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Orlando Pirates vice-captain Thulani Hlatshwayo is banking on experience in their squad to get a positive result in their Caf Confederation Cup Group A clash against Al Ahli Benghazi at Martyrs of February Stadium on Sunday.

The Soweto giants have three players returning from international duty with Bafana Bafana while Terrence Dzvukamanja was with the Zimbabwe national team.

Although Innocent Maela and Thabang Monare sustained injuries while with the South Africa national team, Hlatshwayo feels the international experience within their ranks will come in handy against Al Ahli Benghazi.

"Flying to North Africa is always difficult, we had to connect through other countries and the flight duration coming from South Africa is long. When you look at the map you see how far we are," Hlatshwayo told Pirates' media.

"We really appreciate the club for bringing us here on time to acclimatise to the environment. Obviously, we have seen from the first game we played against Setif that for us to get a result we need the experience that we have, also with the players who have been in Caf national competitions. For us our mission is to make sure that we do get a result.

"Whether it is a point that we get or three points, we just have to make sure that we are tactically good. After that, we also have to use our home advantages as we did against Enyimba."

The Buccaneers lead Group A following a 0-0 draw against ES Setif in their opening match, before a 2-1 win over Enyimba in their last game of this pool.

They are now in Libya as the first visiting club to play Caf inter-club football in that country since 2010.

Political instability has seen Libya being barred from hosting continental matches over the years but Hlatshwayo is happy with the reception they have experienced in Benghazi.

"We have only been at the airport, hotel and the stadium where we have been training. Everything has been good. We need to be appreciative to the club for making sure that we get the best and focus on the job at hand. The mission is to get a result," said Hlatshwayo.

"Like what our coach has mentioned, we have come here for a positive result. We have seen how a point is important in this tournament. Some national team players have knocks and have not been able to travel with the team but the mood is good. There is a change of environment."

Pirates, however, face an injury crisis as they will be without captain Happy Jele, Maela, Thembinkosi Lorch, Monare, Deon Hotto and Thabiso Monyane.

Yanga SC interim coach Juma Mwambusi has said he believes his two strikers Fiston Abdoul Razak and Michael Sarpong will surprise many when the Mainland Premier League resumes next weekend.

The top-flight took a break earlier this month following the sudden demise of Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli, and it is set to resume next weekend.

Mwambusi, who is handling the team on an interim basis as they search for a permanent coach following the sacking of Burundian Cedric Kaze on March 7, has said at the moment he is working to restore the confidence and of his strikers, insisting they have already responded positively.

“If you look at the time I am with my squad, I see a lot of changes every day, they [players] will be able to be at a different pace which will surprise many because everything I see is going on well,” Mwambusi said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“On strikers, Fiston [Razak] and Sarpong [Michael] they are good players and I have done a lot to bring back their confidence and also give them the belief of what they can do so I don’t have doubts about their ability and I believe their scoring work will be a matter of waiting and they will do it perfectly.”

Mwambusi’s comments come just a day after midfielder Mukoko Tonombe dismissed reports he was on the verge of signing for South African club Kaizer Chiefs.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo star has been mentioned as one of the players being sought by Amakhosi, but on Friday he vehemently denied the reports, describing them as baseless.

“I am surprised with such claims through social media platforms but personally, I have no idea where they are coming from,” Tonombe said.

“At the moment, I have a contract at Yanga such that in case of anything, then it is my club which will let me know and thereafter release me, but for now, the rumours are not true.”

Tonombe signed for the Jangwani giants at the start of the 2020-21 season from DR Congo side AS Vita Club, and has been among the best performing players at the club and in the entire Mainland Premier League.

The Jangwani giants will resume league action with a home game against KMC FC at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on April 10.

The UK government has approved the attendance of a limited number of fans for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

The match, which sees Manchester City go head to head with Tottenham, was originally to be played without spectators as per Covid-19 protocols.

As Britain looks to ease lockdown measures, however, the showpiece event on April 25 will see a small percentage of the Wembley's 90,000 seats warmed by fans.

What was said?

Both Spurs and City released similar statements on Sunday, which read: “A limited number of fans will be permitted to attend the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley following the match’s approval as an official test event.

“The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has given the green light for 8,000 spectators to attend as part of the UK Government’s Events Research Programme. A proportion of these tickets will be made available to both finalists.

“Remaining tickets will be for groups including local residents in Brent and similarly NHS staff, who will be offered tickets as a ‘thank-you’ for the incredible service that has been provided during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are conscious that the final is just three weeks away. We will provide a full update on the size of the Club’s allocation and how to apply for tickets as soon as we have further updates.”

Have others eased restrictions?

The news comes in the wake of UEFA announcing on Wednesday that it has removed the 30 per cent spectator limit on games, meaning local associations can make their own call on crowd sizes for Champions League and Europa League fixtures.

The Premier League, La Liga and Serie A are all hopeful that a reduced number of fans can return to stadiums before the end of the 2020-21 season, but supporters across all five of Europe's top leagues remain banned from attending matches for now.

Further reading

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt says "slowly and surely" the mental attitude of his team is improving after Saturday's 1-0 Caf Champions League Group C win over Wydad Casablanca at FNB Stadium.

Bernard Parker scored three minutes into the second half to decide the match for Amakhosi.

It was Chiefs' second straight high profile win after they went into the Wydad game fresh from dismissing Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby on March 21.

Impressively on Saturday, Chiefs overpowered Wydad with nine men following red cards to goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and striker Samir Nurkovic, who will both miss the trip to Horoya AC for their must-win final group game.

"We know what to expect when we go there [to Guinea] next week, what else can we do? At the start of the season that was my primary focus [working on the team's mentality] because the mentality is the most important thing," Hunt told the media.

"There was a huge setback after what happened last season. There was a huge mental meltdown. I think sometimes they [players] need time away from the game, which they haven't had. If you understand football, sometimes less is better. We need a few days just not to train, to get away.

"But slowly and surely I see a mental turnaround in the team and that is important and we expect that every week. I can understand the huge setback from last season when we got so close. We now need a good mental attitude. 

"I went there [to Horoya as Bidvest Wits coach] last year. We had a similar situation like we had tonight. It is not going to be easy. Yes we should have beaten Horoya here, it certainly would have helped. We then went away to Wydad and you could have seen how it was there, it was crazy. It baffles me how we got into this situation."

In the reverse fixture against Horoya, third-placed Chiefs were held 0-0 at home in a match Hunt says they should have won.

The Soweto giants have eight points, the same as second-placed Horoya, creating a situation that makes the match in Conakry a potentially stormy one as both sides need the points to progress to the quarter-finals.

The Chiefs coach was also impressed with the way they beat Wydad Casablanca, especially holding on to the victory with two men down.

"It was a very dominant performance. Obviously well-deserved. In the first half it was even we really had some good opportunities," continued Hunt.

"I thought we were going to struggle along in the game and then we scored and we did what we had to do in the last 10 minutes but I think it was a well-deserved victory."

Orlando Pirates will be seeking to hold on to their Caf Confederation Cup Group A lead when they clash with Al Ahli Benghazi at Martyrs of February Stadium on Sunday.

Having so far drawn 0-0 against ES Setif, before edging Enyimba FC 2-1 at home, Pirates are on top of their group, enjoying a one-point lead.

They now have their second away match coming up, this time in Libya where they come up against Al Ahli Benghazi, who are third in Group A after winning their last match against Setif.

A win for Pirates will see them extending their lead while a defeat would dislodge them from the top spot. 

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

Squads & Team News

The Libyans have not updated their injury or suspension situation in their camp.

Nevertheless, Pirates will have to be on the lookout for striker Jibreel Alwadawi who has been in fine form both Al Ahli Benghazi's domestic matches.

Meanwhile, Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer faces a tough situation as he goes into battle with a severely depleted squad.

The Buccaneers will be without captain Happy Jele, Innocent Maela, Thabang Monare, Deon Hotto and Thabiso Monyane as the injury woes add to a season where Pirates have been battling fitness issues, especially up front.

Vice-captain Thulani Hlatshwayo is expected to be back, while Thembinkosi Lorch is still out.

It is not yet clear if goalkeeper Richard Ofori will be available for the match after missing the team's last two games, as well as Ghana's recent international matches.

Siyabonga Mpontshane has been preferred by coach Zinnbauer of late and could guard goal on Sunday.

Also, the fitness status of Frank Mhango and Jean-Marc Makusu has not been updated as the two have been battling injuries of late.

Match Preview

Sunday's match will be the first time for a Libyan club to host a Caf club match since 2010.

The North African country has not been able to host international matches due to a volatile political situation.

It is also the first-ever meeting between Pirates and Al Ahli Benghazi.

The Buccaneers arrive in Libya fresh from suffering defeat in the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs in what was their last match.

They face an Al Ahli Benghazi side which has lost once in their last five games, a record of four wins and a defeat.

Zinnbauer's men have managed three victories, a draw and a defeat in their last five outings.

AS Vita Club coach Florent Ibenge has claimed Simba SC’s good run in the Caf Champions League is a result of having money to buy more quality players than his team can afford.

The Msimbazi giants continued with their fine run in Group A of the competition after they hammered the Black Dolphins from the Democratic Republic of the Congo 4-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, to maintain their unbeaten run and also reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Mozambican winger Luis Miquissone, midfielder Clatous Chama (two goals), and forward Larry Bwalya scored for Wekundu wa Msimbazi as AS Vita found the back of the net via Zemanga Soze’s effort, and though it was the first goal they had conceded in the group, Simba retained their top spot ahead of Al Ahly of Egypt.

Ibenge has showered praise on Simba after the game, insisting the Tanzanian giants are currently among the best teams in Africa and they deserved to progress to the quarters of the competition, and further said Tanzanian clubs have money to buy quality players and hence they can go far.

“Because you see now football is going with money, I think at the moment Tanzanian teams have more money than the Congolese teams so they can afford to have better players than our players in Kinshasa,” Ibenge told Goal after the game.

“If you see a lot of players [especially our better players], they are coming all the way from Kinshasa and from Congo to play in Tanzania so the reason they [Simba] have a better team than we can have.

“For the moment we have this problem, we have less money than Tanzanian and other teams in Africa so our teams are suffering to get good results because of that.”

On the outcome of the game which ended their slim hopes of making it to the quarter-finals, the DR Congo tactician said: “I simply don’t have much to say, we have lost to one of the best teams in Africa at the moment, they were the better side, they were better than us in all the key departments and they deserve to progress to the quarter-finals.

“It is normal that they [Simba] won the game, we tried to do our best but they have some players who are really good, very good in quality and I tell you congratulation to them and I wish them good luck for the next game and next round.”

In the group’s other game, defending champions Al Ahly came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw away to Al-Merreikh also on Saturday.

Simba lead the group on 13 points from five matches, while Al Ahly are second on eight, AS Vita are third on four while Merrikh are last on two points.

Simba will wind up their matches with a trip to Cairo to face Al Ahly on April 9, the same day AS Vita will welcome Merrikh in Kinshasa.

William Troost-Ekong has expressed his delight after Watford secured a "massive" 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in Friday’s Championship game.

The centre-back rushed back from international duty with the Nigeria national team, where he had played a key role in ensuring the Super Eagles qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, to feature for the Hornets.

Troost-Ekong featured for 90 minutes in the encounter, helping the Vicarage Road outfit to keep a clean sheet and secure their sixth consecutive victory, which boosted their chances of clinching automatic promotion to the Premier League.

The defender was pleased with the outcome of the game and praised the hard work put in by his teammates.

“It was a lot to travel and then play again so it's a massive result for us,” Troost-Ekong told the club website.

“These kind of games are the ones that hopefully get you promoted. They are not as beautiful as a 6-0 at home and we had our luck with the goal, but you earn your luck and we worked hard for that.

“We did well to control the game. Sheffield Wednesday had the ball a lot and played good football, but they weren't that dangerous apart from one big chance.”

Since Watford’s defeat to Queens Park Rangers in February, the Hornets have won 10 games, losing only to Bournemouth, and Troost-Ekong has revealed the discussion that turned around their fortunes.

“That was the key week for our season. I felt that it wasn't good enough, from how we played to the general feeling and the attitude of the team,” he continued.

“We were negative and everyone was complaining. We looked like 11 islands instead of a team. We have the quality, but we were not pulling in the same direction. I was driving home from the stadium and I called some of the boys and asked them what they thought.

“Everyone had the same idea and we got in a room and had it out. Everyone was honest and said what they thought. If you can't be honest with each other and not sugar coat stuff, then you aren't going to make changes.

“After that, the attitude changed in the team. The senior boys agreed with what I said and we changed, to play as a team and to leave it all out there. I was happy everyone agreed and we got it moving from there.”

Troost-Ekong teamed up with the Hornets last summer from Italian side Udinese and has been delivering consistent performances for the side, having featured in 28 games across all competitions.

His solid defensive displays have helped the Hornets to their current second spot on the Championship table and he hopes they can continue their impressive form.

“I've worked so hard to get back here and the team has worked so hard to get into this position. You have to enjoy it. That's what ticks us over,” he added.

“When we are out there, we don't look under pressure and the more you play like that, the more confidence you build up. We are on an upward spiral, which is massive at this stage of the season.

“It's good to play in a team like this. Everyone feels confident and we know if we do our jobs, we probably win the game.”

Watford will take on Middlesbrough in their next Championship game on Monday.

Bernard Parker scored his first goal since April 2019 to earn Kaizer Chiefs three points against Wydad Casablanca in Saturday's Caf Champions League encounter.

After two red cards, Amakhosi went on to win and their supporters appeared to have missed Parker's trademark celebration, where he brushes his elbow, and they took to Twitter to express their feelings.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Kelechi Iheanacho’s personality after he signed a contract extension that will keep him at the King Power Stadium until 2024.

The Super Eagles striker penned a new deal on Saturday, a day after he became the fourth Nigerian player to win the Premier League Player of the Month award.

Although he could not find the back of the net in the Foxes’ 2-0 loss to Manchester City on Saturday, Rodgers appraised Iheanacho’s work ethics\ in training.

Prior to Saturday's defeat, the 24-year-old scored seven goals in his last four outings for Leicester City.

“Since he has come into the team he has just been fantastic. I am delighted for him because he is such a conscientious guy, such an honest guy, and as you can see now, a very talented player,” Rodgers told Sky Sports.

"If you think of his journey, he has been the young player at Manchester City after being the player of the tournament at the Under-17 World Cup. He breaks in, scores some goals, but there are gifted players ahead of him so it is difficult to get that game time.

"He then makes a move to Leicester where he has Jamie Vardy here, one of the top strikers in the Premier League. Plus, you have the adaptation of leaving Manchester City and coming to another club so that is always going to take that bit of time.

"I know when I came here that there were probably times when there were grumbles if he was playing but he has very quickly won over people. That is just through hard work, resilience and talent. What you are seeing is a young player at the top of his game."

Despite his restricted playing time earlier this season, when he started just two Premier League matches before 2021, Rodgers disclosed his admiration for Iheanacho’s personality and his dedication.

The Northern Irish manager continued: "He is not reserved. He is very charismatic. He genuinely comes in with a smile on his face every day. He loves his football. That is a great starting point. He is at his maximum every day. He works hard every day.

"I cannot remember him missing a day of training since I have been here. He helps our centre-backs to become better at their jobs because he is really aggressive with them.

"That has not always been enough to see him start but he is a player who has a great attitude. He is very much a team player. Some guys, especially strikers, they can maybe just think of themselves and be individualistic. Soloists. He is very much a team player.

"All the guys love him. Now what you are starting to see is all his qualities. How he receives the ball. His strength. His finishing ability. His anticipation as a striker. You are seeing all of these things now because he is playing with confidence. I am delighted for him."

Bani Yas had to surrender their pole position in the league table after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sharjah FC on matchday 23 of the Arabian Gulf League. 

Daniel Isaila's men drew first blood in the match when Brazilain forward Joao Pedro converted from the spot after he was fouled inside the box. 

After falling behind, the hosts started attacking with more intent and purpose and they struck the woodwork just before the half-hour mark through Caio. However, just four minutes before the break, the 26-year-old cancelled the deficit when he struck from close range to bring his team on level terms. 

But Al Jazira made the most of their dip in form and reclaimed pole position by defeating Al Wasl 3-2 in a hard-fought battle. 

It took just 13 minutes for them to go ahead in the match as Hueglo Neris scored an own goal by heading the ball into his own net during his attempt to clear the lines. But Al Wasl responded quickly and equalised through Fabio Lima. 

Ali Mabkhout was in terrific form right from the off and he continued to ask serious questions of the defenders. His efforts paid dividends when he restored Al Jazira's lead after the half-hour mark. 

It was a see-saw battle for the remainder of the first half but neither team could add to their tally. After the break, it was the visitors who started on a positive note and in the 64th minute, they once again scored through Lima who scored his second of the night. 

But their joys were cut short when Milos Kosanovic produced a peach of a freekick that rippled the net in the 69th minute to once again restore the lead. 

The defeat to Al Jazira ended Al Wasl's 12-game unbeaten streak and they stay on the ninth spot with 34 points. Whereas, the victors moved to the top spot with 50 points in their kitty. 

Following the win, Al Jazira coach Marcel Keizer praised his troops for pulling off a narrow victory. 

"Very happy with the team's performance, especially the intensity we played with, we played with a lot of energy and the players are really tired in the dressing room. Al Wasl have really improved through the season so it was a really tough game, we knew this. 

"But Ali scored a really great goal with assists from Khalfan and Milos who trains a lot on these freekicks and you can see how this pays off for the team. Really good. We did what we had to do. Now we have to wait four weeks for our next game but we will prepare," he stated. 

In Mumbai, it is not a common sight to find a girl knocking around a football in the streets. 

But Harshika Jain, from Altamount Road, i one sousl who is so passionate about football that it is almost impossible for her to stay without a ball at her feet. 

"I come back from practice, I relax but the ball remains glued to my feet," said Jain to Goal, just after she got back home following a brace for Kenkre against India Rush FC in the IWL (Indian Women's League) qualifiers. 

She was introduced to football at the tender age of seven or eight by some of her friends. Following the Premier League and especially Manchester United was the new trend in the block back in those days when Alex Ferguson used to prowl in the technical area at the Old Trafford. But soon enough, more than watching football, she started playing the game with the boys of her society and subsequently at school. 

"I was in the fourth grade when I saw the boys' team was practising with the coach. But unless you were in the secondary section, you could not go for trials. And Mumbai, it is more difficult to find a girl's team to practice with at such a young age. So when I got to the fifth grade, I asked my coach if I can come for the trials for the senior team which comprised of girls mainly from the higher standards."

She was fortunate enough to get into the squad and in a very short while, she started plying her trade in MSSA (Mumbai School Sports Association) league. Apart from pursuing her academics, she was training sincerely under her school coach who is also a B-License holder. 

"The time was ripe for me to take the next step. In 2018, I joined Kenkre when I was in the ninth grade. Nidhi Sharma was the coach at that time. She told that although I was good, I could not be in the team as the registration window was over."

This spurred her to train more rigorously so that she could play in the top division of women's football in India. And in 2019, she was named in the qualifiers for Kenkre. 

"That was a life-changing moment. On the football field, everyone is equal. It does not matter where do you come from, or what background do you have. Your opposite number will try to beat you and you have to be better. That's very simple." 

Jain scored a free-kick and put in decent performances in the qualifiers, which earned a spot in the squad for the finals in Bengaluru.  And her father, Manish Jain, who has been a pillar of strength for her since the beginning made sure that he was in the garden city to cheer for daughter. 

"I don't miss any match. I even take her every day to practice. Stay with her and then drive her back home. I feel good doing that. I wake up early, because of her. It's good for me as well," stated the diamond merchant. 

Previously, Manish would even drive her daughter to far-flung places but gradually felt that the road trips were sapping out her energy. 

"I took her to Andhra Pradesh by car for her SGFI (School Games Federation of  India) tournament. But soon I realised that a day's rest was very important. It is not right to disturb the routine. It hampers the next three-four days."

He is undoubtedly the biggest supporter of Kenkre. His voice roars in the empty stands and in one of the matches, his cheering became so unnerving that at the end of the match, a few players from the opposition came up to him and confided the same. 

The women's football landscape is still nascent in India. It is a work in progress and that does not deter Manish from allowing her daughter to pursue the sport. 

"I just feel that I should let her play. She is sincere and it is my responsibility to back her dreams. She is giving her all and there are no regrets at the end of the day."

India skipper Ashalata Devi had to sneak out through the backdoor of her house to play football. Her teammate in Kenkre and India national team player Soumya Guguloth was taunted for playing football by her family and friends. And there might be a million others whose dreams shatter early due to the lack of support from the family. 

But thanks to Manish, that Harshika can pursue her dreams unhindered. May his tribe grow in numbers for the betterment of women's football in India. 

Islam Slimani was sent off during Olympique Lyon’s 1-1 draw with Lens in Saturday’s Ligue 1 encounter.

The Algeria international who was introduced for Thiago Mendes in the 70th minute was given the marching orders in the 90th minute.

Following a dangerous tackle on Malian midfielder, Cheick Doucoure, the former Leicester City and AS Monaco was shown the way out by referee Benoit Millot.

That was the third time the 32-year-old would be sent off in a game since the commencement of his professional career at JSM Cheraga.

Crumbling to a 4-2 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain their last time out, Lyon travelled to Stade Bollaert-Delelis with the ambition of returning to winning ways. However, they met a strong resistance in Franck Haise’s team who were unbeaten in their last two league outings.

After a goalless first-half, Lens took the lead in the 65th minute courtesy of French right-back Jonathan Clauss. With Maxence Caqueret losing possession, the 28-year-old charged forward, raced onto Gael Kakuta's inch-perfect through ball before firing low between Anthony Lopes' legs for his third league goal of the 2020-21 season.

Nine minutes from full time, Lucas Paqueta equalised for the visitors after Rayan Cherki’s shot had deflected into his path.

Reacting to the outcome, the Kids’ boss Rudi Garcia said his team lacked the instinct to score, claiming his players were too slow.

“We didn't win here. We have been ineffective in the areas of truth, where the matches are played,” Garcia told the club website.

“We lacked a character not killer enough to score. We had a better second half in terms of fluidity in the game.

“There's been more verticality. We were too slow, and we hit the ball too much in the first half.

“Confidence in front of goal will come back. We'll have to get back in the league soon. The match against Red Star in the Coupe de France should allow us to regain the victory.”

Lyon remain in the fourth position after garnering 61 points from 31 games, while Lens occupy the fifth position – amassing 49 points from the same number of outings.

Mohamed Salah improved on his outstanding English Premier League feat against Arsenal with a goal as the Reds secured a 3-0 away win on Saturday evening.

The 28-year-old has now been involved in nine goals in nine fixtures against the Gunners, scoring seven and providing two assists.

On the back of his impressive performance during the international window, the Egypt ace was handed a place in the starting XI alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

His contributions proved crucial as the Reds breezed past Mikel Arteta’s side to leave the Emirates Stadium with all points at stake.

In the keenly contested affair, the opening 45 minutes – where chances were few ended on a no winner, no vanquished note.

As it proved a gratifying evening for Jurgen Klopp’s men, they took the lead in the 64th minute through substitute Diogo Jota - who profited from a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold to head past goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Four minutes later, Salah turned in the second goal. Fabinho chipped a ball over the hosts’ backline and the African got the ball, cut in from the right before sliding the ball under Leno from six yards.

That was his 18th goal for the Anfield side in the 2020-21 campaign – and that ensured he extended his fine run against the North Londoners.

Eight minutes from full time, Jota completed his brace to end the Gunners’ ambition of a comeback. Salah found Sadio Mane in the box, but the Portugal international arrived at the right time to smash home from 10 yards out.

With this victory, Klopp’s team extended their winning streak to three in all competitions. They occupy the fifth position in the log after accruing 49 points from 30 games.

For Arteta's team, they sit in the ninth spot with 42 points from the same number of fixtures.

Salah would be hoping to continue with his goalscoring form when Liverpool travel to Santiago Bernabeu for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg versus Zinedine Zidan’s Real Madrid, while Arsenal welcome Slavia Prague to the Emirates Stadium in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Christian Pulisic suffered another hamstring problem in Chelsea's 5-2 home defeat to West Brom on Saturday.

The 22-year-old felt pain in his hamstring at half-time but had hoped to continue for the rest of the match. However, Pulisic pulled up after a brief warm-up ahead of the second half, leading to his substitution for Mason Mount at the halfway point after the the U.S. national team star had opened the scoring in the first half.

The latest setback represents his fourth muscle injury this season and eighth overall since joining Chelsea in 2019. Tuchel will hope for a short injury lay-off with Porto up next in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

What was said?

"Christian did a sprint when he came back out for the second half and said that he felt his hamstring would not survive the game if he continued," Tuchel said in quotes published on Chelsea's Fifth Stand App.

"So we had to make the decision to substitute him right away,"

How is Pulisic doing this season?

Pulisic made it two goals in his last two games after tapping in the rebound after Sam Johnstone saved Marcos Alonso's free-kick in the first half. It followed a goal with his national team, having gone 20 games without a goal before that.

The forward's injuries have disrupted his rhythm this season and hurt the west Londoners, who have others attacking players like Timo Werner and Kai Havertz struggling to find the net.

The Blues' attacking problems could be solved by an in-form Pulisic, who scored seven goals in 11 games at the end of last season to help the club secure a top-four finish and an appearance in the FA Cup final.

Further reading