Shakhtar head into this season’s Champions League optimistic that they can improve on last year’s 2nd Round performance and repeat the feat of 2010/11 when the Miners reached the Quarter Finals, for the one and only time, so far. Having won the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) for 11th time last season, Shakhtar automatically qualified for…

The 2017-18 Champions League season was a memorable one for Liverpool, though it ended in an all too familiar tone. The club came within three goals of lifting the coveted European Champion Clubs’ Cup for the first time since 2005, marking the club’s fourth consecutive cup final defeat. Despite the loss, we saw the rise…

Lying on France’s Mediterranean coastline and close to the Italian border, we find Monaco, a city-state known for many things such as casinos, yachts, the famous Grand Prix and being a tax heaven. However, the Principality’s pride and joy must be the football team, AS Monaco. One of most historic and successful clubs in French…

Zach Lowy talks to Czech football expert Chris Boothroyd about Viktoria Plzeň’s chances in Group G.   ZL: What do you expect from Plzeň going into the group stage? CB: Truth be told, I’m not sure. A lot depends on how good CSKA are and I’m qualified to make an assumption on that. Third is a possibility; there’s…

The second year of Eusebio Di Francesco and Monchi’s reign at Roma has seen yet another major overturn in players. After a historic semifinal finish in the Champions League and a third-place finish in Serie A, the giallorossi quickly got to work to address major issues that proved troublesome throughout the season. Monchi quickly worked…

There was once a time when other clubs dreaded facing Lyon in the Champions League. Ten years ago, they were the French giants, a team to be feared and the perpetual dark horse of the competition. Those were the years of Juninho, Malouda, and Benzema, followed by Lloris, Toulalan, and Lisandro. It was an age…

When Erik ten Hag was appointed as Ajax manager just before Christmas, the majority of supporters were surprised. Despite his predecessor Marcel Keizer being criticized much in recent weeks and months, no one saw Keizer’s sacking coming. He dealt properly with the suffering regarding Abdelhak Nouri, and the style of play he tried to develop…

It’s been six years since Inter conceded that heart-rending 92nd minute goal from Brandão that shattered their Champions League dreams. It was Inter’s last CL appearance and Marseille snuck into the quarter-finals on away goal rules. Inter are back, but with a completely different mindset, expectations, and a totally new squad, coach, owner and management…

Breaking The Lines co-founder Zach Lowy talks to Club Brugge Watch about the Belgian club’s chances. ZL: What are your expectations going into the Champions League? CBW: After our campaign two years ago (zero points), and the draw with three much richer teams, the expectations people have are quite limited. Avoid the same humiliation by maybe getting…

It may not look like it, but this PSG team is finally taking steps forward after taking few steps back and staying stuck in between 2013-2015. Saying we’re favorites for the UEFA Champions League this season isn’t completely far-fetched, but there are still few things missing (that ideal partner for Marco Verratti being one of…