Champions League Final 2023: when is it, which TV channel is it on and where is the venue? players and experts comments

As the competition nears its peak, we’ve got all the crucial information you need to know

Kevin De Bruyne has insisted the result in Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter won’t define his career, but he is desperate for a happier experience than two years ago.
De Bruyne suffered a broken nose and eye socket after colliding with Chelsea defender Antonio Rüdiger in the 2021 European Cup final in Porto.
“This is football,” De Bruyne said of the 2021 final. “I’ve never broken anything in my life and I’m coming out of the Champions League final with a broken nose, a broken eye socket and a concussion. Happens. I can’t do anything anymore. I wish it was better, but it wasn’t.

Asked if City needed to win the European Cup to be remembered as a great team, De Bruyne added: “Most of the guys have been incredible though. Will it help? Yes. But 90 minutes alone does not make a career. I play about 700 games. 90 minutes out of 700 does not define my career. But of course it helps.

“There was a belief [City could win the treble] anyway, but there was no point talking about it before. We know now. I want to win the Champions League and I want to win the treble but we prepared to win the game [against United]. We should enjoy next week and hope that we can do our best.

When is it?

This year’s Champions League final will take place on Saturday, June 10. Kick-off is at 8:00 p.m. (BST), 10:00 p.m. local time.

How can I watch in the UK?

Coverage of the UK Final is on BT Sport 1 HD. You can also watch in super high definition on BT Sport Ultimate. BT Sport is also making the match free to watch on its YouTube channel.
Thom Gibbs spoke to BT Sport’s chief football commentator Darren Fletcher about his eighth Champions League final. How can I watch in the US?…
In the United States, the Champions League final will be shown on CBS and CBS Sports Network.

Where does it take place?

The Champions League final will be played at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. This will be the second Champions League final to take place there and few remember the first: Liverpool beat AC Milan on penalties after losing 3-0 at half-time in 2005. The “Miracle of Istanbul” is one of the most sensational comebacks in the history of the competition.

Who are the current champions?

Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in Paris last year thanks to a goal from Vinicius Junior in the second half. It was the club’s 14th league win, extending their record. Thanks to that victory, Carlo Ancelotti became the first coach to win the European Cup four times. He is also the only one to have taken a team to five finals, but was denied a chance at a sixth-place finish after his side’s defeat by City in this year’s semi-final.

What are the players saying?

Kevin De Bruyne has admitted he’s no longer the hero in his house, with even his children wiped out by Erling Haaland fever.
The Belgian midfielder has embarked on a terrifying partnership with Haaland which could be crucial if City attempt to beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on Saturday and land a stunning Treble.

And De Bruyne says Haaland’s impact is so great that even his children idolize the Norwegian striker over their own father. In fact, De Bruyne’s eldest son Mason is such a fan of Haaland that he copied the 52-goal striker’s long blond haircut, complete with chignon.

The seven-year-old made his way to Haaland during City’s Premier League title celebrations at the Etihad Stadium last month, as the Norwegian giant squatted down to hug Mason’s four-year-old brother Rome, who sported even long hair. , then came for a hug from himself.

An excited Mason was also seen playing football with Haaland on the pitch after their 1-0 win over Chelsea.
And De Bruyne – who also has a daughter Suri – admitted his children can’t get enough of the Scandinavian superstar.
“Erling is a superstar,” said the City midfielder. “No problem! All three kids have long hair.
“I see it with the kids at [Mason’s] school too. They all have hair like this. It’s funny.”

Victory in Istanbul would ensure Guardiola’s municipal government’s 12th major trophy. De Bruyne admitted City players now expect to win but that it would be “boring” if they always won everything. “External expectations are never higher than what we aim for,” he said. “We always want the best. I always want to be the best Kevin on the pitch. I know that sometimes things are less and sometimes better.

“But as I said, ‘We want to win everything’, but it’s not possible to win everything either. If we win on Saturday there will always be people saying we should have won the League Cup [this season] and you lost to Southampton.

“These are moments that happen in a season when you don’t feel good. Or if the opponent was better. And then you just have to admit it. You can’t always win every game. Otherwise it would be boring.”

Who do the experts think will win?

Kylian Mbappé: It will be a great match. I think Manchester City will win.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: I think City are always the favorites for everything.

What are the latest opportunities?

Manchester City 1/4

Inter Milan 7/2

Who do you think will win the campions league finals for 2023? Leave your comments?

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And Lionel Messi could be edging closer to a decision on his future with Barcelona hoping to tempt him back to the Nou Camp and away from the riches of the Saudi Pro League, despite the reports that the Argentine has been offered the most lucrative contract in football history by Al-Hilal.

The Frenchman is set for a new chapter with Everton amongst the clubs interested.

Dembele has scored three times in 28 appearances this season.

Sheffield United have confirmed their retained list as they prepare to return to the Premier League.

Billy Sharp, Enda Stevens, Jack O’Connell and Kyron Gordon will all leave the club at the end of June.

Meanwhile, Zak Brunt, John Fleck, Ben Osborn and Jack Robinson have been offered new deals.

Millwall make Dykes bid

Millwall have made a bid which could rise to £2m for QPR striker Lyndon Dykes, according to Sky Sports.

Other Championship clubs are interested in the Scotland international, but Millwall are the only ones to table a bid so far.

Brighton ready club-record bid for Colwill

The Daily Mail reports that Brighton are ready to splash out on a club-record deal to sign Levi Colwill from Chelsea this summer, writes Ellie Killick.

Brighton have already had a £30million offer rejected by the Blues, but remain determined to sign the centre-back. They are ready to pay £40m for the 20-year-old.

He made 17 appearances this season, helping Brighton secure Europa League qualification for the first time in their history by finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Kante is undergoing tests in London after agreeing a two-year deal, with the option of a further year, which is worth £172million.

As Mirror Football have reported, Kim’s £51million release clause will become active in July and the South Korean international is set to leave the Italian champions.

The Guardian report that the 26-year-old is Erik ten Hag’s preferred target to strengthen the defence because Harry Maguire is expected to leave this summer.

Maguire will meet with Ten Hag next week to discuss his future after being disappointed with his lack of game time this season. He is likely to leave alongside Dean Henderson and Donny van de Beek.

Messi is leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the month and had been offered a deal worth €1.2billion (£1.04bn) over two years to move to Saudi Arabia. But he has reportedly opted for America instead.

The MLS franchise, who are part-owned by David Beckham, have been courting Messi for the past few years and appear to have got their man.

The Athletic reports that an agreement has been reached and the England midfielder will undergo a medical in the next few days.

Bellingham is one of the most sought after players on the market, but Real have moved fast to fight off competition from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Qatari has been one of two front-runners in the takeover process alongside INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but the saga has dragged on for months. Sheikh Jassim had made the bid directly with the Glazers and the Raine Group, but wants an answer by Friday, at which point he won’t negotiate with them further.

Sheikh Jassim’s bid is for total control of the Premier League club, as per the Daily Mail, and is thought to include major investment in the club’s infrastructure, which has been majorly neglected under the current ownership

As Mirror Football have reported, Rice is Arsenal’s number one priority in the summer transfer window. They are hopeful they can land the England international, in spite of the Hammers’ £100million valuation.

talkSPORT says the Gunners will make a formal approach later this week, once West Ham have returned from their match against Fiorentina in Prague.

The 29-year-old is set to leave Man City this summer, with Pep Guardiola allowing Cancelo to leave on loan in January in a surprise move for a player who was previously one of his outstanding performers.

He became an important player for Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga have not made the deal permanent having been reluctant to meet the £60 million buy-out clause included in his loan contract.

Arsenal have now emerged as candidates to sign the full-back, with Arteta previously having worked with the player during his time with Man City. Cancelo joined City in 2019, with the then right-back evolving to become an effective creative threat from the left-hand-side.

TEAMtalk report that the 22-year-old, who 11 goals and 13 assists in all competitions. has not yet agreed a new deal at the Stadium of Light and could be set for a move to the Premier League.

He still has three years left to run on his current deal, but his growing status will be drawing the interest of clubs who may be more able to match his demands after an impressive 18 months in the north east.

Crystal Palace, Brentford and Burnley are all thought to be monitoring contract talks between Jack Clarke and Sunderland amid reports of talks regarding a new deal having stalled.

TEAMtalk report that the 22-year-old, who 11 goals and 13 assists in all competitions. has not yet agreed a new deal at the Stadium of Light and could be set for a move to the Premier League.

He still has three years left to run on his current deal, but his growing status will be drawing the interest of clubs who may be more able to match his demands after an impressive 18 months in the north east.

Villa make Tielemans demand

Aston Villa have told Youri Tielemans they want a quick answer after making a move for the free agent.

Tielemans is leaving relegated Leicester when his contract expires at the end of the month.

Villa boss Unai Emery hopes the lure of European football can tempt the Belgian international,26, after they finished seventh.

Tielemans’ representatives have been approached with Emery keen to push ahead with strengthening his squad in central midfield.

Emery also wants a new winger with targets including Leicester’s Harvey Barnes and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.

According to FootballTransfers, the midfielder could be subject to interest from the Hammers amid the expected departure of Declan Rice.

Last month, the Daily Mail reported that a £40 million price tag had been placed on the set-piece specialist.

Porro is quoted by the Daily Mail as confessing: “If Kane decides to go to Real Madrid we’ll be as happy as he is or more.”

Spurs fans keen on keeping Kane at the club are unlikely to take too kindly to those remarks, as speculation linking the stiker with a move to Spain does not seem to be going away any time soon.