(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f5/UEFA_Champions_League.svg/1200px-UEFA_Champions_League.svg.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rmVWFcXT/BOTN.png)
Although I'm late starting this, I'd like to follow it (who the hell are you talking to, TH? Nobody's reading!) so I'm going to summarise the first two rounds which have been played, and then pick it up in a couple of weeks when it resumes.
For those who somehow are not aware, Champions League football pitches the best European teams against each other, most (perhaps all, not sure) winning their entry into the tournament by virtue of their placing in their national leagues. In the Premier League, the top four teams get to play in the CL.
For the first matchday I can find no footage, no highlights programmes nor even anything I can download, so I'll have to use my imagination and the information I can get from Wiki.
Matchday One (September 17)
Young Boys v Aston Villa
(Switzerland v England)
Stadion Wankdorf (no I'm serious!) :laughing: , Bern
Result: Young Boys 0 - 3 Aston Villa
Position in League Table: 31 (Young Boys) 4 (Aston Villa)
A perfect start for my team, Aston Villa, who are enjoying a real renaissance in the Premier League, riding high in the top half of the table under former Arsenal coach Unai Emery. Returning to the CL after more than forty years, when we actually won the thing, Villa opened the scoring on 27 minutes, scoring again just before half-time and adding a third in the dying minutes, to mark their return with a first win, and a good one too.
Juventus v PSV Eindhoven
(Italy v Netherlands)
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Result: Juventus 3 - 1 PSV Eindhoven
Position in League Table: 8 (Juventus) 27 (PSV)
Looks like Juventus had this more or less their own way, scoring early in the first half twice, the goals only six minutes apart, and again near the opening of the second half. PSV only managed to get on the scoresheet at all thanks to a last-gasp extra-time goal, but it was only a consolation.
Milan v Liverpool
(Italy v England)
San Siro, Milan
Result: Milan 1 - 3 Liverpool
Position in League Table:29 (Milan) 7 (Liverpool)
Not such a walk in the park for these Italian giants though, despite a very early opening goal (in the third minute). Liverpool bounced quickly back, scoring twice in the first half and again in the second, to make it two out of two for English clubs on the night.
Bayern Munich v Dinamo Zagreb
(Germany v Croatia)
Allianz Arena, Munich
Result: Bayern Munich 9 - 2 Dinamo Zagreb
Position in League Table: 1 (Bayern) 36 (Dinamo)
Talk about being put to the sword! I have no idea if this was the biggest win either for Bayern or in the Champions League, but you have to feel for the Croatians! Not only did Bayern score nine goals against them, they had no less than three penalties awarded, two of them within minutes of each other. To be fair to Dinamo, they also scored two goals within a minute of each other, which at the time should have given them hope, as Bayern had also only two on the scoresheet, so that would have levelled the game. But two more penalties and another five goals must have shown them it was hopeless as the Bayern juggernaut rolled over them and hammered on out of sight, no doubt leaving some very dazed Croatians behind, wondering what had happened.
Real Madrid v VfB Stuttgart
(Spain v Germany)
Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Result: Real Madrid 3 - 1 VfB Stuttgart
Position in League Table: 8 (Real) 27 (Stuttgart)
Another of the European football royalty, one of Spain's two massive clubs, Real Madrid went ahead just on half time but the German team levelled in the second half. Real however turned it on, as they always do, and went ahead again in the last minutes of the match, sealing it with a third in extra time.
Sporting CP/Sporting Lisbon v Lille
(Portugal v France)
Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon
Result: Sporting CP 2 - 0 Lille
Position in League Table: 10 (Sporting) 30 (Lille)
For Sporting it seems to have been a simple task disposing of the French side, a goal in either half and they were done.
Sparta Prague v Red Bull Salzberg
(Czech Republic v Austria)
Stadion Letna, Prague
Result: Sparta Prague 3 - 0 Red Bull Salzberg
Again, a simple job for Sparta as they scored in the second minute, again near the end of the half, and added their third just after the second half began.
Bologna v Shakhtar Donetsk
(Italy v Ukraine)
Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna
Result: Bologna 0 - 0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Position in League Table: 16 (both)
Nothing to tell you here. May have been the greatest game in CL history (though I doubt it) but as a nil-all draw, no action to report. Actually, there is, as I've managed to find a semi-highlights programme which has focused on this match among others. Okay, seems Bologna have been away from European football since 2002, so this was their triumphant return. Overall then, not a bad result for them. And their keeper kept out a penalty on the fourth minute, so I guess that lucky black cat mascot they have is working for them.
Celtic v Slovan Bratislava
(Scotland v Slovakia)
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Result: Celtic 5 - 1 Slovan Bratislava
Position in League Table: 2 (Celtic) 34 (Slovan)
Lots to tell you about this one though! A superb win for the Scottish Premier League side, who scored on 17 minutes, again at 47 and then had a penalty awarded in the 58th, putting them three ahead. Slovan pulled one back in the 61st minute but Celtic were in no mood to be lenient and added another two in the last twenty minutes of the match, coming out clear winners, and no doubt a great night for the green side of Scotland.
Club Brugge v Borussia Dortmund
(Belgium v Germany)
Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges
Result: Club Brugge 0 - 3 Borussia Dortmund
Position in League Table: 4 (Dortmund) 31 (Brugge)
Despite being another huge German club, it seems Borussia were held for the entire first half by Brugge and only managed to score in the 76th minute, though once they did they added another ten minutes later, finishing off the win when they were awarded an extra-time penalty.
Manchester City v Inter Milan
(England v Italy)
City of Manchester Stadium (Etihad), Manchester
Result: Manchester City 0 - 0 Inter Milan
Position in League Table: 16 (both)
A surprising result, I must say, given how Manchester City have been romping all over the Premier League, not just this season but for the past fistful of seasons. Inter, too, you would expect to do better, but maybe it was just a case of cancelling each other out? First English team not to score on matchday one anyway. Maybe they need a Pep talk. Sorry.
Paris Saint-Germain v Girona
(France v Spain)
Parc de Princes, Paris
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 1 - 0 Girona
Position in League Table: 15 (PSG) 26 (Girona)
Seems PSG were only saved from being the second French team not to score on opening day by a last-minute own goal! Girona put the ball in their own net, which must have really frustrated them as otherwise they were looking at a pretty famous draw. Is it funny that the beaten keeper is called Gazzaniga? No? Just me, then. Actually, must admit I don't understand this. The ball slipped through the keeper's hands: is that still classed as an own goal? JJ? Help me out here.
Feyenoord v Bayern Leverkusen
(Netherlands v Germany)
De Kuip, Rotterdam
Result: Feyenoord 0 - 4 Bayern Leverkusen
Position in League Table: 3 (Bayern) 35 (Feyenoord)
Is this the second time on matchday one that a German team played a Dutch one? No, No it's not. Must have imagined that. Anyway, another German giant rolled over their opponent as Bayern scored in the first five minutes, twice more in the half and were finally helped by the Dutch as the half drew to a close and Feyenoord popped the ball past their own keeper. So I guess the Germans could relax for the second half, the match already well beyond the Dutch.
Red Star Belgrade v Benfica
(Serbia v Portugal)
Red Star Stadium, Belgrade
Result: Red Star Belgrade 1 - 2 Benfica
Position in League Table: 11 (Benfica) 25 (Red Star)
I remember mention of Red Star Belgrade when Yugoslavia still existed and they played in the World Cup. Now Yugoslavia is gone, but Red Star are still here, playing as a Serbian team. Another quick start in this match as Benfica scored on 8 minutes, adding another halfway through the first period. Red Star came back with a late goal to give themselves a chance, but too little too late, I fear.
Monaco v Barcelona
(Monaco v Spain)
Stade Louis II, Monaco
Result: Monaco 2 - 1 Barcelona
Position in League Table: 22 (Barcelona) 12 (Monaco)
Yes, you read that right, and so did I! This must have been the upset of the night! Mighty Barcelona humbled by tiny Monaco! I think you could possibly equate that to, I don't know, Germany being beaten by Liechtenstein or something. Wow. Monaco shocked the Spanish giants by scoring first, early in the half, though when Barca replied soon after it must have seemed like normal service had been resumed. A tense second half surely, as both went in search of the winner, Monaco coming up trumps with what must have been seen as an unlikely goal in the 71st minute. The cheers must have been audible all the way to the Iberian coast.
Atalanta v Arsenal
(Italy v England)
Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo
Result: Atalanta 0 - 0 Arsenal
Position in League Table: 16 (both)
Wow. Almost as much as a shock must have been this, the second major English team to fail to score on day one. No idea if there were chances in the match, but for Arsenal not to score is unusual. I hate them, but that's neither here nor there. Ah, it seems Atalanta were awarded a penalty but the Arsenal keeper saved it, so they just avoided a first defeat in the tournament. Interesting.
Atletico Madrid v RB Leipzig
(Spain v Germany)
Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
Result: Atletico Madrid 2 - 1 RB Leipzig
Position in League Table: 12 (Atletico) 22 (Leipzig)
But this is definitely the second time Spain faced Germany on matchday one, and here again the Spanish came out on top, coming from behind as Leipzig had scored in the fourth minute, levelling the score on 28 but then struggling to best the Germans, neck and neck till the last minute when they scored again.
Brest v Sturm Graz
(France v Austria)
Stade de Roudourou, Guingamp
Result: Best 2 - 1 Sturm Graz
Position in League Table: 12 (Brest) 22 (Graz)
Making their debut in the CL, Brest did themselves proud, winning their first match with a goal in the first half, Graz equalising only by virtue of an own goal in extra time at the end of the first half, but Brest knocking in another a few minutes later as the second half began.
The Headlines on Matchday One
Despite Bayern Munich's clinical demolition of Dinamo Zagreb, the big story has to be Monaco beating Barcelona. Just completely unexpected, and fair play to them. A big win for Celtic too, hopefully a springboard for them to go on and do well, and props too must be given to first-timers Brest for their victory over Sturm Graz. From small acorns, and all that. A good night and a bad for English teams, with two major clubs failing to score, while two others stamped their identity firmly on the competition.
League Table, Matchday One
1. Bayern Munich (3 points)
2. Celtic (3 points)
3. Bayern Leverkusen (3 points)
4. Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund (3 points)
6*. Sparta Prague (3 points)
7. Liverpool (3 points)
8. Juventus and Real Madrid (3 points)
10. Sporting (3 points)
11. Benfica (3 points)
12. Atletico Madrid , Brest and Monaco (3 points)
15. Paris Saint-Germain (3 points)
16. Arsenal, Atalanta, Bologna, Inter, Manchester City, Shakhtar (1 point)
22. Barcelona, Leipzig and Sturm Graz (0 points)
25. Red Star Belgrade (0 points)
26. Girona (0 points)
27. PSV Eindhoven and VfB Stuttgart (0 points)
29. Milan (0 points)
30. Lille (0 points)
31. Club Brugge, Salzburg and Young Boys (0 points)
34. Slovan Bratislava (0 points)
35. Feyenoord (0 points)
36. Dinamo Zagreb (0 points)
* I assume certain numbers are left out to make way for teams to drop into them once positions are no longer shared?
Goals Table
(First figure is goals scored, second is goals scored against)
Bayern Munich (9/2)
Celtic (5/1)
Bayern Leverkusen (4/0)
Aston Villa/Sparta Prague/Borussia Dortmund (3/0)
Juventus/Liverpool/Real Madrid (3/1)
Sporting (2/0)
Benfica/Monaco/Atletico Madrid/Brest (2/1)
Dinamo Zagreb (2/9)
Paris Saint-Germain (1/0)
Sturm Graz/RB Leipzig/Barcelona/Red Star Belgrade (1/2)
PSV Eindhoven/VfB Stuttgart/Milan (1/3)
Slovan Bratislava (1/5)
Feyenoord (0/4)
Club Brugge/Red Bull Salzberg/Young Boys (0/3)
Lille (0/2)
Girona (0/1)
Atalanta/Arsenal/Manchester City/Inter/Bologna/Shakhtar Donetsk (0/0)
Matchday Two, Oct 1/Oct 2
Red Bull Salzburg v Brest
(Austria v France)
Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
Result: Red Bull Salzburg 0 - 4 Brest
Position in League Table: 34/2
Previous Position: 31/12
Change: Down 3/Up 10
Current Fate: Elimination/Round of 16
Next Opponent: Dinamo Zagreb/Bayer Leverkusen
After their heroics against Sturm Graz on Matchday 1, debutantes Brest must have been thinking it's kind of all right here, innit? Now with a perfect opening record, they put Salzburg to the sword, growing into their game as they opened the scoring in the first half, then an amazing ten minutes in the second half gave them three more goals, running out comfortable winners. Brest also make history, becoming the first debutante team to score four goals in their first away appearance in the Champions League. Allez, mes amis!
VfB Stuttgart v Sparta Prague
(Germany v Czech Republic)
MHPArena, Stuttgart
Result: VfB Stuttgart 1 - 1 Sparta Prague
Position in League Table: 25/10
Previous Position: 27/6
Change: Down 2/Up 4
Current Fate: Elimination/Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Juventus/Manchester City
Another draw as Stuttgart earned their first point, going ahead on 7 minutes in front of their home fans. A free then from Sparta Prague levelled the game ten minutes from the end of the first half, and so it ended 1-1.
Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain
(England v France)
Emirates Stadium, London
Result: Arsenal 2 - 0 Paris Saint-Germain
Position in League Table: 13/19
Previous Position: 16/15
Change: Down 3/Up 4
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent:
After having failed to score in their first match, Arsenal were out for blood and they scored within the first 20 minutes, PSG nearly replying soon after but saved by the Arsenal keeper. Ten minutes from half-time they racked up another, and though they had chances to add to that tally in the second half, it ended 2-0 to the Arsenal.
Bayer Leverkusen v Milan
(Germany v Italy)
BayArena, Munich
Result: Bayer Leverkusen 1 - 0 Milan
Position in League Table: 4/32
Previous Position: 3/29
Change: Down 1/Down 3
Current Fate: Round of 16/Elimination
Next Opponent: Brest/Club Brugge
Leverkusen fought out a tough 1-0 against the Italian giants, the first half scoreless but the Germans netting in the opening minutes of the second. Milan came close but shot directly at the keeper, unable to break down the German team.
Borussia Dortmund v Celtic
(Germany v Scotland)
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
Result: Borussia Dortmund 7 - 1 Celtic
Position in League Table: 1/20
Previous Position: 4/2
Change: Down 3/Down 18
Current Fate: Round of 16/Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Real Madrid/Atalanta
Ah, reality reasserts itself for poor Celtic! Riding high, no doubt, on their five-one demolition of Slovan Bratislava, the Scots were brought heavily down to earth as Borussia Dortmund inflicted upon them the second-biggest defeat of the tournament so far. A penalty in the first ten minutes for the Germans didn't start things off well for Celtic, though two minutes later they were level, and must have taken heart. It was all one-way traffic after that though, including a second penalty for Borussia, a hat-trick for one of their players, and in the end Celtic would have to admit they had been vastly outclassed. As someone said recently, men against boys.
Barcelona v Young Boys
(Spain v Switzerland)
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona
Result: Barcelona 5 - 0 Young Boys
Position in League Table: 16/36
Previous Position: 22/31
Change: Up 5/Down 5
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs/Elimination
Next Opponent: Bayern Munich/Inter
And speaking of men against boys... Having been thrashed by us on the opening day, Young Boys would not have been relishing facing the deadly Barcelona, and they were right to fear such a meeting, as they got another hiding. A mere seven minutes was all it took before the ball was in their net, and it would nestle there four more times before the juveniles would be able to head off the field, disconsolate at still not having either a single goal or point. The next goal was, to be fair, blocked from the initial shot but scored on the rebound, 34 minutes on the clock. And it was only three minutes later before the Young Boys keeper was picking the ball out of his net for the third - but not the last - time.
The second half began for the Swiss side as badly as the first had ended, five minutes gone before they were now four down, and then, just to add insult to injury, it was from one of his own players that the Young Boys keeper was retrieving the ball from his goal as Barcelona's fifth. Not quite six of the best, but the Young Boys had certainly received another caning.
Inter Milan v Red Star Belgrade
(Italy v Serbia)
San Siro, Milan
Result: Inter Milan 4 - 0 Red Star Belgrade
Position in League Table: 9/33
Previous Position: 16/25
Change: Down 7/Down 8
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs/Elimination
Next Opponent: Young Boys/Monaco
Surely stung by having drawn nil-nil with Manchester City in their first match, Inter set out to do better against the Serbian side and were one ahead within eleven minutes. Playing to a home crowd, they turned on the style and added a second in the 59th minute, a third twelve minutes later and with a poor penalty given away by Red Star they had their fourth. Honour reestablished for the Italians.
PSV Eindhoven v Sporting CP/Lisbon
(Netherlands v Portugal)
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
Result: PSV Eindhoven 1 - 1 Sporting CP
Position in League Table: 24/12
Previous Position: 27/10
Change: Down 3/Down 2
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Paris Saint-Germain/Sturm Graz
The Dutch side were also early scorers, netting in the 15th minute, but unable to add a second they also failed to keep out Sporting, who equalised with six minutes to go, earning themselves a point, and allowing PSV to rack up their first.
Slovan Bratislava v Manchester City
(Slovakia v England)
Tehelne Pole, Bratislava
Result: Slovan Bratislava 0 - 4 Manchester City
Position in League Table: 35/8
Previous Position: 34/16
Change: Up 1/Up 8
Current Fate: Elimination/Round of 16
Next Opponent: Girona/Sparta Prague
Another major English team looking to improve on their poor performance in their first match, the scoreline belies the chances Slovan Bratislava had, coming close to scoring first. Even so, City were ahead within 8 minutes, adding a second 7 minutes later to take control of the game. They could have had five in the first half, but had to settle for the two, and wait for the second half before Haaland scored their third, the match finished off with 15 minutes of normal time to go, and many would say, normal service has been resumed.
Shakhtar Donetsk v Atalanta
(Ukraine v Italy)
Arena Aufschalke, Gelsenkirchen
Result: Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - 3 Atalanta
Position in League Table: 27/11
Previous Position: 16
Change: Up 9/Up 5
Current Fate: Elimination/Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Arsenal/Celtic
It was a good night for Italian clubs, as Atalanta took the Ukrainian side apart, scoring twice in the first half and once in the second to take the match well beyond Shakhtar.
Girona v Feyenoord
(Spain v Netherlands)
Montilivi, Girona
Result: Girona 2 - 3 Feyenoord
Position in League Table: 30/22
Previous Position: 26/35
Change: Up 4/Down 13
Current Fate: Elimination/Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Slovan Bratislava/Benfica
Another hard-fought match as Girona scored their first ever goal in CL on 19 minutes, but then shot themselves in the foot by scoring at the other end, their own, four minutes later. Ten minutes after that the Dutch side had gone ahead, and so into the break it was 2-1 to Feyenoord. A cagey second half, during which Girona thought they had managed to draw the game on 73, but though they survived two penalties, they had still another barrel with which to shoot their other foot, and duly let in another own goal to give the match to Feyenoord. From heroes to zeroes, perhaps, but they have nobody to blame but themselves.
Aston Villa v Bayern Munich
(England v Germany)
Villa Park, Birmingham
Result: Aston Villa 1 - 0 Bayern Munich
Position in League Table: 6/15
Previous Position: 4/1
Change: Down 2/Down 14
Current Fate: Round of 16/Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Bologna/Barcelona
A repeat of the 1982 Cup Final, when these two teams met and Villa came out on top, bringing the trophy home. Could they do it again? This seemed at best unlikely. Villa are doing really well at home and put Young Boys to the sword 3-0 on Matchday 1, but remember Bayern are top of the table, having already demolished Dinamo Zagreb with a nine-goal thrashing. If Villa were to emulate the heroics of their twentieth century forebears, they'd have to bring their A game, and maybe their A Plus game too. They were at home though, and to give added emphasis to what an epic night it could be, many of the team from 1982 were in the audience.
It looked like it would be an ex-Englishman (well, you know what I mean) who would scupper Villa's dreams early as Harry Kane headed the ball but the keeper saved it. Offside was the decision anyway, but a timely reminder of what a force Bayern are. Villa had their shots, and certainly did not seem cowed by the big occasion; on the contrary, they were well up for it and the home crowd were right behind them, willing them on each time they broke for an attack.
In fact, Villa did score in the first half (no times shown, thanks a lot MOTD!) but the goal, though a class one, was ruled offside. Martinez had to be on top form to keep Bayern out, then an inspired substitution with just ten minutes to go paid dividends, as our man of the moment, John Duran, latched on to a wonderful pass to power past the Bayern keeper, and Villa were one to the good. Despite a last-ditch effort by the Germans, including a free missed by Kane, who almost scored from the resultant corner, the Villa goal under siege, Martinez pulling off some amazing saves. Villa held on for what must surely be one of the most famous wins in Champions League history, and recalled the euphoria of '82. The scoreline was even the same. Superb.
Dinamo Zagreb v Monaco
(Croatia v Monaco)
Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb
Result: Dinamo Zagreb 2 - 2 Monaco
Position in League Table: 14/28
Previous Position: 36/12
Change: Down 22/Down 16
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs/Elimination
Next Opponent: Red Bull Salzburg/Red Star Belgrade
Monaco, riding high after their unexpected defeat of Real Madrid, faced the Croatian side who had fallen so foul of the league leaders, enduring a 9-goal thrashing from Bayern, and surely out for revenge. They started well, scoring first, in extra time at the end of the half, and again soon after the restart, and must have thought the match was theirs. Monaco, though, had other ideas and came back late, to score in the 74th minute to give themselves hope. As the clock ticked down, a bad tackle in the box resulted in a penalty for Monaco, who levelled the game, crushing Dinamo's hopes of earning their first three points. They'll have to be happy with just the one.
Liverpool v Bologna
(England v Italy)
Anfield, Liverpool
Result: Liverpool 2 - 0 Bologna
Position in League Table: 5/26
Previous Position: 7/16
Change: Up 2/Down 10
Current Fate: Round of 16/Elimination
Next Opponent: RB Leipzig/Aston Villa
The black cat didn't help them this time, as returning Bologna fell to the onrushing red Liverpool wave, Arne Slot's boys determined to capitalise on their win over Milan. This was the Liverpool manager's first European match in charge of the team, and they did not disappoint, McAllister scoring within eleven minutes. Bologna came close but the ball hopped off the crossbar, another shot straight at the keeper, and it was beginning to look like the Italians would be the more likely to score.
However Liverpool turned it back on in the second half, keeping Bologna out, a free kick the Italian side's only real attack, easily smothered by Allison. Salah went looking for his 49th European goal, and he got it in the 75th minute, making the game safe for the English team.
Lille v Real Madrid
(France v Spain)
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve D'Asc
Result: Lille 1 - 0 Real Madrid
Position in League Table: 18/17
Previous Position: 30/8
Change: Up 12/Down 9
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Atletico Madrid/Borussia Dortmund
As they used to say back in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, the two great Catholic powers, France and Spain, met, though one is certainly seen more as the Princes of European football, and not only because of their name. Usually, whether it's Real or Barcelona, Spain are next to unbeatable, so what chance had Lille of causing an upset? The absence of Mbappe must have been encouraging for the French team, but even so Lille's keeper had to be alive, pulling off a double save against Real early.
A free for the French side led to a penalty when handball was the verdict, and to the delight of the home crowd Lille were ahead. And what a time to score, just before the half-time whistle. Lille almost added a second as the game restarted, but shot wide, the super sub on the field now and surely desperate to restore parity and save his club's blushes, but though Real laid siege to the Lille goal, the Frenchmen held on for a historic win.
RB Leipzig v Juventus
(Germany v Italy)
Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
Result: RB Leipzig 2 - 3 Juventus
Position in League Table: 29/7
Previous Position: 22/8
Change: Down 7/Up 1
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs/Round of 16
Next Opponent: VfB Stuttgart/Liverpool
Although it was the Italian side who had the first real shot on target, saved by the keeper, Leipzig shot up the other end quickly afterwards and notched up the first of five goals in this match, and the only one in the first half. It didn't take Juventus long to equalise, 50th minute but then on 65 a deliberate handball, both after a free had been awarded against them and also seconds after the substitute against whom the handball was recorded, led to a penalty for Leipzig, putting the Germans ahead again.
Even a team like Juventus though could hardly survive the loss of one man, could they? Well, they replied almost immediately, firing another goal in to once again level the match. But the Italians were not finished yet, and scored eight minutes from time to take the lead, and keep it, leaving Leipzig somewhat shell-shocked.
Sturm Graz v Club Brugge
(Austria v Belgium)
Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt
Result: Sturm Graz 0 - 1 Club Brugge
Position in League Table: 31/21
Previous Position: 31
Change: None/Up 10
Current Fate: Elimination/Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Sporting CP/Milan
Chasing their first point in the competition, the Austrians fell to the Belgians, with just the one goal in it, a screamer halfway through the half, leaving Club Brugge the ones to rack up their first three points.
Benfica v Atletico Madrid
(Portugal v Spain)
Estadio de Luiz, Lisbon
Result: Benfica 4 - 0 Atletico Madrid
Position in League Table: 3/23
Previous Position: 11/12
Change: Down 8/ Down 11
Current Fate: Round of 16/Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Feyenoord/Lille
A good night for the Portuguese side, soundly beating one of the top Spanish teams, unlucky thirteen for Atletico as Benfica netted their first, the best the Spanish could do a long-range shot that rattled the crossbar. As the half wound down it was very nearly a second for Benfica, bounced off the upright and wide. They would have to wait for the second half before they could put the game truly to bed.
A penalty awarded in the 52nd minute sent them on their way, and their third came from a corner in the 75th, with another penalty coming nine minutes later, giving Benfica an emphatic win.
We're going to have a very good tournament in this. Quote me. We have the manager to win it.
If Porto (2004), Liverpool (2005), Chelsea (2012) can win it then so can we. We're better and have a better manager than all of those.
Don't rule us out. 🏆
Here then is the table after two games, Matchday 2
(https://i.postimg.cc/gjpMDK4G/CL1.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hPdjxb6X/CL2.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/h4wvf3yF/CL3.png)
Quote from: jimmy jazz on Oct 14, 2024, 02:03 AMWe're going to have a very good tournament in this. Quote me. We have the manager to win it.
If Porto (2004), Liverpool (2005), Chelsea (2012) can win it then so can we. We're better and have a better manager than all of those.
Don't rule us out. 🏆
Especially if big teams like Real, Bayern, Man City, Arsenal and Barca keep slipping up. We're one of only seven teams in the competition with a 100% win record so far. Not bad.
Headlines on Matchday 2
Without being biased, I think it's clear that the headline of the night was Villa's amazing and historic win over the league leaders, Bayern Munich, recalling the glories of '82, while Brest defeating Salzburg 4-0 on only their second match, their first away one, and making history into the bargain has to be there too. We had two massive defeats, with Barcelona flattening the already-reeling Young Boys and Borussia Dortmund tearing Celtic apart. And of course we mustn't forget Lille beating the mighty Real Madrid, while Benfica took down their Spanish counterparts.
Nations' Progress
Here I'm going to look at how certain countries do throughout the competition, who wins, who loses, who draws. May was well do it alphabetically, because why not?
That means we kick off with
Austria
Who have two teams in the league, Sturm Graz, who lost both their opening matches, first to debutantes Brest and then to Club Brugges. Sturm Graz: L2
The other Austrian team is Red Bull Salzburg, who haven't had any luck either, beaten by Sparta Prague in their first match and Brest in their second. Interesting: that means that the first-timers from France took on both Austrian teams in their first two matches, and beat them both times. Salzburg: L2
Austrian tally: L4
Belgium
Belgium have just the one team in the league, Club Brugge, and they lost their first match (against Borussia Dortmund) and won their second (against Sturm Graz).
Belgium tally: W1, L1
Croatia
Croatia are the same, just the one team, Dinamo Zagreb, who were certainly eviscerated by Bayern Munich in their first match, but drew with Monaco.
Croatian tally: D1, L1
Czech Republic
And the hopes of the Czechs rest upon Sparta Prague, who won their first match against Salzburg and drew with Stuttgart.
Czech tally: W1, D1
England
England have four teams in the competition, and again we'll do them alphabetically, so we start with Arsenal, who drew their first match against Atalanta then beat PSG.
Arsenal: W1, D1
Next up is Aston Villa, who have won both their matches, first against Young Boys and then famously against Bayern.
Aston Villa: W2
That takes us to Liverpool, who won both their first matches, both interestingly against Italian teams, beating Milan and then Bologna.
Liverpool: W2
Finally we have Manchester City, who drew their first match (against Inter) but won convincingly against Slovan Bratislava.
Manchester City: W1, D1
English tally: W6, D2
France
France is next up, and we have three French teams in the league (I don't count Monaco, as this is a separate principality) with Brest winning both their first (and debut) games, first against Sturm Graz and then against Salzburg.
Brest: W2
Next is Lille, who were beaten by Sporting in their first match but then racked up a famous victory over Real Madrid.
Lille: W1, L1
Paris Saint-Germain make the third French team, and they beat Girona but were beaten by Arsenal.
PSG: W1, L1
French tally: W4, L2
Germany
Germany is next, with possibly the most teams in the league at five. First is Bayern Munich, who won their first game convincingly against Dinamo but then were beaten by us in their second.
Bayern: W1, L1
Then we have Bayer Leverkusen, who beat Feyenoord in their first match and Milan in their second.
Leverkusen: W2
Borussia Dortmund won both their matches, beating Club Brugge in their first and Celtic in their second.
Dortmund: W2
RB Leipzig were beaten in their first game by Atletico Madrid, and again by Juventus.
RB Leipzig: L2
VfB Stuttgart were beaten by Real in their first game and drew with Sparta Prague in their second.
Stuttgart: D1, L1
German tally: W5, D1, L4
Italy
Italy also have five teams, the first of these, alphabetically speaking, being Atalanta, who drew their first match against Arsenal and beat Shakhtar Donetsk in their second.
Atalanta: W1, D1
Bologna drew against Shakhtar and were beaten by Liverpool.
Bologna: L1, D1
Inter are next, and they drew their first match against Manchester City but went on to win their next against Red Star Belgrade.
Inter: W1, D1
Juventus won both their first matches, beating PSV Eindhoven and then RB Leipzig.
Juventus: W2
And finally Milan, who were beaten both by Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen.
Milan: L2
Italian tally: W4, L3, D3
Monaco
Monaco, unsurprisingly, have just the one team, called Monaco, and they won their first match against Barcelona and then went on to draw with Dinamo Zagreb. Monaco: W1, D1
Monaco tally: W1, D1
Netherlands
Netherlands have two teams, the first being Feyenoord, who lost their first match to Bayer Leverkusen but beat Girona in their second.
Feyenoord: W1, L1
The other team they have is PSV Eindhoven, and they were beaten by Juventus in their first match but drew with Sporting in their second.
PSV: D1, L1
Dutch tally: W1, L2, D1
Portugal
Portugal have two teams also, these being Benfica and Sporting. Benfica won both their matches, beating Red Star Belgrade in their first and Atletico in their second.
Benfica: W2
Sporting beat Lille in their first match and drew with PSV in their second.
Sporting: W1, D1
Portuguese tally: W3, D1
Spain
Spain have four teams, two of which are of course monsters of football. Atletico Madrid beat Leipzig in their first match but were famously beaten by Benfica in their second.
Atletico: W1, L1
Barcelona of course have won both their first matches. Oh no wait they haven't: didn't Monaco beat them in their first match? Oh dear. But then they extracted revenge on Young Boys, beating them soundly.
Barcelona: W1, L1
Girona lost both their opening matches, first to PSG and then to Feyenoord.
Girona: L2
Real Madrid, finally, beat Stuttgart in their first match but then had that humiliating defeat to Lille in their second.
Real: W1, L1
Spanish tally: W3, L5
Switzerland
Switzerland has just the one team, and we know all about them. Young Boys have been beaten in both their games, first by Aston Villa and then by Barcelona.
Young Boys: L2
Swiss tally: L2
Scotland
Scotland is represented by Celtic, who won their first game against Slovan Bratislava but lost their second against Bayer Leverkusen.
Celtic: W1, L1
Scottish tally: W1, L1
Serbia
Serbia has just the one team, too, in Red Star Belgrade, who have been beaten by Benfica and Inter. Red Star: L2
Serbian tally: L2
Slovakia
Slovakia has also a lone representative, the unlucky Slovan Bratislava, who lost heavily to Celtic in their first match and then to Manchester City in their second. Slovan: L2
Slovakian tally: L2
Leaves us with
Ukraine
Shakhtar Donetsk drew their first match with Bologna and were beaten in their second by another Italian team, Atalanta.
Shakhtar: D1, L1
Ukrainian tally: D1, L1
That gives us the country with the most wins as England, the one with the most losses Spain and the one with the most draws Italy. The full rankings follow.
WINS
England (6)
Germany (5)
Italy/France (4)
Spain/Portugal (3)
Belgium/Czech Republic/Monaco/Netherlands (1)
LOSSES
Spain (5)
Austria/Germany/Italy (4)
Slovakia/Serbia/Switzerland/Netherlands/France (2)
Ukraine/Scotland/Croatia/Belgium (1)
DRAWS
Italy (3)
England (2)
Ukraine/Portugal/Netherlands/Monaco/Germany/Croatia/Czech Republic (1)
Can't wait to smash Celtic at VP.
😂😂😂 Top of the league, won every game, no goals conceded 😂😂😂
🟣🔵
Matchday Three
Milan v Club Brugge
(Italy v Belgium)
San Siro, Milan
Result: Milan 3 - 1 Club Brugge
Position in League Table: 25/26
Previous Position: 32/21
Change: Up 7/ Down 5
Current Fate: Elimination
Next Opponent: Real Madrid/Aston Villa
Only one of two Italian teams to record a victory on Matchday 3, Milan showed the other clubs in their home country how it's done by taking Club Brugge apart, a corner giving them their first goal, the only one of the half. And things got worse for the Belgians when they had a man sent off, but they came back on 51 to equalise, which must have given them heart.
Milan weren't finished though, Reindeer I mean Reijnders striking ten minutes later to put the Italians back in front, and another perfect shot ten minutes after that gave him his second, Milan their third, and all three points.
Monaco v Red Star Belgrade
(Monaco v Serbia)
Stade Louis II, Monaco
Result: Monaco 5 - 1 Red Star Belgrade
Position in League Table: 4/33
Previous Position: 14/33
Change: Up 10/None
Current Fate: Round of 16/Elimination
Next Opponent: Bologna/Barcelona
Belgrade were seeing stars after this one, all right, as Monaco did a Barcelona on them, shredding them like wet paper. Their first came on 20 minutes, could have been a suspicion of offside but ruled not to be. A bad tackle in the box though seven minutes later gave the Serbians a chance to get back into the match, a chance they did not waste as they slotted away the penalty.
That was as good as it got for Red Star though, as Monaco took total control of the match, ensuring they went in ahead before the break, scoring their second in extra time and coming out ready for more as the second half opened. 9 minutes in they had their third, an absolute screamer for Singo had the spectators on their feet probably, and Monaco were in testimonial mode now. A messy Belgrade defence let in Minamino for his second and Monaco's fourth, and as seven minutes of extra time (which must have seemed to the shell-shocked Red Star like seven hours) wound down, they put the seal on it as Akliouche scored their fifth. A fine display from the Monaco team, and a night for Red Star Belgrade to want to quickly forget and put behind them.
Arsenal v Shakhtar Donetsk
(England v Ukraine)
Emirates Stadium, London
Result: Arsenal 1 - 0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Position in League Table: 9/30
Previous Position: 13/27
Change: Up 4/Down 3
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs/Elimination
Next Opponent: Inter Milan/Young Boys
Arsenal completed a perfect four victories for English teams, even if their game against poor old Shakhtar was less than convincing. In fact the only goal went down as an own goal, though in fairness it kind of might have been going in anyway, but Martinelli's shot bounced off the post, hit the keeper and hopped into the net. Oops! Bad luck for the Ukrainaians, but the keeper redeemed himself with a great save from the same striker a few minutes later.
Things got worse for Shakhtar in the second half as Arsenal were awarded a penalty for handball, but the footballing gods must have been smiling on Shakhtar, or maybe checking the Man City result, as Tosser sorry Trossard made a right mess of it and the Ukrainian keeper could make himself almost the hero, though Shakhtar still lost the game. Still, on balance, it was a pretty freak goal, so you can't blame him.
In fact, Shakhtar had a chance to level it, and had Arsenal any other keeper than Raya they might have done, but having had nothing to do for most of the match, the Arsenal Number One pulled off a great save that denied the Ukrainians a desperately-needed point. Again, in the dying seconds of extra time Shakhtar could have saved their honour but this time it went right into the arms of the man between the posts for Arsenal. Still, on balance you'd have to say Arsenal squeaked through this one, just about.
Aston Villa v Bologna
(England v Italy)
Villa Park, Birmingham
Result: Aston Villa 2 - 0 Bologna
Position in League Table: 1/26
Previous Position: 6/21
Change: Up 5/Down 5
Current Fate: Round of 16/Elimination
Next Opponent: Club Brugge/Monaco
Fresh off their shock victory against the German mega-side Bayern Munich, Villa were on a two-game unbeaten streak and were in no mood to break that as they faced an Italian side only getting back into the competition, as explained in the last report. Bologna have not exactly covered themselves in glory, and this being at Villa Park must have added just one more layer of delight and support for my team.
The Italians were in fact the first to have a chance in the end, though Martinez was able to save it. Villa had two chances in the first half, one of which must surely have been expected to have the Bologna net bulging, given that it was that man, John Duran, on the ball, but the Italian keeper was as acrobatic as the Villa man, and 0-0 it remained as we headed into the break.
Bailey came within a yard of scoring as the second half opened, but it was McGinn who got the first goal from a free when the ball sailed unaided in from his powerful kick on 55, and that man was in again as Rogers crossed for Duran to put Villa 2 ahead. Bologna did almost pull one back, but Villa also came close to getting a third, two proving enough to take the game and continue our perfect start. Up the Villa!
Girona v Slovan Bratislava
(Spain v Slovakia)
Montilivi, Girona
Result: Girona 2 - 0 Slovan Bratislava
Position in League Table: 24/36
Previous Position: 30/35
Change: Up 6/Down 1
Current Fate: Elimination
Next Opponent: PSV Eindhoven/Dinamo Zagreb
Girona are the only Spanish team in the competition to lose both their opening matches, and they set about sorting that out tonight as they faced Slovan Bratislava, who are in the same position, but massively deficient in goal difference, having been on the end of the only victory for Celtic so far, a real 5-1 hammering. Girona had their first just near the end of the half, their second coming from a fine free kick in the second, Girona with their first victory, and their first points, and looking to take their place amongst their big Spanish brothers. Another defeat though for Slovan Bratislava, who have not a point to their name.
Juventus v VfB Stuttgart
(Italy v Germany)
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Result: Juventus 0 - 1 VfB Stuttgart
Position in League Table: 14/18
Previous Position: 7/25
Change: Down 7/Up 7
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Lille/Atalanta
A pretty poor night for Italian football as another side slipped to a defeat, the mighty Juventus falling to, it would have to be said, the not quite as mighty Stuttgart, no offence to their fans. Mind you, the game was even almost all the way through until, with six minutes to go, a red card for Juventus resulted in a penalty for Stuttgart. Rather unbelievably, that was not the goal that won it for the Germans, as the Juventus keeper saved! But it was only a brief respite, as Toure struck in the second minute of extra time to break the deadlock and take it for Stuttgart, stunning Juventus, who must have thought they'd dodged a bullet, only to find it ricochet and come back to take them in the head. So to speak.
Paris Saint-Germain v PSV Eindhoven
(France v Netherlands)
Parc des Princes, Paris
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 1 - 1 PSV Eindhoven
Position in League Table: 19/28
Previous Position: 19/24
Change: None/Down 4
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs/Elimination
Next Opponent: Atletico Madrid/Girona
The only French team not to win tonight, PSG had to settle for a point as they faced the Dutch side. Hey: PSG played PSV! Some crisp passing in the first half led to Eindhoven's goal, just after the half hour, while the French had to wait till the second half to equalise, a super shot by Haikimi arrowing into the top corner to preserve some pride for the French side. Honours even.
Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund
(Spain v Germany)
Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Result: Real Madrid 5 - 2 Borussia Dortmund
Position in League Table: 12/11
Previous Position: 17/1
Change: Up 5/Down 10
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: AC Milan/Sturm Graz
Real, furious no doubt at being beaten by a poxy little French team, faced Dortmund, fresh from a 7-1 thrashing of Celtic, and the Spanish side were out for blood. It was the German side who struck first though, Malen giving them the lead on 38, and the German side were two up four minutes later when Gittens stole in to tap it past the Real keeper and put Dortmund in a commanding position.
Or so they thought. That was as good as it got for the Germans, as Real began to play, a double bounce off the crossbar dumbfounding Mbappe, and most in the ground, while the Spanish keeper had to stretch and fling himself to the side to keep Dortmund from scoring a third. As they say, the classic game of two halves. 2-0 at the break, Rudiger latching onto a sublime pass from Mbappe to score Real's first and halve the deficit on the hour. Almost duplicating Dortmund's two goals, Real's second came within two minutes, as Vinicius Junior slammed the ball into the net to equalise. VAR was called into play, suspicion of offside, but the goal stood and the teams were level.
The Germans had a chance to reestablish their lead but the Real keeper stopped the shot, and then Vazquez made certain by taking the lead on 83 with a powerful shot, and again the next goal was minutes behind, three in fact as Vinicius Jr scored again to put the match now well beyond Dortmund. His individual goal was incredible: a run from his own goal all the way down the wing to score himself, and just to be sure he got his hat-trick in extra time, the match well and truly turned around.
Sturm Graz v Sporting CP
(Austria v Portugal)
Worthersee Stadium, Klagenfurt
Result: Sturm Graz 0 - 2 Sporting CP
Position in League Table: 32/8
Previous Position: 31/12
Change: Down 1/Up 4
Current Fate: Elimination/Round of 16
Next Opponent: Manchester City/Borussia Dortmund
Sturm Graz have not had a good time of it so far, losing all their matches, while Sporting have done a lot better. It was the Portuguese side who struck first, a fine sweeping attack looking to have missed the chance but then Santos hit the ball into the net and Sporting were ahead on 23. They had to wait till the second half to register their second, defender left for dead as Gyokeres stormed (sorry) through the Graz players and slotted the ball away to leave the result in no doubt. Another loss for Sturm Graz. Verdammt! Or something.
Atalanta v Celtic
(Italy v Scotland)
Stadio Atleti Azzurri D'italia, Bergamo
Result: Atalanta 0 - 0 Bergamo
Position in League Table: 17/20
Previous Position: 11/20
Change: Down 6/No change
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: VfB Stuttgart/RB Leipzig
Poor Celtic! After a storming start to Matchday 1, they were battered by the Germans and now faced an Italian side who really need to improve on their own performance and weren't about to do the Scottish team any favours. They in fact had the first chance, twice bouncing off the crossbar, the Italians looking very much the better team. A third shot went right into Schmichael's arms and left the Celtic keeper sitting on the ground, but thankfully not picking the ball out of his net.
Fighting a rearguard action, Celtic could just not get out of their own half as their goal was peppered with attacks in the first half, and in the second they did their best to turn it around, a long shot from outside the box sailing over the Atalanta goal, the Italians again coming close. You'd probably award Schmichael the Man of the Match award; if it hadn't been for many great saves by the Dane, Atlanta would have had three or four at least by now.
Another attack by Celtic went nowhere, as did the next, and in the dying moments of the game they gave away a free kick in a dangerous spot, but the Italians were unable to convert it, and the game ended scoreless.
Brest v Bayer Leverkusen
(France v Germany)
Stade de Roudourou, Guingamp
Result: Brest 1 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen
Position in League Table: 5/6
Previous Position: 2/4
Change: Down 3/Down 2
Current Fate: Round of 16
Next Opponent: Sparta Prague/Liverpool
Proving themselves very much the belles of the ball, so to speak, debutantes Brest have impressed, beating both Austrian teams in their opening fixtures, as well as creating their own little piece of history by scoring four goals in their debut appearance, something no other team has managed. This would be their toughest test yet though, as they faced the monolithic Bayer Leverkusen. It was the Germans who struck first, just inside the quarter-hour mark, a lovely breakaway run from Florian Wirtz and a perfect shot into the back of the net, Brest conceding their first goal in the competition.
Wirtz almost added a second, dancing through the defence but shooting at the keeper. The French side were level quickly though, Pierre Lees-Melou equalising six minutes from the end of the first half. A possible handball for Leverkusen was waved away by VAR in the second half, and Brest went close to taking the lead soon after, two great shots, then as we played out seven extra minutes another penalty shout for Bayer Leverkusen, but nothing doing, and a draw was the result.
Atletico Madrid v Lille
(Spain v France)
Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
Result: Atletico Madrid 1 - 3 Lille
Position in League Table: 27/15
Previous Position: 23/18
Change: Down 4/Up 3
Current Fate:
Next Opponent: Paris Saint-Germain/Juventus
The other French side (well, other than PSG, but you know what I mean) faced off against Madrid's third team, and the Spanish went ahead in the eighth minute, ex-Man City star Alvarez capitalising on a Lille mistake to lob it into the net. Atletico came close to doubling their lead in the first half, but in the second a great shot from Zhegrova had the French side level on 61, their lead extended when they got a penalty 14 minutes later and Lille sealed the victory right at the death after Madrid had squandered the chance to pull one back. A great night for French football: Lille have now beaten two of the biggest Spanish sides in this competition. Like they say, every Lille helps. Sorry.
Young Boys v Inter Milan
(Switzerland v Italy)
Wankdorf Stadium :laughing: , Bern
Result: Young Boys 0 - 1 Inter Milan
Position in League Table: 36/7
Previous Position: 35/9
Change: Up 1/Up 2
Current Fate: Elimination/Round of 16
Next Opponent: Shakhtar Donetsk/Arsenal
Young Boys must be wishing the damn thing was over already. Heavy defeats to Villa and Barca have left them without a point, and they fared no better here against Inter, though at least it wasn't another thrashing, as this time they even had a penalty, but the Italian keeper made a brave double-save (not too sure he even knew much about the second shot, which more or less bounced off him) and Young Boys must have thought the gods were truly against them. Particularly as, having failed to take an unlikely lead, they nevertheless managed to hold the Italian side almost right to the end of the game, and must, in fairness, have thought they had earned their first 0-0 draw and a point before Inter broke their hearts with a Thuram goal in stoppage time. Ah, lads! Yiz just can't get a break, can ye?
Barcelona v Bayern Munich
(Spain v Germany)
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Madrid
Result: Barcelona 4 - 1 Bayern Munich
Position in League Table: 10/23
Previous Position: 16/15
Change: Up 6/Down 8
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Red Star Belgrade/Benfica
This was of course the big one, the one we'd all been waiting for. A match of titans: Spain's biggest club versus the best Germany can offer, and one thing was sure - this was not going to be a cagey nil-nil affair! Barcelona, fresh from their demolition of what can only be called what's left of Young Boys (I bet they feel like old men now!) faced Bayern, smarting from their unexpected defeat at our hands. One for the ages, this, and it did not disappoint.
Barca were ahead in the first minute, a great breakaway run by Raphinha, who just left the Bayern defence in his wake and slotted in what would be the first of a hat-trick for him, and four for his team. Kane came to the German giant's rescue, scoring a peach of a header, but unfortunately for him it was offside, and so the score remained 1-0. 18 minutes in though and he netted again, and this time it stood, Bayern now level.
Some hysterics in the Bayern goal as Noyer almost let one in as it bounced off his shin, but it veered harmlessly away, then the keeper was off his line to stop an attack which switched as the ball was passed to old campaigner Lewandowski, who showed he still has what it takes as he pounced for Barcelona's second of the night with ten minutes to go to the end of the half. A long shot out to the wing on the left had Raphinha in for his second just on half-time, cementing Barca's clear lead now at 3-1.
Bayern almost got one back in the second half, bit of pinball in the box, but in the end it was Barcelona's night as Raphinha notched up his hat-trick, to make the German side look very ordinary indeed. Even four substitutes coming on at once couldn't impact upon the scoreline, though they came close to getting another but Coman shot wide. Kane was kept mostly quiet during the second half, and in fact Barca almost had a fifth when Lewandowski was through again, but 4-1 it ended, Barcelona rampant and anxious to restamp their mark on the tourament.
Red Bull Salzburg v Dinamo Zagreb
(Austria v Croatia)
Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
Result: Red Bull Salzburg 0 - 2 Dinamo Zagreb
Position in League Table: 34/22
Previous Position: 34/28
Change: None/Up 6
Current Fate: Elimination/Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Feyenoord/Slovan Bratislava
The other Austrian team have been having as much of a bad time of it as their "stormy" countrymen, and tonight did nothing to improve their fortunes as they came up against a Croatian team intent on reducing that horrendous goal difference after Bayern put nine past them on the opening night. That's going to haunt them, but gaining three points from this match helped, and at the start of the second half they notched their first of the match, almost adding a second when the Salzburg keeper came out and Kulenovic lobbed him, the ball just bouncing wide. Handball by the keeper was the verdict, normally not an offence but once he steps outside of his area he cannot handle the ball, so a red card for the keeper and he was off.
Petkovic made certain of the win six minutes from time, and once again neither Austrian team in the competition has a single point they can call their own. Dinamo begin the task of laying the ghost of Bayern Munich to rest.
Manchester City v Sparta Prague
(England v Czech Republic)
City of Manchester Stadium (Etihad), Manchester
Result: Manchester City 5 - 0 Sparta Prague
Position in League Table: 3/21
Previous Position: 8/10
Change: Up 5/Down 11
Current Fate: Round of 16/Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Sporting CP/Brest
After a slightly disappointing start, Man City went on to hammer Slovan Bratislava in their second match, and did even better here, notching up, I think, the highest score by an English team in the tournament so far. With a 25-match unbeaten record in the Champions League, they only needed to win this one to break the record held by their now "noisy neighbour", who must have been hoping and praying they'd lose. They set their marker down almost immediately, Foden opening the scoring within 3 minutes with a lovely shot from just outside the box, Haaland almost adding a second with a leaping header, but the keeper equal to it.
It was all City though, as a rare Sparta Prague breakaway shot wide, then in the second half Haaland got his goal on 58 minutes, not a thing of beauty but they all count. Acrobatic, certainly. A corner then led to City's third as Stones, fresh from that controversial last-second winner at Wolves on Sunday got on the end of another one, putting the Blues well in command. Were they going to settle for 3-0? Does the Pope eat Weetabix in the woods? You'd have to ask His Holiness, but the answer to the first question is no: on 68 Haaland had his second and City's fourth, and they weren't finished yet.
A foul on Nunes led to City being awarded a penalty, and perhaps surprisingly, given that Haaland was on yet another hat-trick it was Nunes himself who took the spot-kick, scoring and ending a truly miserable night for the Czech side. Rousing cheers from one half of Manchester, growls of discontent from the other: City have the new record.
RB Leipzig v Liverpool
(Germany v England)
Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
Result: RB Leipzig 0 - 1 Liverpool
Position in League Table: 1/31
Previous Position: 5/28
Change: Up 4/Down 3
Current Fate: Round of 16/Elimination
Next Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen/Celtic
Liverpool couldn't quite match the goalfest provided by the team that's currently snapping at their heels, but a victory is a victory, and though their legendary ex-manager is now working for Red Bull (how's that for a twist?) I doubt Liverpool care. Leipzig had most of the early chances, just not able to finish where it counts. In fact, Kelleher coming out and heading the ball away from the Leipzig player was taking a chance, as it was punted over him and just kissed the post on its way past.
In the end, it was a case of Salah just missing out on the only goal when Nunez nicked it off him, but Liverpool were ahead. Gakpo almost added a second later but the keeper made an amazing save to keep the Liverpool forward out. And he did it again when Van Dijk tried his luck. A penalty might have been awarded to Liverpool but the ref said no, and VAR either agreed or said nothing.
Into the second half and Liverpool really turned on the pressure, 1-0 too thin a lead as they tried to add to it, Gakpo again in the thick of it, as was McAllister. You couldn't say it was for the want of trying, but Liverpool just couldn't score again, and even came close to dropping two points as Leipzig almost scored, but side netting. The Germans sensed weakness, and they were doing all they could to exploit it.
Finally they scored, but it was chalked off for offside, to spare Liverpool's blushes. McAllister had another go but again the Leipzig keeper was equal to it. You'd have to say, even as a Liverpool fan, the English team survived rather than won the game.
Benfica v Feyenoord
(Portugal v Netherlands)
Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
Result: Benfica 1 - 3 Feyenoord
Position in League Table: 13/16
Previous Position: 3/22
Change: Down 10/Up 6
Current Fate: Knockout Round Play-offs
Next Opponent: Bayern Munich/Red Bull Salzberg
Playing in front of their own fans, and after that fine victory against Atletico, Benfica failed to hold the other Dutch team in the competition as they slipped to their first defeat. 12 minutes in and Feyenoord were ahead, and on 33 they added their second. Benfica pulled one back in the second half but Feyenoord made certain in the last minutes, scoring in extra time to beat the Portuguese side.
Headlines on Matchday 3
Three teams smashed five past the opposition, two you might have expected as both Man City and Real Madrid reasserted their dominance, but Monaco's thrashing of Red Star Belgrade was something special, the small but mighty team showing once again that teams underestimate them at their peril. Two other English teams struggled, Arsenal squeezing out a lucky 1-0 against floundering Shakhtar Donetsk, while Liverpool made it past Leipzig, but only just.
Villa put in another fine performance, taking wobbly Bologna for 2-0, and Lille took another Spanish scalp as they beat Atletico 3-1. On the other side of the scale, Young Boy continue to reel as this time Inter put them to the sword, though at least the Swiss team only had the one goal to contend with, and neither Austrian team could manage a goal and remain pointless.
Debutantes Brest continue to impress, holding the titanic Bayer Leverkusen to a one-all draw, and it was overall a bad night for German and Italian football, as only one of the former and two of the latter managed to avoid defeat. I have no idea whether or not this has happened before, but the top three in the table are all English clubs, with the closest German sixth and the closest Spanish tenth. Some red cards, a scatter of penalties, missed chances and glorious goals as well as some howlers: just a normal night in Europe in the Champions League!
Here then is the League Table after Matchday 3
(https://i.postimg.cc/MHFtXYzn/CLM-1.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/2jc0HCnC/CLM32.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Vv6DYhPy/CLM33.png)
Note: Mistake on Real Madrid, who have not drawn any of their matches. I typed in the wrong place. That's what happens when you have to create your own league tables (no I couldn't find one online I could use, oddly). Real's tally should read
W2 D0 L1 not W2 D1 L0
Dammit! Also Atletico Madrid, which should read
W1 D0 L2 instead of W0 D1 L2
(https://i.redd.it/uozrku4hod4c1.gif)
I know! For someone who hates maths, I sure do love my statistics and calculations, don't I?
Anyway, it's time once again to look at
Nations' Progress.
Let's see who did well tonight, and who did, ah, not so well, and if the order has changed since the first two matchdays.
Austria
Red Bull Salzburg and Sturm Graz, despite their hard-sounding names, continue to fail to earn a single point or win a single match. Salzburg went down 2-0 to Dinamo Zagreb while Sturm Graz fell to the same score when they met Sporting.
Austrian tally (After Matchday 2): L2
Austrian tally (Matchday 3): L2
Austrian tally (so far): L4
Belgium
Even with just the one club in the competition, the Belgians still far outpace the two teams of Austria, having at least one win under their belt. Tonight they succumbed to Inter Milan 3-1, but at least they have goals to their name.
Belgian tally (after Matchday 2): W1, L1
Belgian tally (Matchday 3): L1
Belgian tally (so far): W1, L3
Croatia
With just the one team also competing, Croatia had no wins at the end of matchday 2, but managed to notch up their first against the eternally struggling Austrians, beating Salzburg 2-0. They're on their way.
Croatian tally (end of Matchday 2): D1, L1
Croatian tally (Matchday 3): W1
Croatian tally (so far): W1, D1, L1
Czech Republic
In the same position, teamwise, as Croatia, the Czechs are doing better, having a win and a draw to their name. Tonight they suffered their first defeat, and a big one as Man City rolled over them, putting five past them without reply. Ouch.
Czech tally (end of matchday 2): W1, D1
Czech tally (Matchday 3): L1
Czech tally (so far): W1, D1, L1
England
English clubs, overall, have been doing very well. Though both Manchester City and Arsenal only drew their first games, they came back with convincing wins, and all of them won tonight. Arsenal narrowly beat Shakhtar, Villa were commanding against Bologna, Liverpool fought out a cagey 1-0 against Leipzig while Man City crushed Sparta Prague five-nil.
English tally (end of matchday 2): W6, D2
English tally (Matchday 3): W4
English tally (so far): W10, D2
France
French teams have also been doing well, with PSG and Lille both winning their first but losing their second game, while Brest has been taking scalps, with 2 wins to their tally so far. Tonight, though PSG and Brest could only manage a draw, to PSV and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, Lille took all three points against Atletico.
French tally (after matchday 2): W4, L2
French tally (Matchday 3): W1, D2
French tally (so far): W5, D2, L2
Germany
The Germans had mixed fortunes initially, with only 2 of the 5 teams they have in the competition winning, while three lost a match each and one (Leipzig) lost both. Tonight it was a similar story, as Leverkusen were held to a draw by Lille and Bayern were beaten by Barcelona, Leipzig fell (their third defeat) to Liverpool, while Borussia Dortmund were thrashed by Real, the only German team to win being Stuttgart, who beat Juventus.
German tally (after matchday 2): W5, D1, L4
German tally (Matchday 3): W1, D1, L3
German tally (so far): W6, D2, L7
Italy
Italy also had a mixed opening two days, with more wins than losses or draws, but just. The only team to win both their matches was Juventus, while AC Milan lost both theirs. Atalanta, Bologna and Inter both had one draw each, but only Atalanta and Inter notched up a victory. Tonight, again like the Germans, much the same. Juventus lost to Stuttgart, Bologna lost to Villa, Atalanta drew with Celtic and only Inter and AC Milan managed victories, against Club Brugge and Young Boys respectively.
Italian tally (after Matchday 2): W4, D3, L3
Italian tally (Matchday 3): W2, D1, L2
Italian tally (so far): W6, D4, L5
Monaco
With just the one team, Monaco have been doing well, winning their first match (famously against the mighty Barca) and then drawing the next. Tonight they took on Red Star and hit them for five, adding another victory to their impressive list.
Monaco tally (after Matchday 2): W1, D1
Monaco tally (Matchday 3): W1
Monaco tally (so far): W2, D1
Netherlands
The Netherlands could definitely be doing better. With two teams in the competition they've only managed one win so far between them. Tonight Feyenoord did what they could to redress that balance, beating Benfica, but PSV could only manage a draw against PSG.
Dutch tally (after Matchday 2): W1, L2, D1
tally (Matchday 3): W1, D1
tally (so far): W2, L2, D2
Portugal
And Portugal also have two teams, though they're putting them to far better use, it would seem, than the Dutch, with three wins of four between them. Tonight Sporting beat Sturm Graz while Benfica fell to Feyenoord.
Portuguese tally (after Matchday 2): W3, D1
Portuguese tally (Matchday 3): W1, L1
Portuguese tally (so far): W4, L2, D1
Spain
Surprisingly, Spain had more losses than wins after matchday 2, with Barcelona, Real and Atletico all suffering unexpected defeats, while at least Girona... lost both their games. Tonight it was, though, revenge of the Spanish, as all but one of them won, Barcelona hammering Bayern, Real thrashing Dortmund and even Girona coming good as they took Slovan Bratislava for two goals. Not a clean sweep though, as Lille again spoiled the Spanish party by making Atletico the second team from Spain they've beaten. Much better though from the Spanish.
Spanish tally (after Matchday 2): W3, L5
Spanish tally (Matchday 3): W3, L1
Spanish tally (so far): W6, L6
Switzerland
The Swiss made the worst possible start they could, Young Boys being battered by Aston Villa and then Barcelona, and it hasn't got any better, as they succumbed to another defeat, this time to Milan.
Swiss tally (after Matchday 2): L2
Swiss tally (Matchday 3): L1
Swiss tally (so far): L3
Scotland
The hopes of the Scottish people rest on Celtic's shoulders, and though they won their first match they lost their second in no uncertain fashion. Tonight they could only manage a draw, not a lot of use to them.
Scottish tally (after Matchday 2): W1, L1
Scottish tally (Matchday 3): D1
Scottish tally (so far): W1, L1, D1
Serbia
No luck for the Serbs either, as Red Star Belgrade add another loss to the two they already had.
Serbian tally (after Matchday 2): L2
Serbian tally (Matchday 3): L1
Serbian tally (so far): L3
Slovakia
With also only the one team in it, Slovakia are in the same situation, having lost both their opening games, and again beaten tonight, this time by Girona.
Slovakian tally (after Matchday 2): L2
Slovakian tally (Matchday 3): L1
Slovakian tally (so far): L3
Ukraine
No luck for Ukraine either, where their solitary team, Shakhtar Donetsk, though at least managing a draw in their first match, lost their second, and fell again tonight to Arsenal.
Ukrainian tally (after Matchday 2): L1, D1
Ukrainian tally (Matchday 3): L1
Ukrainian tally (so far): L2, D1
So how do the rankings stand now? Let's check it out.
WINS
England (10)
Spain (7)
Italy and Germany (6)
France (5)
Portugal (4)
Monaco and Netherlands (2)
Scotland, Czech Republic, Croatia and Belgium (1)
LOSSES[
Germany (7)
Spain (6)
Italy (5)
Austria (4)
Belgium, Serbia, Switzerland and Slovakia (3)
Ukraine, Portugal, Netherlands and France (2)
Scotland, Czech Republic and Croatia (1)
DRAWS
Italy (5)
France, Netherlands, England and Germany (2)
Ukraine, Scotland, Portugal, Monaco, Czech Republic and Croatia (1)
Generally speaking then, at a glance, England remains top with the most wins (10), Germany replaces Spain as the country with the most losses (7) while Italy is still drawing the most games, now up to 5. However, looking just a little deeper, Italy are also losing the most games of all the countries and are winning less than England and Spain, lagging in third place and tying with Germany on 6. England has not yet lost a single game and has only drawn 2, so definitely the most successful country so far as Matchday 3 comes to a close.
Of course, this is not a fair contest as England has far more teams than some of the other countries, and that of course gives them the scope for more wins. On the other hand, it also opens up the possibility of their losing more, which they have not. Not only that, England has less teams in the competition than either Germany or Italy, both well behind them in third place with six games won each, and that's between five teams, so really an average of almost one game per team - in the entire three matchdays so far - compared to England's 10 in 4, a much higher percentage of more than 2 per team.
And if you expand that out across the whole competition as played so far (and taking only the first four countries, in a total of 12 matches (3 for each team) England have won 10, so that's an 83% win ratio. Spain, out of 12 matches, have won 7, so 58%, while Italy and Germany, with one team extra each, have to be measured by a slightly different metric: playing, in all, then, 15 matches over the three matchdays, they've each won 6, so that's just over 2 per team, or 40%. England come out on top no matter what.
In terms of losses, it's the same thing. England are top (so to speak) with precisely no losses, while Germany and Italy, both with five teams, are right up there with 7 (Germany) and 5 (Italy). Even Spain have 6 losses for their 4 teams. So running the same calculations, Germany and Italy are 7 for 15, or 47% (close to half) while Spain are 6 for 12, or 50% exactly. On that basis, Spain have lost 50% and Germany/Italy 47% (Germany only overhaul Spain at the top in terms of actual lost matches, not percentages, but in fact percentage-wise Spain are top) with England having a loss of 0%. So again, it's rule Britannia, or something.
In terms of draws, Spain are right at the bottom, with not a single one of their, so far, 12 matches ending level. England are higher up the pecking order here, with 2, but so too are France, Germany and Netherlands, while Italy tops the list with 5. Again, percentage-wise, Italy have 33%, or have drawn a third of all their matches, while England have a very much lower 16%. Germany's 2 draws out of 15 matches gives them a percentage of 13%, so actually lower than that of England, while France, with only 3 teams racks up a percentage of 22%, putting them behind Italy. Netherlands have just the 2 teams, so really their percentage is even higher, 33%, which puts them level with Italy.
I'm not going to rate them in a table based on percentages, because in the end it's the actual matches that count. But this little calculation will I hope just help to show that the above figures aren't exactly a totally accurate reflection of how each country is doing, as the number of teams each of them has is different.
When all is said and done though, the proof of the pudding is in the consumption, and English teams are really tucking in. So all we can say really, is
(https://media.tenor.com/p9LqnQxvmmIAAAAM/england-fans-world-cup.gif)
(https://media.tenor.com/yyTPHle1YdQAAAAM/homer-brain.gif)
Okay, time to put this finely-tuned brain to work! Hey! You up there! Wake up or I'll stab you with a Q-Tip! Whaddya think I pay you for??
(https://media.tenor.com/6mgZVgBE-FsAAAAM/bittensor-tao.gif)
That's better!
Now that we've had three matchdays, I think some of the next matches may be a little easier to predict. I mean, sure, Barca may still have a bad day or Atalanta may start to play, but let's be honest: nobody is putting money on Sturm Graz or Shakhtar Donetsk to win, are they?
(https://y.yarn.co/091ff423-01d9-4d76-a8cf-a68e69e527c0_text.gif)
Sorry, but they haven't exactly covered themselves in glory have they? This is why I think I may be able to make more of a guess as to who will be the
(https://y.yarn.co/7a871e6a-b631-4de9-bed3-cc73dee58310_text.gif)
in the next match and where
(https://y.yarn.co/4438232d-96bc-4993-9e2f-2335a2efec30_text.gif)
In order as they will be played then:
PSV Eindhoven v Girona: PSV haven't been great so far, but then Girona only won their first of three matches this week, so shrug. Can't call this one.
Prediction: Could go either way
Slovan Bratislava v Dinamo Zagreb: The Slovakians ain't got a single point, and while Dinamo have not exactly set the tournament alight, they have won 2 of their matches.
Prediction: A win for the Croatians.
Bologna v Monaco: Bologna, like most of their countrymen, have found it tough in the league so far, while Monaco have had a storming start, already fourth in the table with a perfect score of 3 wins, so this has to go to the visitors.
Prediction: Monaco for the win, Bologna for the sauce possibly. MMmm! Bolognese!
Borussia Dortmund v Sturm Graz: Now who expects the Austrian team to notch their first-ever point in the league this year against the German giants? I'd predict a big win for Borussia, but either way I don't see Sturm Graz surviving this.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund to win by some margin.
Celtic v Leipzig: Can the Scots come good against the Germans? My own opinion would be no. Leipzig held Liverpool to just the one goal, though they have yet to gain a single point, but I just don't see Celtic rising to the occasion. Could be wrong, but I'm going for the Germans.
Prediction: Leipzig by a small margin
Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen: Speaking of Leipzig's most recent opponents, this will be a big one. Will Liverpool slip up and become the first English team in this tournament to lose? Leverkusen are 6th in the table with 2 wins and only 1 draw, but then Arne's boys are second with a clean record of 3 wins. Hmm. Could be a cagey affair, could be a goalfest.
Prediction: Draw (probably not nil-nil though)
Lille v Juventus: The French team have been doing really well, sitting 15th with 2 wins, and have taken down major Spanish opposition already. Juventus have failed to meet the high bar Italian football, and their own history, sets for them, and lost their last match. They are however just above Lille in 14th, with just the one win, and will be looking for revenge. Still, I think Lille are unlikely to falter and I'd give it to the French team.
Prediction: Lille for the win
Real Madrid v Milan: Despite that one humiliating defeat, Real are flying with 2 wins, while Milan are another Italian team not exactly cruising along, with just one win and currently looking at being eliminated. This would have to be one you'd expect the Spanish to take.
Prediction: Real to win, possibly a walkover.
Sporting CP v Manchester City: Sporting have done kind of all right, 2 wins and 8th in the table, the last team - at the moment - liable to go through automatically to the Round of 16. But after a shaky start Man City have been buzzing, with 2 wins and now third in the table, so I'd imagine they'd walk this one.
Prediction: Man City to win.
Club Brugge v Aston Villa: Do you need to ask? The Belgians are looking at elimination, sitting in 26th place with two losses, whereas we're top of the table with three wins. Four wins after this.
Prediction: Villa for the win. In Bruges. Sorry.
Shakhtar Donetsk v Young Boys: This is a tricky one. Two of the worst teams (in terms of points, wins, and goals scored against) meet, and only one will leave. Well no, actually, UEFA's controversial "Thunderdome" proposal is still under review, so both teams will leave. But I can't see this being much of a match. Can Young Boys get their first ever point? Can Shakhtar? The smart money says no to both questions.
Prediction: Draw, most likely nil-all
Sparta Prague v Brest: I can't see the debutantes who have set the tournament on fire with 2 wins already faltering here against a Sparta side who are 21st in the table with just one win and 2 losses. Going to have to be another French victory.
Prediction: Brest look best for the win. Sorry.
Bayern Munich v Benfica: Both teams will be looking to bounce back from defeat in their last match, but particularly Bayern, who will have expected to be much higher up the table than they are, currently 23rd with just one win and 2 defeats. Benfica did well initially but lost their last match, but I think the Germans will come out all guns blazing and take them down. Not literally, of course, though football is, as has been remarked before by people far more knowledgeable about it than I, a funny old game.
Prediction: Bayern to win.
Inter Milan v Arsenal: Speaking of gun, the Gunners are one of the English teams not quite letting down the side, but have struggled in two of their matches, drawing the first and just barely winning the last one. Inter, by far the best of the five Italian teams in the league, are two places above Arsenal at 7th and have won all their games. Could be an upset for English football. Also, I hate Arsenal so...
Prediction: Inter to win.
Feyenoord v Red Bull Salzburg: I'm afraid once I see either of the Austrian teams I just assume they'll lose, as they have done up to now. I wonder what will happen if they come up against each other before being eliminated? At any rate, with no wins and no points versus Feyenoord's 2 wins and 6 points, 16th plays 34th and while miracles do sometimes happen in footy, I don't see it.
Prediction: Feyenoord to win
Red Star Belgrade v Barcelona: The word slaughter comes to mind. Can the pointless Serbians hold out against Spain's titanic legends? Duck to avoid low-flying pigs if you think they can, and don't forget, you owe me for that bridge I sold you.
Prediction: Barcelona to win easily
Paris Saint-Germain v Atletico Madrid
PSG have one win, Atletico have one, and the difference between them in terms of table positions is a massive 8 points. But Atletico are Atletico, so maybe. I don't know. Another one I'm not going to call.
Prediction: Could go either way
VfB Stuttgart v Atalanta: Again, neither team have really impressed, though Stuttgart did win their last match. Both teams are mid-table, so again no real way to know which side to bet on, so I won't.
Prediction: Could go either way
@jimmy jazz What did you think of that stupid fucking penalty? Were we robbed or what?
Nope. Definite pen. Couldn't believe it when I saw it. One of the dumbest things I've ever seen.
Well I haven't got the understanding of footy you do, of course, but was it not a clear mistake by the defender? Hardly a deliberate thing. And it's not like there were any Brugge players near the ball. I thought it was fucking stupid. And cost us our place too.
Quote from: Trollheart on Nov 08, 2024, 02:32 AMWell I haven't got the understanding of footy you do, of course, but was it not a clear mistake by the defender? Hardly a deliberate thing. And it's not like there were any Brugge players near the ball. I thought it was fucking stupid. And cost us our place too.
It wasn't deliberate it was Mings having a lapse in concentration. It's irrelevant though really as handball in the box is a penalty and Martinez had clearly played the ball so it was in play.
We'll qualify but it could cost us a place in the top 8, meaning an extra playoff round.
The good thing is I'm glad that happened now with three wins in the bag and not during the knockouts when it could literally end it all for us.
Matchday Four
PSV Eindhoven v Girona
(Netherlands v Spain)
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
PSV scored in the first sixteen minutes from a long throw, somewhat reminiscent of Tonks' halfway-across-the-pitch throw that led non-league side Tamworth to their first ever FA Cup victory last week, and the Dutch team added a second just after the half hour, to put the match beyond Girona. But they weren't finished yet, not by a long chalk, or even a short one. Girona lost a man and from then on PSV capitalised, slotting in a third five minutes from time and completing the rout when the Spanish netted into their own goal three minutes later, to give the Dutch a four-goal victory, not that PSV needed the help.
Result: PSV Eindhoven 4 - 0 Girona
Next Opponent: Shakhtar Donetsk/Sturm Graz
Prediction was: Never made
Feyenoord v Red Bull Salzburg
(Netherlands v Austria)
De Kuip, Rotterdam
Could an Austrian team score their first goal and earn their first points, or would Feyenoord continue their good start and breeze past Salzburg? My money would be on the Dutch, but it was in fact the Austrians who scored first - in every sense: for their team, in the match, for their country - in extra time at the end of the first half to give themselves an unlikely lead. They only got the chance, though, thanks to a pretty ridiculously rolled ball from the Feyenoord keeper, but Salzburg still had a lot to do, and credit to them I guess.
Could they hold on to that precious lead though, that was the question, and actually they did better than that, adding a second on the hour, and then with the Dutch having a man sent off for a red card they, um, conceded one. With 9 minutes to go. Desperate to restore their two-goal cushion Salzburg raced forward, man down in the box and a penalty was the result. Unfortunately, the Austrian team's unfamiliarity with scoring in this tournament meant that spot kicks are hardly their forte, and the bar was struck, so 2-1 it remained. With time ticking away, four minutes left they made it safe with a third to finally win their first match. Hey, maybe Red Bull does give you wiiiings after all!
Result: Feyenoord 1 - 3 Red Bull Salzburg
Next Opponent: Manchester City/Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction was: Incorrect
Slovan Bratislava v Dinamo Zagreb
(Slovakia v Croatia)
Tehelne Pole, Bratislava
The Slovakians have not been having a good time of it in this competition, and Dinamo took full advantage as they put them to the sword, after Bratislava had grabbed an unlikely lead five minutes in. Dinamo were level within another five minutes though, and added a second as the half-hour passed. A third was on the cards, and it duly came in the ninth minute of the second half, with the Croatians completing a very bad night for Slovan Bratislava 18 minutes from time with their fourth.
Result: Slovan Bratislava 1 - 4 Dinamo Zagreb
Next Opponent: AC Milan/Borussia Dortmund
Prediction was: Correct
Bologna v Monaco
(Italy v Monaco)
Stadio Renato Dall'ara, Monaco
Poor Bologna, back in Europe after decades, probably wish, on balance, they'd stayed at home. They've hardly set the competition alight, losing almost all their matches and with, I see from MOTD stats, a zero percent shot conversion rate! Small wonder, then, that they fell to Monaco, who continue to have a strong presence in the Champions League, scoring the only goal in this match with four minutes of normal time to go. The Italians must have been heartbroken, believing they had managed at least another draw, but the net bulged down their end and it was yet another defeat.
Result: Bologna 0 - 1 Monaco
Next Opponent: Lille/Benfica
Prediction was: Correct
Borussia Dortmund v Sturm Graz
(Germany v Austria)
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
The other Austrian team in the competition could not emulate their cousin and win their first match, falling to the German giant after holding them for almost the entire match. A gift of a ball given away by Sturm Graz just outside the box led to Dortmund's first and only goal, but it was enough to win it five minutes from time.
Result: Borussia Dortmund 1 - 0 Sturm Graz
Next Opponent: Dinamo Zagreb/Sturm Graz
Prediction was: Correct (but not by the large margin I expected)
Celtic v RB Leipzig
(Scotland v Germany)
Celtic Park, Glashow
Celtic are really struggling in Europe, but then so are Leipzig, the worst-scoring of the German teams in the competition so far, but it was they who struck first, halfway through the first half, to give the Scots that oh-so-familiar sinking feeling. They almost went two behind soon after, riding their luck a little with the corner, and again from a Leipzig break, but things began to change for them when they levelled the game with a beautiful curling shot ten minutes from the break, and went in search of a second, which they got just before the half ended, the same player, Kuhn, netting for the second time.
In the second half Leipzig came close to restoring parity, but Schmichael was equal to it, and again, before Celtic slammed in a third to surely put the game beyond the Germans with less than twenty minutes to go. Celtic's second win in the competition, and hell but they needed it.
Result: Celtic 3 -1 RB Leipzig
Next Opponent: Club Brugge/Inter Milan
Prediction was: Incorrect
Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen
(England v Germany)
Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool were back at the top of the Premier League at the weekend, and with a perfect start in the Champions League must have fancied this against the mighty German side. Anfield is often the twelfth man, and the crowd certainly spurred their team on to a great win, though Leverkusen seemed to have scored first, but the goal was ruled out for handling. Liverpool went on the attack, but neither team had scored by the break. Second half though, entirely different kitchen utensil of sea creatures.
Diaz opened the scoring just past the hour with a superb shot, and from then on it was all the English team as Salah headed in for their second, flagged for offside but ruled in by VAR. Diaz took his second, and Liverpool's third, seven minutes from time, and they wrapped up a commanding performance with a fourth in extra time, Diaz with the hat-trick, Liverpool with yet another win.
Result: Liverpool 4 - 0 Bayer Leverkusen]
Next Opponent: Real Madrid/Red Bull Salzburg
Prediction was: Incorrect
Lille v Juventus
(France v Italy)
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Mixed fortunes for French teams tonight as Lille could only draw with Italian giants Juventus, scoring just before the halfway mark in the first period, the Italians coming back just before the hour on the back of what looked like a soft penalty.
Result: Lille 1 - 1 Juventus
Next Opponent: Bologna/Aston Villa
Prediction was: Incorrect
Real Madrid v AC Milan
(Spain v Italy)
Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The second giant of Spanish football have been rather worryingly for them showing themselves not to be the unbeatable goal-scoring machine they have built their reputation on, and they showed this fragility again when they came up against Italy's AC Milan. The Italians were ahead on 11 minutes, Real awarded a penalty 12 minutes later and the scores were level. Before the break Milan were ahead again, Morata catching the rebound and slotting the ball beyond the Real keeper.
With 17 minutes to go Milan scored again, victory surely now looking certain for the Italians, Real facing another embarrassing defeat. The Spaniards almost pulled one back late on, but it was a fraction offside, then another last-minute effort drew the best out of the Milan keeper to give the Italians an important win.
Result: Real Madrid 1 - 3 AC Milan
Next Opponent: Liverpool/Slovan Bratislava
Prediction was: Incorrect
Inter Milan v Arsenal
(Italy v England)
San Siro, Milan
Inter are carrying the honour of Italy more or less, as the other four Italian teams - or at least three of them - perform poorly. Arsenal intended to keep up the 100 percent win record of English clubs in the tournament so far. Inter had the early chance, the ball coming off the crossbar, but a warning surely to the Gunners that they were in for a game tonight. They kept the pressure up, Arsenal seemingly unable to get near the ball and surviving attack after attack by the skin of their teeth. Why do people say that? Teeth don't have skin.
The English team did get a shot on goal, but easily gathered by the Inter keeper, a second attempt better as Arsenal began to play, and could have had a penalty but VAR said no. In the first of two minutes of extra time at the end of the half Inter broke free but a foul which led to a free became a shout for handball in the box and VAR nodded wisely and granted the Italians' wishes, Canhanoglu converting to put Inter ahead at the break.
Considering how Arsenal had been outplayed earlier on, that goal did in the end come against the run of play, as the Gunners had mostly taken control of the game, and Martinelli set about regaining that control in the second half, shooting into the side netting, but showing that the Englishmen were not lying down and taking it. A corner allowed them to come within a whisker of equalising, but Saliba missed it by a hair. Arsenal kept the pressure up, Inter now fighting to retain their one-goal lead, and you couldn't help but think the visitors were going to get their chance the longer the half went on.
All Arsenal now as they surged forward again, got another corner and almost forced Inter inter an own goal (geddit?) but it was cleared off the line. Didn't see a single Inter chance in the whole second half, their early dominance now a distant memory as Arsenal fought to draw level. Finally the Italians got their chance, but again only the outside of the net rippled, Arsenal close to going two down despite their possession.
Havertz almost grabbed the equaliser but it was blocked, definitely in otherwise. How close could the Gunners get without scoring? As the last minutes of extra time ran out, five becoming eight, they had one last chance but again blocked from Jesus and the whistle blew, Arsenal becoming the first English team to lose a match in this Champions League competition, but not for the want of trying. Sometimes, no matter what you do, it just is not going to be your day.
Result: Inter Milan 1 - 0 Arsenal
Next Opponent: RB Leipzig/Sporting CP
Prediction was: Correct
Sporting CP v Manchester City
(Portugal v England)
Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon
The man who will be attempting the almost impossible task of returning Manchester United to the legends they once were faced the other Manchester tonight, and bowed out in fine style as Sporting took them down after Foden had scored on four minutes, to put Pep's team in a commanding position, from which you would have expected they would have gone on to take control. But it seems tonight was an off one for most of the English clubs, and Sporting were level just before half time, going on to add another twenty seconds after the restart.
Things just got worse and worse for City, as Sporting were given a penalty two minutes later, Sporting now two goals ahead. City got their own penalty but of all the men to make an arse of it, Haaland hit the bar. Then, perhaps even more unbelievably, the Portuguese team got another penalty, leaving the English champions with too steep a mountain to climb, even for them. A game of three penalties, then, two taken, one not, and that was the difference. As an aside, this may have been seen by fans of Man United as their new manager beating their rivals, so essentially a sort of Manchester derby? Though,um, played in Lisbon. Ah you know what I mean.
Result: Sporting 4 - 1 Manchester City
Next Opponent: Arsenal/Feyenoord
Prediction was: Incorrect
Club Brugge v Aston Villa
(Belgium v England)
Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges
Villa went into their fourth match with a perfect record of wins, Club Brugge have had mixed fortunes, so we must have been favourites. But the Belgians were at home, which can often make a difference, plus Villa were beaten at the weekend; would that fire them up or depress them? My money would have been on the former, and in fact Watkins went close early on but just the wrong side of the Belgian post. Brugge hit back but also hit the bar, then Martinez had to save the rebound. This was clearly going to be no walkover for the European leaders.
You couldn't fault Club Brugge's effort, striking twice in quick succession, but scoreless at the break, then a totally bizarre penalty awarded against Villa when Mings picked up the ball his keeper had tapped out, seen as handball! So Villa conceded their first goal in European football this season, to perhaps the most ridiculous mistake made in the competition. Could they come back after that? This was the question, and they did their best, but chances were few and far between, and in the end Brugge took the win, in the most bizarre circumstances you can think of. A bad night for Villans, and so far, a bad night for English football too.
Result: Club Brugge 1 - 0 Aston Villa
Next Opponent: Celtic/Juventus
Prediction was: Incorrect
Shakhtar Donetsk v Young Boys
(Ukraine v Switzerland)
Arena Aufschalke, Gelsenkirchen
Two of the worst teams in the competition came up against each other, and surely we were in for a yawnfest and a nil-nil? Well, perhaps it was the night for teams who have so far not scored to start doing so, as Young Boys finally got their first ball in the net just before the half hour, even if it was a gift from the Ukrainians, who were level four minutes later, as they exploited a defence just as bad as theirs, which has let in 11 goals so far. All square, but Shakhtar had obviously tasted blood and wanted more, and they got it four minutes from the end of the half.
That, apparently, was it. I don't think I've heard before of a game effectively being won in the first half, with no further goals scored by either side, but that's where the coverage of the highlights ended, and as the score was shown I can only assume nothing of note happened in the second 45. Everything in fact seems to have happened over a fourteen-minute period in the first half.
Young Boys cruelly robbed of their first victory, their first point, but at least they saw their ball pass an opponent's keeper and nestle in the back of the net. Got to count for something. In reality, of course, counts for nothing. Shakhtar though are off the mark at last.
Result: Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - 1 Young Boys
Next Opponent: PSV Eindhoven/Atalanta
Prediction was: Incorrect
Sparta Prague v Brest
(Czech Republic v France)
Stadion Letna, Prague
The French debutantes continue to shine in their inaugural appearance at the competition, taking down Sparta Prague with their first goal just after the half-hour, their second coming with 12 minutes to go, and though Prague pulled on back in extra time, Brest's perfect start continues.
Result: Sparta Prague 1 - 2 Brest
Next Opponent: Atletico Madrid/Barcelona
Prediction was: Correct
Bayern Munich v Benfica
(Germany v Portugal)
Allianz Arena, Munich
Talk about Spanish upsets! Germany ain't been doing so well either, kamerad! The mighty Bayern Munich have lost both of their last games, and are nowhere near where they need to be - or expected to be, or were expected to be - in the table, and need to put that right without further ado. Kane did his best but could not find a way past the Benfica keeper, despite several attempts. In the second half Elise tried, but again into the keeper's hands, then Kane shot wide again, but you would have to think he was getting closer.
Benfica didn't seem to have had a shot on goal, playing a defensive line all through the game, and Bayern were bound to score against such play, and finally the Portugese net bulged just after the hour, giving the Germans their first win in three, and perhaps helping them back on track.
Result: Bayern Munich 1 - 0 Benfica
Next Opponent: Paris Saint-Germain/Monaco
Prediction was: Correct
Red Star Belgrade v Barcelona
(Serbia v Spain)
Red Star Stadium, Serbia
When you're just barely clinging on at the bottom of the league table, the last people you want to see drive into town is Barcelona, and Red Star must have been anticipating a thrashing here. The Serbians were under pressure from the off, as you would expect, and Barca opened the scoring on thirteen minutes, after a foul on Lewandowski resulted in a free, but Red Star came back just before the half hour to equalise, surely against the run of play, and surely nonplussing Barcelona.
Lewandowski re-established the Spaniards' lead though just before the break, catching the ball on the rebound after it had come back off the post. The second half saw him score again to put Barcelona in the driving seat, and before the hour they were four up, Red Star's single goal now looking very much like nothing more than a poor consolation as the Spanish team went into showboating mode. A fifth followed with still 15 minutes to go, and though the Serbs scored an unlikely second near the end, the night was indeed Barcelona's, another of the highest-scoring matches so far in this competition. And one of those others was theirs.
Result: Red Star Belgrade 2 - 5 Barcelona
Next Opponent: VfB Stuttgart/Brest
Prediction was: Correct
Paris St. Germain v Atletico Madrid
(France v Spain)
Parc des Princes, Paris
Neither team has done as well as they might have expected, and it was the French who came closest in the early stages, then their pressure told, and they scored in the 14th minute. Atletico went up the other end and forced a save out of the PSG keeper, the French giving the ball away in the box from the rebound and the Spanish scoring. All square, senors y monsieurs. Who would break the deadlock in the second half? Well again PSG came closest, shooting at the keeper and then over, and again into the keeper's arms after they had been awarded a free kick.
Atletico could not get out of their own half, but at the same time PSG were unable to capitalise on their one goal, and in the end Madrid raced clear and scored in stoppage time to take the game.
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 1 - 2 Atletico Madrid
Next Opponent: Bayern Munich/Sparta Prague
Prediction was: Not made
VfB Stuttgart v Atalanta
(Germany v Italy)
MHP Arena, Stuttgart
Stuttgart have been proving to be one of the only German teams in the Champions League to have consistent victories, while Atalanta, like many of the Italian sides, have struggled. It was they who scored first though, putting Atalanta one to the good in the second half, and then lobbing the Stuttgart keeper with two minutes of normal time to go, to take the game 2-0.
Result: VfB Stuttgart 0 - 2 Atalanta
Position in League Table:
Next Opponent: Red Star Belgrade/Young Boys
Prediction was: Not made
Overview: Matchday 4
Rather than write headlines, I'm just in future going to give general sense of what happened on the night - or two nights - of the current matchday. Not a terrible night for Spanish football, with Barcelona recording another of the competition's highest scores, but then Real slipped to AC Milan, while Girona also lost out to PSV. Atletico came back from 1-0 to win against PSG, showing some fighting spirit. German football wasn't exactly waving the flag either, with Leipzig going down to Celtic, Stuttgart losing to Atalanta and even the mighty Bayern Munich could only manage a single goal against Benfica, while Bayer Leverkusen were thrashed by Liverpool.
However the big story of the night begins with Liverpool, who were the only English team to hold their head high and continue to win, and in fact make it to the top of the table by the end of the Matchday. Villa lost, in crazy circumstances (but we had not been playing well anyway), Arsenal fell to Inter and Man City were absolutely pummelled by Sporting, leaving the Merseyside team the only ones to continue flying the flag while the rest of the British empire collapsed, so to speak. A bad night for English football, but a good one for Scottish, as Celtic finally came good and beat their opponents by two goals.
Elsewhere in the table, we have only five teams now yet to score or gain a single point, these being the ones you would expect, though surprisingly perhaps the whipping boys (no pun intended) of the tournament up to now, Young Boys have finally one goal to their name, if not a point. Leipzig, Sturm Graz, Young Boys, Red Star Belgrade and Slovan Bratislava remain the only teams without a win, and the Austrian team are the only one who have failed to net even once so far.
Italian teams though have done well. Inter beat Arsenal, Atalanta beat Stuttgart, AC Milan stormed back against Real and came away with a famous victory, Juventus drew with Lille and only poor old Bologna let the side down, falling to yet another defeat, this time against Monaco. A victory for Portuguese football, and a statement of intent from their manager, departing soon for English shores, with Sporting battering Pep's Man City.
Also smaller but to them no less important victories as Shakhtar got their first, beating Young Boys, and Red Bull Salzburg finally bringing some hope to Austrian efforts, having taken their first three points, against Feyenoord, and not just by one fluke goal either. High score of the night was of course Barcelona's 5-2 demolition of Red Star, the second time the Spanish giants have put five past the opposition in this tournament, while the big shock has to be Ruben Amorim's parting gift to his team - and by weird extension, the biggest rivals of the English club - by routing Manchester City four goals to one.
Controversy of the night I think has to be that bizarre penalty awarded against Villa for that crazy handball, while miss of the night must go to Red Bull's extremely poorly-taken penalty against Feyenoord, even if they did win by a comfortable margin. Other stories include AC Milan's comeback against Real, and Celtic's much-needed win at home against Leipzig.
Nations' Progress.
I suspect there are going to be some pretty major changes in terms of who's leading, who's winning and who's losing after Matchday 4. One thing I do know is that the English tally is going to look a lot different, and not in a good way.
Austria
Finally Austrians have something to cheer, as Red Bull Salzburg pulled off a surprising win against Feyenoord, and did it in style, beating the Dutch 3-1. Sturm Graz maintain their 100 percent loss record, but it's a start.
Austrian tally (Matchday 4): W1, L1
Austrian tally (so far): W1, L5
Belgium
Belgium took their second win of the competition at our expense, the match decided on that fucking penalty, but they're on the way.
Belgian tally (Matchday 4): W1
Belgian tally (so far): W2, L3
Croatia
Croatia capitalised on the continuing bad form of Slovan Bratislava, hitting them for four and climbing six places up the table.
Croatian tally (Matchday 4): W1
Croatian tally (so far): W2, D1, L1
Czech Republic
The Czechs' poor form continues, with Sparta Prague being beaten 2-1 by Brest, though I suppose at least they scored a goal. That gives them a total of two now.
Czech tally (Matchday 4): L1
Czech tally (so far): W1, D1, L2
England
This is, of course, where we see the serious seismic changes taking place at the top of the league table, as all but one of the English teams suffered their first defeat of the competition. Although Liverpool continued to kick European butt, taking down Bayer Leverkusen 4-0, Arsenal slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Inter, we fell to Club Brugge and Man City? Well, they were hammered into the ground by Sporting. Must still have a headache.
English tally (Matchday 4): W5, L3
English tally (so far): W11, L3, D2
France
Overall French teams are still doing well, with Lille holding Juventus to a 1-1 draw and Brest defeating Sparta Prague, though PSG fell to a comeback from Atletico Madrid, at least leading for, um, four minutes.
French tally (Matchday 4): W1, D1, L1
French tally (so far): W6, D3, L3
Germany
Some wins for German teams but some losses as well. As detailed above, Bayer went down 4-0 to Liverpool while the constantly-losing Leipzig lost again, this time to Celtic. Stuttgart lost also, the only teams to win being Dortmund and Bayern, neither of whom thrashed their opponent, 1-0 each.
German tally (Matchday 4): W2, L3
German tally (so far): W8, D2, L10[/b]
Italy
Until tonight, no country had, I think, had a perfect record of wins, and Italy are no exception, but they did well tonight, with Juventus only managing a draw against Lille, Bologna as usual losing, this time to Monaco, but all the other three teams winning. AC Milan took down the mighty Real, Inter upset the Gunners by handing them their first defeat of the campaign, and Atalanta beat Stuttgart.
Italian tally (Matchday 4): W3, D1, L1
Italian tally (so far): W9, D5, L6
Monaco
Monaco seem almost unstoppable, with just the one draw marring an otherwise perfect record of wins for the tiny team. Tonight was another, as they handed Bologna their, ah, dinner, taking them for 2-0.
Monaco tally (Matchday 4): W1
Monaco tally (so far): W3, D1
Netherlands
The Netherlands had mixed fortunes tonight. For Feyenoord it must have been particularly galling to have provided rank outsiders Red Bull Salzburg with their first win, while PSV Eindhoven took Girona down for four goals to nil.
Dutch tally (Matchday 4): W1, L1
tally (so far): W3, L3, D2
Portugal
A great and emotional night for Portugal as Sporting bade farewell to their longtime coach, who bowed out with a superb win against Manchester City. Benfica,however, could not get past Bayern.
Portuguese tally (Matchday 4): W1, L1
Portuguese tally (so far): W5, L3, D1
Spain
On their day, Spain can be unplayable, but this is not really turning out to be the case with this competition. Tonight they had successes as Barcelona beat poor Red Star off the pitch, but Real fell to AC Milan, while Girona also lost and Atletico beat PSG.
Spanish tally (Matchday 4): W2, L2
Spanish tally (so far): W8, L8
Switzerland
Young Boys almost - almost! - got their first win but Shakhtar shakhtarred (sorry) their dreams of three points, then took away the single point they could have had, leaving them with nothing to show for all their efforts.
Swiss tally (Matchday 4): L1
Swiss tally (so far): L4
Scotland
A well-needed win for Celtic allowed Scotland to put some polish on a performance that has been looking pretty dusty and stale.
Scottish tally (Matchday 4): W1
Scottish tally (so far): W2, L1, D1
Serbia
Another bad night for the Serbs, as Barcelona took them apart, and did not bother putting them back together again.
Serbian tally (Matchday 3): L1
Serbian tally (so far): L4
Slovakia
Languishing at the foot of the table, Bratislava were again beaten, this time by Dinamo.
Slovakian tally (Matchday 3): L1
Slovakian tally (so far): L4
Ukraine
Shakhtar though finally won their first match, at the expense of a Young Boys team who, for once, seemed to know where the ball was and where to kick it. Unfortunately for them, they only managed to kick it into the Ukrainian net twice less than their opponents.
Ukrainian tally (Matchday 4): W1
Ukrainian tally (so far): W1, L2, D1
So how do the rankings stand now? Let's check it out.
WINS
England (11)
Spain and Italy (9)
Germany [8]
France (6)
Portugal (5)
Monaco and Netherlands (3)
Scotland (2)
Croatia and Belgium (2)
Czech Republic, Austria and Ukraine (1)
LOSSES[
Germany (10)
Spain [8]
Italy (6)
Austria (5)
Ukraine, Serbia, Switzerland and Slovakia (4)
Portugal, France, England, Netherlands and Belgium (3)
Croatia (2)
Scotland, Czech Republic (1)
DRAWS
Italy (6)
France, Netherlands, England and Germany (2)
Ukraine, Scotland, Portugal, Monaco, Czech Republic and Croatia (1)
Perhaps surprisingly, no real change at the top of any of the groups. England, despite three losses, still lead in terms of wins, with 11, Germany still have the highest losses at 10 and Italy are the draw experts, topping the table with 6. The only real change in the wins category is that Germany, Spain and Italy is now Italy, Spain and Austria, with Salzburg having scored their first win, pushing the Germans down into third place. Other that, it's as you were.
Losses sees, as I say, Germany remain at the top with 10, followed in order by Spain, Italy and Austria, the only move of any real significance being the dropping of Belgium to sixth from fifth, due to their win against Villa. Draws has Italy in top place with 6, and everyone else more or less the same.
So really, as I say, not the massive shift I had expected, with England still leading in wins, for now.
(https://i.postimg.cc/RVGsHSwn/CLM.png)
Tale of the Table
In addition to including it in the table graphic, I've now moved all the pertinent information about the standings here, where I can discuss it separate from the matches. The first, and most obvious point is that there is a new leader on the table, but it's still an English team. Liverpool, the only one of four to win tonight, take top spot from Aston Villa, a move of in fact just one place for them, reflecting their fortunes in the Premier League too. One of the biggest movers is Sporting, who climb 6 place to take second slot vacated by Liverpool as they move into pole position. Monaco and Brest take third and fourth place, moving up one each, and other than that it's quiet at the top, though very much lacking that English flavour the table had at the end of last matchday, with all other teams from England losing.
Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund both almost make it into the top five with their victories tonight, and Atalanta are another big mover, six places from 17 to 9, making it two Italian teams in the top ten, though at the moment only Inter Milan are set to qualify automatically for the Round of 16. Losses are mainly on the part of English teams, obviously, as Villa slide from the top to 8th, Man City from third to tenth, and Arsenal, who weren't doing as well as their other English cousins, drop three from 9 to 12.
In the middle of the table, Celtic are also a big mover from 20 to 15, while both Dinamo Zagreb and Bayern Munich move up 5, to 16th and 17th respectively. A decent enough position for the Croatians, possibly, but nowhere near good enough for the German giants, who overall have underperformed so far in this competition. Nobody would have expected to have seen them in this low position, least of all themselves.
AC Milan move up five to 20 after their victory over Real Madrid, while Club Brugge, Atletico Madrid and PSV all take a four-step leap to 22nd, 23rd and 24th respectively. This still leaves them looking at the Knock-out Play-offs, but has removed them, for now, from elimination out of the tournament.
The teams at the top then, and currently qualifying (though of course this is only half-over, and may change next matchday) are English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Italian and German, kind of what you would expect, with the exception of Monaco, who currently stand at third. Hoping for qualification through the knock-out play-offs are English, Italian, German, French, Scottish, Croatian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and Belgian teams. Slated for elimination at the moment: Ukrainian, Austrian, Czech, Swiss, German, Spanish, Italian, Serbian and Slovakian teams.
(https://i.redd.it/yfbje0zkrk2a1.jpg)
Trollheart's Tip for the Title
Sure, it's early yet, but my money would be on Liverpool to win it. They've performed consistently well, are the only English team to have a perfect winning record, have the least amount of goals against them - just the one - shared only with Arsenal and Sporting, and have scored the second-highest tally, only behind Barcelona (who are in 6th place), Villa (in 8th, and from whom they just took top spot) andLille, who are all the way down in 14th. Given their performance in the Premier League, too, added to their long experience in this competition, a manager who almost seems not to know how to lose, and the general air of euphoria and resurgence around the club, I think it will be hard to beat them.
Mind you, don't discount Brest, absolutely flying in their first-ever tournament, and if and when they come up against Liverpool I imagine that will be some match. The big hitters - your Barcelonas, your Bayerns, your Reals and your Man Cities - have all failed to impress, and I don't see them making up the ground on Liverpool. YNWA!
As for predictions for Matchday 5, let's see. Who are likely to hit the jackpot
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In the next match and who will come out the
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Sparta Prague v Atletico Madrid: Fresh off their victory over PSG, the Spanish will surely want to keep up the pressure, and 23rd position will obviously not do them, so they will be looking to advance up the table. Sparta Prague had the tits beaten off them, sorry were beaten by Brest, and still have just the one win, languishing in elimination position on the table, but I couldn't see them rising to the occasion here.
Prediction: Atletico to win.
Slovan Bratislava v AC Milan: Another no-hoper, the Slovakians are rooted to the very foot of the table without a single point, whereas Milan beat Real and will want to capitalise on that. Should be an easy win for the Italians.
Prediction: Victory to Milan.
Bayer Leverkusen v Red Bull Salzburg: May not be the walkover for the Germans that it would have been previously. Salzburg finally won tonight, impressively beating Feyenoord 3-1, and Bayer themselves were defeated by Liverpool 4-0. The Germans are at 13th and only have the two wins. I would expect they'd be able to add a third though. Can't see Salzburg coming good against them.
Prediction: Bayer to win.
Young Boys v Atalanta: Would anyone bet on the Swiss team winning? Not me. They may score (marginally possible) but they've proven they can't hold a lead, whereas the Italians won tonight.
Prediction: Atalanta to win.
Barcelona v Brest: This may not be the foregone conclusion it would at first seem. I mean, we are talking a titan of the competition versus the new boys, but the new boys have not only been making serious inroads into this Champions League and now sit fourth with three wins and a draw, but the Spanish giants are three places below them with... three wins and a draw. Yes, Barca have a superior goal tally, but I would say there'll be more about this match than you might expect, and it could turn out to be one of the matches of the day (sorry).
Prediction: Not gonna call it
Bayern Munich v Paris Saint-Germain: This is easier to call, on the face of it. While the Germans have underperformed, they're still winning more matches than PSG, and are eight places above them. I imagine a win for Bayern here.
Prediction: Bayern to win
Inter Milan v Leipzig: The best performing of the Italian teams, currently fifth with four wins out of four, versus the poorest of the German ones, 32nd with no wins? Surely not hard to call this one!
Prediction: Inter to win
Manchester City v Feyenoord: Both teams well beaten tonight, both will be looking to improve their standing, City at 10th with 3 wins, Feyenoord at 21st with two, but my money would be on the English team.
Prediction: Man City to win
Sporting CP v Arsenal: The Gunners will, like their Manchester rivals, want to start climbing the table again, while Sporting have taken a huge English scalp and probably fancy another.
Prediction: Draw
Red Star Belgrade v VfB Stuttgart: Another one that's hard to call. Neither team have done particularly great in the competition so far, but Red Star haven't won a game and are one from the bottom, while Stuttgart are 26th with two wins. Probably expect the Germans to take this.
Prediction: Stuttgart to win
Sturm Graz v Girona: Sorry Austrians but if it's a match-up between one of your country's teams and anyone, I'll go for the other guy. Out of in total 8 games played by Austrian sides, only 1 game has been won, whereas Girona have managed at least one and are four places above Sturm Graz.
Prediction: Girona to win
Monaco v Benfica: Without a single loss or even draw, four wins and sitting third in the table, Monaco seem very likely to proceed. Benfica, way down in 19th place, have just the one win.
Prediction: Monaco to win
Aston Villa v Juventus: I would certainly hope my lads would be anxious to scrub out the embarrassing defeat by Club Brugge tonight, and start making their way back to the top. Juventus though are only three places below us, but with just the one victory. Plus we're at home so hopefully Villa Park will cheer us on to glory.
Prediction: Villa to win (did you expect anything else?)
Bologna v Lille: The Italians haven't won a match yet, and I don't see them starting here, against a Lille team who are 17 places above them.
Prediction: Lille to win
Celtic v Club Brugge: The Scots will want to keep going, now that they've won their second match, and though Brugge took us down, that was- only on the back of a penalty. Other than that, it's their only win and they're at 22nd while Celtic are 7 places higher.
Prediction: Celtic for the win.
Dinamo Zagreb v Borussia Dortmund: Dinamo grabbed a victory tonight to add to their other two, whereas Dortmund only have two, but the Germans are 9 places above the Croatians.
Prediction: Draw
Liverpool v Real Madrid: Has to be one of the ties of the tournament so far. Liverpool will want to maintain their 100% win record and keep top spot, but Real will be stinging from that defeat to AC Milan, and are unlikely to be easy to get past. Still, I think the English team can do it.
Prediction: Liverpool to win
PSV Eindhoven v Shakhtar Donetsk: Does anyone think this is in doubt? Despite the Ukrainians gaining their first ever victory tonight, they're down the bottom and PSV are likely to blow them away.
Prediction: PSV to win.
@Trollhearthttps://x.com/centregoals/status/1861542502735438157
Bit strange.
I don't usually complain about refs as I think it's a cop out and fans like to do it because they love having someone else to blame.
But that referee tonight is a fucking disgusting bastard and I hope he gets diarrhoea for Christmas.
Robbed us of one of the greatest results in our European history.
No fucking way was that a foul.
From start to finish our players were getting booked for nothing while Juve players fouled ours with no repercussions.
And I fucking hate Juve BTW.
Forza Roma 🟠🔴
Totally agree. A perfect, well-executed, last-minute goal that had me raising the rafters and would have scared the cat if I still had one, and then FUCKING WHAT?? A foul? No fucking way.
Honestly, I think refs should have to explain themselves in match interviews after ridiculous decisions like these, particularly when it impacts who wins the game. They talk about goalkeepers being too protected, but what about the man who makes the call? He should not be able to hide in the dressing room and say "No I'm not coming out: I made my decision and you have to live with it, even if it was wrong." Stupid cunt. He had better hope he never finds himself on the mean streets of Birmingam. Personally, I hope the Referee Association fine him. Or at the very least, the yuletide log slips from his fire and burns down his house.
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Matchday 5
Sparta Prague v Atletico Madrid
(Czech Republic v Spain)
Stadion Letna, Prague
Atletico opened the scoring in the first quarter hour from a free kick, and doubled their lead just before half time, adding a third on the hour, and then a fourth ten minutes later, to breeze past Sparta Prague. But they weren't finished yet as they netted for a fifth five minutes from time, and then hit the Czechs for six in the final minute. One might say a case of overkill?
Result: Sparta Prague 0 - 6 Atletico Madrid
Next Opponent: Feyenoord/Slovan Bratislava
Prediction was: Correct
Slovan Bratislava v AC Milan
(Slovakia v Italy)
Tehelne Pole, Bratislava
Would not have given much for the Slovakians' chances here against one of the premier Italian teams, and AC Milan were ahead on 21 minutes but Slovan came back three minutes later to level the match. Milan soon restored order though, two more in the second half, three minutes apart, leaving Slovan down the bottom of the table, where they must feel right at home. Even a second goal for the Slovaks in the dying minutes couldn't put a better complexion on the scoreline.
Result: Slovan Bratislava 2 - 3 AC Milan
Next Opponent: Atletico Madrid/Red Star Belgrade
Prediction was: Correct
Bayer Leverkusen v Red Bull Salzburg
(Germany v Austria)
BayArena, Leverkusen
After a brief blip, it's back to normal for Austria in this competition as Red Bull went down 5-0 to Bayer Leverkusen. It really was a blitzkrieg, with the Germans opening the scoring from a penalty and the match only eight minutes old. Three minute later they had doubled their lead, and on the half hour two became three, Salzburg unable to hold them. The second half progressed much the same as the first, Bayer in total control as they added a fourth on the hour and followed that up with another ten minutes later.
Result: Bayer Leverkusen 5 - 0 Red Bull Salzburg
Next Opponent: Inter Milan/Paris Saint-Germain
Prediction was: Correct
Young Boys v Atalanta
(Switzerland v Italy)
Stadion Wankdorf, Berne
A familiar feeling for Young Boys as they went behind only nine minutes in. But they equalised two minutes later to give themselves some hope of gaining their first point in the league. Atalanta put paid to those hopes though with two more either side of the half-hour mark, adding a fourth before the break, the Italian team maybe rubbing it in now. Atlanta haven't exactly been what you'd call a high-scoring team up to now, with a total of five goals so far, but they equalled that total tonight in the one game, when they added a fifth just before the hour was up, and rounded off a commanding performance to make it six with a minute to go. Young Boys' biggest defeat (and that's saying something!) which left the Swiss team looking at a very disconsolate ride back to their hotel.
Result: Young Boys 1 - 6 Atalanta
Next Opponent: VfB Stuttgart/Real Madrid
Prediction was: Correct
Barcelona v Brest
(Spain v France)
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona
Before this competition kicked off, nobody would have given the French side, playing for the first time in the Champions League, a hope against the mighty Barcelona. But Brest have proved themselves more than equal to the task, almost the stars of the show really, with three wins and a draw, and sitting in fourth place. Barcelona, meanwhile, are two places below them, a situation they no doubt wished to remedy with all speed tonight. They started to do just this when they were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute, which gave them the lead, adding a second just after the hour after some fine heroics by the Brest keeper.
The French thought they had pulled one back, but that annoying offside flag went up, and 2-0 it remained, till Lewandowski scored his second, and Barca's third as extra time ticked away, to hand Brest their first defeat, and I guess welcome them properly to European football.
Result: Barcelona 3 - 0 Brest
Next Opponent: Borussia Dortmund/PSV Eindhoven
Prediction was: Not made
Bayern Munich v Paris Saint-Germain
(Germany v France)
Allianz Arena, Munich
The German giants have not shone as expected in this league so far, sitting at a very uncomfortable 17th in the table, and currently looking at play-offs to progress. They had the best of the chances but seemed unable to do anything with them, while PSG tried but were equally stymied. The breakthrough came at the end of the first half, Bayern ahead after some very poor defending by the French team. Things got worse for the visitors in the second half when they had a man sent off, and from then on it was German stoicism all the way as Bayern held on for the win. Not pretty, but it helps the Germans move up the table.
Result: Bayern Munich 1 - 0 Paris Saint-Germain
Next Opponent: Shakhtar Donetsk/Red Bull Salzburg
Prediction was: Correct
Inter Milan v RB Leipzig
(Italy v Germany)
San Siro, Milan
A single goal was enough to separate the sides at the final whistle here, and to add insult to injury it was an own goal by the German team that sealed it just before the end of the first period. With opponents like that, who needs team mates? Or something.
Result: Inter Milan 1 - 0 RB Leipzig
Next Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen/Aston Villa
Prediction was: Correct
Manchester City v Feyenoord
(England v Netherlands)
The Etihad, Manchester
City are experiencing a very unexpected wobble in the Premiership that threatens to shake the wheels off, and though they still reside at second in the table there, eight points now separate them and the league leaders. In addition to this, they lost their last Champions League match too, and while it might be a little early to talk about a crisis of confidence at the Etihad, it would be vital for them to start winning again. Especially at home. It was of course Haaland who had the first chance, but if you're counting, since Saturday that's five missed chances by the big goal machine. He put that to bed though in the final minute of the first half, though it took a penalty for him to be able to convert. Nevertheless, it was in the back of the net and that's in the end all that counts.
And that was all that counted, in the first half anyway, as they chased a second after the restart, getting it when Gundogan scored five minutes in, to put his team in a comfortable position, something they have not felt for a few weeks now. Haaland netted again three minutes later, and that was that. Man City 3-0, no coming back from that for the Dutch team, United finally win a match.
Right?
Well... probably best not to enumerate too many young birds before they've broken through the shell, really. In one of the most amazing turnarounds of this Champions League so far, that wobble persisted as City gave the ball away in the box, which led to Feyenoord's first, with 15 minutes of the match left, seemingly only a consolation. Surely only a consolation. Ah, but then they scored again, eight minutes left on the clock, City's lead not looking so solid. But surely not? I mean, this was Manchester City, after all - multiple Premier League champions, Champions of Europe and fighting for another title at home.
Keep reading.
Charging forward in the final minute, a position they should never have been allowed to be in (doesn't anyone at the Etihad know about the corner flag? Especially in the last fucking minute!) Feyenoord equalised, and you would have to say, at this point, almost normal service has been resumed at the Etihad. Lucky Pep has no hair, or he'd surely have been tearing it out as a 3-0 lead vanished and City were left almost lucky to have the one point. Maybe that talk about a crisis of confidence isn't so premature after all.
Result: Manchester City 3 - 3 Feyenoord
Next Opponent: Juventus/Sparta Prague
Prediction was: Incorrect
Sporting CP v Arsenal
(Portugal v England)
Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon
Playing for the first time without their famous manager, who has crossed the channel to take charge of a struggling Manchester United, Sporting were behind within 7 minutes as Martinelli opened the scoring for the Gunners. And halfway through the first period they were two to the good, Havertz helping himself. Surely this was not the team that took Man City apart last matchday? Arsenal ended the first half three goals ahead, the third scored in extra time and leaving the Portuguese side with a real mountain to climb in the second.
They began to fight back immediately, two minutes into the second half, cutting Arsenal's lead to two, but when the English side got a penalty that lead was restored just after the hour. Sporting tried but if a 4-1 scoreline was going to be hard to overturn, 5-1 was impossible as Trossard put the seal on a fine Arsenal performance eight minutes from time. Now I guess Sporting know how Pep felt last time!
Result: Sporting CP 1 - 5 Arsenal
Next Opponent: Club Brugge/Monaco
Prediction was: Incorrect
Red Star Belgrade v VfB Stuttgart
(Serbia v Germany)
Red Star Stadium, Belgrade
While Stuttgart have hardly set the competition alight, you would not have expected them to be slaughtered by Red Star, but that's what happened when the two met, the Serbians putting an incredible five goals past them without a single reply, making this Red Star's best score in the Champions League this year. And it had all started so well for the Germans, as they scored within the first five minutes, but six minutes after that Red Star were level, and from there on it was an absolute assault on the Stuttgart goal.
With the game a half-hour old, they went ahead and so in at the break 2-1 to the Serbians. They didn't hang around and were three up by the hour mark, adding a fourth just before the 70th minute, and with two minutes of the match to go, and the game clearly already won, Red Star notched up their biggest victory in the competition with a fifth goal. Stuttgart shattered, Germans' jaws on the floor. Celebrations in Belgrade tonight!
Result: Red Star Belgrade 5 - 0 VfB Stuttgart
Next Opponent: AC Milan/Young Boys
Prediction was: Incorrect
Sturm Graz v Girona
(Austria v Spain)
Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt
Flying the flag for Austria, could Sturm Graz overcome the Spanish side, who are not doing all that well? Girona are the lowest-placed of the four Spanish teams, and have the least amount of wins, just the one. Girona came close, their best chance an absolute sitter, and had cause to rue that miss when the Austrians scored to take the lead on the hour. As it turned out, it was the goal that won the match, giving Sturm Graz their first points, their first win, and Austria their second.
Result: Sturm Graz 1 - 0 Girona
Next Opponent: Lille/Liverpool
Prediction was: Incorrect
Monaco v Benfica
(Monaco v Portugal)
Stade Louis II, Monaco
Monaco have lit up the competition, winning every one of their matches and sitting third in the table. According to my statistics, only two other teams have won all their games, Liverpool and Inter Milan. That's some amazing company to be in, and they were ahead on the quarter-hour, a second shot after the Benfica keeper had saved. As the second half began the Portuguese were almost immediately two down, but the shot came back off the post, then while it's still a little way to Christmas, Monaco presented a gift-wrapped opportunity to Benfica three minutes in, who did not squander the opportunity to level the match, pretty much the only way it looked like they would.
Monaco quickly went about the job of restoring their lead, and thought they had done, but it was ruled out for offside. Benfica, meanwhile, to quote Steve Winwood, saw a chance and took it, scoring their second to take the lead. Except it, too, was marked off by those hated lines and VAR said on yer bike son. 1-1 it remained.Then Monaco had a man sent off and the whole game... didn't change, as they scored again on 67. Holding that lead with a man down though was always going to be a big ask, and six minutes from time Benfica again levelled the match, then four minutes later scored again, to take the match and hand Monaco their first defeat in the tournament.
Result: Monaco 2 - Benfica 3
Next Opponent: Arsenal/Bologna
Prediction was: Incorrect
Aston Villa v Juventus
(England v Italy)
Villa Park, Birmingham
Eager to get back to winning ways, in Europe if not the Premiership, Villa were at home against the Italian giants, who have only won one of their games compared to the English side, who are three for four. I must say, in a humorous aside, Juventus's away strip made it look like they had ten refs running around after the ball! The ref was in orange, just so there would be no confusion. Villa laid siege to the Juventus goal, but no score at the break, Martinez just about keeping out a Juventus shot, almost but not quite over the line.
Still nothing to separate the teams as we entered the final seconds of extra time and Villa got a free, Rogers scoring to take the game. But now we had to wait for VAR as the goal was chalked off, so the game ended in a draw. Absolute disgrace. That was never a foul. At least the ref was easily identifiable in his orange strip. Hey! Maybe him and Juventus were in on it, and that's why they all looked like him, to distract and confuse anyone who might have wanted to have a word with him on the way out of the stadium? I bet he had to have an escort.
Result: Aston Villa 0 - 0 Juventus
Next Opponent: RB Leipzig/Manchester City
Prediction was: Incorrect
Bologna v Lille
(Italy v France)
Stadio Renato Dall'ara, Bologna
I'm not going to keep ragging on poor Bologna. Oh all right then: one more. They must be almost sorry they got back into European football after so long, with no wins, one single point and already looking a shoo-in (or should that be shoo-out?) for elimination. Lille had two chances to open the scoring just before the end of the half, and took the second as the ball rebounded back, the Italian defence floundering like, well, insert your own Italian stereotype here, I'm bored doing it. Bologna fans though finally had something to cheer as just past the hour their team scored their first ever Champions League goal, their joy short-lived (and probably expectedly so) as Lille restored their lead literally three minutes later to hand the Italians yet another defeat. Mamma mia! Or something.
Result: Bologna 1 - 2 Lille
Next Opponent: Benfica/Sturm Graz
Prediction was: Correct
Celtic v Club Brugge
(Scotland v Belgium)
Celtic Park, Glasgow
With a one hundred percent win record at home in the competition so far, Celtic were playing in front of their own fans again, but it was Club Brugge who took the early chance, but just wide, the home side's first shot going high over the bar. Back came the Belgians, again very close, and then just before the half-hour mark Celtic scored. But down the wrong end. Own goal put Brugge ahead in the most ridiculous manner, Celtic humbled at home.
The Scottish team tried to redress the balance in the second half, but almost went two down, just saved by the keeper, then Celtic almost drew level, less than a yard in it. On the hour they did it though, a fine shot into the Brugge net to equalise. Not for long though, as 9 minutes later Brugge were ahead again, but was it offside? Yes it was, said VAR, and so the match ended with the points shared.
Result: Celtic 1 - 1 Club Brugge
Next Opponent: Dinamo Zagreb/Sporting CP
Prediction was: Incorrect
Dinamo Zagreb v Borussia Dortmund
(Croatia v Germany)
Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb
Dortmund made this look easy, scoring twice in the first half and then sealing it at the death to take the victory 3-0. Dinamo, perhaps overconfident after their last victory against Slovan Bratislava, don't seem to have had a kick of the ball, though of course highlights are exactly that: highlights, but it seems there were none of them for the Croatian side. They must have held a decent line of defence though, as Dortmund only opened the scoring just before the break, but in the second half the German side applied all the pressure, adding a second in the first ten minutes and capping off the victory with a third just before the final whistle.
Result: Dinamo Zagreb 0 - 3 Borussia Dortmund
Next Opponent:
Prediction was: Incorrect
Liverpool v Real Madrid
(England v Spain)
Anfield, Liverpool
One of the biggest ties of the competition, as Liverpool, unbeaten in Europe and unbeaten at home, took on Spanish giants Real Madrid. Not the worst of times to be taking on the Iberian legends, as Real's form so far can only be described as stuttering, having been beaten twice already. Both teams are used to facing each other, as they've contested the final three times before, Liverpool winning in 1981, Real taking it in 2008 and again in 2022.
Liverpool were on the attack early and could have scored in the fourth minute but the ball was cleared off the line. A punch-up of sorts in the Real box, both players getting carded as the English side continued to apply the pressure, the Real keeper able to keep out the shot. Despite all their efforts though, scoreless at the break, Real perhaps the luckier of the two teams, but not for long as McAllister netted for Liverpool seven minutes into the second half.
Real got a penalty but Kelleher performed brilliantly as he saved from Mbappe. Liverpool on the break then and it was the home team's turn to get a penalty as Salah was chopped down in the box. Amazingly, the man on whom you would bet your house to score missed, shooting wide, the keeper not even having to make the save! But with 14 minutes to go Gakpo made it safe with Liverpool's second, a lovely header from the corner, poor defending from a lacklustre Spanish side, Liverpool maintain their perfect record in the Champions League, and condemn Real to their third defeat in the tournament.
Result: Liverpool 2 - 0 Real Madrid
Next Opponent: Girona/Atalanta
Prediction was: Correct
PSV Eindhoven v Shakhtar Donetsk
(Netherlands v Ukraine)
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
With only four points separating the teams, and Shakhtar on a high after their first ever win last time out, the Ukrainians must have fancied this. PSV have only won one match, the same as their opponents, and in fact it was the visitors who scored first, an early lead as the game had only been progressing for eight minutes, the keeper almost keeping it out, but into the bottom corner it went. Quite amazingly, the Ukrainians doubled their lead just after half an hour, to go in at the break two ahead. A red card produced in the second though left Shakhtar a man down, and PSV scored three late goals to take the match. The first came three minutes from time to halve the deficit. Were Shakhtar about to do what we may unkindly refer to from now on as a "City" and lose a seemingly winning lead? As Dave Hester says on Storage Wars "Yuuup!"
As full time loomed, PSV got their reward as they drew level, then completed the turnaround in extra time to take the match. Shakhtar no doubt wondering "What the fuck!" or whatever the Ukrainian equivalent is.
Result: PSV Eindhoven 3 - 2 Shakhtar Donetsk
Next Opponent: Brest/Bayern Munich
Prediction was: Correct
Overview Matchday 5
There are a lot of stories this week, but before I get into that, my own attention is drawn to the amount of games with huge scores in them, surely more than any other matchday? We have Young Boys getting another six of the best, this time at the hands of Atlanata, Red Star battering Stuttgart 5-1, Arsenal putting five past Sporting, Bayer Leverkusen taking Red Bull Salzburg for five without reply, and Atletico slamming six into the Sparta Prague net and coming away with a clean sheet. That's five matches in which the score was 5 goals or more in favour of the winner. Of course, none of these are the highest score in the competition - that honour belongs to Bayern who beat Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 on the opening day - but I haven't seen a matchday previously which had so many teams being beaten by huge, huge margins.
That would be controversial enough, but then we have that total shock result for Man City, who were cruising at 3-0 and ended being forced into a draw - in the last fifteen minutes! We also had the first defeat of the competition for Brest at the hands of Barcelona, and the second victory for Austrian teams as Sturm Graz came good against Girona. Real were well beaten by Liverpool, who continue their perfect record, and Monaco tasted defeat for the first time. Finally, we had that incredibly stupid decision by the ref to disallow what should have been Aston Villa's winner against Juventus. I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's possible this may be the only matchday so far with three sendings-off, leaving three teams to struggle with ten men; in all cases, as you might expect, that ten-man team lost. And while it may not be the only one, the Liverpool/Real match was the first I've seen here in which two penalties were awarded and both were missed!
Nations' Progress
With quite a few shocks this week, how are the individual nations doing now? Let's take a butcher's, shall we?
Austria
Last time out it was Red Bull Salzburg keeping Austrian hopes alive, this time it's their countrymen, Sturm Graz, who beat Girona by a single goal. That gives Austria as a country two wins overall.
Austrian tally (Matchday 5): W1, L1
Austrian tally (so far): W2, L6
Belgium
Belgium's Club Brugge played out a 1-1 draw with Celtic, so no more wins for them this time out.
Belgian tally (Matchday 5): D1
Belgian tally (so far): W2, L3, D1
Croatia
Croatia's only team in the competition, Dinamo Zagreb, lost to Borussia Dortmund.
Croatian tally (Matchday 5): L1
Croatian tally (so far): W2, D1, L2
Czech Republic
The Czechs' poor form continues, with Sparta Prague hammered by Atletico.
Czech tally (Matchday 5): L1
Czech tally (so far): W1, D1, L3
England
Liverpool remain the only English team in the competition - and one of only three overall - who have a perfect record of wins, which they added to tonight when they took down Real. Arsenal battered Sporting, while Villa were denied their match-winning goal by a blind ref and VAR team and so had to settle for a draw. Man City, of course, we know is the shock of the night, losing a 3-0 lead to be left with a draw against Feyenoord.
English tally (Matchday 5): W2, D2
English tally (so far): W13, L3, D4
France
Not the best night for la belle France, as PSG were beaten by Bayern and Brest were beaten by Barcelona, but at least Lille won on the night, beating the hapless Bologna.
French tally (Matchday 5): W1, L2
French tally (so far): W7, D3, L5
Germany
German teams did well, with Bayern beating PSG and Bayer Leverkusen taking down Red Bull Salzburg, while Borussia Dortmund made short work of Shakhtar Donetsk, the only blip on the radar being Stuttgart's decimation by Red Star Belgrade and RB Leipzig's defeat at the hands of Inter Milan.
German tally (Matchday 5): W3, L2
German tally (so far): W11, D2, L12[/b]
Italy
A good night too for Italy, with Inter beating Leipzig and AC Milan defeating Slovan Bratislava, Atalanta crushed Young Boys though Juventus could only draw with Villa (and should have lost: poxy ref) and Bologna, as expected, the idiot cousin, lost again, this time to Lille. Interestingly, the tally for Matchday 5 is exactly the same as it was on Matchday 4.
Italian tally (Matchday 5): W3, D1, L1
Italian tally (so far): W12, D6, L7
Monaco
Monaco's inexorable rise through the table came to a halt tonight as they experienced their first defeat, this being meted out at the hands of Benfica.
Monaco tally (Matchday 5): L1
Monaco tally (so far): W3, D1, L1
Netherlands
Feyenoord came back against an almost comically self-destructive Manchester City to turn a certain defeat into a draw, while PSV Eindhoven won their match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Dutch tally (Matchday 5): W1, D1
tally (so far): W4, L3, D3
Portugal
Portugal had mixed fortunes, Sporting's high from last matchday quickly brought down to earth as they crashed to defeat at the hands of Arsenal, but Benfica did what no other team they have faced have been able to do so far, and beat rampant Monaco.
Portuguese tally (Matchday 5): W1, L1
Portuguese tally (so far): W6, L4, D1
Spain
Good and bad results for Spain too. Barcelona dealt Brest a three-nil first-time defeat, Atletico destroyed Young Boys, but Real fell to the mighty undefeated Liverpool and Girona may have been embarrassed to be Sturm Graz's first victims. They should be. Interestingly, Spain look to be the only country - of those with say more than three teams in the competition - with zero draws, they're all either wins or losses.
Spanish tally (Matchday 5): W2, L2
Spanish tally (so far): W10, L10
Switzerland
Young Boys must be feeling very old now, dazed and confused after another hammering, this time at the hands of Atletico Madrid. They now have a perfect (if you can call it that) losing record in the competition.
Swiss tally (Matchday 5): L1
Swiss tally (so far): L5
Scotland
Celtic fought back after a stupid own-goal threatened to hand them their second defeat, but managed to pull level for their second draw.
Scottish tally (Matchday 5): D1
Scottish tally (so far): W2, L1, D2
Serbia
Red Star surprised everyone - certain surprised me - and showed perhaps why they won the title all the way back in the 1990s, unleashing an unprecedented 5-1 defeat against Stuttgart, their first victory in the competition.
Serbian tally (Matchday 3): W1
Serbian tally (so far): W1, L4
Slovakia
Slovan Bratislava came close, but no cigar, as AC Milan beat them, leaving them as the second team with a perfect (yeah) record of losses.
Slovakian tally (Matchday 3): L1
Slovakian tally (so far): L5
Ukraine
Shakhtar lost again, after an unexpected (maybe) first victory last time against Young Boys. This time they were up against PSV Eindhoven, and though they made a match of it, the Dutch won in the end.
Ukrainian tally (Matchday 5): L1
Ukrainian tally (so far): W1, L3, D1
So how do the rankings stand now? Let's check it out.
WINS
England (13)
Italy (12)
Spain and Germany (11)
France (7)
Portugal (6)
Netherlands (4)
Monaco (3)
Scotland (2)
Croatia, Austria and Belgium (2)
Czech Republic and Ukraine (1)
LOSSES[
Germany (12)
Spain (10)
Italy (7)
Austria (6)
Switzerland, Slovakia and France (5)
Serbia and Portugal (4)
England, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Belgium (3)
Croatia, (2)
Scotland and Monaco (1)
DRAWS
Italy (7)
England (4)
France and Netherlands (3)
Germany and Scotland (2)
Ukraine, Portugal, Monaco, Belgium, Czech Republic and Croatia (1)
There's still no change at the top of each group - England lead on wins, Germany on losses and Italy on draws - but some have moved up and some down. After England, Spain and Italy were leading last time, this time it's just Italy as Spain drop down to third, to accompany Germany. Then we had France, Portugal and the Netherlands, which is more or less how it remains except Monaco now joins the Dutch due to their loss tonight. Austria moves up off last place thanks to Sturm Graz's win.
In losses, Germany still leads, followed by Spain in second, Italy in third and Austria in fourth place, France joins Switzerland and Slovakia in fifth, with Serbia and Portugal in sixth. As far as draws go, again no change at the top with Italy leading the pack followed by England, who break away from third place in company with Netherlands and France, then at fourth it's Germany and Scotland.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rwLRM6hh/CLTable-M5.png)
Tale of the Table
A lot of movement at the top of the table after some shock victories, and a few unexpected defeats. Liverpool remain unconcerned, above it all, literally, staying top with a perfect record, while below them Sporting are replaced by Inter Milan, leaping 3 places and Monaco's third place vacated spot is taken by Barcelona, who finally find themselves where they should expect to be. Borussia Dortmund fill the fourth spot as Brest slide down, now the highest of the German teams. Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen move into the spots left vacant by Inter and Barcelona respectively, and Arsenal and the deposed Monaco make up the last of the teams who are, at the moment, bound for the Round of 16. The Gunners and Liverpool are, therefore, the only English teams right now looking likely to qualify.
Directly below Monaco, the third team from England's green and pleasant land, Aston Villa are hanging on there at 9th, while Sporting have fallen all the way from second spot to tenth, and are now looking at play-offs. Bayern Munich continue to struggle, finding themselves in unlucky thirteenth place, while other than Barcelona, Spanish teams are really doing badly. Atletico are the next closest, at 14th, while Real are all the way down at 24th. As for Girona? They're going home, surely, languishing in 30th place.
Things aren't looking good for Man City at 17th, nor Juventus at 19th, and Celtic continue to struggle down there one place below the Italians. At the bottom it's pretty much as you were, with only Sturm Graz and Red Star making any sort of progress, thanks to their wins tonight.
Matchday 6
Girona v Liverpool
(Spain v England)
Montilivi, Girona
Table positions (before match): 30 & 1
The table leaders started as they meant to go on, as they have done so far in the competition, putting pressure on the Spanish side from the second minute, the header from the corner just clawed over the top by the keeper. Five minutes later they were at it again, cutting through the Spanish defence and shooting at the keeper, who was able to stop it at the far post. Relentless pressure from the team who can't seem to lose a match at home or abroad, Girona kept in their own half until the 11th minute when they managed to make a break, coming close indeed to scoring, Allison down to save.
Liverpool then turned defence into attack and were nearly ahead through Salah, but straight at the Girona keeper. End to end stuff as the Spaniards went down the Liverpool end but their striker slipped at the crucial moment, both teams with chances and the match barely a quarter of an hour done. Nunez could have opened the scoring for Liverpool just after the half-hour, but again the keeper was equal to it. Another fine shot from Girona was batted away by the keeper, and so nothing to separate the teams at the break.
Girona were on the attack from the opening of the second half, but it was Liverpool who got the only goal of the match as a penalty was awarded on the hour, Salah slotting past the Spanish keeper, sending him the wrong way as the ball crashed into the left corner of the net. Seven minutes from time the English team could have gone two up, but in the end one goal was enough to clinch their sixth victory and keep them top of the table.
Result: Girona 0 - 1 Liverpool
Table positions (after match): 30 & 1
Next Opponent: AC Milan/Lille
Dinamo Zagreb v Celtic
(Croatia v Scotland)
Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb
Table positions (before match): 23 & 20
Celtic's free kick in the first half went over the bar, but Dinamo's effort was just as bad. The second half saw no goals either, nothing to separate the two teams as Celtic pushed for a win and the Croatian team held on for the draw. Dinamo could in fact have won it at the death, but honours even was how it ended.
Result: Dinamo Zagreb 0 - 0 Celtic
Table positions (after match): 24 & 21
Next Opponent: Arsenal/Young Boys
Atalanta v Real Madrid
(Italy v Spain)
Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergano
Table positions (before match): 5 & 24
Mbappe was in on ten minutes to put his side ahead, and could have made it two three minutes later, but shot at the keeper. Similar for Atalanta, who also fired into the keeper's arms, then in extra time at the end of the half the Italians had a penalty from which they levelled the match. Game on! Early in the second half it was the home side who made all the running, almost doubling their lead, but just before the hour it was in fact Real who did that, pulling ahead and then adding another to put the Italians out of the game.
But Atalanta, nineteen places above Real, were back among the goals on 64, Madrid perhaps hanging on now as the Italians pressed their advantage, and in extra time they should have drawn level, but the ball went high over the net. Real holding out for the win.
Result: Atalanta 2 - 3 Real Madrid
Table positions (after match): 13 & 20
Next Opponent: Sturm Graz/Red Bull Salzburg
Bayer Leverkusen v Inter Milan
(Germany v Italy)
BayArena, Leverkusen
Table positions (before match): 6 & 2
Almost an early start for Leverkusen as they shot against the bar in the third minute, and over again halfway through the first period. Scoreless then at the break and it remained the Germans who kept up the pressure six minutes in, again hitting the bar. In the final minute they got their reward, and the only goal of the match.
Result: Bayer Leverkusen 1 - 0 Inter Milan
Table positions (after match): 4 & 6
Next Opponent: Atletico Madrid/Sparta Prague
Club Brugge v Sporting CP
(Belgium v Portugal)
Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges
Table positions (before match): 22 & 10
Clearly missing their charismatic and talismanic manager, who has departed Iberian shores to take control of troubled Manchester United, Sporting slipped to another defeat tonight, though at least it wasn't the thrashing Arsenal had given them last matchday. Things started well for them, scoring the fastest goal yet in the Champions League this season, barely two minutes on the clock, but that was as good as it got for the Ruben Amorim-less side.
Club Brugge, not known for their scoring and currently sitting 22nd in the table, gratefully took the early Christmas present as Sporting scored an own goal on the 24th minute to level the game, and with 7 minutes to the whistle the Belgians scored themselves, to take the match and condemn Sporting to another defeat, memories of that hammering of Manchester City now surely long faded.
Result: Club Brugge 2 - 1 Sporting CP
Table positions (after match): 19 & 17
Next Opponent: Juventus/RB Leipzig
Red Bull Salzburg v Paris Saint-Germain
(Austria v France)
Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
Table positions (before match): 32 & 25
Of the French teams, PSG have been performing the worst, so this result was quite the shock, even if it was against an Austrian team seven places below them in the table. Ten minutes in they had two chances in rapid succession to open the scoring, but fluffed both, a third coming at the halfway point of the first 45, and PSG must have been wondering if it was going to be another of those nights? On the half-hour though they got the breakthrough, and from then - as it had been up to then - it was all the French, as they went on to take their second 20 minutes from full time, and finished off a good night with a third six minutes before the end.
Result: Red Bull Salzburg 0 - 3 Paris Saint-Germain
Table positions (after match): 32 & 25
Next Opponent: Real Madrid/Manchester City
Shakhtar Donetsk v Bayern Munich
(Ukraine v Germany)
Arena Aufschalke, Gelsenkirchen
Table positions (before match): 26 & 13
Another battering for the Ukrainians, even after an early start for them when they scored on 5 minutes. Bayern struck back five minutes later, the first of a fusillade of goals from the German side which gave them the lead at the break, an advantage they mercilessly pressed in the second half, adding a third 20 minutes from time when they were given a penalty. Four minutes left on the clock when Bayern made it four, but they weren't quite finished yet. With two minutes to go of added time, they racked up their fifth, to condemn Shakhtar to their usual defeat.
Result: Shakhtar Donetsk 1 - 5 Bayern Munich
Table positions (after match): 27 & 10
Next Opponent: Brest/Feyenoord
RB Leipzig v Aston Villa
(Germany v England)
Red Bull Arena. Leipzig
Table positions (before match): 34 & 9
Leipzig have been playing badly so Villa should have anticipated an easy game, but that was not what happened. They opened the scoring on two minutes, and God seemed to be in his heaven, but then a terrible mix-up between defender and keeper let Leipzig in, and the match was level. In the second half, a wonder shot from Duran gave Villa the lead again, then a second goal from him should have put the visitors in a commanding position, but it was ruled out for offside by VAR. To make matters worse, Leipzig scored a minute later to again draw level and give themselves a chance. As time ticked down, the Germans scorned a chance to take the game before Barkley sealed a nervous win for Villa.
Result: RB Leipzig 2 - 3 Aston Villa
Table positions (after match): 34 & 5
Next Opponent: Sporting CP/Monaco
Brest v PSV Eindhoven
(France v Netherlands)
Stade de Roudourou, Guingamp
Table positions (before match): 11 & 18
Having experienced their first ever defeat last matchday in their first ever Champions League, Brest were in no mood to suffer a second and made sure of the game just before half time to get back to winning ways.
Result: Brest 1 - 0 PSV Eindhoven
Table positions (after match): 7 & 23
Next Opponent: Shakhtar Donetsk/Red Star Belgrade
Atletico Madrid v Slovan Bratislava
(Spain v Slovakia)
Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
Table positions (before match): 15 & 35
Result: Atletico Madrid 3 - 1 Slovan Bratislava
Table positions (after match): 11 & 35
Next Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen/VfB Stuttgart
Already playing for nothing more than pride (and not much of that, to be honest, second from bottom), Slovan went behind after sixteen minutes to a spectacular goal, Atletico adding a second just before the end of the half to put themselves firmly in control. A penalty awarded to Slovan in the 51st minute allowed the Serbians to halve the deficit, but the Spanish side were back in front just before the hour, their two-goal cushion restored. Slovan Bratislava slump to yet another defeat. They are now one of only two teams in the competition to have a "perfect" record of losses. Guess who the other is?
Lille v Sturm Graz
(France v Austria)
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve d'Ascq
Table positions (before match): 12 & 29
Five minutes from the end of the first half Lille netted for the first time in the match, their second coming in added time, but before the half-time whistle blew they saw that two-goal lead wiped out as Sturm Graz scored one of their own, to set up a nervy second half. 2 minutes after the restart the Austrian team equalised in fine style, and the match looked to be heading for a draw, before the French sealed it with 9 minutes to go, retaking the lead, and taking the match.
Result: Lille 3 - 2 Sturm Graz
Table positions (after match): 8 & 29
Next Opponent: Liverpool/Atalanta
AC Milan v Red Star Belgrade
(Italy v Serbia)
San Siro, Milan
Table positions (before match): 16 & 31
The team who rather unexpectedly, to say the least, put five past Stuttgart last time out held Milan almost to the end of the first half, when the Italians opened the scoring with a fine goal. In the second half the Serbians struck back just after the hour to equalise, but Milan floated in a perfect shot which, well, missed but was caught on the rebound. VAR however wanted to check, but all was confirmed, the goal stood, and Milan won the game.
Result: AC Milan 2 - 1 Red Star Belgrade
Table positions (after match): 12 & 31
Next Opponent: Girona/PSV Eindhoven
Arsenal v Monaco
(England v Monaco)
The Emirates, London
Table positions (before match): 7 & 8
A long pass up the front almost had Arsenal ahead early, but just short, the London team continuing to press in the opening minutes, and their hard work and persistence paid off just after the half hour, Sako sending the home fans into raptures. Monaco, who have only lost one game so far, could have been two behind but Odegaard shot wide after a sloppy pass by the visitors. Martinelli also shot wide, but Arsenal were unable to extend their lead until after the break.
Monaco got a free, and it wasn't far away but bounced off the post, another break by the team in green coming to nothing. But this was to be Arsenal's night, and they got their second with twelve minutes to go, Saka taking gleeful advantage of a terrible pass by Monaco to double the Gunners' lead. Their third came in the final minutes, Havertz netting to make Arsenal's victory certain, and ensure they progress to the next round.
Result: Arsenal 3 - 0 Monaco
Table positions (after match): 3 & 16
Next Opponent: Dinamo Zagreb/Aston Villa
Borussia Dortmund v Barcelona
(Germany v Spain)
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
Table positions (before match): 4 & 3
First attack by Barcelona but just wide of the upright, then Dortmund had their own chance but heading into the end of the first half and neither team had managed to break the deadlock. In the second half, totally different story. Both teams seemed to find their form, Barcelona taking the lead seven minutes in, then Dortmund got a penalty and levelled the match on the hour. All square with thirty minutes to go. Fifteen minutes later Barcelona were ahead again, Dortmund missing a gilt-edged chance to go level again a minute later, but with twelve minutes to go the Germans did equalise, Barca's keeper going walkabout. A corner could have won it for the home side but a poor pass from the rebound turned defence into attack and let the Spanish giants in to take the lead for the third time, five minutes left, no chance for Dortmund to pull off a third equaliser.
Result: Borussia Dortmund 2 - 3 Barcelona
Table positions (after match): 9 & 2
Next Opponent: Bologna/Benfica
Feyenoord v Sparta Prague
(Netherlands v Czech Republic)
De Kuip. Rotterdam
Table positions (before match): 21 & 28
Eight minutes was all it took the Dutch team to go ahead, and two minutes later a superb strike had them two to the good, while Sparta Prague had not had a shot. The third came on the half-hour, a lovely curling shot, then hope for Sparta Prague as they pulled one back just before half-time. But Feyenoord re-established their three-goal lead as they scored their fourth just after the hour, helping the visitors out a little with ten minutes to go as they scored in their own net to give Sparta a second goal, but the game was already won by then.
Result: Feyenoord 4 - 2 Sparta Prague
Table positions (after match): 18 & 28
Next Opponent: Bayern Munich/Inter Milan
Juventus v Manchester City
(Italy v England)
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Table positions (before match): 19 & 17
17th place is certainly not where former European champions Manchester City want to be, or expected to be, but mirroring a troubling lack of form back home, City have been stuttering in the Champions League, with only 2 wins out of 5 so far. It was crunch time tonight; no matter other results or games to come, the English team had to win or face the prospect of a humiliating exit from the competition in the first round. Juventus were facing the same stark choice, with a record identical to Man City's in the league - won 2, lost 2, drew 1 - both teams knew what was at stake.
It was however the Italians who made the early chances, City trying on the half-hour but Haaland unable to get past the keeper. Scoreless at the midway point then and all to play for as Juventus pushed forward, desperate for a goal - a draw would help nobody - and on 53 the Italians opened the scoring, the ball just about crossing the line on the rebound from the keeper. City went in search of an equaliser and came close but shot past the post, all the action up the Juve end now as Pep's boys fought to draw level but could not convert. Super save by the keeper from Gundogan kept City out, and with 15 minutes to go Juventus made it certain with a second, to dent City's chances of progressing, and boost their own.
Result: Juventus 2 - 0 Manchester City
Table positions (after match): 14 & 22
Next Opponent: Club Brugge/Paris Saint-Germain
Benfica v Bologna
(Portugal v Italy)
Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
Table positions (before match): 14 & 33
You'd have to consider a draw a good result for the beleaguered Italian side, though they lived on their nerves, as Benfica could have scored twice, only the agility of the Bologna keeper allowing his team hammer out a scoreless draw.
Result: Benfica 0 - 0 Bologna
Table positions (after match): 15 & 33
Next Opponent: Barcelona/Borussia Dortmund
VfB Stuttgart v Young Boys
(Germany v Switzerland)
MHPArena, Stuttgart
Table positions (before match): 27 & 36
We're getting used now to seeing the Swiss team on the business side of humiliating defeats, and this was no exception, although they started well, taking an unexpected lead after six minutes. Stuttgart soon hit back though, level just before the half-hour. Eight minutes into the second half they pulled ahead, the goal the subject of much VAR-ing as they tried to work out whether or not it had gone over the line. It had, by nanometres or something, and Young Boys were in a familiar position, which was only going to get worse for them.
The third goal for the Germans came just after the hour, and five minutes later it was four. Stuttgart capped off a fine performance 15 minutes from time, condemning the Young Boys to yet another defeat, and not just a defeat but a hammering. Sorry, another hammering.
Result: VfB Stuttgart 5 - 1 Young Boys
Table positions (after match): 26 & 36
Next Opponent: Slovan Bratislava/Celtic
Matchday 6 overview
Things begin to heat up as teams race for the seven top places that will guarantee qualification for the next round, or if that's not possible, to grab a play-off place in the hope of coming through via the knockout rounds. Liverpool were perhaps lucky to win their sixth match in a row, needing a penalty to score, but they keep top spot. Villa had to fight off a determined Leipzig side, who twice drew the game after the English side had been ahead, and could even have done so a third time had it not been for the heroics of Martinez, but Villa were the architects of their own almost-destruction, giving away the ball cheaply and failing to capitalise on chances that should have had them home free before the second half even begun. Arsenal cruised to an easy 3-0 against Monaco, unusual as their opponents had only lost once before tonight, but the Gunners turned on the style and were comfortable winners.
Barcelona fought it out against top-flight opposition in a tenacious match against Dortmund, while Real overcame Atalanta and Atletico completed a trio of Spanish wins when they took down Slovan Bratislava. PSG finally came good, beating Red Bull Salzburg, Brest put their first defeat behind them and went on to take the match against PSV Eindhoven while Lille overcame a strong challenge from Sturm Graz to emerge victorious, making it a night on which all three French teams won their matches, and indeed a night on which both Austrian teams lost theirs.
Bayern handed out a thrashing to Shakhtar, while Club Brugge gave Sporting their second defeat in a row. Celtic were unable to beat Dinamo Zagreb, Dinamo were unable to beat Celtic, one of only two nil-all draws this matchday, the other seeing homebound Bologna hold Benfica to a stalemate. Another crushing defeat for Young Boys, who are definitely without a hope, as Stuttgart breezed past them, perhaps subconsciously avenging their own 5-1 defeat last time at the hands of Red Star. Speaking of the Serbs, they didn't do so well this time, falling 2-1 to AC Milan while Inter went down 1-0 to Bayer Leverkusen. Finally, Feyenoord beat Sparta Prague to take only their third victory.
Nations' Progress
As some teams look resignedly up from the foot of the table, knowing they may as well book their tickets home, how has each country fared at this stage of the tournament?
Austria
Austria are back to, um, losing ways, as Sturm Graz, despite a valiant effort, were beaten by Lille and PSG put paid to any chance Red Bull had to score.
Austrian tally (Matchday 6): L2
Austrian tally (so far): W2, L8
Belgium
Belgium's Club Brugge won their match against Sporting, allowing them to triple their win tally.
Belgian tally (Matchday 6): W1
Belgian tally (so far): W3, L3, D1
Croatia
Dinamo were unable to beat Celtic, their game ending in a draw.
Croatian tally (Matchday 6): D1
Croatian tally (so far): W2, D2, L2
Czech Republic
Sparta Prague lost again, this time to Feyenoord.
Czech tally (Matchday 6): L1
Czech tally (so far): W1, D1, L4
England
Liverpool's perfect record continues, as they ground out a result against Girona, Villa had an even harder game against Leipzig but Arsenal strolled past Monaco, making it a trio of victories for England, only marred by another defeat for Manchester City, who were beaten by Juventus.
English tally (Matchday 6): W3, L1
English tally (so far): W16, L4, D4
France
All the French teams won tonight, as I said in the overview. Lille beat Sturm Graz, Brest took down PSV and PSG beat Red Bull.
French tally (Matchday 6): W3
French tally (so far): W10, D3, L5
Germany
Good results for most of the German teams. Bayern beat Shakhtar off the park, Stuttgart flattened Young Boys by the same score (5-1) and Leverkusen beat Inter, the only blemish here being Leipzig's failure to beat Aston Villa and Dortmund who were beaten by Barcelona.
German tally (Matchday 6): W3, L2
German tally (so far): W14, D2 L14[/b]
Italy
Mixed fortunes for the Italians. Bayern beat Inter, Girona were beaten by Liverpool and Bologna were held to a draw, while AC Milan beat Red Star and Juventus had a famous victory over Man City.
Italian tally (Matchday 6): W2, D1, L2
Italian tally (so far): W14, D7, L9
Monaco
Monaco experienced their second defeat, this time at the hands of Arsenal.
Monaco tally (Matchday 6): L1
Monaco tally (so far): W3, D1, L2
Netherlands
Feyenoord beat Sparta Prague but PSV were beaten by Brest.
Dutch tally (Matchday 6): W1, L1
tally (so far): W5, L4, D3
Portugal
Not a good night for the Portuguese. Benfica were held to a scoreless draw with Bologna, of all teams, and Sporting were beaten by Club Brugge.
Portuguese tally (Matchday 6): D1, L1
Portuguese tally (so far): W6, L5, D2
Spain
For Spain it was a case of three out of four ain't bad, Barcelona cruising to victory against Dortmund, Atletico beating Slovan Bratislava and Real defeating Atalanta. Only Girona lost, to Liverpool.
Spanish tally (Matchday 6): W3, L1
Spanish tally (so far): W13, L11
Switzerland
Young Boys continue to lose every time they walk out on the pitch. Maybe they should try a different strategy, like, I don't know, staying in the dressing room?
Swiss tally (Matchday 6): L1
Swiss tally (so far): L6
Scotland
Celtic could only manage another draw.
Scottish tally (Matchday 6): D1
Scottish tally (so far): W2, L1, D3
Serbia
After their quite amazing battering of Stuttgart last matchday, Red Star were back to normal, losing to AC Milan.
Serbian tally (Matchday 3): L1
Serbian tally (so far): W1, L5
Slovakia
Slovan Bratislava lost again, well beaten by Atletico.
Slovakian tally (Matchday 3): L1
Slovakian tally (so far): L6
Ukraine
For Shakhtar it was more like Shock-tar as they fell 5-1 to Bayern.
Ukrainian tally (Matchday 6): L1
Ukrainian tally (so far): W1, L4, D1
So how do the rankings stand now? Let's check it out.
WINS
England (16)
Italy, Spain and Germany (14)
France (10)
Portugal (6)
Netherlands (5)
Monaco and Belgium (3)
Scotland (2)
Croatia and Austria(2)
Czech Republic and Ukraine (1)
LOSSES[
Germany (14)
Spain (11)
Italy (9)
Austria [8]
Switzerland, Slovakia and Serbia (6)
France and Portugal (5)
Czech Republic, England, Netherlands and Ukraine (4)
Belgium (3)
Croatia and Monaco (2)
Scotland (1)
DRAWS
Italy [8]
England and Germany (4)
France, Scotland and Netherlands (3)
Portugal (2)
Ukraine, Monaco, Belgium, Czech Republic and Croatia (1)
England remains tops for winning, 16 in total, while Italy is now joined in second place by Spain and Germany. The rest are pretty much as you were. In losses, no real change with Germany leading the field, then Spain, Italy and Austria. A few small changes down the end but nothing too much worth bothering about. Draws remain Italy's specialty, though now England has been joined at second by Germany, while Scotland has joined France and the Netherlands in third.
(https://i.postimg.cc/N0h2hn60/CLTable-M6.png)
Tale of the Table
Liverpool are still cruising, top of the table since matchday 3 now and with a perfect record of six victories, just a single goal scored against them. Barcelona are finally where they expected, and want to be, second behind Liverpool after a string of high-scoring successes, with another English team, Arsenal, in third now. Bayer Leverkusen are fourth and Villa have managed to make it back into the automatic progression places in fifth, after hanging on precariously last matchday in ninth place. Inter Milan, Brest and Lille make up the last three teams who are, at the moment, guaranteed to go through, if they can stay where they are or improve on their position.
In particular, as we never tire of saying, it's a huge achievement for first-timers Brest, who have risen as far as third and have only been outside the qualifying places once, having climbed tonight from 11th to 7th. Teams expected to have done better include Real Madrid, who are at a very unsatisfactory 20th, Bayern Munich who are just outside the qualification places at 10th, and previous champions Manchester City, who find themselves even further down than the Spanish giants, at 22nd.
German teams in general have not done well, with only Leverkusen currently due to go through; Stuttgart are at 26th and Leipzig are doing even worse two places from the bottom at 34th, surely a cert to be eliminated. Dortmund are 10th, just below Bayern, so may have a chance. For Italy it's just the one team flying the flag, so to speak, as Inter take 6th place, with AC Milan, Atalanta and Juventus in 12th, 13th and 14th place respectively, Bologna longing to see the shores of the mother country soon, right down in 33rd. None of the teams from 28th on down have moved at all since last matchday, and you'd have to expect them all to be eliminated.
(https://media.tenor.com/aKD_K6nIwQIAAAAM/face-off-western.gif)
With two matchdays left before teams are eliminated, we can characterise the next matches as shootouts for some of the teams who are just outside the automatic qualification places, while others know that their fate is sealed and they're out. How do I see it going?
From the top then:
Liverpool, in first, surely will win their next match, which is against French side Lille. Liverpool haven't lost a single match yet, and are still looking good to win the title. Even an extremely unlikely loss would still leave them top of the table, unless Barcelona beat Benfica (which you would expect they will) and then Liverpool will be second, so they're going through one way or the other.
Barcelona, as mentioned, can go top if they win against Benfica and Liverpool lose, otherwise they'll remain in second place. Shoo-in to progress, after a somewhat hard slog to get to where they are.
Arsenal, in third, should be expected to easily beat Dinamo Zagreb, so depending on other results could remain where they are or advance to second at best; the likelihood though is that they will go through in third place.
Bayer Leverkusen are fourth, and may have a difficult match against Atletico Madrid. Leverkusen, like every team from here down in the automatic qualification slots, have 13 points, but Atletico only have one point less, and a win for the Spanish might catapult them up the table to take that all-important automatic qualification spot. Even a draw might do it for them, though there are two other teams between them and Lille, the lowest of what is at the moment the automatically qualifying teams.
Aston Villa, in fifth, have a tough away tie to Monaco, who, though they have lost their last two matches, have won all four of their others. A win for Villa would keep them in the automatic progression stakes, Monaco can try to secure a spot with a victory.
Inter Milan, in sixth, should see no problem getting past Sparta Prague, currently 28th, with no hope even of a play-off place should they pull off an unlikely victory. Inter are surely a cert to progress. Even a loss against the Czech side will keep them in contention.
Brest are seventh, and should easily beat Shakhtar Donetsk, who have lost four of their six matches and currently sit at 27th with no hope of progressing.
Borussia Dortmund, just outside the last 8, should steamroller over Bologna, which will give them 15 points and a better chance of moving up into those qualification places, if any of the teams ahead of them slip up. Probably their best hope is for Aston Villa to lose against Monaco, which will allow the Germans to overtake us possibly.
Bayern Munich, just below their fellow German team, may have a tough time against Feyenoord, who won convincingly tonight and are currently in the play-off places, hoping to advance to the automatic qualification slots.
AC Milan should beat Girona, currently at 30th with 5 defeats out of six, but whether that will be enough for them to advance into the top eight is debatable. Even with a loss though, they're in the play-offs.
Atalanta are in a similar position, and should be easily able to see off Sturm Graz, who have lost four matches and are looking at an early exit.
Juventus will be desperate for one of those places, but will have to leapfrog both of their Italian cousins to get there, and beat Club Brugge. I would imagine they should manage this, though the Belgians are at home. If Arsenal, Leverkusen, Villa, Inter, Brest and Lille all win then even three points won't be enough to secure them an automatic progression place, and they will have to settle for a play-off.
Sporting have Leipzig at home, and the German side will want revenge for the game they could so easily have won against Villa, so that could be a hard one. Leipzig have no hope and are going out, but probably not without a fight.
Real Madrid have to beat Red Bull Salzburg, which seems very likely, even a copper fastened result, but even a victory will only secure them a play-off position, having a mere 9 points from 6 games.
Celtic will surely batter Young Boys at home, Manchester City must beat PSG but can still only hope for a play-off place, and only four other teams have a chance of the same. PSV need to beat Red Star Belgrade, which they should, Stuttgart should beat Slovan Bratislava, Shakhtar are likely to crumble to Brest, while Dinamo Zagreb are unlikely to see much mercy at the hands of Arsenal.
Without a hope, even should they pull off an unlikely victory, Sturm Graz, Girona, Red Star, Red Bull, Bologna, Leipzig, Slovan and Young Boys all headed for the door marked EXIT.
So at the moment, the teams going through, if they all win and results go in their favour:
England (3 teams) - Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal
Germany (1 team) - Bayer Leverkusen
Spain (1 team) - Barcelona
France (1 team) - Lille
Monaco (1 team) - Monaco
Italy (1 team) - Inter Milan
Next matches are in January, so we'll see how that turns out.
See ya in the New Year!
Matchday 7
Monaco v Aston Villa
(Monaco v England)
Stade Louis II, Monaco
Table positions (before match): 16 & 5
Once top of the Champions League, Villa have slipped but are making ground again, facing a tough away game against Monaco, who have only lost twice so far in the league. The only goal came on 8 minutes, and it was the home side who scored, Villa going close but the keeper able to bat it over the top. Back they came, Watkins so close but just knocked to the side. Monaco could have had a second in the second half, but it hit the side netting, one goal enough for them to take the game.
Result: Monaco 1 - 0 Aston Villa
Table positions (after match): 10 & 9
Next Opponent: Inter Milan/Celtic
Atalanta v Sturm Graz
(Italy v Austria)
Stadio Atleti Azzurri D'italia, Bergamo
Table positions (before match): 13 & 29
Atalanta turned on the Italian flair when they took on struggling Austrian side Sturm Graz at home, opening the scoring on 12 minutes after the ball had been carelessly given away in the box, their second coming just after the hour and their third three minutes after that as Sturm Graz floundered in the face of the Italian attack. A fourth in the final minute might have been adding insult to injury, but if so then their fifth in added time must have left the Austrians pining for home, where they're bound anyway.
Result: Atalanta 5 - 0 Sturm Graz
Table positions (after match): 7 & 33
Next Opponent: Barcelona/RB Leipzig
Atletico Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen
(Spain v Germany)
Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
Table positions (before match): 11 & 4
Another good night for Spanish football as Atletico came good against fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, especially when one of the home side's players was sent off for a straight red, following which the Germans scored in extra time at the end of the half, stamping their authority on the game. In the second half Leverkusen lost the ball and Madrid were level after seven minutes. A free resulted in another dismissal, this time for the Germans, then with the man advantage cancelled out, Atletico scored in the final minute to take the game from a stunned Leverkusen.
Result: Atletico Madrid 2 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen
Table positions (after match): 5 & 8
Next Opponent: Red Bull Salzburg/Sparta Prague
Bologna v Borussia Dortmund
(Italy v Germany)
Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna
Table positions (before match): 33 & 9
Bologna finally managed their first ever victory when they came up against... hold on. Have I slipped into that damned alternate dimension again? Let me just re-read that: Bologna against BORUSSIA DORTMUND? And they WON? Hey, now I'll believe anything. Things went as normal for the tiny Italian team as they faced a penalty kick from the German giants, one nil down and only 15 minutes of the game played, though in fairness the keeper almost stopped it. Bologna then equalised just after the 70th minute to shock the German team, but better was yet to come, if you're an Italian. One single minute later and Bologna could have taken it, but the ball bounced back - and was hammered into the net, and the team at the foot of the table, with no chance of qualifying even if the matches went on till 2027 it seems, beat the finalists from last year. Playing for pride? That you got, lads!
Result: Bologna 2 - 1 Borussia Dortmund
Table positions (after match): 28 & 14
Next Opponent: Sporting CP/Shakhtar Donetsk
Club Brugge v Juventus
(Belgium v Italy)
Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges
Table positions (before match): 19 & 14
No goals in a match Juventus should really have won, Club Brugge five places below them in the table, the only real strike the Italians had on goal saved by the Belgian keeper to ensure they at least shared the points.
Result: Club Brugge 0 - 0 Juventus
Table positions (after match): 20 & 17
Next Opponent: Manchester City/Benfica
Red Star Belgrade v PSV Eindhoven
(Serbia v Netherlands)
Red Star Stadium, Belgrade
Table positions (before match): 31 & 23
In a chilly Serbian capital blanketed by January snow, PSV went ahead after 17 minutes with a great header from a corner, six minutes later De Jong repeating the trick with another header from another corner, and somewhat unbelievably the Dutch side scored their third from yet another corner before the half-time whistle. With twenty minutes to go Red Star nicked one back when PSV had a man sent off, and six minutes later went close to pulling off an unlikely draw as they scored again, but in the end PSV hung on for the win, which should have been easier than it turned out to be.
Result: Red Star Belgrade 2 - 3 PSV Eindhoven
Table positions (after match): 32 & 19
Next Opponent: Young Boys/Liverpool
Liverpool v Lille
(England v France)
Anfield, Liverpool
Table positions (before match): 1 & 8
Few teams in Europe have been so consistent as Liverpool, who maintain their lead at the top of the Premiership and have also sat at the top of the table here for most of the tournament. Lille have also been doing all right, but are just on the cusp of qualifying automatically, so needed a win here, if such a thing could be achieved, Liverpool not having lost a single game yet. And with the match taking place at Anfield, that seemed a bigger ask than it normally would be. And so it proved as Salah scored the only goal just past the thirty-minute mark, a beautiful scooped shot past the Lille keeper.
Nunez nearly made it two in the second half, but the keeper clawed it away, then Lille lost a man to a second yellow card and their evening seemed to be done, until they equalised just after the hour. But Liverpool are at their best when under pressure, as they showed at the weekend against Brentford, and they took the game seven minutes after being pegged back to maintain their winning record, though they have tonight conceded at Anfield for the first time.
Result: Liverpool 2 - 1 Lille
Table positions (after match): 1 & 12
Next Opponent: PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord
Slovan Bratislava v VfB Stuttgart
(Slovakia v Germany)
Tehelne Pole, Bratislava
Table positions (before match): 35 & 26
Not exactly a clash of giants, with the Slovakian team second from bottom and Stuttgart only nine places above them, but it was the Germans who struck on 11 minutes to open the scoring, adding another just after the half-hour. Slovan came back with a last-gasp goal five minutes from time though to peg the Germans back to the one goal, then Stuttgart dashed their hopes as they re-established their two-goal lead taking their third two minutes later.
Result: Slovan Bratislava 1 - 3 VfB Stuttgart
Table positions (after match): 35 & 24
Next Opponent: Bayern Munich/Paris Saint-Germain
Benfica v Barcelona
(Portugal v Spain)
Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
Table positions (before match): 15 & 2
Was this a shocker on the cards? Two minutes in and Benfica were ahead against the Spanish giants, but Barcelona weren't long about levelling when they got a penalty eleven minutes later, Lewandowski taking the spot kick. A poor pass then allowed the Portuguese side back in just on the halfway point, and then a penalty for them gave them a three goal lead on the half-hour. Barcelona in trouble? Plenty of time yet. Just after the hour they reduced the deficit to just one as a crazy goal was scored when the Benfica keeper kicked out, the ball bounced off a Spanish player and into his net! Unbelievable! Benfica then had their lead reestablished as Barca scored an own goal! 4-2 to Benfica with twenty minutes still to play. Game wrapped up?
Well, no. Ten minutes to go and Barcelona got another penalty, the Pole again helping his team out as the Portuguese lead was again reduced to one goal, and with four minutes to go the Spanish levelled, ending the match at 4-4. What's that you say? More goals? Surely not. Oh yes, in the last minute of extra time Barca took it, despite Benfica getting a late free, which Barcelona turned into attack, and scored to take the match. Incredible. Benfica had a chance to have yet another penalty after their free kick, but no, the night was Barcelona's.
Result: Benfica 4 - 5 Barcelona
Table positions (after match): 21 & 2
Next Opponent: Juventus/Atalanta
Shakhtar Donetsk v Brest
(Ukraine v France)
Arena Aufschalke, Gelsenkirchen
Table positions (before match): 27 & 7
The Ukrainians took a surprise lead 18 minutes in against the seventh-placed French debutantes, and when they were given a penalty near the end of the second half they took their opportunity and doubled their lead, a shock victory for Shakhtar.
Result: Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - 0 Brest
Table positions (after match): 27 & 13
Next Opponent: Borussia Dortmund/Real Madrid
RB Leipzig v Sporting CP
(Germany v Portugal)
Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
Table positions (before match): 34 & 17
Beautifully worked goal on 19 minutes to put Leipzig into an early lead, Sporting leaving it late to come back, with their goal going in as the match neared the 75th minute. Back came the Germans three minutes later though to bundle the ball into the net and take all three points.
Result: RB Leipzig 2 - 1 Sporting CP
Table positions (after match): 30 & 23
Next Opponent: Sturm Graz/Bologna
AC Milan v Girona
(Italy v Spain)
San Siro, Milan
Table positions (before match): 12 & 30
Could Girona make it a clean sweep for Spanish teams tonight? Facing AC Milan you would have to have said that was a tall order, which only grew in stature as the Italians scored just after the half-hour, the only goal in the match, as it happened, Girona dropping to their sixth defeat in seven games.
Result: AC Milan 1 - 0 Girona
Table positions (after match): 6 & 31
Next Opponent: Dinamo Zagreb/Arsenal
Sparta Prague v Inter Milan
(Czech Republic v Italy)
Stadion Letna, Prague
Table positions (before match): 28 & 6
The last Italian team faced off against homebound Sparta Prague, taking a mere 12 minutes to open the scoring, the one goal enough for Inter to take an expected victory and move up the table.
Result: Sparta Prague 0 - 1 Inter Milan
Table positions (after match): 29 & 4
Next Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen/Monaco
Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb
(England v Croatia)
The Emirates, London
Table positions (before match): 3 & 24
Arsenal are doing well here just as they are at home, pushing Liverpool for the title, while in Europe they're third and tonight faced a Croatian team slipping badly down the table. The famous Arsenal attack was in evidence right away, the Gunners going one ahead through Rice with the game only two minutes old, Gabriel almost putting them two up when he leaped to head in the ball, but wide from the corner. Oddly enough, they went in at the break with just the single goal, Dinamo not having come near their goal, but just after the hour Havertz got their second, and surely gave them all three points even with nearly half an hour to play.
Rice nearly made it three but headed well wide, and as we moved into extra time Odegaard made it certain as he took Arsenal's third, something of a stroll for the English club.
Result: Arsenal 3 - 0 Dinamo Zagreb
Table positions (after match): 3 & 26
Next Opponent: Girona/AC Milan
Celtic v Young Boys
(Scotland v Switzerland)
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Table positions (before match): 21 & 36
While Celtic have not exactly set the tournament alight this year, it's fair to say that they should have had no worries about facing the bottom team, who have not a single victory to their tally and who have been, not to be unkind, thrashed soundly in almost every game. The Swiss team are probably, as I said before, just looking forward to being done with this Champions League and heading home for a rest and a nice bar of chocolate. The Scots didn't take long to open the scoring, though it was ruled as being offside. Still, the Young Boys defence cut through as easily as a knife through something you might spread on your bread. Oddly enough, it took Celtic a whole half hour before they did score, and frustratingly for the home side, this too was ruled out, this time for a foul. Young Boys surviving, but for how long? Not long, except for the fucking second time that damned flag was up and for the third time a goal was chalked off.
The Scots eventually had to rely on a penalty to get the first goal - except it was what I think they call in footballing circles a shit penalty and saved, so rather to everyone's surprise, perhaps even that of Young Boys, the teams went in level at the break, no hint of an attack on the Celtic goal but the home side not scoring either. The Swiss team did have a few shots on goal, to the surely acute embarrassment of the Scottish team, but finally pressure told and for once the flag did not go up as the ball rolled into the Swiss net, looked to be an own goal, just to add insult to multiple injuries. Celtic then managed to make it even more difficult for themselves as they had a man sent off for a straight red, but only minutes to go as Young Boys desperately attempted a late upset, Schmichael saving his team and you'd have to say Celtic almost succeeded in spite of themselves. Not a terrible performance, but VAR was against them. Young Boys must feel almost relaxed after that; easiest defeat they've suffered yet.
Result: Celtic 1 - 0 Young Boys
Table positions (after match): 18 & 36
Next Opponent: Aston Villa/Red Star Belgrade
Feyenoord v Bayern Munich
(Netherlands v Germany)
De Kuip, Rotterdam
Table positions (before match): 18 & 10
Bayern should really be doing better than 10th, currently looking at a play-off to get into the next round, but it was the Dutch who were first on the scoresheet 21 minutes gone, sending the home crowd into raptures. Kane tried to equalise but the keeper kept it out, then another shot went over the top as Feyenoord broke, got a penalty and went two ahead before the break. But as someone once said, you never count the Germans out, and back came Bayern in the second half, hammering on the door and demanding entry, both the Feyenoord keeper and the bar keeping them out. In the final minute of the match the Dutch team left no doubt as to the result as they took their third.
Result: Feyenoord 3 - 0 Bayern Munich
Table positions (after match): 11 & 15
Next Opponent: Lille/Slovan Bratislava
Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester City
(France v England)
Parc des Princes, Paris
Table positions (before match): 25 & 22
City may have kicked off something of a revival at home, but their European performance has been nothing short of dismal, especially considering they're current champions. Could they make that turnaround here as well and take a vital victory against similarly-threatened PSG? It was in fact the French team who had the first shot on goal, though it was blocked and sent over the top, then Haaland's shot from Foden's cross was straight at the keeper. Striker turned defender than as the big Norwegian had to clear off the line to prevent PSG from opening the scoring.
He couldn't stop the French side from taking the lead though as they cut through the City defence, but VAR came to their rescue, the goal ruled marginally offside as the skies wept on a rainy night in Paris. That was it for the first half, PSG definitely looking the stronger team, but it was the Manchester side who went ahead shortly after the break as Grealish finally broke his duck to score an important and crucial goal for his team. City added a second three minutes later, Haaland slamming the ball into the corner of the PSG net to give them what should have been a comfortable lead, but the home side had cut their lead to one goal three minutes after that, and then City lost the ball in their own half, and lost the lead as they were pegged back level on the hour, PSG far from done, in fact they looked the more likely to score the next goal, and they went close. The turnaround was complete when PSG got a free and took their chance to score, time running out for City as a fourth was scored by Paris in extra time, but was it offside? If not, that was it, and there were only seconds left to go, and when the goal was allowed, City were down and out.
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 4 - 2 Manchester City
Table positions (after match): 22 & 25
Next Opponent: VfB Stuttgart/Club Brugge
Real Madrid v Red Bull Salzburg
(Spain v Austria)
Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Table positions (before match): 20 & 32
Austrian teams have not been doing well in this league, and with Sturm Graz already put to the sword, could Red Bull Salzburg have been expecting an easy ride when they came up against Spanish legends Real Madrid at the Bernabeu? As the white wave swept forward it took Real 23 minutes to open the scoring, their second coming ten minutes later. The Austrians' cause was not helped by the antics of their keeper, allowing Mbappe in for one of the simplest goals of his career surely. Real now cruising as they added a fourth just before the hour, Salzburg with no hope of getting anything from this match. Not finished yet though, back came the Spanish to put it in for a fifth time with 13 minutes of the game still to play. Salzburg went on a rare attack late and scored an even rarer goal, not that it made any difference.
Result: Real Madrid 5 - 1 Red Bull Salzburg
Table positions (after match): 16 & 34
Next Opponent: Brest/Atletico Madrid
Matchday 7 overview
Some major surprises this time, including the perhaps-not-shock-defeat of Manchester City, who were 2-0 ahead at PSG and ended up losing 4-2, a reflection of how poorly they've been doing in Europe, while Aston Villa slumped to defeat against a Monaco side they should really have been able to beat. Liverpool left it late to take the three points at Lille, while Arsenal cruised past Dinamo Zagreb. Spain had a good night overall, with Real Madrid thrashing Red Bull Salzburg while Barcelona had a harder than expected fight on their hands when they took on Benfica, but came out on top in the end. Atalanta flattened the other Austrian side, while both Inter and AC Milan really just squeaked victories against their opponents, Juventus were only able to draw against Club Brugge, but the big story for Italian football tonight was the first win for Bologna, who triumphed over serious opposition as they beat Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich found themselves totally outclassed and outplayed when they took on Feyenoord, the other big German side also had a tough time against Atletico Madrid as Bayer Leverkusen were beaten for only the second time, and Celtic had a lucky escape against, of all teams, Young Boys, just a single goal winning it for the Scots (though in fairness they had no less than 3 goals disallowed and missed a penalty). Another shock victory for Ukrainian side Shakhtar when they beat Brest 2-0, but no surprise for the pride of Austria, as both teams lost and are both on the way home, one above the other at the bottom end of the table.
Nations' Progress
We're getting down to the wire now, and it's pretty clear some teams are checking flight times home, but how have the countries been doing in terms of wins, losses and draws after Matchday 7?
Austria
Almost expected now, both Austrian teams lost heavily, Sturm Graz going down 5-0 to Atalanta while Red Bull Salzburg met Real Madrid and also came off the worst on the end of a five-goal score, but I suppose at least they scored one of their own.
Austrian tally (Matchday 7): L2
Austrian tally (so far): W2, L12
Belgium
Belgium's Club Brugge held Juventus to a draw, only their second in the competition.
Belgian tally (Matchday 7): D1
Belgian tally (so far): W3, L3, D1
Croatia
Dinamo Zagreb were on the end of a 3-0 hammering by Arsenal.
Croatian tally (Matchday 7): L1
Croatian tally (so far): W2, D2, L3
Czech Republic
Sparta Prague lost again, this time to Inter Milan.
Czech tally (Matchday 7): L1
Czech tally (so far): W1, D1, L5
England
Liverpool continue to lead the way, even if they did concede a goal for only the second time. Villa lost while Arsenal won and Man City, well, they lost a game they should have won.
English tally (Matchday 7): W2, L2
English tally (so far): W18, L6, D4
France
PSG turned their game against Manchester City around to come out clear winners, Brest lost to Shakhtar Donetsk and Lille went down at the hands of Liverpool.
French tally (Matchday 7): W1, L2
French tally (so far): W11, D3, L7
Germany
A bad night for German football. Both Bayern and Bayer Leverkusen lost, as did Borussia Dortmund. The only German teams to win in fact were Stuttgart and Leipzig.
German tally (Matchday 7): W2, L3
German tally (so far): W16, D2, L17[/b]
Italy
Almost a clean sweep for Italy, with even Bologna winning their game. Inter and AC Milan both won, and Atalanta hammered Sturm Graz, but Juventus could only draw.
Italian tally (Matchday 7): W3, D1, L1
Italian tally (so far): W17, D8, L10
Monaco
Monaco won their game against Aston Villa.
Monaco tally (Matchday 7): W1
Monaco tally (so far): W4, D1, L2
Netherlands
Both Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven won their games.
Dutch tally (Matchday 7): W2
tally (so far): W7, L4, D3
Portugal
After an incredible and high-scoring match, Benfica were felled by Spanish giants Barcelona, while Sporting lost to Leipzig.
Portuguese tally (Matchday 7): L2
Portuguese tally (so far): W5, L7, D2
Spain
A great night for Spain, three of their teams winning. Barcelona beat Benfica, but really had to work for the victory, while Real walked all over Red Bull Salzburg, and Atletico took down Bayer Leverkusen. The only blot on the copybook was almost-eternally losing Girona.
Spanish tally (Matchday 7): W3, L1
Spanish tally (so far): W16, L12
Switzerland
Young Boys could almost consider their match against Celtic a win, as they were only beaten by one goal.
Swiss tally (Matchday 7): L1
Swiss tally (so far): L7
Scotland
As above, Celtic were lucky to beat perennial losers Young Boys, but they did.
Scottish tally (Matchday 7): W1
Scottish tally (so far): W3, L1, D3
Serbia
Red Star lost as usual, this time to PSV Eindhoven, but they gave it a go.
Serbian tally (Matchday 7): L1
Serbian tally (so far): W1, L6
Slovakia
Slovan Bratislava were beaten by Leipzig.
Slovakian tally (Matchday 7): L1
Slovakian tally (so far): L7
Ukraine
A surprise victory for Ukraine, as Shakhtar beat Brest 2-0.
Ukrainian tally (Matchday 6): W1
Ukrainian tally (so far): W2, L4, D1
Wins
England (18)
Italy (17)
Germany & Spain (16)
France (11)
Netherlands (7)
Portugal (5)
Monaco (4)
Scotland & Belgium (3)
Ukraine, Austria & Croatia (2)
Serbia & Czech Republic (1)
Losses
Germany (17)
Austria & Spain (12)
Italy (10)
Switzerland, Portugal, France & Slovakia (7)
England (6)
Czech Republic (5)
Netherlands (4)
Croatia & Belgium (3)
Monaco (2)
Draws
Italy (8]
England (4)
France, Netherlands & Scotland (3)
Croatia, Portugal & Germany (2)
Belgium, Monaco, Czech Republic & Ukraine (1)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3JzZkMYh/CLtable-MD7.png)
Tale of the table:
Liverpool hang on to top spot, confidently winning all 7 of their matches and a cert not only to go through, but surely to win the thing, while Barcelona have managed to take what they would see as their rightful place in 2nd, and remain there this week. Arsenal stay in third, so two English teams definitely through to the next stages, while at 4th we have the first of the Italian teams, one of three currently going through automatically, Inter Milan. In 6th and 7th respectively are AC Milan and Atalanta, so whatever else happens it looks like there'll be a strong Italian presence in the next round.
Just one other Spanish team due to go through as it stands, that's Atletico Madrid, who are in 5th place, and the final automatic qualification place is taken by Bayer Leverkusen in 8th. Just outside that, Aston Villa hope to get into that 8th place after their next match, but if not, then they are at least all but assured of a play-off place. No French teams at all in the first eight, with the closest being Monaco (not technically French) and then Lille and Brest a relatively long way down at 12th and 13th.
German giants have fallen, both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich holding on to lower places, 14th and 15th, and another titan, this time Spanish, Real Madrid, who have won the league so many times (fifteen) that they must feel they own the Cup, are even lower at 16th. Teams hanging on by the skin of their teeth to even a play-off place include Stuttgart, Sporting, PSG and Benfica, while Manchester's finest at the moment look like they're going home unless they can improve on their final game, currently sitting at 25th. Anyone below them is looking at an early exit.
Matchday 8 is on January 29, and will end this stage of the competition, after which those who have not managed to qualify either for an automatic place or a play-off will be heading home, and we'll be left with the survivors to go through and battle it out.
Matchday 8
(https://media0.giphy.com/media/VtR7L2GCNQB56/200.gif?cid=6c09b952x8rzkbkq3wampq7v1gi77600vnlewocaljb7ay7v&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200.gif&ct=g)
This, then, is finally it. A lot of teams know their fate, or can be reasonably certain of it by now. Others are hoping for a last-minute stay of execution, as it were, and even those who have no chance to progress will probably want to try to go out on a high. But whatever happens, tonight decides at the very least the 8 teams who go through automatically. The next 16 will have to play each other in play-offs to see if they can take the remaining places. Anyone below that 24th-place cutoff is eliminated after tonight. It is, as they say, for many teams, the moment of not telling too many lies.
Aston Villa v Celtic
(England v Scotland)
Villa Park, Birmingham
Table positions (before match): 9 & 18
A chance for Villa to impress at home and claw their way into those automatic qualifying places. Celtic are looking at a play-off no matter what happens.
It only took Villa 2 minutes to register the first goal, Rogers the man on the scoresheet first, and three minutes later he had taken his and Villa's second to put the home side in a commanding position. Only the post saved Celtic from going three down, Watkins then kept out by a save on the line, otherwise Villa were definitely tripling their lead. Just after the half-hour Celtic pulled one back, then five minutes later Villa's lead evaporated as the Scots scored again to make it 2-2 at the break.
Watkins restored Villa's lead on the hour, lovely pass from Ramsey, and Celtic were almost four down when Schmeichel made a very wayward pass, but the Celtic goal was under siege, and when Villa got a penalty Watkins slipped, and the spot kick was more like a moon kick. A corner nearly resulted in the fourth but kept out, then Celtic came close to levelling for the second time in the match but the ball went the wrong side of the post. Then in the first minute of extra time Rogers got his hat-trick, leaving the result in no doubt.
Other results, however, could be unkind to Villa, who were certainly not in the automatic play-off places yet.
Result: Aston Villa 4 - 2 Celtic
Table positions (after match): 8 & 21
Bayer Leverkusen v Sparta Prague
(Germany v Czech Republic)
BayArena, Leverkusen
Table positions (before match): 8 & 29
Already assured of a place in the next round, Bayer Leverkusen should have nothing to fear from the Czechs, who are on their way home no matter what.
The first goal for the Germans came on 12 minutes, Sparta Prague coming close to equalising but the lob was just a little too much to ask. Leverkusen doubled their advantage in the second half to ensure their progress.
Result: Bayer Leverkusen 2 - 0 Sparta Prague
Table positions (after match): 6 & 31
Borussia Dortmund v Shakhtar Donetsk
(Germany v Ukraine)
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
Table positions (before match): 14 & 27
Dortmund, though stinging from an uncharacteristic defeat at the hands of Bologna last time, are in the play-offs but if other results go their way they could theoretically make it into the automatic qualifiers with a win. Shakhtar are playing for pride only, tickets home already booked after a poor tournament.
The Ukrainians were first on the attack, but no way past the Dortmund keeper, then they were ahead themselves, doubling that lead just before the end of the first half. A terrible mistake let Shakhtar back in, but Dortmund soon restored their two-goal lead, taking the match.
Result: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Table positions (after match): 10 & 27
Young Boys v Red Star Belgrade
(Switzerland v Serbia)
Wankdorf Stadium, Bern
Table positions (before match): 36 & 32
Nothing but pride to play for here, as two of the bottom teams meet each other, both knowing they're already eliminated. Red Star did put five past Stuttgart before, so perhaps Young Boys are just hoping this last match for them will not be another hammering.
It wasn't, but Young Boys still lost, even if it was just to the one goal.
Result: Young Boys 0 - 1 Red Star Belgrade
Table positions (after match): 36 & 29
Barcelona v Atalanta
(Spain v Italy)
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona
Table positions (before match): 2 & 7
Both teams have qualified already, but there's always room to move up. It seems unlikely Liverpool will slip up at this late stage, but if the unthinkable happened, then Barcelona could take top spot thanks to superior goal difference. Atalanta could leapfrog their Italian cousins in sixth place if AC Milan lose. The result also impinged on Aston Villa's chances of taking an automatic qualification spot after their victory over Celtic.
Things started badly for Villa as Atalanta scored - but was it offside? Yes it was. Villa fans breathed again. And they breathed easier when Barcelona took the first goal two minutes into the second half, a bad decision by the Italian keeper, but then Atalanta were level seven minutes later as the pendulum swung the other way. A corner decided it with 19 minutes left as Barcelona took the lead again, then the Italians were level again ten minutes from time. The result allows Villa to take that precious automatic qualification place and they go through to the knockout round.
Result: Barcelona 2 - 2 Atalanta
Table positions (after match): 2 & 9
Bayern Munich v Slovan Bratislava
(Germany v Slovakia)
Allianz Arena, Munich
Table positions (before match): 15 & 35
Although Bayern have not done as well as they should have expected, they are assured of a play-off place, while Slovan will present poor opposition, already slated for elimination, second from bottom.
Early lead for Bayern, to nobody's surprise, though Slovan did their best to get past the keeper, a fine save required, then Kane scored Bayern's second, and it was all over. If it wasn't, then their third settled it, even with Slovan snatching a late goal.
Result: Bayern Munich 3 - 1 Slovan Bratislava
Table positions (after match): 12 & 35
Inter Milan v Monaco
(Italy v Monaco)
San Siro, Milan
Table positions (before match): 4 & 10
Monaco can get into the automatic qualifying places if they win against the Italian giants, who themselves might be able to go third with a win, second if somehow Barcelona don't win against Atalanta. And as that game was a draw, this was their chance. A penalty for Inter though inside two minutes did little for those chances as Monaco fell one behind, and worse was to come as they lost a man to a straight red before half-time. The resultant free could have put Inter two ahead but the keeper did his job, nothing he could do about the shot on 17 minutes though which doubled Inter's lead. A long way back now for Monaco.
With one man down though it was always going to be a tough ask for the visitors and they were forced onto the defence. Just after the hour the Italians made it three, and now it was just a case of how many would Monaco be beaten by? In the end, it was just the three, but Monaco will have to settle for a play-off place.
Result: Inter Milan 3 - 0 Monaco
Table positions (after match): 4 & 17
Red Bull Salzburg v Atletico Madrid
(Austria v Spain)
Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
Table positions (before match): 5 & 34
At least Salzburg won't have far to travel after this final match, already out and eliminated before the whistle. Madrid are through automatically, but may want to put on a show. Austrian opposition has proven weak as water in this competition, so the home side may be looking at a long night.
It took the Spanish no more than five minutes to go ahead, and they were two up when the keeper came and missed on 13 minutes, the game surely won already. If not by then, Madrid's third just before the half-time whistle certainly settled it. As I said, might be a long night, and so it was as Atletico took their fourth just past the hour. In the dying moments Salzburg at least got on the scoresheet, not that it does much for them.
Result: Red Bull Salzburg 1 - 4 Atletico Madrid
Table positions (after match): 34 & 5
Girona v Arsenal
(Spain v England)
Montilivi, Girona
Table positions (before match): 31 & 3
Even an unlikely defeat won't stop Arsenal going through automatically, while not even a miracle can save the Spanish side from being on the plane home. That miracle might have been on the cards just before the half-hour as Arsenal made a glaring error to let the Spanish in for the first goal. A penalty six minutes later drew Arsenal level, and they were ahead six minutes after that, to go in two to the good at the break, normal service resumed.
A penalty awarded to them in the second half was saved by the Girona keeper, but 2-1 will do it and Arsenal were through anyway.
Result: Girona 1 - 2 Arsenal
Table positions (after match): 33 & 3
Dinamo Zagreb v AC Milan
(Croatia v Italy)
Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb
Table positions (before match): 26 & 6
The Croatians have a narrow chance of getting into the play-off places, though they need Manchester City to lose or draw against Club Brugge. At any rate, they had to look at a situation that meant they had to win against a Milan team who are already through.
A fatal slip by Milan allowed Dinamo to get on the scoresheet and take a precious lead on 19 minutes, and things got even better for the Croatians as Milan had a man sent off for two yellows in rapid succession - almost immediately one after the other, the Italians reduced to ten men for the second half. Nevertheless, it didn't take them long to equalise and within eight minutes of the restart it was all square. Could Dinamo make the extra man advantage work for them? Yes they could. On the hour the home team were ahead again, and took a shock victory against AC Milan.
Result: Dinamo Zagreb 2 - 1 AC Milan
Table positions (after match): 25 & 13
Juventus v Benfica
(Italy v Portugal)
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Table positions (before match): 17 & 21
Juventus are assured of a play-off place, while Benfica should be too, but will be nervously watching the matches played by PSG, Stuttgart and Sporting, who are all level on points with them.
Benfica took the early lead, and pressed their advantage as they took their second to beat the Italian giants.
Result: Juventus 0 - 2 Benfica
Table positions (after match): 20 & 16
Lille v Feyenoord
(France v Netherlands)
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-D'Asc
Table positions (before match): 12 & 11
Level on points, both are in for a play-off place, though if Lille beat the Dutch they will move up past them in the table.
The French team were ahead with only four minutes played, the ball squeezed in at the far corner, then ten minutes later Feyenoord had levelled the match, but an own goal on 38 minutes gave Lille the advantage again, an advantage they extended in the second half as they took their third. 16 minutes from time it was all over as Lille made it four, but they weren't finished yet and took a fifth two minutes after that, another own goal would you believe? A sixth resulted with ten minutes to go, a resounding victory for the home side, who take one of the remaining automatic qualification places.
Result: Lille 6 - 1 Feyenoord
Table positions (after match): 7 & 19
Manchester City v Club Brugge
(England v Belgium)
The Etithad, Manchester
Table positions (before match): 25 & 20
This is Manchester City's last chance not to go home. If they can beat the Belgians, already qualified for a play-off place, then they can scrape their way into the last 24. If they lose or draw, they're on the plane home. Make or break for Pep's boys at home. Oh, if they lose or draw they're staying home. Well, same thing: they won't be going any further and they certainly won't be defending their title. This is, literally, a must-win game.
The weekend hero was on the attack early, Foden unable to give City the lead, but Gondogan could. Until it was ruled offside. Brugge then went in search of the opener, but no way past Ederson. Back came City, but lost the ball and the Belgians were back down their half and scored in the final minute of extra time to give the Manchester club an even bigger mountain to climb in the second half. Stones missed a perfect opportunity to equalise, but Kovacic was on target eight minutes in to level the game. Could City now go on to win it and ensure at least a play-off place to give themselves hope? If Brugge scored again it would be disaster for the home team, and they almost did, but the shot went wide.
Just after the hour it was two, but for City, through an own goal. Looking good now for Pep Guardiola's team. But they couldn't be complacent. Another goal for Brugge would rob them of the chance to go through. A double attempt on the Belgian goal was kept out as City pushed forward, then with 13 minutes to go they got their third, everything looking rosy now. A scramble in the box in extra time could have given them a fourth, but three will do and City gain a place in the play-offs.
Result: Manchester City 3 - 1 Club Brugge
Table positions (after match): 22 & 24
PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool
(Netherlands v England)
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
Table positions (before match): 19 & 1
One more match to win and Liverpool will have a perfect record of victories in this first round. PSV are in the play-off places.
Just before the half-hour Liverpool got a penalty and Gakpo duly converted, the league leaders well on their way. Five minutes later though PSV drew level, Liverpool back in front five minutes after that, and five minutes after that the Dutch had equalised again! Four goals inside fifteen minutes! And all square at the break then. Ah, not quite. In the sixth minute of extra time at the end of the half PSV scored their third, to take the lead for the first time and send Liverpool in behind at the break.
The second half, not surprisingly, saw Liverpool come back fighting, but after they lost a man to a red card they were unable to hold PSV and they drop to their first ever defeat in the Champions League this season.
Result: PSV Eindhoven 3 - 2 Liverpool
Table positions (after match): 14 & 1
Sturm Graz v RB Leipzig
(Austria v Germany)
Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt
Table positions (before match): 33 & 30
Nothing to play for here; both teams are going home, Leipzig the only German team eliminated after the first round. Sturm Graz will follow their Austrian cousins Red Bull Salzburg out of the competition, no representatives from that country in the Champions League after this.
The Austrian side took a surprise lead, the only goal in the match. Not that it does either team any good: both are eliminated, but at least they can say they went out on something of a high. And like I said, they haven't far to travel home.
Result: Sturm Graz 1 - 0 RB Leipzig
Table positions (after match): 30 & 32
Sporting CP v Bologna
(Portugal v Italy)
Estadio Jose Alvavades, Lisbon
Table positions (before match): 23 & 28
Sporting are just inside the play-offs so will want a win to keep up their hopes of progressing. Even after their shock defeat of Borussia Dortmund last time, a very unlikely win for Bologna will still see them eliminated, with only 5 points so far.
Sporting would surely take their manager back, and the way things are going with Man United, he might be tempted, especially when Bologna took an uncharacteristic lead, but the Portuguese side came back to level and give themselves a chance in the knockout places.
Result: Sporting CP 1 - 1 Bologna
Table positions (after match): 23 & 28
Brest v Real Madrid
(France v Spain)
Stade de Roudourou, Gingamp
Table positions (before match): 13 & 16
The French debutantes have done well to secure a play-off place, while Real should really be higher, but are also in the play-offs.
Only a great save from a free saved the Spanish from going behind, then Real could have scored themselves but the Brest keeper just as good as theirs. Just before the half-hour though Real were ahead, their second coming in the second half but ruled offside. Just before the hour they did double their lead, no offside this time, and their third with 12 minutes to go sealed it.
Result: Brest 0 - 3 Real Madrid
Table positions (after match): 18 & 11
VfB Stuttgart v Paris Saint-Germain
(Germany v France)
MHPArena, Stuttgart
Table positions (before match): 24 & 22
Tight at the bottom of the play-offs, with both these teams plus Sporting and Benfica all level on points. PSG's amazing comeback against Manchester City last matchday shows they can turn it on when needed, whereas Stuttgart did put five past Young Boys, but then, who hasn't? More to the point, Stuttgart were beaten 5-1 by Red Star Belgrade, and Sporting put Man City to the sword 5-0, so could be a tough match.
A badly given-away corner on six minutes allowed PSG in to take the lead, only a great save then keeping Stuttgart out. The French thought they had doubled their lead but ruled offside. Tight, though, and when VAR checked it they decided it was in fact good, so 2-0 to PSG after 20 minutes. A quite incredible save then kept the ball from going over the line for the visitors' third, only an inch or so in it, but the whole of the ball must cross blah blah. It didn't matter though as just past the half-hour mark it was three, and the fourth came just before the hour, the French team victorious with 30 minutes yet to go.
Stuttgart came back late, their only goal an own goal 13 minutes from time, but not enough to save the Germans as PSG take the play-off place.
Result: VfB Stuttgart 1 - 4 Paris Saint-Germain
Table positions (after match): 26 & 15
Final standings:
Through automatically to the next round (In order)
Liverpool
Barcelona
Arsenal
Inter Milan
Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen
Lille
Aston Villa
Qualify for a Play-off place (In order)
Atalanta
Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid
Bayern Munich
AC Milan
Paris Saint-Germain
PSV Eindhoven
Benfica
Monaco
Brest
Feyenoord
Juventus
Celtic
Manchester City
Sporting CP
Club Brugge
Eliminated (In order)
Dinamo Zagreb
VfB Stuttgart
Shakhtar Donetsk
Bologna
Red Star Belgrade
Sturm Graz
Sparta Prague
RB Leipzig
Girona
Red Bull Salzburg
Slovan Bratislava
Young Boys
The final table then.
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The draw for the play-offs takes place tomorrow morning, so I'll be back with the results of that before we wrap up.
... and here they are.
Brest v Paris Saint-Germain - winner will play Liverpool or Barcelona
Juventus v PSV Eindhoven - winner will play Lille or Aston Villa
Manchester City v Real Madrid - winner will play Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen
Sporting CP v Borussia Dortmund - winner will play Arsenal or Milan
Club Brugge v Atalanta - winner will play Lille or Aston Villa
Monaco v Benfica - winner will play Liverpool or Barcelona
Celtic v Bayern Munich - winner will play Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen
Feyenoord v AC Milan - winner will play Arsenal or Milan
Games will be played on February 11/12 and February 18/19. Final draw for the Round of 16 will be on February 21. The games in the Round of 16 will then be held March 4/5 and March 11/12.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
AAAAAAAAAAA
Suck on that. HALA MADRID 🇪🇸
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It's last chance saloon for the 16 teams who didn't make it through to the next round automatically. They each face each other now over two legs, the first of which were played this week.
Table positions count for nothing now. Having ended up 9th - 24th, progression for each of them now depends on their performance against other teams in the same position. It's no longer a case of trying to scale the table. All that's forgotten now. Now, it's all about survival.
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Celtic v Bayern Munich
(Scotland v Germany)
It might not be so surprising to see the Scottish team struggling to progress - their results have been far from stellar in the first round - but Bayern must be kicking themselves that they're fighting for a play-off place. One of the biggest, if not the biggest German clubs, they used to be referred to as the "German Man United" (at a time when United were the epitome of English football). How the mighty have fallen! Now they faced Celtic away in a must-win fixture, in an arena where the Scots have yet to be beaten in this competition.
Celtic set their stall out early, as early as you could do, scoring after 26 seconds. Except it was ruled offside, then Kane unable to get past Schmeichel, the game scoreless almost to the break, before Bayern took a last-gasp lead in the final minute of the first half to put themselves ahead. The Germans pressed their advantage early in the second half, and had their second through Harry Kane four minutes in, Celtic looking dead and gone now, their only defeat at Celtic Park looming.
They had a chance to get back in it though when a penalty check sent the ref to the monitor, but for once the man on the field did not agree with VAR, a rare occurrence, and one Celtic could have done without. When the Bayern keeper came out and misjudged the flight of the ball they were in, but shot wide across the face of goal. With ten minutes of the tie left Celtic pulled one back to give themselves hope, then in the first of seven injury time minutes they went close to drawing, but the ball rapped off the post, so Celtic fall to their first defeat at home since December 2023 and have it all to do in the second leg. Advantage Germany.
Result: Celtic 1 - 2 Bayern Munich
Manchester City v Real Madrid
(England v Spain)
If Pep wanted to avoid the ignominy of being the only manager of an English team in the competition to be sent home early, his men would have to come good against multi-winners Real Madrid, who themselves should have been through on their reputation and were not about to go easy on City. Nor did they, as they put the English team under pressure from the off, Mbappe flying at them but unable to get past Ederson. It was however City who grabbed the first goal, and who else but Haaland, barely 20 minutes on the clock. But was it offside? No, not this time; City one to the good.
Real came back almost immediately, but off the bar, so advantage City at the break. Haaland had a chance to double their lead in the second but his shot too cracked off the crossbar. Back came Real, and from a free on the hour they drew level through Mbappe. They almost went ahead soon after, but the City keeper able to keep the ball out, then a penalty for the home side looked like it would enable them to wrap up the game, ten minutes from time. Haaland did not disappoint, scoring City's second and surely sealing the victory for them, until Ederson gave the ball away with four minutes to go, allowing Real to equalise. Worse was to come for City when the Spanish side took it in the second minute of extra time to give themselves a huge advantage when they meet the ex-champions back in Madrid. Mixed feelings for English fans as it was Jude Bellingham, their Euros hero, who got the winning goal.
Result: Manchester City 2 - 3 Real Madrid
Feyenoord v AC Milan
(Netherlands v Italy)
Three minutes on the clock at the hosts were ahead, the keeper at fault as he let the ball squirm through his hands on a rainy night in Holland. They could have been two ahead before halftime but the ball hopped off the bar, though Milan didn't seem to be offering much of a threat, new signing from Chelsea Joao Felix in the thick of it but unable to score. The Italians began to play better in the second half, but Feyenoord held on for the win.
Result: Feyenoord 1 - 0 AC Milan
Brest v Paris Saint-Germain
(France v France)
The first time in the Champions League this year that two teams from the same country faced each other, debutantes Brest were determined to continue their impressive journey and make it to the Round of 16, while PSG, after having come good in their last game against Manchester City, have not exactly shone in the tournament so far.
A penalty awarded to PSG seemed to put paid to Brest's hopes of progressing, then their second goal gave them very much the advantage, this supremacy confirmed as they scored a third, to run out 3-0 winners. Perhaps a case of the old hands taking the kids to school?
Result: Brest 0 - 3 Paris Saint-Germain
Monaco v Benfica
(Monaco v Portugal)
Both teams had their chances early on, but neither able to make the breakthrough before the break, but the second half was only three minutes old before Benfica took the lead. Things deteriorated for the home side when a second yellow saw them reduced to ten, Benfica almost scoring a second, but holding on to the 1-0 lead to win the game.
Result: Monaco 0 - 1 Benfica
Club Brugge v Atalanta
(Belgium v Italy)
Belgium's only hope of getting through to the Round of 16 lay with Club Brugge, who came up against one of the in-form Italian teams, Atalanta, who just barely missed out on automatic qualification, finishing 9th in the table and pipped to the last place by Aston Villa. It was the Belgians who scored first though, the first quarter-hour of the match having just passed, lazy play on the part of Atalanta letting the home side in. They were back on terms though before the end of the half, all square at the break.
Both teams had a chance to grab the winner but both failed until a very dodgy penalty for Club Brugge gave them the victory, and the advantage for the return visit.
Result: Club Brugge 2 - 1 Atalanta
Juventus v PSV Eindhoven
(Italy v Netherlands)
The other Italian team left in the play-off places played the other Dutch team, this time on Italian soil, and just after the half-hour an American scored to put Juventus in the driving seat. They almost went two up before the break but straight at the keeper. Just after the hour they had cause to rue that miss as PSV equalised, despite suspicions of handball. Not to be beaten at home, Juventus went on the attack and retook the lead eight minutes from full time.
Result: Juventus 2 - 1 PSV Eindhoven
Sporting CP v Borussia Dortmund
(Portugal v Germany)
Another titan of German football, Dortmund must wonder was ist los? How can they be fighting for a play-off place? Well, like Atalanta they just missed out on an automatic qualification place, but with 3 losses in 8 matches this is where they find themselves, while Sporting seem to have lost that winning feeling when they lost their manager to Manchester United. The Portuguese made the early running but off the post, then Dortmund shot just wide to keep it scoreless at halftime. On the stroke of sixty minutes the Germans were ahead, and they doubled that lead eight minutes later to give themselves a great chance going into their home match. Even better when they scored a third near the end and surely gives them the best chance of going forward.
Result: Sporting CP 0 - 3 Borussia Dortmund
So of the 16 remaining teams, who's in the best shape for the second leg?
Celtic go to Munich needing 2 goals without reply to get through, so they're clearly not the favourites. Bayern likely to make it through, unless the Scots put on the performance of their lives, and Bayern have an off day. At home. In front of their fans. With a Champions League Round of 16 place up for grabs. Unlikely, to say the least.
Prediction: Celtic out.
Manchester City are in a similar position, travelling to Madrid to take on the giants of Spanish football, but they must be kicking themselves. Having been (again) ahead and in control they let a 2-0 lead slip, not just to a draw, but to defeat, and now have to beat Real at their fortress to have any chance of getting through.
Prediction: Man City out.
Feyenoord are in a strong position going to the San Siro, though there is only one goal in it, and Milan at home will be harder to beat than they were away. Hard to call this one, though you would fancy the Italians might make it.
Prediction: Feyenoord out.
Brest, despite their valiant effort, have little to no chance of overturning the 3-goal lead PSG have on them, and at home their fellow Frenchmen are going to be hard to beat. It looks like their maiden voyage will end in the Stade de Paris.
Prediction: Brest out (ooer!)
Monaco will do well to beat Benfica in Lisbon, and while there's only a goal in it, we are talking a team that has beaten some pretty major-league opposition.
Prediction: Monaco out.
Club Brugge definitely have the advantage when they travel to Italy next week, with a 2-goal lead that Atalanta may find hard to overturn. But Brugge have not played terribly well whereas Atalanta have really impressed.
Prediction: Club Brugge out.
Juventus should feel confident of taking on PSV on their home turf, especially with a two goal advantage over the Dutch team.
Prediction: PSV out
Sporting have floundered since Amorim left for English shores, and with a three-goal lead you would have to expect Borussia Dortmund to win.
Prediction: Sporting out.
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Knockout Play-offs Second Leg
Real Madrid v Manchester City
(Spain v England)
Aggregate: Real Madrid 3 - 2 Manchester City
City with a mountain to climb, and four minutes in that mountain was so much higher as Mbappe stole through a flat City defence to score, making it now 4-2 on aggregate. Shades of Liverpool when Dias slipped to leave the French international clear through on goal, an opportunity he did not waste. Just after the half-hour he was at it again, now 5-2 on aggregate. City had not yet had a single shot on goal, from what I could see. Nor really in the second, their only effort coming from a corner late on, which the Spanish keeper easily caught. The final dagger plunged into the chest just on the hour as Mbappe completed his hat-trick, not even a late late late goal in the final minute of extra time to prevent Real sending Manchester City to the airport, barely a sniff in the game. They got nothing, and they deserved nothing.
Result: Real Madrid 3 - 1 Manchester City
Aggregate score: Real Madrid 6 - 3 Manchester City
Outcome: Manchester City eliminated
Bayern Munich v Celtic
(Germany v Scotland)
Aggregate: Bayern Munich 2 - 1 Celtic
Celtic missed a golden opportunity to level the aggregate score early on, twice, as they put pressure on the German giants. Make that three times. Kane then had a great shot in the last minute of the first half but it bounced off the crossbar. Second half then and it was still advantage Germany as Celtic swept forward in search of the precious goal that would possibly take the match to extra time. They got it just after the hour, the game surely now theirs to win if they could. A chance to take it was wasted, but Celtic hung on until the very last minute of extra time when Bayern pulled off a smash-and-grab, leaving the Scots shell-shocked and heartbroken, and really an undeserved ending for them.
Result: Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Celtic
Aggregate score: Bayern Munich 3 - 2 Celtic
Outcome: Celtic eliminated
PSV Eindhoven v Juventus
(Netherlands v Italy)
Aggregate: PSV Eindhoven 1 - 2 Juventus
It took the eighth minute of the second half before PSV scored to level the aggregate, 2-2 now, then from a corner the Dutch team could have pulled ahead but it was cleared out, before Juventus equalised with a rocket just after the hour, to put themselves in the driving seat. But then VAR said, "Hmm. Let's take a closer look at that," then decided it wasn't offside, so advantage Italy, aggregate score now 3-2. Ten minutes later it was PSV on the scoresheet again, and the game swung in their favour as aggregate became 3-3, extra time looming? Well, very close to another goal for the Dutch, which would have won it for them on aggregate, but into extra time we went, all square and a place in the Round of 16 up for grabs. A corner near the end of the first period of extra time had PSV back in front, now aggregate 4-3 to the Dutch. Could they hold on? They could; Juventus came very close at the end of the second period but shot high, then PSV could have made it four on the night, but three did it, and PSV go through at Juventus's expense.
Result: PSV Eindhoven 3 - 1 Juventus
Aggregate score: PSV Eindhoven 4 - 3 Juventus
Outcome: Juventus eliminated
Benfica v Monaco
(Portugal v Monaco)
Aggregate: Benfica 1 - 0 Monaco
With Sporting out, Benfica are the only remaining Portuguese team in the Champions League, and they took the lead at home on 22 minutes, extending their aggregate to 2-0, until ten minutes later when Monaco bagged one to cut it back to 2-1. Six minutes into the restart and the visitors had levelled, 2-1 on the night, 2-2 on aggregate. All to play for now. A penalty for Benfica 16 minutes from time though shot Monaco down, turning the aggregate in their favour, now 3-2 to the Portuguese. Monaco were not finished though, and scored yet again nine minutes from the end, to make it 3-2 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate, and possibly force the tie to extended time. Three minutes after that, however, another goal for Benfica, now 3-3 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate, advantage the home side. No extra time for Monaco, despite a valiant fight.
Result: Benfica 3 - 3 Monaco
Aggregate score: Benfica 4 - 3 Monaco
Outcome: Monaco eliminated
AC Milan v Feyenoord
(Italy v Netherlands)
Aggregate: AC Milan 0 - 1 Feyenoord
With one of the Italian teams already out, could Milan overturn a 1-0 deficit against the other Dutch team? We only had to wait a minute for the answer, as Milan were immediately ahead, the aggregate now level at 1-1, Feyenoord's advantage wiped out in sixty seconds at the San Siro. They almost went ahead then, but Felix kicked it over the bar, and a second shot went off the post, but Milan certainly in control. They kept up the pressure in the second half, but a dive had one of their men sent off, the Iralians now having to play the remainder of the match with ten men, and it told. On 73 minutes Feyenoord retook the advantage, 1-1 on the night, 2-1 on aggregate. A free in the dying minutes might have given Milan hope, but straight into the arms of the keeper, and so it's the Dutch who go through.
Result: AC Milan 1 - 1 Feyenoord
Aggregate score: AC Milan 1 - 2 Feyenoord
Outcome: AC Milan eliminated
Atalanta v Club Brugge
(Italy v Belgium)
Aggregate: Atalanta 1 - 2 Club Brugge
Could it possibly be a hat-trick of Italian exits? Atlanta welcomed the only Belgian team in the league knowing they needed to score 2 without reply to make it through. One goal on the night would force extra time, assuming Club Brugge didn't score any more. Which they did, and only three minutes on the clock, the aggregate now 3-1 to the Belgians. Just before the half-hour it got worse for the Italians as Brugge scored their second, aggregate now 4-1. Atalanta had three attempts in the one attack to pull one back, but failed, while Brugge went down the other end and in the last moments of extra time scored their third of the night, to leave the result surely now in no doubt. Or was it? One minute into the restart Atalanta scored to cut the deficit to just the 2 goals on the night and 3 on aggregate, now 5-2 to Club Brugge. Still though a huge ask for the home side. Could they possibly do it? This is Italy, the home of Rome, the pope and miracles, but surely not?
Well, they got a penalty but that was saved, so perhaps the blessed Virgin Mary was not watching over the Italian team like they thought. A punch launched in the final minutes at a Club Brugge player reduced the home team to ten, but the game was well over by then, and Atalanta become, rather incredibly, the third Italian team to crash out of the Champions League.
Result: Atalanta 1 - 3 Club Brugge
Aggregate score: Atalanta 2 - 5 Club Brugge
Outcome: Atalanta eliminated
Paris Saint-Germain v Brest
(France v France)
Aggregate: Paris Saint-German 3 - 0 Brest
One way or another, a French team was going out of the Champions League tonight. PSG definitely had the advantage, a three-goal lead over debutantes Brest, so it looked likely to be the home side going through. Still, we all love an underdog, and while they may have been roared on by their fans, I can't but help think that there was an underlying feeling of grudging admiration that the first-time participants had come so far. This would, however, probably be the end of their journey. They did though have the first effort, but off the line to deny them the opening goal. PSG put a further shine on the aggregate on 20 minutes when they scored to make it 4-0, then widened that to 5 as they took their second of the night 20 minutes after that, surely no way back now for Brest.
The second half saw them just shave the post, but PSG were in full control now, scoring their third on the hour, 6-0 on aggregate, the home side well on course now to go through. A fourth on the night made it 7-0 on aggregate, and now it looked to be just a case of how many Brest would be beaten by. 5 on the night on 70 minutes, 8-0 on aggregate, then ten minutes later it was 6-0, making it 9-0 on aggregate. Even the one goal the visitors managed to pull back was ruled offside, no luck for the debutantes, who crash out with the biggest defeat of the play-offs as they go down 7-0 on the night and an embarrassing and emphatic 10-0 on aggregate.
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 7 - 0 Brest
Aggregate score: Paris Saint-Germain 10 - 0 Brest
Outcome: Brest eliminated
Borussia Dortmund v Sporting CP
(Germany v Portugal)
Aggregate: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 0 Sporting CP
One Portuguese team through to the Round of 16, if only just, but Sporting had a far harder task ahead of them as they tried to overturn a 3-0 lead in Germany. Dortmund had all the attacking play but no score, not that they needed to even net one goal; the aggregate would send them through as it was. They did get a penalty which was saved, another shot off the base of the post, so no score but Dortmund go through on the strength of their performance in Lisbon in the first leg.
Result: Borussia Dortmund 0 - 0 Sporting CP
Aggregate score: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 0 Sporting CP
Outcome: Sporting are eliminated
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Eliminated
Manchester City
Atalanta
AC Milan
Juventus
Brest
Monaco
Celtic
Sporting CP
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Through to the Round of 16
Real Madrid
Club Brugge
Feyenoord
Paris Saint-Germain
PSV Eindhoven
Bayern Munich
Benfica
Borussia Dortmund
The draw is tomorrow and we will get Brugges or Dortmund. Away leg to be played first for Villa.
Brugges will be easier over two legs but that side of the draw looks more difficult.
Dortmund is a fantastic club and I've always loved them, to see Villa play against them would be special but they could tear us apart.
Fuck it these games are why we wanted to be in this competition. Bring on die schwarzgelssen.
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Time to pay the bar tab at the Last Chance Saloon
Many teams going into this second leg did so in the knowledge they were facing a mountain, others had the advantage and knew all they needed to do was keep that and if possible extend it. PSG were the epitome of the latter, going in with a 3-0 lead against Brest and extending it to a staggering 7-0, giving them an unbelievable 10-0 on aggregate, the easiest cruise, surely, any team has had into the next round. Dortmund were somewhat similar, maintaining their 3-0 lead but unable to add to it; nevertheless, it proved enough and so the team ahead from the first leg was the one to go through. Feyenoord, too, took their 1-0 advantage to Milan and not only kept it but came back from what must have been a shattering loss of a goal within sixty seconds to draw the match and go through on aggregate. Club Brugge were similar, going in with a 2-1 advantage and winning the game 3-1 in Bergamo to kick Atalanta out 5-2 on aggregate.
Others, of course, travelled to the second leg knowing they had little chance of success, and that their ticket home was as good as bought. Manchester City, already at a disadvantage from the first leg, having let a 2-0 lead slip to a 3-2 defeat, evaporated like mist in the morning sun as Real showed them how real (no pun intended) champions play. They never got near the ball, and went down a humiliating 6-3 on aggregate, the only English team to be sent home. Then there were PSV, who went to the San Siro one goal down and managed not only to turn it around but win on aggregate, knocking the Italian giants out 4-3 on aggregate.
So overall, with one exception (and almost another) those who had the advantage from the first leg retained or built on it, and are the team to go through. Let's have a quick scout at the countries left, and how many teams they got.
We'll do it alphabetically, because why not?
Belgium (1): One team, all they had anyway, Club Brugge are through having beaten Atalanta 5-2 on aggregate.
England (3): Three out of four teams are through automatically: Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool.
France (2): The hopes of the French now rest squarely on the shoulders of Lille, who went through automatically and PSG, who demolished (and there is no other word) Brest 7-0 on the night and 10-0 on aggregate. Brest, after a tremendous first showing in the CL, are sent home on the end of a probably undeserved mauling, but that's Champions League football for you.
Germany (3): Bayer Leverkusen are already through, and they're now joined by Borussia Dortmund, and, some might say luckily and by the skin of their teeth, Bayern Munich.
Italy (1): Three Italian teams were knocked out tonight - Atlanta, AC Milan and Juventus - in what must surely send shockwaves around the nation. But Inter Milan are still there, the only hope now for Italians to have any team to cheer on in the Round of 16.
Netherlands (2): Of all the countries (other than Belgium), only the Dutch have managed to have all their teams get through. Sure, there were and are only two, but both have taken down serious Italian opposition to book their place. Feyenoord beat multiple winners AC Milan to make it through, while PSV Eindhoven saw off the mighty Juventus.
Portugal (1): With Sporting out, only Benfica keep Portuguese pride alive, and give Ronaldo something to cheer maybe. They were favourites against Monaco, going into the tie 1-0, and they kept that advantage, despite a strong fight back by the visitors, to progress to the Round of 16.
Spain (3): With Barcelona and Atletico Madrid already through, it was up to Real to beat Man City in order to join them, and talk about putting them to the sword! Already with a tough job, City went about the game as if it was a friendly, and deservedly lost 3-0 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate.
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So it's Brugge, then PSG/Liverpool, then Real Madrid/Atlético/Arsenal/PSV
Now it gets juicy.
I didn't initially worry about Brugge - they only beat us by the penalty that we stupidly gave away - but how they came at Atalanta away, I don't know, might be tricky. Ollie and Marcus need to be on form if we're to get through.
Thanks for the post: I'll do a full analysis on it later. :thumb:
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Draw for the Round of 16
Now that all play-off matches have been decided and we have our 16 teams, let's have a look at who plays who, and who looks likely to get through their matches.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a7/Paris_Saint-Germain_F.C..svg/400px-Paris_Saint-Germain_F.C..svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
PSG v Liverpool: The French team failed to impress initially but have really come good in the knockout play-offs, but even so, Liverpool stand all but undefeated all through the league and are still my choice to win it. With the second leg taking place at Anfield, even if Liverpool stumble away they should be able to make a comeback at home. But I feel they'll stroll it for both legs.
Prediction: Liverpool to win both legs and go through to the quarter-finals.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Club_Brugge_KV_logo.svg/340px-Club_Brugge_KV_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)
Club Brugge v Aston Villa: We've faced the Belgian side already, and really should have beaten them or at least drawn, but our form has dipped recently, particularly at home, while Brugge will be coming in off the high of having beaten Atalanta 5-2 on aggregate away, so it could be a tricky one. Again, we have the opportunity to address any deficit with a home match in the second leg.
Prediction: Brugge to win the first leg, Villa to win at home and go through, perhaps on a slim margin.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Real_Madrid_CF.svg/330px-Real_Madrid_CF.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f9/Atletico_Madrid_Logo_2024.svg/310px-Atletico_Madrid_Logo_2024.svg.png)
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid: An interesting match-up, two Spanish teams - indeed, two teams from the same city - facing off against each other. You'd expect Real to capitalise on their humbling of Man City by winning again at the Bernabeu, though they had to come in through the play-offs whereas Atletico got there automatically, qualifying in 5th place with 6 wins out of 8, so it shouldn't be a walkover.
Prediction: Real to win the first, perhaps also second leg but by a slim margin again, Real to go through.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/05/PSV_Eindhoven.svg/420px-PSV_Eindhoven.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
PSV v Arsenal: Second highest of the English teams to qualify automatically, Arsenal have only lost the one game, and though PSV have shown their teeth recently, they have shipped 17 goals, before the play-offs, so I think they'll have a hard time against the Gunners, especially on the second leg at the Emirates.
Prediction: PSV to win the first leg, possible draw, Arsenal to win at home and go through.
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Benfica v Barcelona: Good as Benfica are, I can't see them getting past the mighty Barca, currently sitting second, with 24 goals to their credit.
Prediction: Barcelona to win both legs and cruise through.
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Borussia Dortmund v Lille: Having been beaten only once and with 6 victories under their belt, and having achieved automatic qualification, the remaining French team may be more of a handful for the Germans than they expect. Lille also have the advantage of playing the second leg at home.
Prediction: Dortmund to win the first leg, Lille to win at home, either could go through, but I'll go for the Germans.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/FC_Bayern_M%C3%BCnchen_logo_%282024%29.svg/400px-FC_Bayern_M%C3%BCnchen_logo_%282024%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/59/Bayer_04_Leverkusen_logo.svg/480px-Bayer_04_Leverkusen_logo.svg.png)
Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen: The other tie featuring teams from the same country. Bayern have failed to do as well as they should expect to, having had to come through via the play-offs and almost being kicked out by Celtic, the only thing saving them a last-minute goal which turned the aggregate score in their favour. Leverkusen got there on their own merits, sixth in the table with 2 more goals than their German cousins.
Prediction: Bayern Munich to win the first leg, Bayer Leverkusen to win the second leg and go through.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Feyenoord_logo_since_2024.svg/380px-Feyenoord_logo_since_2024.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/FC_Internazionale_Milano_2021.svg/400px-FC_Internazionale_Milano_2021.svg.png)
Feyenoord v Inter Milan: The one remaining Italian side may have their hands full with the second remaining Dutch side. Inter got through automatically - the only Italian team to do so - but Feyenoord really impressed in the play-offs.
Prediction: Feyenoord to win the first leg, Milan to win the second and go through.
so that's where the men's champions league is at? good to see that Arsenal get to kick out PSV, I hope they destroy them. I wouldn't predict a win for PSV either leg. Feyenoord can fuck off too obvs <3
Quote from: Marie Monday on Feb 21, 2025, 08:00 PMso that's where the men's champions league is at? good to see that Arsenal get to kick out PSV, I hope they destroy them. I wouldn't predict a win for PSV either leg. Feyenoord can fuck off too obvs <3
Assuming Villa and Arsenal make it that far (meaning they meet in the semis) who are you going to back?
Good question, for the women it would be arsenal without any doubt (but villa is certainly one of the teams I don't support that I'm most sympathetic towards) but for the men I'm very neutral about it. Maybe still arsenal but I really don't care either way
The only 'strong' feelings I have about men's football are
1. Ajax!!!!
2. Fuck Feyenoord, and PSV
3. Barca >>>> real Madrid and I always hope they kick their ass
4. Fuck man city (and man united and Chelsea too for that matter)
Quote from: Marie Monday on Feb 21, 2025, 08:50 PMGood question, for the women it would be arsenal without any doubt (but villa is certainly one of the teams I don't support that I'm most sympathetic towards) but for the men I'm very neutral about it. Maybe still arsenal but I really don't care either way
The only 'strong' feelings I have about men's football are
1. Ajax!!!!
2. Fuck Feyenoord, and PSV
3. Barca >>>> real Madrid and I always hope they kick their ass
4. Fuck man city (and man united and Chelsea too for that matter)
:laughing: <3
Can't believe this PSG/Liverpool game.
The most one sided 1-0 loss I've ever seen. No exaggeration. Unbelievable game.
Arsenal have certainly set their stall out. Historic victory. Kind of feel sorry for PSV.
Round of 16
(First Leg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a7/Paris_Saint-Germain_F.C..svg/400px-Paris_Saint-Germain_F.C..svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool
(France v England)
Parc de Princes, Paris
Consistently top of the table since about the second or third matchday, Liverpool look good for the title, while PSG, who stumbled a little at first, have made up for it in fine form and so two of the fancied teams met in Paris. Early chance for PSG went begging as the ball sailed over the net, but back they came, this time corner resulted, punched out but back in and into the net. PSG ahead on 20 minutes. Oh, but then the goal was ruled fractionally offside, so no goal. More bad luck for the French side as they could have had a penalty, and Liverpool could have had a man sent off for red, but neither happened.
Liverpool had not so far troubled the Paris net, so were they playing for a draw to take back to Anfield next week? Well, if so, then giving the ball away when you're on the attack surely is not the best of moves, PSG swarming back down the field, only 2 fine saves in rapid succession by Allison keeping it nil-nil. Really, you'd have to say the Liverpool keeper was the only thing standing between PSG opening the scoring, though of course Liverpool sometimes wait in the long grass and then strike when least expected.
A free for PSG was again just kept out by the man in the Liverpool net, the only man who seemed to be working for the English team. When Salah is substituted, you know something is not going right. But you know what? That Slot fella knows what he's doing. Only minutes after replacing the Liverpool talisman, Harvey Elliot broke through and scored, definitely against the run of play, and in the final three minutes! That's how champions play! What did I say about the long grass?
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 0 - 1 Liverpool
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/FC_Bayern_M%C3%BCnchen_logo_%282024%29.svg/400px-FC_Bayern_M%C3%BCnchen_logo_%282024%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/59/Bayer_04_Leverkusen_logo.svg/480px-Bayer_04_Leverkusen_logo.svg.png)
Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen
(Germany v Germany)
Allianz Arena, Munich
At least Bayern won't have far to travel for the second leg of this all-German tie, just down the autobahn, or whatever. A winner-takes-all tie which will leave just one German team in the quarter-finals took place at a fog-shrouded Allianz, Harry Kane opening the scoring for the home team on 9 minutes, a great start. A long punt up field then almost had Leverkusen in, but saved, Bayern just missing going two ahead minutes later. Just the one goal separating the teams then in the first half, but another nine minutes into the second Bayern had their second, and a clear advantage now.
That advantage was extended in the last half hour when Leverkusen had a man sent off for a second yellow, then after a penalty was awarded to the hosts Kane scored his second and Bayern's third of the night, and the outcome was no longer in any doubt, if it had ever been.
Result: Bayern Munich 3 - 0 Bayer Leverkusen
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PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal
(Netherlands v England)
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
Arsenal may have seen their title hopes evaporate in Liverpool's dust over the last two weeks, but they're well in contention for the Champions League, and no matter how they do here tonight, they have the second leg at the Emirates to make up for it. Two chances for the Dutch to score early, but one off the bar and one wide kept it scoreless for now. Until 18 minutes in, when Arsenal opened the scoring. Three minutes later it was two, as the Gunners pressed their advantage ruthlessly.
Then a bad tackle by Arsenal's Lewis-Skelly, already on a yellow could have seen him walk, but luckily for him, and to the fury of the PSV supporters he remained on the pitch. If that angered them, then Arsenal's third just after the half-hour must have sent them into paroxysms of rage! A penalty awarded to the home side may have calmed that anger somewhat, allowing PSV to pull one back just before the half-time whistle. Arsenal re-established their lead though immediately, taking their fourth in the first minute of the second half. Two minutes later it was five, and PSV were down and out.
Just a case of how many now, and with 17 minutes to go five became six, five minutes from time six became seven, PSV with it all to do away next week, but surely out? Arsenal with the biggest away win in Champions League history during the Round of 16, certainly laying down their marker and making an emphatic statement.
Result: PSV Eindhoven 1 - 7 Arsenal
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Club Brugge v Aston Villa
(Belgium v England)
Jan Breydel Stadium, Brussels
Things are falling apart for us at home, so hopefully we'd be able to make a good showing away to the Belgians and take a goal or two back to Villa Park for the rematch. Hardly time to boil an egg before Bailey had them ahead with a rocket on three minutes, the best start possible, Rashford nearly in for their second but kept out by the keeper, then Brugge equalised nine minutes later, up to Villa now to retake the advantage. Asensio nearly gave them the lead again but the Brugge keeper equal to it, then the Belgians could have turned it around but cleared out by Mings.
With 8 minutes to go a forced own goal gave Villa the lead, perhaps payback for that match Brugge won which they should never have done, had it not been for that crazy penalty. Three minutes to go and Villa had a penalty, taken with cool aplomb by Asensio, a real advantage now for us at home next week.
Result: Club Brugge 1 - 3 Aston Villa
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Benfica v Barcelona
(Portugal v Spain)
Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
At home or away, it's really tough to beat Barcelona, who surely are seen as another favourite to win the competition. They met Portugal's Benfica, who gave them perhaps their toughest match in the CL so far. Could they do it again? They almost did, seconds into the match, but just wide of the post, then Barcelona also came close, but no goals yet. This would surely not be a nil-nil at the end, the first goal for Barca only prevented with an amazing triple save by the Portuguese keeper. Barcelona lost a man in the first half, sent off for a straight red, advantage surely Benfica now.
No goals in the first half though, could Benfica make their man advantage pay dividends in the second? Like Allison earlier, the Barca keeper could not be got past, then with a half-hour left in the match the ten men scored. A penalty shout for the home side was denied due to an offside decision, very tight, and Barcelona ran out 1-0 winners in the end.
Result: Benfica 0 - 1 Barcelona
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Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
(Spain v Spain)
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid
Not only two teams from the same country, but this time two from the same city, as giants Real Madrid took on local rivals Atletico in an attempt to gain an advantage for the second leg, and ensure that of the two teams left in the quarter-finals, one of these teams would join Barcelona (Come on, we all know they'll be there). Real were ahead on four minutes, slicing through the Atletico defence as if they weren't there, the visitors then coming close to levelling but unable to convert. Just after the half-hour they did, the match now tied, a lovely curling shot into the corner of the Real net.
Ten minutes into the second half Real took the lead again, but squandered the chance to take a third in extra time, Modric shooting straight at the keeper. Real take a two goal advantage back to, um, Madrid next week.
Result: Real Madrid 2 - 1 Atlético Madrid
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Feyenoord_logo_since_2024.svg/380px-Feyenoord_logo_since_2024.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/FC_Internazionale_Milano_2021.svg/300px-FC_Internazionale_Milano_2021.svg.png)
Feyenoord v AC Milan
(Netherlands v Italy)
De Kuip, Rotterdam
The other Dutch team left in the round of 17 met the only remaining Italian team, as Inter Milan scored just after the half-hour, the only goal of the half. They extended that lead five minutes into the second, Feyenoord almost pulling one back but shooting off the crossbar and over. Inter had a chance to make it three after they were given a penalty near the end but it was saved.
Result: Feyenoord 0 - 2 Inter Milan
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Borussia_Dortmund_logo.svg/400px-Borussia_Dortmund_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3f/Lille_OSC_2018_logo.svg/420px-Lille_OSC_2018_logo.svg.png)
Borussia Dortmund v Lille
(Germany v France)
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
Halfway through the first period and Dortmund were ahead at home, Lille coming back just after the hour to tie up the game and give themselves a real chance when they play the second leg at home.
Result: Borussia Dortmund 1 - 1 Lille
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Second Leg Advantage
Next week is make-or-break for the last sixteen teams, as a result in the second leg will determine who goes through to the quarter finals. So who has the advantage?
Liverpool take just the one goal back to Anfield, but you wouldn't expect them to slip up (sorry Steven!) at home, so the advantage has to be with them. PSG will find themselves in hostile territory, because we know that if there's one thing an Englishman hates more than an Irishman or a Scot, or a German, it's a frog. Bon chance, mes amis!
Arsenal have this all sewn up now, and could theoretically sail through without even playing the second leg. Can you see PSV scoring 6 goals away and the Gunners not converting at all? Hell, even Paddy Power wouldn't take that bet! Arsenal through unless the entire team is abducted by aliens.
Villa have a great advantage going into the home leg, with three goals on Brugge, who generally aren't known for playing well away from home, and although we've been stumbling more than a little in the Prem, we usually come good at Villa Park.
So it would look, on the face of it, as if all three English teams are going through. In terms of German, well, that's another matter.
Bayern also take a three goal advantage to Leverkusen next week, the home side then needing four goals to unseat Kane's boys, or three to force extra time and penalties. I don't see them doing it, and would think Bayern are assured of getting through to the QF.
Borussia Dortmund are less assured, each team taking one goal back to Lille, where the pressure will be on the Germans. Hard to say how that match will turn out, but as it stands, if neither team scores (unlikely but possible I guess) then we're for a penalty shootout.
Feyenoord head to the San Siro two goals down, and I just can't see the Italians failing to score at home, which means at the moment the Dutch team need 2 to push for extra time and three to win, assuming Inter don't score, but as I say, doubtful to say the least. I would think Milan will do this.
Even with just the one goal to take back to the second leg, we know the pressure-cooker the Olympic can be, and Barca fans will be willing their team on, demanding they go for the win, which they surely will. Benfica lost a chance to take something back to Spain, and are already a goal behind, so I'd be surprised to see Barcelona fall at this late stage.
As for the other two Spanish teams, well Real Madrid did what was needed at home, now they take a two-goal advantage back to Altetico's ground, but may have a tough match there. Real score one more goal and Atletico are going to find it hard to get past them, Atletico score and it's level and could go to penalties. Not as cut-and-dried as it might seem.
So expected in the quarter-finals then:
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Liverpool
Bayern Munich
Real Madrid
Barcelona
Inter Milan
Borussia Dortmund
We're already pretty much through and we will be playing Liverpool or PSG in the quarters.
Who do you want? Who gives a fuck. Both shit teams who will get schooled by the mighty Villa.
UP THE VILLA 🟣🔵
I still think Liverpool can win it, and they're my second-favourite team anyway. Might be a bit of a crisis for me if we end up playing them!
Quote from: Trollheart on Mar 07, 2025, 12:54 AMI still think Liverpool can win it, and they're my second-favourite team anyway. Might be a bit of a crisis for me if we end up playing them!
No it won't. You'll support Villa.
Brilliant well done Villa what a win what a team what a manager what a time to be alive.
I just want to hug my cat and dance in my living room.
Bring on PSG.
Haven't read the footy news toonday but looks like Villa is doing well. Happy for you JJ!
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Round of 16, Second Leg
The point where it becomes all or nothing. One team has to win, and they will go through to the quarter-finals. Some teams are already assured, or all but assured of a place, bringing an advantage home, but for some, it all hangs in the balance.
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Aston Villa v Club Brugge
(England v Belgium)
Villa Park, Birmingham
Aggregate score from first leg: Aston Villa 3 - 1 Club Brugge
Villa took a 2-goal advantage back to Villa Park, and looked set to go through, but this literally was the traditional game of two halves. Brugge on the attack for much of the first half, Villa with hardly any opportunities and lucky not to go behind. Then Brugge had a man sent off and things changed. Well, not quite. For the remainder of the half it still looked like eleven against eleven, and there were no goals scored at the break, though Villa still 3-1 on aggregate.
Then Asensio came on at the start of the second half, and immediately things went up a gear. He scored himself within five minutes, had a chance of a second but back it came off the post, and then Maatsen scored Villa's second just before the hour. But was it offside? Yes, it seemed to be, but was not given as such, so the goal stood. Three minutes later Asensio was on the scoresheet for the second time, and the match was done.
Result: Aston Villa 3 - 0 Club Brugge
Aggregate score: Aston Villa 6 - Club Brugge 1
Through to quarter-finals: Aston Villa
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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a7/Paris_Saint-Germain_F.C..svg/400px-Paris_Saint-Germain_F.C..svg.png)
Liverpool v Paris Saint-Germain
(England v France)
Anfield, Liverpool
Aggregate score from first leg: Liverpool 1 - 0 Paris Saint-Germain
Although they left it late at the Parc des Princes, Liverpool walked out onto the pitch at Anfield not only with the roar of their supporters in their ears, but also a one-goal advantage. Having won all but one of their matches so far, they surely had to be favourites to progress. Salah should have opened the scoring but blocked, then missed, those two early misses rued after twelve minutes as PSG struck to level the aggregate score. Plenty of time to restore things of course, but Liverpool would want to step up a gear.
Then Alexander-Arnold gave away the ball needlessly and the French team could have been two up, but Allison was able to save it. Still, PSG applying all the pressure in the first half. Three rapid chances, one after the other, for Liverpool after the restart, and they did score, but the goal ruled offside. A penalty shout was denied for the home team as Salah went sprawling, Liverpool now taking charge as they tried to turn the tie back in their favour. A free nearly accomplished that, but it came back off the post, and that pushed it to extra time to see who would go through.
A corner quickly earned could have had PSG in the quarter-finals but wide, and again the second time as we moved into the second half. Liverpool did not seem to have anything to give, but PSG couldn't get the crucial goal to win it either, so it was down to penalties. Nunez's shot was saved, making it 2-1 to PSG, then Jones saw his shot saved too, and it looked very likely that the French team had taken the advantage. When their next shot went in, it was all over. Liverpool out, PSG through after what was really not the greatest match of the Champions League, nor Liverpool's best moment either.
Result: Liverpool 1 - 1 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG win 3-1 on penalties)
Aggregate score: Liverpool 1 - 1 Paris Saint-Germain
Through to quarter-finals: Paris Saint-Germain
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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Real_Madrid_CF.svg/330px-Real_Madrid_CF.svg.png)
Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
(Spain v Spain)
Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
Aggregate score from first leg: Atletico Madrid 1 - Real Madrid 2
One Spanish giant was going out of the Champions League tonight, and one was going on into the quarter-finals. With Atletico at home, was that enough of an advantage against a Real side who held a 2-1 aggregate lead? The home side struck first, in only thirty seconds, and it was an Englishman who opened the scoring, Conor Gallagher netting almost immediately to put Atletico in a great position, the aggregate now level already. They almost went two up, but the keeper equal to it, and so into the second half, where each team knew another goal would win it on aggregate for them and send them through. As it stood, we were looking at extra time and maybe penalties, and who wants to face spot kicks when it's Real Madrid?
A penalty for Real allowed Real to... miss! Unbelievable! Not even saved, just scuffed over the top and wide. Awful penalty. Surely Atletico could go on to win it now? Well no: extra time was the result, still nothing to separate the two great Spanish footballing powers, and so once again it was time to step up to the spot and make yourself a hero or be vilified in the Spanish press. Who would save the day, and who would lose it? Two perfect opening penalties saw the sides level, then a rather odd technicality saw Atletico's second penalty, though scored, ruled out for a double touch? Advantage with Real now, until their fourth was saved, all square now. Then Atletico missed, leaving it open for Real to take the match and get through to the quarter-finals, and so they did.
Result: Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 Real Madrid (Real win 4-2 on penalties)
Aggregate score: Atletico Madrid 2 - 2 Real Madrid
Through to quarter-finals: Real Madrid
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Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven
(England v Netherlands)
The Emirates, London
Aggregate score from first leg: Arsenal 7 - 1 PSV Eindhoven
With the most commanding lead in the Round of 16, nobody expected Arsenal not to go through to the quarter-finals. 7-1 is a huge task, and that assumed that the Gunners didn't score more at home. They did, of course, adding another on the night through Zinchenko with six minutes gone, aggregate now 8-1. PSV pulled one back in the 18th minute to give themselves the slimmest of slim chances, 8-2 now. Not that they needed it, but Declan Rice made it even more certain with eight minutes of the half to go, 2-1 on the night, 9-2 on aggregate.
In the second half PSV came good again, scoring on the 70th minute to tie the game and make the aggregate 9-3, still a mountain that there was no way they were climbing, but at least the Dutch team weren't just folding, and were giving a good account of themselves. The tie had of course been lost last week in Eindhoven, and as hard as they tried they must have known it was impossible, and it was.
Result: Arsenal 2 - 2 PSV Eindhoven
Aggregate score: Arsenal 9 - 3 PSV Eindhoven
Through to quarter-finals: Arsenal
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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Borussia_Dortmund_logo.svg/400px-Borussia_Dortmund_logo.svg.png)
Lille v Borussia Dortmund
(France v Germany)
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
Aggregate score from first leg: Lille 1 - 1 Borussia Dortmund
Aggregate even as Dortmund met Lille away, the French side taking the lead after five minutes, bad mistake by the keeper. Dortmund tried to force it over the line but their equaliser was somehow kept out, aggregate now 2-1 to Lille. In the second half, Dortmund got a penalty, very soft, but it allowed them to level the tie, both on the night and on aggregate, and perhaps squeak the advantage? Just after the hour they did just that, the score now 2-1 and the aggregate 3-2, Dortmund through. Lille were robbed though: that was never a penalty, and there may be more about that in the coming days.
Result: Lille 1 - 2 Borussia Dortmund
Aggregate score: Lille 2 - 3 Borussia Dortmund
Through to quarter-finals: Borussia Dortmund
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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/SL_Benfica_logo.svg/420px-SL_Benfica_logo.svg.png)
Barcelona v Benfica
(Spain v Portugal)
Estadio Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona
Aggregate score from first leg: Barcelona 1 - 0 Benfica
Round two of the crucial Iberian clash as Barcelona took a one-goal advantage home. Eleven minutes later that was two, one on the night, Barcelona in the driving seat now. A mere two minutes after conceding though, Benfica were pulling the car off the road as they scored, aggregate 2-1 now, then a superb goal from Barcelona just before the half-hour got the Spanish titans back on the road to the quarter-finals, 3-1 on aggregate now, and when they raced ahead and took their third of the night, that became 4-1 aggregate and Benfica were out.
Result: Barcelona 3 - 1 Benfica
Aggregate score: Barcelona 4 - 1 Benfica
Through to quarter-finals: Barcelona
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Inter Milan v Feyenoord
(Italy v Netherlands)
San Siro, Milan
Aggregate score from first leg: Inter Milan 2 - 0 Feyenoord
Would there be any Dutch representation in the quarter-finals? PSV out (expectedly) at the hands of Arsenal, Feyenoord faced overturning a 2-0 deficit at the San Siro, a daunting prospect. That job became impossible after eight minutes as Inter scored to make it 1-0 on the night, 3-0 on aggregate. A penalty for Feyenoord just before the break gave them some slim hope, tied on the night, 3-1 on aggregate. But then a penalty the other way six minutes into the restart had Inter back in front, 2-1 on the night, 4-1 on aggregate, all Feyenoord's work undone.
Result: Inter Milan 2 - 1 Feyenoord
Aggregate score: Inter Milan 4 - 1 Feyenoord
Through to quarter-finals: Inter Milan
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/59/Bayer_04_Leverkusen_logo.svg/480px-Bayer_04_Leverkusen_logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/FC_Bayern_M%C3%BCnchen_logo_%282024%29.svg/400px-FC_Bayern_M%C3%BCnchen_logo_%282024%29.svg.png)
Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich
(Germany v German)
BayArena, Leverkusen
Aggregate score from first leg: Bayer Leverkusen 0 - 3 Bayern Munich
Only one German team could join Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals, and Bayern took a 3-0 lead back to Leverkusen, surely the favourites, even away from home? Both teams had their chances in the first half, but scoreless it remained, then seven minutes had passed in the second half before Kane stole in and took the lead for his team, aggregate now 4-0 to Bayern. A second on the night settled it, 5-0 on aggregate, Bayern Munich into the quarter-finals.
Result: Bayer Leverkusen 0 - 2 Bayern Munich
Aggregate score: Bayer Leverkusen 0 - 5 Bayern Munich
Through to quarter-finals: Bayern Munich
Quarter-final ties
So we're down to the final 8 teams, and they're made up of two English, two Spanish, two German, one French and one Italian team. And this is how they'll contest the quarter-finals over two legs.
Arsenal v Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa
Barcelona v Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich v Inter Milan
We're 28/1 to win, Arsenal 7/1. Worth a flutter? :laughing:
Quote from: Trollheart on Mar 13, 2025, 07:34 PMWe're 28/1 to win, Arsenal 7/1. Worth a flutter? :laughing:
Arsenal won't win it.
We're more likely as we've got the manager to do it. He's won in Europe four times already.
It's a real (no pun intended) shame Real Madrid didn't get knocked out last night. Atleti lost two finals to them (2014 & 2016) and now that. The hate they must have for Real must be indescribable. Fucking Real always fluke it. It's in their DNA ☹️
New documentary: How to Flunk Winning the Champions League - Real Madrid.
Was that double-kick thing fair? Could they not have retaken the penalty like when the goalie is off his line or there's encroachment?
Quote from: Trollheart on Mar 13, 2025, 10:36 PMNew documentary: How to Flunk Winning the Champions League - Real Madrid.
Was that double-kick thing fair? Could they not have retaken the penalty like when the goalie is off his line or there's encroachment?
There's no evidence it struck his foot but they ruled it out and VAR'd it straight away. I thought it was ridiculous. Fine if it was a double kick but I haven't seen any replay that shows it was and I've seen about 5, multiple times over, so I don't know how they can be so sure.
Yeah they said on MOTD that his left foot hit it as he kind of slipped, so that when he kicked with his right that was the second touch. Smacks of pandering to a Real team that were looking at going out and losing all that revenue...