As the UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-finals approach, ISIS’ menacing threat against all four matches this week has sent shockwaves across Europe, prompting a collective effort to fortify security measures and ensure the safety of football fans.
Shared via ISIS mouthpiece Al-Azaim Foundation, the alarming threat materialized in the form of a poster bearing the sinister slogan “Kill them all,” positioned alongside the names of the four stadiums designated to host the matches.
This follows closely behind a fatal ISIS assault on Moscow’s Crocus City Concert Hall merely three weeks ago, resulting in the loss of 143 lives.
With the safety of spectators and players at the forefront, authorities in the affected cities have moved swiftly to address the threat.
Spanish law enforcement, notably, has ramped up security measures for both tonight’s showdown between Real Madrid and Manchester City and Wednesday’s match pitting Atletico Madrid against Borussia Dortmund. Madrid will see a significant presence of over 2,000 National Police and Civil Guard officers conducting surveillance operations.
In light of the acknowledged threats, UEFA, the regulatory body for European football, has confirmed that all matches will proceed as planned, with “appropriate security arrangements in place.” However, the details concerning the level of additional security measures around London’s Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal is scheduled to play against Bayern Munich tonight, are still unknown.
In a statement, UEFA said: Uefa is aware of alleged terrorist threats made towards this week’s Uefa Champions League matches and is closely liaising with the authorities at the respective venues.
“All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”
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Thomas Tuchel, the manager of Bayern Munich, has singled out two Arsenal players whom his team must keep a close eye on as both squads gear up to face off in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final showdown.
Tuchel specifically identified Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka as key figures in the Arsenal lineup, recognizing their importance and impact on the team’s performance.
“We know our own strengths and how we want to cause them pain. The Champions League is a competition where we have more experience over the last few years,” he said.
“There is a different type of football and that has an influence. We definitely want to use it to our advantage.”
“Odegaard is one of the key players. We know very well how he wants to start their attacks and the connections between him and Bukayo Saka,” he said.
“I hope that we find the right solutions and the players will find the key to make life difficult for him.”
In each of their last three encounters, Bayern Munich has triumphed with a resounding 5-1 scoreline against Arsenal, resulting in their elimination from the Champions League on four occasions within the past 19 years.
The Bavarians have a storied history in the Champions League, having lifted the trophy on six occasions, with their most recent conquest in 2020. In contrast, Arsenal’s pursuit of their inaugural title in the tournament remains ongoing, highlighting their ambition to achieve success on the European stage.