From stunning comebacks to record-breaking performances, drama to unrivalled entertainment, this week’s Champions League had it all. Here are the Winners and Losers from Matchweek 4. Bet on football here.
WINNERS
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund produced a remarkable comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit to beat Inter Milan in a thriller at the Westfalenstadion. First-half goals from Lautaro Martinez and Matias Vecino had given Antonio Conte’s side a 2-0 lead. However, Lucien Favre’s team scored three second-half goals to get their first home win in the Champions League. The win took them to second, a point off leaders Barcelona in Group F. The ball is in Inter’s court now and with two games remaining, they have to win all of them to have a chance to progress.
Chelsea
Chelsea produced a stunning fightback from 4-1 down to earn a crucial Champions League point in a drama-filled encounter against Dutch giants Ajax, who ended with nine men. Last season’s semi-finalists were on course to register another famous away win but a chaotic few minutes saw Daley Blind and Joel Veltman sent off giving Chelsea an opportunity to get back into the game. Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta thought he had given his team the winner but VAR thought otherwise and ruled the goal out. A loss would’ve been bad for Chelsea given they have an important game in Valencia next time out.
Rodrygo and Erling Braut Haaland
Real Madrid’s 18-year-old starlet Rodrygo scored a hat-trick for his team who registered a 6-0 win over Galatasaray. With his three goals, the Brazilian overtook Wayne Rooney to become the second-youngest player to score a UCL hat-trick. Real Madrid legend Raul is still the youngest player to complete a UCL hat-trick at the age of 18 years and 133 days. 19-year-old RB Salzburg striker Erling Braut Håland scored his seventh Champions League goal as his team drew 1-1 with Napoli. Furthermore, he’s scored in every Champions League game this season as well as 12 in the Austrian top flight.
LOSERS
Barcelona
Barcelona failed to impress yet again against the weakest team in their group for the second match in a row. With the 0-0 draw against Slavia Prague, this was the first time in seven years that Barca have failed to score in a Champions League group game at the Camp Nou. The Blaugrana are still top of Group F but considering their two remaining games are against Inter and Dortmund that position could be in jeopardy.
Napoli
Napoli’S disappointing run of results continued after yet another draw in the Champions League. The Partenopei’s 1-1 home draw against RB Salzburg was their fifth draw in their last eight games. They are winless in their last four games and it is believed that head coach Carlo Ancelotti is under severe pressure. Considered a title contender at the start of the season, Napoli have sunk to seventh in Serie A. The draw with Salzburg meant Napoli missed a chance to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of a Bayer Leverkusen in Group D. They lost the game to a team that was yet to earn a single point prior to this match. That result means the Rojiblancos are now three points behind Juventus and are on pace for a second-place finish. Atletico have suffered a great deal in the attacking department this season. Diego Simeone’s side have scored just 12 goals in 12 matches in La Liga, winning just one of their last six fixtures. They looked like potential La Liga contenders and serious Champions League contenders after a huge summer but all that has dissipated in November.