Champions League: four new qualifiers, crazy match in Manchester… what to remember from the evening

2023-11-29 01:39:08

And ten! The first salvo of matches on the fifth day of the Champions League group stage added four new names to the list of teams already qualified for the round of 16, bringing the total to 10. All victorious this evening, Atlético de Madrid, Dortmund, FC Barcelona and Lazio joined Bayern, RB Leipzig, Manchester City, Inter, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad.

All these beautiful people imposed themselves with authority this Tuesday evening. Lazio, at the start of the evening, made short work of Celtic (2-0), unbeaten last in Group E and who were already assured of being eliminated. In the same group, Antoine Griezmann’s Atlético de Madrid did not have an easy task, but ended up winning comfortably against Feyenoord (1-3), thanks in particular to two goals against their side from Geertruida and Gimenez.

In Group H, Barça also had doubts against Porto (2-1), and even fell behind after Pepê’s goal in the 30th minute. But thanks to its two loaned players, Joao Cancelo and Joao Félix, Barça secured their ticket for the 1/8 finals of the Champions League… for the first time since the departure of Leo Messi, i.e. since 2021.

In group F, that of PSG, Borussia Dortmund is also already assured of seeing the 1/8 finals thanks to its large victory against Milan (3-1), thanks to goals from Reus, Bynoe -Gittens and Adeyemi.

City’s comeback against Lepizig

Already assured of being both qualified in Group G, Manchester City and RB Leipzig gave us the match of the evening. The Germans could have inflicted their first defeat on the title holders, and even led 2-0 thanks to a double from the supersonic Lois Openda (13th, 33rd). But in the second half, Pep Guardiola’s men completely turned the match around and ended up winning in the 87th minute thanks to Julian Alvarez, after goals from Haaland (55th) and Foden (70th).

Note that the Norwegian striker has once again established a pair of records which will be hard to dislodge: he becomes the youngest player to score 40 goals in the Champions League, and the player to reach this total the fastest, with only 35 matches contested in the competition. With its number 9, City therefore continues its perfect run, with 5 victories in as many matches.