Champions’ League
Real in pain, Bayern almighty
By Guillaume Mahot
The second day of Champions’ League that was played this week all over Europe came out onto an orgy of goals and confirmed the rise of teams like Ajax Amsterdam, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, making two victories out of two games and already comfortably positioned in their respective groups.
PSG of Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye was victorious in Turkey thanks to a goal from Mauro Icardi, former Inter Milan forward, against Galatasaray. Moroccan midfielder Younès Belhanda and Ivorian Jean Michaël Seri did not find the solution for the Istanbul club, Babel and Falcao remaining mute in attack and unable to deceive defenders Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe. With two victories, PSG is moving quietly towards the next phase, unlike Real Madrid, whose team had to fight to grasp the draw against Bruges (2-2).
Led 2-0 at halftime with two goals from Nigerian striker Emmanuel Dennis, the Merengues made it up in second half but one point after two games is not enough to satisfy a team that won the trophy in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Qualification is still possible of course but Zidane’s team will have the obligation to get some points as soon as possible.
This Tuesday was also highlighted by the great performance of Bayern Munich in London. The teammates of Jerome Boateng had no mercy and literally blew up Tottenham 7-2 (!) with four goals from Serge Gnabry. The German striker, Ivorian roots by his father, scored all his goals in the second half and gave headaches to French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris while the Spurs, in final of Champions’ League last May, could only see the damage. Ivorian captain Serge Aurier played the whole game for Tottenham.
Thomas Partey had a better evening. The Ghanaian midfielder scored the second goal of Atlético de Madrid during the Russian victory (0-2) against Lokomotiv Moscow. In the meantime, the Bianconeri were defeating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 with a last goal from Ronaldo.
Africa Global News Publication
