CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHDAY 4 RECAP
SportsBeat!
Written by Aaron Cantin
Matchday 4 has come and gone and the road to the knockout stage is that much more clear. For some squads, the dream for Champions League glory is already over. For some, the belief is alive and well. Today I’m going to get us caught up where each group lies, which ones are still up for grabs, biggest upsets and disappointments to date. I will also give an updated prediction for each group and compare them to my predictions before the group stage began for your own amusement.
Source: Robert Lewandowski | Getty Images via SportingNews
Group A - Manchester City, PSG, Club Brugge, RB Leipzig
Two goals from Georginio Wijnaldum weren't enough for Paris Saint-Germain to beat Leipzig as the German club salvaged a 2-2 draw with a stoppage-time penalty in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Manchester City leads the group after beating Brugge 4-1 in the other game Wednesday. City hosts PSG in the next round of games on Nov. 24. Leipzig can no longer qualify despite the late equalizer.
Prediction before group stage: Manchester City, PSG, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge Prediction: Manchester City, PSG, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge
Group B - Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Porto, AC Milan
Liverpool eased into the Champions League knockout rounds Wednesday after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s assists cut through the Atlético Madrid defence in a 2-0 win at Anfield. Liverpool’s fourth straight win to open the group stage lifted the 2019 champion seven points clear of second-place Porto with two rounds remaining. Liverpool will be seeded as a group winner in the round of 16 draws on Dec. 13.
Atlético hosts Milan, which can still finish runner-up in Group B, in three weeks’ time. Liverpool next welcomes Porto to Anfield.
Prediction before group stage: Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Milan, Porto Prediction: Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Porto, Milan
Group C - Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting, Besiktas
Despite a first-half red card, Dortmund led the game until Dusan Tadic levelled the score for Ajax in the 72nd minute, before goals from Sébastien Haller and Davy Klaassen gave Ajax the win. It's the first time Ajax has gone beyond the Champions League group stage since its surprise run to the semifinals in 2018-19. Ajax is assured of qualifying with four wins from four games in Group C for a six-point lead over Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon, which beat Besiktas 4-0 in the other game Wednesday.
Sporting Lisbon scored three times in the last 15 minutes of the first half on its way to a 4-0 win over Besiktas that boosted its hopes of advancing in the Champions League on Wednesday. Sporting reached six points from four matches and was tied with second-place Dortmund after their defeat. Ajax has 12 points, while Besiktas stayed in last place. Sporting next hosts Dortmund before visiting Ajax.
Prediction before group stage: Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, Besiktas, Sporting Prediction: Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting, Besiktas
Group D - Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Sheriff, Shakhtar Donetsk
With Real Madrid struggling and being jeered by fans, Karim Benzema came through again for the Spanish powerhouse, scoring a pair of goals that included a milestone 1,000th for Madrid in Europe’s top club competition. Benzema's brace gave Madrid a hard-fought 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk to put the team in the lead of its Champions League group on Wednesday. The victory left Madrid with nine points in Group D, two more than Inter Milan, which won 3-1 at third-place Sheriff. Sheriff has six points, and Shakhtar is last with one point.
Prediction before group stage: Real Madrid, AC Milan, Shakhtar, Sheriff Prediction: Real Madrid, AC Milan, Shakhtar, Sheriff
Group E - Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Benfica, Dynamo Kyiv
Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick, set up another goal and missed a penalty on his 100th Champions League appearance as they crushed Benfica 5-2 to cruise into the knockout stages with two Group E matches to spare.
Barcelona's Ansu Fati scored a superb second-half goal to secure a crucial 1-0 win at Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday and revive his club's faltering Champions League campaign. The victory put Barca into second place in Group E with six points, two ahead of Benfica. It was Barca's first away win in all competitions this season. It’s safe to say this is not the Barcelona of old. Despite the poor Barcelona form that was a huge win and should be enough to get them in the knockout stage.
Prediction before group stage: Bayern Munich, Dynamo Kyiv, Barcelona, Benfica Prediction: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Dynamo Kyiv, Benfica
Group F - Manchester United, Villarreal, Atalanta, Young Boys
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two, including a stoppage-time equalizer, as Manchester United came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw away to Atalanta. The 36-year-old has now scored five goals in four games for United in this Champions League campaign and has nine in 11 outings for the club this season.
Villarreal boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stages after goals from Etienne Capoue and Arnaut Danjuma gave the Spanish side a 2-0 home win over Swiss rivals Young Boys in Group F. The result left Villarreal second on seven points from four games, behind Manchester United on an inferior head-to-head record and two ahead of third-placed Atalanta. Young Boys have three points and only a slim chance of advancing.
Prediction before group stage: Atalanta, Manchester United, Villareal, Young Boys Prediction: Manchester United, Atalanta, Villarreal, Young Boys
Group G - Salzburg, Wolfsburg, Lille, Sevilla
Wolfsburg stunned Salzburg 2-1 to rekindle their hopes of a top-two finish and a spot in the knockout stages.
Jonathan Ikone scored a second-half winner as Lille fought back to claim a 2-1 victory over hosts Sevilla in their Champions League Group G clash.
RB Salzburg leads the group with seven points from their four games, with Lille ahead of Wolfsburg in second place on goal difference. Both teams have five points, while Sevilla is on three. Lille will host Salzburg in the penultimate round of the group stage on November 23, while Sevilla welcomes Wolfsburg with the top two places in the group still wide open.
Prediction before group stage: Sevilla, Wolfsburg, Salzburg, Lille Prediction: Salzburg, Wolfsburg, Sevilla, Lille
Group H - Juventus, Chelsea, Zenit, Malmo
Chelsea remained on course to reach the knockout phases after Hakim Ziyech struck in the second half against Malmo to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
Juventus booked their spot in the last 16 with two group games to spare after a double from Argentinian striker Paulo Dybala steered them to a 4-2 win over Zenit St Petersburg.
Prediction before group stage: Chelsea, Juventus, Malmo, Zenit
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