Pep Guardiola and Manuel Akanji celebrate

Champions League LIVE – Post-match reaction as Man City make it through, Villa finish in top eight, Arsenal beat Girona and Liverpool lose at PSV

Pep Guardiola and Manuel Akanji celebrate (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) via ONE FOOTBALL
Hayters Live Blog

This page will update live with the latest relevant news, no need to refresh the page!

Welcome to our live blog on what is set to be a busy night of Champions League football! Every side is in action on the final day of the league stage phase, with Manchester City looking to avoid a shock early exit from the competition by beating Club Brugge.

That's all from us

Thanks for following on a hectic night of Champions League football! We’ll have more reaction tomorrow.

Emery adamant he doesn't want to sell Watkins

A clear response from Unai Emery when asked about Ollie Watkins. “I don’t want to (sell him).”

Arne Slot praises youngster McConnell despite loss to PSV

Some kind words from Arne Slot for youngster James McConnell who impressed him against PSV!

Arteta's press conference

Better late than never!

Here’s Mikel Arteta’s reaction after Arsenal’s win over Girona…

Arteta reaction

Mikel Arteta speaking to TNT Sports after his side’s win over Girona…

Guardiola: We are not capable of winning Champions League right now

Pep says Man City need a big improvement to beat Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the next round.

“Right now, no,” he said when asked if City are capable of winning the Champions League.

“No, I’m so pragmatic. The reality is the reality. They have more experience than us and they, Madrid, maybe struggled but in the last games is back in the results and the way they play.”

Read more here.

 

Pep wary of reading too much into improved form

Pep is asked if the recent run can be a springboard for his side: “We have been so unstable in the season. Before we’ve been so consistent.

“I would like to tell you yes but I don’t know.”

Pep on facing Real Madrid or Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola admits he is “relieved” after Man City’s win over Club Brugge.

“Bayern Munich or Real Madrid will be really tough but we will hopefully have players back.

“Now it’s time to enjoy it because it’s been a really tough season in the Champions League.”

Emery on futures of Duran and Watkins

Emery on Duran’s future: “Tomorrow or Friday we can speak about transfers. Until anything is done, I don’t want to speak. In football, anything can happen.

“We are working. We need some players and of course some players can leave.”

On the reports of Arsenal bidding for Watkins: “Today is not the day to speak about that.”

Delighted Emery praises his players

“The second half we played fantastic,” he told TNT Sports.

On finishing in the top eight: “Fantastic.

“It’s not been easy, playing Bayern Munich, Juventus. We are very happy and we are being consistent.”

Man City to face either Bayern or Real Madrid

A great night for City, but it won’t be easy to make it to the round of 16.

They will play either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in February’s Champions League knockout phase play-off round.
Play-off teams

And here are the sides who face a play-off to get through to the round of 16…

9 – Atalanta

10 – Dortmund

11 – Real Madrid

12 – Bayern Munich

13 – Milan

14 – PSV

15 – PSG

16 – Benfica

17 – Monaco

18 – Brest

19 – Feyernood

20 – Juventus

21 – Celtic

22 – Man City

23 – Sporting

24 – Club Brugge

THE FINAL STANDINGS

Here’s how things look at the end of the league stage…

STRAIGHT THROUGH TO ROUND OF 16:

1 – Liverpool

2 – Barcelona

3 – Arsenal

4 – Inter

5 – Atletico Madrid

6 – Leverkusen

7 – Lille

8 – Aston Villa

LIVERPOOL LOSE TO PSV

Not the result Liverpool wanted, losing 3-2 to PSV Eindhoven, but it has been a successful league stage with the Reds having already booked their place through to the round of 16 prior to this clash. They also finish top of the league stage.

VILLA STRAIGHT THROUGH TO ROUND OF 16

Full-time at Villa Park after a crazy game of football sees Villa beat Celtic 4-2 and reach the round of 16 by finishing in the top eight. What an achievement!

It had looked as though it would be a straightforward night when they scored twice in the first four minutes of the game before Celtic brought it back to 2-2. A great night for the club in the end though and a hat-trick for the superb Morgan Rogers.

FULL TIME IN GIRONA

It certainly wasn’t straightforward but Arsenal have picked up another Champions League win, coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri. They are straight through to the round of 16, finishing third.

90'
ROGERS HAT-TRICK

What a moment and what a season it has been for Morgan Rogers!

90'+3
Sterling misses the penalty

A horrible moment for Raheem Sterling whose penalty is saved!

87'
Red card Liverpool
90'+2
Penalty Arsenal!

The Gunners have been given a late spot-kick for a handball., with the chance to make it 3-1 in added time.

CITY GO THROUGH

That’s it! Man City looked like they were going out at half-time, trailing 1-0, but turned it around in the second half.

Liverpool back at the top

Atalanta have equalised against Barcelona through Pasalic, who has made it 2-2, meaning Liverpool are back on top despite trailing to PSV.

Watkins' penalty miss

Ollie Watkins won’t want to watch this back. Can Villa hang on and secure their place in the top eight? They currently lead 3-2 against Celtic.

Watch Savinho's goal

A MASSIVE goal from Savinho who looks to have sent City through to the play-off round…

74'
PSV close to a fourth
Loading Older Updates...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *