Real Madrid said Monday that coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Liam Rosenior said that his challenge is to carry Chelsea to the "next level" as he prepares to take charge of the Blues for the first time on Saturday.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank vowed to stick to his long-term rebuild plan despite a 4-1 Premier League defeat by Arsenal, as his side prepare for a daunting Champions League trip to Paris St Germain on Wednesday.

Luciano Spalletti has called for calm at Juventus as he insisted their recent performances have been blown out of proportion.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said he was happy to see Lamine Yamal back in form but cautioned that he must continue to manage his groin injury after the teenager inspired a 3-3 Champions League draw with Club Brugge on Wednesday.

 Juventus have chosen Luciano Spalletti as their new head coach, Italian newspapers reported on Wednesday, adding that the official announcement is expected late in the day or on Thursday.

Enzo Fernandez bears the responsibility of wearing the Chelsea armband whenever club captain Reece James is not playing. The Argentina international wears his heart on his sleeve and leads by example with his desire and performances on the pitch. And on Thursday, he presented a wholesome gesture to the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge, sacrificing the chance to double his goal tally after the Blues were awarded a second penalty during their 5-1 demolition of Ajax in a Champions League group-stage fixture.

The humiliating 6-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven made unfortunate history for both Antonio Conte and Napoli, but reaffirmed the coach’s poor Champions League record.

Fixtures for leading clubs in the league phase of this season's UEFA Champions League, following Thursday's draw:

Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi said he barely recognised his side as they fell to a deserved 5-0 defeat at the hands of Paris St Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday.

With moments of brilliance in abundance, producing 17 goals across four matches, the thrill and excitement for fans and neutrals alike were unmatched in the past two weeks.

Marcus Rashford returns to Paris Saint-Germain with Aston Villa on Wednesday seeking a hat-trick of wins at the home of the French champions while Marco Asensio can hurt his parent club.

Barcelona midfielder Pedri said he is putting team trophies ahead of individual accolades this season and would only want to be awarded the Ballon d'Or if his side won the Champions League and completed the treble.

UEFA on Thursday said it would consider a potential rule change after Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez's penalty was controversially disallowed in their Champions League shootout loss to Real Madrid.

Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique said both his team and Liverpool deserved a berth in the Champions League quarter-finals, such was the terrific, nail-biting battle between the two sides in the competition's last-16.

Defending champions Real Madrid will play 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster Champions League knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.

The new 36-team format provided plenty of tension, but all the fancied sides at least finished in the top 24 to stay in the competition.

Motta believes his side, depleted by the injury absences of Nico Gonzalez, Teun Koopmeiners, Gleison Bremer, Arek Milik and Douglas Luiz, need to improve in all areas.

France captain Kylian Mbappe has been left out of his team's UEFA Nations League matches this month after coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday named his squad.

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso praised his side for fighting fatigue to take all three points after they dominated the opening hour against AC Milan and did enough to earn a 1-0 win in the Champions League on Tuesday.