Matchday 5 is history and the picture starts to get a little clearer. Zlatan Ibrahimović scored in his return to his former club in Sweden, Juventus got the better of Manchester City and Borussia Mönchengladbach finally figured out how to win in the Champions league. It was an exciting day, and for at least one group, sets up a remarkably exciting matchday 6.
Biggest Win: Wolfsburg
It wasn’t pretty, but Wolfsburg’s 2-0 win in Moscow put their fate in their own hands as they moved to the top of group B. Andre Schürrle scored a brace, and his side managed to keep the Russians at bay for 90 minutes. Wolfsburg had trouble breaking down the Moscow defense for most of the game, but a costly mistake from goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev gave the Germans a lead midway through the second half. The victory gives Wolfsburg the chance to secure top spot on December 8 when they host Manchester United.
Biggest Loss: Manchester United
It may have been a draw, but to the thousands inside Old Trafford booing at the final whistle, it sure seemed like a loss. Manchester United had a chance to clinch their spot in the last 16 by beating PSV Eindhoven. A Champions League night at Old Trafford used to be an intimidating place for anyone to visit. Tonight, instead, the home side was forced to play long balls up to an ineffectual Marouane Fellaini. It was hardly intimidating. United now have to visit an ever more confident Wolfsburg side, and they need to win. A loss or a draw, coupled with a PSV win against CSKA, and Louis Van Gaal will be playing on Thursday nights in the Europa League instead. For the amount of money Manchester United have spent, Thursday nights aren’t good enough.
Most Shocking Result: Madrid almost throws it away
First the good news, Real Madrid beat Shakhtar Donetsk and stayed ahead of Paris Saint Germain in group A. The bad news, no one is going to be talking about that or Christiano Ronaldo’s superb performance. In a week, which saw the Spanish giants get humiliated by their archenemy, everyone was wondering how they would respond. The answer was pretty good for about 75 minutes, then things got scary. Shakhtar managed to score 3 goals in the space of 10 minutes and were pushing for the equalizer until they ran out of time. Madrid won, and they stay on top, but the game today, and the loss to Barcelona during the weekend is leaving Madrid with more questions than answers.
Results:
RESULTS
27 goals on another exhilarating night of #UCL action… pic.twitter.com/xB8reZaOLW— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 25, 2015
Best Tweet:
Waking up a Manchester United fan to tell them it’s finished 0-0… #MUFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/gCiWQh7lZz
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 25, 2015
Best Goal: Fabian Johnson – Borussia Mönchengladbach
GOAL, Gladbach! #USMNT defender Fabian Johnson curls in a beauty for his second career #UCLonFOX goal. https://t.co/f3HpXRhmCh
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 25, 2015
Fabian Johnson does it again for the Foals. This time it’s a lovely curling effort with his right foot. Somewhere the American Outlaws are smiling.
Team most in trouble after match day 5: Manchester United, Wolfsburg and PSV Eindhoven
Group B is in for one crazy finish. Most of the other groups are already decided except for their final standings. But group B has a potential winner take all ending. Both these two teams can top their group by beating the other. If PSV Eindhoven loses to CSKA Moscow on December 8th they both go through, but if PSV beat CSKA then the winner of this match gets knocked out of the Champions League. If the match ends in a draw and PSV wins, then Wolfsburg advances and United is eliminated. So United is on thinner ice. It might get a little confusing, but it’s going to be really exciting.
Highlight Games for Matchday 6 (Groups A through D):
Wolfsburg Vs Manchester United (Group B)
PSV Eindhoven vs CSKA Mocsow (Group B)
