The Champions Blog #1.4
The Champions Blog
Please Note: Original Creation Date was November 8th
Matchday 4 of this season's Champions League brought some exciting action including big wins, some impressive surprises and some dominant displays. As well as that, the first Round of 16 tickets have been purchased by six teams. This is the Champions Blog
The week got off with Borussia Dortmund hosting Newcastle. The Toon Army went into Dortmund with hope of still qualifying for the last 16 after nabbing points in their first two games with Milan and PSG. On the other hand, Dortmund entered the game with a defeat against PSG, a draw with Milan, and a win at Newcastle back in October. Each teams had four points and can still qualify. The game in Germany started off with a lot of chances by Dortmund and eventually, the German side got their reward when Niclas Fullkrug netting a close-range finish to break the deadlock and open the scoring in the 27th minute. Chances came from both ends for the rest of the first half but in the end, Dortmund held the advantage going into the second half with a slim 1-0 lead. The second half then started again, however like the first half, both teams had their fair share of chances. Eventually, Dortmund would double their lead in the 79th minute thanks to Julian Brandt who scored from a deadly counter attack, which put Dortmund in cruise control. Eventually, Dortmund would go on to win the match with a 2-0 win and left Newcastle's chance of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread.
Picture Above: Dortmund player Julian Brandt taking a shot.
In Europe elsewhere, Paris Saint Germain took a trip to Italy to face the 7-time champions, AC Milan. PSG were the victorious side in the first game in Paris putting on a dominant 3-0 win. Milan weren't having the best time so far in this season's Champions League with goalless draws with Dortmund and Newcastle as well as the defeat in Paris. PSG started the game off strongly and their reward came in the 9th minute when defender Milan Skriniar went on to score a close-range header that haunted his former rivals. Milan didn't take long to find their equalizer and it came 3 minutes later by star player Rafael Leao. From the on in, Milan and PSG had their fair share of chances but it remained all square at the end of the first half. Milan already started dominating in the second half and already, a header from Olivier Giroud gave Milan the lead. It stayed that way until the end of the match and in the end, it was a 2-1 win for the Rossoneri. Milan's chances of qualifying for the round of 16 were slightly strengthened as PSG's were slightly dampened with defeats on all their away trips. Next up, Milan host Dortmund while PSG host Newcastle in important matches.
Picture Above: Olivier Giroud scoring a header against PSG to give Milan the lead.
Elsewhere in Europe, Group E had Atletico Madrid hosting Celtic. The Madrid side absolutely smashed the hopeless Scottish side, 6-0 in the biggest win this season so far in the Champions League. Lazio hosted Feyenoord and were the victorious side winning 1-0. As things stand, Atletico Madrid and Lazio will be progressing from Group E. In Group F, the first two tickets of the Round of 16 have been purchased by Manchester City and RB Leipzig after their wins against Crvena Zvevda and Young Boys. Which means from now on, the two side on the bottom half will just be playing for pride. In Group H, Barcelona were surprised by Shaktar Donetsk as they capped of a famous 1-0 victory in Hamburg, which lost Barca the chance to qualify for the last 16 for the first time in 2 seasons. Porto managed to grab a 2-0 win against a hopeless Antwerp as the Belgian team exited the competition without a single win so far.
The following day, there were more drama across Europe. One of the most dramatic matches was Manchester United’s trip to Copenhagen. Man United were struggling so far in the Champions League getting only 3 points in their last 3 matches. Copenhagen only got 1 point on the other hand so far. The match started off with United striker, Rasmus Hojlund scoring against his boyhood club 3 minutes into the game. Things only got better for United as Hojlund got his second goal of the game when he netted a goal in the 28th minute. However, things wouldn’t go as planned for United as star player Marcus Rashford got sent off for a harsh challenge against one Copenhagen player, and soon after, Copenhagen scored two goals that came from Mohamed Elyounoussi and and a late penalty by Diogo Goncalves which sealed a thrilling first half. Into the 69th minute, Manchester United were given the golden opportunity chance to restore their lead and the chance was taken as Bruno Fernandes slotted home a neat penalty. However, that wouldn’t be the end of the drama in Copenhagen. The Danish team managed to grab their second equalizer of the game after a tap in by Lukas Lerager and eventually, Copenhagen would find the lead thanks too a volley from teenager Roony Bardghji which sealed a famous win for the Danish side as Manchester United’s chance of advancing to the last 16 were dampened even more.
Picture Above: Manchester United players confronting the referee after Marcus Rashford’s sending off.
Elsewhere in Madrid, Real Madrid hosted Braga in an highly anticipated Santiago Bernabéu. If Real were to win the match, they would qualify for the Round of 16. Real would start the match giving away a penalty to Braga. Fortunately for the team from Madrid, Braga would go on to miss the penalty after a good save from Madrid goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin. Braga found the net in the 10th minute of the game however unfortunately, the goal was ruled offside. Real Madrid would find themselves ahead in the match with a goal from Brahim Diaz in the 27th minute. Real would then take the lead into the second half. Following half time, Real’s game would only get as they started to attack even more and eventually they scored twice in quick succession. The goals came in the 58th and 61st minutes and they were scored by Brazilian youngsters, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Real Madrid would then hold on to the victory and seal their place in the round of 16. Braga on the other hand, could now at least qualify for the Europa League.
Picture Above: Real Madrid forward, Rodrygo scoring his side’s third goal of the game.
Elsewhere in Europe, Bayern Munich hosted Galatasaray and went on to win the game with a score of 2-1. Bayern have officially won their group and have qualified for the last 16. Group B hosted a meeting in North London between Arsenal and Sevilla. In the end, Mikel Arteta’s side were the victorious side winning 2-0 in the English capital and strengthened their grip in the top of the group. Lens took a trip to Eindhoven to play against PSV and in search of a place in the last 16. However, Lens would lose 1-0 due to a goal from PSV star player, Luuk De Jong. Napoli hosted Union Berlin in search of a ticket for the last 16. However, Napoli would shockingly draw the game and now would have to wait a bit before officially sealing their place in the last 16. Real Sociedad and Inter Milan grabbed the top two places in Group D after wins against RB Salzburg (1-0 Inter) and Benfica (3-1 Sociedad).
Matchday 4 was full of surprises and shocks but ultimately, it was all to savor for. The first six teams that have purchased a place in the Round of 16 are no longer in danger of being knocked out of the tournament. The Champions Blog will return on 30th November as more teams start to find their place in the last 16.
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