Tops/flops : This fifth day of the Champions League group stage witnessed Inter’s crazy return against Benfica, Real Madrid’s great victory over Napoli and Bayern’s draw against Copenhagen.
Tops
The return of Inter
After trailing 3-0 at half-time in Lisbon against Benfica, Inter Milan snatched a heroic draw on Wednesday evening. Marko Arnautovic (51st), Davide Fratesi (58th) and Alexis Sanchez (72nd), from the penalty spot, allowed the Nerazzurri to return to Lisbon’s level. The European champions came close to achieving victory in the final seconds, when the newcomer Lautaro Martinez hit the Portuguese crossbar in the 94th minute. A match that is symptomatic of the mentality of the Inter team that never gives up. Real warriors.
Alexis Sanchez during the equalizer against Benfica. Pedro Nunes/Reuters
Joao Mario hat-trick
The performance of the evening went to Benfica midfielder Joao Mario. The Portuguese scored all three goals for his team in the first half against Inter. It’s not every day that you score a hat-trick in the Champions League. However, this wonderful performance was not enough to guarantee victory for Lisbon…
Joao Mario, who scored a hat-trick with Benfica against Inter. Patricia de Mello Moreira/AFP
Nico Paz revelation
The 19-year-old Argentine, who participated in the 65th minute instead of Brahim Diaz, handed Real Madrid over in the final moments of the match against Napoli. The attacking midfielder took advantage of his opportunity in the 84th minute to score a wonderful goal and restore the advantage to the Merengues, before Joselu completed Casablanca’s victory (4-2). This is the first achievement for the talented Nico Paz in Real Madrid colors, in addition to that in the Champions League. Just that.
He flops
Benfica excitement
The road to the cross in the Champions League continues for Benfica this season. It occupies last place in Group Four with only one point, and it is certain that last season’s quarter-finalists will not qualify. Despite leading 3-0 in the first half at home, the Lisbon team seems unable to achieve victory. The Portuguese was very frantic, and saw Inter gradually get back into the game and come close to another defeat in the final minutes. C1 Campaign to Forget Roger Schmidt’s Men.
Harry Kane is (very) uninspiring
A surprising result this evening in Munich. Bayern Munich failed to beat Copenhagen (0-0) and was very close in attack, like its top scorer since the beginning of the season, Harry Kane. The Englishman, who walks on water in the Bundesliga with 18 goals on the clock, had just one shot on target during the entire match. Worse still, the former Tottenham striker only touched 17 balls in 90 minutes. Starving. The second-highest goalscorer in Premier League history was unrecognizable.
