The Champions Blog #1.3
The Champions Blog
Please Note: Original Creation Date was October 25th
Matchday 3 brought many important fixtures and points towards teams who are competing for places, in the Round of 16. It was an enthralling week for all teams in the competition. This is The Champions Blog.
The week started of with the Bavarian giants, Bayern Munich taking a trip to Turkey to play the Turkish champions, Galatasaray. The game started of with Bayern dominating possession in the game and their reward was an early goal from French forward, Kingsley Coman. This gave Bayern an early boost in an important fixture. Galatasaray pushed harder to find an equalizer and eventually, they were rewarded with a penalty due to a late foul by Joshua Kimmich. The penalty was scored by Mauro Icardi who scored his second goal in three appearances in this season's Champions League. Half time soon came around and it was all squared between the two sides. After a lot of good Galatasaray chances and a couple missed attempts from Bayern, the Bavarians eventually found their goal in Harry Kane. The English skipper scored with a tap-in coming from an assist from young prodigy, Jamal Musiala. A couple of minutes later, Bayern scored again and this time, it was Musiala who got the goal for the Bundesliga champions. Fortunately for Bayern, that was enough as the game ended 3-1 for the Bavarian giants. Bayern have taken the three points in Turkey and now have one foot into the last 16. On the other hand, Galatasaray can still qualify for the last 16 if they can be undefeated in at least two of their next three games.
Picture Above: Harry Kane celebrating after scoring his goal to give Bayern their second lead in the game
Elsewhere in Europe, North-London club, Arsenal travelled to Spain to face the all time Europa League champions, Sevilla. Arsenal went into the match with a win against PSV Eindhoven and a defeat against Lens. Sevilla came into the match with draws against both PSV and Lens. Arsenal were appearing in the Champions League for the first time in 6 seasons. In the first half in Seville, it looked like it was going to be a goalless half for both sides. However, the brink of half-time, Brazilian prodigy, Gabriel Martinelli rounded Sevilla goalkeeper, Orjan Nyland and tapped in a close-range finish to give the Gunners a 1-0 lead into the second half. 8 minutes into the second half, Arsenal had their lead doubled thanks to Gabriel Jesus and his stunning strike. Sevilla would eventually find a goal back in Nemanja Gudelj which reduced the deficit between the two sides and gave Sevilla a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be enough for Sevilla to come back and gather a point at least for the match would finish 2-1 to Arsenal. The Gunners have 3 points and sit first of Group B by a point. Sevilla need to shape up properly if they want to qualify for the Round of 16.
Picture Above: Arsenal forward, Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring Arsenal's second goal in their 2-1 victory over Sevilla.
Around the grounds, last season's runners-up, Inter Milan hosted RB Salzburg in a very bustling San Siro. The Nerazurri were eventual winners 2-1 thanks to goals from Alexis Sanchez and Hakan Calhanoglu. Union Berlin hosted Serie A champions, Napoli in the venue for the 2015 final, Olympiastadion. Napoli narrowed a 1-0 win thanks to Giacomo Raspadori's goal as more pressure is applied on Union Berlin in terms of qualifying for at least the Europa League. Jude Bellingham's incredible form in Real Madrid continues even more as he scored the winner for Real Madrid in their 2-1 against Braga. Real are now just one win away from the last 16. PSV took a trip to Lens to play the Ligue 1 runners-up from last season. In the end, nothing could separate the two sides in Lens as the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Real Sociedad scrapped through struggling Benfica 1-0 thanks to Brais Mendez. Finally, Man United capped off their first win in Europe this season with a 1-0 win thanks to goal from Harry Maguire and the late heroics of Andre Onana.
Pictures Above: Manchester United players, Harry Maguire and Rasmus Højlund celebrating after scoring United’s first goal of the game. Inter Milan forward Alexis Sanchez celebrating after scoring the first goal in the meeting between Inter Milan and RB Salzburg. Real Madrid players celebrating after regaining their lead against Braga.
The following day, La Liga champions, Barcelona hosted Ukrainian champions, Shaktar Donetsk. Barca were going in with two wins from two while Shaktar grabbed one win from two. The half started of with Barcelona dominating in large spells of the first half an hour and they got their reward on the 28th minute, after Ferran Torres netted a half-volley from a recently failed attempt from teenage prodigy, Fermin Lopez. The goal was originally ruled offside, but after close inspection from VAR, the officials could stand the goal onside. A couple minutes later, Barca had their lead doubled thanks to a stunning strike from Lopez after constant failed attempts on goal. Barca went into the half with a 2-0 lead. Eventually, Shaktar would pull one back fifteen minutes into the second half as Heorhiy Sudakov netted from a beautiful counter-attack from Shaktar that would reduce the deficit by a half. That would only turn out to be a consolation goal for the Ukrainian side , who would go on to lose 2-1. Barcelona need to gain at least one point to qualify for the last 16. Shaktar are in trouble of making the Round of 16 and as things stand, will be going to the Europa League.
Picture Above: Fermin Lopez scoring his goal in Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Shaktar Donetsk.
In the French capital, Paris Saint Germain took on AC Milan in what would be a Champions League clash for the ages. Italian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma was playing against his former club for the first time. The Italian stopper moved to the Parisians in the summer of 2021, alongside other superstars across Europe. The game started off with large dominating spells from both sides but eventually, the deadlock was broken by the 30th minute. Les Parisians found the back of the net for the first time in the match thanks to star player, Kylian Mbappe who netted a close-range finish past AC Milan goalkeeper, Mike Maignan. By half time, PSG were winning 1-0 against the Rossoneri. PSG then went 2-0 up early in the second half due to a break-way strike from Ousmane Dembele but it was eventually ruled for offside by a lengthy VAR check. However, it didn't take long for PSG to find a goal to double their lead. Randal Kolo Muani with a rebound after a failed attempt from Dembele. Things only got worse for Stefan Pioli's side as PSG found another goal in the 89th minute. The goal was scored cleverly by Kang-in Lee, the South Korean midfielder who made a move over the summer from Mallorca. In the end, it was a 3-0 victory for Luis Enrique's side as they progressed to the top of Group F and left AC Milan with real work to do.
Picture Above: Paris Saint Germain players, Milan Skriniar and Randal Kolo Muani celebrating after PSG scored for the second time of the evening.
Across Europe, the Eredivise champions, Feyenoord hosted Serie A runners-up, Lazio in Netherlands. The Dutch champions were the victorious side, beating Lazio 3-1 to create a shock win. In England, highly anticipated, Newcastle hosted constant Bundesliga second placers, Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund were struggling so far in the Champions League but were eventual winners, 1-0 in a tension-packed St. James Park. RB Leipzig hosted Serbian side, Crvena Zvezda. The match finished 3-1 to the side from Leipzig as they doubled their points tally in Group G. In Bern, Young Boys hosted the European champions, Manchester City in a must win game for the citizens. City were eventual winners thanks to the heroics from star player, Erling Haaland. Atletico Madrid took a trip to Glasgow to play Celtic, who were struggling so far this season in the Champions League. Celtic managed to salvage a 2-2 draw and earn their first point of this season's Champions League. Antwerp hosted two time champions, Porto in Belgium. Unfortunately for the Belgian champions, Porto were eventual 4-1 winners and maintained their second place spot in Group F.
Overall, Matchday 3 was full of exciting and decisive matches for the Group Stage as the first few teams are about to qualify for the last 16. The Champions Blog will return on 9th November on Matchday 4 as the first few teams start to book their place in the last 16.
Comments
Post a Comment