City came back from a goal down to beat Belgian side Brugge on Wednesday in a nerve-jangling must-win league phase finale, to finish 22nd in the table - three places above elimination.

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.

Some senior women footballers today skipped the national team’s training session under reappointed English coach Peter Butler ahead of their upcoming FIFA friendly matches in February-March.

Balde was full of praise for Atalanta, who won last season's Europa League, but was left stumped by an Italian journalist's other question about their coach Gian Piero Gasperini's style of play at a press conference on Tuesday.

Manchester City are 25th in the standings -- a place away from play-off spots -- and Pep Guardiola’s men must need a win at home against Club Brugge to sneak into the top 24.

The reigning champions of Europe are ensured of their place in at least the knockout play-off round as the league phase of the revamped Champions League wraps up with its final matchday this week.

City have reached the Champions League knockout stages every season since Guardiola took the helm in 2016, but they are in danger of missing out with the new format this year where they sit 25th in the standings -- outside even the playoff spots.

"The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career," said a club statement posted on social media.

Brazilian superstar Neymar is reportedly ready to accept a huge pay cut to facilitate a return to his boyhood club Santos and the booter is likely to complete the move soon.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes the club's 63-year-old goalkeeper coach has a better chance of making his team than outcast striker Marcus Rashford.

A revitalised Mohammedan top the table after the first phase for only the second time since the inaugural season of the BPL in 2007. They strung up an eight-match winning streak this season on their way to the top but it was snapped by newly-promoted Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club in their last match.

Barcelona sit third in the standings with 42 points, three behind second-placed Atletico Madrid and seven adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

The goal was Kane's first from open play since mid-November and his 17th in 17 league games this season.

City's victory puts them back in pole position to qualify for next season's Champions League, just days before they try to save themselves in this season's competition.

Mbappe has hit his devastating best in recent weeks after struggling for consistency following his summer switch from Paris Saint-Germain.

Title aspirants Abahani spoiled a good opportunity to close the gap further with leaders Mohammedan SC after playing out a goalless draw against Brothers Union in their last match in the first-phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj today.

United climbed to fourth in the standings on 15 points going into the last round of matches, in a strong position to reach the knockout phase along with Spurs who are sixth with 14 points

The 25-year-old joined Barcelona in 2018 from Uruguayan side Boston River and has established himself as a core member of Hansi Flick's team.

Ancelotti heaped praise on his forwards, with Brazilians Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo scoring twice either side of a goal by Kylian Mbappe as last year's winners secured a spot in the knockout stage.

Arteta's side swatted aside the Croatian champions at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday thanks to Declan Rice's early opener and second half goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.