UEFA Champions League Results: Real Madrid and Manchester City Falter Against AC Milan and Sporting

Established teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City , and Bayern Munich displaying signs of challenges, big clubs are slowly adapting to new UEFA Champions League structure. se world-class teams are having trouble consistency and performance in ongoing UEFA Champions League season. Clubs like Liverpool and Sporting are also rising strong and proving ir preparedness for redesigned event. As conventional powerhouses try to take grip, dynamics of this season are showing an erratic nature.

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UEFA Champions League Results: Real Madrid and Manchester City struggle against AC Milan and Sporting CP

European heavyweights Real Madrid and Manchester City both suffered big defeats in Champions League on Tuesday.

Defending champion Madrid was humbled 3-1 at home by AC Milan, while Erling Haaland missed a penalty and City squandered a fourth-minute lead as it lost 4-1 at Sporting Lisbon, whose coach will soon take charge of its crosstown rival.

It was a much better evening for Liverpool, as Luis Diaz scored a hat trick and Cody Gakpo grabbed ar goal in a 4-0 win over German champion Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield that marred Xabi Alonso’s return to his old home.

Leverkusen coach was given a warm welcome on his return to club where he became a fan favorite as a player over five seasons between 2004-09. Alonso won Champions League with Liverpool in 2005.

Liverpool moved top of league phase table with four wins from four games, followed by Sporting and Monaco, both on 10 points after three wins and a draw. Under new 36-team format introduced by UEFA this season, top eight teams advance directly to next round, and those from ninth to 24th enter playoffs to reach it, while bottom 12 are eliminated.

Ruben Amorim’s audition for Manchester United

Before ir game, Sporting fans displayed a huge tifo thanking Rúben Amorim in his last home game before he takes over Manchester United.

Phil Foden n got City off to a flying start in fourth minute, only second goal Sporting has conceded in four games of competition.

But Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres scored a hat trick as Sporting came roaring back. Gyökeres first equalized in 38th after a perfect through ball from Geovany Quenda, before Maximilia Araújo made it 2-1 right after break. Gyökeres n made it 3-1 from penalty spot after Joško Gvardiol was penalized for a shove on Francisco Trincão in area.

Haaland’s penalty hit crossbar, before Gyökeres showed rwegian how it’s done with ar spot kick at or end to complete scoring.

It is first time since 2018 that City has lost three straight games, coming off a defeat to Tottenham in English League Cup and a loss to Bournemouth in Premier League.

“In my seven and a half years at club, I don’t remember losing three games in a row,” City midfielder Bernardo Silva said.

Real Madrid falter with Kylian Mbappe , Vinicius Jr. and Bellingham

In Spain, Christian Pulisic sent in a corner for Malick Thiaw to head Milan into a 12th-minute lead, ensuring Madrid trailed in a third straight game in Champions League this season. 15-time champion had already lost to surprise team Lille in ir second game.

Vinícius Júnior equalized from penalty spot in 23rd after he’d been tripped, but Álvaro Morata pounced on rebound after Andriy Lunin saved Rafael Leão’s shot to restore visitors’ lead against his former club.

Morata had already been given a hostile reception from home fans, who evidently remember goal he scored to take Juventus through to 2015 final at ir team’s expense.

Tijjani Reijnders scored Milan’s third goal as home fans made ir frustrations kwn at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

“ last two defeats are inexplicable. We have to analyze and react quickly,” Lunin said, referring to Madrid’s 4-0 loss to Barcelona in its previous Spanish league game.

It’s first time since 2009 that Madrid has lost two successive games at home with at least three goals conceded in each, according to Opta.

“We have to get back on track,” Lunin said.

Or results

German forward Nicolas Kühn scored twice as Celtic defeated Leipzig 3-1 at home, and Juventus drew 1-1 at Lille.

Lille midfielder Edon Zhegrova eluded two defenders before playing a perfect pass for Jonathan David, who fired inside far post, but Dušan Vlahović equalized with a penalty for Italian club.

Donyell Malen scored late for Borussia Dortmund to beat Sturm Graz 1-0 at home, and Thilo Kehrer did likewise for Monaco to win at Bologna 1-0.

United States midfielder Malik Tillman scored one goal and set up ar as PSV Eindhoven beat Spanish team Girona 4-0.

Dinamo Zagreb dealt Slovan Bratislava its fourth straight defeat in competition as visitors came from behind to win 4-1 in Bratislava.

(AP)