The emotions of the UEFA Champions League in its 2023/23 season are already underway, and this week, we enjoyed the first matches of the Group Stage, where most of our favorite teams took a step forward to score 3 points.
We had very few surprises at the start of the tournament, standing out the 1-1 draws between Lazio and Atletico Madrid and between Inter Milan and Real Sociedad.
The rest of the matches had an expected outcome, with the favorites taking victories or matches between teams with a similar level of play ending with draws on the scoreboard.
Now, let’s see what happened in the main matches of the first day of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage.
Champions League Matchday 1 – PSG vs. Borussia Dortmund – Roundup
When:
Tuesday, September 19 at 1:00 PM ET in the Parc des Princes
Moneyline odds:
PSG -147
Borussia Dortmund +370
Where can I watch it?
In this new era of PSG post-Messi and Neymar, the spotlight was on the team in this difficult match. However, the squad pulled out all the stops at home, and, with an inspired Mbappé, they came away with a solid 2-0 win.
PSG dominated the first half as they took control of the ball and the game, creating a few chances to score. However, the Parisians put the game to bed in the first 20 minutes of the second half, as Kylian Mbappé (’49), through a penalty kick, and Achraf Hakimi (’58) scored the two goals for the home team.
Result: PSG (2) – (0) Borussia Dortmund
Champions League Matchday 1 – Barcelona vs. Antwerp – Roundup
When:
Tuesday, September 19 at 1:00 PM ET in the Estadio Olímpico de Montjuic
Moneyline odds:
Barcelona -526
Antwerp +1325
Where can I watch it?
In this new season, FC Barcelona knows they have to leave behind those ghosts that have left them out of the last two editions of the Champions League in the Group Stage. However, everything seems to indicate that the team is at its best level of play and that the arrival of João Félix and João Cancelo has helped the team like a glove.
On this first matchday, the Culé team faced Antwerp, a team not used to being in these instances of this type of tournament. However, we know that in the Champions League, anything can happen.
Barça started the match at full speed, with a relentless attack on the defense of the visiting team and, thanks to this, they managed to open the scoreboard with a goal by João Félix at minute 11′, by Robert Lewandowski at minute 19′ and then with an own goal by Jelle Bataille at minute 22′.
With this, the Culés had the match practically sealed, and, in the second half, they struck the last two blows with goals by Gavi (’54) and João Félix at minute 66.
Result: Barcelona (5) – (0) Antwerp
Champions League Matchday 1 – Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin – Roundup
When:
Wednesday, September 20 at 10:45 AM ET in the Santiago Bernabeu
Moneyline odds:
Real Madrid -270
Union Berlin +710
Where can I watch it?
While it is true that Real Madrid seems to have started the season with a spectacular level of play after winning the first 5 games in LaLiga EA Sports, there is no doubt that the team has some problems getting strong results.
An example of this was the match against Union Berlin that they played at the Santiago Bernabeu for the start of the Champions League 2023/24. The Merengues could not do much in this match, as they came close to sharing the points in this home game. However, a last-minute goal from star signing Jude Bellingham won them.
While it is true that ‘Los Blancos’ dominated the ball and the match, there is no doubt that they suffered in attack, as the team is without Vinicius Jr.
After more than 90 minutes, 32 scoring chances, and 6 shots on goal, Jude Bellingham arrived to save the victory for ‘Los Merengues’ in the 90+4 minute.
Union Berlin knew what they came for, i.e., they went to take a point from the Bernabeu and came close to getting it.
Result: Real Madrid (1) – (0) Union Berlin
Champions League Matchday 1 – Bayern vs. Manchester United – Roundup
When:
Wednesday, September 20 at 1:00 PM ET in the Allianz Arena
Moneyline odds:
Bayern -173
Manchester United +420
Where can I watch it?
Finally, a match predicted to be a solid victory for Bayern Munich ended in a goal fest and, above all, a really exciting game.
The Allianz Arena witnessed a rain of goals between Bayern and Manchester United, which gave us an instant classic.
Bayern started the match with some doubts, however, thanks to Onana’s mistake Leroy Sané (’28) opened the score, and Serge Gnabry (’32) later took another chance to go into the break with a 2-0 lead. However, Manchester United tried to wake up after Rasmus Hojlund’s goal in minute 49, but the joy was short-lived for the Red Devils, as the Bavarians scored the third goal thanks to a penalty shot by Harry Kane in minute 53.
When everything seemed settled, Casemiro brought the English side closer again in the 88th minute, but Mathys Tel made it 4-2 just 4 minutes later. Finally, Casemiro was again in charge of making up a little more of the result by scoring his brace in minute 90+5′.
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