UEFA Champions League 2024/2025

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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[Trollheart]

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.

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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.

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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!

[Trollheart]

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

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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

[Trollheart]

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

[Trollheart]

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

[Trollheart]

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

[Trollheart]

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.