Next to the draw in Lille (0-0), the Champions League evening of Wednesday, October 20 was opened with the victories of Barça against Dynamo Kiev (1-0) and Salzburg against Wolfsburg (3-1) . The surprise comes from Manchester United, struggling the entire first period before reversing the trend (3-2) against Atalanta, thanks to the winning goal of the inevitable Cristiano Ronaldo. Bayern is consolidating a little more in its leadership position under the leadership of Kingsley Coman (0-4) like Chelsea.
Pique relaunches Barcelona
They no longer had the right to make mistakes. Corrected during their first two outings of the season in C1, by Bayern Munich (0-3) and by Benfica (0-3), Ronald Koeman’s players provided minimum service with a victory on the smallest of the margins against Dynamo Kiev (1-0). A single goal, that of an opportunistic Gerard Pique on a cross in the 36th minute, was enough for Barça to take three essential points.
If they have never managed to kill the meeting, or to produce a flamboyant game, the Blaugranas will have at least spent a quiet evening, without the slightest shot on target. After the upheavals of the first months of this season, breathing is welcome. While waiting for the clash between Bayern and Benfica (9 p.m.), Barça is one point away from 2nd place, qualifying for the knockout phase.
16 – Gerard Piqué has scored 16 goals in the Champions League, ahead of the co-top scorer in the history of the competition among defenders, tied with Roberto Carlos. Giant. #FCBDYK pic.twitter.com/Yp9TObAsDu
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) October 20, 2021
Salzburg offers itself a nice mattress in advance
In the Lille group, it was Salzburg who led the dance from the third minute. Seiwald threw Adeyemi who beat Mbabu with his speed and struck into the side net. But in the pas de deux on Wednesday night, Wolfsburg returned blow for blow without dismantling, equalizing on a corner by a header, slightly deflected, from Nmecha (15th). The Germans are holding on, before going to waltz …
Okafor restored the advantage to Salzburg with a volley from the right and then doubled the lead in the 77th minute after a corner from Sucic. With two steps ahead, the Austrians managed the end of the match. Lukebakio did attempt a dangerous overflow for Salzburg but Steffen’s recovery ended in Köhn’s arms. Salzburg therefore consolidates its lead and remains at the top of Group G.
Manchester United overturn the game
However, things had started badly for the English. From the 15th minute, Pasalic had scored from the right flat on a cross from Zappacosta. Then it was Demiral who flew into the air and sank Manchester with a crossed head (28th). Laurels on which Atalanta could not rest for long.
In the second half, the Lombard superiority was only a vague memory. Rashford’s warning, who hit the bar (45th), was followed by an opening scoring (53rd). Maguire equalized in the wake of a corner. Finally, who other than Cristiano Ronaldo to plant a head that would turn the scenario of a match where we thought the Red Devils already buried in the standings. Old Trafford did not shy away from its pleasure, in a match where Atalanta could see red.
Chelsea unrolls but there is breakage
There was a crowd in the Chelsea infirmary. Served with his back to goal by Werner, Lukaku, sandwiched, sought a penalty physically. Tackled at 6 meters, the Belgian came out in the 22nd minute limping, hit in the right leg. In his wheel, it was Werner’s turn to be out with a muscle injury (43rd). Deprived of its two attackers, Chelsea has never been worried.
In the pouring rain, Christensen (9th) and Jorginho (21st) found the net, the latter from the penalty spot following the foul on the Belgian. Then it was the turn of the young Kai Havertz to get out of the game. Hudson-Odoi went up all the field and gave Havertz who stung his ball over Diawara (47th). The icing on the cake, Jorginho broke Malmö and planted a fourth goal. Chelsea proceeded, serene.
Bayern take their time
Another favorite, Bayern easily validated its three points by winning on Benfica (4-0). Blocked in the first period, although dominant (two goals were refused by the VAR), the Germans bent the Portuguese club at the end of the match (70th Sané; 80th Cebolinha; 82nd Lewandowski; 85th Sané) and settled down comfortably at the head of group E.
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