Liverpool, Porto through; Real Madrid face exit
While former champions Liverpool and Porto eased to the knockout stage of the Champions League, record 13-time champions Real Madrid face an embarrassing group-stage exit after losing 2-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk in yesterday’s games.
Zinedine Zidane’s side would have advanced with a win, but it has defended poorly all season and was undone by counterattack goals in the second half. Instead of progressing, Madrid dropped to third place in Group B behind the Ukrainian side and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Six-time champions Liverpool overcame injury problems to beat four-time winners Ajax 1-0 at Anfield, thanks to a second-half goal from midfielder Curtis Jones.
Two-time winners Porto held already qualified Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at home, although City ensured the top spot.
No drama in those two groups, but there was plenty in Madrid’s as Gladbach missed the chance to advance after losing 3-2 at home to three-time champions Inter Milan, who had to win.
Atletico Madrid did not do enough, drawing 1-1 at home to Bayern Munich even though the defending champions fielded a weakened side having already qualified.
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
A first European goal from Jones was heartwarming for coach Jurgen Klopp as he bemoans considerable injury problems and a congested fixture list.
Klopp can take comfort from the quality of the young players in Liverpool’s ranks as Jones scored off a cross from fellow 19-year-old Neco Williams. At the other end, there was a confident debut from goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher keeping out Ajax’s attacks in the absence of injured No 1 Alisson Becker.
In group D’s other game, newcomers FC Midtjylland stunned Atalanta by drawing 1-1 in Bergamo for their first point.
Alexander Scholz put the Danish side ahead in the 13th before fellow centre back Cristian Romero grabbed a 79th-minute equaliser for last season’s quarterfinalists.
It proved a crucial goal as Ajax are one point behind Atalanta, and must beat the Italian side at home in next week’s finale to reach the knockout phase.
MADRID DEFEND POORLY
Real Madrid have advanced to the knockout stage in all 24 of their previous group-stage campaigns but things are looking tense.
Madrid have conceded nine goals in five games for their worst defensive record at this stage, losing twice to a Shakhtar side which leaked 10 goals in two defeats to Gladbach.
Brazilian forward Dentinho profited from a mix-up between Ferland Mendy and Raphael Varane to net in the 57th minute following a counterattack. Zidane’s players failed to take heed, the second stemming from another counter as Manor Solomon finished confidently.
Over in Germany, Inter had to win to have a chance at reaching the next round and the everreliable Romelu Lukaku saw to that with two goals.
Midfielder Matteo Darmian netted early on for Inter and French striker Alassane Plea nodded the home side level, only for Lukaku to net twice after the break before Plea replied again.
Remarkably, all four sides in group B can still qualify.