Champions League

Today is already New Year’s Eve in the premier class

(Bild: Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Real Madrid gained an important advantage in a thrilling battle against Manchester City in the play-off for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Whites came back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 at the City of Manchester Stadium on Tuesday without the injured Austrian star David Alaba. 

A brace from Erling Haaland was not enough for the Citizens. The second leg will be decided on February 19.

The second legs of the other Tuesday games will also take place on that date. Borussia Dortmund won 3:0 with Marcel Sabitzer at Sporting Lisbon, as did Paris St. Germain in Guingamp against Stade Brest. Juventus Turin beat PSV Eindhoven 2:1. The remaining games will follow on Wednesday with plenty of Austrian connections. Club Brugge will host Atalanta Bergamo (Stefan Posch). FC Bayern Munich with Konrad Laimer will face Celtic Glasgow away from home. France's top club AS Monaco with coach Adi Hütter take on Benfica Lisbon.

(Bild: Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The Citizens' season looks set to continue in a rather jinxed fashion, despite Haaland putting his stamp on the game with goals number 48 (19th) and 49 (80th/penalty) in his 48th game in the "premier class" and also outshining Kylian Mbappe. After a Grealish lob, Josko Gvardiol stopped the ball ideally with his chest for the star striker, who did not miss the chance.

(Bild: Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Crossbar goals for both sides
The Spaniards were much more dangerous, but were initially unlucky when Vinicius Junior (25) hit the crossbar. However, a header from Manuel Akanji hit the crossbar in the other penalty area shortly afterwards (37'). After the restart, the spectators were treated to another spectacle with incredible passion and numerous goal scenes. There was a lot of luck involved when Real equalized. After a Ceballos cross, Mbappe only hit the ball with his shin, but it went into the goal against the direction of goalkeeper Ederson, who had no chance (60'). It was the 26-year-old Frenchman's 23rd goal of the season.

After Ceballos fouled Phil Foden on the edge of the box, Man City were awarded a penalty, which Haaland converted safely. For a short time, the score was even 3:1, but only Real scored again. Ederson fluffed a Vinicius Junior shot, allowing Brahim Diaz to tap home (86'). As if that wasn't enough, Jude Bellingham then headed the ball into the empty net after a lob from Vinicius Junior (92').

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

First BVB win under Kovac
Dortmund gave new coach Niko Kovac his first win in great style and thanks to an improved performance after the break. Serhou Guirassy (60'), Pascal Groß (68') and ex-Salzburg man Karim Adeyemi (82') added their names to the scoresheet after a picture-book counter-attack. 

The Juve victory was secured by Weston McKennie (34) and Samuel Mbangula (82). Ivan Perisic (56) had previously equalized for the Dutch side.

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Play-off for a place in the round of 16/first leg:

Sporting Lisbon - Borussia Dortmund (with Sabitzer) 0:3 (0:0)
Goals: Guirassy (60'), Groß (68'), Adeyemi (82')

Manchester City - Real Madrid (without Alaba/injured) 2:3 (1:0)
Manchester
Goals: Haaland (19., 80./penalty) and Mbappe (60.), Brahim Diaz (86.), Bellingham (92.)

Juventus Turin - PSV Eindhoven 2:1 (1:0)
Goals: McKennie (34), Mbangula (82) and Perisic (56)

Stade Brest - Paris St. Germain 0:3 (0:2)
Goals: Vitinha (21st/penalty), Dembele (45th, 66th)

The second legs will follow on February 19