Summary

  1. Thanks for joining us...published at 14:56 British Summer Time 18 September

    Today we have been reacting to the death of Italy icon Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci.

    We've also been building up to another night of Champions League and EFL action.

    You can find coverage of the UCL here with Celtic and Manchester City in action later, or if you fancy following a bit of EFL Cup action you can get that here.

    Yes, we have more live sport for you tonight - action from the Champions League in the women's game. Click here to follow that.

  2. How to follow on the BBCpublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 18 September

    Champions League TrophyImage source, Getty Images

    From 22:00 BST on the Wednesday of Champions League matchweeks, match-by-match highlights will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, plus a Match of the Day highlights show on BBC One at 22:40.

    There will also be clips online and on social media.

    You will also be able to follow all the action online and on the BBC Sport app through our live text coverage, as well as listen to radio commentary.

  3. Stoke appoint Pelach - 'I saw in their eyes how passionate they are'published at 14:45 British Summer Time 18 September

    Narcis PelachImage source, Getty Images

    Stoke City have appointed Norwich City coach Narcis Pelach as their new manager on a three-year contract.

    The 36-year-old Catalan succeeds Steven Schumacher following his shock sacking on Monday after just nine months in charge.

    Pelach, from Girona, has worked in English football for four years, first under fellow Spaniard Carlos Corberan at Huddersfield Town and then for the past 16 months under David Wagner and his replacement Johannes Hoff Thorup at Carrow Road.

    Speaking to the club's website, external Pelach said: “I’ve had other chances to become a head coach in England and in other countries but once I saw in their eyes how passionate they are about the club and how much they want to embrace a different identity and philosophy, I could not refuse and, once I’m in, I’m all in."

  4. Neville encourages fans to take part in Old Trafford surveypublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 18 September

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Former Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has urged the club’s fans to take part in a survey to be launched later this week, which it is said will ensure supporters remain at the core of regeneration plans around Old Trafford.

    A decision about the future direction of the ambitious stadium project is due to be made at the end of the year.

    Neville is part of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force that will advise on the decision.

    A fan survey is due to be released by United on Friday. The club says it will cover their current matchday experience and what they want their future experience to include.

    “Old Trafford has evolved throughout its history and it’s clear we are at a point where it has to change again to ensure that Manchester United has a world-class stadium befitting the world’s greatest club and the world’s greatest fans,” said Neville.

    “Old Trafford should be a stadium that the Manchester United fan base can take pride in, so I urge the fans to complete the survey, and participate in the wider consultation, to help shape the Task Force feasibility work and ultimately inform the club’s final decision on the stadium’s future.”

    United are also intending to speak to local residents.

    Chief operating officer Collette Roche says this initial consultation will be followed by ‘a series of focus groups and town hall meetings’.

    Visit our dedicated club page for more updates on Man Utd

  5. Women In Football tackling misogynypublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 18 September

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

    It's been a big week for Women In Football as they addressed the FA chair Debbie Hewitt at the House of Lords in London on tackling equality, sexism and misogyny in the game.

    Women In Football's chief executive Yvonne Harrison told me football bodies "want to work together" to make change.

    "The work we do is about trying to drive change to make the game better for everyone and particularly for women," she told BBC Sport.

    "There’s some really great things happening in the industry but also some really not-great things.

    "It’s our responsibility to make sure we bring that to the fore. [It's about] having those conversations to ensure that women are protected and represented."

    Read more here.

  6. Shaw 'out' of big Paris clashpublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 18 September

    Paris FC v Manchester City (17:45)

    Khadija Shaw of Manchester City in action during the FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Joie Stadium on March 7, 2024 in Manchester, England.Image source, Getty Images

    Golden Boot winner Khadija Shaw will reportedly miss Manchester City's Champions League qualifier against Paris FC tonight.

    The Guardian, external are reporting that Manchester City failed to secure a visa to allow the Jamaica forward to travel with the squad for the round two qualifying match.

    Last season, City finished second in the Women's Super League with only the league winner (Chelsea) automatically qualifying. Gareth Taylors team have crashed out in qualifying over the past two campaigns, losing both times to Real Madrid.

    Shaw was the top scorer in the WSL last season, with 21 goals in 18 games.

  7. get involved

    Get Involved - Your Schillaci tributespublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 18 September

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Really sad news about Toto Schillaci. Although he broke my 15 year old Irish heart, he was definitely the star of that World Cup. A somewhat rags to riches story. All these years later, I've even nicknamed my son Schillaci!!

    Colin

  8. Schillaci announces himself during 1990 World Cuppublished at 14:15 British Summer Time 18 September

    Take a look at Toto Schillaci at Italia '90:

  9. Tonight's EFL Cup fixturespublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 18 September

    English League Cup (Third Round)

    A detailed view of the match ball prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Barnsley at Old Trafford on September 17, 2024 in Manchester, England.Image source, Getty Images

    Brighton v Wolverhampton Wanderers (19:45)

    Wolverhampton have the bragging rights over Brighton at the moment, after a 1-0 win over their opponents in the FA Cup earlier this year.

    Coventry City v Tottenham Hotspur (20:00)

    The last time Coventry got a win over Spurs was 24 years ago. Since then both sides have met twice, with Tottenham winning 3-0 consecutively.

  10. Perisic signs for PSVpublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 18 September

    Ivan PerisicImage source, Getty Images

    Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven have announced the signing of former Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic, 35, until the end of the season.

    Perisic, who has also played for Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund, featured for Croatia at this summer's European Championship.

    Upon the expiry of his contract at Spurs this summer, he joined Hajduk Split in his native country following a loan spell but will now make the switch to the Dutch top-tier.

  11. Martial to Athenspublished at 13:58 British Summer Time 18 September

    Anthony Martial is flying into Athens later today to complete his move to AEK on a thre- year deal.

    He has been without a club since his contract expired at Manchester United on 30 June.

    Anthony Martial of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on May 22, 2024 in Manchester, England.Image source, Getty Images
  12. Weiss & son have history with Celticpublished at 13:53 British Summer Time 18 September

    Celtic v Slovan Bratislava (20:00 BST)

    Vladimir Weiss speaking to the pressImage source, Getty Images

    "All our lives we’ve been talking about Celtic and Rangers."

    Slovan Bratislava manager Vladimir Weiss is well known to Celtic fans - as is his son of the same name.

    Weiss senior led Artmedia Bratislava to a 5-0 victory in Gordon Strachan’s first match in charge of Celtic in 2005, before hanging on for a 5-4 aggregate success.

    Weiss junior played on loan at Rangers in season 2010-11.

    Both return to Glasgow on Wednesday as Slovan take their Champions League bow.

    "Of course there are memories and nobody can take them away from you but now we are up against a Celtic side that are faster and have a different style of play than 19 years ago," said the visiting coach.

    "We know what to expect. We have several players who have played here before and they know about the atmosphere.

    "A lot of players have said this is the best atmosphere in the world. We have enough experience to not give in to this atmosphere and not make mistakes.

    "We know that most of the game we will be under pressure. Just like we get emotion and energy from our fans, Celtic will get that. So you have to have self-confidence and discipline."

    Slovan forward Weiss is now 34, with his father adding: "My son played for Rangers and he’s a Rangers fan and he will face Celtic, their arch rival.

    "When he was here at Rangers, they won the double. So he has the best memories. And the derby with Celtic is the best.

    "He had a great time and he will play Celtic again and we’ll see how it goes."

  13. Readiness is a great word - Rogerspublished at 13:48 British Summer Time 18 September

    Celtic v Slovan Bratislava (20:00 BST)

    Brendan RodgersImage source, Getty Images

    Manager Brendan Rodgers reckons he is in the "best place I've been in" during his time at Celtic as he aims for an opening Champions League win at home to Slovan Bratislava.

    Rodgers has started the second season of his second spell with six straight wins.

    And Celtic are strong favourites to extend that run against a side making their debut at this level.

    "This feels like the most ready I’ve been as a Celtic manager coming into a Champions League campaign," said Rodgers.

    "Having had a year under my belt back here and seeing all the players and being able to improve in a lot of areas that I want, certainly readiness is a great word.

    "I think we have that feeling of arriving at this first game in the best place I’ve been in since I’ve been here.

    "We're playing at home, we want to start off with a really good performance and get three points."

    Click here to read more.

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - Your Schillaci tributespublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 18 September

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    The sound of the commentator saying "Schillaci!" You can't not hear it. Italia 90 RIP Toto.

    Steve

  15. Wednesday's Champions League fixturespublished at 13:38 British Summer Time 18 September

    All times BST

    • Bologna v Shakhtar Donetsk (17:45)
    • Sparta Prague v Red Bull Salzburg (17:45)
    • Celtic v Slovan Bratislava (20:00)
    • Club Brugge v Borussia Dortmund (20:00)
    • Man City v Inter Milan (20:00)
    • PSG v Girona (20:00)

  16. Champions League on the BBCpublished at 13:33 British Summer Time 18 September

    For the next three years, from 22:00 BST on the Wednesday of Champions League matchweeks, there will be match-by-match highlights available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, plus a Match of the Day highlights show on BBC One at 22:40.

    There will also be clips online and on social media.

    You will also be able to follow all the action online and on the BBC Sport app through our live text coverage, as well as listen to radio commentary.

  17. Hunger still there for City - Hartpublished at 13:28 British Summer Time 18 September

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00 BST)

    Joe Hart
    Former England & Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Champions against each other. The Etihad will be bouncing.

    It’s a great occasion, a great sense of anticipation, especially at Manchester City’s stadium.

    They go into every tournament at the minute expecting to win it but because everything is new and they’ve only won it [the Champions League] once, they’ve still got that hunger still there.

  18. 'Haaland looks like he just wants to set every game on fire'published at 13:23 British Summer Time 18 September

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00 BST)

    Joe Hart
    Former England & Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images

    We’ve got an Erling Haaland who’s absolutely boiling hot right now. He looks like he just wants to set every game on fire.

    I love watching him. The power, the pace, the energy. I love his attitude. He’s great to watch. There’s a smile on his face, there’s a hunger in his eyes. He’s competitive but he doesn’t overstep the boundary. You’ve just got to enjoy him at the moment, you’ve got to enjoy someone like that.

  19. get involved

    Get Involved - Your Schillaci tributespublished at 13:18 British Summer Time 18 September

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Toto was proof for all us teenage football fans in that balmy summer of 1990 that you can come from nowhere to take centre stage and be totally modest and humane about it. RIP Toto.

    Martin, Surbiton

  20. 'There’s no secret to it. It’s hard work'published at 13:13 British Summer Time 18 September

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00 BST)

    Joe Hart
    Former England & Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The Champions League especially, oh my goodness me, the buzz and adrenaline that comes in with the Champions League.

    Then there’s interviews, you have to be switched on for those, you need to be switched on for the debrief, ultimately we’ve got to travel home, get to the hotel and get on a flight.

    Ultimately that’s the life of high-end football and then that’s a Wednesday night to land Thursday and then be ready to go. Sometimes the broadcasters want you going Saturday.

    There’s no secret to it. It’s hard work. You have to really dedicate yourself to rest.

    If you try and cut corners and try and live an extra life as well as being a top footballer, you’re going to get found out.