The Italian football champions won 1-0 against Arsenal on Wednesday without substitute Marko Arnautović. Bayern Munich won an important 1-0 home win against Benfica Lisbon with Konrad Laimer.
FC Barcelona celebrated a clear 5-2 victory at Red Star Belgrade, Atlético Madrid won 2-1 at Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter-Sieg from Arnautovic
Inter have yet to win for the ninth competitive game in a row. The only goal came from a controversial penalty scored by Hakan Çalhanoğlu shortly before the half-time whistle (45th+3). Arsenal’s Mikel Merino bounced the ball to his hand from close range.
The penalty was Inter’s first shot on goal. It was another goal for Arsenal after their last three league games without a win. England are still second in the standings with seven points and just three goals.
Vortex at the CL match in Munich
Bayern’s game started 15 minutes late due to problems with the arrival of fans after the Munich subway network was disrupted. In the first half, a home fan in the stands also required emergency medical attention.
Bayern struggled for a long time against second-placed Portugal’s smart defending, but have withstood the pressure after recent wins against Aston Villa and Barcelona.
Jamal Musiala also scored the golden goal with his head after a Harry Kane header (67th). Laimer, who played as a right back, started the action and Leroy Sané took the cross to the middle.
The Munich team now has six points in the top flight.
PSG with a bitter home defeat
In Paris, Nahuel Molina (18th) took the early lead through young PSG star Warren Zaïre-Emery (14th). Ángel Correa secured the away win with the last attack (93′).
Things are getting tighter for PSG after just four points from four rounds. At least the top 8, which makes it directly to the CL round of 16, seems a long way off at the halfway point of the series.
Atalanta and Barça were successful
Ademola Lookman (51′) and Nicolo Zaniolo (88′) scored for Atalanta Bergamo with a 2-0 win over VfB Stuttgart. The Europa League winner, like Inter, remains unbeaten in the top flight and hasn’t conceded a goal – and hasn’t been used in nine competitive games either.
Barcelona have been the goals factory so far in the premier class with 15 goals in four games. In Belgrade, Robert Lewandowski set the tone of the victory with a brace (43rd, 53rd). Iñigo Martínez (13th), Raphinha (55th) and Fermín López (76th) succeeded for the Catalans.
Aston Villa are no longer perfect
Aston Villa lost their clean slate with a 1-0 win at Club Brugge. Bruges captain Hans Vanaken scored the goal from a strange penalty (52nd).
Villa defender Tyrone Mings picked the ball up in his own penalty area as he believed the game was still in play. Until then, Villa had won three times in three CL matches and had not conceded a single goal.
This was the third competitive win in a row for coach Unai Emery’s team, who had such a strong start to the season. After a 1-0 win over Sturm Graz at the beginning of October, Bruges got their second win of the season in the top flight and can dream of promotion.
Stade Brest is still strong
The shock of Storm and Salzburg is certainly over, Stade Brest increasing their score to ten points with a 2-1 win at Sparta Prague and moving up to fourth in the table.
Shakhtar Donetsk also kept their chances alive, beating Swiss champions still without a point, Young Boys Bern 2-1 in Gelsenkirchen to keep them on four points.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone, to our sports segment! Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Marco Rossi, a renowned football analyst and historian. Marco, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Marco Rossi: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game.
Editor: Let’s dive right into it. Inter Milan recently secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Arsenal, showcasing their unbeaten record in this year’s Champions League. What do you think has been the key to their success in this tournament so far?
Dr. Rossi: Inter Milan’s defensive solidity has certainly played a crucial role. They have not only remained unbeaten but also have not conceded a single goal in the new league stage. This speaks volumes about their organization at the back. Coach Simone Inzaghi has instilled a disciplined approach, allowing them to absorb pressure efficiently, which was evident against Arsenal.
Editor: Absolutely. That penalty from Hakan Çalhanoğlu seemed to be a turning point in that match. Do you think refereeing controversies like that impact team morale, especially for sides like Arsenal who are struggling to find their form?
Dr. Rossi: Refereeing decisions can significantly impact a team’s confidence, particularly for Arsenal, who have been struggling in their recent league games. While sometimes these calls can galvanize a team, they can also demoralize players if they feel they are consistently on the wrong side of the whistle. In high-pressure formats like the Champions League, confidence is paramount.
Editor: Shifting gears, Bayern Munich faced a challenging home fixture against Benfica, managing a 1-0 win. With the match experiencing delays and medical emergencies, how do such disruptions affect players mentally?
Dr. Rossi: Disruptions like those can certainly create imbalance in a team’s rhythm. Players thrive on routine and focus, and when a match is delayed, it can unsettle that focus. However, elite athletes, like those at Bayern, are trained to adapt quickly under pressure. Their experience in handling such situations likely contributed to their ability to secure the win despite the distractions.
Editor: Meanwhile, PSG is facing a tough situation, having secured only four points from their last four matches. What do you make of their performance this season and what does this mean for their chances of progressing in the Champions League?
Dr. Rossi: PSG’s struggles reflect a broader issue regarding team cohesion and strategy. With so much talent on the field, fans expect stellar performances, but football is often about chemistry and tactical execution. If they don’t improve quickly, they risk not qualifying for the knockout stages, which is almost unthinkable for a club of their stature.
Editor: Looking at some of the other results, FC Barcelona had an impressive 5-2 win against Red Star Belgrade. What’s your perspective on their resurgence in European competitions?
Dr. Rossi: Barcelona’s performance illustrates a turning point. Under new management, they seem to be blending young talent with experience, reflecting an exciting football philosophy. Their attacking prowess is back, with players like Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski making significant contributions. If they continue this trajectory, they could be serious contenders in the Champions League.
Editor: Before we wrap up, let’s talk about Atalanta, who, like Inter, remain unbeaten. What are your thoughts on their strong showing in the tournament this season?
Dr. Rossi: Atalanta’s success stems from their innovative play style and tactical flexibility. They have been a breath of fresh air in European football, balancing defense and attack seamlessly. Their ability to remain undefeated while not conceding any goals speaks to their organized midfield and a resolute defense. They could surprise many if they continue this form.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insights! It’s always enlightening to hear your perspectives on the current football landscape. Any final thoughts?
Dr. Rossi: Just that this Champions League season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. The competition is fierce, and anything can happen. I look forward to seeing how it unfolds!
Editor: Thanks again for joining us, and thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Let’s keep the conversations going as this thrilling season progresses!