This is the penultimate game week which showcases a lot of teams cementing their positions for the knockout – but, in which position and at what cost? For eight teams, it will be the end of European football. Game week five relived some of the earlier lively games in the reverse fixture.
Made in Cobham special for the reigning European Champions
Three academy graduates were on the scoresheet as the defending champions outclassed the visitors. Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi each score impressive goals, with Timo Werner grabbing the fourth.
Chelsea completely dominated their match, with Juventus’s only chance coming when Morata’s chip over Edouard Mendy was miraculously prevented from going over the line by 37-year-old Thiago Silva.
The ever impressive Reece James continued his incredible form, becoming Chelsea’s top goal scorer this season. His fine strike doubled Chelsea’s advantage after Chalobah swept home a neat finish in the first half.
Whilst the Chelsea manager will be delighted with the result, there will be huge concerns after left wing back Ben Chilwell went off with a suspected ACL injury. The wing backs are crucial to Tuchel’s system at Chelsea, he will be hoping that the injury is not as bad as feared. There are reports suggesting the Englishman will be out till at least the new year and potentially the rest of the season.
Frustrated Xavi’s first Champions League game
This was a 0-0 draw that nearly saw Benfica come away with all three points. Haris Seferovic squandered an incredible opportunity in the dying seconds at the Camp Nou. If he had scored, then Barcelona would be all but a Europa League team come 2022. Regardless, if the Catalans lose to Bayern and Benfica beat Kyiv in the final match day, Barcelona will be in the second tier of European football.
Xavi, in his first Champions League as manager, was left frustrated as Barca created numerous opportunities in the first half, but couldn’t find the target.
Jordi Alba stung the palms of Benfica’s keeper and Yusuf Demir’s curling effort hit the bar. Both teams put the ball in the net, but both times the referee and VAR intervened. Incidentally, Ronald Araujo suffered an injury whilst celebrating his disallowed goal and was substituted off.
Xavi and his team face the mammoth task of needing a result away to Bayern Munich in order to qualify – unless Kyiv can save their blushes by beating Benfica.
Milan stays alive
The La Liga champions are facing a similar fate to Barcelona after suffering a defeat at home to AC Milan.
The result will mean the final matchday will be a tense one for Group B. Porto, Milan and Atletico are all separated by one point. All three teams will be battling for 2nd place, with Atletico currently bottom. Junior Messias’ header gave the Italian outfit their first win in the competition this season. The goal is another chapter in an incredible story, as the 30-year-old Brazilian only made his professional debut three years ago.
Diego Simeone’s men will be ruing their missed chances, in particular Matheus Cunha’s who
spurned a golden chance in added time. All to play for in this group, with the seven-time winners alive and kicking.
Five out of five for Ronaldo
A much needed win for the team from Manchester, as they secured qualification into the
second round with a victory over Villareal.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho gave interim manager Michael Carrick the first win of his tenure. Ronaldo has now scored in every game in this season’s edition of the competition. Jadon Sancho, United’s big money summer signing finally got off the mark with a smashing finish late on. Carrick will thank his goalkeeper David De Gea for his heroics, after the Spaniard made two excellent saves from Villarreal’s Manuel Trigueros.
Carrick will be looking to the tough task of visiting reigning European champions and Premier League leaders Chelsea on the weekend, a tough assignment for the rookie coach.
European elites in Manchester
A steady performance by Pep’s team after being down 1-0 at the start of the second half. City were left annoyed when they could not score in the first half due to PSG’s goalkeeper and defence being in the way.
With Messi, Neymar and Mbappe upfront, it only took 50 minutes to find the net for Mbappe to score after a pass directed from Messi was deflected into his path. But with the might and tactical brilliance from Pep, City found themselves ahead by the 76th minute when Sterling and Jesus took their chances.
At times, City should have inflicted more pain. PSG did not look in the game for a long period of time. Only near the end of the first and start of the second half, did they look dangerous.
With 11 out of 16 places confirmed for the next round of the Champions League, the last game week is the one to watch – especially in Group B, F and G.
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