Man U suffer another defeat, Arsenal, City win… UCL week 4 review
The UEFA Champions League football returned on Tuesday for matchday four of the 2023-24 season. As the exciting matches have been played, we look at some of the big winners and losers of Matchday four as Manchester United gave up the lead twice to lose against Copenhagen FC in Denmark while their follow English side, Arsenal cruised pass Sevilla back at home.
AC Milan vs Paris Saint-Germain
After failing to score in three games this season, AC Milan finally achieved their first Champions League goal on Tuesday, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in an incredibly interesting contest that opened up Group F.
The Rossoneri came from behind scoring early in each half of the game to beat their visitors thanks to goals from Rafael Leão and Olivier Giroud. Paris Saint-Germain started the game well and got a goal in the first nine minutes of the fixture from former Inter Milan defender Milan Škriniar. However, the hosts had other plans.
AC Milan lost 3-0 in France against PSG two weeks ago and they went into this match at the bottom of group F.
Milan, had only scored two goals in their previous four games in all competitions and had lost three of them, drew the other, needed the this revenge to rebuild their confidence.
In the other match, Borussia Dortmund defeated Newcastle United 2-0 to take the lead in the group with seven points. The German side are topping PSG by one point, Milan by two, and Newcastle by three.
Athletico Madrid vs Celtic
For the first time ever, Atletico Madrid scored six goals in a single Champions League game, recording their biggest win margin in the competition. Atletico Madrid led by Antoine Griezmann defeated 10-man Celtic 6-0, to take the lead in Group E of the UEFA Champions League. After just six minutes, Griezmann gave Celtic the lead with a deflected effort from outside the area. However, Daizen Maeda’s contentious red card increased the difficulties of Celtic’s task.
And that win extended Celtic’s run of winless games to 14.
Shaktar Donetsk vs Barcelona
Barcelona faced Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League group stages, hoping to perform better than they did against Real Sociedad the previous weekend.
Even though Xavi’s team was able to exert more control over the game, they were largely ineffective in the first half of the match.
Shakhtar had the better opportunities, and in the 40th minute, Danylo Siken headed in a goal to give the Ukrainian side the reward for their hard work.
Barcelona was marginally better and more driven in the second half, knowing they had an uphill battle ahead of them, but they lacked that crucial pass in Shakhtar’s half. Despite the result, Barcelona still sits on top of the group with nine points.
Arsenal vs Sevilla
Arsenal their bitter loss to Newcastle at St. James’ in their last game behind to defeat UCL Group B rival, Sevilla 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, as they move one step closer to the Champions League knockout stages. Thanks in large part to a goal and assist from Bukayo Saka.
The win now puts the Gunners on nine points with two games remaining but more importantly, seven points clear of Sevilla. As a result, Arteta’s team is now assured of finishing no lower than third, which means they will, at the very least be guaranteed a spot in the UEFA Europa League knockout phase as the eight Champions League teams that finish in third place move over, possibly joining Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Manchester United vs Copenhagen
Manchester United suffered a shocking 4-3 loss in Copenhagen after leading the game 2-0 and 3-2 at Parken; Rasmus Hojlund scored twice before Marcus Rashford was sent off, and the hosts levelled shortly after. Bruno Fernandes put United back ahead before late goals from Lukas Lerager and Roony Bardghji sealed a historic victory.
With Bayern Munich already assured of finishing at the top of group A following their victory over Galatasaray on Wednesday, the red devils, now ranked last in the group, will compete with Copenhagen and the Turkish team for who will advance to the knockout stages.
Borussia Dortmund vs Newcastle United
Borussia Dortmund dominated this champions league game against Newcastle United and scored in each half of the match to beat The magpies 2-0 and claim the top of group F with two games remaining in the group stage.
In the 26th minute, Germany’s Niclas Fuellkrug scored his first goal of the competition with a close-range effort, and in the 79th, Julian Brandt added another goal to seal the victory and dash Newcastle’s hopes of finishing in the top two.
