In a lively multiplex, Barça, the main attraction of the evening, made an improbable comeback to win on the Benfica pitch. In the other meetings, Atlético snatched a success in the last moments, Dortmund was mystified…
FC Barcelona signs an anthology comeback
Who could have predicted the success of the Blaugranas given the appearance of the meeting? Led from the start by a goal from Pavlidis (2nd), Barça quickly equalized through Lewandowski from the penalty spot (13th) to calm the enthusiasm of the overexcited Portuguese in front of their audience.
However, Benfica passed two in quick succession because of two errors from Szczesny (22nd and 30th). Pavlidis also scored a hat-trick in the Champions League, the first for a Greek player since a certain Konstantinos Mitroglou in 2013 with Olympiakos against Anderlecht.
If in the second period, the better-trained Catalans took advantage of a big mistake from Trubin to score a second goal (64th), the hope was short-lived with an own goal from Araujo, victim of a festival of Schjelderup left side (68th). As is often the case with FC Barcelona, the meeting turned irrational. Lewandowski from the penalty spot (78th), Eric Garcia with a header (86th) and Raphinha in the final moments (90+6th) successively plunged Benfica into a nightmare to create an incredible comeback.
A crazy scenario which propels FC Barcelona into second place, just behind Liverpool which could see the Spanish club steal its leading position on the last day.
Altético de Madrid achieves an important success against Leverkusen
Festive evening for Spain. Atlético Madrid won, in its register at the finish, a poorly started match against Bayer Leverkusen. Dominated, the Colchoneros were reduced to 10 in the 25th minute after the expulsion of Pablo Barrios. 20 minutes later, just before the break, Diego Simeone's men logically gave in to the repeated attacks of the reigning German champions on a goal from Hincapié (45+1). This same Hincapié left his team at 10 after a second yellow card received in the second half (76th). As is often the case, without creating many opportunities, Atlético de Madrid was sharp in front of the goals. Former Manchester City scorer Julian Alvarez scored twice (52nd, 90th).
-Thanks to this success, the Colchoneros are 3rd with 15 points and assured of finishing in the first eight and therefore of competing in the final phase of the competition. For its part, Leverkusen, which arrived in Madrid with 13 points, is certain to be qualified to at least play in the play-offs.
Dortmund mystified in two minutes
Nothing is going well for Borussia Dortmund. Washed out and struggling in the league, BVB suffered three consecutive losses, relegating it to 10th place in the Bundesliga. Three defeats to which is added that of the evening on the lawn of Bologna. Yet in front for many minutes thanks to a daring panenka from the penalty spot by Guirassy (15th), in the second half, the men in yellow were mystified in two minutes by the Italians. Dallinga (71st) and Samuel Iling Junior (72nd) condemned the Germans and offered Bologna its first victory in this Champions League. Inducted this summer, Nuri Sahin is probably living his last hours on the bench of Borussia Dortmund.
Other meetings
In the other matches of the evening, Bruges and Juventus parted with a sad 0-0 which suits both teams, PSV Eindhoven beat Red Star Belgrade (2-3) to climb the standings. Finally in the final meeting, before hosting PSG, Stuttgart takes an option on qualification by dominating Slovan Bratislava away (1-3). A little earlier, at the same time as Monaco, Atalanta made short work of STurm Graz on their lawn (5-0).
