FC Liverpool – Bayer 04 Leverkusen 4:0 (0:0)
Bayer Leverkusen suffered their first defeat of the current season in the Champions League. At Liverpool FC, the former club of Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, the Leverkusen team lost 0:4 (0:0). Luis Díaz gave Liverpool the lead in the 61st minute, Cody Gakpo increased it to 2-0 (65th). Díaz scored again in the 83rd and 90th + 2nd minute.
Liverpool dominated the game, while Leverkusen were challenged defensively. Despite a special tactical formation by Alonso, who used three central midfielders, Liverpool pushed the visitors into their half. There were initially no chances to score until Salah and Gakpo were denied by Hradecky in the first half. Frimpong had a goal disallowed for handball.
In the second half, Liverpool increased the pressure and scored goals through Díaz and Gakpo after two defensive errors. Díaz scored twice shortly before the end to make the final score 4-0.
With twelve points, Liverpool are well on their way to qualifying directly for the round of 16. Bayer Leverkusen, the German soccer champions, remains at seven points after four of eight preliminary round games.
Borussia Dortmund – SK Sturm Graz 1:0 (0:0)
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund prevailed against Sturm Graz – with Donyell Malen scoring the only goal in the 85th minute. The victory gives Dortmund an interim record of three wins and one defeat in the group phase. Although coach Nuri Şahin’s team dominated the game for long stretches, there were initially no clear chances to score.
As on Saturday, Dortmund played with Felix Nmecha as the only defensive midfielder and had 13:2 shots on goal by halftime. Maximilian Beier missed the best chance when Otar Kiteishvili cleared his shot in front of the line. Due to numerous absences, coach Şahin was unable to rotate. Dortmund remained superior in the second half, but looked increasingly tired. Only Donyell Malen, who came on as a substitute in the 67th minute, secured Dortmund’s victory with his goal.
With nine points, Dortmund is in the top group in the new league format and has a good chance of making it directly to the round of 16.
Celtic Glasgow – RB Leipzig 3:1 (2:1)
RB Leipzig also won in the fourth preliminary round game Champions League have to accept a defeat and continue to wait for the first point. The team lost 1:3 (1:2) at Celtic Glasgow. Christoph Baumgartner gave Leipzig the lead in the 23rd minute. Nicolas Kühn (35th/45th+1) and Reo Hatate (72nd) turned the game in favor of Celtic.
RB Leipzig initially had problems with Celtic’s high attacking pressure, but gradually found their way into the game. Loïs Openda forced Kasper Schmeichel to make the first save (22′), and Baumgartner headed in shortly afterwards to take the lead. Nicolas Kühn equalized and turned the game around before halftime. After the break, Celtic dominated, Leipzig remained without ideas. Schmeichel parried a shot from Benjamin Šeško (64′) before Hatate sealed the 3-1 with a goal.
The Scots have seven points after four games. The second place in the Bundesliga table’s chances of progressing are getting worse and worse.
Bayer Leverkusen suffered their first defeat of the current season in the Champions League. At Liverpool FC, the former club of Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, the Leverkusen team lost 0:4 (0:0). Luis Díaz gave Liverpool the lead in the 61st minute, Cody Gakpo increased it to 2-0 (65th). Díaz scored again in the 83rd and 90th + 2nd minute.
Liverpool dominated the game, while Leverkusen were challenged defensively. Despite a special tactical formation by Alonso, who used three central midfielders, Liverpool pushed the visitors into their half. There were initially no chances to score until Salah and Gakpo were denied by Hradecky in the first half. Frimpong had a goal disallowed for handball.
