Champions League on a Thursday? It would take some time to get used to however the revamped model of Europe’s elite competitors served up extra intrigue on night time three.
It was the one match day and not using a tie that includes two European heavyweights however there was nonetheless drama: Arsenal have been held by Atalanta, Xabi Alonso’s Bayern Leverkusen comfortably made the step up from Europa League, two sought-after strikers produced memorable moments, a Champions League debutant obtained off to a profitable begin and an American sporting icon was in attendance to see a future nice.
Right here, The Athletic delves into the very best tales in additional element.
Yamal x Jordan = starpower
The discuss earlier than Monaco hosted Barcelona had been in regards to the guests’ 17-year-old Lamine Yamal and whether or not he’s now within the dialog as the best of all time on the subject of teenage footballing stars.
Yamal, after all, not too long ago lit up the European Championship with Spain, scoring one of many targets of the match and serving to his nation win the title.
If Yamal was in want of recommendation about how to deal with his new-found fame, there was a person on the Stade Louis II in a position to supply some — NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Monaco hardly wants any extra glamour with its mega yachts and glitzy casinos, however the presence of Jordan — sitting behind a crimson velvet rope within the company seating — actually added one other layer to the event.
Michael Jordan was in attendance to see Lamine Yamal mild up Monaco (Chris Ricco – UEFA/UEFA by way of Getty Photos)
Discounting the chance that Jordan was there to look at man carrying his well-known No 23 shirt, Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, he did get to witness why Yamal is already soccer royalty.
The winger obtained his staff again degree with an excellent solo objective after his team-mate Eric Garcia had been despatched off inside 10 minutes.
Everybody is aware of that he needs to chop inside onto his left foot however stopping him is a distinct matter. He dribbled inside and reversed a intelligent end into the near-side backside nook, a flash of brilliance that went some option to highlighting the gulf between he and a few of his teammates.
Lamine Yamal scored a superb objective in a dropping trigger (Chris Ricco – UEFA/UEFA by way of Getty Photos)
It gained’t have been misplaced on Nike executives that because the digital camera lower to Jordan for his response — one of many model’s foremost faces since signing his first deal in 1984 and nonetheless carrying his iconic Jumpman cap — Yamal was carrying Adidas boots, having switched manufacturers earlier this yr.
Though Barcelona in the end misplaced 2-1, it nonetheless felt like one other night time when Yamal underlined his declare to be the celebrity of this era.
How did Raya make that save?
The second half was simply two minutes outdated between Atalanta and Arsenal when Thomas Partey tripped Ederson to concede a penalty.
The VAR overview of the footage dragged on, however Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made good use of the delay. He sprinted over to the midway line to obtain directions from goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana. Precisely which algorithms have been shared is a thriller that was hidden behind their fingers, however no matter was mentioned labored.
David Raya receives directions from Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana (Justin Setterfield/Getty Photos)
Mateo Retegui stepped up together with his physique closed, which telegraphed that he was inserting the ball to his left. Raya learn it early however in committing so absolutely he truly dived previous the ball and palmed it again into the trail of the Italian striker.
It appeared like a sure objective because it bounced kindly for him to go into an empty web, however Raya was not ready to surrender. Calling upon twenty years of muscle reminiscence, he sprung again to his ft with barely any use of his fingers for leverage and scrambled throughout his objective, scooping the ball out from behind him together with his left hand. Replays confirmed he had stored slightly below half of the ball from crossing the road.
UK readers watch right here:
DAVID RAYA, TAKE A BOW!
The most effective double saves you will ever see 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/sPgZF293QI
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) September 19, 2024
U.S. readers watch right here:
DAVID RAYA WITH A STUNNING DOUBLE SAVE 🧱 pic.twitter.com/O6xGhOpS7F
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 19, 2024
It was similar to the double-save he made towards Aston Villa, which gained him the Premier League save of the month for August.
Goalkeepers follow making a save earlier than instantly bouncing to their ft for a follow-up shot a whole lot of instances every week, however the core energy required to make up that floor in a high degree recreation is outstanding.
It’s testomony to Raya’s character. Ten years in the past he was enjoying for Southport in a 3-0 loss to Macclesfield within the fifth tier of English soccer. Now he’s Arsenal’s undisputed No 1, having helped the membership attain the Champions League quarter-finals final season together with his saves within the penalty shootout towards Porto.
In Bergamo he added one other memorable second to a rising assortment.
Boniface’s ‘no-look’ genius
It’s extensively generally known as the Thierry Henry fake-shot cross — in honour of the French World Cup winner — however Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface might need to trademark it as his personal after his pre-assist towards Feyenoord.
Within the thirtieth minute the Nigerian obtained the ball with Thomas Beelen proper on his toes. He by some means managed to ricochet it by his legs…
… and, when David Hancko lunged in direction of him, he managed to nutmeg him, too, with a drag again
If there was a component of luck concerned in that half, it was pure ability from that second on.
With a number of gamers closing him down on the fringe of the field, Boniface wound again his proper leg as if readying a bullet strike.
However quite than plant his left leg to shoot, he used it to play the ball broad to his team-mate Jeremie Frimpong on his outdoors…
… all whereas swiping the air together with his proper foot.
Not as soon as did he look away from objective and that’s what made the disguise so efficient. Feyenoord’s defenders purchased the dummy and it opened up house for Jeremie Frimpong to play the ball throughout objective for Alex Grimaldo to make it 2-0.
This isn’t a one-off for Boniface, who scored 21 targets in his first season at Leverkusen final season on the best way to a home double. It’s a ability he developed years in the past in Nigeria Lagos when he performed for the Lagos membership Actual Sapphire on dusty, usually uneven pitches.
Avenue soccer may be very a lot alive in one of many youngest locations on earth. The density of expertise within the Nigerian capital helps produce this sort of creativeness however Bonfiace’s imposing stature makes him a uncommon mix of each physique and finesse.
Sesko takes 11 seconds to point out why he’s a wished man
When the clock confirmed 3mins 44secs at Atletico Madrid, Benjamin Sesko was 30 yards from his personal objective with a swarm of house gamers closing in to stop him launching an RB Leipzig counter assault.
At 3mins 50secs, Benjamin Sesko was 30 yards from the Madrid objective, having left three defenders checking they weren’t carrying slippers.
After doing his greatest Usain Bolt impression the Slovenian striker well poked the ball to Lois Openda. Then, when Jan Oblak dived to his proper to palm Openda’s shot into the sky, Sesko summoned the vitality to soar into the air and head house the rebound.
Benjamin Sesko nods in towards Atletico Madrid (Oscar del Pozo/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
It was 11 seconds which showcased why he’s on the lists of the largest golf equipment throughout Europe.
His peak and aerial potential means he can operate as the point of interest of the assault, whereas his tempo means he can stretch the sport in behind. It’s a distinctive profile and why Arsenal have been enthusiastic about a summer season transfer earlier than he selected to remain in Germany, signing a brand new long-term contract.
Brest show there’s room for love
There are skeptics of the brand new Champions League format however it’s providing golf equipment who’re often the whipping boys of a four-team group stage the possibility of glory, even only for an evening.
Take Brest, a membership fashioned as a regional facet in Brittany in 1950, went bankrupt in 1991. It took them till 2010 to return to Ligue 1 however it’s only since 2019 that they’ve consolidated their place within the high division.
Few may have anticipated an entry into the European spots however Eric Roy’s appointment in January 2023 took them to 3rd place final season and an sudden ticket into the Champions League.
Brest salute their followers (Fred Tanneau/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
This was their first match in European soccer, not to mention the Champions League. Their opponents Sturm Graz have been competing within the competitors for the primary time since 2000 however Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima scored a terrific winner.
It wasn’t probably the most glamorous tie of the week however there’s something refreshing in regards to the league desk not being utterly dominated by the same old suspects — not but anyway.
Thursday’s outcomes
- Feyenoord 0 Bayer Leverkusen 4
- Crimson Star Belgrade 1 Benfica 2
- Atalanta 0 Arsenal 0
- Atletico Madrid 2 RB Leipzig 1
- Brest 2 Sturm Graz 1
- Monaco 2 Barcelona 1
(Prime photographs: Yamine Lamal and Michael Jordan; Getty Photos)
