Champions League action saw streaking Liverpool make Real Madrid appear ordinary with a solid 2-0 victory on Wednesday. With only three rounds of “league” play left in this season’s UEFA Champions League, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Under the guidance of new manager Arne Slot, Liverpool showcased their dominance as they faced off against Real Madrid, the reigning champions and record 15-time winners. The match, held at Anfield, was highly anticipated, and the Reds delivered by reclaiming first place in their group, remaining unbeaten throughout November.
In another game, Aston Villa and Juventus ended in a goalless draw. Meanwhile, teams from the Bundesliga and La Liga faced unexpected setbacks against lower-ranked opponents, while Borussia Dortmund, Lille, and Shakhtar Donetsk managed to secure important away victories.
Here are three quick observations from the midweek matches.
Streaking Liverpool earns convincing victory over Real Madrid
This match certainly lived up to its billing as a marquee contest. Both clubs, known for their rich histories, provided a thrilling spectacle, even without any goals in the first half. The atmosphere at Anfield was electric, with passionate support from the Kop driving the home team forward.
The breakthrough came shortly after halftime when World Cup champion Alexis Mac Allister found the net, giving Liverpool a well-deserved lead. However, a moment of concern arose when Andy Robertson’s clumsy tackle resulted in a penalty for Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappé, struggling to find his form since joining Los Blancos, had his attempt saved by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, keeping the Reds in control.
With only the top 16 teams advancing to the knockout stage, Real Madrid faces a must-win situation in their upcoming match against Atalanta on December 10.
Aston Villa denied late winner over Juventus
Aston Villa, consistently ranked among the top 10 teams in the Champions League this season, faced a tough challenge against Juventus, Italy’s most successful club. Unlike the thrilling contest in Liverpool, this match was a tense affair that saw both teams struggle to break the deadlock.
Statistically, the teams were evenly matched, making the scoreless result fitting. However, Villa felt frustrated after Morgan Rogers appeared to score a stoppage-time winner, only for it to be disallowed by the video assistant referee. The ruling indicated that Diego Carlos had fouled Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, preventing the goal from standing.
Two ‘big five’ teams suffer upsets
This season’s unpredictable schedule has favored underdogs, as seen in the surprising results from Austria’s Red Star Belgrade and Serbia’s Sturm Graz. Red Star Belgrade overwhelmed German side Stuttgart with a stunning 5-1 victory, scoring five unanswered goals after initially falling behind. This win marked a significant turnaround, ending a four-match losing streak in the Champions League.
Sturm Graz also pulled off a narrow 1-0 win against Spain’s Girona, showcasing their determination despite having only 30% possession. Mika Biereth’s 58th-minute goal secured the victory for Sturm Graz, proving that effective counter-attacking can yield results.
In another match, U.S. center back Cameron Carter-Vickers was both a hero and a villain. His own goal for Celtic was overshadowed by teammate Daizen Maeda’s impressive equalizer, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Club Brugge. Meanwhile, Malik Tillman, another American player, shone for PSV Eindhoven, scoring two goals in their thrilling 3-2 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
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