Loud changes from a muted Champions League, as United move to next step

The Independent’s football newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( March 17, 2023 [View in browser](   [The Independent]( [The Independent]( Loud changes from a muted Champions League, as United move to next step Endings and beginnings at Anfield Jurgen Klopp was inevitably in muted form after the defeat to Real Madrid, but the wider questions come from what it means for [Liverpool’s future](. There was considerable debate within the Bernabeu - including at the very top levels - over this represented the end of an era or the process for something new has already started. It was hard not to think it had the feel of the former, such was the scale of Madrid’s superiority. Klopp’s demeanour fed into this. There was a certain resignation.[Everyone is now expecting a “huge summer” at Liverpool, where renovation is needed](. There were of course a few jibes about Jude Bellingham within the stadium, since both clubs are going for him. This match actually showed who needs him much more, since Madrid’s supremely refreshed midfield just overran Klopp’s makeshift two-man centre. It is one of the major areas of surgery required. Madrid feel its their future, let alone their season If the feeling is once again that this might be Manchester City’s year in the [Champions League, Madrid of course feel it is their yea](r - but more than ever. The belief at the Bernabeu is that last season’s victory actually lifted the team onto another level, affording a mostly young team the conviction to play with real confidence. It could be seen in Eduardo Camavinga’s display, and there is obviously the example of Vinicius Junior becoming one of the best players in the world. In that sense, a moment of deliverance like lifting the European Cup might actually have been the start of something rather than a culmination. Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave in the summer but he feels he currently has the most “complete” team he’s ever had, which is quite a statement to leave on. Multi-club opinion leads to singularly confused response Many officials in football reacted with incredulity at Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin’s comments that they may have to rethink rules that prevent clubs from related owners playing in the same competition. That is because this has been widely flagged as one of the biggest issues in the game, that the European governing body themselves highlighted in their own annual review. Much of this was immediately put in [the context of Qatar’s planned purchase of Manchester United, to which Ceferin replied that Uefa was “not thinking about United only”](. It shouldn’t of course, because this is a huge issue as regards both sporting integrity and the very identity of clubs. Multi-club projects have become one of those modern responses to the ongoing resource gap in the game, where it is argued that the only potential solution for swathes of clubs is to feed into some more popular outlet. It of course dilutes their own sense of self, and goes against the very idea of sport in terms of representation. [Uefa really need to rethink this alright. One prominent official's private response: "Is he joking?"]( INEOS get their day at Carrington, but long weeks lie ahead Much was made of [Qatar’s visit to Manchester United on Thursday](, and on Friday it’s INEOS’ turn. Visiting the club will be Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Andy Currie, John Reece, Rob Nevin, John Claude Blanc and Sir Dave Brailsford. For all the headlines about these visits, though, the process is still expected to be protracted. There are now nine days to submit another bid but still a great deal of uncertainty after that. Government urged to end state ownership Directly related to the United sale, [human rights group FairSquare have written a letter to the UK government](urging an immediate prohibition and phasing out of state ownership of football clubs. The non-profit body, who have been creditably active on football issues, praise the government on White Paper but stress it makes no mention of what now represents an existential threat to football. A press release succinctly outlines some of the major issues with state ownership: “states’ use of force and aggression; the prospect of multi-club ownership and ramifications for competitive integrity; the financially destabilising impact of state ownership; and the use of clubs as branding vehicles for abusive states”. They also refer to how representing such states cuts across and undermines the core role of clubs to represent their local communities.   Top stories [Gianni Infantino, elected by no one, sweeps to Fifa power again]( [The same faces, the same places: Repetitive Champions League is past the point of saving](   Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our [welcome offer when you join today](.       Miguel's Dispatches All change for journalists at the Bernabeu, if not quite full change around the stadium itself. The construction works at the famous ground have been visible for some time, especially with the tarpaulin used to cover the retractable pitch. It is beginning to take shape as the exterior shell is now close to completion, and there was tangible effect for media. There are plush new media rooms, while the press box has been moved up a tier - to the fifth. It offers quite a view, of what for me is the greatest football stadium in football. It still isn’t necessarily the most modern, though. Most of the internal infrastructure of the stadium is remaining the same, with Madrid not really improving most of the stands.       QUOTE OF THE WEEK "I said, who I am to give up? What this country has suffered and how this country came back up is inspiring for the entire world. So I certainly couldn’t give up because someone was telling me something. I stayed, I attended the match, I continued to campaign … I was elected FIFA president." Gianni Infantino with another jaw-dropping comment as he compares Rwanda’s recovery from genocide to his decision to go again as Fifa president   Reading the game quiz Reading the game quiz Since the Champions League was expanded in 1999-2000, the quarter-finals have featured 12 clubs from outside the five major leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy, France). Name the 12. ([You can find out the answers here](. The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too)   [INDYBEST]( /BEST SPORT BUYS]( [10 best vegan protein powders for plant-based gains]( From [vanilla]( to [banoffee]( flavours, give yourself a post-exercise boost with these tasty [protein shakes](. [Buy now]( Trending: [Last-minute Mother's Day gifts](     Essential reading Champions League draw produces top-heavy quarter-final line-up](   [Arsenal’s Europa League exit is a defining moment in Premier League title race](     OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Sports Brief] Sports Brief Every Monday, 6pm (UK time) Written by Karl Matchett [Join now]( [Climate News] Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle [Join now]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's football newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's football newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Football_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.