Goals, emotions, and surprises: the revamped Champions League continues to deliver all this and more with every matchday. After Tuesday’s games, Wednesday’s fixtures confirmed the excitement of the new format, which is increasingly unpredictable and risky even for the top clubs. It was a positive round for Italian teams after Inter and Atalanta’s defeats, as Juve and Milan secured victories, while Bologna drew with Benfica.
The Bianconeri troubled Guardiola’s City, unable to recover from a situation that is becoming increasingly dire. Thiago Motta's side earned a crucial win to keep dreaming of a top-eight finish and avoid the playoffs, while also staying within Europe’s top 24 teams. Manchester City, however, risks missing out, especially with a decisive clash against PSG coming up (currently out with 7 points).
As for the present, Milan secured a key win over Red Star Belgrade. It was a significant result, continuing their recent positive run, although coach Fonseca did not hide his disappointment with some players’ attitudes after the match. Without naming names, the Portuguese manager was clear: “I always give my best, unlike some others...”. Despite the heavy three points, tension still lingers ahead of the last two matchdays.
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10 Dec - 08:48 •
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Bologna earned a hard-fought draw at Benfica’s tough home ground, demonstrating the team’s growth under coach Italiano. Their chances of finishing among the top 24 remain slim: they need two wins in their final two games, which still might not be enough. However, the European experience has boosted the Emilians’ confidence for the future.
Arsenal cruised past Monaco in a crucial head-to-head (both teams were tied on 10 points), securing a spot behind Liverpool and Barcelona. The Spaniards claimed a thrilling 3-2 win over Dortmund, with Lewandowski and his teammates delivering a stellar performance. Simeone’s Atletico Madrid also climbed the standings with a 3-1 win, led by their iconic player Griezmann. Stuttgart demolished Young Boys with a 5-0 victory, keeping the Germans in contention for the next round. Feyenoord also earned a critical 4-2 win against Sparta Prague. Meanwhile, Leipzig, Slovan Bratislava, and Young Boys are already eliminated.
Wednesday also saw Europa League action: Mourinho’s Fenerbahce suffered a home loss against Athletic Bilbao, thanks to a brace from Inaki Williams. The Spaniards currently top the group standings, pending the completion of the round, while the Turkish side, stuck at 8 points, faces decisive upcoming games.
