News Archive

Champions League, day four

Real Madrid’s first ever trip to Wembley didn’t turn out quite as planned, the defending champions beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of group games. Del Alli scored the first two either side of half time and then set up Eriksen for a third, and ronaldo’s strike came too late to change the result. Madrid are now three points behind Spurs in second place in their group, although a draw in the other group game means they are still strong favourites to go through to the next round. Sevilla were in fact the only Spanish team to win this week, a 2.1 victory over Spartak Moscow taking them back above their opponents to second place behind Liverpool. Lenglet headed the opener before the break, and Banega made it two after the restart, but after Ze Luis got one back the result was in doubt until the final whistle. (01.11.17)

Spanish sides were lacking fire power on Tuesday, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid both drawing games that on paper they should have won. Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw at Olympiacos, Luis Suárez in particular failing to convert a number of chances. The Catalans are still top of their group though, and only need a point from their last two games to reach the knockout stage. Atlético however are virtually out of the competition after they were held to a 1-1 draw in the Metropolitano stadium by Qarabag (who played the last half hour with ten men), Thomas at least saving a point after Michel had headed the visitors in to the lead. Simeon’s side now have to beat Roma and Chelsea, and hope Qarabag take something off one of them to have any chance of going through. (31.10.17)