The biggest club competition of Europe returned on Tuesday to kick off another season of rivalry among the top clubs. After a season full of eventful transfers both of players and coaches these clubs having already kicked off their respective seasons were out testing their might against continental rivals.
The night started on a low note as one of the most sought after match of the night Group C fixture between England’s Manchester City vs Germany’s Borussia M’gladbach was called off due to heavy rain in Manchester. However the other teams more than made up for it none like their Group mates Barcelona.
Results and Analysis by Groups
Group A
Basel 1-1 Ludo Razgd
Paris Saint Germain 1-1 Arsenal
At the end of the night all teams in this group are level at 1 point each. But the scorelines doesn’t define how the matches went. The Arsenal-PSG match was one where action started even before kick off with Arsenal controversial team selection, to their conceding goal within a minute of kick off 42 seconds to be precise, to making a come back and a heroic efforts by their second choice keeper they managed to salvage a draw with Sanchez cancelling out Cavani’s record time strike in the 77 minute. The match ended rather on a sour note with both teams reduced to 10 men, Giroud and Verrati were given sending off orders in the 94th minute over argument. the match could have end a different ending as PSG missed out another chance to win the match when Marquinos hit a header wide in the 95th minute.
Group B
Benfica 1-1 Besiktas
Dynamo Kiev 1-2 Napoli
In the group of underdogs Napoli made a comeback from a goal down to win 1-2 and go on top of the group. Having lost their last season top scorer Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus in record transfer deal, Napoli were gunning on their latest recruit Arkadiusz Milik to provide the required fire power. The Polish striker was up and running from the word go and scored twice to ensure the win for the Italian side.
For the first timers Besiktas it was Anderson Talisca a player loaned by them from their opponents Benfica only, netted a stunning stoppage-time free-kick to earn new side a 1-1 Champions League draw. Benfica will sure be regretting the decision.
Group C
Barcelona 7-0 Celtic
After having suffered a shock loss in La Liga Barcelona were out there to make amends and who better than Lionel Messi was at the center of it. He went on to score his 40th hattrick as the Scottish side was hammered to say the least. All of their new manager Brendon Roger’s optimism was taken to the cleaners. The MSN show ruled the roost with both Suarez and Neymar also ending on the score sheet.
Group D
Bayern Munich 5-0 FC Rostov
PSV Eindhoven 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Group D or as they put it the Group of Death taught us a few things. One it has three top teams fighting for the 2 slots. While Bayern Munich and last year finalists seem favorite its not easy to count out Dutch side PSV Eindhoven as they showed tonight. FC Rostov a minnow in all regard will find it tuff to keep out teams from scoring.
Bayern run a goal riot only to be undone by Barcelona’s 7, they managed 5 of their own to move top of the table. While the other match was an evenly fought contest with a lone strike by Saul Niguez in the 43rd minute separated the two sides. PSV were unlucky having missed to score from the penalty spot and also saw some dubious decisions coming their way to end their 6 match unbeaten streak in all competitions.