Robert Lewandowski made an unhappy return to the Allianz Arena where he fired blanks as Bayern Munich strolled out 2-0 over Barcelona in their UEFA Champions League Group C fixture.
Goals from defender Lucas Hernandez and winger Leroy Sane saw Bayern continue a trend where the Bavarians have found success against Barca in their recent Champions League meetings.
Bayern top Group C with six points from six available after two games, and following convincing 2-0 victories over their two closest challengers, it’ll be some task to unseat them from their perch at the top of the ladder.
Barca drop to second, ahead of Inter on goal difference, but it wasn’t a happy return to the Allianz for Lewandowski, snuffed out at every turn by Upamecano.
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Barca did look good in spells, particularly in the first half, but will need to improve markedly if they’re to be considered serious European challengers.
Meanwhile, Joel Matip’s late header handed Liverpool their first win of the Champions League season with a 2-1 triumph over Ajax at Anfield.
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Liverpool were smacked 4-1 by Napoli in their UCL opener at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples on Matchday 1, with Klopp describing it as a horror show, crowning it the Reds’ worst performance under him.
Mohamed Salah fired the Reds in front with his first Champions League goal in seven appearances, but Mohammed Kudus levelled the scores with a clinical finish.
The home side applied pressure in the second half, but could not break down the Dutch outfit until Matip found the net in the 89th minute to secure the three points.
Liverpool sit in second with points behind leaders Napoli who also have 3 points but could add to their lead as Spaletti’s side line up against Rangers on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
Other UEFA Champions League results
Sporting Lisbon 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Atletico Madrid
FC Porto 0-4 Club Brugge
Viktoria Plzen 0-2 Inter Milan
Marseille 0-1 Eintracht Frankfurt