MAX SPORTS: CL

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Wednesday, 12 August 2026

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE V EUROPA LEAGUE: PSG FACE ASTON VILLA IN SUPER CUP

The UEFA Super Cup marks the beginning of competitive football for the 2026/27 season

It's champions v champions in the UEFA Super Cup
AFP

Dubai: Paris Saint-Germain will aim to retain their UEFA Super Cup title as they face Aston Villa on Wednesday 12 August at Stadion Salzburg in the traditional opening clash of the European season.

After beating Tottenham on penalties in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, the French champions secured their place in this year’s final by winning the Champions League for a second consecutive season, beating Arsenal in the final.

Now, having gone back-to-back in Europe’s premier club competition, they find themselves facing another north London side in the Super Cup final.

PSG won the 2025 Champions League while Villa won the Europa League
AFP

Aston Villa on the other hand, are looking for a second trophy in quick succession after their 3-0 win over Freiburg in the Europa League final ended a 30-year trophy drought.

How to watch

For fans in the UAE, the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa will be available live on beIN Sports, which holds the exclusive rights to UEFA’s club competitions across the MENA region through 2027.

Fans can watch via the beIN Sports TV channels or stream the match through the beIN SPORTS CONNECT service, with the exact channel listed on beIN’s TV guide.

PSG team news

Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Warren Zaire-Emery and Lucas Hernandez were handed extended time off after the World Cup, meaning they missed both of PSG’s pre-season friendlies.

The group has now returned to first-team training this week and travelled with the squad to Austria, giving Luis Enrique a full complement of players to choose from.

PSG's World Cup winner Fabian Ruiz will be available for selection
AFP-CARL RECINE

It remains to be seen whether Enrique will hand the returning players immediate starts against Aston Villa or opt to introduce them from the bench.

Captain Marquinhos is expected to feature from the outset alongside Portugal trio Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes, all of whom played 30 minutes in the recent friendly against Manchester United. Fellow World Cup stars Willian Pacho and Ibrahim Mbaye are also likely to start after featuring in both of PSG’s pre-season matches.

Lucas Digne could make his second PSG debut against his former side after the French club activated the £8.5million release clause in his Villa contract.

Aston Villa team news

World Cup medal winners Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins were all given extended time off and did not feature during Villa’s pre-season campaign.

Should the trio not be ready to start against PSG, Marco Bizot will remain in goal, with Victor Lindelof partnering Pau Torres in defence and Tammy Abraham leading the attack.

Villa will definitely be without Amadou Onana, who suffered an ACL injury to his right knee while representing Belgium at the World Cup. John McGinn is also a doubt after landing awkwardly on his left knee during the pre-season win over BG Pathum United.

Amadou Onana will be out for several months after suffering an ACL injury in the World Cup
AFP-DAVID RAMOS

Record signing Johan Manzambi remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained with Switzerland at the World Cup. However, new arrivals Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Gomes are both expected to make their competitive Villa debuts against PSG.

Ian Maatsen, meanwhile, is set to take over as Villa’s first-choice left-back following Digne’s departure, having struggled for regular starts last season.

- Robert Ilsley

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

WESLEY SNEIJDER SAYS UEFA SHOULD HAVE CANCELED ARSENAL'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DECIDER VS ATLÉTICO MADRID BEFORE HALF-TIME & CLAIMS GUNNERS 'DON'T HAVE ANY TOP PLAYERS'

Champions League winner Wesley Sneijder has launched a scathing attack on the quality of Arsenal’s semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, suggesting UEFA should have called the second leg clash off after just 35 minutes. Despite the Gunners winning 1-0 at the Emirates to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory, the Dutch legend was left entirely unimpressed by the spectacle.

Sneijder calls for UEFA intervention

In a damning assessment of the semi-final clash, the former Real Madrid and Inter playmaker joked that the governing body should have stepped in and stopped the match before the half-time whistle had even blown. Bukayo Saka eventually scored the winning goal of the tie, but Sneijder felt the level of football on show was far below the standard expected of such a prestigious stage in European competition.

Speaking on Ziggo Sport, the outspoken Dutchman delivered a brutal verdict on the proceedings in north London. "I said after 35 minutes, UEFA must intervene," Sneijder said. "They need to call London: both teams off the pitch, and tomorrow the final will be played between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. I knew this would happen, Atletico dropped back and gave away possession, and Arsenal had a lot of control over the ball."

Getty Images Sports

No 'top players' at the Emirates

Sneijder did not stop at criticising the match itself, as he aimed a side-swipe at the personnel available to Mikel Arteta. While the Dutchman acknowledged the manager's achievement in leading the Gunners to secure their place in the final with a hard-fought 1-0 win, he argued that the squad lacks genuine world-class talent compared to the European giants of the past.

"I looked at the players again, and Arteta already deserves a statue," Sneijder added. "He simply doesn't have any top players, and with the current squad, he manages to push Atletico back, which is impressive." The comments come despite Arsenal remaining unbeaten in the competition and conceding only six goals across 14 matches, showcasing a defensive resilience that has defined their run to Budapest.

Simeone refuses to make excuses

While Sneijder was busy questioning the quality of the match, Atleti boss Diego Simeone took a more humble approach to his side's exit. Despite a controversial moment where his team believed they should have been awarded a penalty, the Argentine refused to make excuses and instead focused on the strength of the Premier League leaders.

"If we were eliminated, it's because our opponent deserved to advance. They were clinical in the first half and earned their place. But what I feel is tranquillity, peace. The team gave everything they had," Simeone said. "We came to compete against an incredibly powerful team, and with our own strengths, we fought as hard as we could. I'm grateful to our fans, our players, and I'm proud to be where I am. I said during preseason at the stadium that we were going to compete, and we did. Unfortunately, we didn't win anything, that's true, but we reached places that aren't easy to reach."

Eyes on the final in Budapest

The Gunners will now head to Budapest to face the winner of the clash between PSG and Bayern Munich. The French side currently hold a 5-4 lead following a chaotic first leg, a match that Sneijder clearly feels represented a higher level of football than what was witnessed in London. Arteta will likely ignore the noise from the outside as he prepares his side for a historic showdown on the European stage, with Arsenal just 90 minutes away from potentially lifting their first-ever European Cup.

- Muhammad Zaki

ARSENAL MAKE A HUGE STATEMENT AS THEY MADE HISTORY | COYG

BUKAYO SAKA REACTS TO REACHING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL | FULL POST-MATCH INTERVIEW | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

"I KNEW WE COULD WIN" | DECLAN RICE FULL INTERVIEW

Thursday, 30 April 2026

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS BAYERN MUNICH [5-4] - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG 2025/2026 - TACTICAL ANALYSIS

Paris Saint-Germain hosted Bayern Munich for the first leg of the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League semi-final at Parc des Princes.

Widely gaining popularity as one of the most entertaining games in football history, this fixture had it all, with the hosts edging past their competitors with a 5-4 win.

PSG and Bayern have two of the most ruthless attacking trios in Europe this season, as evidenced by the quality, speed, and effectiveness of their attacking moves on the night.

Both sides, on several occasions, opened up their opponents with ease, which made for a nerve-wracking game overall.

Through this tactical analysis, we aim to discuss Paris Saint-Germain’s and Bayern Munich’s approach to the game, areas both sides struggled in, and find out where Bayern can hurt PSG in the second leg.

Paris Saint-Germain Vs Bayern Munich Lineups & Formations

Let's look at how Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany fielded their squads.

PSG Lineup Vs Bayern Munich

PSG played in a 4-3-3 formation.

Matvey Safonov started between the sticks.

The back four were Achraf Hakimi (right-back), skipper Marquinhos (right centre-back), Willian Pacho (left centre-back), and Nuno Mendes (left-back).

The latter was replaced by Lucas Hernández (84’).

João Neves, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery were the midfield three.

The latter was substituted by Fabián Ruiz at the 64th minute.

Désiré Doué (right) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (left) were the two wingers, with Ousmane Dembélé as the striker.

Bradley Barcola came on for Doué (70’) and Senny Mayulu for Kvaratskhelia (84’).

Bayern Munich Lineup Vs PSG

Bayern played in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Skipper Manuel Neuer started in goal.

Josip Stanišić (right-back), Dayot Upamecano (right centre-back), Jonathan Tah (left centre-back), and Alphonso Davies (left-back) were the back four.

Konrad Laimer replaced the latter at 46 minutes.

Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović played as the double pivot.

The latter made way for Nicolas Jackson (90’ +3).

Michael Olise (right) and Luis Díaz (left) were the two wingers, with Jamal Musiala as the attacking midfielder.

Musiala came off for Leon Goretzka (79’).

Harry Kane played as the lone striker.

Paris Saint-Germain & Bayern Munich Style Of Play

PSG and Bayern share similar identities in their approach to the game.

Both sides are brilliant examples of total football, showcasing frequent positional rotations both in and out of possession.

An example: Vitinha, a centre-midfielder, operates in the wide channel.

He attracts multiple opponents before moving the ball to the half-space.

Meanwhile, the winger moves into the half-space.

For Bayern, Kane frequently dropped deep into midfield to offer an additional option for progression.

Whenever the centre-backs followed him, other teammates exploited the space higher up the pitch.

This was the case with Bayern’s defenders as well.

During a build-up situation for PSG, both Bayern centre-backs (Upamecano and Tah) follow an opponent each deep into the mid-third, while Stanisić also follows an opponent in the half-space.

With defenders from both sides jumping in this manner, there were multiple instances when they delayed the opposition’s progression or even won the ball.

However, there were also scenarios where the opponent bypassed the pressure and went straight to a counterattack.

- Vedant Kharakwal

SIMEONE SLAPS AND SHOVES ARSENAL STAR IN TUNNEL BUST-UP AS ARTETA 'INCREDIBLY FUMING'

Diego Simeone gesticulates on the touchline for Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone slapped and shoved Ben White in a tunnel bust-up as Arsenal drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal the lead from the spot after he was bundled over in the box by Dávid Hancko, before Julian Alvarez also converted a penalty to level the tie following a Ben White handball.

Arsenal will head into the second leg at the Emirates as strong favourites to prevail and reach the Champions League final, but can expect a nervy, tense affair in the return leg after the game at the Wanda Metropolitan threatened to boil over following an incident at half-time.

Tensions rose as White walked over Atletico’s badge and was taken to task by Giuliano Simeone for what was seen as a sign of disprespect.

Diego Simeone then pulled his son away before speaking to White, slapping him on the back multiple times and shoving the Arsenal defender.

White wasn’t happy with Atletico manager’s reaction and pushed back before a number of players and staff stepped in to separate the pair.

There was late controversy in the game when referee Danny Makkelie overturned his decision to award Arsenal another penalty for a Hancko foul on Eberechi Eze after being asked to consult his pitch-side monitor.

And Mikel Arteta revealed after the game why he was “absolutely fuming” with the incident.

“We were disappointed for the Atlético penalty,” Arteta said. “In the Premier League, it’s not a penalty but here I have to accept that with the rules and how consistent they’ve been, I accept that this is a handball.

“What I’m incredibly fuming with is how the hell the penalty on Ebs gets overturned in the manner that it happened when there is no clear and obvious error. This changes the course of the game. And at this level, I’m sorry but this cannot happen.

“A very clear explanation of the decision is what happens for a period of time [when] a referee has to watch it 13 times. What’s more clear than that? It’s impossible and we are all fuming about it. We need to apply the rules … [the way] they applied the rules on Ben White’s penalty.

“When you have fought so hard for nine months to be in this position … I mean, that’s another goal that changed completely the course of the tie. And it cannot happen. We put so much on it. So, so, so much on it. This cannot happen.

“There is clear contact. If you make that decision, you cannot overturn that decision. When you have to look at it 13 times … at this level it’s completely unacceptable.”

- Will Ford