Want Backheel Breakfast in your inbox? Sign up for the email version here.
Dundalk FC is the Champions League’s best underdog story
The Irish champions are trying to qualify for the first time.
Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
On Wednesday, some big clubs like Roma, Porto, Celtic, Villarreal and Monaco will participate in the Champions League playoff round for a spot in the richest competition in the world. They’ll be joined by Irish champions Dundalk FC, who is trying to make the Champions League group stage for the first time.
Dundalk was nearly bankrupt four years ago and used to play in front of crowds of less than 300 people. Their stadium isn’t fit for Champions League competition and they’ve received a bit more demand for tickets than usual, so they’ll be playing in the national stadium in Dublin on Wednesday, with 30,000 people expected to show up.
To get this far, Dundalk had to defeat BATE Borisov, who has made the UEFA Champions League group stage five times in the last decade. That was a major upset, and they’re similarly big underdogs on Wednesday, against Polish champions Legia Warsaw. In the United States, you can watch the game on Fox Soccer 2 Go.
Goal of the day
Sergio Aguero’s second goal for Manchester City against Steaua Bucharest at the end of an incredible team move. (r/soccer)
In the news
Riyad Mahrez says “two or three” clubs could tempt him to leave Leicester. (Guardian)
Kingsley Coman is out indefinitely with an ankle ligament injury. (FC Bayern)
West Ham has signed Jonathan Calleri on loan. (West Ham United)
Arsenal will be without Alex Iwobi for a month. (Mirror)
Diego Costa thinks he’s been marked by referees. How did that happen? Well, it’s hard to say. (ESPN FC)
Karin Benzema will not play for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad. (Marca)
You should be reading
Scott Salter on the bizarre decline of Barry Town and their journey back to the top of Welsh soccer. (These Football Times)
Julien Laurens on Alexandre Lacazette’s rise to Lyon stardom and big transfer interest. (ESPN FC)
Tom Payne on Chelsea’s tactics in Antonio Conte’s debut. (Spielverlagerung)
From the rumor mill
Please don’t take anything in this section too seriously, for your own sanity.
It looks like Manchester City has a deal for Claudio Bravo, meaning Joe Hart will leave. (Mail)
Arsenal wants Jose Fonte, but Manchester United will throw in Marcos Rojo to get him. (Mirror)
A weird trio of teams is in for Moussa Sissoko: Everton, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. (L’Equipe)
Roberto Pereyra is expected to move from Juventus to Watford. (Sun)
Liverpool has rejected Crystal Palace’s latest bid for Christian Benteke. (Telegraph)
Bologna is battling Chievo for Mario Balotelli. (Football Italia)
Barcelona thought they were close to signing Paco Alcacer, but Valencia doesn’t want to sell. (Football España)
Olympics star Serge Gnabry could be on his way to Hertha Berlin. (Bild)
What happened on Tuesday
Sweden beat Brazil in a boring and annoying way.
What to watch on Wednesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Men’s Olympic soccer: Two games (from 12 p.m.) -- Neymar finally delivered in the quarterfinals. Now for the big games.
Champions League: Five games (2:45 p.m.) -- Porto vs. Roma is the clear highlight.
Spanish Super Cup: Barcelona vs. Sevilla (5 p.m.) -- Barca has a commanding lead.
See More:
