Milan thought they had their sheep on dry land when ‘Captain America’ Christian Pulisic put the 0-1 on the board after a great rush. The Rossoneri could not enjoy the lead for long. Milan’s defense was exposed, after which Barseghyan with a subtle marker left Maignan without a chance: 1-1 at half time.
Milan did not feel like losing points and claimed the ball after the break. Under the impetus of Leão and Pulisic, Bratislava put its back against the wall. A second Italian goal seemed only a matter of time. Still, it took a while before the Slovak wall could be demolished. Twenty minutes before the end, Rafael Leão was able to approach the goalkeeper alone. The Portuguese did not fail and put things back in order. A few minutes later, Tammy Abraham was allowed to put the 1-3 on the board after playing bad football. Marcelli’s tying goal came too late to score another point. Milan is doing an excellent job in the rankings. A spot among the first 24 seems almost secured (2-3).
Size too small
Sparta Prague has not been able to get in the way of Atlético Madrid at home. The Czechs started the game enthusiastically, but after ninety minutes the tough 0-6 final score was on the board.
Julian Alvarez was crowned man of the match for Madrid with two goals. First he painted a free kick fabulously against the ropes, on the hour mark he finished a textbook attack beautifully. Llorente, Griezmann and Correa (2 goals) scored the other four goals. For Atlético it is the third victory in this Champions League campaign. The Madrilenians thus jump to ninth place for the time being and seem to be on their way to the next round (0-6).
Arsenal hands Sporting a heavy defeat
Sporting has not been doing well since the departure of their top coach Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese, where Zeno Debast was still missing due to an injury, were completely lost against Arsenal and were fortunate that they only conceded five goals. Martinelli, Havertz, Gabriel and Saka were the goal scorers on duty. Inacio’s goal was a footnote in the Gunners’ victory. Our compatriot Leandro Trossard came on twenty minutes before the end of the match and scored the 1-5 final score with a striking header (1-5).
Wirtz works magic against Salzburg
Leverkusen has once again performed well in the Champions League. Xabi Alonso’s troops were ready before half-time with an incompetent RB Salzburg. Child wonder Florian Wirtz was crowned man of the match with two goals. First he kicked a penalty against the ropes, just before the break he made it 3-0. Grimaldo, Schick and Garcia provided the forfeit score (5-0).
Manchester City cannot win again
After five defeats in a row, it was time for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. They absolutely did not want to drop any points against Feyenoord. The Citizens understood that message well. City started the game dominantly and at times completely lost Feyenoord. They just couldn’t score until the referee put the ball on the spot. A piece of cake for Erling Haaland who got rid of his frustrations.
After the break, City took full control of the match. Gündogan kicked a deflected corner kick into the net via a Dutch leg and Haaland also managed to score. Books closed, you would think. But Feyenoord didn’t just give up. Substitute Kevin de Bruyne saw how Hadj-Mousa (ex-Patro Eisden) was suddenly allowed to make it 3-1 for Feyenoord after a blunder by Gvardiol. The same Gvardiol went under a ball moments later, allowing Gimenez to even score the tying goal. Feyenoord was still looking for the equalizer, and actually found it. Paixao went past goalkeeper Ederson and offered Hancko the 3-3. If you still had any doubts: it is a crisis at Manchester City (3-3).
Number one hundred for Lewandowski
And whether Robert Lewandowski is still a guarantee of goals. Against Brest, the Polish striker icily calmly converted a penalty, good for his hundredth (!) goal in the Champions League. Dani Olmo and Lewandowski made it 3-0 in the second half. Mission accomplished for Barça, which will be in action against Las Palmas again on Saturday.
Belgian masterclass in Switzerland
Charles De Ketelaere has won the hearts of the Atalanta fans even more. The Bruges native was lord and master in the first half against Young Boys Bern and was involved in four (!) goals. CDK distributed three assists and scored twice, although there was some luck involved (1-6).
With some luck
Internazionale had a particularly difficult time against Lois Openda’s RB Leipzig. Inter needed an own goal from Lukeba to keep the three points at home. Thanks to that victory, they are almost certain of the next round (1-0).
Finally that victory in a top match
Vincent Kompany has finally taken that first victory in a top match with Bayern Munich. A header goal by Kim Min-Jae was enough to keep the three points at home against PSG (1-0).
