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Key players are set to return for Thursday’s last-16 first-leg tie against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, according to Ange Postecoglou, who says the Europa League offers Tottenham Hotspur a “great opportunity” to resurrect a struggling campaign.

A Spurs team is currently 13th in the Premier League table after missing out on Dominic Solanke, Micky van de Ven, and Cristian Romero due to their lengthy absences. The north London club has also been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions.

READ ALSO: Thuram and Martinez Give Inter a 2-0 lead over Feyenoord in the Champions League

Tottenham, who last won the European Championship with their 1984 triumph in the UEFA Cup, the league’s precursor, have yet to win a significant trophy since lifting the 2008 League Cup.

Spurs, the first English club to capture significant continental silverware with victory in the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, are now looking to the continent to keep manager Postecoglou’s record of second-season success established at the Australian’s former teams.

Yes, I think it’s fair to say that the boys are fully aware of the value of our opportunity,” Postecoglou said during a press conference prior to the game on Wednesday.

We obviously want to do well in this competition. We are in a good position, really. The first obstacle to overcome is that we are in the round of 16 and have two difficult games against AZ.

The club hasn’t done well in this competition in recent years, but it’s a major European competition, and for us there’s an opportunity there and we’ll see how far we can go in it.

With us tomorrow night, we must ensure that whatever occurs at the conclusion of the match has a chance to return to Tottenham and win the tie.

After absorbing Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday, Inter Milan’s powerful strike duo of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez combined to give the Italians a commanding 2-0 lead over Dutch side Feyenoord.

The two teams, who meet again in Milan for Tuesday’s second leg, will compete for quality goals from the French and Argentinian strikers on either side of half-time, with the winner of the Bayern Munich-Bayer Leverkusen showdown waiting.

David Hancko, a Feyenoord defender, said, “Their quality is unbelievable.”

Second half of the way, Hancko claimed, “You could see that they were controlling the game and that it was more difficult for us to be dangerous.”

Also read: FIFA To Pay $1 Billion in Prize Money for Club World Cup

Three-time European champions Inter had the best of the opening quarter of Rotterdam’s ever-atmospheric De Kuip, but Feyenoord had the fewest opportunities to make the most of them.

The hosts were in a position to save Ibrahim Osman, a pacy 20-year-old Ghana international winger on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, twice, forcing Josep Martinez to make quick save saves.

Thuram had a clear chance of scoring for the visitors, but he chose to pass square rather than shoot, avoiding the danger.

With just eight minutes until the half-time whistle, the French striker latched onto a curling cross from Nicolo Barella to curl it in with the outside of his boot at the far post to break the deadlock.

The Serie A side suddenly appeared much more dangerous going forward after the goal, which was slightly against the course of play.

After a successful first half, Feyenoord legend and newly appointed manager Robin van Persie would have been pleased to see his side enter the dressing room with a goal lead.

But Martinez’s unstoppable shot into the top corner gave the hosts a mountain to climb after the hosts’ arrears doubled just five minutes into the second period.

When Jakub Moder’s lunging deflection skimmed the bar, Feyenoord was on his way to regaining the game.

When Jeyland Mitchell brought down Thuram in the box, the referee awarding a penalty after a protracted VAR check, Inter had a chance to put the game, and probably the tie, out of reach.

However, Timon Wellenreuther made a wise save from Piotr Zielinski’s penalty in the Feyenoord goal by moving to his right.

Feyenoord pressed on until the end, looking for something to take back to the San Siro, but Simone Inzaghi’s men’s men’s Inter defense held firm on a successful night.

Denzel Dumfries, a Dutch international for Inter, said, “We came out well a few times, but I think we were solid in defense.”

He continued, “We made things difficult for them because we hit them well on the break.”

A source close to the negotiations told AFP&nbsp on Wednesday that FIFA will pay the participants in the Club World Cup’s annual competition a billion dollars.

The prize money for the final men’s and women’s World Cups was significantly more than the amount offered.

Although the first edition of the 32-team tournament, which will take place every four years, has been signed by the world’s governing body, it has had few details about funding it. However, it has recently signed a broadcaster and major sponsors.

READ ALSO: Arsenal defeat PSV Eindhoven 1-0 in the Champions League Last-16 First Leg.

A source close to the negotiations claims that the deal, which was valued at around one billion euros ($1.05 billion), was being signed by British streaming service DAZN, which holds exclusive global rights to the June 14-July 13 tournament in December.

Additionally, FIFA has signed sponsorship agreements with Belgian brewers AB InBev, Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Hisense, a Chinese electronics company, and Coca-Cola.

Comparably, the total prize money for the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar was $ 440 million, whereas the $ 110 million world cup for women in New Zealand and Australia was $ 110 million.

The clubs that are participating in this year’s UEFA Champions League will receive a total of 2.47 billion euros ($2.66 billion) in the form of a new 36-club format.

Widespread criticism has been directed at FIFA’s expansion of the competition, primarily because of concerns for player welfare, especially in Europe.

FIFA is accused of abusing its position by packing the calendar, according to the global footballers’ union FIFPro and the European Leagues association, and filed a complaint with the European Commission in October.

UEFA’s expansion of the Champions League this year also resulted in the potential for a strike for some players, including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and award-winner Rodri.

“I believe we’re on par with that,” he said. When asked in September if there was a chance of players going on strike shortly before a season-ending knee injury, Rodri responded, “I think if you ask any player, he will say the same.”

“It is not Rodri’s or whatever’s opinion.” I believe that is the players’ overall opinion.

12 teams from Europe, six from South America, and four from each of Asia, Africa, and North and Central America will participate in the tournament.

The lineup includes Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Auckland City.

Not all the responses have been negative, with coach of Paris Saint-Germain Luis Enrique saying that “everyone wants to play.”

“There is a new, incredibly exciting competition every four years. He stated last year that there was “everyone wanting to attend the Club World Cup.”

The MetLife Stadium, which will also host the 2026 World Cup final, will host the final match of the tournament at 12 locations spread across 11 American cities in New Jersey.

With a close 2-1 Champions League last 16 first-leg victory on Tuesday, Real Madrid slipped to within a small margin of city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Rodrygo Goes’ opener gave Atletico the lead, but Julian Alvarez equalized for Atletico with a brahim Diaz strike, making it 15 consecutive victories for the record-holder Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe were kept quiet by Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who lost in the 2014 and 2016 finals to bitter rivals.

READ ALSO: PSV Eindhoven wins Champions League Last-16 First Leg 7-1.

In the final stages of the second leg derby game at home next week, the Rojiblancos appeared to accept their one-goal disadvantage.

In place of the suspended Jude Bellingham, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti chose Morocco international Diaz to play midfield and left-back Fede Valverde.

The Italian’s side showed more commitment and attitude than they did against Real Betis on Saturday, and the Italian’s men delivered.

After four minutes, Rodrygo pounced by sliding inside Javi Galan to retrieve Valverde’s teasing pass before slinging his left foot past Jan Oblak and into the far post.

The Brazilian winger, who has 25 goals in 61 appearances for Madrid, has consistently excelled on the European stage with his fifth strike of the tournament.

When Galan appeared to hold Rodrygo back in the area, he was denied a penalty, but Rodrygo’s appeals were ignored.

When his fellow-traitor Vinicius surged into the box to score Madrid’s second goal, Jose Gimenez skillfully blocked his shot.

When Samuel Lino put pressure on Atletico, Valverde whipped away Giuliano Simeone’s whipped ball from under his own crossbar.

Alvarez hit a brilliant solo goal into the top corner after dancing away from Eduardo Camavinga in the left corner and curling his shot past Thibaut Courtois.

The former Manchester City striker has scored 10 goals in 14 games this season, which demonstrates why Atletico made him their second-most expensive signing of all-time last summer.

Atletico remained in control for an extended period of time, with Madrid having to struggle to turn the ball back to their rivals.

When Diaz restored Los Blancos’ lead in the 55th minute, it was even more surprising.

Before bursting into the crowd to celebrate, the midfielder quickly left Gimenez on the ground and made room for a tidy low finish.

As Atletico searched for a response and manager Ancelotti introduced 39-year-old midfielder Luka Modric in search of more control, Griezmann fired wide and Gimenez over.

In the final 30 minutes of the match, when Madrid might have won a third, the Croatian delivered exactly that.

Vinicius was waiting for a tap-in when Mbappe’s cut-back from the right was performed, and Oblak saved from Modric in the process.

The Gunners won the Champions League last-16 game 7-1 over a ruthless PSV Eindhoven thanks to the talented teenage duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri on Tuesday.

The struggling Dutch champions, who were condemned to their worst-ever defeat in European football, were playing at a different level than the Premiership side.

READ ALSO: Aston Villa defeats Club Brugge 3-1 to keep their lead in the Champions League game.

Arsenal was initially in charge. A narrow offside prevented Declan Rice’s powerful shot into the PSV net in 11 minutes, but it provided a taste of what was to come.

After a quarter of an hour, PSV should have taken the lead, but Ismael Saibari somehow managed to hit the ball from close range with the goalkeeper already down.

Two minutes later, Arsenal paid the hosts’ blatant behavior. Due to the size of Rice’s space in the PSV box, Jurrien Timber’s flying Dutchman, Jurrien Timber, who had a chance to cross the far post, thanked him for his effort.

Following more generous Dutch defense, the Premiership side soon doubled their lead.

The 18-year-old English defender squaring off to fellow teenager Nwaneri, who smashed the cross into the top corner, found himself in acres of space in a dangerous area.

After just over half an hour of play, PSV’s hambolic defense turned into embarrassment.

The defense wasted four chances to get a quick clearance before making a mistaken pass to makeshift striker Mikel Merino, who rolled past Walter Benitez.

Just before half time, PSV won a penalty after Thomas Partey carelessly wrapped his arms around Luuk de Jong’s head, giving the shellshocked fans in the Philips Stadion a glimmer of hope.

Noa Lang, a Dutch international winger, did not make a mistake by smashing the ball into the top corner to give David Raya no chance.

After a first 45 minutes of breathless play, the Dutch champions were 3-1 up at half-time.

After a clumsy challenge on Richard Ledezma, Lewis-Skelly was substituted, presumably fortunate to avoid a second yellow card.

– Record defeat

However, Arsenal’s home fans’ only hope was quickly lost as the match’s opening three minutes saw Arsenal score twice.

Nwaneri squared a cross that Benitez could only palm into Martin Odegaard’s path, striking a stunningly down the right.

By this point, Arsenal was having no choice but to play. Leandro Trossard, a Belgium international striker, was found with ease as Riccardo Calafiori eased past the left-hand side of the PSV defense with 49 minutes left.

As PSV capitulated, Odegaard ran unchallenged at the defense before volleying a shot that Benitez parried sluggishly into his own net.

In a 6-0 defeat to Saint-Etienne in the 1980 UEFA Cup, Calafiori added to the misery with a seventh goal in 86 minutes, breaking the previous record for PSV goals conceded in Europe.

The 1987 European Cup winners’ fans departed the stadium well before the final whistle on a sad evening.

Aston Villa won the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday 3-1 away at Club Brugge in Belgium thanks to two late goals, including a Marco Asensio penalty.

Leon Bailey’s early opener was canceled by a Maxim De Cuyper strike for the hosts, but the scores remained level going into the closing stages.

At the Jan Breydelstadion, Villa had a better match than their Premier League rivals, but Brandon Mechele’s 82nd-minute own goal gave them a new lead.

Ahmed Musa Represents The Super Eagles in the World Cup Qualifiers.

In the 88th minute, Asensio scored his fifth goal in four games to put the 1982 European Cup winners in a strong position to advance to the quarter-finals, scoring first as a substitute.

A mouthwatering quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool will be the reward if Unai Emery’s team can succeed at Villa Park on Wednesday.

After finishing eighth in the league phase, Villa qualified for this stage, but they lost 1-0 in Bruges in early November.

After Tyrone Mings obtusely picked the ball up in his own area, Hans Vanaken scored the winning penalty.

Mings, an England centre-back, will be pleased to have assisted in the third-minute goal, which gave Villa the lead in the same penalty box.

With a controlled first-time finish past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, he met a free-kick into the Brugge area and was awarded a goal.

Club Brugge have shown this season that they can compete at this level, most recently defeating Atalanta, who won the Europa League last year, 5-2 on aggregate in the play-off round last month.

Rashford is ineffective.

Soon, the hosts reached level. Greek international Christos Tzolis returned the ball to De Cuyper, who had just left to send a first-time shot past Emiliano Martinez and into the far corner.

The hosts almost won. The ball broke inside the area thanks to Martinez’s crucial save to deny Chemsdine Talbi.

Unai Emery, the manager of Villa, attempted a powerful strike from close range early in the second half, but just before the hour a quadruple substitution made a quick change.

In his first Champions League game since receiving a 4-3 defeat against Manchester United in Copenhagen in November 2023, Rashford was quiet on the left wing and made the comeback.

Asensio, another winter signing for Villa, started on the bench despite his excellent recent form.

Mignolet saved the on-loan PSG player after he received an assist from fellow substitute Jacob Ramsey, who almost struck on 68 minutes.

The 1978 European Cup winner, Club Brugge, also had the chance to take the lead. Captain Vanaken misfired a great chance for the Greek winger when he headed narrowly wide from a Tzolis cross.

The unfortunate Mechele turned a Morgan Rogers cross into his own net to give Brugge the opportunity to lose by two goals.