Our 5️⃣ points from another incredible evening of Champions League action | OneFootball

This week’s round of Champions League action came to a close on Wednesday night as Erling Haaland defied gravity, Juventus lost again and Allan McGregor saved two (out of three) penalties Rangers faced.

Here’s what we made of it.

Champions find a way

That’s the saying, right?

A dominant Milan won at the San Siro before the defending champions from Spain, France and England picked up three points – although the latter pair had to come from behind.

Jude Bellingham had given Borussia Dortmund the lead and, as Pep Guardiola (celebrating his 150th Champions League game as a manager) watched on, we saw exactly why Man City brought in a focal point for their attack.

With John Stones having rifled a stunning equaliser, reminiscent of that Vincent Kompany goal, Haaland popped up just minutes later to acrobatically turn in João Cancelo’s delicious cross to win the game.

In Isreal, things were done and dusted a little earlier as PSG needed the brilliance of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar to turn things around after Maccabi Haifa scored their first UCL goal in almost 20 years.

And finally, against RB Leipzig, two goals in the final ten minutes made the scoreline look more comfortable than the game was for Carlo Ancelotti’s side who maintain their 100% start to the season.

Champions find a way.

Mudryk’s stock continues to rise

The subject of ample transfer speculation during the summer, young Mykhaylo Mudryk added fuel to the fire this week by revealing that “there was lot of discussions about a transfer and clubs who want me”.

At 21 years of age, the Ukraine international is showing immense maturity in the current climate with Shakhtar Donetsk having to play their home games in Poland.

Nothing is slowing this rising star down though as two goals and two assists in the first two Champions League games attests to.

Mudryk hinted at a possible January move, and if he continues to excel like this on Europe’s biggest stage he’s going to cost a pretty penny.

One foot out of the group stage

Following their rampant performance at home to Liverpool last week, Napoli faced a different kind of test during their trip to Ibrox.

Piotr Zieliński, who scored twice against Liverpool, was once again front and centre in a dazzling attacking performance, although the 28-year-old had a bit of a night to forget.

After hitting the post within the first two minutes, the Poland international was twice denied from the spot by goalkeeper Allan McGregor after the first was retaken due to an encroachment from Matteo Politano (who had scored from the rebound).

Rangers defender James Sands was given his marching orders in the concession of that penalty kick as Rangers were unable to hold on – conceding another penalty, taken and scored by Politano this time, before two late goals put the game to bed.

Two defeats for Rangers and two wins for Napoli leave both teams with one foot out of the group stage, although they’ll likely be heading in different directions.

Not so sterling start to Potter’s reign

The Graham Potter reign at Stamford Bridge is officially underway and despite the excitement, Wednesday’s result leaves a disappointing aftertaste.

Potter made a couple of eyebrow-raising line-up decisions, which saw César Azpilicueta play alongside Thiago Silva in central defence in the deployment of a back four – although Raheem Sterling effectively played at wingback.

Chelsea firmly dominated proceedings and deservedly took the lead as they came flying out of the blocks in the second half. Mason Mount’s low cross was missed by all until it ran to Sterling who took one touch before curling a tidy finish.

Despite their dominance, it took only one moment to spoil the evening, as the Blues’ defensive fragilities were on show again.

Silva poorly slid in to try and cut out a pass before Noah Okafor beat Azpilicueta to the cross to draw Red Bull Salzburg level with 15 minutes remaining.

Plenty of positives from Potter’s first night in charge, but familiar ghosts will take more than one week to exorcise.

Turbulent times in Turin

If Milan and Napoli look like they will be heading for the knock-out stages, Juventus are a side seemingly in free fall.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side let their early lead, scored by Arkadiusz Milik, slip out of their hands as for the second time this week VAR played its part against them.

They can have no complaints this time though as Fabio Miretti stamped on Gonçalo Ramos’ foot in the penalty area just before half-time.

An end-to-end encounter was thrilling for the neutral but, in front of a home crowd, Juventus lacked control and Benfica were the more dangerous of the two sides.

The visitors deserved their lead and the victory after David Neres had put them ahead in the 55th minute.

Only one win from the past seven games means questions will surely be asked about Allegri’s ability to remain in charge in Turin.