Match Day 2 took place in midweek Champions League action with some shocking results and some not so-shocking. Here are the five most memorable events:
6) Poor attendance at Juventus Stadium in line with sub-par performance
Juventus FC finally hosted a European cup game in over two years and shockingly enough, there were barely any Juve fans in attendance. The club believed that it was due to the game being played on a work night. But the Juve Ultras, a group of Old Lady extremists, refused to attend the match in protest against management for raising the ticket prices for this fixture. If you think about it, it was actually a pretty stupid stunt on Juve’s behalf. At least raise the prices gradually, not all in one shot. I mean, the nation is going through a financial crisis at the moment. Have a heart!
In any case, the supporter absenteeism cost the Bianconeri that extra push with which the fans aid the Old Lady every game since the Juventus Stadium opened seeing that up until Tuesday evening, it has always been sold out.
In regards to the game, Ukrainian side Shaktar Donetsk took it to the home side winning ball possession at 58% which is very unlikely of Juve. The visitors struck first with Brazilian Alex Texeira at the 23 minute from a rebound off Italian defender Andrea Barzagli. However, Juve tied it up two minutes later from a corner as Andrea Pirlo picked out an unmarked Leonardo Bonucci who rifled a powerful shot under the bar. In the second half, Juventus took control for the most part and had a Quagliarella effort palmed away before Shaktar almost bagged the winner when the ball smashed the crossbar. This encounter ended in a 1-1 tie and leaves Juve in third with two points while Shaktar are joint top with Chelsea on four points.
5) AC Milan leave it late against Zenit in Russia
AC Milan put in a valiant effort against the Russians who are coached by fellow countryman Luciano Spalletti. The Rossoneri took the lead with a wicked, yet lucky, deflection from an Urby Emanuelson shot. The Diavoli then doubled their lead with 19 year old Italian-Egyptian Stephan El Shaarawy writing his name on the score sheet in the opening 16 minutes.
Zenit did not surrender though and shortened the lead before half with newly signed Brazilian Hulk popping in his first of the campaign. Four minutes after the restart, Roman Shirokov equalized for the home team who were on their way to collecting their first Champions League point of the season until the Italians benefited from yet another crucial deflection to go one up in Russia off of Tomas Hubocan with 15 minutes left in the game. The visitors were under siege and required ‘keeper Christian Abbiati to make many spectacular saves to maintain the lead. Milan win 3-2 and steal the three points from this match-up. AC Milan are now in second with 4 points while Zenit St. Petersburg sits in last with zero points.
4) Domestic champions battled it out at the Etihad
EPL champions Manchester City welcomed Bundesliga winners Borussia Dortmund to Manchester in a fixture that ended 1-1. The Citizens do not seem to be on the same page as last year and have not looked convincing since their championship triumph that was a decade in the waiting.
Both goalkeepers dominated this affair as Man City’s number one Joe Hart and Dortmund’s Roman Weidenfeller made unbelievable stops to keep this tie level. As well, both sides desperately wanted the victory and poured forward with Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero edging close to taking the lead. At the other end, Robert Lewandowski caused havoc with a header that just soared over the net. Moments later, Joe Hart finger-tipped Mario Gotze’s effort onto the post after a quick Dortmund counter.
Marco Reus scored the opener for the visitors after the attacker burst forward to hammer the ball to the back of the net benefiting from a Rodwell give-away. Dortmund looked settled and almost doubled their lead with Reus once again but Hart saved with his feet. However, the victory would not be as the ref controversially pointed to the penalty spot for a contentious handball after a very strong Man City spell. Second half sub Mario Balotelli stepped up and converted. It was a fantastic game with end-to-end action and great saves from the ‘keepers. Mancini’s men are in a bit of trouble as they are currently in third with 1 point while Dortmund are in second with four points.
3) Bayern Munich lose first game of season to BATE Borisov
Belarus side BATE Borisov absolutely ruined the bookies’ pick for this one as BATE surprised Bayern Munich with a stunning performance at home. The Germans went down 2-0 at the 23 minute with Aleksandr Pavlov and Vitali Rodionov on 78 minutes. Munich attempted a late historic comeback when Franck Ribery cut the lead to one very late on at the 91st minute, but the hope for an equalizer ended three minutes later when Renan Bressan restored the two-goal buffer which ultimately gave the Belarus side the three points. Surprisingly enough, BATE is currently in first with a 100% record while Bayern Munich are tied for second with three points. The Germans suffer their first loss of the season.
2) PSG lose to FC Porto
Paris Saint-Germain have lost their unbeaten status with a loss in Portugal to Porto. The Portuguese made it two wins out of two with a 1-0 victory signed by a James Rodriguez curler that went past PSG ‘keeper Sirigu from 12 yards. PSG performed very well and frustrated Porto as Sirigu made some fantastic saves to deny the Portuguese several times. Porto lead the way in Group A with six points while PSG follow in second with three points.
Paris head coach Carlo Ancelotti will take this result as a lesson and will certainly build on from it. The up-coming Ligue 1 match day will see top spot Marseille take on PSG, so Ibra and Co. will need to rebound quickly if they are to keep confidence levels high. A loss will certainly take its toll on the team.
1) Real Madrid embarrass Ajax in Amsterdam with yet another Ronaldo hat-trick
If Cristiano Ronaldo can perform the way he does with depression, then every soccer player should make it their goal to follow in his footsteps. Just days after scoring three goals against Deportivo La Coruna, CR7 was merciless against an Ajax side that, well, tried its best.
Los Merengues were determined for the win and aimed an incredible 12 shots on target. The goals pretty much occurred in quick succession as slightly before half time, Ronaldo tapped in from a Benzema cross. Quickly after the restart, the Frenchman added the second with a superb bicycle kick. Niklas Moisander brought it back within a goal for the home side until the 79th and 81st minute when CR7 smashed home his second before chipping the Dutch goalkeeper to complete the 4-1 drubbing. It was an amazing display and this win will certainly boost their confidence and morale before taking on Barcelona in El Clasico at the weekend. Real Madrid are first with six points while Ajax are in last with zero points.
