Champions League results, predictions & preview: Matchday 2
Matchday 2 of the 2021/22 Champions League group stages got underway on Tuesday, with supporters across the continent seeing a continuation of the drama that unfolded in the first round of games.
Real Madrid have suffered a huge shock, while Paris Saint-Germain made a statement with Lionel Messi getting his first goal for the club.
There are plenty of intriguing storylines to keep track of on Wednesday too, with Chelsea and Juventus and Man Utd and Villarreal squaring off to follow on from Tuesday’s drama.
Here are your results, predictions and previews for all 16 encounters.
Sebastien Haller – who netted four times on Matchday 1 – was on the scoresheet again as Ajax secured a 2-0 victory over Besiktas on Tuesday night.
Steven Berghuis got the hosts off to a perfect start in Amsterdam, finishing calmly from inside the box after a fine run from Dusan Tadic. Haller then doubled their advantage before the break, bundling home Berghuis‘ cross at the front post.
Ajax took their foot of the gas somewhat in the second half and their opponents had a goal ruled out when Kenan Karaman was adjudged to have committed a foul before he slid the ball home.
In the end though, they held on to make it two wins from two in the Champions League this season.
Inter’s poor Champions League group stage form continued on Tuesday night as they were held to a goalless draw in Ukraine.
This was no snore-fest, though, with Nicolo Barella hitting the bar and Edin Dzeko somehow missing from less than six yards out for the visitors in the first period, while Alan Patrick and Tete went close for the home side.
Pedrinho thought he had given Shakhtar the lead just after the break, but a goal-saving challenge from Milan Skriniar denied the Brazilian. The returning Joaquin Correa came close to winning it for Inter late on, but his curling effort was tipped behind as both sides were forced to settle for a draw.
You can read player ratings for Inter here.
Club Brugge followed up on their well-earned draw with Paris Saint-Germain with a huge 2-1 win at RB Leipzig.
The in-form Christopher Nkunku put the hosts ahead early on, but Hans Vanaken and Mats Rits managed to turn the game around before half-time.
Leipzig pushed for an equaliser, but remain rooted to the foot of Group A after two defeats from two group games.
Lionel Messi scored his first Paris Saint-Germain goal in a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Parc des Princes.
For all of the stars on the pitch, it was Idrissa Gueye who gave PSG the lead early on, rifling a loose ball into the roof of Ederson’s net.
Bernardo Silva somehow hit the bar from two yards out as City’s problems without a recognised striker go on.
And Messi stole the show and secured the three points with 15 minutes remaining, playing a neat one-two with Kylian Mbappe before finding the top corner.
You can read player ratings for both sides here.
Ten-man AC Milan were denied a huge win late on by a resilient Atletico Madrid.
The home side came flying out of the traps at a raucous San Siro, and led through Rafael Leao’s pinpoint strike.
But Franck Kessie received two yellow cards before the half hour mark, though Milan managed to keep Atleti at arm’s length for much of the game.
Substitute Antoine Griezmann levelled it with minutes remaining, before Pierre Kalulu handled the ball in his own area deep into stoppage time. Luis Suarez held his nerve and netted the resulting penalty to earn all three points.
You can read player ratings for both sides here.
Liverpool returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion after a 5-1 victory at Porto.
The Reds strolled to the win thanks to three goalkeeping errors and a masterclass from Mohamed Salah, whose ridiculous goalscoring exploits continued.
Salah and Sadio Mane struck before half-time to give Jurgen Klopp’s side a comfortable lead, before the Egyptian added a third after an hour.
Mehdi Taremi grabbed a consolation for Porto before Roberto Firmino netted a late brace.
You can read player ratings for Liverpool here.
Donyell Malen scored his first Borussia Dortmund goal in a close-fought 1-0 win at home to Sporting.
Dortmund were without Erling Haaland, Gio Reyna, Emre Can and Dan-Axel Zagadou, but showed their resilience to win in their absence.
Netherlands international Malen scored the only goal on the night after being put through by Jude Bellingham, sprinting clear and finishing coolly.
You can read player ratings for Dortmund here.
Moldovan champions Sheriff Tiraspol pulled off one of the greatest Champions League upsets in history with a last-minute 2-1 win at Real Madrid.
The aptly named Cristiano was a menace for the visitors all evening, and was given the freedom of the Bernabeu pitch to pick out Djasur Yakhshibaev at the back post to give Sheriff a shock lead.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were trailing at the break and only got back into the match after being awarded a penalty for a foul by Fernando Costanza on Vinicius Junior, and Karim Benzema scored from the spot.
But Sheriff had the last laugh as Sebastien Thill’s half-volley flew into top corner in the very last minute as the away side claimed a famous scalp.
You can read player ratings for Real Madrid here.
When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 17:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Felix Brych
VAR? Sascha Stegemann
Young Boys got their European journey off to a dream start against Manchester United, stunning the 10-man Red Devils with a 2-1 victory.
Completing the trick against an Atalanta side held to a 2-2 draw with 10-man Villarreal last time out could prove challenging, even if La Dea are not quite firing on all cylinders just yet.
Prediction: Atalanta 1-0 Young Boys
When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 17:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Gazprom Arena, St Petersburg
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Anastasios Sidiropoulos
VAR? Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez
This looks like a game that will go a long way to deciding who finishes third – behind Chelsea and Juventus – in the group.
On paper Zenit are a much stronger side and one would expect them to flourish at home.
Prediction: Zenit St Petersburg 2-0 Malmo
When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Daniele Orsato
VAR? Massimiliano Irrati
We could have an upset on our hands here…
Benfica have been flawless in the league this season and should have won against Dynamo Kyiv last time out. Meanwhile, Barcelona are in the midst of an injury crisis and were humbled by Bayern Munich on Matchday 1. At least Ansu Fati is back for the visitors.
Prediction: Benfica 2-1 Barcelona
When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Allianz Arena, Munich
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Marco Guida
VAR? Maurizio Mariani
Dynamo Kyiv need a minor miracle to prevent Champions League favourites Bayern Munich doing the business on home ground.
Robert Lewandowski will be eager to close the gap on Haller in the Golden Boot race too.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 4-0 Dynamo Kyiv
When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Old Trafford, Manchester
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Felix Zwayer
VAR? Christian Dingert
Just a few months on from their meeting in the Europa League final, United host Villarreal in the continent’s premier club competition.
The Yellow Submarine secured bragging rights last time out, but they are faltering this season, picking up five draws from their opening six La Liga matches. Another tie is likely the best they can hope for from this one.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Villarreal
When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Halil Umut Meler
VAR? Mete Kalkavan
Red Bull Salzburg have their best ever chance to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages this season and got off to a good start in Matchday 1, securing a 1-1 draw with Sevilla.
Lille, who also drew last time out, are their next opponents in what looks like it will be an even but entertaining contest.
Prediction: Red Bull Salzburg 2-2 Lille
When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Georgi Kabakov
VAR? Kevin Blom
The other game in the most open Champions League group of the season sees Wolfsburg take on Sevilla.
This is another open tie that is extremely tough to call, with both sides looking strong on paper. A draw seems most likely.
Prediction: Wolfsburg 0-0 Sevilla
When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Allianz Stadium, Turin
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Jesus Gil Manzano
VAR? Juan Martinez Munuera
Juventus‘ start to the season has been putrid with the Old Lady already losing twice and only narrowly beating Spezia and Sampdoria in their last two games.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are flying and should be able to dispatch of Juve – even though they are the away side.
Prediction: Juventus 1-3 Chelsea
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