Ten clubs took the pitch on Wednesday looking to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, and, following five first legs across Europe, a picture is emerging of who will be involved in the draw.

Napoli 2-0 Nice

In one of the two play-offs boasting two clubs from European football’s top five leagues, SSC Napoli defeated OGC Nice, who ended with nine players, 2-0 at Stadio San Paolo. Away supporters weren’t allowed to attend the game, which may have been for the best as it spared them from witnessing red cards to Vincent Koziello and Alassane Plea, both of whom were sent off following a dangerous tackle by the former. Dries Mertens continued his phenomenal form in the Champions League by opening the scoring, while Jorginho converted a penalty kick.

Istanbul Basaksehir 1-2 Sevilla

Jesus Navas’ first competitive touch since returning to Sevilla was an assist. It was that type of night for the Andalusian club, which left Turkey’s capital with a 2-1 win at Istanbul Basaksehir, making its debut in the Champions League. A cold-blooded shot by Sergio Escudero produced the match’s first goal, and the lead was restored by Wissam Ben Yedder just one minute after Navas took the pitch.

Hapoel Be’er Sheva 2-1 Maribor

Hapoel Be’er Sheva turned things around in Israel, scoring two goals after NK Maribor drew first blood in the 10th minute. Anthony Nwakaeme manufactured a world-class volley to equalise, and Shir Tzedek blasted a penalty into the top corner just before the interval.

Celtic 5-0 Astana

Celtic qualified for the Champions League’s group stage with a game to spare, thrashing Astana 5-0 in Scotland. Its result was a tad flattering, as two own goals were scored while the third came after a nasty clash of heads between Tom Rogic and Yuri Logvinenko. Nonetheless, the Bhoys will be happy about the second leg being merely a formality.

Olympiacos 2-1 Rijeka

Olympiacos BC came from behind and scored in second-half stoppage time to claim a 2-1 victory versus HNK Rijeka at Karaiskaki Stadium. After the Croatian club was put at a disadvantage when Leonard Zuta was shown a red card, the Thrylos sent its supporters into a frenzy in the 93rd minute, as Alaixys Romao headed home a scramble in the penalty area.

A star is born.

On Tuesday, in the first leg of Liverpool’s tie against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the Champions League’s play-offs, Jurgen Klopp gave the youth a chance and was rewarded in the 35th minute.

Making his Champions League debut, Trent Alexander-Arnold – who is only 18 years old – stepped up to take a free-kick and curled a wonderful shot over the wall and past Oliver Baumann. The goal was the highlight of a first half in which the teenage right-back joined a number of attacks and threatened to open the scoring after charging down an attempted clearance by Andrej Kramaric.

The game marked Alexander-Arnold’s ninth start in all competitions.

Agence France-Presse

10h ago

John Sibley / Reuters

London – Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho has been left out of Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League play-off first-leg match away to Hoffenheim on Tuesday.

The Brazil playmaker, 25, missed Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Watford on Saturday due to a back problem.

But he submitted a transfer request the day before the game and is reported to have been the subject of an unsuccessful £90 million ($116.7 million, 99 million euros) bid from Barcelona.

Barcelona have targeted Coutinho, as well as Borussia Dortmund’s French winger Ousmane Dembele, after selling Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record 222 million euros ($261.7 million) deal.

Liverpool’s American owners Fenway Sports Group issued a statement last Friday saying Coutinho would not be sold at any price.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he has no control over the situation.

“As a manager of a football club I have bosses, and if the bosses decide, for example, we sell a player or we don’t sell him, then I have to accept it,” he said after the game at Watford.

“The only thing is I work with the players I have. That is what I’m always doing.”

Liverpool play Hoffenheim at Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Tuesday and welcome the German side to Anfield next Wednesday, with a place in the Champions League group phase at stake.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will also miss the trip to Germany due to a thigh injury.

Neymar: Desire for ‘bigger challenge,’ not money, behind switch to PSG

Neymar: Desire for ‘bigger challenge,’ not money, behind switch to PSG