March 15, 2022 at 6:47 p.m. EDT
That’s all for today!
Thank you for logging into today’s news blog.
Luke Bosher will be back with you in the morning to provide the latest updates ahead of further Champions League action, including Chelsea’s trip to Lille.
Good evening.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 6:28 p.m. EDT
Summary of the results of the championship
An interesting evening of Championship results. Here is a summary of all the scores:
Barnsley 2 – 0 Bristol City
Birmingham City 0 – 2 Middlesbrough
Blackburn Rovers 3 – 1 Derby County
Bournemouth 1 – 1 Reading
West Brom 1 – 0 Fulham

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 6:02 p.m. EDT
Manchester United knocked out of the Champions League
Manchester United’s Champions League run ended after a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the evening.
Renan Lodi made it 2-1 on aggregate in the 41st minute.
For all the post-match reaction to the match, click here to go to our live match blog.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. EDT
United looking for an equalizer
Atletico Madrid are currently leading one goal to nil at Old Trafford.
Renan Lodi gave the visitors the advantage.
Manchester United hold the ball more but struggle to test Atletico in the final third.
For live match updates, click here to access our live match blog.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 5:11 p.m. EDT
Chelsea name Champions League squad
Thomas Tuchel’s side arrived in France ahead of their Champions League game against Lille.
Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi trained at Cobham on Tuesday but did not travel with the squad.
Cesar Azpilicueta is back in Tuchel’s squad. Teenager Harvey Vale was included to provide a left side option.
Ross Barkley, Ben Chilwell and Saul are the other players to miss.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 4:48 p.m. EDT
Aston Villa to decide which development players to keep at start of 2022-23 plans
Aston Villa will decide which development players to keep at the club this week as they begin planning for 2022-23.
A number of youngsters are set to leave as Villa cut the squad and plan the best way forward for the U23 and U18 squads.
Villa have already confirmed that Tommi O’Reilly, the midfielder who made the matchday squad earlier this month, has signed a professional contract and Athleticism understands that Teddy Rowe, Frankie Ealing, DJ Sturridge and Taylor-Jay Hart will be the next to receive contract offers.

Gregg Evans·
Aston Villa correspondent
March 15, 2022 at 4:29 p.m. EDT
Derby County take advantage of Blackburn
Derby County are fighting to avoid relegation and so far it is working.
They lead 1-0 after Ravel Morrison found the back of the net in the 28th minute.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 3:19 p.m. EDT
Manchester United Team News
Ralf Rangnick has named a solid starting XI to face Atletico Madrid.
Anthony Elanga deserves his place in the starting line-up after scoring the equalizer for United in the first leg.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 2:28 p.m. EDT
Discipline and intensity helped City stay away
It was a point-worthy performance against league leaders Manchester City.
Crystal Palace were on the back foot for most of the game, but it was discipline and intensity that helped them keep Pep Guardiola’s side at bay.
Matt Woosnam has analyzed arguably one of Crystal Palace’s best performances all season.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Crystal Palace married discipline and intensity to keep City out again
March 15, 2022 at 2:06 p.m. EDT
Champions League football tonight!
Excited for more European football? Me too!
Tonight, Ajax hosts Benfica and Atletico Madrid travel to Manchester United.
They are both tied at 2-2 and 1-1 respectively, so I expect an intense game tonight.
We have a match blog from United’s match against Atletico. You can reach Rob Smyth by clicking here.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 1:47 p.m. EDT
EU hits Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with sanctions in new action against Russia
The European Union has hit Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with financial sanctions as part of a new package of measures targeting Russia.
The EU on Tuesday added Abramovich to its updated list of those subject to asset freezes and travel bans due to their role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea are scheduled to play against Lille in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. Athletic understand that UEFA are looking into the situation.
To learn more, click here.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 1:08 p.m. EDT
Chelsea withdraw request to play Middlesbrough in FA Cup behind closed doors
Chelsea have withdrawn their request for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final with Middlesbrough to take place behind closed doors.
On Tuesday morning, they filed a request with the FA for the game to be played behind closed doors to protect “sporting integrity”.
However, the FA have now confirmed that they have removed this request.
For the full story, click here.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 12:39 EDT
Updated Premier League fixtures
The Premier League have announced several schedule changes for April after live TV coverage was confirmed.
Liverpool’s home game against Manchester United has been moved to Tuesday April 19 and will start at 8:00 p.m.
Chelsea vs Arsenal (7.45pm) has been set for the following evening and will be shown on Sky Sports.
For the full list of amendments, click here.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 12:12 EDT
UEFA ban on Russian football teams confirmed at CAS
The ban on Russian football teams from participating in UEFA competitions has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The urgent CAS decision does not apply to Russia’s chances of being reinstated for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, however, as the interim judgment comes ahead of a full hearing in the coming weeks.
For the full story, click here.

Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 11:35 a.m. EDT
Tuchel on Chelsea
“We have to deal with it. There are new things we have to talk about, like how to get to games. Things that are normally taken care of,” Tuchel said ahead of Chelsea’s game against Lille tomorrow.
“We have a framework to go to Lille and play for Lille. There will be no excuses. It is already more difficult to arrange things for the best for the FA Cup (quarter-final in Middlesbrough on Saturday).
“As long as we have shirts, as long as we are alive, we will arrive, be competitive and fight hard for our success. We owe it to the people who normally support us… Of course we are in the spotlight but it’s is our responsibility.”
(Photo: Getty Images)

Luke Boscher·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Chelsea’s business future: Is the club Abramovich has now built a club for brands to avoid?
March 15, 2022 at 10:57 a.m. EDT
Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong out for the season
The former Celtic player suffered a serious ankle injury in the 1-0 loss to Cologne at the weekend.
A blow for the 21-year-old, who had only missed one Bundesliga game (due to suspension) this season.

Luke Boscher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 10:24 a.m. EDT
‘Chelsea and sporting integrity do not belong in the same phrase’
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson responds to Chelsea’s request to play their game behind closed doors.
Safe to say he’s not happy!
More here from George Caulkin.
(Photo: Getty Images)

Luke Boscher·
Junior Editor, News
March 15, 2022 at 9:44 a.m. EDT
Aaron Hickey wins first Scottish call-up
The Bologna full-back has been in fine form since moving to Serie A from Hearts and eventually breaking into Steve Clarke’s side.

Luke Boscher·
Junior Editor, News
Steve Clarke has named his Scottish squad to face either Poland and Austria or Wales in our two international friendlies later this month. pic.twitter.com/yWfIqvx3Tg
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 15, 2022