8 THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUT STAGES
FourFourTwo UK|March 2024
Xabi Alonso will have to wait until next season for a crack at Europe’s premier club competition before then, though, the bunfight to lift Ol’ Big Ears enters its business end once more
Ed McCambridge, Chris Flanagan
8 THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUT STAGES

1 ARSENAL’S LAST 16 CURSE

The Gunners are back in the knockout phase of the Champions League for the first time in ages (2016-17 to be precise), which usually means one thing: humiliation over two legs.

In their most recent showing seven years ago, Arsene Wenger’s men were blitzed 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich – the latest in a run of seven straight last 16 eliminations to Bayern, Barcelona, Milan and even Monaco in 2014-15, with the Bavarians responsible for three separate strudelings. Grim stat: the Gunners lost those seven ties at a combined scoreline of 32-16.

But there’s hope: unlike five of those seven campaigns, Mikel Arteta’s side won their group this season to set up a meeting with (the slightly less scary) Porto. Moreover, unlike the late-era Wenger outfits, this crop doesn’t wilt like a biscuit in hot tea at the slightest sign of danger. They’re the bookmakers’ fourth favourites to lift the trophy for the very first time – breaking their last 16 hoodoo could be the catalyst for glory at Wembley.

2 BELLINGHAM AND KANE'S QUEST TO RULE EUROPE

Brits abroad haven't historically done the national reputation many favours, so it's just as well that Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane - arguably England's two standout players are doing their best to reverse old prejudices. For Real Madrid and Bayern respectively, the duo have been the driving forces behind their teams' trophy ambitions, injecting goals and leadership into squads already jam-packed with international superstars.

Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av FourFourTwo UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av FourFourTwo UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA FOURFOURTWO UKSe alt
How Liverpool have changed under new manager Arne Slot
FourFourTwo UK

How Liverpool have changed under new manager Arne Slot

The Reds have had to adapt to life without their legendary boss Jurgen Klopp, But their new managers tactical tweaks showed highly promising early signs

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Why Cole Palmer is an absolute genius on a football pitch
FourFourTwo UK

Why Cole Palmer is an absolute genius on a football pitch

Chelsea’s attacking star attracts plenty of mirth for his interviews, but he often displays unrivalled intelligence in the heat of Premier League action

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
CORINTHIANS X SENNA 2018-19
FourFourTwo UK

CORINTHIANS X SENNA 2018-19

Kit connoisseur Phil Delves looks back at an ultimate 'collab shirt' from South America - one that heralded a black and gold craze

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
"THE MISSILE SIRENS WOULD START DURING TRAINING, SO WE'D HAVE TO GO INSIDE AND TAKE COVER"
FourFourTwo UK

"THE MISSILE SIRENS WOULD START DURING TRAINING, SO WE'D HAVE TO GO INSIDE AND TAKE COVER"

The Welsh international striker recalls growing up in Africa, humiliation at Derby and air strikes in Israel, not to mention a certain hat-tricks record...

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
"I SWAPPED SHIRTS WITH ETO'O AFTER MY DEBUT HE PROBABLY USED MINE ON HIS WINDOWS"
FourFourTwo UK

"I SWAPPED SHIRTS WITH ETO'O AFTER MY DEBUT HE PROBABLY USED MINE ON HIS WINDOWS"

The lifelong Magpie opens up about earning Sir Bobby’s trust, his new career in the Middle East, and how Ruud van Nistelrooy knew I wanted to kick him”

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
"SVEN GOT IN TOUCH TO SEE IF I'D BE KEEN ON PLAYING FOR ENGLAND THAT MADE ME SO PROUD"
FourFourTwo UK

"SVEN GOT IN TOUCH TO SEE IF I'D BE KEEN ON PLAYING FOR ENGLAND THAT MADE ME SO PROUD"

The former Italian shot-stopper tells FourFourTwo about following in his father’s footsteps at Milan and the game that changed Chelsea forever...

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
Why Thomas Tuchel is the perfect fit for the England job
FourFourTwo UK

Why Thomas Tuchel is the perfect fit for the England job

The new gaffer might not have been born and bred in Barnsley, but he’s long proved himself to be particularly astute in high-profile knockout competitions

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
GREEN SHOOTS
FourFourTwo UK

GREEN SHOOTS

Less than two years ago, Saint-Etienne were at real risk of relegation to the semi-professional third tier - unthinkable for a club who were the finest in France throughout the 1960s and '70s. Now Les Verts are back in the big time following last term's Ligue 2 play-off success. Oh, and they're also billionaires...

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024
Why I love Scottish football
FourFourTwo UK

Why I love Scottish football

The legendary goal-getter recounts his strangest tales, featuring Graeme Souness punch-ups, broken sofas, Duncan Ferguson's errant pigeon and, of course, Gazza...

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024
A MATCH WITH THE MONKS THE GREATEST COMPETITION PRIZE EVER
FourFourTwo UK

A MATCH WITH THE MONKS THE GREATEST COMPETITION PRIZE EVER

A globe-trotting FourFourTwo has gone beyond even Tanzania’s borders this month. American fan Matthew Eide of the Far Away Football blog ventured to equally mountainous Bhutan, after winning the most unusual of raffles...

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024