As Bayern Munich’s sporting director, Christoph Freund has to make many difficult choices. It is the nature of running a behemoth such as FC Hollywood. One of the more difficult ones may have to be made this winter transfer window,

Manchester City squeezed through to the Champions League play-off round with a 3-1 comeback win against Club Brugge.

Celtic will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Play Offs. After a night of permutations in Europe’s top competition, Celtic were beaten by Aston Villa in an enthralling game at Villa Park.

The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase came to a dramatic close on Wednesday, setting up for an equally entertaining knockout stage that begins in two weeks' time. The introduction of the new format means the Champions League will introduce a new phase of competition in February when 16 teams will take part in the knockout round playoffs.