All articles tagged with #champions league
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he deliberately creates unpredictable pre-match scenarios in training—delaying meals, altering travel routes and even tweaking dressing-room conditions—to prepare players for disruptions like a delayed flight to Napoli. The goal is calm adaptation, not panic, a philosophy that coincided with a 1-0 Champions League win thanks to Odegaard’s late goal, with White fit and Timber close to a return.
Bayern Munich routed Bodø/Glimt 5-0 in their Champions League opener, with Michael Olise scoring twice and adding an assist as Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, and Joshua Kimmich contributed in the second half; Bodø’s goalkeeper Nikita Haikin left with an injury, and Harry Kane and Dayot Upamecano earned honorable mentions.
Bayern Munich returned to winning ways with a 5-0 thrashing of Bodø/Glimt in their Champions League opener, sparked by Jamal Musiala's opener and Alphonso Davies' return to form, while the piece also highlights Michael Olise as a potential future great and notes Luis Díaz’s ongoing goals drought.
A goal-packed Europa-era Champions League night saw Bayern Munich smash Bodo/Glimt 5-0 with Harry Kane extending his eight-match scoring run, Manchester United cruise to a 4-0 win over Sabah, and Como upset RB Leipzig 4-1 under coach Cesc Fabregas. In Istanbul, Fenerbahçe drew 1-1 with Roma but then saw manager Ismail Kartal resign, a move the club’s president Aziz Yıldırım publicly contested as he urged him to stay. Lens succeeded against Slavia Prague, and Shakhtar Donetsk earned a point at PSV. The evening combined big results with a dramatic off-p pitch moment for Fenerbahçe and a promising step forward for Como.
Sabah pressed Manchester United in their Champions League group debut at Old Trafford, but Joy-Lance Mickels squandered a golden header just before half-time and United took control with Cunha’s opener, Sesko’s 3-0 strike by the break, and Lisandro Martínez’s late finish to seal a 4-0 win; Sabah exit with pride but face a tough continental campaign ahead in a group that also includes Slavia Prague and Dortmund.
Ismail Kartal stunned Fenerbahçe by resigning after a 1-1 Champions League home draw with Roma, but club president Aziz Yıldırım quickly said Kartal would remain in charge, citing fan hostility and pressure as a factor; with Fenerbahçe ninth in the Turkish league, the team now heads into remaining group-stage fixtures against Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Manchester United cruised to a 4-0 victory over Sabah in their first Champions League game in nearly three years, with Sesko scoring on his first start of the season and Dorgu deputising at left-back, delivering a key cross for Cunha’s opener and contributing further attacks as United kept a clean sheet aided by a late Lisandro Martínez strike and a Bruno Fernandes goal.
Arsenal shrugged off a tough challenge to beat Napoli 1-0 in their Champions League opener, peppering the Napoli goal with 26 attempts and posting an xG of 4.05. The winner came from patient, relentless build-up involving Odegaard and teammates after a high-pressing display; Arteta credited the team’s hunger and urged continued risk-taking, with late substitutions like Havertz and Tzolis helping solidify a promising start as Arsenal push to go further in Europe this season.
Barcelona dominated Feyenoord with a five-goal performance, led by Raphinha, Adeyemi, and Yamal, as Hansi Flick’s side blend aggressive pressing with controlled possession. The lineup’s depth and a refined defensive approach mark a tactical evolution for Barca, suggesting title-contender potential despite upcoming tests like PSG in October.
Liverpool came from behind to beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at Anfield, with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai on target; Arsenal edged Napoli 1-0 thanks to Odegaard’s late winner; PSG hammered Slovan Bratislava 6-1; Barcelona beat Feyenoord 5-1; and Sporting CP defeated Galatasaray 3-1 as a night of big Champions League results unfolded.
Liverpool edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield in the Champions League opener, overcoming a subdued first half as a halftime shift and a standout display from teenage Rio Ngumoha helped spark the turnaround, with Alexis Mac Allister sealing the win in the second half.
Liverpool fought back from a goal down to edge Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield in the Champions League opener. Llorente put Atleti ahead in the 17th minute, Szoboszlai drew level in the 40th with a backheeled assist from Araujo, and Mac Allister struck the winner in the 50th. Barcola started but later limped off, prompting double subbing for Barcola and Ngumoha, with Gravenberch coming on for Mac Allister about ten minutes later as Liverpool clung to the lead. Substitutes Koumas and Tsimikas later appeared for Kerkez and Isak. This was Iraola’s Champions League debut as Liverpool’s new boss, and the side have now scored 2 goals in each of their opening four matches, signaling progress as they gel under the new management.
Liverpool came from behind to beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 in their Champions League opener, with Alexis Mac Allister’s thunderbolt sealing the win after Dominik Szoboszlai’s equaliser sparked by a brilliant backheel assist from Ronald Araujo; Bradley Barcola’s debut was bright but interrupted by an injury scare, and Andoni Iraola’s first CL match in charge showed progress despite an early setback.
Barcelona hammered Feyenoord 5-1 with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha starring, PSG routed Slovan Bratislava 6-1 as Ferran Torres completed a first-half hat-trick, Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1, Napoli edged Arsenal 1-0, Stuttgart thrashed Viking 3-1 thanks to Ermedin Demirovic’s 32-minute hat-trick, and Sporting CP defeated Galatasaray 3-1, while Ballon d’Or chatter centered on Yamal, Dembele and Torres as the new season opens.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is thriving this season thanks to fitness and a new, more flexible attacking role under manager Mikel Arteta, scoring four goals in five games as Arsenal beat Napoli 1-0 in the Champions League and delivering a string of impactful, assertive performances.