Overview
- Vincent Kompany confirmed Manuel Neuer will start for Bayern against Sporting Lisbon, noting Bayern target roughly four points from the final three group games to be ‘quasi sure’ of advancing.
- Liverpool’s 19-man squad for Inter Milan does not include Mohamed Salah after his public criticism of the club and coach; Arne Slot said, “that’s why he is not with us,” with English reports indicating he may also miss the weekend before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.
- Eintracht Frankfurt travel to Barcelona after a 0:6 defeat in Leipzig, with coach Dino Toppmöller urging his players to be mentally strong and “ready to suffer for 90 minutes.”
- Frankfurt’s attacking options are further hit as Michy Batshuayi sustained a midfoot fracture, underwent surgery and is ruled out, while Ansgar Knauff returns and Can Uzun is set for a bench role.
- FC Barcelona announced stricter ticketing to avoid a repeat of Eintracht’s 2022 fan takeover at Camp Nou, including bans on season-ticket transfers with potential club sanctions for violators.