Matchday 3 Champions League Recap

Tuesday’s Results

Shakhtar Donetsk 2 – Dynamo Zagreb 2 – Shakhtar was not able to take advantage of being on home field and both teams left with a point each, maintaining their spots in Group C standings. Zagreb still hold on to the second knockout stages ticket with 3 matches to go by a goal differential. Dynamo looked to have taken a commanding control of the second spot in the group, leading the game up to the 75th minute, until Dodo scored the equalizer and kept Shakhtar’s Champions League campaign alive.

Manchester City 5 – Atalanta 1 – City came out the gates slow and seemed unmotivated, as they quickly found themselves down in the 28th minute. It seemed like there would be an upset in the making and the Italian side would turn their Champions League campaign around. It did not happen that way. Just 6 minutes after Atalanta took the lead, Sergio Aguero leveled the scores and scored again just 4 mins after to take the lead and City never looked back. At the half, City led 2-1 and it seemed like Atalanta might still be able to salvage a point with betterment of their play in the second half, but Raheem Sterling’s hat trick ( 58′, 64′, 69′) in the second half sealed the deal and City took all 3 points. City find themselves with a perfect record so far with 9 points and 5 points clear of second place in Group C, while Atalanta have only scored twice in 3 games and have no points.

Real Madrid 1 – Galatasaray 0 – In a must-win game, Madrid came out and did just that in a hostile environment. There was talk leading up to the match that Zidane’s job was in jeopardy after losing in La Liga to Mallorca this past weekend. A Tony Kroos goal in the 18th min was the difference and saw Madrid take the 3 points and move into the second place in group A, still 5 points behind PSG. The win should ease off some of the pressure on Zidane, who has not had the success he dreamed of when taking the job at Madrid for the second time.

Bayern Munich 3 – Olympiacos 2 – Olympiacos are a different team when playing at home and it showed. The Greek side came out with confidence and a hostile atmosphere that seemed to bother the Bayern players. Olympiacos took the lead in the 23rd minute and seemed to be destined to take the 3 points at home but Bayern had other plans. Lewandowski tied the game in the 34th minute and the sides went into half-time level. The game seemed like it would end in a tie and Bayern would have been pleased with taking a point in a tough Greek stadium, but Lewandowski found the back of the net again in the 62nd minute. With the win, Bayern are perfect with 9 points and leading Group B by comfortable 5 points.

PSG 5 – Club Brugge 0 – It was a total dominance from PSG from the initial whistle and opening the scoring in the 7th minute was Icardi. Much more was expected from the Belgian side, at home, that saw them draw with Real Madrid in Spain in the previous matchday. At the break it was 1-0 and Brugge was still trying to make a game of it. Mbappe did not start but was subbed into the game in the 52nd minute and made an immediate impact. Brugge had no answer for Mbappe who recorded a hat trick in just 20 mins of action ( 61′, 63′, 79′). PSG lead Group A with a perfect 9 points and 5 points clear of second place Real Madrid. Could this finally be the season PSG puts it all together and wins the Champions League?

Tottenham 5 – Crvena Zvezda 0 – This was a game Tottenham desperately needed to win. Last year’s European runner-ups have struggled in the Premier League and Champions League this season, which led many to believe that Pochettino’s job was in jeopardy if he did not start delivering better results. Tottenham came out looking like a team that was determined to make their supporters forget the humiliating loss against Bayern Munich in the previous matchday. Harry Kane opened the scoring in the 9th minute and Tottenham never let off as they had a 3-0 lead going into the break. Lamela and Kane added two more goals in the second half to help Tottenham take the much needed 3 points. Tottenham now sit in second place in Group B and trail Bayern Munich by 5 points. Tottenham will need to continue their form, with Crvena on their heels and trailing them only by a point.

Juventus 2 – Lokomotiv Moscow 1 – Juventus survived their matchday 3 scare. The Russian side came out motivated and being the away team didn’t seam to affect them at all. Lokomotiv took the lead in the 30th minute and Juventus went into the break trailing. An upset seemed to be brewing as the home side wasn’t able to find the back of the net in the second half. With just 13 minutes left to play Dybala saved Juventus and leveled the score. Just 2 minutes later Dybala recorded a brace and led Juventus to victory. Juventus needed those 3 points to maintain the lead in Group D as they are leveled with Atletico Madrid in points (7) but lead by goal differential.

Wednesday Results

Chelsea 1 – Ajax 0 – A very even game throughout the 90 minutes that saw both teams constantly attacking each other. Ball possession was practically 50-50 and shots on goal where even as well. American star, Christian Pulisic, didnt start but entered the game in the 66th minute. The game seemed like it would finish as a 0-0 draw but in the 86th minute Pulisic made an impact and assisted Batshuayi for the game-winning goal. Chelsea needed the win to tie Ajax on points. Ajax still lead Group H with goal difference but with 3 games left in the groups stage, it certainly makes for an interesting finish.

Red Bull Leipzig 2 – Zenit 1 – Red Bull snapped their four game winless streak and boosted their chances of advancing in the tournament with their win. Leipzig found themselves trailing at the half by a goal and seemed to be losing any hope of advancing. However, in the second half Leipzig came out far better and found the equalizer in the 49th minute and took the definite lead just ten minutes later. With the win Leipzig now sit atop of Group G with 6 points and lead Zenit by 2 points.

Barcelona 2 – Slavia Prague 1 – Barcelona got an important away win to take a commanding lead in Group F. Messi opened the scoring and made history by becoming the first player in history to score in 15 straight seasons of Champions League competition. Slavia showed heart and battled back and surprisingly tied the score in the 50th minute. However, the tie didn’t last long as Barcelona scored on an own goal just 7 minutes later.

Napoli 3 – Reb Bull Salzburg 2 – The Austrian side led by American coach Jesse Marsch lost again but are still within reach for the second knockout stages spot. Salzburg came back from being down twice but ultimately did not have enough time to tie the game. Napoli lead Group E with 7 points and ahead of Liverpool by 1 point.

Liverpool 4 – Genk 1 – The defending champions took care of business and put behind them a shaky performance over the weekend as they drew to Manchester United in league play. Liverpool scored quickly (2′) and did not let up all game. A brace from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and goals from Salah and Mane have Liverpool in second place in Group E. Liverpool only trail Napoli by a point and are certainly to be contenders again this tournament.

Inter Milan 2 – Dortmund 0 – This was the game Dortmund could’ve made a statement and put pressure on Barcelona. Dortmund came into the game tied with Barcelona on points and looking to keep the pressure on the Spanish giants with a solid performance, but it didn’t happen. Inter looked like a desperate team needing to win and took advantage of being on home field and did just that. Inter took the 3 points and took second place from Dortmund by goal differential. Dortmund seems to struggle when the stakes are high and did so again Wednesday night. Inter and Dortmund face off again next matchday and it will be interesting to see if Dortmund can use home field advantage in their favor or fail to show up for a big game yet again.

Lille 1 – Valencia 1 – Valencia let go of a golden opportunity to be equal in points to Chelsea and Ajax in group H. Valencia needed a win so all 3 teams would have 6 points and a 3 way tie with just 2 spots available. Valencia were lucky to even be winning in this game as they did not have the majority of the ball possession and trailed in goal attempts (27-6). Lille had double the shots on goal and seemed to be headed for an unlucky loss until Ikone found the equalizer in the added time. With the draw Valencia now sit in third spot and will look for revenge next matchday as these two sides will face off again.

Benfica 2 – Lyon 1 – Benfica stayed alive one more matchday with their important win. Benfica were winless and seemed to be destined to finish last in Group G until scoring the game winner in the 86th minute. Lyon missed a great opportunity to pass Zenit for second spot but failed to do so with the loss and now trail the Russian side in goal differential. With the win Benfica are now only 1 point behind Lyon and Zenit for second place and may have salvaged their hopes of moving on in the tournament.