This 5th day of the Champions League offered us a tantalizing clash between Arsenal and Bayern Munich, undoubtedly the two best teams in Europe currently. For this shock at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta made two changes from the team which dominated Tottenham in the Premier League (4-1) three days ago. Mosquera and Lewis-Skelly replaced Hincapié and Calafiori respectively. For the rest, the great classic on the Gunners side with notably Saka, Trossard and Eze behind Merino in attack. Opposite, Vincent Kompany lined up the young Lennart Karl (17 years old), decisive against Friborg (6-2) but left due to injury, alongside Olise and Gnabry. Harry Kane was logically established at the forefront of the Bavarian attack.
After a tight start to the match where each of the two teams tried to impose their game, it was ultimately the Londoners who struck first… from a corner. After a corner kick taken by Saka, Timber beat Neuer to open the scoring (22nd, 1-0). Despite this goal, the Munich residents only took ten minutes to react. After a nice opening from Kimmich, Gnabry first found Karl in the area. The Bayern diamond then placed the ball in the back of the net for the equalizer (32nd, 1-1). A goal which only increased the intensity of this meeting where the two teams went blow for blow. In the second half, Arsenal proved dangerous from set pieces and increased the scares on Neuer’s goal. The German defense finally cracked after an intercepted pass from Upamecano, a cross from Caliafiori and a recovery from Madueke (69th, 2-1), who replaced Trossard in the first period. A few minutes later, Eze threw Martinelli deep. The Brazilian took advantage of Neuer being much too advanced to make the break (76th, 3-1). Manhandled by Bayern in the past, Arsenal finally beat their beast nemesis in C1 (3-1) and consolidated their place as leader of the standings in this league phase. The Gunners are almost qualified for the round of 16. Opposite, the Bavarians conceded their first setback of the season, in all competitions, and fell to 3rd place, behind PSG.
The awakening of Mbappé and Real against Olympiakos
Another shock in this Champions League evening: Atlético de Madrid who hosted Inter, undefeated until then. The European vice-champions conceded the opener following a cross from Simeone taken by Baena at the far post, before Álvarez put the ball into the back of Sommer’s net (9th). The Interists came back in the second half with a goal from Zielinski (54th), but were ultimately beaten by Diego Simeone’s team. Found by Griezmann, José Maria Giménez headed the ball (90th + 3) to explode the Metropolitano and give Atlético three points. With this success (2-1), the Madrilenians climb to 12th position. Inter misses the opportunity to get on the podium and is 4th.
Beaten by Liverpool on the 4th day of C1 and held to a draw by Rayo Vallecano then by Elche in the league, Real Madrid traveled to Greece to face Olympiakos. Without Courtois and Bellingham, the Madrilenians were surprised by Chiquinho’s magnificent opening score after a 3-way game between Podence, El Kaabi and Chiquinho concluded by a superb strike from the latter (8th). When in doubt, the Merengues relied, as often, on Kylian Mbappé. After three games without scoring, number 10 woke up and in what way! In the space of seven minutes, the Frenchman scored a hat-trick (22nd, 24th, 29th) to allow Real to turn the match around. But the Greeks did not give up and came back to 2-3, thanks to Taremi (52nd). But this evening was definitely Mbappé’s. After great work on his left side, Vinicius Junior found the former Parisian, who then scored his first quadruple in C1 (60th). Despite Olympiakos’ new goal from El Kaabi (56th), Real Madrid held on and finally returned to victory (3-4). Casa Blanca are fifth, before hosting City on the next day, and are in a good position to advance directly to the round of 16. Olympiakos concedes a third loss in five games and is 33rd.
Slot and Liverpool knocked out by PSV
Defeated by Nottingham Forest at home (0-3), Liverpool had to show a different face against PSV Eindhoven. However, the Reds started this meeting very badly following a handball from Van Dijk in the area. After the penalty converted by Perisic (6th, sp), Arne Slot’s men got their heads right and dominated their subject. After a long period of domination, Szoboszlai found the fault (16th). But these Reds are very sick and they confirmed it again this evening. Found by Mauro Junior, Til finished perfectly to give the Dutch the advantage (56th). Couhain Driouech then added to the score by scoring a double to definitively freeze the Anfield residents (73rd, 90th+2).
Arne Slot and his troops concede another defeat this season (1-4) and are 13th in the ranking. PSV is 15th with one point behind its evening opponent. In the last two matches of this evening, Atalanta dominated Frankfurt (0-3), with goals from Lookmann, Ederson and De Ketelaere. The Italians are 10th, while the Germans are 29th. Finally, Sporting Portugal got the better of Club Bruges (3-0) and slipped into the top 8. Bruges is 26th.
The complete Champions League standings
The results of the evening:
Arsenal 3 – 1 Bayern: Jürren Timber (22nd), Noni Maduele (70th), Gabriel Martinelli (76th) / Lennart Karl (32nd)
Atlético 2 – 1 Inter Milan: Julián Álvarez (16th), José Gimenez (90th+3) / Piotr Zielinski (54th)
Olympiacos 3 – 4 Real Madrid : Chiquinho (8th), Mehdi Taremi (52nd) and Ayoub El Kaabi (81st) / Kylian Mbappé (22nd, 24th, 29th, 60th)
Liverpool 1 – 4 PSV : Dominik Szoboszlai (16th) / Ivan Perisic (6th sp), Guus Til (56th), Couhain Driouech (73rd, 90th+2)
Frankfurt 0 – 3 Atalanta : Ademola Lookman (60th), Ederson (62nd) and Charles de Ketelaere (65th)
Sports 3 – 0 Club Bruges: Geovany Quenda (24th), Luis Suárez (31st), Trincao (70th)
