Europe is going to be competitive this season!
Champions League Group Stage MD 1
Group A
Club Brugge 1 vs. 1 Paris Saint Germain
When the lineups came out this game instantly became the one where Neymar, Messi, and Mbappe start together for the first time. Everyone was ready for an attacking masterclass but football is a team sport and Brugge had other ideas. Herrera gave PSG the lead in the 15th minute but Vanaken equalised for Brugge in the 27th minute. Brugge actually dominated PSG for large parts of the game and could have won it on another day. For all the money and power that PSG flex they failed to understand that you need to coach players and you can’t just expect them to perform. The two teams sit 3rd and 2nd in the group with 1 point.
Man City 6 vs. 3 RB Leipzig
Nathan Ake scored in the 16th minute to give City the lead and Mukiele scored an own goal in the 28th minute to double City’s lead. Nkunku scored in the 42nd minute to bring Leipzig back into the game but Mahrez scored a free kick right before half time to make it 3-1 for City. Nkunku made it 3-2 in the 51st minute but Grealish made it 4-2 in the 56th minute. Nkunku completed his hattrick in the 73rd minute but City once again scored in the 75th minute via Cancelo to make it 5-3. Jesus sealed the deal in the 85th minute. City go top of the table in this group while Leipzig sit bottom after what was a very entertaining game.
Group B
Atletico Madrid 0 vs. 0 FC Porto
Nothing much of note in this game except for the fact that Mbemba was sent off for Porto in the 95th minute. It was a farcical decision by the one and only Anthony Taylor. The two teams sit 2nd and 3rd in the group with 1 point.
Liverpool 3 vs. 2 AC Milan
Trent’s shot was deflected into the goal by Tomori to give Liverpool the lead in the 9th minute. Milan survived an onslaught by Liverpool and managed to create a foothold in the game. Rebic equalised for Milan in the 42nd minute. Diaz gave Milan the lead in the 44th minute. It was a crazy first half. Salah equalised for Liverpool in the 48th minute while Henderson grabbed the winner via a brilliant volley in the 69th minute. It was a great game and it was amazing to see Milan back after 7 years in the Champions League. Milan do look like they will cause problems while Liverpool look like they are vulnerable. Liverpool sit top of the group while Milan sit bottom.
Group C
Besiktas 1 vs. 2 Dortmund
Bellingham and Haaland scored in the 1st half to give Dortmund the lead. Montero got one goal back for Besiktas right before full time. Dortmund get an important win in a tough group as they sit 2nd while Besiktas sit 3rd.
Sporting Lisbon 1 vs. 5 Ajax
Haller scored two goals in the first 10 minutes to give Ajax a 2-0 lead. Paulinho got one back for Lisbon in the 33rd minute, but Berghuis added a 3rd for Ajax in the 39th minute. Ajax shifted gears in the 2nd half with Haller scoring two more goals to seal the win for Ajax. Ajax go top of the group while Lisbon sit bottom.
Group D
Sheriff 2 vs. 0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Traore scored in the 1st half while Yansane scored in the 2nd half to give Sheriff a surprise win against Shakhtar in this group. Sheriff sit top of the group while Shakhtar sit bottom.
Inter Milan 0 vs. 1 Real Madrid
This was a close game with neither team gaining the advantage but Rodrygo scored in the 89th minute to seal the win for Madrid away from home. Inter sit 3rd in the table while Real sit 2nd.
Group E
Barcelona 0 vs. 3 Bayern Munich
Muller scored in the 34th minute while Lewandowski scored in the 56th and 85th minute to seal the win for Bayern. This was the big replay of that thrashing from a couple of years ago and Bayern had a slightly more modest win this time out. Barcelona were no match for them. A case of how the mighty have fallen. Bayern go top of the group while Barcelona sit bottom of the group.
Dynamo Kyiv 0 vs. 0 Benfica
This was a simple 0-0 draw with neither team able to break down the other’s defence. Kyiv and Benfica sit 3rd and 2nd with 1 point.
Group F
Young Boys 2 vs. 1 Man United
Ronaldo scored in the 13th minute to give United the lead as it looked like it would be a routine win. Contrary to the scoreline though Young Boys had been the better team and fortune went their way when Wan-Bissaka was sent off for United in the 35th minute. Ole rang the changes with Varane coming on for Sancho and the defence shifting to a back three. Little did Ole know that it isn’t as simple as switching formations but you actually have to have coached your players to play in it. Ngamaleu equalised for Young Boys in the 66th minute and Siebatcheu scored the winner in the 95th minute to get three massive points for the Swiss side. Young Boys sit top of the group and United sit bottom.
Villarreal 2 vs. 2 Atalanta
Freuler scored in the 6th minute to give Atalanta the lead. Trigueros equalised for Villarreal in the 39th minute. Groeneveld gave Villarreal the lead in the 73rd minute but Gosens equalised for Atalanta in the 83rd minute. Coquelin was sent off for Villarreal in the 84th minute. This game was crazy but both teams shared a point.
Group G
Sevilla 1 vs. 1 RB Salzburg
Sucic scored a penalty in the 21st minute to give Salzburg the lead. Rakitic scored a penalty in the 42nd minute to equalise for Sevilla. En-Nesyri was sent off for Sevilla in the 50th minute. The game ended in a draw but there were four penalties in total with 2 going in and 2 missing. Some entertaining decisions but neither team got the win.
Lille 0 vs. 0 Wolfsburg
Neither team could get the win in this game although Lille did dominate it for large parts having 17 shots compared to Wolfsburg’s 2. Brooks was sent off for Wolfsburg in the 62nd minute. All the teams in this group sit level on points with 1.
Group H
Malmo 0 vs. 3 Juventus
Sandro, Dybala, and Morata scored in the first half to get a comprehensive win for Juventus against Malmo. Juventus go top of the group while Malmo sit bottom.
Park The Bus 