The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Late Champions League goal blow for Red Devils
YOUNG BOYS 2
MANCHESTERUNITED 1
Manchester United’s Champions League campaign got off to a nightmare start as Jordan Siebatcheu’s stoppage-time strike earned Young Boys a famous 2-1 victory against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 10 men in Switzerland.
Three-and-a-half months on from losing the Europa League final to Villarreal on penalties, the Red Devils were on course to return to continental action with a straightforward win after Cristiano Ronaldo’s early opener.
The Portuguese’s 135th Champions League goal came as the returning forward equalled Iker Casillas’ appearance record in the competition, but the 36-year-old will want to forget his 177th match.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s 35th minute sending off for a rash challenge on Christopher Martins Pereira changed the dynamics of the game, with Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu levelling before Siebatcheu struck at the death.
Few could argue that the Swiss champions – managed by former Huddersfield boss David Wagner – did not deserve the result on a night when their performance was as impressive as United’s was poor.
Moumi Ngamaleu sent the Stadion Wankdorf wild when levelling and substitute Siebatcheu capitalised on a dreadful Jesse Lingard backpass to strike a stunning stoppagetime blow in the Group F opener.
The Young Boys players celebrated with their fans long after the final whistle – and who could blame them having played second fiddle to the Premier League stars before the game.
Afterwards Solskjaer stressed the need for improved discipline and focus.
“It’s in football in general, not just the Champions League, discipline is a huge part of the game,” he said.
“Aaron’s normally a very, very astute tackler – one of the best in the world. We know we’ve given ourselves a more difficult task than what we did last year but everyone thought we were through after two games last year.
“You need 10, maybe 12, points, you need to win your home games, win one away from home.
“Of course we’ve lost the opportunity to get three points but we’ve got two home games next and got to focus on them two.
“That’s football for you at the highest level. Lack of concentration, make a mistake and you get punished. You get done.
“We did that last year in Europe. We conceded two sloppy counter-attacks against Basaksehir and we lost that game.
“Today in the last seconds Jesse just wants to play it safe and just one misplaced pass and you’ve conceded a goal. That happens in football.
“In hindsight – Harry hindsight – he’s a very good player so of course Jesse if he can get that chance again he’ll turn and swivel and boot it the other way. We’ll learn from it.”
As United nurse their wounds after a terrible start to Group F, Young Boys fans will be celebrating long into the night after Wagner led them to victory.
“We’ve won a couple of games already, but to beat Manchester United in the Champions League is unique,” he said.
“I’m just really happy for everyone who witnessed it. Every single person here played their part. The lads went above and beyond their limits. That’s only possible with great support.”
CHELSEA 1 ZENITSTPETERSBURG 0
Romelu Lukaku’s pinpoint header rescued Chelsea’s first match as Champions League holders in a 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg.
Belgium hitman Lukaku bagged his third goal in two games and his fourth for Chelsea since his £98 million switch from Inter Milan.
The 28-year-old converted captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s hanging farpost cross with a header of stunning accuracy, and that after shrugging aside three touch-tight Zenit defenders.
Chelsea laboured past a resolute and regimented Zenit, for much of the match running the risk of limping to a dispiriting draw.
But then Lukaku rose up, highest of all, to nod home and turn the night entirely.
Both Chelsea and Lukaku have been clear from the start: the Anderlecht product has come to west London to score goals and win matches.
So far, so very good for the talismanic striker.
Last season Chelsea would have drawn this match. Lukaku’s prowess and presence have already delivered a major impact, with the Blues’ rivals in all competitions taking ominous note.
Had Artem Dzyuba slid the ball home for Zenit from mere yards out late on, however, the tie would have harboured a very different hue.
But Chelsea escaped unscathed, to swipe three important points from the opening Group H encounter.
Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City side can draw motivation from last season’s Champions League heartbreak as they begin their latest campaign.
The Premier League winners fell just short in Europe’s elite club competition last term as they were beaten by Chelsea in the final in May.
Guardiola hopes his players – as they did in bouncing back from their disappointing quarterfinal loss to Lyon in 2020 to reach the final – can turn that adversity into a source of motivation.
The City manager said: “I’m pretty sure (of that). The players have feelings and soul and you know it hurts when you cannot achieve.
“For them now it’s a new, new challenge to try. When these guys win three Premier Leagues in the last four years, and every year we have the feeling that we can do better – we reached the final of the Champions League – yes, it’s a motor. They want it.”
Guardiola realises, however, that last season’s achievements count for nothing now as they start the challenge all over again.
City host Leipzig tonight in their opening match of a tough Group A, which also includes another of the competition favourites in Paris St-Germain, and Bruges.
He said: “Sport is always a new challenge. What happened in the past is the past.
“We have experience – but that doesn’t mean it is going to be well for this season. It’s the start of a new competition.
“We’re fortunate to be involved. We try to win the first game of many. All group stages are difficult, this is not an exception. “
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is awaiting an update after youngster Harvey Elliott underwent surgery on his dislocated ankle.
The 18-year-old was carried off on a stretcher with the serious injury after a challenge by Pascal Struijk during Sunday’s 3-0 win at Leeds United, and had an operation yesterday.
“The night of the game already he was in the best possible place,” said Klopp. “He took it, accepted already that he would be out for a while and today he is in London and will, as far as I know, have the surgery.
“That is obviously the next step on the way back.
“We all wait for news after the surgery and that is it.”
Leeds announced yesterday that they have appealed against Struijk’s red card.
Midfielder Elliott and forward Roberto Firmino are Liverpool’s only two absentees for their Champions League opener at home to AC Milan tonight.
Firmino is still nursing a hamstring injury from before the international break.
Klopp may be tempted to rest centre-back Joel Matip, with either Joe Gomez or summer signing Ibrahima Konate potential replacements.