Despite a surprising loss of points, Manchester City’s high-flyers have qualified for the round of 16 in the Champions League. At underdog FC Copenhagen, the English champions could not get past 0-0 without Erling Haaland. Real Madrid, on the other hand, secured a late point in the 1-1 (1-1) against Shakhtar Donetsk thanks to Antonio Rüdiger and thus the ticket for the next round.
In Copenhagen, Manchester’s team manager Pep Guardiola did without Haaland, who was so accurate recently – the former Dortmund player was on the bench. And the course did not play into the favorites’ cards.
A nice goal by Rodri (11th) was disallowed for a handball after viewing the video images, shortly afterwards Riyad Mahrez (25th) missed a hand penalty and just five minutes later Sergio Gomez (30th) was sent off with a red card. Manchester had a hard time outnumbered, but due to the 1-1 (1-1) between Borussia Dortmund and FC Sevilla it was enough to progress.
The defending champions from Madrid also struggled throughout the game against Donetsk. Olexander Zubkow scored the surprising lead for the hosts shortly after the break (46th). Rüdiger’s goal (90+5), in which the national player injured his head, saved the royal team a late draw and a place in the round of 16.
Mbappé’s goal isn’t enough for PSG
The star ensemble from Paris St. Germain meanwhile missed the early entry into the next round with a 1: 1 (1: 0) against the Portuguese top club Benfica Lisbon coached by Roger Schmidt. Joao Mario also countered Kylian Mbappé’s opening goal with a penalty kick (39′) with a penalty (62′). Julian Draxler (77th) came on late at Benfica.
In tight Group E, Chelsea beat AC Milan 2-0 (2-0) and went top of the table. Juventus Turin, on the other hand, suffered a surprising but well-deserved defeat at underdogs Maccabi Haifa. Coach Massimiliano Allegri’s struggling team has to worry about progress after the 0: 2 (0: 2).