As matchday 5 heads to an end, we recap all the biggest moments over the past 2 days. Sexy goals, ugly misses and a Jose Mourinho Hulk-smash. It's all on offer here.
There wasn’t any flipping of the script this week in Champions League. United carry on with their cheeky late-minute desperation goals. Real Madrid pick up a much need away win in hopes they can build off that. Roma held City to a draw. PSG pump the breaks on Liverpool’s recent success. Spurs eke out a tight win against Inter, and all the big teams took care of business.
Fellaini 90'(+1) | Man Utd 1 - 0 Young Boys
I really don’t know what to say about Man United at this point. I just don’t get it. They played awful on the night, same as they did against Juve, but somehow end up with a positive result. Regardless of the points, United fans cannot be happy with where things are at. These last minute wins are far from the Fergie Time goals of yore. They are pure and utter desperation.
Jose's Goal "Celebration"
Final Score: Man Utd 1 - 0 Young Boys
Jose has mastered the art of papering over cracks, keeping the threadbare squad together. In UCL, United sit 2nd in the group with only 2 points splitting hem from Juve. Another poor performance from United, and another positive result for them. I hate to repeat myself, but I really don’t know what say about this United squad right now. They are parody of themselves.
Mandzukic 59' | Juv 1 - 0 Valencia
Final Score: Juv 1 - 0 Valencia
Ronaldo continues to enjoy his sparkling form. Coming off a goal over the weekend, Ronaldo was instrumental in creating a goal tonight. The ball ends up at his feet inside the box, and then, in a flash, he frees himself form the defend, plays it back across the face of goal for an easy Mandzukic tap-in. With the win, Juve stay atop the table 2 points clear of United.
Koke 2' | Atlético 1 - 0 AS Monaco
A bit of a funny match to be truthful. Beginning with the odd absence of Falcao in the starting lineup, an injury-stricken Monaco never got off their back foot. If the 7 first-team injuries weren’t enough to stack the deck against them, an early own goal would certainly do it. Nothing got any better for them after that.
All culminating in a horrendous penalty miss by Falcao. The strangest thing about all that: Falcao was left out of the starting 11, when he came out the Atleti fans gave him a standing ovation, then before the match was over, he missed a wide open net when he wrong-footed the keeper on the pk.
Griezmann 24' | Atlético 2 - 0 AS Monaco
Final Score: Atlético 2 - 0 AS Monaco
This highlight pretty much sums up Monaco’s defending on the evening. Atlético played through the Monaco defense with ease. The Spaniards controlled the midfield and spent almost the entire first 45’ in Monaco’s half. Griezmann has been in electric form in Champions League, putting a MoTM performance in tonight with a goal and an assist. That's 4 goals in 5 group stage matches for him.
Thierry Henry has a lot of work still left to get his youthful side back on track. Personally, I hope they give him time because I think he will do well in time. Just hope he gets that time.
Messi 60' | PSV 0-1 Barcelona
Final Score: PSV 1 - 2 Barcelona
Was sad I missed this in real time. I was watching the other matches, so I can’t comment overall about the match. However, this goal is naaaasty. No room for Messi to operate, completely surrounded by defenders, somehow a split second of space emerges, and in a flash, the keeper is picking the ball out of the net. I have no idea how he does it time and time again. Messi needs to be nerfed because this is getting out of hand. Messi FC is more like it.
Neymar 37' | PSG 2 - 0 Liverpool
Final Score: PSG 2 - 0 Liverpool
This was another match that I regrettably missed because I was stuck watching Spurs vs Inter. As a LFC fan, this result was a bit of a downer, and I hope this doesn’t hinder the mood heading into the derby over the weekend.
The above highlight is pretty damning. PSG played through Liverpool so fast. Acres and acres of space for white shirts to run into. The most amazing part of this goal highlight is Mbappe’s pace down the left flank. Watch how he just scorches everyone behind him. This is just straight up sweaty pace abuse.
Final Whistle
I know I didn’t get all the goals, and I’m sure I missed one or two really great ones. If so, be sure to let me know down in the comments. Who were major winners for this week? Who were the major losers? Going forward expect things to get very tight in the leagues as we push into match congestion ahead of the holidays. Some team’s entire seasons may be decided in the next run of matches. A lot on the line before the New Year.
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