The Champions League play-offs are set to deliver high-octane drama as Manchester City prepare to battle European heavyweights Real Madrid, while Celtic brace for a daunting clash against Bayern Munich, with last-16 spots on the line.
Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal side must do something special next week to reach the Champions League final after a 1-0 defeat by Paris St Germain in the semi-final first leg at home on Tuesday.
A day after Yann Sommer's brilliant goalkeeping display helped Inter Milan reach the Champions League final at the expense of Barcelona, it was Gianluigi Donnarumma's turn to shine as Paris St Germain booked their ticket for the showdown in Munich.
Both managers have struggled in the Champions League this season, with PSG on seven points and 25th in the standings, one place outside the knockout phase playoff zone, while City are one point ahead in 22nd.
PSG beat Seattle to reach knockout stage at Club World Cup
IMAGES from football matches played across Europe on Friday.
Lionel Messi said his decision to join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami as a free agent was fuelled by his struggles at Paris St Germain, describing it as a period he "didn't enjoy".
The Italians, however, did not opt for their second strip -- white shirts with blue details -- choosing to wear the third kit instead, a golden yellow shirt with black details and black shorts.
Brazil's Barcelona forward Raphinha regretted that the players were not consulted about extending their season to play at the Club World Cup, adding that nobody should be obliged to give up their vacation time.
The city of Paris will show its support for Paris St Germain during their date with destiny in Saturday's Champions League final against Inter Milan.
A round-up of Saturday's action the Bundesliga, Ligue 1
Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty earned Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Osasuna in their opening LaLiga game of the season
Napoli talisman and Serie A champion Scott McTominay was named Italian Serie A's player of the season on Friday.
The title is PSG's 13th in history - a record in France - while it was their 11th since the 2012-13 season.
PSG's focus on unity, tactical discipline and collective effort has drawn widespread plaudits ahead of their showdown with Inter Milan, who eliminated Barcelona after a thrilling semi-final.
A round-up of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-finals second leg between Barcelona and Dortmund, Aston Villa and Paris St Germain.
The system, featuring three centre backs and aggressive wing backs, marked a significant departure from the traditional 4-3-3 formation and appeared to address Real's defensive frailties from a disappointing, trophyless 2024-25 campaign.
The French midfielder plans to sue Paris Saint-Germain in a labour tribunal after being sacked following a row with the manager.
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano said on Thursday it was "impossible" to even consider bringing Neymar to the club
IMAGES from matches played across European leagues on Saturday
Struggling Swiatek will open her campaign against Slovakian Rebecca Sramkova.
Paris St Germain teenager Desire Doue, who was not even guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup, burst into instant stardom when he lit up the Champions League final as they thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 on Saturday.
Mouth-watering matches lined up as PSG to face Bayern and Barcelona in Champions League opening stage.
Sweden's hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup are hanging by a thread after Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka scored from the spot to help the visitors win 2-0 in their qualifying Group B clash on Friday.
Kylian Mbappe, who had a fallout with PSG last year after refusing to sign a contract extension, is seeking around 55 million euros ($60.73 million) from the French club.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland extended his remarkable scoring streak to 12 straight matches as his side recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory at Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old sustained a knee injury in Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get back to his best.
Paris gets ready ahead of PSG's Champions League final
23-year-old Brazilian forward, signed from Brighton & Hove Albion for 60 million pounds ($81.5 million) last week, stars in victory over boyhood club Fluminense
Real Madrid will play local rivals Atletico Madrid while Bayern Munich were drawn against Bundesliga title challengers Bayer Leverkusen on Friday.
Neymar has left Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal to return to Santos, the Brazilian club where both he and Pele made their names.
IMAGES from the UEFA Champions League matches played on Wednesday
A summary of Wednesday's Champions League first leg quarter-finals between Barcelona and Dortmund and Real Madrid, and Paris St Germain and Aston Villa.
Novak Djokovic notched his 99th career French Open win with a clinical 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic to reach the fourth round on a memorable Saturday night in Paris.
With the Champions League final kicking off on Saturday evening, authorities are bracing for both sets of spectators to spill out onto the streets of western Paris around the same time.
'Did I leave too soon? No, my story was over, it had to end. There was no bitterness, I'd reached the end of my tether.'
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday.
UEFA to not place sanctions on PSG
Jude Bellingham topped the men's overall voting, with the Real Madrid and England midfielder receiving 11,176 selections from his peers.
Manchester City spent more than 180 million pounds ($223.58 million) -- more than the combined amount paid by the other 19 English top-flight clubs in a relatively quiet window.
