Champions League rundown: United crash out
Results Tuesday 12th December
Group A
Manchester United 0–1 FC Bayern Munich ; FC København 1–0 Galatasaray
Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League after a 1-0 home loss to Bayern Munich. The pressure continues to mount for manager Erik ten Hag, who also suffered a bitter 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth at the weekend.
Kingsley Coman´s second-half goal after an amazing Harry Kane assist was enough to separate the two sides, and Bayern´s victory left United rock-bottom in Group A.
FC København progressed to the knockout rounds alongside the Munich club after a 1-0 victory over Galatasaray. Lukas Lerager´s goal gave the Danish side the victory, capitalising on an exceptional Elias Achouri assist.
Group B
Lens 2–1 Sevilla ; PSV 1-1 Arsenal
Lens got the win against Sevilla thanks to goals from Angelo Fulgini and Przemysław Frankowski, leaving the French side in third and the Spanish club in fourth. Sevilla will be disappointed to miss out on the Europa League, a competition they have won 7 times in their history.
In the Arsenal-PSV game, both were already qualified, so nothing was on the line. A pinpoint finish from Eddie Nketiah gave the Gunners a halftime lead, but Yorbe Vertessen equalized with an amazing finish in the 2nd half.
Group C
Union Berlin 2–3 Real Madrid ; Napoli 2–0 Braga:
At the end of the first half, Luka Modrić missed a penalty, and right after, Kevin Volland scored to put Union Berlin ahead on the game. Then, with 2 headers from Joselu, Real Madrid were up 2-1 with 20 minutes left. Just 5 minutes before additional time, Alex Král beat Kepa and drew his team level. Finally, Jude Bellingham assisted Dani Ceballos for the winning goal in the 89th minute, crushing Union Berlin’s hope.
On the other side, Braga needed a win to go through the group stage, but Napoli was not going to let that happen. The game started very well for the Italians, with an unlucky own goal in the 9th minute by Serdar Saatçı. At the 33rd minute, this time thanks to the left back Natan, who assisted Victor Osimhen for the second and final goal of the game.
Group D
Inter 0–0 Real Sociedad ; RB Salzburg 1–3 Benfica
This was a battle for the 1st position.
Both teams were inaccurate in the last quarter of the field, with 2 shots on target each throughout the entire game. Takefusa Kubo was the player that created more danger. Real Sociedad are first in the group because of a superior goal difference, as they also drew their first game with Inter de Milan.
Benfica had just one point before this game, and Salzburg had 4, so they had to win to qualify for the Europa League.
Ángel Di María scored the first goal of the game with an amazing direct corner kick. Then, before half-time, again Di María with a very good pass to Rafa Silva, who finished with a powerful shot and made it 2-0. A Luka Sučić longshot, with some help from a small deflection, went in to make it 2-1. Right at the end of the game, Arthur Cabral sealed the match with a turnaround goal, a very good finish in his first minute playing.
Preview Wednesday 13th December
Group E
Atletico Madrid – Lazio
Both teams are already classified but this is a fight for the 1st position in the group. They played back in September and drew 1-1. This time, Atletico is playing at home at the Cívitas Metropolitano, so they have the advantage for today.
Prediction: Atletico win
Celtic – Feyenoord
Celtic play Feyenoord with both teams already knowing their final position, as Celtic has just one point in 5 games. They can’t possibly classify for Europa League, so this is one of these games with nothing on the line except proud and respect for the fans. Feyenoord and Celtic played back in September and Feyenoord won 2-0.
Prediction: Draw
Group G
Crvena Zvezda – Manchester City
Manchester City are already classified and 1st of their group. On the other side, Crvena Zvezda can still classify for the Europa League, if they win and Young Boys loses. In their last game against each other, City won 3-1.
Prediction: Manchester City win
Leipzig – Young Boys
Leipzig are already classified to the round of 16, but Young Boys can lose his Europa League position, so they must take the most out of this game. The last time they played against each other, Leipzig won 3-1.
Prediction: Leipzig win.
Group F
Dortmund – PSG
One of the best Champions League groups ever, arguably the best one, Dortmund is the only one classified and right now, PSG are second, but they could go to Europa League if they lose or if they draw and Milan or Newcastle win. In their first game, PSG won 2-0.
Prediction: Draw
Newcastle – Milan
Both teams with 5 points, they must win to classify, and they know it, so it’s going to be a battle. Their first game was a 0-0 draw. This game is for sure going to be intense and hard fought, with both teams going for the win with everything they have.
Prediction: Newcastle win
Group H
Porto – Shakhtar
Porto and Shakhtar are standing 2nd and 3rd in the Group H with 9 points, so this is a fight for classification. The last time they played, Porto won 3-1. Like the Milan-Newcastle game, this is going to also be a hard-fought game with both teams doing everything they can to win the game and advance to the round of 16.
Prediction: Porto win
Royal Antwerp – FC Barcelona
The leader of the group, FC Barcelona, faces Royal Antwerp, the only team in the Champions League with 0 points. An already classified against an already eliminated. The last time they played, Barça won 5-0.
Prediction: FC Barcelona win
