Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Champions League Drama
Bodø/Glimt espn.com pulled off one of the biggest Champions League upsets by dumping out Inter Milan, advancing 5-2 on aggregate after a 2-1 home win in the playoff round. Inter Milan espn.com admitted the Norwegian side "proved" they belong in Europe's elite competition. The result means Italian clubs bbc.com are on the brink of a historic embarrassment with none likely to make the last. Elsewhere in Europe, Alexander Sørloth espn.com scored a hat trick as Atlético Madrid secured their place in the last 16 with a 4-1 win against Club Brugge, while Johnny Cardoso espn.com described his first Champions League goal as "perfect" in Atlético's victory. Kylian Mbappé espn.com is unlikely to be fit for Real Madrid's crucial second leg with Benfica due to a knee problem.
Premier League Turmoil
The Premier League continues to provide drama as Spurs espn.com face relegation concerns while Chelsea could set an unwanted discipline record. John Terry bbc.com expressed frustration at being overlooked for a caretaker role following Enzo Maresca's departure at Chelsea. West Brom skysports.com sacked Eric Ramsay just 44 days after appointing him as head coach. Referees espn.com admitted VAR missed a foul on Jules Koundé in Barcelona's loss to Girona. Tottenham bbc.com face questions about whether they're "too big to go down" after their heavy north London derby defeat. Manchester United bbc.com sees Champions League qualification as crucial for their finances after two years outside Europe's elite competition, while Everton bbc.com struggle with their new stadium home form.
International Concerns
FIFA president Gianni Infantino bbc.com remains confident Mexico can safely host World Cup matches despite recent violence, though World Cup host cities espn.com have warned of "catastrophic" security consequences if frozen funding isn't released. Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin espn.com called on Infantino to visit Ukraine to witness war destruction. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre espn.com promised everyone will be safe for Wednesday's friendly against Iceland in Queretaro. Portugal espn.com is monitoring unrest in Mexico ahead of their friendly against the Mexican national team in March.
Transfer News & Other Updates
Lionel Messi espn.com has spoken of his "deep regret" over not applying himself to learn English when he was younger. Joe Hart bbc.com described his return to Shrewsbury Town as a stand-in goalkeeper coach as "a lot of fun". MLS espn.com has hired a search firm to help find a successor to commissioner Don Garber. Wrexham espn.com continued their promotion push with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Portsmouth. PSG's Achraf Hakimi espn.com is set to stand trial over a rape allegation, insisting he will "allow the truth to come out publicly". Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson espn.com is on the radar of Juventus, while Benjamin Nygren bbc.com attracts Premier League interest with Celtic awaiting injury updates.