Champions League, that 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich was a painful watch.
The Blues weren’t even that bad, but the sheer number of individual errors made me want to pull my hair out.
It’s going to get to a point where the only thing I will remember about this game is how brilliant Cole Palmer is, and the stunning goal he scored for Chelsea in his 100th appearance.
Read on as Sports News Blitz deputy content editor and Chelsea fan, Nicole Powell, relives a bittersweet night in Munich.
Premier League sides in the Champions League: Six things to look out for this week
The Champions League returns to our TV screens for the first time this season this week.
This season sees the Premier League being represented by a record-breaking six clubs, all hoping for an excellent start in this prestigious competition.
Sports News Blitz writer Sarim Ahmed is here to talk about what viewers should be looking out for as these teams battle under the stars this week.
Opinion: What on earth is happening with Scottish football?
European qualifiers have now concluded, and we now know the opponents each outfit will face in all three European competitions.
We have incredible stories with the likes of Lincoln Red Imps from Gibraltar reaching the UEFA Conference League group stage alongside Pafos and Kairat Almaty reaching the Champions League.
Yet, we have seen some disappointing exits from the qualifiers and in particular, Scottish football has seen a potential five European teams drop to only three, with no representative in the Champions League.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Samuel Leasley explores what is going wrong in Scottish football and how the Scottish coefficient rank is now in jeopardy following underperformances.
Paris, perfected: PSG’s historic night of glory in Munich
In a night that will be etched in the annals of football history, Paris Saint-Germain PSG delivered a masterclass at Munich's Allianz Arena, securing their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan.
This triumph not only marked a historic milestone for the club but also showcased the emergence of a new era under the astute leadership of Luis Enrique.
Champions League betting tips: PSG vs Inter Milan – Martínez to score, Dumfries to be carded
The Champions League final is upon us, with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan set to do battle at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday.
Here, Sports News Blitz tipster Ethan Pitts selects four bets that will help you cash in with the bookies one last time this season.