{"match":{"id":768955,"date":"2025-09-18T19:00:00.000Z","status":"fixture","winner":null,"score_a":0,"score_b":0,"venue_type":"home_away","final_period":"soc_p2s","createdAt":"2025-08-30T15:06:28.766Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-18T01:49:26.465Z","gameweek":1,"attendance":0,"display_name":"2025-09-18 19:00:00 Manchester City FC vs SSC Napoli","locale":"en","stb_id":"2025-09-18-19-00-00-manchester-city-fc-vs-ssc-napoli","overview":null,"leg":"1/1","result_info":null,"interesting_facts_team_a":null,"interesting_facts_team_b":null,"match_summary":null,"key_quotes":null,"match_statistics":null,"match_timeline":null,"league_standings":null,"head_to_head_analysis":null,"link_buy_ticket":null,"position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0198fb83-f4b8-7164-a2db-8a65b63eb864","overrides":null,"broadcast_link":null,"after_broadcast_link":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"has_odds":null,"has_h2h":true,"has_overview":null,"has_statistics":false,"has_lineups":false,"has_predictions":true,"interesting_facts_team_a_html":null,"interesting_facts_team_b_html":null,"match_summary_html":null,"key_quotes_html":null,"match_statistics_html":null,"match_timeline_html":null,"league_standings_html":null,"head_to_head_analysis_html":null,"team_a":{"id":49682,"name":"Manchester City FC","short_name":"Man City","tla_name":"MCI","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Manchester City Football Club","founded":1894,"colors":"Sky Blue,White","nicknames":"City,The Citizens,The Sky Blues","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:40:40.317Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-16T17:40:25.919Z","website":"https://www.mancity.com","address":"SportCity","address_city":"Manchester","address_zip":"M11 3FF","locale":"en","stb_id":"manchester-city-fc","tier":null,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":"## Key information about Manchester City\n\nIs it possible to imagine modern football without **Manchester City**? One of the **most powerful teams in the world**, which sets the pace not only in England, but also on the international stage. Founded in **1880**, the club was originally called **St. Mark's**, but already in **1894** received a name that is now thundering around the world.\n\nThe home arena is the legendary **Etihad**, which has become a place for spectacles that make fans go crazy. But the path to success was not as simple as it might seem at first glance.","sporting_achievements":"## Man City: the history of the club\n\nIt all started with a small team that performed at the amateur level. No one at that time could have thought that one day this club would become a **European giant**. In **1937**, the team won the **first championship title**, but a year later it was relegated to the **second division**.\n\nThe following decades were like a see-saw: sometimes successes, sometimes failures. In **1998** the team ended up in the **third division** - it seemed like it was the end. But in **2008** a real revolution took place: the club got **new owners**. Big construction has begun.\n\nCulmination? **2016**, when **Pep Guardiola** took over. What this coach did with the team is hard to describe in words. He **changed the very essence of the game** and now opponents know that playing against City is like running a marathon with weights on your feet.","club_identity":"## Man City: Etihad Stadium\n\nIf anyone thinks that a stadium is just a place where football is played, let them visit **Etihad**. The arena, designed for **53 thousand seats**, creates such an atmosphere that even the most experienced football players feel the pressure.\n\nIt is interesting that initially the stadium was built for the **Olympic Games**, but as a result it became the home of the \"townsmen\". Its uniqueness is in the little things: **perfect lawn**, **unbelievable lighting**, **maximum visibility** from anywhere.\n\n## Man City achievements\n\nYou can talk about titles for a long time, because **Manchester City** has turned into the **main favorite** of almost all tournaments in recent decades.\n\n* **Champion of England** – 9 times\n* **FA Cup** – 6 times\n* **League Cup** – 8 times\n* **UEFA Champions League** – 2023\n* **World Club Championship** – 2023\n\nThese are not just numbers. These are years of **work**, **struggle** and **constant improvement**.","current_status_and_future":"## Man City famous players\n\nIf you've been following football for the past 20 years, you definitely know these names.\n\n* **Sergio Aguero** is the man who made history with his famous goal in 2012.\n* **Kevin De Bruyne** is a footballer who sees the field better than most coaches.\n* **Yaya Toure** is one of those who made the team a champion.\n* **Vincent Kompany** is a captain who held the defense like a rock.\n* **Erling Holland** is a goal-scoring machine.\n\n## Man City: interesting facts\n\n* In **2017/18** Man City became the first team in Premier League history to score **100 points** in a season.\n* **2019** – FA Cup final, where the team destroyed **Watford** 6:0.\n* The most expensive player in the club's history is **Jack Grealish** (100 million pounds).\n* **Guardiola** has brought a new philosophy to the game that makes City virtually invincible.","stb_internal_id":"0192f731-0ae9-7231-8220-e428cfa3fd30","overrides":{"name":"Manchester City FC"},"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"

Key information about Manchester City

Is it possible to imagine modern football without Manchester City? One of the most powerful teams in the world, which sets the pace not only in England, but also on the international stage. Founded in 1880, the club was originally called St. Mark's, but already in 1894 received a name that is now thundering around the world.

The home arena is the legendary Etihad, which has become a place for spectacles that make fans go crazy. But the path to success was not as simple as it might seem at first glance.

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

Man City: the history of the club

It all started with a small team that performed at the amateur level. No one at that time could have thought that one day this club would become a European giant. In 1937, the team won the first championship title, but a year later it was relegated to the second division.

The following decades were like a see-saw: sometimes successes, sometimes failures. In 1998 the team ended up in the third division - it seemed like it was the end. But in 2008 a real revolution took place: the club got new owners. Big construction has begun.

Culmination? 2016, when Pep Guardiola took over. What this coach did with the team is hard to describe in words. He changed the very essence of the game and now opponents know that playing against City is like running a marathon with weights on your feet.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Man City: Etihad Stadium

If anyone thinks that a stadium is just a place where football is played, let them visit Etihad. The arena, designed for 53 thousand seats, creates such an atmosphere that even the most experienced football players feel the pressure.

It is interesting that initially the stadium was built for the Olympic Games, but as a result it became the home of the \"townsmen\". Its uniqueness is in the little things: perfect lawn, unbelievable lighting, maximum visibility from anywhere.

Man City achievements

You can talk about titles for a long time, because Manchester City has turned into the main favorite of almost all tournaments in recent decades.

Champion of England – 9 times
FA Cup – 6 times
League Cup – 8 times
UEFA Champions League – 2023
World Club Championship – 2023

These are not just numbers. These are years of work, struggle and constant improvement.

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Man City famous players

If you've been following football for the past 20 years, you definitely know these names.

Sergio Aguero is the man who made history with his famous goal in 2012.
Kevin De Bruyne is a footballer who sees the field better than most coaches.
Yaya Toure is one of those who made the team a champion.
Vincent Kompany is a captain who held the defense like a rock.
Erling Holland is a goal-scoring machine.

Man City: interesting facts

In 2017/18 Man City became the first team in Premier League history to score 100 points in a season.
2019 – FA Cup final, where the team destroyed Watford 6:0.
The most expensive player in the club's history is Jack Grealish (100 million pounds).
Guardiola has brought a new philosophy to the game that makes City virtually invincible.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/464_254e88dd65.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/large_avif_464_254e88dd65.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/large_webp_464_254e88dd65.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/small_avif_464_254e88dd65.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/small_webp_464_254e88dd65.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/medium_avif_464_254e88dd65.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/medium_webp_464_254e88dd65.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}},"team_b":{"id":50199,"name":"SSC Napoli","short_name":"Napoli","tla_name":"NAP","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli","founded":1926,"colors":"Sky Blue,White","nicknames":"Azzurri,Partenopei","createdAt":"2024-11-05T10:36:25.385Z","updatedAt":"2025-07-31T13:13:12.263Z","website":"http://www.sscnapoli.it","address":"Via del Maio di Porto 9","address_city":"Castel Volturno","address_zip":"81033","locale":"en","stb_id":"ssc-napoli","tier":null,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":null,"sporting_achievements":null,"club_identity":null,"current_status_and_future":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192fbe5-a558-7c66-9544-9ac9d1258c56","overrides":{"name":"SSC Napoli"},"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"","sporting_achievements_html":"","club_identity_html":"","current_status_and_future_html":"","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/787_6ecacb3af3.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_787_6ecacb3af3.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_787_6ecacb3af3.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_787_6ecacb3af3.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_787_6ecacb3af3.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_787_6ecacb3af3.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_787_6ecacb3af3.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}}},"league":{"id":580,"name":"UEFA Champions League","gender":"male","type":"club","format":"international_cup","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:42:08.837Z","updatedAt":"2025-07-18T01:08:59.658Z","stb_id":"uefa-champions-league","position":null,"locale":"en","description":"# UEFA Champions League\n\n## Introduction\n\nThe **UEFA Champions League** stands as the premier club football competition across Europe, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). This prestigious tournament represents the highest level of continental club football, bringing together the most successful teams from various European domestic leagues. The UEFA Champions League football competition has established itself as the ultimate prize for European clubs, with matches regularly attracting hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. UEFA Champions League statistics demonstrate its unparalleled popularity, with the competition being broadcast in over 200 countries, making it a truly global sporting phenomenon.\n\n## History\n\nThe UEFA Champions League history dates back to 1955 when it was initially established as the European Cup. The UEFA Champions League creation was inspired by the South American Championship of Champions and was proposed by French sports journalist Gabriel Hanot. The inaugural tournament took place during the 1955-56 season, with \"Real Madrid\" claiming the first title, beginning their remarkable dynasty in the competition.\n\nThe UEFA Champions League development has seen several significant transformations over the decades. Between 1955 and 1992, the tournament operated as a straightforward knockout competition exclusively featuring domestic league champions. A landmark moment came in 1992 when the tournament was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League, introducing the group stage format that became its hallmark. Further expansions occurred between 1997 and 1999, allowing runners-up from stronger leagues to participate, followed by additional changes permitting third and fourth-placed teams from top leagues to enter the competition.\n\n## Competition Format\n\nThe UEFA Champions League format has continuously evolved to enhance competitiveness and spectator appeal. Until recently, the tournament featured qualifying rounds leading to a 32-team group stage, where participants were divided into eight groups of four teams each. The UEFA Champions League rules dictated that teams play home and away matches against each group opponent, with the top two finishers advancing to the knockout phase.\n\nThe UEFA Champions League tournament then proceeded through the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, all contested over two-legged ties, before culminating in a single-match final at a pre-selected neutral venue. Points were awarded on the traditional system: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss.\n\nA significant transformation is set for the 2024-25 season, with UEFA introducing a 36-team \"Swiss model\" league phase to replace the traditional group stage. Under this new system, each team will play eight matches against different opponents, adding greater variety to the competition's early stages.\n\n## Famous Teams\n\nThe UEFA Champions League teams feature the continent's most prestigious football clubs, with several establishing remarkable legacies in the competition. \"Real Madrid\" stands as the undisputed king of European football, having secured an unprecedented 14 UEFA Champions League titles. Their dominance spans both the competition's early years—winning the first five tournaments from 1956 to 1960—and recent history, with four triumphs between 2014 and 2018.\n\nOther UEFA Champions League clubs with illustrious histories include \"AC Milan\" with seven titles, while both \"Liverpool\" and \"Bayern Munich\" have claimed six championships each. \"Barcelona\" follows closely with five titles to their name. The competition has fostered iconic rivalries, such as the \"El Clásico\" battles between \"Real Madrid\" and \"Barcelona\" on the European stage, and the intense encounters between English giants \"Liverpool\" and \"Chelsea\".\n\nIn terms of national supremacy, Spanish UEFA Champions League winners have been the most successful, followed by clubs from England, Italy, and Germany, underlining the strength of these countries' domestic leagues.\n\n## Statistics and Records\n\nUEFA Champions League records showcase extraordinary achievements throughout the competition's history. \"Real Madrid\" holds the record for most titles (14) and final appearances (17). The Spanish giants also achieved the remarkable feat of winning five consecutive tournaments between 1956 and 1960, a record unlikely to be broken.\n\nAmong individual UEFA Champions League statistics, Cristiano Ronaldo leads as the all-time top scorer with 140 goals, followed by Lionel Messi with 129. Ronaldo also holds the record for most goals in a single season, netting 17 during the 2013-14 campaign with \"Real Madrid\".\n\nUEFA Champions League players have set numerous impressive benchmarks. Francisco Gento of \"Real Madrid\" holds the record for most winners' medals by an individual player with six. Meanwhile, Iker Casillas has made the most appearances in the competition with 177 matches.\n\nThe highest-scoring final occurred in 1960 when \"Real Madrid\" defeated \"Eintracht Frankfurt\" 7-3, while the largest margin of victory in a knockout match was achieved by \"Liverpool\" in 2007, defeating \"Besiktas\" 8-0.\n\n## Current State\n\nThe UEFA Champions League season continues to evolve, with the competition maintaining its status as the pinnacle of club football. The current format features 32 teams, though this will expand to 36 for the 2024-25 season under the new \"Swiss model\" league phase. The UEFA Champions League today reflects increasing dominance by clubs from the wealthiest leagues, particularly those from England, Spain, Germany, and Italy.\n\nUEFA Champions League overview in recent years shows growing financial disparities between participating teams, with clubs from the \"Big Five\" leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France) generally outperforming teams from smaller football nations. The competition provides substantial financial benefits to participating clubs, with prize money, broadcasting revenues, and commercial opportunities creating a powerful economic incentive.\n\nThe UEFA has implemented several recent changes, including the abolition of the away goals rule in 2021, aiming to maintain competitive balance and spectator interest in the tournament.\n\n## Interesting Facts\n\nUEFA Champions League facts reveal numerous fascinating aspects of this storied competition. The tournament's anthem, composed by Tony Britten in 1992 based on Handel's \"Zadok the Priest,\" has become one of the most recognizable pieces of sports music worldwide.\n\nUEFA Champions League interesting moments include \"Liverpool's\" miraculous comeback in the 2005 final, when they recovered from a 3-0 halftime deficit against \"AC Milan\" to eventually win on penalties in what became known as the \"Miracle of Istanbul.\" Similarly, \"Manchester United's\" last-minute victory against \"Bayern Munich\" in 1999, securing a treble of major trophies, remains one of football's most dramatic finishes.\n\nUEFA Champions League stories feature remarkable achievements like Celtic's 1967 victory with a team composed entirely of players born within 30 miles of Celtic Park, earning them the nickname \"Lisbon Lions.\" The competition has also witnessed underdog triumphs, such as \"Porto's\" unexpected victory under José Mourinho in 2004 and \"Chelsea's\" against-the-odds success in 2012.\n\nThe prestigious \"big ears\" trophy stands 73.5 cm tall, weighs 7.5 kg, and is one of the most coveted prizes in world sport, symbolizing the ultimate achievement in European club football.","active":true,"short_code":"UEFA CL","category":1,"top_position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192f732-6707-71ba-9776-ac0cd8e4a571","overrides":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"inactive":null,"description_html":"

UEFA Champions League

Introduction

The UEFA Champions League stands as the premier club football competition across Europe, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). This prestigious tournament represents the highest level of continental club football, bringing together the most successful teams from various European domestic leagues. The UEFA Champions League football competition has established itself as the ultimate prize for European clubs, with matches regularly attracting hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. UEFA Champions League statistics demonstrate its unparalleled popularity, with the competition being broadcast in over 200 countries, making it a truly global sporting phenomenon.

History

The UEFA Champions League history dates back to 1955 when it was initially established as the European Cup. The UEFA Champions League creation was inspired by the South American Championship of Champions and was proposed by French sports journalist Gabriel Hanot. The inaugural tournament took place during the 1955-56 season, with \"Real Madrid\" claiming the first title, beginning their remarkable dynasty in the competition.

The UEFA Champions League development has seen several significant transformations over the decades. Between 1955 and 1992, the tournament operated as a straightforward knockout competition exclusively featuring domestic league champions. A landmark moment came in 1992 when the tournament was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League, introducing the group stage format that became its hallmark. Further expansions occurred between 1997 and 1999, allowing runners-up from stronger leagues to participate, followed by additional changes permitting third and fourth-placed teams from top leagues to enter the competition.

Competition Format

The UEFA Champions League format has continuously evolved to enhance competitiveness and spectator appeal. Until recently, the tournament featured qualifying rounds leading to a 32-team group stage, where participants were divided into eight groups of four teams each. The UEFA Champions League rules dictated that teams play home and away matches against each group opponent, with the top two finishers advancing to the knockout phase.

The UEFA Champions League tournament then proceeded through the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, all contested over two-legged ties, before culminating in a single-match final at a pre-selected neutral venue. Points were awarded on the traditional system: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss.

A significant transformation is set for the 2024-25 season, with UEFA introducing a 36-team \"Swiss model\" league phase to replace the traditional group stage. Under this new system, each team will play eight matches against different opponents, adding greater variety to the competition's early stages.

Famous Teams

The UEFA Champions League teams feature the continent's most prestigious football clubs, with several establishing remarkable legacies in the competition. \"Real Madrid\" stands as the undisputed king of European football, having secured an unprecedented 14 UEFA Champions League titles. Their dominance spans both the competition's early years—winning the first five tournaments from 1956 to 1960—and recent history, with four triumphs between 2014 and 2018.

Other UEFA Champions League clubs with illustrious histories include \"AC Milan\" with seven titles, while both \"Liverpool\" and \"Bayern Munich\" have claimed six championships each. \"Barcelona\" follows closely with five titles to their name. The competition has fostered iconic rivalries, such as the \"El Clásico\" battles between \"Real Madrid\" and \"Barcelona\" on the European stage, and the intense encounters between English giants \"Liverpool\" and \"Chelsea\".

In terms of national supremacy, Spanish UEFA Champions League winners have been the most successful, followed by clubs from England, Italy, and Germany, underlining the strength of these countries' domestic leagues.

Statistics and Records

UEFA Champions League records showcase extraordinary achievements throughout the competition's history. \"Real Madrid\" holds the record for most titles (14) and final appearances (17). The Spanish giants also achieved the remarkable feat of winning five consecutive tournaments between 1956 and 1960, a record unlikely to be broken.

Among individual UEFA Champions League statistics, Cristiano Ronaldo leads as the all-time top scorer with 140 goals, followed by Lionel Messi with 129. Ronaldo also holds the record for most goals in a single season, netting 17 during the 2013-14 campaign with \"Real Madrid\".

UEFA Champions League players have set numerous impressive benchmarks. Francisco Gento of \"Real Madrid\" holds the record for most winners' medals by an individual player with six. Meanwhile, Iker Casillas has made the most appearances in the competition with 177 matches.

The highest-scoring final occurred in 1960 when \"Real Madrid\" defeated \"Eintracht Frankfurt\" 7-3, while the largest margin of victory in a knockout match was achieved by \"Liverpool\" in 2007, defeating \"Besiktas\" 8-0.

Current State

The UEFA Champions League season continues to evolve, with the competition maintaining its status as the pinnacle of club football. The current format features 32 teams, though this will expand to 36 for the 2024-25 season under the new \"Swiss model\" league phase. The UEFA Champions League today reflects increasing dominance by clubs from the wealthiest leagues, particularly those from England, Spain, Germany, and Italy.

UEFA Champions League overview in recent years shows growing financial disparities between participating teams, with clubs from the \"Big Five\" leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France) generally outperforming teams from smaller football nations. The competition provides substantial financial benefits to participating clubs, with prize money, broadcasting revenues, and commercial opportunities creating a powerful economic incentive.

The UEFA has implemented several recent changes, including the abolition of the away goals rule in 2021, aiming to maintain competitive balance and spectator interest in the tournament.

Interesting Facts

UEFA Champions League facts reveal numerous fascinating aspects of this storied competition. The tournament's anthem, composed by Tony Britten in 1992 based on Handel's \"Zadok the Priest,\" has become one of the most recognizable pieces of sports music worldwide.

UEFA Champions League interesting moments include \"Liverpool's\" miraculous comeback in the 2005 final, when they recovered from a 3-0 halftime deficit against \"AC Milan\" to eventually win on penalties in what became known as the \"Miracle of Istanbul.\" Similarly, \"Manchester United's\" last-minute victory against \"Bayern Munich\" in 1999, securing a treble of major trophies, remains one of football's most dramatic finishes.

UEFA Champions League stories feature remarkable achievements like Celtic's 1967 victory with a team composed entirely of players born within 30 miles of Celtic Park, earning them the nickname \"Lisbon Lions.\" The competition has also witnessed underdog triumphs, such as \"Porto's\" unexpected victory under José Mourinho in 2004 and \"Chelsea's\" against-the-odds success in 2012.

The prestigious \"big ears\" trophy stands 73.5 cm tall, weighs 7.5 kg, and is one of the most coveted prizes in world sport, symbolizing the ultimate achievement in European club football.

\n","has_description":true,"area":{"id":10343,"name":"Europe","country_code":"EUR","iso_code":null,"createdAt":"2024-11-04T11:59:12.049Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:27:27.477Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f70b-1639-7b91-baca-b5f375430636","overrides":null,"icon":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/Europe_EU_f58c38cec9.svg","mime":"image/svg+xml","caption":null}}}}

Sam Beukema: Profile