Champions League takeaways reveal that European powerhouses Arsenal, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, and Manchester City all celebrated significant victories on Tuesday, marking an exciting start to Matchday 2 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League first round.
Here are three immediate observations.
Gunners make short work of Paris Saint-Germain
The highly anticipated match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) captivated fans as two of Europe’s most illustrious clubs clashed in London. The game delivered an impressive display, showcasing the talents of both teams, much to the delight of spectators, especially those cheering for the home side.
Arsenal struck first, with Kai Havertz finding the net just 20 minutes into the match. The English Premier League runners-up extended their lead before halftime, thanks to a stunning free kick from Bukayo Saka that baffled PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, resulting in a well-earned 2-0 victory.
Despite the scoreline, PSG displayed moments of promise but struggled with efficiency. The Parisians managed only two saves against Arsenal’s David Raya, even though they outshot the Gunners 10-6 and controlled nearly two-thirds of the possession, as Arsenal focused on defending their lead.
Barça, Dortmund, Inter, and Man City also cruise
In Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski led the Catalans to a dominant 4-0 victory over Young Boys, further compounded by a late own goal from the Swiss side. Meanwhile, Inter Milan mirrored this scoreline, defeating Red Star Belgrade at the San Siro, where World Cup champion Lautaro Martínez contributed as a second-half substitute among four different scorers.
Erling Haaland continued his impressive Champions League form, helping Manchester City secure a decisive win against Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia.
AC Milan faced a tough challenge against Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. The match remained competitive until Victor Boniface scored the decisive goal early in the second half, leaving Milan unable to equalize despite their late-game efforts. U.S. national team star Christian Pulisic’s four-game goal streak, which included a goal for the national team, came to an end during this match.
Pulisic was not the only American player on the pitch that day. Central defender Auston Trusty played the full match for Celtic, while PSV Eindhoven’s Richie Ledezma, Ricardo Pepi, and Malik Tillman all participated in a 1-1 draw against Sporting Lisbon, with Tillman logging a full 90 minutes. Yunus Musah remained an unused substitute for AC Milan.
