UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 Highlights
Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid - Anfield Stadium
A good home win for Liverpool over the 15x winners of the competition in Real Madrid, who despite having more possession and dominating the passing stats were limited to only 2 shots on target in the match. Compared to the 10 shots on target by Liverpool who seemed to have more intent in their attacks, resulted in them coming away with the 3 points. There was a hostile reception for former Liverpool player Trent Alexander-Arnold when he came on as a substitute, with the return to Anfield not going the way he would have hoped in the end.
The only goal of the game came from a set piece, which seems to be the English speciality this season. The free kick was whipped in at pace by Dominik Szoboszlai, with Alexis Mac Allister getting the header from 6 yards out as it fired past Thibaut Courtois. A great header in the ball of the box by the Argentinian who was unmarked.
PSG 1-2 Bayern Munich - Parcs des Princes
The match got off to the perfect start for Bayern who went 1-0 up in 4 minutes, then followed up by another in the 32nd minute both scored by Luis Diaz. However, the game turned when Diaz was sent off for a reckless tackle on Achraf Hakimi. The incident initially resulted in a yellow card for Diaz but after a VAR review it was upgraded to a red. Hakimi was also forced off due to the tackle and seems to be sidelined for a period of time in the run up to AFCON.
After half time, PSG were looking for a way to get back into the game but they couldn’t find a breakthrough until the 74th minute. They then continued to pressure the Bayern defence but were unable to get the equaliser as Bayern showed the grit and determination to grind out a result away at the reigning champions.
Bayern opened the scoring early with good play in the middle with a tidy flick from Serge Gnabry to put Michael Olise through on goal. His initial effort was saved but Luis Diaz followed up and managed to squeeze the ball past the 2 defenders on the line despite the best efforts of Marquinhos.
The lead was doubled once again by Diaz in the 32nd minute. He capitalised on a mistake by Marquinhos, who took too much time on the ball and was caught by Diaz. The tackle from Diaz put him through on goal, which he made no mistake with as he placed into the corner hitting the post on its way in.
PSG managed to claw a goal back with just over 15 minutes left in the game. The goal was made and scored by 2 substitutes, with Lee Kang-in putting a lovely ball into the box and Joao Neves volleying the ball into the ground catching Manuel Neuer out in goal, perhaps not expecting the bounce and was unable to keep it out. However, the game finished 1-2 with PSG unable to get the equaliser.
Club Brugge 3-3 Barcelona - Jan Breydel Stadium
A battle in Belgium for Barcelona as they were chasing the game due to an inspired Club Brugge side that refused to go away. Although they only had 23% possession in the match, Brugge made their chances count being in the lead 3 times but were pegged back each time. Barcelona had moments of individual brilliance which helped them stay in the game and eventually come away with a point. However the credit has to go to Club Brugge with no one really giving them a chance before the game, with a point possibly even being disappointing for some.
The first goal was scored just 6 minutes in by Nicolo Tresoldi with good play from Carlos Forbs who stayed onside down the right side. He continued his run into the box before a perfect ball across the box to the sliding Tresoldi who poked the ball in to give Brugge the lead.
Despite the early lead it only lasted 2 minutes with Barcelona equalizing thanks to Ferran Torres. A goal which was familiar to the Brugge goal, as Fermin Lopez was on the right side and chipped the ball perfectly into the path of Torres who made no mistake from close range.
A second goal for Club Brugge came from a Barcelona corner which was unable to beat the first man. The ball was cleared and some neat intricate play between Vanaken, Forbs and Tzolis which put Forbs through on goal. He took one touch and curled his shot into the far corner with no chance for a helpless Szczesny.
Individual brilliance and quality put Barcelona level once again from Lamine Yamal. He picked the ball up just outside the edge of the box. Great footwork and a delightful 1-2 with Fermin Lopez had Yamal past the Brugge defenders in seconds. He continued into the box and a neat finish with the outside of his left foot.
It was 3-2 and the second of the night for Carlos Forbs. He had just been left red faced after he missed the target from close range to put his team ahead again. However, he made amends after being put through on goal and chipped the ball over the keeper and into the bottom corner.
The 6th and final goal was the third equaliser for Barca in the 77th minute. It was an unfortunate one for Brugge in many ways as their determination may have deserved a win. However, Lamine Yamal went down the right side of the box and put a ball into the box.The unexpecting Christos Tzolis headed the ball as a way to clear the ball but it ended up looping into the far corner of the net for an own goal.
