Thursday’s UEFA Europa League second-leg clash between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce was temporarily halted for 15 minutes due to disturbances in the stands. However, off the pitch, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho found himself in a rather awkward yet affectionate interaction with an Anderlecht steward.

Fenerbahce, who had secured a dominant 3-0 lead in the first leg in Turkey, increased their aggregate advantage to 4-0 early in the second leg. Youssef En-Nesyri found the back of the net just four minutes into the match in Belgium.

But shortly after, chaos broke out in the stands as fans clashed, prompting the referee to stop the game. Riot police swiftly moved in to manage the situation, while stewards worked to keep order. The stadium’s big screen displayed messages urging fans to calm down, but the disruption led the referee, Sandro Schaerer, to call for both teams to retreat to the center of the pitch and head back to the dressing rooms.

Following a delay of around 15 minutes, the match resumed with Anderlecht quickly getting on the scoreboard. Luis Vazquez pulled one back for the Belgian side in the 19th minute, making it 1-1 on the night.

The game saw no more goals in the first half, but a memorable moment occurred on the sidelines. Mourinho was caught on camera sharing a somewhat awkward, yet friendly, hug with a steward who was significantly shorter than him. The steward, initially smiling, seemed a bit taken aback by the embrace. The incident was aired live on TNT Sports 3, with the commentator humorously remarking, “Jose’s made a friend!”

The match ended in a 2-2 draw after second-half goals from Vazquez and Yusuf Akcicek, with Fenerbahce progressing to the round of 16 with a 5-2 aggregate win. Mourinho’s side will face either Rangers or Olympiacos in the next round.

Since making a temporary switch to Real Betis during the January transfer window, Antony has wasted no time in making an impact. The Brazilian winger has already contributed three goals and an assist in just four matches, a stark contrast to his challenging stint at Manchester United.

Antony, who arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax in 2022 for a hefty £85 million fee, never truly found his rhythm in the Premier League. Across 96 appearances, he managed only 12 goals and five assists, failing to justify his price tag. With United looking to cut costs and offer him a fresh start, a loan move to Real Betis became the perfect opportunity.

Now thriving under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini, Antony is rediscovering his best form. His recent standout performance included a goal and an assist in Betis’ commanding 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad in LaLiga. The winger credits his resurgence to his new environment, stating, “I wake up every day with a smile!”

Speaking to Betis TV, Antony emphasized how his happiness has translated into improved performances. “The most important thing is that I have found myself again,” he explained. “I am enjoying every moment, and when we are happy and content, things naturally fall into place. I have worked hard, both mentally and physically, to be at this level.”

Despite the evident contrast between his struggles at United and his current success in Spain, Antony remained diplomatic about his former club. “I had great moments in Manchester too. I won two titles and I am very grateful for that,” he acknowledged. However, he couldn’t help but highlight the stark difference in atmosphere. “Here, I feel at home. The people remind me of Brazil, and even the sunshine makes a difference. I’m truly happy here.”

While Antony is still under contract with Manchester United until June 2027, his revitalization at Real Betis raises questions about his long-term future. With his resurgence in Spain, it remains to be seen whether United will welcome him back with open arms or if a permanent move away is on the horizon.

Manchester City’s hopes of reaching the Champions League last 16 took a major hit after squandering a 2-1 lead at home in the first leg against Real Madrid, ultimately losing 3-2. Despite the setback, manager Pep Guardiola believes there’s still a slim chance of a comeback, and City’s recent additions could be the key to making it happen.

Guardiola admitted that City’s prospects of advancing are just “one percent,” but the English champions will cling to any hope they can find. The defeat in the first leg was part of a worrying trend this season, with City’s veteran squad struggling to maintain intensity in high-stakes European fixtures.

A Change in Transfer Strategy
Recognizing the need for reinforcements, City departed from their usual transfer approach by spending big in the January window. They brought in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez for a combined fee of £170 million ($214 million).

Despite these significant signings, Guardiola opted against using them extensively in the first leg. Marmoush came off the bench for a brief cameo, while Gonzalez and Khusanov remained unused substitutes. Reis wasn’t even registered for City’s Champions League squad.

However, Guardiola may now be rethinking those decisions after the trio played a starring role in City’s dominant 4-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday—arguably their best performance of the season.

Fresh Faces Shine Against Newcastle
Marmoush stole the show with a first-half hat-trick, finally providing City with another clinical attacking option to support Erling Haaland. His sharp finishing and movement offered a glimpse of what he could bring to City’s attack in Madrid.

Meanwhile, Khusanov bounced back impressively from his nightmare Premier League debut against Chelsea last month, where he made a costly mistake and nearly got sent off. Against Newcastle, he displayed the speed and defensive awareness that convinced City to invest £33 million ($42 million) in his potential. His ability to neutralize Newcastle’s Alexander Isak suggests he could be crucial in dealing with Real Madrid’s rapid attackers, including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo.

Perhaps the most significant boost, however, came from Nico Gonzalez. The former Barcelona midfielder provided much-needed stability in the middle of the park, an area where City have struggled since losing Rodri to a serious knee injury in September.

Gonzalez: A “Mini Rodri”
Guardiola has already dubbed Gonzalez a “mini Rodri,” and his impact was evident against Newcastle. Former City defender Micah Richards echoed that sentiment, highlighting the balance he brings to the squad.

“The team looks far more composed with Gonzalez in midfield,” Richards said. “City have plenty of attacking firepower, but they need someone to anchor things in Madrid. Gonzalez gives them a real chance.”

Can City Overcome Their Champions League Struggles?
Even at their peak, Manchester City have often struggled to get the better of Real Madrid in the Champions League. This marks the fourth straight season that the two clubs have met in Europe’s elite competition. City’s only triumph came last year when they dismantled Madrid 5-1 on aggregate en route to their first-ever Champions League title.

However, their history with Madrid includes painful memories. In 2022, they were minutes away from reaching the final before Rodrygo’s dramatic stoppage-time double forced extra time, sending Madrid through instead. Last season, City dominated large portions of their quarter-final ties, but Madrid ultimately prevailed on penalties.

Guardiola’s Reality Check
Despite Saturday’s emphatic win, Guardiola remains realistic about his team’s struggles this season.

“Our performances have been far below our usual standards,” he admitted. “We’ve been miles off the pace. Just because we played well in one game doesn’t mean everything has changed overnight.”

Yet, while Guardiola acknowledges the odds are stacked against them, he insists City won’t go down without a fight.

“If you asked anyone before this game, they’d say we have just a one percent chance. But as long as there’s a chance, we’ll give everything we have.”

With their season on the line, City will be hoping their January reinforcements can provide the spark they need to pull off a miracle in Madrid.