February is usually a time when the Asian F to a calendar change, the 16 teams remaining have been preparing instead for the second round that kicked off in mid-February.
Champions League gets going but not in 2024 as, due The question before the group stage started back in September was whether anyone could stop the big-spending teams from Saudi Arabia.
So far, the answer is no, with all four sides from the kingdom making it through. Three AI Ittihad, AI Hilal and AI Nassr topped their groups with the help of their megastars, while AI Fayha, not one of the big-spending sides backed by the Public Investment Fund, squeezed through as the fourth of the four best performing second-placed teams.
The latter were drawn with AI Nassr in an all-Saudi tie. It is hard to know what kind of form the teams will be in due to the Asian Cup, there were no Saudi Pro League games from the end of December to February - but
AI Fayha lost their last five league games before the break and dropped down to 14th in the 18-team league, just two points above the relegation zone. With little involvement in the Asian Cup, their players have at least been able to rest and train. But facing AI Nassr, with Cristiano Ronaldo keen to add the Asian Champions League to his five European titles, is going to be tough.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines
