AS Monaco, under the guidance of former Bundesliga manager Adi Hütter, kept their hopes alive for a direct spot in the UEFA champions League round of 16 with a narrow 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. Meanwhile, FC Brugge adn Juventus Turin remain in contention after a goalless draw, and PSV Eindhoven secured a thrilling 3-2 win against Red Star Belgrade, despite a late comeback attempt by the hosts.
The standout match of the week took place in Lisbon, where Benfica showcased their dominance with a hat-trick from Vangelis Pavlidis, including a penalty, and an unfortunate own goal by Ronald Araújo. However, Barcelona, led by former national coach Hansi Flick, staged a dramatic comeback with two penalties from Robert Lewandowski, a brace from Raphinha, and a late strike by Eric Garcia. Despite the heavy rain, the Catalans emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter.
Liverpool continued their impressive form, maintaining their unbeaten streak at the top of their group. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott ensured a 2-1 win over Lille, who managed to level the score temporarily through Jonathan David. The Reds’ consistency has solidified their position as group leaders.
PSV Eindhoven’s victory in Belgrade was fueled by a strong first-half performance, with Luuk de Jong netting twice and Ryan Flamingo adding another before halftime. Despite late goals from Cherif Ndiaye and Nasser Djiga, Red Star Belgrade’s hopes of advancing were dashed. Similarly, Sturm Graz’s heavy 5-0 defeat to Atalanta Bergamo ended their campaign. With five teams, including RB Leipzig, already eliminated, the final matchday will see some fixtures with little at stake, such as Leipzig’s upcoming game in Graz.
exclusive Interview with Former Football Star Thierry Henry: Breaking Down the Week’s UEFA Champions league Drama
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This week’s UEFA Champions League action delivered drama, comebacks, and heartbreak in equal measure.To dissect the key moments, we sat down with football legend and former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Thierry Henry. Known for his sharp analysis and candid opinions, Henry shared his thoughts on the standout matches, tactical decisions, and what lies ahead in the competition.
Thierry, let’s start with AS Monaco’s narrow 1-0 win over aston Villa. Adi Hütter’s side is still in the hunt for a direct spot in the round of 16. What did you make of their performance?
Thierry Henry: Monaco’s performance was solid, but I wouldn’t say it was spectacular.They got the job done, which is what matters at this stage of the competition. Adi Hütter has brought a certain discipline to the team, and you can see they’re well-organized defensively. though, I think they’ll need to be more clinical in front of goal if they want to go far in the Champions League. Aston Villa had their moments, but Monaco’s defense held firm.
moderator: Do you think Monaco has what it takes to secure that direct spot, or will they falter under pressure?
Thierry Henry: it’s going to be tight. They’ve shown they can grind out results, but the Champions League is a different beast. The pressure in the final matchday can be overwhelming, and they’ll need their key players to step up. I’d keep an eye on their midfield—they need to control the game better.
Next, let’s talk about the thrilling 3-2 win for PSV Eindhoven against Red Star Belgrade. Luuk de Jong was instrumental with two goals. What stood out to you in that match?
Thierry Henry: PSV’s first-half performance was extraordinary. Luuk de Jong was a nightmare for Red Star’s defense—his movement and finishing were top-class. Ryan Flamingo also impressed me; he’s a young player with a lot of potential. But what surprised me was how PSV let Red Star back into the game. They were 3-0 up at halftime, and yet they allowed two late goals. That’s a concern.
Moderator: Do you think PSV’s defensive lapses could cost them in the knockout stages?
Thierry Henry: Absolutely. At this level, you can’t afford to switch off, even for a moment. PSV’s attack is formidable, but their defense needs to be more consistent. If they want to progress, they’ll have to tighten up at the back.
The standout match of the week was undoubtedly Benfica vs. Barcelona. Benfica looked dominant early on, but Barcelona staged an astonishing comeback. What’s your take on that game?
Thierry Henry: What a game! Benfica started brilliantly—Pavlidis’ hat-trick was a masterclass in finishing. But Barcelona showed why they’re one of the most resilient teams in Europe. Hansi Flick made some bold decisions, and they paid off. Lewandowski’s penalties were ice-cold,and Raphinha’s energy was infectious. Eric Garcia’s late goal was the cherry on top.
Moderator: Do you think Barcelona’s comeback was more about their quality or Benfica’s mistakes?
Thierry Henry: A bit of both. Benfica’s defense looked shaky after the first half,and they gave away two penalties,which is criminal at this level. But you have to credit Barcelona for capitalizing on those mistakes. They never gave up,even in heavy rain. That’s the mark of a great team.
Liverpool continued their impressive form with a 2-1 win over Lille. They’re unbeaten in their group and look like serious contenders. Do you agree?
Thierry Henry: Liverpool are flying right now. Salah and Elliott were brilliant, and they’ve shown they can adapt to different styles of play. What impresses me most is their consistency. They’ve been solid defensively and lethal in attack. I think they’re one of the favorites to win the whole thing.
moderator: Do you see any weaknesses in this Liverpool side?
Thierry Henry: Not many, to be honest.If I had to pick one, it’s their depth in certain positions. If Salah or Van Dijk were to get injured, it could disrupt their rhythm. But right now, they’re firing on all cylinders.
let’s touch on Sturm Graz’s heavy 5-0 defeat to Atalanta. With RB Leipzig already eliminated, some of thes final group-stage games seem almost meaningless. Do you think UEFA needs to rethink the format to keep every match competitive?
Thierry Henry: It’s a tricky one. the Champions League is already packed with games, and adding more could lead to player burnout. But I do think ther’s room for enhancement. Maybe introducing a playoff round for the lower-ranked teams could add more stakes to the group stage. Right now, some teams are just playing for pride, and that’s not ideal for the competition.
moderator: What would you say to fans who feel the group stage has become predictable?
Thierry Henry: I get it. The gap between the top teams and the rest has grown, and that can make the group stage less exciting. But there are still moments of magic—like Barcelona’s comeback or PSV’s thrilling win. We need to celebrate those moments while also pushing for changes that keep the competition fresh.
reader Interaction: What’s Your Take?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you agree with Thierry Henry’s analysis? Who do you think will win the Champions League this season? Share your opinions in the comments below, and let’s get the debate going!
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Thierry Henry’s insights remind us why he’s one of the most respected voices in football. as the Champions League group stage reaches its climax, the drama is only set to intensify. Stay tuned for more analysis and interviews as we follow every twist and turn of Europe’s premier club competition.
