Luke Bosher and Holly Percival
March 16, 2022 at 3:43 AM EDT
Welcome to The Athletic’s coverage of today’s football news.
Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League last night after a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford. Renan Lodi‘s goal just before half-time put Atletico 2-1 up on aggregate.
Benfica are also through to the quarter-finals after they stunned Ajax with a 1-0 victory in Amsterdam that saw them win 3-2 on aggregate.
Elsewhere, West Bromwich Albion surprised Championship league leaders Fulham with Callum Robinson‘s goal giving Steve Bruce’s side all three points.
Tonight, there is more high-class football on offer. Lille welcome Chelsea and Villarreal travel to Juventus in the Champions League, while there is also Premier League action, with Arsenal hosting Liverpool and Tottenham visiting Brighton.
Stay tuned as we bring you all the news throughout the day.
(Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
March 16, 2022 at 3:43 AM EDT
Manchester United are not the force they once were
Turns out this is true on and off the pitch!
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 16, 2022 at 3:09 AM EDT
ICYMI last night
Ralf Rangnick believes Atletico Madrid’s goal last night should not have stood.
The Man United interim manager thought Anthony Elanga was fouled in the build-up to Renan Lodi’s opening goal, which sent Atletico through 2-1 on aggregate.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 6:47 PM EDT
That’s all for today!
Thank you for tuning into today’s news blog.
Luke Bosher will be back with you in the morning to provide you with the latest updates heading into more Champions League action including Chelsea’s trip to Lille.
Goodnight.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 6:28 PM EDT
Championship results round-up
An interesting night of results in the Championship. Here is a round-up of all the scores:
Barnsley 2 – 0 Bristol City
Birmingham City 0 – 2 Middlesbrough
Blackburn Rovers 3 – 1 Derby County
Bournemouth 1 – 1 Reading
West Brom 1 – 0 Fulham
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 6:02 PM EDT
Manchester United knocked out of Champions League
Manchester United’s Champions League run has come to an end after a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on the evening.
Renan Lodi made it 2-1 on aggregate in the 41st minute.
For all the post-match reaction of the match, click here to head over to our match live blog.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
United looking for an equaliser
Atletico Madrid are currently leading a goal to nil at Old Trafford.
Renan Lodi gave the visitors the lead.
Manchester United are holding the ball more but are struggling to test Atletico in the final third.
For live updates of the match, click here to head over to our match live blog.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 5:11 PM EDT
Chelsea name Champions League squad
Thomas Tuchel’s side have arrived in France ahead of their Champions League tie against Lille.
Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi trained at Cobham on Tuesday but have not travelled with the team.
Cesar Azpilicueta has returned to Tuchel’s squad. Teenager Harvey Vale has been included to provide a left-sided option.
Ross Barkley, Ben Chilwell and Saul are the other players to miss out.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 4:48 PM EDT
Aston Villa to decide which development players to keep as 2022-23 plans begin
Aston Villa will decide which development players to keep at the club this week as they begin planning for 2022-23.
A number of youngsters are set to leave as Villa cut down the squad and plan the best way forward for the U23 and U18 team.
Villa have already confirmed that Tommi O’Reilly, the midfielder who made the matchday squad earlier this month, has signed a professional contract and The Athletic understands that Teddy Rowe, Frankie Ealing, DJ Sturridge and Taylor-Jay Hart will be the next to receive contract offers.
Gregg Evans·
Aston Villa Correspondent
March 15, 2022 at 4:29 PM EDT
Derby County take the lead over Blackburn
Derby County are fighting hard to avoid relegation and so far it is working.
They lead 1-0 after Ravel Morrison found the back of the net in the 28th minute.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 3:19 PM EDT
Manchester United team news
Ralf Rangnick has named a strong starting XI to take on Atletico Madrid.
Anthony Elanga is worthy of his place in the starting line-up having scored the equaliser for United in the first leg.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 2:28 PM EDT
Discipline and intensity helped keep City out
It was a performance worthy of a point against league leaders Manchester City.
Crystal Palace were on the back foot for the majority of the game but it was discipline and intensity that helped them keep Pep Guardiola’s side at bay.
Matt Woosnam has analysed arguably one of Crystal Palace’s best performances all season.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Crystal Palace married discipline and intensity to keep out City again
March 15, 2022 at 2:06 PM EDT
Champions League football this evening!
Excited for more European football? Me too!
This evening, Ajax host Benfica and Atletico Madrid travel to Manchester United.
They are both tied at 2-2 and 1-1 respectively so I’m expecting some intense football this evening.
We have a match blog of United’s game against Atletico. You can join Rob Smyth by clicking here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 1:47 PM EDT
EU hits Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with sanctions in new action against Russia
The European Union has hit Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with financial sanctions as part of a new package of measures targeting Russia.
The EU on Tuesday added Abramovich to its updated list of individuals facing an asset freeze and travel bans over their role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea are due to play at French side Lille in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. The Athletic understands that UEFA is reviewing the situation.
For more, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 1:08 PM EDT
Chelsea withdraw request to play Middlesbrough in FA Cup behind closed doors
Chelsea have removed their request for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Middlesbrough to take place behind closed doors.
On Tuesday morning, they lodged a request with the FA to have the game played behind closed doors to protect “sporting integrity”.
However, the FA have now confirmed they have removed that request.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 12:39 PM EDT
Updated Premier League fixtures
The Premier League have announced several fixture amendments for April after live television coverage was confirmed.
Liverpool’s home game against Manchester United has been moved to Tuesday, April 19, and will kick-off at 20.00.
Chelsea vs Arsenal (19.45) has been set for the following evening, and will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
For the full list of amendments, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 12:12 PM EDT
UEFA ban on Russian football teams upheld at CAS
The ban on Russian football teams appearing in UEFA competitions has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The urgent CAS ruling does not apply to Russia’s chances of being reinstated for FIFA World Cup qualifying, however, as the interim judgment comes before a full hearing in the weeks ahead.
For the full story, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 11:35 AM EDT
Tuchel on Chelsea
“We have to deal with it. There are new things to talk about, like how to arrive at games. Things that are normally taken care of,” Tuchel said ahead of Chelsea’s match against Lille tomorrow.
“We have a framework to go to Lille and play in Lille. There will be no excuses. It’s already more difficult to arrange things in the best way possible for the FA Cup (quarter-final at Middlesbrough on Saturday).
“As long as we have shirts, as long as we are alive, we will arrive, be competitive and fight hard for our success. We owe it to the people who normally support us … Of course, we’re in the spotlight but this is our responsibility.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Chelsea’s commercial future: Is the club Abramovich built now one for brands to avoid?
March 15, 2022 at 10:57 AM EDT
Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong out for the season
The former Celtic man sustained a serious ankle injury during the 1-0 defeat by Koln at the weekend.
A bitter blow for the 21-year-old, who had only missed one Bundesliga game (due to suspension) this season.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
