Champions League ’18-19 – Highlights: Liverpool Fail To Win; Barcelona Qualify For The Last 16

These are the first eight matches of Champions League, Group stage Match Day 4 of 6. The highlights are appended below:

Champions League ’18-19 – Highlights: Messi Makes A Perfect Start With A Hattrick

For Complete Champions League 2018-19 team rankings, click here

For Complete Champions League 2018-19 schedule, click here

Match 1 of 16: Red Star Belgrade vs Liverpool

Result: 0 – 2

Goal Scorers:

  • Red Star Belgrade: Milan Pavkov 22′, 29′

Match Statistics:

 Red Star Belgrade  Team Stats Liverpool
10 Shots 23
4 Shots On Target 4
28% Possession 72%
256 Passes 637
57% Pass Accuracy 82%
8 Fouls 9
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
0 Offsides 4
5 Corners 9

Highlights:

Champions League

  • Liverpool have played 200 matches in the European Cup and Champions League but surely few in an atmosphere as wild as this or as meekly. Jürgen Klopp’s team floundered in the face of a vibrant Red Star Belgrade display, and a home crowd to match, as their prospects of reaching the knock-out phase were dealt a serious blow in the Serbian capital.
  • Two goals from striker Milan Pavkov, the second a truly outstanding effort, delivered a famous victory for Vladan Milojevic’s team and Red Star’s first win in the competition – qualifiers excluded – since they were defending champions in 1992.

  • “A different beast at home,” Andy Robertson had described them. Liverpool’s left-back was not wrong. The worry for Klopp and company is that they have become a different proposition themselves away from Anfield in the Champions League this season. Paris Saint Germain await next in France. Liverpool have left themselves little margin for error.
  • The Marakana’s reputation for passion, hostility and incessant noise was no exaggeration. It was a spectacular backdrop and its team responded in kind. Heavily armed soldiers lined the entrances outside, a co-ordinated rendition accompanied the visitors during the warm-up – one end of the stadium delivered the insult while the other timed ’Liverpool’ to perfection – and the volume levels increased in tandem with Red Star’s control of the contest.

  • There was also a warm ovation for members of the Red Star team who beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield on this day in 1973 when they paraded around the pitch before kick off. The hosts’ performance befitted the backing they received from the terraces. Liverpool’s supported the theory that the Marakana intimidates too.
  • Klopp started without his most reliable forward in European competition, Roberto Firmino, who has been involved in more goals in the Champions League – 19 (12 goals and 7 assists) – than any other Liverpool player since the start of last season but has looked weary of late.

  • Daniel Sturridge replaced the Brazilian and should have opened the scoring when Robertson turned Sadio Mané’s cross into his path through a crowded penalty area. Sturridge looked certain to convert at the back post but, under no pressure, he skied wastefully over Milan Borjan’s goal. It would prove a costly miss, one that energised the home crowd even more, and a short-lived tactical switch by the Liverpool manager.
  • Sturridge’s role as a more static centre-forward than Firmino invited Mane and Mohamed Salah to attack down the flanks. While both found opportunity, and Virgil van Dijk made a dominant start in central defence, the Liverpool performance as a whole grew increasingly disjointed as the first half progressed. Red Star opened brightly, as they did at Anfield in fairness, but this time they had the talent and support to capitalise.

  • Former Chelsea midfielder Marko Marin missed the 4-0 defeat on Merseyside through injury but was at the heart of a creative and confident display from the Serbian champions. Pavkov, on the bench at Anfield, embraced his opportunity in place of the sidelined Richmond Boakye.
  • Marin had the first chance of the game when El Fardou Ben Nabouhane found him in too much space behind Trent Alexander-Arnold. He cut inside the right-back and shot tamely at Alisson, then served Liverpool warning of what was to come with a dangerous corner that produced a shot over from captain Vujadin Savic.

  • Savic was another of those who missed the Anfield meeting and brought a marked improvement to the Red Star team.
  • The Marakana erupted following Marin’s next corner from the right. It was floated deep into the six yard area where the incoming Pavkov towered above Liverpool’s defenders and planted an unstoppable downward header beyond Alisson. T
  • he home fans were in uproar, Liverpool deflated, and worse followed within minutes for the visitors when the Red Star centre-forward doubled his tally for the evening in stunning fashion. Not that Klopp would see it that way.

  • Collecting possession 40 yards from the Liverpool goal, Pavkov shrugged aside Georginio Wijnaldum easily before closing in. Van Dijk and Joël Matip retreated and the striker accepted their invitation to unleash a fabulous strike from distance that flew inside Alisson’s right hand post.
  • Liverpool were staring at a second damaging away defeat in the group and a mountainous assignment. No visiting team had won here since Arsenal in the Europa League in October 2017.
  • Red Star had conceded only once in five previous European home matches this season – a campaign that began in the qualifying rounds four days before the World Cup final – and the visitors had not forced Borjan into one first half save. Klopp responded by introducing Firmino and Joe Gomez at half time for Sturridge and Alexander-Arnold respectively. He got the reaction the situation demanded but not the desired change in scoreline.

  • Within minutes of the restart Firmino created a good chance for Mané that two Red Star defenders managed to scramble clear. The tone for a dominant second half display by Liverpool had been set.
  • Robertson had a cross deflected onto the crossbar by Filip Stojkovic, Salah struck the outside of a post following a James Milner corner – Salah also swept one of his own straight out of play – and Borjan saved twice from the Egypt international at close range. Van Dijk also headed over from Firmino’s cross as Liverpool exerted constant pressure and the hosts dug in for a famous victory.

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Match 2 of 16: Monaco vs Club Brugge

Result: 0 – 4

Goal Scorers:

  • Club Brugge: Hans Vanaken 12′, 17′ (P), Wesley Moraes 24′, Ruud Vormer 85′

Match Statistics:

Monaco Team Stats Club Brugge
15 Shots 7
6 Shots On Target 6
65% Possession 35%
634 Passes 353
87% Pass Accuracy 75%
16 Fouls 13
1 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
0 Offsides 1
6 Corners 1

Highlights:

Champions League

  • The Frenchman presently cannot seem to taste triumph as a chief, and achieved a new low with an overwhelming thrashing to Brugge on Tuesday
  • Theirry Henry’s bad dream beginning as Monaco chief proceeded on Tuesday as his side made some undesirable history in the Champions League.
  • Monaco tumbled to a humiliating 4-0 overcome at home to Belgian side Club Brugge, Henry’s third annihilation from his winless 5 matches responsible for the Ligue 1 equip.

  • Hans Vanaken’s prop and Wesley’s outstanding strike put Brugge up 3-0 at half-time, before Ruud Vormer got with five minutes staying to finish the defeat at Stade Louis II.
  • The misfortune was the heaviest Monaco have ever endured at home in a Champions League/European Cup coordinate.
  • Brugge enlisted their biggest edge of triumph in the Champions League/European Cup since September 1977, and it was additionally the Belgian side’s first win in their last 12 Champions League diversions.
  • Henry assumed control for Leonardo Jardim in October, and has neglected to turn things around for the battling territory side.

  • In his four matches preceding Tuesday’s diversion, Henry saw his side lose to Strasbourg and Reims and attract with Dijon the class, and draw at Brugge the Champions League.
  • Monaco’s poor form originates before Henry’s entry, as the Ligue 1 side have now lost every one of their last six home amusements in the Champions League, yielding 17 goals and scoring only three.

  • The club have been shipping goals on the landmass for a long while, neglecting to keep a spotless sheet in every one of their last 18 matches in the Europe’s best club rivalry.
  • Things could deteriorate for Monaco on Sunday when they go up against PSG, who have begun the Ligue 1 season with 12 wins from 12 matches.

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Match 3 of 16: Atletico Madrid vs Dortmund

Result: 2 – 0

Goal Scorers:

  • Atletico Madrid: Saul Niguez 33′, Antoine Griezmann 80′

Match Statistics:

Atletico Madrid Team Stats Dortmund
15 Shots 4
7 Shots On Target 0
31% Possession 69%
351 Passes 770
75% Pass Accuracy 87%
8 Fouls 7
1 Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 0
2 Offsides 0
7 Corners 4

Highlights:

Champions League

  • Saul Niguez and Antoine Griezmann scored as Atletico Madrid saw off Champions League Group A opponents Borussia Dortmund 2-0.
  • Atletico Madrid came back to shape in Champions League Group An as objectives from Saul Niguez and Antoine Griezman earned a 2-0 triumph over Borussia Dortmund.
  • Dortmund’s 4-0 defeat on matchday three sentenced Diego Simeone to the heaviest annihilation of his Atleti residency, yet Los Rojiblancos got back on track in style at Wanda Metropolitano.

  • Things may have been diverse had Raphael Guerreiro kept a short proximity header on target, however Atleti were well deserving of a win that lifts them level on points with Dortmund at the highest point of Group A.
  • In spite of an overabundance of Atleti weight, Burki remained generally untested until the point that Saul broke the halt in the 33rd moment.
  • In the wake of winning ownership in Dortmund’s half, Saul traded goes with Filipe Luis before sending a first-time exertion goalwards – Manuel Akanji neglecting to keep the ball out at stake.

  • Dortmund were lucky not to be further behind in the following 10 minutes, Filipe Luis and Griezmann discovering Burki in best frame, while Lukasz Piszczek’s last-discard handle denied Saul a second.
  • Juanfran’s pinpoint go into Angel Correa hoped to have define up a specific goal on the hour, however Burki’s essential touch turned the ball wide.
  • Guerreiro’s acquaintance included offset with Dortmund’s assault, and the substitute spurned the guests’ solitary genuine possibility, heading over from Paco Alcacer’s cross.

  • Griezmann demonstrated no such wickedness at the opposite end, notwithstanding, dashing clear of his marker and keeping his cool to space past Burki and ensure a win that puts Atleti very nearly advancing into the knockout stages.

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Match 4 of 16: Tottenham vs PSV Eindhoven

Result: 2 – 1

Goal Scorers:

  • Tottenham: Harry Kane 78′, 89′
  • PSV Eindhoven: Luuk de Jong 2′

Match Statistics:

Tottenham Team Stats PSV Eindhoven
30 Shots 8
10 Shots On Target 4
76% Possession 24%
610 Passes 201
83% Pass Accuracy 57%
14 Fouls 16
2 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
0 Offsides 2
16 Corners 6

Highlights:

Champions League

  • Mauricio Pochettino put it all on the line. The Tottenham chief had begun with a bold line-up yet now, with his group gazing at a 1-0 deficiency and relatively certain Champions League disposal, he presented the striker Fernando Llorente, together with Kieran Trippier, and changed to a 4-2-4 development.
  • Dele Alli played off the left. The full-backs squeezed high. Goads were open at the back however who minded? Harry Kane shaped the life saver, taking Llorente’s lay-off lastly braking the opposition of the PSV goalkeeper, Jeroen Zoet.

  • With Barcelona scoring late against Internazionale, Tottenham’s Champions League crusade still had a heartbeat, yet a swoon one. By then, it felt as if the group’s past staggers, not minimum the 2-2 draw at PSV two weeks prior, would frequent them.
  • At that point destiny interceded. Ben Davies’ cross from the left was made to quantify for Kane and he push out his temple, willing the ball into the net. It wriggled home off Trent Sainsbury. In spite of the fact that Inter returned to draw with Barcelona, Tottenham have held expectation.

  • The PSV fans had massed into their segment in one of Wembley’s corners over a hour prior to commence and they begin infusing the climate. With one moment and three seconds on the stadium clock, they slid into insanity upon Luuk de Jong’s achievement.
  • It was a header that brooked no contention, a transcending jump from the tall focus forward pursued by an intense association. Paulo Gazzaniga, who had been wanted to Michel Vorm in the Tottenham objective, discovered that his first activity was to reprimand his partners. Dele Alli had been relegated to check De Jong however released him, and the PSV chief additionally easily taken care of Toby Alderweireld’s considerations.

  • The tie had been encircled by what occurred in Eindhoven two weeks beforehand and, from a Tottenham perspective, the second thoughts were copious.
  • On the off chance that just Hugo Lloris had not dashed from his line to bring about the red card that moved them from solace to catastrophe. Late slips by had additionally been expensive at Inter. It is little ponder that Pochettino talks so routinely about attitude.
  • The director seethed on the touchline after the early concession. Once more it had appeared to be avoidable. No chief is content with surrendering from a set-piece, not to mention a previous Argentina focus half.

  • Tottenham needed to win and Pochettino’s beginning lineup mirrored an assurance to compel the issue. With wounds pressuring him into taking a potentially rash action, he played without an expert protective midfielder, utilizing Harry Winks before the back four with Christian Eriksen and Alli matched before him. Both had the permit to wander or get forward and Alli’s development, specifically, was an issue for PSV.
  • Tottenham pushed to constrain the equalizer and they had the better of the principal half. They could tally themselves disastrous to trail at the interim however a mix of poor completing and Zoet foiled them. The goalkeeper had likewise been superb in the primary match.

  • On one more night, Alli could have had a first-half cap trap. On six minutes, after Davinson Sánchez headed on an Eriksen corner, he designed an exquisite back-heel flick at objective just to see Angeliño tidy up the line.
  • Alli was again at the core of a great possibility in the 28th moment, when he won ownership and played in Eriksen, whose short proximity shot was hindered by Zoet. Eriksen had put it directly at him. The ball broke to Alli and he did correctly a similar thing. Zoet merited credit for standing tall.
  • Minutes after the fact, Alli controlled a raking ball forward from Alderweireld and shot with camouflage for the close corner. Zoet sprang low on his right side to spare.
  • Tottenham could likewise point to the possibility that Lucas Moura made for himself with a shooting keep running past a group of PSV safeguards. Lucas saw his underlying shot hindered by Zoet before he hit the bounce back off target.

  • It has been anything but difficult to identify the fight exhaustion with Wembley among the Spurs fanbase. They have not had any desire to be here this season and as the postponements to the new stadium have mounted, they have needed to be here even less. Similarly as with the visit of Manchester City last Monday week, a great many them remained away. The participation was topped at 51,000 and the official turnout was recorded at 46,588, with 5,000 or so in the away fenced in area.

  • PSV’s forefront was liquid, with Gastón Pereiro coasting in an assaulting midfield brief and De Jong scarcely a static nearness in the center. The guests gleamed on the break in the second half, with Steven Bergwijn seeing a shot divert over. From the corner, Pereiro constrained a spare from Gazzaniga.
  • Pochettino’s choice to supplant the enthusiastic Lucas with Érik Lamela was booed by the home help, yet his twofold substitution satisfied. Minutes before the equalizer, Kane had worked Zoet and, after Gazzaniga had denied the PSV substitute Donyell Malen Llorente cushioned a free header.

  • Kane, be that as it may, would help drag Spurs over the line.

For the next 4 matches, move on to the next page!

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