There’s something about Ajax playing against London clubs that makes for can’t-miss television. Whether it’s Tottenham’s remarkable last-gasp win in the Champions League semifinals last season or Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic teeing up Michy Batshuayi late in the group stage a couple weeks ago, Ajax has provided English fans with more than a few memorable moments.
If you’re a goalie, the only thing worse than giving up an Olimpico goal is giving up a goal that deflects off of you and into the back of the net. Kepa Arrizabalaga got to experience both on this Hakim Ziyech goal vs Chelsea on Tuesday.
After a stupid foul by Chelsea in the corner in the 35th minute, Ziyech curled in a beauty over the stretched arms of Kepa. The ball struck the post before bouncing off Kepa’s nose for an embarrassing own goal, giving Ajax a 3-1 lead at halftime of their Champions League match. Technically it was an own goal, but we think Ziyech deserves credit.
Swaths of empty seats around the Camp Nou on Tuesday for Slavia Prague's visit in the Champions League reflected the current malaise surrounding Barcelona, one amplified by this past weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Levante in LaLiga. That match both increased the pressure on manager Ernesto Valverde and condemned Luis Suárez to a three-week spell on the sidelines with a new calf injury.
Inter Milan revived its hope of advancing to the Champions League Round of 16 with a much-needed 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro on Wednesday. Goals from the red-hot Lautaro Martínez and Antonio Candreva catapulted Inter up to second in Group F — three points behind leaders Barcelona — while Dortmund dropped to third.
Barcelona needed everything it could muster to hold on to a narrow 2-1 win over Slavia Prague on Wednesday in the Czech capital, surviving a late flurry from the hosts.
The three points would have been much easier to come by had it not been for a once-in-a-lifetime miss from Barcelona’s No. 10.
In a very defensive Champions League matchup, Chelsea handed Ajax its first loss of the season in all competitions.
Michy Batshuayi subbed in for forward Tammy Abraham in the 71st minute and he did not waste time attempting to get on the board. After receiving a tipped pass in prime position in front of the box, the Belgian sent the ball into the nosebleeds.
Fifteen minutes later, with a little help from fellow sub Christian Pulisic, he had a chance at redemption.
There were not, admittedly, many great matchups in Tuesday’s Champions League slate. All the big clubs played opponents they were expected to beat, and while some struggled to claim all three points, most came away with easy victories.
Two of the most emphatic victories came from PSG (5-0 over Club Brugge) and Manchester City (5-1 over Atalanta). Their star men both recorded stunning hat tricks.
Paulo Dybala did not start Tuesday’s match well. His first touch was a mess early on, he failed to provide much to the attack as Juventus went behind in the first half and many were surprised he wasn’t pulled when Gonzalo Higuain was brought on in the second half.
But by the time he was subbed out in the 81st minute, Dybala was the star — the match winner having scored twice, including an epic golazo to spark the Old Lady to a 2-1 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow.
In the race for second place behind Manchester City in Group C of the Champions League, Shakhtar Donetsk really needed to hold serve at home against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday. But because of some sheer lunacy from Shakhtar keeper Andriy Pyatov, Dinamo escaped with a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Ahead of Juventus’ Champions League clash against Lokomotiv Moscow at Allianz Stadium on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to the media about the club’s direction under new manager Maurizio Sarri and his form at the age of 34, while also issuing a stern rebuke to critics that claim he’s somehow holding back both Juve and Portugal with his predatory play.