NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 1): Group D
Atletico Madrid vs Juventus
Bayer Leverkusen vs Lokomotiv Moscow
UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 1): Group G
Lyon vs Zenit St Petersburg
Benfica vs RB Leipzig
UEFA Champions League Preview(Matchday 1): Group F
Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona
Inter Milan vs Slavia Praha
Ajax, the most complete team in the Champions League Quarter Finals?
After the first legs of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and even as we countdown towards the return clashes, there is one story too good not to notice. It’s all about the “Sons of God,” the eye-catching Ajax side.
UCL Preview: Rising vs Reigning stars in Lyon-Barca clash
La Liga champions, Barcelona, have prioritised the UCL trophy and do have all the needed ammunition to bring the prize home. However, the “factory” of Europe’s brightest talent, Olympique Lyonnais, know how to upset big guns and will be ready for Messi and company.
UCL Preview: Key roles for Africans in the Liverpool & Bayern clash
With Van Dijk suspended and Firmino a doubt, it all bows down to Mane, Salah, Naby Keita and Joel Matip to play leading roles for Liverpool as they welcome fellow five-time champions league winners and current Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich to Anfield.
Africans In The UCL: Morocco well represented as Ajax lose to VAR assisted Madrid
It’s advantage Real Madrid heading into the second leg of their tie with Ajax. However, De Godenzonen can take many positives from their 2-1 loss to the defending Champions League title holders - check our our take on why.
UCL Matchday 5: Lyon's African cast set to slow Man City's momentum
Lyon is the only team to have humbled Manchester City to a defeat in the 2018/19 season. Can they do it again at home In France as the UEFA Champions League group stage draws to a close?
Moussa "The Beast" Marega, Africa's biggest winner in the UCL so far?
Salah and Mane have not been at their best in the 2018/19 Champions League season so far. However, the show must go on and in have stepped FC Porto and Mali’s Marega along with a few others.
Koulibaly and Napoli revealed PSG's apathy for UCL glory
Let’s have that conversation. Despite the heavy spending and numerous managerial appointments, Ligue 1 champions PSG are still far away from being the best in Europe. Check out why.
UCL Matchday 3: How did the African players fare?
Who is your favorite African footballer? Check out whether they were involved in the thick of the action on Matchday 3 in the UEFA Champions League.
UCL Matchday 3 Preview: After Salah and Co. struggled with Koulibaly, next up is the challenge of PSG's 'MEN'
The Champions League Matchday 3 is here. It’s no secret center back Koulibaly is in world’s best territory, as he prepares to rally his Napoli teammates who will look to upset PSG’s inform front line. Will the Senegalese reign supreme once more against another tough matchup?
UCL: Trouble in paradise? Liverpool toothless in Naples while Koulibaly shines
Liverpool beat PSG 3-2 on matchday 1 in the UEFA Champions League but were left licking their wounds in Italy as Napoli deservedly finished the match as 1-0 winners. Klopp’s men are winless in their last 3 matches and face Manchester City over the weekend. It looks like there may be urgent matters to be addressed in the Reds setup even after enjoying a surreal start to this campaign.
UEFA Champions League Round Up: Matchday 2
Here is a summary of some of the interesting stories we picked up from the UEFA Champions League matchday 2 fixtures that featured a few African players and even more worldies.
Klopp Calls on the 12th Player to Make All the Difference
In their last Champions League outing, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool gave up a 3-0 lead to eventually draw 3-3 with Sevilla in Spain suspending their qualification to the next round.