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Champions League draw serves up a Madrid derby, Bayern vs. Leverkusen and Liverpool-PSG

NYON: A Madrid derby. A German classic. A rare meeting between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. The Champions League got more heavyweight clashes when the draw for the round of 16 was made Friday. Defending champion Real Madrid’s reward for ousting 2023 title winner Manchester City is two city derbies against Atletico Madrid — the team they beat in the final in 2014 and 2016. Bayern Munich were paired with Bayer Leverkusen — the Bundesliga leader against their defending champion, who played a tight 0-0 draw just last weekend. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has never lost to Bayern in six games across three seasons, including three meetings this season. Liverpool were the top-seeded team in the draw after finishing first in the 36-team standings last month but still got a tough assignment as the Premier League leader were paired with No. 15 seed PSG.

Wales captain Jac Morgan motivated by shot at major upset

Captain Jac Morgan says it is a "big motivation" for Wales after being widely written off against Guinness Six Nations title favourites Ireland on Saturday.

Dragons start life after Warren Gatland – Wales v Ireland talking points

Wales begin life after Warren Gatland when they tackle Guinness Six Nations title favourites Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.

Lenihan: Irish Triple Crown awaits in Cardiff cauldron

I'm really looking forward to the cauldron that is the Principality Stadium on Six Nations day.

UAE’s Al-Katheeri and Iraq’s Salem shine at ONE 171: Qatar

DOHA: ONE 171: Qatar saw Zayed Al-Katheeri of the UAE and Iraq’s Hussein Salem pick up impressive wins on Thursday night.

ATP roundup: Jiri Lehecka stuns Carlos Alcaraz in Doha quarters

Jiri Lehecka knocked off top-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.

Roma reach Europa League last 16 as 10-man Ajax scrape through

PARIS: Paulo Dybala scored twice as Roma beat Porto on Thursday to clinch a place in the last 16 of the Europa League, while Ajax clawed through in extra time despite playing a man down for 95 minutes. Spanish forward Samu Aghehowa gave Porto the lead against Roma after a 1-1 draw in Portugal last week, but two quick-fire goals from Dybala turned the tie in favor of the 2023 runners-up. Porto were reduced to 10 men when Canada midfielder Stephen Eustaquio was sent off early in the second half, and Niccolo Pisilli struck what proved to be the crucial third goal for Claudio Ranieri’s men. Devyne Rensch turned into his own net deep into added time as Roma progressed 4-3 on aggregate. “Having a champion like Dybala means a lot. He’s extraordinary; he says very little, but he is a leader and always says the right things,” Ranieri told Sky Sport. Roma will find out whether they play Athletic Bilbao or city rivals Lazio in the next round when the draw for the last 16 is conducted on Friday. “We have a huge opportunity in Europe.

Benghazi reopens international stadium in star-studded ceremony

It featured appearances by former football stars including England’s Ballon d’Or-winning Michael Owen, Brazilians Roberto Carlos and Julio Cesar, and Portugal’s Luis FigoWithout directly referencing eastern authorities, Dbeibah congratulated “Benghazi residents” on the stadium’s reopeningBENGHAZI: Libya’s second-largest city Benghazi on Thursday opened its newly reconstructed international stadium with a high-profile ceremony featuring global football legends.The event was attended by a packed crowd and eastern Libya’s strongman Khalifa Haftar.It also featured appearances by former football stars including England’s Ballon d’Or-winning Michael Owen, Brazilians Roberto Carlos and Julio Cesar, and Portugal’s Luis Figo and Nani.Belgacem Haftar, one of the strongman’s six sons and head of the North African country’s Reconstruction Fund, was also in the stands.“The Benghazi international stadium belongs to all Libyans,” his father said, describing it as a place of unity as Libya remains a “single nation despite the challenges and difficulties.”The oil-rich country is still grappling with the aftermath of the armed conflict and political chaos that followed the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled long-time dictator Muammar Qaddafi.It remains divided between an internationally recognized Tripoli-based government in the west, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a Haftar-backed rival administration in the east.Without directly referencing eastern authorities, Dbeibah congratulated “Benghazi residents” on the stadium’s reopening in a statement posted on social media.“Any addition to the country’s sports infrastructure serves Libyan interests,” he wrote.The stadium is set to host as many as 42,000 spectators, a

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Italy Sport News

Champions League draw serves up a Madrid derby, Bayern vs. Leverkusen and Liverpool-PSG

Wales captain Jac Morgan motivated by shot at major upset

Dragons start life after Warren Gatland – Wales v Ireland talking points

Lenihan: Irish Triple Crown awaits in Cardiff cauldron

UAE’s Al-Katheeri and Iraq’s Salem shine at ONE 171: Qatar

ATP roundup: Jiri Lehecka stuns Carlos Alcaraz in Doha quarters

Roma reach Europa League last 16 as 10-man Ajax scrape through

Benghazi reopens international stadium in star-studded ceremony