This fifth day of the Champions League group stage could be decisive for Barça. In case of success on Benfica, Xavi and his men secured qualification for the round of 16. To fulfill this mission, the new Catalan coach had prepared a 3-4-3 with Lenglet behind, and the starts of Alba and young Demir in support of Depay. It was also the Austrian international who signed the first attempt of the match (8th). Araujo was missing the frame (13th), just like Gavi (26th), while Vlachodimos saved his family against Alba (28th). After this period of domination, Barça in turn suffered a weak time that Benfica could not achieve either. Ter Stegen pushed back on his line this attempt by Yaremchuk (34th) but he could only see the damage on this huge strike from Otamendi under the bar (35th). A sword blow in the water here too since the ball had been released previously …
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After this fear, the Catalans moved forward, again thanks to the very restless Demir, author of a magnificent shot wound on the bar (43rd). The debates were balanced at the resumption, with once again the defenses which took the top like this against Otamendi in front of Depay (58th) and this strike out of frame of Nunez (66th). The entry of Ousmane Dembélé at the hour mark, much acclaimed by the Nou Camp, offered a little more momentum to the Blaugranas. On one of his first balls, he dropped a perfect cross for De Jong’s helmet shot, simply slammed by Vlachodimos (68th). This end of meeting smelled of sulfur. Araujo thought to release his own before being signaled offside (83rd) but it was above all Seferović who was inexplicably missing on this counter synonymous with match point (90th + 1). After this 0-0 draw, Barça will have to seek qualification in Munich, while Benfica will challenge Dynamo Kiev.
Chelsea humiliate Juventus
Another shock of the evening, Chelsea received Juventus, determined to wash away the affront of the first leg lost 1-0. Tuchel lined up Chalobah in defense and Chilwell on the left, in addition to Pulisic, Ziyech and Hudson-Odoi in front. The reigning European champion took the game by the right end. If Chilwell missed the frame (3rd), James put Szczesny to work (24th). But on the next corner, the Turinese lost two consecutive duels and let Chalobah open the scoring (25th). Dominated, the Piedmontese reacted with this lob from Morata on Mendy only Thiago Silva managed to miraculously clear the leather on his line (28th). It was too little to worry the English on a big night. After a header from Thiago Silva on the post, the Blues took the big shot after blow thanks to James (55th) and Hudson-Odoi (58th). One last goal from Werner for a huge 4-0 victory and they reclaim the first place tied on point with their opponent on the evening.
In the other Group H match, Zenit got hot by snatching a 1-1 draw on Malmö’s lawn thanks to a penalty in added time. In Pool F, Atalanta and Young Boys went through all the feelings. Twice ahead on the scoreboard with goals from Zapata (10th) then Palomino (51st), the Dea saw the Swiss come back for the first time by Siebatcheu (39th), before being returned in the last ten minutes by goals from Sierro (81st) and Hefti (85th). As we were heading towards a stunning success for the Swiss, Luis Muriel in turn equalized (88th), leaving the two teams at 3-3. The Italians will play their qualification against Villarreal which they receive in two weeks, with a point behind the Spaniards. In Pool G, while LOSC took first place thanks to its very precious success over Salzburg (1-0), Sevilla beat Wolfburg at home 2-0 thanks to Jordan (12th) then a last goal from Rafa Mir (90th + 8), and keeps his chances of qualifying. In this group, anything can still happen since only three points separate the LOSC from the Wolves, which the Northerners must challenge in Germany on December 8.
Evening results:
Group E:
FC Barcelone 0 – 0 Benfica
Group F:
Young Boys 3-3 Atalanta: Siebatcheu (39e), Sierro (81e), Hefti (85e); Zapata (10e), Palomino (51e), Luis Muriel (88e)
Group G:
LOSC 1 – 0 RB Salzbourg : David (31e)
Sevilla FC 2 – 0 Wolfsbourg: Jordan (12th), Mir (90th + 8)
Group H:
Malmö 1 – 1 Zenit Saint -Petersburg: Rieks (28th); Rakytskiy (90e+2)
Chelsea 4 – 0 Juventus : Chalobah (25e), James (55e), Hudson-Odoi (58e), Werner (90e+5)
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