Tuesday, October 19, 2021
CL: Header party in Istanbul
Man City gives Bruges a tough lesson
Manchester City’s star ensemble is gaining momentum in the Champions League. At Club Bruges, last year’s finalist delivers a football show, the Belgians are often just spectators. In the second early game, Besiktas and Sporting beat each other with headers – with a better end for Lisbon.
English football champions Manchester City have found their way back to success in the Champions League. The finalist of the previous season won three weeks after the defeat at Paris St. Germain (0: 2) at the Belgian champions FC Bruges with 5: 1 (2: 0). The German international İlkay Gündoğan celebrated his comeback as a substitute after recovering from injury.
Joao Cancelo (30th) after a fine pass from Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez (43./Foul penalty, 84.), Kyle Walker (53.) and the only 19-year-old Cole Palmer (67.) scored for the team manager’s team Pep Guardiola, Hans Vanaken (81st) for the home side. Rodrigo’s supposed opening goal in the 13th minute was preceded by an offside position, but City dominated the action from the start. Shortly before the break, Mahrez increased from the point after he had been fouled himself and a few minutes after the restart, Walker made the preliminary decision. With six points from three games, City is on course for the round of 16 in Leipzig Group A, Bruges follows with four points.
In the meantime, Sporting Lisbon won its first victory in Group C of Borussia Dortmund. The Portuguese won the duel between two previously pointless teams 4-1 (3-1) at Besiktas Istanbul. Curious about it: the first three hits of the game were all headed. Sebastian Coates first completed a corner to give Sporting lead in the 15th minute, which Cyle Larin countered nine minutes later in the same way. The Besiktas professional nodded a cross from Miralem Pjanic, who moved from FC Barcelona to the Bosporus before the season.
Again shortly afterwards, in minute 27, it was again Coates who restored the lead for Lisbon with his head after a corner kick. Pablo Sarabia (44th) made it 3-1 with a hand penalty, the subsequent goal for Besiktas did not count before the half-time whistle: Alex Teixeira had completed a Welliton template with what is perhaps the most beautiful end of the previous Champions League season in the opposing goal, but also marginally sidelined. Paulinho then made the final score in the 89th minute.