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Who: FC Barcelona vs. Atletico MadridWhat: UEFA Champions League quarter‑final, first legWhere: Camp Nou, Barcelona, SpainWhen: Wednesday, 21:00 CET (19:00 GMT)How to follow: Live text commentary starts at 16:00 GMT on Al Jazeera Sport. The Spanish giants are set to clash again after a grueling schedule that has seen them meet five times in just two months, including three matches within a ten‑day span. Barcelona entered the encounter fresh from a dramatic 2‑1 victory over Atletico in La Liga on Saturday, a win that pushed them seven points clear at the top of the table. Robert Lewandowski netted a late winner after Marcus Rashford had equalised, while Atletico midfielder Nico González received a second yellow card just before halftime, leaving the visitors with ten men. With the league title largely secured, Diego Simeone opted to rotate his squad for Wednesday’s match, focusing his energy on the European tie. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick echoed the sentiment, noting that players typically give “5‑10 % more” in Champions League fixtures. Both managers highlighted the importance of the upcoming game. Flick described the fixture as “very difficult” and urged his side to take it “step by step, match by match.” Midfielder Dani Olmo called the tie “all or nothing,” stressing the need to avoid a repeat of their recent Copa del Rey disappointment. Simeone praised Barcelona as “the best attacking team in Europe,” while Atletico forward Ademola Lookman warned that the clash would be “special” and demanded thorough preparation. How the clubs reached the quarter‑finals Barcelona earned their spot with a commanding 7‑2 aggregate win over Newcastle United, highlighted by a fourth‑minute strike from Raphinha and a second‑half surge that saw Lewandowski score a brace. Atletico advanced after a 7‑5 aggregate triumph over Tottenham Hotspur, despite a 3‑2 loss in the second leg. Their early dominance in the first leg, a 5‑2 home win, set the foundation for progression. Head‑to‑head snapshot Across 250 meetings, Barcelona have claimed 115 victories, Atletico 78, with 57 draws. The most recent ten encounters feature a mix of league and cup results, the latest being Barcelona’s 2‑1 La Liga win on Saturday. Team news and predicted line‑ups Barcelona injuries: Raphinha, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen are sidelined. Ronald Araujo is expected to start after missing the weekend match. Predicted XI: Joan Garcia; Koundé, Cubarsi, Martín, Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Lewandowski. Atletico injuries: Pablo Barrios out with a thigh problem; José Giménez and Johnny Cardoso are doubtful. Jan Oblak, Marc Pubil and Rodrigo Mendoza have returned to training and could feature. Predicted XI: Jan Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Koke, Baena; Simeone, Griezmann, Lookman; Álvarez. The stage is set for a high‑stakes European duel, with both sides eager to translate domestic form into continental success.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has expressed his commitment to protecting teenage sensation Lamine Yamal from criticism, following the 18-year-old's recent displays of frustration on the pitch. Yamal, a rising star in Spanish football, has been making waves with his impressive skills, but his emotional reactions have sometimes drawn negative attention. Flick emphasized that Yamal's youth and inexperience are factors to consider, highlighting his exceptional talent and potential to become one of the best players in the future. The coach acknowledged that while Yamal's outbursts can create unwanted headlines, he will continue to support and defend him against criticism. Yamal's recent behavior was on display during Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday. The teenager was visibly irritated after being admonished by a member of the Barcelona coaching staff for shooting instead of passing. This incident, along with his reactions to being substituted, has sparked concerns about his temperament. Flick also discussed the upcoming Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid, describing it as a tough and intense matchup. He praised Atletico's defensive capabilities and emphasized the need for Barcelona to perform at their best to secure a positive result. In other news, Marcus Rashford is expected to start on the left flank in place of the injured Raphinha. Flick noted that while Rashford has improved defensively, he still needs to work on his defensive work rate to fully integrate into the team.

Bayern Munich took a slender lead into the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid after a thrilling 2-1 win at the Bernabeu. Harry Kane and Luis Diaz scored the goals for the German champions, while Kylian Mbappe netted a late consolation for Real Madrid.The match lived up to its billing as a European classic, with both teams creating numerous chances. Bayern dominated the first half, with Konrad Laimer's rasping effort narrowly missing the target. The German champions should have taken the lead through Dayot Upamecano, but he fluffed his lines from point-blank range.Bayern's opening goal came through slick combination play, with Gnabry exchanging a one-two with Kane and pushing the ball in behind for Diaz to stroke home past Andriy Lunin in the 41st minute. Kane doubled Bayern's lead less than a minute into the second half, fizzing a curling effort into the bottom corner.Mbappe kept Real Madrid in the tie with a 74th-minute goal, smashing home off the crossbar after a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Despite the late goal, Bayern take a narrow lead into the second leg.Harry Kane told TNT Sports that he was delighted with the victory, saying: 'We played some really good stuff today, for sure. Some areas we could have done better as well, maybe the final ball and the final finish, we had some good chances there.'Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger lamented his side's defensive errors, saying: 'We came out after half-time and screwed up again; both goals we conceded were gifts.'

Time‑Sensitive OfferThe discount window closes on April 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Early registrants can save up to $482 per pass, and groups can claim an additional 30% off bundle passes. If the standard pass price is $1,200 (typical for prior years), the $482 reduction equates to roughly a 40% discount, a significant cost saving for startups and investors alike.Event OverviewDates: October 13–15, 2026 (core conference) with side events October 11–17.Location: Moscone West, San Francisco.Attendance: 10,000+ founders, tech leaders and VCs.2025 Highlights: 20,000+ curated meetings, 10,000+ Expo Hall attendees.Key OpportunitiesStartup Battlefield 200: 200 selected early‑stage startups compete for $100,000 equity‑free funding and direct access to tier‑one VCs.Sector Tracks: AI, scaling, fintech, climate and more, delivering 200+ on‑stage conversations.Exhibitor Showcase: Over 300 startup exhibitors in the Expo Hall, providing high‑traffic exposure.Networking Tech: New targeted matchmaking tools to improve connection efficiency.Financial Impact of Early RegistrationAssuming a baseline pass price of $1,200, the $482 early‑bird discount reduces the cost to $718, freeing capital that can be redirected to product development or runway extension. For a team of five, the collective saving reaches $2,410, enough to cover a modest marketing campaign or a short‑term hiring boost.Action StepsRegister before the deadline to lock in the lowest rate of the year.Consider bundle passes for teams to capture the additional 30% group discount.Apply for Startup Battlefield 200 or nominate a peer startup.

The Greatest Showman, the hit 2017 film starring Hugh Jackman as PT Barnum, has been transformed into a high-flying, hammer-juggling, banger-filled spectacular on stage. The musical, premiering in Bristol's Hippodrome, brings to life the story of the American showman and entrepreneur, with a sold-out eight-week run.The film's iconic soundtrack, which includes the Oscar-nominated 'This Is Me,' has been retained, with new songs by the original composers, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The production features Oliver Tompsett as Barnum and Samantha Barks as his wife, Charity.The stage adaptation aims to celebrate the world of circus and theatre, while acknowledging the controversial history of PT Barnum, who was criticized for exploiting people and animals. The musical's producers have chosen not to cast a performer with dwarfism in the role of Charles Stratton, but instead focus on showcasing vulnerable characters and promoting inclusivity.The production features sophisticated digital technology, with a 'sky pit' above the stage and a half-circus ring design. The team behind the musical hopes to create a sense of community among audience members, but stops short of encouraging sing-alongs to the hit songs.

Liverpool's recent performances have been under scrutiny, particularly their slump in form following a promising start to the season. Manager Arne Slot's tactics and team selection have come under fire, with some questioning his ability to lead the team to success.Slot's romantic connection with Paris Saint-Germain is well-documented, with the manager often citing the French club as an inspiration for his playing style. Liverpool's upcoming match against PSG in the Bigger Cup has generated significant interest, with Slot's team looking to bounce back from a disappointing FA Cup loss to Manchester City.In the midst of this turmoil, Slot's past performances against PSG have been recalled, including a thrilling match last year that ended in a penalty shootout. Slot's passion for the game and his desire for an open and entertaining match have been praised, but his team's recent form has raised concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level.The pressure is on Slot to turn things around and lead Liverpool to a strong finish in the season. With a 20th league title already secured, the team's focus now shifts to the Bigger Cup and a chance to make a statement against one of Europe's top clubs.

Anna Wintour, the legendary global editorial director of Vogue, has graced the cover of the fashion magazine alongside her Hollywood counterpart, Meryl Streep. The striking image, captured by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, features Wintour and Streep, who is famously known for her portrayal of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada.In a candid interview with Greta Gerwig, Wintour expressed her admiration for Streep, calling it 'such an honour to be played by Meryl.' However, she noted that the character of Priestly was 'distant' from her real self, describing it as an 'extraordinary gift.'Wintour also shared her thoughts on aging, stating, 'I like my age. I feel as alive, excited and aware as ever, and I like to learn from my children and from all my teams around the world. It’s always exciting.'When asked about swapping roles with Streep, Wintour humbly replied, 'There’s no way. I have no gifts. I have absolutely no gifts at all.' The film The Devil Wears Prada, based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger, was a critical success and cemented Streep's portrayal of the ruthless fashion editor.Interestingly, a genealogy report by Ancestry claims that Wintour and Streep are sixth cousins, adding a fascinating twist to their long-standing connection.

Southampton continued their impressive Championship form with a resounding 5-1 victory over Wrexham, catapulting them into the playoff places. The match at Stōk Cae Ras was marked by early goals from Kuryu Matsuki and Flynn Downes, setting the tone for a dominant performance.Building on the momentum from their stunning FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Arsenal, Tonda Eckert's side displayed exceptional form. Despite Wrexham's efforts to get back into the game, including a goal from Josh Windass, Southampton's Cyle Larin secured a crucial third goal. The visitors sealed their victory with late goals from Ross Stewart and Finn Azaz.Southampton's intent was clear from the onset, with Larin and Azaz both hitting the bar within the first eight minutes. Matsuki opened the scoring on 12 minutes, and Downes doubled the lead 10 minutes later. Wrexham's hopes were briefly rekindled by Windass's goal, but Larin's breakaway strike and the late goals from Stewart and Azaz ensured a convincing win.This victory marks Southampton's 10th in an unbeaten sequence of 13 league games, positioning them sixth in the Championship table. Their manager, Tonda Eckert, emphasized the team's focus and preparation for the upcoming games, highlighting the importance of maintaining their rhythm and humility.In contrast, Wrexham's manager, Phil Parkinson, acknowledged the team's poor performance in the first 20 minutes, which led to their decisive defeat. He stressed the need to learn from this loss and be ready for their next match.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was relieved as Kai Havertz scored in the first minute of injury time to secure a late victory for his team against Sporting. The win brings Arsenal closer to the Champions League quarterfinals for only the fourth time in their history.The match was a challenging one for Arsenal, who were without several key players, including Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Jurriën Timber, and Piero Hincapié. Despite these absences, David Raya made several crucial saves to deny Sporting's Maxi Araújo and Luis Suárez.Kai Havertz's goal came from a cross by fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli, providing a significant boost to Arsenal's confidence ahead of their return to domestic action against Bournemouth on Saturday.The win also secures an additional Champions League spot for the Premier League, ensuring that the top five teams in the league will qualify for the tournament next season.