Image: imago images / HMB-Media
Germany's series champions won 4-0 (0-0) on Wednesday evening against their first rival Benfica Lisbon only after late goals. FC Barcelona managed to win the first point in the current competition with a 1-0 (1-0) win against Dynamo Kiev.
Manchester United made a comeback to the taste of the fans who had been suffering from them recently. The “Red Devils” were down 2-0 against Atalanta Bergamo at the break, but won 3-2 in the end. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the gold goal in the 81st minute for the leaders of Group F. Like Bayern with nine points, Juventus Turin, who only scored 1-0 (0-0) at Zenit St. Petersburg in the 86th minute . Defending champion Chelsea took second place behind the Italians after a 4-0 (2-0) win against Malmö.
Premiere for Sabitzer
Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer was allowed to play for Bayern for the first time since moving to Munich. Coach Julian Nagelsmann had to pass. The 34-year-old was unable to stand on the field due to a flu-like infection. He will be represented by his co-trainers, especially Dino Toppmöller and Xaver Zembrod.
Benfica defended skillfully and gave Robert Lewandowski and Co. little room to develop. After half an hour, Darwin Nunez even found a good chance to take the lead of the Portuguese who continued to play without Valentino Lazaro (muscle injury), Manuel Neuer parried. His counterpart Odisseas Vlachodimos was allowed to distinguish himself more often. So the Greek in the goal of Benfica at the beginning of the second half drove a conclusion from Benjamin Pavard grandiose to the pole.
Bayern were also stripped of goals from Lewandowski (handball) and Thomas Müller (offside) after studying VAR. Leroy Sane ended the gate suspension. The offensive man hit with a free kick (70th) and opened all locks. Everton with an own goal (80th), Lewandowski (82nd) and again Sane (85th) ensured a clear success for the Germans.
Barcelona can breathe a sigh of relief (briefly)
Barcelona scored in the third group game for the first time. The Catalans couldn't really convince against Kiev. Gerard Pique scored the decisive goal in the 36th minute after a corner kick, Barcelona's first in the group. Rapid loan Yusuf Demir was again on the bench at Barca. Sergino Dest ran in on the far right in the three-way attack. After changing sides, Ronald Koeman's team missed one or the other chance with Ansu Fati and later Sergio Aguero, but invested little before the upcoming “Clasico” against Real. Kiev was hardly available offensively.
The evening seemed to be bitter for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The numbered Norwegian head coach at Manchester United saw his team counteract the next setback against Bergamo. Mario Pasalic (15th) and Mireh Demiral (29th), who moved up from a corner, scored for the Lombards. Marcus Rashford, who returned after an injury break, missed a good chance shortly before the break whistle. Cristiano Ronaldo tried hard, but without any punch.
United came out of the locker room transformed. Rashford (53rd) rewarded this with the connection goal, Scott McTominay then hit the bar, Ronaldo failed to Bergamo's keeper Musso. Harry Maguire (75th), who moved up after a corner kick, finally equalized before Ronaldo was able to deliver his goal show. The 36-year-old screwed himself up in the air and scored his 137th goal in the Champions League. Bergamo are now tied with Villarreal (4-1 in Bern against Young Boys) second in the group.
Chelsea had no problems at Stamford Bridge against Malmö, but complained about injuries to top strikers Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner. The Belgian limped off the pitch with an injured foot after a penalty foul, and the German followed him shortly afterwards. Andreas Christensen (9th) and Jorginho (21st / penalty) scored before the break for the Londoners, Kai Havertz (48th) and again Jorginho from the penalty point (57th) afterwards. Juventus only delivered a poor performance in St. Petersburg, but were allowed to take all three points after a goal from Dejan Kulusevski (86th).
Wednesday results
Group G: Salzburg 3-1 Wolfsburg, Lille 0-0 Sevilla.
Table: Salzburg (7) ahead of Sevilla (3), Lille (2) and Wolfsburg (2)
Group E: Barcelona 1-0 Kiev, Benfica 0-4 Bayern
Group F : Man Utd 3-2 Atalanta, Bern 1-4 Villarreal
Group H: Chelsea 4-0 Malmo, Zenit 0-1 Juventus
