We can already talk about the first results of the group stage
Sensations happen not only inside RPLbut also in the Champions League. Last night in the main European Cup tournament, several matches ended with an unexpected outcome. There are already teams that have secured a place in the playoffs Champions Leagueyou can summarize the intermediate results of the tournament.
Manchester City and Real Madrid in the playoffs
Yes, no one doubted. Bayern, Napoli / Liverpool and Chelsea / Milan could not boast such a milestone due to the more competitive groups. The “citizens” and creams in their quartets were obvious favorites – and were expected to complete the minimal task before the rest. At the same time, the results of both giants in the last match, to put it mildly, surprised – draws with lower-class opponents.
Josep Guardiola’s Wards in the third round, in the best tradition of the Spanish manager, achieved a landslide victory with the score of 5: 0, but outside the City it was many times more difficult. The coach did not release Erling Haaland on the pitch, while the Norwegian was in demand. In any case they all won – Copenhagen jumped off with a slight fright when Rodri scored (the goal was not counted for Mahrez’s handball), and “SM»Can relax before the elimination matches.
A similar situation with Real Madrid, who escaped defeat in the last minutes of injury time of the second half. Ancelotti trusted Hazard, and also gave Modric, Militao, Alaba and Carvajal rest. In any case, even an experimental team would cause Shakhtar problems, but El Clasico over the weekend should be addressed in preparation for the fight.
Both the former have 10 points after four rounds: it remains to wait for the end of the group stage and play new combinations.
Shakhtar can overtake Leipzig
The situation of the Pitmen was perfectly described by the club’s football director, Darijo Srna:
When it became known that we had reached the group stage, many expected that Shakhtar would not score a single point. We have lost 14 players and our technical team, but still we are in the Champions League and we have four points to our credit. This team has character and courage. We are not afraid of anyone “.
Shakhtar defeated Leipzig, drew with Celtic, were in second place after three rounds – and would have kept the second row, but two wins in a row were enough for the Germans to return to the playoffs. The Ukrainians, realizing their position, would have clung to the match with Real Madrid, endured the entire first half and in the second they turned their only chance on the creamy goal. The whole match went at such a pace and the Pitmen could increase the lead (traore missed the empty goal). And in the 90 + 5 minute, Real Madrid showed their strongest trump card: they saved the game in the final seconds.
Shakhtar had to stay focused even after the final whistle, although even a draw allows the team to pursue Leipzig. The group final for the Ukrainian team will be extremely dramatic: Real Madrid is unlikely to allow Leipzig to score points, the Donetsk team itself must beat Celtic and score all head-to-head confrontation with Leipzig in the last round.
Juventus on the verge of bankruptcy with Barcelona
The terrible dream of the “old lady” comes true: the team lost to Maccabi in Israel, who are in the group with Benfica and PSG like death. Juve are 5 points from the group of leaders, therefore two minifinals ahead of the bianconeri.
The situation with Juventus is very similar to what is happening with Barcelona. Only the Catalans did not lose against the underdogs and the second round will begin with a duel against a direct competitor. Inter for the first time perfectly dismantled the Spanish grand, leveled their forces and deserved to win. It is not known what will happen at the Camp Nou: we only know of Xavi’s mad desire to avoid a second consecutive failure in European competitions. Now Barça and Juve are in the same team.
Chelsea saved the European Cup season
Like Leipzig, Chelsea needed two rounds to recover. Two victories over Milan – and the Azzurri are not the last team in Group E, but its leaders. Graham Potter does a great job with his material – the Londoners haven’t lost since Tuchel’s fateful bout against Dynamo.
Chelsea were helped a lot by Tomori, who fouled Mount in the same area on 18 minutes. The referee removed the Englishman and the Londoners, having a numerical advantage, did not give up the initiative.
In the next two rounds the team, already under the guidance of Graham Potter, will be able to take revenge on both Dinamo and Salzburg.
PSG and Benfica want to stay on par
The two giants stubbornly maintain parity in the H quartet. There were reasons to believe that at least in the second round the group would have a single leader. But the teams exchanged goals from penalties and repeated the result of the previous match – 1: 1.
You have to give Benfica credit. PSG – a project built over the years, albeit without success in the Champions League, but more ambitious. The group of leaders has been on the team for a long time and the appointment of a tough coach has added maturity and discipline to the team. The Portuguese, on the other hand, initially focus not on battles for the main trophies, but on revenue from player sales. And with this approach they manage to impose competition on Parisians.
It all comes down to this PSG and the “eagles” will win the remaining class matches and will compete for the difference in goals scored and conceded. Juve cannot in any way interfere in this rivalry.
