Arsenal didn’t let Inter stop them and are the first club to reach the round of 16 of the Champions League. The Londoners won 3-1 in Milan on Tuesday, their seventh game of the league phase. Real Madrid (6:1 against Monaco) and Tottenham Hotspur with Kevin Danso (2:0 against Borussia Dortmund) took a big step towards a direct round of 16 ticket. Paris St-Germain lost 1-2 at Sporting, Manchester City were embarrassed against Bodö/Glimt.
Arsenal started the duel between the two national league leaders very powerfully, even without Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, and deservedly took the lead through Gabriel Jesus (10th). Inter recovered and equalized through Petar Sucic (18th), but Jesus struck again. The Brazilian headed a ball that bounced off the crossbar over the line (31′). Inter tried hard to avert defeat after the break, but Viktor Gyökeres (84th) secured victory on the counterattack.
Mbappe scored twice against his former club
Real Madrid secured three points against AS Monaco, not least thanks to Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman, who began his professional career in Monaco, gave the team a 2-0 lead with a perfect finish (5th) and after a wonderful combination (26th). The 18-year-old Argentine Franco Mastantuono (51′), an own goal from Thilo Kehrer (55′) and Vinicius Junior (63′) added after the break before Jordan Teze scored a consolation goal (72′). Jude Bellingham (80th) filled the Spaniards’ half dozen. The new Real coach Alvaro Arbeloa did without ÖFB team captain David Alaba on his Champions League debut, who only found space on the substitutes’ bench.
Defending champions Paris St. Germain, however, were unable to capitalize on their oppressive superiority in Lisbon. A goal from Warren Zaire-Emery (30th) was disallowed after a VAR check, and more than 20 further shots on goal also yielded nothing. Sporting, on the other hand, took advantage of one of their very few chances through Luis Suarez (74th). Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (79th) managed to make it 1-1, but Suarez struck again (90th) and shot Sporting into the top eight.
Manchester City also came away empty-handed. Three days after the defeat in the city derby against United (0:2), Pep Guardiola’s team lost 1:3 (0:2) on artificial turf at Bodö/Glimt. The Norwegian champions, who clearly beat Sturm Graz in the play-off, celebrated their debut victory in the premier class. Kasper Högh laid the foundation for the sensation with a brace (22nd, 24th), Jens Petter Hauge increased the score after a beautiful solo (58th). The guests scored shortly afterwards through Rayan Cherki (60th), but weakened themselves immediately afterwards with the exclusion of Rodri (62nd). The midfielder received a yellow card and a yellow-red card for two fouls within a minute. ManCity now has to worry about a direct place in the round of 16, but is still in the top eight at least until Wednesday.
Tottenham continued their home streak
Tottenham Hotspur continued their impressive home series against Dortmund with Danso in central defense. After captain Cristian Romero made it 1-0 (14th), Dortmund’s Daniel Svensson was excluded after an unfortunate action (24th). Dominic Solanke (37th) increased the number with a lot of luck. Tottenham, which is having a disappointing domestic season, has been unbeaten in 24 European Cup home games and has celebrated 20 wins. Marcel Sabitzer was injured at Dortmund.
Italian champions SSC Napoli only managed a 1-1 draw at FC Copenhagen against ten men. Ajax Amsterdam celebrated a 2-1 win at Villarreal, the 0-1 loss was made up for by ex-Salzburg player Oscar Gloukh (61st). Olympiacos Piraeus won 2-0 at home against Bayer Leverkusen.
