Leipzig and Nkunku seduce, Dortmund-City shock disappoints

Tops

Leipzig brings down Real brilliantly

A successful performance, three goals and a prestigious victory for Leipzig against a disappointing Real Madrid, deprived of Karim Benzema. Marco Rose’s men fired up from the start with a goal from Gvardiol followed a few moments later by a powerful strike from Christopher Nkunku who hit the bar before shaking the net. The Merengues will reduce the score twice but were really shaken up on Tuesday evening. A draw in Poland against Shakhtar Donetsk next week will ensure Leipzig a ticket to the knockout stages.

Read alsoChampions League: Benfica wins against Juve, Milan unfolds, Real defeats

Iling Junior, Soulé… These young people who reinvigorated Juve

Completely listless for 70 minutes (see below) and led 4-1, Juventus managed against all odds to ignite this end of the match against Benfica. And it owes it largely to the sensational entries of a handful of young people unknown to the battalion but who will, for sure, be talked about in the Turinese sphere. And in particular the young Englishman Samuel Iling-Junior, decisive passer for Milik on the goal of 4-2, and again involved on that of 4-3. Two sharp overflows on the left wing which triggered some cold sweats in the spans of the Estadio Da Luz. We will also highlight the appearances of Matias Soulé, also in the shot on the 3rd goal and of Fabio Miretti who breathed a welcome breath of fresh air into a very moribund Bianconero collective.

Rafa Silva, talent pur

For a good hour, the Portuguese striker shone on the lawn of the Estadio Da Luz. On the goal of the break, he lost company with the Turin defense before succeeding in a delicious heel at the near post which left Szczesny very helpless. A perfectly executed dive ball on the way back from the locker room then increased the lead of his side (4-1). The most fussy will blame him for his shot on the post at 4-3 when he was face-to-face with the Polish goalkeeper. A missed opportunity to definitely kill the game but which struggles to tarnish a more than convincing overall performance.

Mudryk assures Shakhtar of a European spring

The nugget of Shakhtar Donetsk offered a solitary goal on the lawn of Celtic Park. A smoothly led counter-attack concluded with an unstoppable strike with the right foot. Enough to glean a valuable point in Scotland since it allows Shakhtar to afford a group “final” against Leipzig next week. A victory and the Ukrainians will open the doors of the 8th finals. In any case, Igor Jovicevic’s men are guaranteed to play at least the Europa League after the World Cup.

Read alsoChampions League: Milan unfolds, Benfica assures, Real bows, all the results of the multiplex

Flops

Dortmund-City, a foam shock

On paper, it was probably the most enticing poster of the evening. It did not happen. It must be said that this draw suited both teams well. Manchester City secured first place in the group and Borussia Dortmund their place in the round of 16. Result, a padlocked game and few opportunities to put in their mouths if not this missed penalty by Riyad Mahrez. An impression corroborated by the figures since the two teams each touched only 19 balls in the opposing area.

Before waking up, a beleaguered Juve

Despite a completely crazy end to the match where Juve almost achieved the unthinkable, Max Allegri’s men cannot hide the poor performance delivered for 70 minutes. Dominated head and shoulders by an attractive Benfica, the Old Lady has once again shown all its limits, especially in offensive animation. Not to mention the new nightmare experienced by a Leonardo Bonucci in total loss of confidence. Positive yes but still a lot, a lot of work for the Bianconeri.