Champions League Matchday 4: Upsets and Outstanding Performances
The UEFA Champions League matchday four brought unexpected twists, with powerhouses Real Madrid and Manchester City suffering surprising defeats.
AC Milan and Sporting CP showcased their prowess, delivering compelling performances that will resonate throughout the tournament.
In a notable fixture, Real Madrid faced AC Milan and fell short, losing 3-1. This defeat highlighted the ongoing struggles of Los Blancos in the 2024/25 Champions League campaign. Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid has failed to find their rhythm, with their defensive structure easily breached by AC Milan.
The Spanish giants struggled to coordinate their press, allowing Milan’s attacking players to exploit the gaps in their defense. A critical moment came when Aurélien Tchouaméni lost possession in midfield, enabling Reijnder to set up Álvaro Morata for Milan’s second goal. Despite Jude Bellingham’s efforts to drive forward, Madrid’s front line was largely ineffective, leaving them with just six points from their opening four games. With upcoming matches against high-flying Liverpool and Atalanta, the defending champions are at risk of an early exit.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s woes continued as they succumbed to Sporting CP in a stunning 4-1 defeat. Erling Haaland missed a crucial penalty that could have shifted momentum, but City struggled to regain control of the match after initially taking the lead. Manager Pep Guardiola has been vocal about the challenges posed by injuries to key players, which have left the squad vulnerable. This defeat marked City’s third consecutive loss in all competitions, raising concerns about their consistency as they aim to defend their league title.
On a brighter note, Liverpool continued to impress, tearing through Bayer Leverkusen with a commanding 4-0 victory. Luis Díaz starred with a hat-trick, while Cody Gakpo added another goal, solidifying Liverpool’s position atop their group with a perfect record. Their relentless attacking play and solid defensive organization have made them a formidable opponent in this season’s competition.
In France, Ligue 1 teams Monaco, Lille, and Brest made headlines with strong performances. Monaco remained undefeated after a 1-0 win over Bologna, while Lille’s Jonathan David has been in exceptional form, scoring crucial goals that have put them in contention for the knockout stages. Brest, the tournament debutants, have also impressed, collecting ten points from their first four matches.
Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, continued their remarkable run, scoring 15 goals in four games, the highest in the competition. Their attacking unit is firing on all cylinders, showcasing crisp passing and effective positioning that has seen them dominate their matches.
However, Arsenal’s campaign took another hit as they narrowly lost 1-0 to Inter Milan, leaving them languishing in 12th place in their group. The Gunners’ struggles to secure vital away victories have raised questions about their mental fortitude and tactical setup under Mikel Arteta.
