The new season of the Champions League has begun with games that have seen the majority of favorites earning themselves three early points in the group stage.
Last season’s finalists, Liverpool, ensured they got a head start over group rivals PSG, narrowly winning 3-2 against the Parisians. Striker Daniel Sturridge got the chance to start his first Champions League game in 2379 days and used the opportunity to score his side’s first goal.
Liverpool were wasteful of their two goal lead, with youngster Kylian Mbappe, in the third UCL campaign of his career, drawing PSG level with minutes to go. But the English side once again proved to posses one of the best attacking lines in international football, with Roberto Firmino coming off the bench to score the winner.
⏰ RESULTS ⏰
😮 Goals. Comebacks. Drama.
😎 Group stage returns in style!
🤔 Tuesday's best game?#UCL pic.twitter.com/uTsU9ZbdA4
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 18, 2018
In the group’s other game, Red Star Belgrade, returning to the competition after 26 year, held Serie A vice-champions Napoli to a 0-0 draw.
The favorites of Group A gained three points, albeit not without strain. Dortmund left it late, with Christian Pulisic’s goal securing an away victory to Club Brugge. Elsewhere, Monaco lost their home encounter to Atletico Madrid, 2-1. Diego Costa ended his goal dry spell for Atleti, while defender Jose Gimenez was on call to deliver the winner.
It was business as usual for Barcelona as they easily disposed of Dutch side PSV. Lionel Messi was his routinely superb self, scoring a hat-trick, while O. Dembele managed to get himself on the score sheet as well and stake a place among the Catalans starting line-up.
Tottenham missed another good opportunity against Inter. The Premier League side dominated most of the game, getting themselves ahead through Christian Eriksen’s goal. But in the 86th minute, Mauro Icardi scored a fantastic long range effort, that helped elevate the mood in the stadium. Midfielder Matias Vecino scored the winner in the last minute of play.
Record! Three-time winner Iker Casillas becomes the first player in history to play in 20 #UCL campaigns 👏
2⃣0⃣ @IkerCasillas 🙌 pic.twitter.com/JfpUUfQ9m7
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 18, 2018
Galatasaray, enjoying great home support, look set to become favorites of Group D. The Turkish side made lite work of Lokomotiv Moscow, to win 3-0. In the group’s other game, Shalke 04 and Porto finished level, 1-1, and will look to sneak into a qualification place into the next stage of the competition.
The Champions League Week 1 round, has their second bout of games playing tonight. Don’t forget to register and create your draft for the competition. FootballCoin wants to find the best managers and repay them with XFC prizes.
