One day before the verdict, the Champions League was divided between certainties and emergencies: destinies already decided, and a race for the top 8 more open than ever. Semi-finalist last season, Barça will play their direct qualification for the 1/8th against Copenhagen next week, after a painful victory obtained on the pitch of Slavia Prague this Wednesday (2-4). The first goal conceded by Kusej from a corner explained in images why the Catalan club is currently trying to recruit a defender (10th, 1-0), just as much as the second, still in a set phase (42nd, 1-2). Due to a lack of presence from his defense, it was Lewandowski who this time diverted the ball into his own goal (44th, 2-2).
La Masia carries Barça
Conversely, Dro’s choice to look for a way out becomes more and more understandable in view of Fermin Lopez’s current form. It was again the 22-year-old midfielder who flipped the switch when his team was plunged into darkness. After having redacted a golden action on a ball from Raphinha, he redeemed himself by equalizing after a superb movement initiated by the Brazilian, and extended by Frenkie de Jong (34th, 1-2). But the highlight of his evening was his second goal, a superb strike from the edge of the area, his 10th achievement of the season already (42nd, 1-2). Many will still prefer the jewel of the other Masian, Dani Olmo, scorer seven minutes after his entry following the exit due to injury of Pedri (63rd, 2-3).
The former Leipzig player unleashed a warhead into the top corner of Stanek, injured until now in the face of Lewandowski’s repeated blunders. But the Pole is doing quite well with a goal that he owes largely to Rashford (71st, 2-4). This success allows Barça to move into 9th place, and to maintain the hope of direct qualification for the 1/8th round. PSG’s next opponent, Newcastle can also dream of it after having disposed of PSV without worries (3-0). The Magpies broke the deadlock after just 8 minutes thanks to ex-Lorient player Yoanne Wissa, scorer for the first time in her career in the Champions League (8th, 1-0). It must be recognized that he had been well helped by the opposing goalkeeper, Kovar, who seemed more inspired to serve the opponent than his own teammates on his disastrous clearance. Same thing for Gasiorowki, who saw Wissa use his feet before galloping open field and giving a goal to Gordon (30th, 2-0). Barnes finished the job (65th, 3-0) for the Magpies, 7th this evening.
Paris will play a final for the top 8 against Newcastle
For their part, Bayern Munich took the opportunity to get back into contact with Arsenal, the untouchable leader with a 3-point lead, in addition to having validated their qualification for the 1/8th round. The Bavarians won against Union Saint-Gilloise thanks to a double from Harry Kane (52nd, 55th), while Michael Olise was the decisive passer and Kim was sent off. The English striker also missed a penalty, but the fact remains that Munich have already scored 103 goals in 29 games this season, a performance that borders on exceptional. Juventus did not score as many, but they also did the job this evening against Benfica (2-0). Khephren Thuram and Weston McKennie, on a serve from David, scored the two Turin goals, when Pavlidis, Monaco’s nightmare last season, sent a penalty to the moon after a slip (81st).
Chelsea, led for the first time in the Champions League by Liam Rosenior, won by the margins against Pafos (1-0) thanks to a headed goal from Caicedo. With this success for the Blues, there are now five English teams in the top 8 of this league phase, a new indicator of the control of British clubs over the C1 this season. At the same time, Bilbao spoiled Atalanta’s party (2-3), irresistible so far in the Champions League. The Bergamasques had nevertheless opened the scoring thanks to Scamacca (16th, 1-0), but Guruzeta (58th, 1-1), Serrano (70th, 1-2) and Navarro (74th, 1-3), all scored. Krstovic reduced the gap on a service from Lookman (88th, 2-3). Finally, OM took on water against Liverpool at the Vélodrome (0-3) and will play for their place in the top 24 against Bruges. The same cannot be said of Frankfurt or Slavia Prague, eliminated.
Relive the film of the match between OM and Liverpool
The complete Champions League standings
The results of the 9 p.m. matches:
Atalanta-Bilbao : 2-3 (Scamacca, Krstovic ; Guruzeta, Serrano, Navarro)
Bayern Munich-USG : 2-0 (Kane x2)
Chelsea-Paphos: 1-0 (Caicedo)
Juventus-Benfica : 2-0 (Thuram, Mc Kennie)
OM-Liverpool : 0-3 (Szoboszlai, Rulli csc, Gakpo)
Newcastle-PSV : 3-0 (Wissa, Gordon, Barnes)
Slavia Prague-FC Barcelona : 2-4 (Kusej, Lewandowski csc ; Fermin x2, Olmo, Lewandowski)
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– UPDATE
