By Robert Wheeler
- United lose in seven-goal thriller
- Arsenal put four past PSV
- Defending champions victorious
Europe – The Champions League returned in emphatic fashion but with mixed results for the British sides.
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United lose in seven-goal thriller
If the transfer window had worked out differently, then Harry Kane could have been lining up for Manchester United in this fixture. However, the England captain is now with Bayern Munich and he got on the scoresheet as they defeated the Red Devils 4-3.
Kane set up Leroy Sane who gave Bayern the lead with an effort that Andre Onana should have saved. Serge Gnabry then doubled their advantage as he tapped in after some fantastic work from Jamal Musiala.
Rasmus Hojlund got one back for United but Kane from the spot restored Bayern’s dominance of the game. The ball was bundled in by Casemiro late on to give Eric ten Hag’s side a chance. However, Mathys Tel scored in added time to seal it for Bayern.
Remarkably United scored again as Bruno Fernandes‘ free kick was headed in by Casemiro to make the scoreline look more respectable. The result flattered United as Bayern were the much better side. Ten Hag’s side are at home to Galatasaray in their next Group Stage match.
Arsenal put four past PSV
Arsenal are making up for six years without Champions League football, as they defeated PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners the lead with a tap-in early on, in what is his first game in the competition. The England international then turned provider as he played in Leandro Trossard who swept the ball into the back of the net.
Gabriel Jesus fired into the top corner to make it three for Mikel Arteta‘s side. The victory was then secured when Martin Odegaard slotted the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box.
The result will be a massive confidence booster for Arteta’s side, especially as they have the North London derby in the Premier League this weekend. The Gunners’ next Champions League match is away to Lens.
Defending champions victorious
The defending champions Manchester City came from behind to beat Red Star Belgrade 3-1 on the opening night of the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium.
Osman Bukari gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of halftime as he went one-on-one with Emerson before slotting the ball into the back of the net. However, Julian Alvarez equalised just after the break with a neat finish. The Argentine then gave City the lead from a free-kick which looked like a cross but went over the head of the Red Star goalkeeper Omri Glazer.
Rodri then sealed the victory with a curling effort. It was a surprise not to see Erling Haaland not get on the scoresheet but the Norwegian did assist Alvarez’s first goal. Next up for City in the competition is a trip to RB Leipzig.
Best of the rest
In their first Champions League game for over 20 years, Newcastle played out a 0-0 draw with AC Milan at the San Siro. It could be a very important point for Eddie Howe‘s side who are in a group of death, also including Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund. PSG will be the Magpies’ next opposition in the tournament.
Celtic who finished the game with nine men after Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm lost 2-0 to Feyenoord. Calvin Stengs and Alireza Jahanbakhsh got the goals for the Dutch side. Brendan Rodgers‘ side hosts Lazio next in the competition.
The Champions League returns on October 3.
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