What is the Champions League format?
The UEFA Champions League is Europe's top annual club football competition, in which clubs from many countries play knockout and group-stage matches for the continent's title. The sources here cover a recent match: Como beat Manchester United 4-1 at Lake Como. The sources do not describe the full competition format, so this page does not set out its stages in detail.
Why it's in the news
Como beat Manchester United 4-1 in a Champions League match at Lake Como, a result that has raised questions about Michael Carrick's position at Manchester United. Fàbregas has since commented on the result and on talk of replacing Carrick.
- Cesc Fabregas — Como beat Manchester United 4-1 in Champions League at Lake Como
Background
The Champions League is organized by UEFA, the governing body of European football. It brings together top clubs from across Europe each season. Clubs play matches against each other, and the competition ends with a final that decides the winner.
In the recent match reported in the sources, Como, coached by Cesc Fàbregas, beat Manchester United 4-1 at Lake Como. Nico Paz scored in the 2nd minute and again in the 57th minute, and he also set up Tasos Douvikas's goal in the 49th minute. Como led 3-0 by the 57th minute. Ramon scored in the 76th minute, and Zirkzee scored in the 90+1 minute. Manchester United had their worst defeat in European competition since 1994. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick apologized to the away fans and said he would take responsibility for the performance.
The result has raised questions about Carrick's position after what the match report calls a terrible start to the season. Headlines from several outlets report that Fàbregas rejected suggestions that he could replace Carrick, called the idea disrespectful, and dismissed talk of a Manchester United crisis.
What people are asking
Who coaches Como?
Cesc Fàbregas coaches Como, according to the match coverage in the sources.
Who coaches Manchester United?
Michael Carrick is the Manchester United manager.
Sources
- The GuardianComo v Manchester United: Champions League – live
- ESPNCesc Fàbregas calls suggestions he could replace Michael Carrick at Man United disrespectful
- Yahoo SportsFabregas: ‘Como running before we could walk’ so limited with Manchester United
- OneFootballCesc Fabregas explains why Messi’s son Ciro wore a Como shirt
- Sports IllustratedCesc Fabregas Puts Pressure on Man Utd, Michael Carrick Ahead of Vital European Bout
- The New York TimesCesc Fabregas dismisses Manchester United ‘crisis’: ‘There are no crises in football’