Reuters/Juan Medina
Real Madrid won 3 arguably undeserved points against Paris Saint-Germain at the Santiago Bernabeu, after Nacho’s goal in the 35th minute sent Real to the top of Group A. Manchester City are the first team to qualify for the next round in the Champions League as they return home with a crucial victory at last season’s UEFA Europa League winners, Sevilla. City’s neighbours Manchester United came out on top against a disciplined CSKA Moscow outfit, thanks to a late header by captain Wayne Rooney.
After a goalless affair at Parc des Princes in Paris, Real Madrid hosted PSG in an encounter which would undoubtedly decide who will go through as group leaders. PSG were on course to achieve that feat, when Blaise Matuidi missed a golden opportunity, when he was clear on goal. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, sent his shot inches wide of the far post, before sending a stinging free-kick just wide of the same right post. In the 35th minute, Toni Kroos’ hopeful shot from distance took a deflection of Thiago Silva and Kevin Trapp ran out to collect the ball but immediately rued his decision, as Nacho burst through the left-flank to calmly tap the ball from a narrow angle into a goal left empty by Trapp, who was stranded in his own box. Later in the first-half, substitute Adrien Rabiot superbly chested Edinson Cavani’s pass but his volley agonizingly struck the post, with Keylor Navas well beaten. Edinson Cavani had his effort hacked off the line by Rafael Varane, in the dying moments of the first-half. Marcelo, who was replaced by Nacho, joins the long list of injury-ravaged Real Madrid players and it was an unconvincing performance by Rafa Benitez’s men, to say the least, as Real Madrid are through to the Round of 16 with 10 points from 4 games.
Manchester City were looking for a 3rd successive Champions League victory to seal a place in the last 16, as Manuel Pellegrini’s men visited Spanish side Sevilla. Premier League leaders, Man City, took the lead in the eighth minute of the game as Fernandinho’s pass split past the two defenders in red and white shirts, found Raheem Sterling who coolly slotted the ball home with his weaker left foot. Assist provider, Fernandinho, was on the scoresheet just 3 minutes after the opener when Sevilla’s right back, Coke, gave the ball away cheaply to goalscorer Raheem Sterling on the left-flank, who passed it on the edge of the of box to former Swansea striker Wilfred Bony, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Sergio Rico but the ball was parried into no-man’s land and Fernandinho rushed in to head the ball into an empty net.
In the 25th minute, Unai Emery’s side were right back in the contest as Coke’s overlapping run was found by Spanish winger Vitolo, and the full-back hooked the ball into a dangerous area where the unmarked Benoit Tremoulinas headed the ball into an empty net to reduce the deficit. Manuel Pellegrini’s men were quick to reestablish their two goal lead when Jesus Navas, who returned to his hometown having spent more than a decade at Sevilla, put in a low cross, which found Wilfred Bony and the Ivorian finished calmly to make it 3-1. Los Rojiblancos kept knocking on City’s door, but, Manuel Pellegrini’s men had their work cut out as the scoreline remained unchanged at the final whistle.
Juventus’ 1-1 draw against German opposition Borrusia Mönchengladbach means that the Italian champions are second in group D with 8 points to their merit, one short of group leaders Man City.
The three time Champions League winners Manchester United were heavily criticized by fans and pundits alike after a third consecutive scoreless draw in all competitions. The Russians CSKA Moscow defended resiliently for the entirety of the match, narrowing down Louis van Gaal’s attacking options from time to time. Anthony Martial, who starts on the left-flank in the Premier League, was moved up front with Wayne Rooney as a second striker but the duo failed to seize their chances as the first-half ended goalless. In the 66th minute, van Gaal brought on Marouane Fellaini to replace Anthony Martial and the United fans weren’t impressed, as chants of ‘Attack, attack, attack’ echoed through Old Trafford.
Leonid Slutsky’s men had a glorious opportunity, their only genuine chance in the game, to take the lead when Seydou Doumbia was one-on-one with David De Gea but the Spaniard kept the Ivorian’s shot away with a fantastic save and although the ball fell kindly to the striker for a second attempt, he was denied again by Chris Smalling, who slid in to clear the ball off the line. A minute later, Michael Carrick sent in deep ball into the CSKA box over the visiting defenders and Jesse Lingard cushioned the ball on the volley to Wayne Rooney, who headed home with only ‘keeper Akinfeev to beat.
PSV’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg means that Manchester United go on top of group B with 7 points followed by Dutch champions PSV and Wolfsburg with 6 points each. CSKA, despite a dogged display are rock bottom of Group B with 4 points.
Other Results :
Group A
Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 Malmo FF
Group C
SL Benfica 2-0 Galatasaray
FC Astana 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Credits to Sahil Bhinde for Sevilla vs Manchester City report
Tags: Manchester City Real Madrid
