Dribble Diaries

Celtic fans will be permitted to attend the club's Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich after UEFA decided not to ban supporters despite their most recent disciplinary infraction. The Scottish club had written to its followers, warning them that they faced being barred from their first away Champions League knockout match since 2013, after some supporters let off fireworks during the defeat at Aston Villa. Celtic received a one-match suspended ban on distributing away tickets for Champions League games, as well as an immediate €20,000 punishment, after supporters lit fireworks during the 7-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund earlier in the season. UEFA told Celtic supporters that if the event occurred again within the following two years, they would be banned, and European football's governing body penalized Celtic when a green smoke bomb was thrown onto the pitch at Villa Park during the league phase finale. However, the UEFA Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body has ...

Following Tuesday night's exciting Champions League matches, there was another complete round to digest on Wednesday. Another defeat from the jaws of victory for Manchester City. Much of the pre-match buzz focused on Manchester City's ability to regain control after a prolonged crisis. 14 goals against Ipswich Town and Salford City, as well as a 4-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League, led many to believe that business as usual had resumed. There was no evidence to suggest otherwise after PSG's goal was called out for offside, allowing City to take charge with two goals in as many minutes. However, it appears that the cracks were just papered over, as PSG increased the pressure after taking a 2-0 lead and smashed four goals past Ederson. Let's not underestimate PSG's performance on the night. João Neves (20) and Bradley Barcola (22) were standout performers. From a City standpoint, however, there is a trend here, as Guardiola's club has been defeated nine t...

Celtic will have to overcome a catastrophic error in the first half of their Champions League match on Wednesday. And quick. The Scottish club welcomed Club Brugge to town and gave the visitors the lead after an own goal. Cameron Carter Vickers, a central defender, was harassed by Maxim De Cuyper in his box and attempted to send the ball to goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. But his teammate was far away from the goal, and the ball trickled in as the Celtic player quickly buried his face in his hands. Is this the worst (or best?) own goal of the season already?

Prepare for a magnificent weekend of European football with some tantalizing matchups scheduled for the next weekend. We've handpicked five must-see games. Newcastle vs. Tottenham Tottenham have not had a good run at St James' Park in recent seasons. The North Londoners have surrendered 10 goals in their last two trips to Tyneside, including a 6-1 defeat in April 2023 that left Spurs 5-0 down after 21 minutes. Ange Postecoglou's attempts to exorcise those demons resulted in a 4-0 loss last season, and Spurs will be anxious to stop their North East hoodoo. After solid, if unspectacular, beginnings to the season for both, a win this weekend would send a message about their European ambitions. Leverkusen vs. Leipzig The German champions began their Bundesliga title defence in familiar manner, with a late Leverkusen goal sealing a 3-2 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach. Florian Wirtz's 101st-minute winner was the latest late-game heroics from a side that has become accus...