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UEFA Champions League: Bayern edge past PSG, City’s struggles continue, and more

By News Update

New Delhi: The UEFA Champions League delivered another thrilling matchday with exciting clashes and dramatic turnarounds across Europe. Teams battled fiercely to secure vital points as the league phase nears its conclusion. From commanding wins by Atalanta and Arsenal to a resilient fightback by Feyenoord against Manchester City, the action had it all.

Standout performances included Charles De Ketelaere’s brilliance for Atalanta in their 6-1 demolition of Young Boys, while Bayern Munich edged past PSG with a gritty 1-0 victory. Elsewhere, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen showcased their dominance, while Inter Milan’s narrow win over RB Leipzig solidified their top spot. However, Manchester City’s six-match winless streak continued as they let a three-goal lead slip in a dramatic 3-3 draw.

Manchester City 3-3 Feyenoord

Manchester City’s struggles continued as they threw away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in a dramatic Champions League encounter. This result extends Pep Guardiola’s winless run to six matches, the worst streak of his managerial career.

City appeared to be in full control when Erling Haaland struck twice, either side of Ilkay Gundogan’s deflected volley. The home side dominated for most of the match, with Feyenoord offering little resistance until the final 15 minutes. Guardiola even introduced Kevin De Bruyne and youngsters James McAtee and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, seemingly confident the game was sealed.

But Feyenoord fought back. Anis Hadj Moussa punished a Josko Gvardiol error to pull one back. Substitute Santiago Gimenez then made it 3-2 with a close-range finish, before David Hancko stunned the Etihad with a late equaliser. Defensive lapses and Ederson’s poor showing left City reeling.

The draw halts a five-game losing streak but feels like a defeat. City now sit 15th in the Champions League table, with their form raising serious concerns. A trip to Anfield looms on Sunday, where defeat could widen the gap to the league leaders. Guardiola and his side are now staring at a genuine crisis.

FC Barcelona 3-0 Brest

Barcelona secured their fourth consecutive UEFA Champions League League Phase win with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Brest at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium. The victory solidified their place in the top eight and eased concerns after a recent dip in form. Though it took 65 minutes to settle into a comfortable lead, Hansi Flick’s side showcased their dominance and controlled the match throughout.

The game started brightly for Barça, who took the lead after just ten minutes. Robert Lewandowski calmly converted from the penalty spot following a foul by Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot, marking his 100th Champions League goal. The hosts dictated the tempo, pressing high and recovering possession quickly, but struggled with their decision-making in the final third. Despite creating several chances, they couldn’t add to their lead before the break, with Brest’s defence and Bizot making crucial interventions.

In the second half, Barcelona continued to dominate possession and create opportunities but found Brest difficult to break down. Dani Olmo came close, only to see his effort cleared off the line. Persistence paid off on 65 minutes when Gerard Martín’s pinpoint pass found Olmo, who evaded defenders and slotted home to double the advantage.

Barça remained in control and sealed the win in stoppage time. Alejandro Balde delivered a perfect assist for Lewandowski, who finished with style to complete his brace. While the scoreline could have been more emphatic given their dominance, this comprehensive performance takes Barcelona a step closer to the Champions League Round of 16.

In the second half, Barcelona continued to dominate possession and create opportunities but found Brest difficult to break down. Dani Olmo came close, only to see his effort cleared off the line. Persistence paid off on 65 minutes when Gerard Martín’s pinpoint pass found Olmo, who evaded defenders and slotted home to double the advantage.

Barca remained in control and sealed the win in stoppage time. Alejandro Balde delivered a perfect assist for Lewandowski, who finished with style to complete his brace. While the scoreline could have been more emphatic given their dominance, this comprehensive performance takes Barcelona a step closer to the Champions League Round of 16.

Bayern Munich 1-0 Paris St. Germain

Bayern Munich edged out Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in a gritty encounter on Tuesday evening at the Allianz Arena in matchday five of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League League Phase. Vincent Kompany’s side earned a vital three points thanks to Kim Min-jae’s first-half header, moving them closer to a top-eight finish while delivering a blow to PSG’s chances.

Kompany fielded a strong XI featuring Manuel Neuer, Raphael Guerreiro, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, and Alphonso Davies in defence; Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in midfield; and Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman, and Harry Kane in attack.

The opening minutes saw Bayern miss a golden chance as Musiala’s close-range effort was saved, while PSG immediately countered but failed to capitalise through Ousmane Dembele. Both sides exchanged half-chances, with Coman narrowly missing after a brilliant solo run and PSG’s Warren Zaire-Emery firing wide from a promising position.

The breakthrough came just after the half-hour mark when Kim Min-jae rose highest to head home following a scrambled PSG clearance from a corner. Bayern nearly doubled their lead moments later, but Coman’s audacious lob bounced onto the roof of the net. As the half concluded, Leroy Sane forced a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Bayern heading into the break one goal up.

The second half started with drama as PSG’s Dembele received a second yellow card for a foul on Davies, reducing the French champions to 10 men. Despite the numerical advantage, Bayern found PSG difficult to break down and missed opportunities to extend their lead. Musiala struck the post after a superb solo effort, while substitute Michael Olise came close immediately after his introduction but couldn’t find the finish.

In the dying moments, Serge Gnabry stretched for a Thomas Muller cross but failed to convert, though it mattered little as Bayern secured the win. The result puts them in 11th place, just a point off the top eight, with a favourable schedule remaining. This defeat ends PSG’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

Inter Milan 1-0 RB Leipzig

Inter Milan edged past RB Leipzig 1-0 in their Champions League clash on Tuesday, thanks to an own goal by Castello Lukeba. The narrow victory at the San Siro sees the Italian champions move to the top of the standings, remaining unbeaten in the league phase.

The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Federico Dimarco’s dangerous free kick caused havoc in Leipzig’s defence, forcing Lukeba to turn the ball into his net inadvertently. Inter maintained control for most of the match, creating a few chances to double their lead, but failed to capitalise.

Leipzig’s struggles were evident as they offered little going forward, extending their winless run to five matches in the competition. The German side remains rooted at the bottom of the table with no points, facing an early exit.

Inter’s win takes them to 13 points, one ahead of Barcelona, who defeated Brest 3-0. Liverpool and Real Madrid, set to face off on Wednesday, will look to challenge the top positions. With one match remaining, Inter are firmly in control of their destiny and edging closer to securing a top-eight finish.

Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 RB Salzburg

Bayer Leverkusen reignited their Champions League campaign with a dominant 5-0 victory over RB Salzburg on Tuesday night. Florian Wirtz starred with a brace, and Xabi Alonso’s side made light work of their Austrian opponents at the BayArena.

The home side stormed into an early lead. Wirtz opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute after Samson Baidoo’s handball, and Alejandro Grimaldo doubled the advantage three minutes later with a superb free kick. Wirtz added his second just before the half-hour mark, weaving through Salzburg’s defence to slot home.

After the break, Leverkusen maintained their intensity. Patrik Schick made it 4-0 midway through the second half, and Aleix Garcia completed the rout with a well-taken goal in the 72nd minute. Salzburg’s goalkeeper Alexander Schlager made several crucial saves to prevent an even heavier defeat.

The win lifts Leverkusen to 10 points in the standings, putting them back on track for a top-eight finish. Meanwhile, Salzburg remain stuck on three points, having suffered their fourth loss in five games. Leverkusen’s attacking fluidity and defensive solidity will provide a massive boost as they prepare for their final league-phase fixtures.

Sporting 1-5 Arsenal

Arsenal delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over Sporting CP at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, making a bold statement in their Champions League campaign. The win propels the Gunners into the top eight of the league phase, signalling a return to their dominant form.

From the outset, Arsenal overwhelmed the Portuguese champions. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the 7th minute, capitalising on a superb cross from Jurrien Timber, who was excellent throughout. Kai Havertz doubled the lead with a simple finish after Bukayo Saka’s clever assist. Gabriel Magalhaes made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time, converting a well-rehearsed corner that left Sporting stunned.

Despite a strong response from Sporting early in the second half, including Gonçalo Inacio’s goal from a corner, Arsenal regained control. Martin Odegaard’s relentless pressing earned a penalty, coolly converted by Saka, restoring Arsenal’s dominance. Leandro Trossard added a fifth with a header late on, capping off a comprehensive performance.

Defensively, Arsenal were superb, nullifying Victor Gyokeres, Sporting’s in-form striker. The win showcases Arsenal’s growing confidence and momentum. With their fluid attack and solid defence back to their best, the Gunners are emerging as serious contenders in Europe once again.

BSC Young Boys 1-6 Atalanta

Charles De Ketelaere put on a masterclass as Atalanta crushed Young Boys 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, underlining their attacking prowess. The Belgian forward was the star of the night, contributing three assists and scoring twice in a scintillating display.

Atalanta wasted no time, with De Ketelaere setting up Mateo Retegui to open the scoring in the 9th minute. Although Silvere Ganvoula equalised for Young Boys just two minutes later, the visitors quickly regained control. De Ketelaere restored Atalanta’s lead with a well-taken goal in the 28th minute and turned provider again three minutes later, delivering an assist to Sead Kolasinac for a third.

The first-half onslaught continued as Retegui netted his second in the 39th minute, once again assisted by De Ketelaere, as the Italian striker made the most of a perfectly weighted pass. Atalanta carried a commanding 4-1 lead into the break.

The dominance resumed after halftime, with De Ketelaere adding a fifth goal in the 56th minute. His low shot from the edge of the box took a deflection, leaving the Young Boys keeper helpless. Substituted in the 75th minute to a standing ovation, De Ketelaere had already sealed his status as the man of the match. Lazar Samardzic rounded off the rout with a stoppage-time goal, ensuring Atalanta’s emphatic victory.

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