Liverpool forwards Federico Chiesa and Trey Nyoni were absent from Monday morning’s training session ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League fixture against Galatasaray.

The Italian winger and the teenage midfielder were notable absentees as manager Arne Slot finalised his tactical preparations for the European tie.

Both players were recently involved in the matchday squad for Friday night’s FA Cup encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

During that domestic cup fixture, the 17-year-old academy prospect made a second-half appearance from the substitutes’ bench.

Nyoni absence explained as Chiesa omission remains unclear

Nyoni’s omission from the senior session is understood to be a routine recovery measure after he featured for the Under-21 side on Sunday.

However, the precise reason behind the former Juventus attacker’s failure to participate at the training ground remains unspecified.

Slot will now likely have to formulate his attacking strategy without the services of the summer signing.

Crucial European points on the line

The Merseyside club face the Turkish giants aiming to secure another vital victory in the league phase of the continental competition.

Managing squad rotation and minor knocks continues to be a delicate balancing act for the Dutch head coach during a severely congested winter schedule.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is intensifying his training to regain pace ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 trip to Real Madrid.

The Norwegian forward was omitted from the squad that secured an FA Cup fifth-round victory at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Manager Pep Guardiola opted to rest his star attacker following a recent knock that also forced him to miss a Premier League win at Leeds United.

Instead of travelling to St James’ Park, the former Borussia Dortmund man spent the weekend focusing on tailored fitness work.

Guardiola prioritises match rhythm

The City boss believes dedicated training sessions are currently more beneficial for the prolific goalscorer than limited match minutes.

“I didn’t think to let him play and I prefer him training to make a rhythm,” said Guardiola.

“After injury, when he drops, he always struggles a little bit to have that real, real pace.”

The Catalan manager heavily rotated his side against Newcastle, leaving crucial figures like Rodri, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva as unused substitutes.

Defensive injury concerns linger

The reigning European champions will travel to the Bernabeu for the first leg of their crucial knockout tie without several defensive options.

Versatile teenager Rico Lewis is nearing a return from a swollen ankle but the midweek clash in Spain arrives too soon.

Guardiola also provided updates on long-term absentees Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol as the business end of the season approaches.

Kovacic returns to training

Croatian midfielder Kovacic has been restricted to just two appearances this campaign due to a persistent ankle issue.

“Great news, finally he’s back training for the last three or four training sessions,” Guardiola added.

However, the manager cautioned that the former Chelsea playmaker still requires time to rebuild his match conditioning.

Fellow international Gvardiol faces a more extended spell in the treatment room after sustaining a broken leg in January.

“There’s a bit longer still,” the City manager admitted regarding the centre-back.

“I hope so [he’ll return] but I don’t know when.”

Six English clubs will continue their Champions League campaigns this week across TNT Sports and Prime Video as the knockout stages begin.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all feature in the round of 16.

The knockout phase commences on Tuesday with Liverpool visiting Turkey to play Galatasaray.

Meanwhile, Spurs travel to Spain to face Atlético Madrid despite hovering just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

Newcastle face Barcelona test

Newcastle United host Spanish giants Barcelona in the most highly anticipated Tuesday evening fixture.

Eddie Howe’s side secured their progression by comfortably dispatching Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate in the play-off round.

Amazon Prime Video exclusively holds the broadcasting rights for the Magpies’ crucial first-leg encounter.

This allows supporters to stream the match for free using an active Amazon Prime subscription or trial.

Arsenal and City face away trips

Arsenal resume their European journey on Wednesday following an exceptional group stage performance.

The Gunners finished top of the league phase to end three points clear of German powerhouses Bayern Munich.

Mikel Arteta’s squad now travel to Germany to take on Bayer Leverkusen.

Manchester City also face a challenging away tie against European specialists Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Elsewhere, Chelsea visit the French capital to challenge Paris St-Germain.

Complete television schedule

The remaining matches across the two days will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports.

Here are the confirmed television details for the upcoming Champions League fixtures.

Former Barcelona manager Xavi has accused club president Joan Laporta of deliberately vetoing a proposed return for Lionel Messi in 2023 despite securing financial approval from La Liga.

The revelation comes during an explosive interview with La Vanguardia just a week before the Catalan club’s presidential elections are scheduled to take place.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner famously left Camp Nou in 2021 amid severe financial difficulties, spending two unhappy seasons at Paris St-Germain before ultimately joining Inter Miami.

‘Laporta threw everything out’

Rumours of a romantic return to Spain heavily circulated following the Argentine’s triumphant World Cup campaign in Qatar.

Discussions between the coaching staff and the player’s camp apparently progressed seamlessly for several months during early 2023.

However, the legendary Spanish midfielder alleges that the highly anticipated transfer collapsed entirely due to executive interference.

“The president started negotiating the contract with Leo’s father, and we had La Liga’s approval, but it was the president who threw everything out.”

Fears of a ‘war’ and damaged relationships

According to the 44-year-old tactician, the club hierarchy feared the unparalleled influence the forward would wield upon his homecoming.

“Laporta told me, and I quote, that if Leo came back, he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn’t allow it.”

Following this private declaration, communication between the recruitment team and the player’s representatives abruptly ceased.

The South American icon reportedly stopped answering calls from his former team-mate after being informed by executives that the transfer was unfeasible.

This sudden breakdown in communication temporarily fractured the bond between two of Barcelona’s most celebrated figures.

“It affected my relationship with Leo a lot, but now it’s good again because he understands it now,” added Xavi.

Jose Mourinho was sent off during Benfica’s 2-2 draw with former club Porto on Sunday following a touchline altercation where he was allegedly branded a “traitor” by an opposing coach.

The Portuguese manager was shown a red card in the second half after match officials deemed he had intentionally kicked a ball towards the away bench.

However, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss was left furious with Porto assistant Lucho Gonzalez, who he claims repeatedly insulted him in the tunnel.

Mourinho famously led Porto to Champions League glory in 2004 but now finds himself managing their fierce domestic rivals.

‘A traitor to what?’

The veteran tactician was eager to defend his professionalism following the fiery encounter at the Estadio da Luz.

“The FC Porto bench person who was also sent off called me a traitor 50 times in the tunnel,” Mourinho stated post-match.

“I’d like him to explain: traitor to what?”

The two-time European Cup winner emphasised that his commitment to his current employers is absolute, regardless of his historic ties to the opposition.

“I was at FC Porto, I gave my soul to FC Porto,” he added.

“I went to Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, I turned things around; I gave my all to the world, my soul, my life every day.”

Late comeback and red card dispute

The home side scored twice in the final 20 minutes to salvage a crucial point, with Leandro Barreiro netting the dramatic equaliser.

Despite remaining unbeaten this calendar year, Benfica still trail league leaders Porto by seven points in the race for the Portuguese title.

Gonzalez, who spent six years at Porto as a player across two spells, now serves as an assistant for the current league pacesetters.

Regarding his dismissal, the outspoken manager insisted he was innocent and placed the blame firmly on the officiating team.

“The referee says he sent me off because I kicked a ball towards the FC Porto bench, which is completely false,” he claimed.

He explained that his intended target was the crowd, describing it as a celebration he frequently performs to give a lucky fan a match ball.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be on the touchline for the League Cup final against Arsenal on 22 March despite incurring an automatic suspension for his sixth yellow card of the season.

The City manager received his latest booking during a 3-1 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Under standard regulations, technical area occupants are handed a two-match touchline ban upon reaching six disciplinary cautions.

FA exemption explains Wembley reprieve

Specific Football Association guidelines state that major domestic finals are explicitly exempt from automatic accumulation suspensions.

This regulatory loophole guarantees Mikel Arteta will face his former mentor in the Wembley dugouts next month.

The north London outfit are currently navigating a chaotic and season-defining schedule across multiple elite competitions.

The Premier League leaders travel to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Crucial weeks await title contenders

They have also secured an FA Cup quarter-final berth following a narrow fifth-round victory over Mansfield Town.

Meanwhile, the reigning champions’ boss earned his recent caution after protesting a perceived foul by Kieran Trippier on winger Jeremy Doku.

He will still be required to serve his domestic suspension during an upcoming league fixture against West Ham.

The serial winner has chosen to take a highly sarcastic view of his growing disciplinary record.

I will tell you something – we have all the records in this country, all of them, despite everything.

We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I want all records.

Pep Guardiola

Iraq manager Graham Arnold has urged Fifa to reschedule their upcoming World Cup playoff match because regional conflict has left the majority of his squad trapped by airspace closures.

The Lions of Mesopotamia are scheduled to face either Suriname or Bolivia in Monterrey on 31 March.

However, Iraqi airspace is currently shut until 1 April following escalating tensions between neighbouring Iran and the United States.

Travel chaos threatens historic qualification

Nearly 60 percent of the national team’s first-choice squad is drawn from the domestic league.

These domestically-based players and key backroom staff remain entirely unable to fly out of the Middle Eastern nation.

“Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country of Iraq,” Arnold said.

A planned pre-match training camp in Houston has already been postponed due to severe visa and travel uncertainty.

Alternative proposals for governing body

The 62-year-old tactician has suggested allowing the initial playoff between Bolivia and Suriname to proceed this month.

Under his proposed alternative, the Iraqi side would then play the winner in the United States just a week before the global tournament begins.

“In my opinion, if Fifa were to delay the game it gives us time to prepare properly,” the former Australia boss added.

The head coach also noted that a delay would provide more time to determine whether Iran might withdraw from the competition altogether.

If the Iranians were to pull out, Iraq could qualify automatically, subsequently granting the United Arab Emirates a chance to contest the playoff instead.

Chasing a four-decade dream

The national side is desperately attempting to qualify for their first global tournament since their sole appearance in 1986.

Missile strikes in Erbil have already disrupted domestic fixtures, heavily impacting the preparation of local athletes.

The veteran Australian manager insisted there is little hope of fielding a competitive starting lineup assembled solely from overseas-based professionals.

Arnold successfully guided the Socceroos to the round of 16 at the 2022 tournament before suffering defeat against eventual champions Argentina.

“It wouldn’t be our best team and we need our best team available for the country’s biggest game in 40 years,” he said.

Former Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has provided insight into Zinedine Zidane’s relaxed coaching methods as the Frenchman continues to be linked with the Manchester United managerial vacancy.

Michael Carrick remains in interim charge at Old Trafford until the end of the season.

However, speculation persists regarding a permanent successor this summer, with Zidane frequently cited as a candidate.

Bale reveals ‘relaxed’ approach

The retired Wales winger played under the 53-year-old during a trophy-laden era in the Spanish capital.

Together they lifted the Champions League three times, yet Bale suggests tactical instruction was minimal.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the 34-year-old said: “Zidane as a coach? Honestly, he didn’t do much.”

“We’d go over some tactics before matches against Barcelona or Bayern – 15 minutes of defensive work.”

“Other than that, it was just possession games, shooting drills, and then we’d go home.”

Respect through ability

Despite the light tactical load, the former Tottenham star insisted the manager commanded the dressing room.

Bale noted that the 1998 World Cup winner earned authority through his legendary playing career and maintained high physical standards.

“He earned respect thanks to his qualities as a player,” Bale added.

“He participated in training, even beat me a few times – he’s still in great shape.”

United’s current trajectory

Zidane has been out of management since departing the Bernabeu for a second time in 2021.

Meanwhile, Manchester United sit third in the Premier League table.

Carrick had guided the side to six wins in seven games prior to a recent defeat by Newcastle United.

The Red Devils return to action next weekend when they host Aston Villa.