The UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday, October 12, with 18 matches scheduled across two nights as the 2026/27 league phase enters its second matchday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Several European heavyweights, including Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid, will be in action as clubs look to strengthen their positions and improve their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.

Tuesday’s key encounters include Atlético Madrid versus Manchester United, Arsenal’s clash with Lille and Galatasaray’s meeting with Barcelona. On Wednesday, defending champions PSG will travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City, while Real Madrid visit Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

According to UEFA, the headline fixtures involving Atlético Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, Lille, Galatasaray, Barcelona, Roma, Real Madrid, Manchester City and PSG are scheduled to kick off at 8 pm Nigerian time.

Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United

Atlético Madrid will welcome Manchester United to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Tuesday as both teams seek to improve their positions following contrasting results in their opening matches.

Manchester United started their campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Sabah, while Atlético Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool.

UEFA statistics indicate that Atlético are yet to record a Champions League group-stage or league-phase victory against English opposition, having drawn four and lost seven of their previous encounters.

United, on the other hand, have lost just one of their last 11 matches against Spanish clubs, recording seven victories and three draws.

The encounter will also feature players who have previously represented both sides. Julián Álvarez played for Manchester City from 2022 to 2024 before moving to Atlético Madrid, while Matheus Cunha featured for the Spanish club between 2021 and 2023.

United will aim to build on their impressive attacking display in the opening round, while Atlético will be desperate to claim their first points of the competition.

Arsenal vs Lille

Arsenal will host Lille at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, looking to maintain their strong record in the Champions League league phase.

The North London club began their campaign with a 1-0 away win against Napoli, while Lille were beaten 3-2 at home by Real Betis.

UEFA statistics show that Arsenal have won 13 consecutive league-phase matches and suffered only two defeats in their last 31 European group-stage or league-phase fixtures.

The Gunners have also recorded five clean sheets in their last seven Champions League matches, underlining their defensive strength.

Lille face a challenging assignment in London, having lost their last eight away matches against English clubs.

Arsenal defender Gabriel has previous experience with the French side, having made 52 appearances for Lille between 2017 and 2020. Viktor Gyökeres has also scored against Lille, finding the net for Sporting CP in September 2024.

Arsenal will be hoping to use their home advantage to secure another victory, while Lille will seek to upset the odds and revive their campaign.

Galatasaray vs Barcelona

Barcelona will travel to Istanbul on Tuesday to face Galatasaray at RAMS Park, with both teams looking to improve their standing after the first round of fixtures.

The Spanish giants made a commanding start with a 5-1 win over Feyenoord, while Galatasaray were defeated 3-1 by Sporting CP.

According to UEFA figures, Barcelona’s last 31 Champions League matches have produced 141 goals, averaging 4.55 goals per game. However, the Catalan club have failed to keep a clean sheet in 16 consecutive matches in the competition.

Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will be among the players to watch as he closes in on Kylian Mbappé’s record for the most Champions League goals scored by a teenager.

Yamal has scored 12 goals in the competition, leaving him one short of Mbappé’s record of 13.

Galatasaray, meanwhile, have struggled against Spanish opposition, winning only one of their last 22 encounters, alongside six draws and 15 defeats.

Their only victory against Barcelona came in November 1994, when they secured a 2-1 win. The Turkish club will hope to produce another memorable performance against the Catalan giants.

Roma vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid will travel to the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday for a meeting with Roma in one of the standout fixtures of Matchday 2.

Madrid opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter, while Roma were held to a 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahçe.

UEFA records show that Real Madrid have won eight of their 12 previous meetings with Roma. The Italian side have recorded three victories, while the remaining encounter ended in a draw.

Madrid have also won their last four meetings with Roma without conceding a goal.

However, the Spanish giants will face a difficult test against a Roma side that has enjoyed an impressive home record, winning eight of its last nine Champions League matches at the Stadio Olimpico.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé could also approach a significant personal milestone. According to UEFA, he could become the youngest player to reach 100 Champions League appearances if he features in the encounter.

Manchester City vs PSG

Manchester City’s clash with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday is expected to be one of the biggest attractions of the second matchday.

City began their campaign with a 2-0 away victory over Porto, while PSG delivered an emphatic performance, defeating Slovan Bratislava 6-1.

UEFA records give Manchester City the advantage in their head-to-head meetings, with four victories compared with PSG’s two, alongside two draws.

However, PSG won the most recent encounter between the sides, recording a 4-2 home victory during the 2024/25 Champions League league phase.

City striker Erling Haaland will attract considerable attention after scoring 59 goals in 59 Champions League appearances.

The Norwegian has scored 36 Champions League goals for Manchester City, matching Sergio Agüero’s club record in the competition.

PSG will look to Ousmane Dembélé to continue his impressive European form. The French forward has scored in five consecutive Champions League appearances, recording eight goals during that run.

Manchester City have lost just one of their last 25 home matches in the Champions League group stage or league phase.

PSG, however, will arrive in England with confidence, having gone unbeaten in their last 11 European matches against English clubs.

The encounter is expected to provide a major test for both sides as they seek to establish themselves among the leading contenders in this season’s competition.

Other Champions League Fixtures in Matchday 2

Tuesday, October 13

• Lens vs Sporting CP — 5:45 pm
• Sabah vs Slavia Praha — 5:45 pm
• Inter vs Club Brugge — 8:00 pm
• RB Leipzig vs PSV Eindhoven — 8:00 pm
• Viking vs Bayern Munich — 8:00 pm
• Villarreal vs Napoli — 8:00 pm

Wednesday, October 14

• Feyenoord vs Como — 5:45 pm Nigerian time
• LASK vs Liverpool — 5:45 pm
• Aston Villa vs Fenerbahçe — 8:00 pm
• Shakhtar Donetsk vs AEK Athens — 8:00 pm
• Bodø/Glimt vs Borussia Dortmund — 8:00 pm
• Real Betis vs Porto — 8:00 pm
• Slovan Bratislava vs VfB Stuttgart — 8:00 pm

The second matchday offers clubs an early opportunity to gain valuable points, build confidence and strengthen their positions in the race for qualification to the Champions League knockout rounds.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday swore in 68 legal practitioners elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The ceremony was held as part of activities marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year.

The newly elevated recipients comprise 67 legal practitioners and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) approved their elevation at its 174th plenary session held in Abuja in July.

The 67 legal practitioners, listed according to their seniority at the Bar, are:

1. Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu
2. Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor
3. Godwill Achibong Umoh
4. Sunday Samuel Obende
5. Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe
6. Jimson Ejovi Okodaso
7. Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John
8. Olaotan Thomas Olusegun
9. Philemeon Audu Daffi
10. Adenrele David Adegborioye
11. James Eromosele Agbonhese
12. Alexander Nduka Muoka
13. Onome Okodiya
14. Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye
15. Ikhide Ehighelua
16. Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe
17. Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun
18. Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi
19. Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed
20. Odion Peter Odia
21. Gbemiga Adaramola
22. Moses Okoh Onyilokwu
23. Charles Azubuike Obodozie
24. Hakeem Obafemi Agaba
25. Bimbo Felix Atilola
26. Okechukwu Steve Emelieze
27. Joshua Demilade Olaniyan
28. Igonikon Abiola Adekunle
29. Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie
30. Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno
31. Sarafa Kolawole Idowu
32. Olujoke Enitan Aliu
33. Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie
34. Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi
35. Faruk Abdullah
36. Sagir Gezawa Suleiman
37. Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko
38. Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe
39. Sabiu Gumba Adamu
40. Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare
41. Soibi Ideriah Ovia
42. Somina Peter Johnbull
43. Chinedum Ikenna Umeche
44. Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe
45. Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff
46. Junaidu Bello Marshall
47. Olawale Sunday Fapohunda
48. Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye
49. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim
50. Agba Eimunjeze
51. Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande
52. Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi
53. Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle
54. Umaru Yunusa
55. Akorede Habeeb Lawal
56. Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba
57. Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu
58. Kayode Orire Omosehin
59. Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala
60. Bolu Agbaje Akadri
61. Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao
62. Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala
63. Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja
64. Afees Hassan Adebayo
65. Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun
66. Jonathan Akintola Makinde
67. Olajide Salami

Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri was the sole recipient elevated in the academic category.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kwara State, Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, has dismissed claims that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq imposed him on the party ahead of the 2027 election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Salihu-Danladi, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, said his seven years leading the legislature demonstrated his competence and readiness to govern.

In a video clip Punch obtained on Monday, the Speaker urged critics to assess his leadership record rather than attribute his emergence to the governor’s influence.

“I’m not brought in by the governor. You engage me, you will know whether I am competent or not. If I am not competent, my good friends, my colleagues, 23 of them; they would have removed me for the last seven years,” he said.

The APC candidate argued that managing lawmakers with different interests without major disagreements proved his leadership ability.

“An individual to manage legislators, to manage the legislative arm of government for seven years without rancour, no problem, things are moving, you will know that that person is capable and competent,” he stated.

He also claimed to possess greater experience than his rivals in the governorship race.

“People I am contesting with today, sincerely, I have more experience than any of them,” he said.

Responding to criticism of the Assembly’s relationship with the executive, Salihu-Danladi rejected suggestions that lawmakers had abandoned their oversight duties.

He maintained that legislative independence did not require confrontation with the governor over decisions lawmakers considered appropriate.

“What is rubber stamp? If you are doing the right thing and you say this is the right thing, must I fight you? If the executive governor is doing the right thing, what is the essence of the legislator fighting the executive?” he asked.

The Speaker said lawmakers should advise the executive where policies or proposals needed adjustment, rather than oppose government actions merely to demonstrate independence.

He also defended consultations between the two arms of government before proposals reached the Assembly.

“There is nothing this governor will bring to the Assembly that we were not carried along; before he even brings it, so what makes it a rubber stamp?” he queried.

Salihu-Danladi urged critics to consider the state’s development under AbdulRazaq when assessing the legislature’s performance.

“If they are saying rubber stamp, is there development in Kwara? If yes, why are they calling the Assembly a rubber stamp? If no, that’s when they will challenge us. We have a lot of things to show that yes, we are not rubber-stamped. We have a goal,” he said.

Salihu-Danladi, who is the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, said his seven-year record of leading the legislature demonstrated his leadership skills and preparedness to govern the state.

In a video clip obtained by The Punch on Monday, the APC candidate urged his critics to evaluate his performance rather than suggest that he secured the party’s ticket through the governor’s influence.

“I’m not brought in by the governor. You engage me, you will know whether I am competent or not. If I am not competent, my good friends, my colleagues, 23 of them; they would have removed me for the last seven years,” he said.

He argued that successfully managing lawmakers with different interests over seven years without major disagreements was evidence of his competence.

“An individual to manage legislators, to manage the legislative arm of government for seven years without rancour, no problem, things are moving, you will know that that person is capable and competent,” he stated.

Salihu-Danladi also claimed that he had more political and leadership experience than his opponents in the governorship race.

“People I am contesting with today, sincerely, I have more experience than any of them,” he said.

Salihu-Danladi Defends Assembly’s Relationship With Executive

Addressing criticism of the relationship between the state legislature and the executive arm, the Speaker dismissed claims that lawmakers had abandoned their constitutional oversight responsibilities.

He argued that legislative independence did not mean lawmakers had to engage in unnecessary confrontations with the governor over decisions they considered appropriate.

“What is rubber stamp? If you are doing the right thing and you say this is the right thing, must I fight you? If the executive governor is doing the right thing, what is the essence of the legislator fighting the executive?” he asked.

According to him, lawmakers should offer advice and recommend adjustments when government policies or proposals require improvement, rather than oppose the executive simply to demonstrate independence.

He also defended consultations between the executive and the legislature before government proposals are formally presented to the Assembly.

“There is nothing this governor will bring to the Assembly that we were not carried along; before he even brings it, so what makes it a rubber stamp?” he queried.

The APC governorship candidate further urged critics to consider the level of development recorded in Kwara State under AbdulRazaq when assessing the performance of the legislature.

“If they are saying rubber stamp, is there development in Kwara? If yes, why are they calling the Assembly a rubber stamp? If no, that’s when they will challenge us. We have a lot of things to show that yes, we are not rubber-stamped. We have a goal,” he said.