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Champions League: City turns prestige duel against PSG, Atlético threatens to end

2021-11-24T22:10:46.949Z


Messi, Neymar, Mbappé - the Parisian superstars were involved in the opening goal at Manchester City. Still, PSG lost. And in Group B, three teams - Porto, Milan and Atlético - are fighting for the round of 16.


Enlarge image

A high-class duel in the group stage: PSG superstar Lionel Messi in a duel with City's İlkay Gündoğan

Photo:

OLI SCARFF / AFP

On the fifth group match day of the Champions League, Manchester City won the group with a 2-1 (0-0) win against Paris Saint-Germain. Group B was still about progress, Atlético lost 1-0 (0-0) to Milan, Liverpool beat Porto 2-0 (0-0). Real Madrid prevented a renewed sensation from Sheriff Tiraspol and won 3-0 (2-0) in Moldova. In the games with German participation, Borussia Dortmund lost 1: 3 (0: 2) at Sporting Lisbon, RB Leipzig won 5: 0 (4: 0) in Bruges.

The game between two of the best teams in Europe promised a lot, although the internal duel was no longer about progressing, but only about winning the group. And above all City played furiously in the first round: Starting with a double chance by Rodri and Raheem Sterling, who thwarted defenders Presnel Kimpembe and keeper Keylor Navas (6th). The rescue act by Achraf Hakimi, who headed a wonderful shot into the corner of Riyad Mahrez over the crossbar, was also spectacular. PSG were also lucky in the first half when İlkay Gündoğan hit the post (33rd).

In the second half PSG suddenly took the lead: Lionel Messi and Neymar launched the attack, Kylian Mbappé closed it through the legs of goalkeeper Ederson (50th). City became more offensive and even better as a result - and equalized after a strong chip ball from Rodri into the penalty area; Kyle Walker put across, Sterling pushed in (63rd). Something similar happened when Pep Guardiola's team scored the winner, but this time Gabriel Jesus (77th) met. With now four points ahead of the last group match, City is the winner of group A.

Even before the day of the match, Liverpool was the winner of Group B. Porto, on the other hand, had to win in order to maintain their chances of advancing in the long-distance duel with Atlético Madrid. And Porto actually made the game first, the greatest chance was missed by Paulo Ótavio, who pushed the ball next to the empty goal under pressure from the opponent after Luis Díaz had crossed (12th). Liverpool got better, however, and took the lead in the second round: Thiago brought the ball under technically outstandingly in the lower right corner via direct pick-up from 30 meters (52nd). In the 70th minute, Mohamed Salah made the decision.

The game in Madrid went on for a long time, no team wanted to take too much risk.

In the closing stages, a good cross from Milan was enough for the lead: Junior Messias headed in after a ball from Franck Kessié (87th).

Because that was the only goal of the game and Milan scored one more goal overall in an even direct comparison, the Italians move up to third.

Atlético threatens to miss the Europa League as fourth, but they have at least third place in their own hands on the last matchday against Porto and could also reach second place if Milan lost to Liverpool.

Unusual starting position for Real Madrid: In the event of a defeat or a draw at Sheriff Tiraspol, the 13-time Champions League winner would have threatened the Europa League. Real had lost sensationally in the first half of Group D and was therefore behind in a direct comparison. In order not to conjure up the arithmetic games in the first place, Real created clear conditions in the first round: David Alaba gave the big favorite with a deflected free kick in the lead (30th), Toni Kroos increased with a spectacular long shot (45th + 1).

In the second round, Karim Benzema decided the game (55th) and let the focus return to the sporty side.

On Wednesday morning, the 33-year-old was sentenced to probation and a fine for attempted blackmail in the context of a sex video made by his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena in 2015.

Benzema's lawyers announced that they would appeal.

hba

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2021-11-24

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