Champions League Qualifiers Heat Up as Fenerbahce, Celtic, and Top Teams Battle for Coveted Spots

Champions League qualifying is in full swing as play-off first legs continue tonight, with Fenerbahce hosting Benfica in Istanbul, Basel facing Copenhagen, Celtic taking on Kairat, and Bodo/Glimt meeting Sturm Graz, with return legs set for next week. The main draw for the Champions League’s new league phase will happen August 26 in Monaco, with Paris Saint-Germain seeded atop Pot 1 after their stunning 5-0 win over Inter Milan in last season’s final, as reported by AS and FCInterNews. Inter, who parted ways with Simone Inzaghi after their Champions League disappointment and Club World Cup struggles, have turned to former player Cristian Chivu as manager, hoping to recapture form despite ongoing transfer frustrations—most notably, the failed pursuit of Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, while rising star Francesco Pio Esposito is tipped for a key role.

In the Premier League, Liverpool honored the late Diogo Jota with an emotional tribute ahead of their 4-2 win over Bournemouth in a match marked by a disturbing racist incident involving a fan, which resulted in an arrest and lifetime ban. Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa scored late to secure the victory, while Richarlison shone for Spurs, bagging a brace in a 3-0 win against Burnley.

Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all confirmed for the upcoming Champions League phase representing the Premier League. Transfer speculation continues around several marquee names across Europe, with clubs racing to finalize squads before the group stage draw.

In La Liga, Real Madrid, Atletico, and Athletic Bilbao are confirmed for Champions League action, while the Serie A storyline centers on Inter’s managerial gamble and Napoli’s attempt to reclaim dominance. Elsewhere, American internationals like Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna are drawing attention with anticipated roles at AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.

Off the pitch, the soccer world is still processing the aftermath of Jota’s passing and ongoing efforts to combat racism in stadiums after the incident at Liverpool. UEFA is preparing for possible further reforms as debate over the new league-phase format intensifies.

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