With the 2019 edition of Europe's premier club competition underway, this year witnessed some unexpected results in matches that were played on September 17 with the defending champions losing their group stage opener. The 32-team competition will be played in stadiums all over the world with the final being played at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on May 23, 2020. 

A forgettable night for Liverpool

Defending champions Liverpool tasted defeat in their first group stage match in an away match against Napoli in Italy. With the match stats indicating that both teams had a 50% possession during the match, the match still went in favor of the Italian side even though the Reds took control in the closing stages of the match.

Dries Mertens scored for Napoli in the closing minutes of the game through a penalty in the 82nd minute after the match referee, Felix Brych, gave a decision in favor of Jase Callejon after he was fouled by Liverpool defender Andy Robertson. A slip up from the Reds star defender Virgil van Dijk cost Liverpool the match as Napoli scored their second goal in injury time. Koulibaly, Kostas Manolas, and Alex Meret were rarely tested during the match apart from a shot from Sadio Mane just before halftime. 

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Frank Lampard tastes defeat

Chelsea also started their Champions League campaign with a defeat under newly appointed manager Frank Lampard as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Valencia at Stamford Bridge. Lampard was left to rethink his decisions on who would be taking the spot-kicks after attacking midfielder Ross Barkley's missed penalty cost Chelsea the game after Rodrigo scored for Valencia in the 74th minute.

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After the game ended, Frank said that his team shouldn't lose games instead should focus on winning. He further talked about how they failed to score in a key penalty and that should act as a lesson for them. According to him, Barkley was a penalty taker and that is why he took it. Even if he missed the penalty, there was no problem and no animosity in the dressing room. Frank Lampard became the first Chelsea manager to lose his first Champions League match in charge. Also, Valencia was handed their second win on the English Turf after the first one coming in 2002 against Liverpool with a score of 1-0. 

In other group matches that were played, RB Salzburg thrashed Belgian side Genk with a scoreline of 6-0. The match saw 19 years old Norwegian, Erling Braut Haaland, score his first hattrick on his Champions League debut. 

Group F also called the Death group this season saw Barcelona versus Borussia Dortmund match end in a stalemate with a 0-0 score. Another match of the same group saw Salvia Prague draw 1-1 against Inter Milan. 

Last years runner up, Ajax, were the only team to deliver an expected result as they thrashed LOSC 3-0. 

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