Real and Inter are through
Copenhagen dupes Man United in a wild duel
November 8, 2023, 11:18 p.m
Real Madrid and Inter Milan are in the knockout phase of the premier class early, while surprise team Real Sociedad has also already qualified. Kai Havertz and Arsenal are well on their way. Manchester United experienced a strange evening with a bad ending.
Bayern Munich’s group opponents Manchester United gave up important points on the fourth matchday of the Champions League despite a 2-0 lead. At the previous bottom of Group A, FC Copenhagen, the Red Devils weakened themselves with a red card from Marcus Rashford (42nd) and lost in a wild game 3:4 (2:2). Ex-Copenhagen player Rasmus Hojlund (3rd/28th) had given Manchester the lead in his hometown. But being outnumbered and with 13 minutes of added time, it fizzled out before the half-time whistle. The Copenhagen winning goal despite being twice behind was scored by 17-year-old Roony Bardghji (87th), and the Danes jumped to second place in the table.
With their fourth win in their fourth game, record champions Real Madrid have already stormed into the round of 16. Union Berlin’s group opponents, with national player Antonio Rüdiger and former world champion Toni Kroos playing at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu from the start, defeated Sporting Braga 3-0 (1-0) and qualified as the first team in Group C for the knockout phase . First with enthusiasm, then with skill, Real won, with Jude Bellingham only sitting on the bench after his shoulder injury. An early penalty (6th) was saved by Madrid goalkeeper Andrij Lunin, who replaced the injured Kepa at short notice. Then Bellingham representatives Brahim Diaz (27th), Vinicius Junior (58th) and Rodrygo (61st) made things clear.
Real Sociedad San Sebastian and Inter Milan are also in the top 16 in Europe. First, the Basques won in Group D thanks to an exhilarating first half 3-1 (3-0) against coach Roger Schmidt’s still pointless and very weak Benfica Lisbon, then Inters sealed the premature victory 1-0 (0-0) at RB Salzburg Both teams advance. Benfica, which at least ended its goallessness with Rafa (49th), can only reach third place and the associated play-offs for the knockout phase of the Europa League.
In Group B, Arsenal FC have the best cards for the round of 16. With Kai Havertz in the starting line-up, the Gunners beat Sevilla FC 2-0 (1-0), with the goals scored by Leandro Trossard (29th) and Bukayo Saka (64th). With PSV Eindhoven’s 1-0 (1-0) win against RC Lens, Arsenal’s lead over their pursuers is now four points. Ex-Gladbacher Luuk de Jong scored for Eindhoven (12th).