The Champions League is the richest club competition in the world, paying out more than $1.5 billion to participating teams. But the Champions League prize money distribution is kinda funky given the amount of cash being tossed around. Leicester City, which reached the quarterfinals, was paid more than Real Madrid, which won the whole dadgum thing.
England has five teams in the Champions League for the first time and amazingly all of them are still unbeaten through three matches in group play. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham all lead their groups with a combined 11 wins, four draws and no losses.
Barcelona defeated Olympiakos 3-1 in the Champions League despite having defender Gerard Pique sent off in the 42nd minute. A Dimitris Nikolaou own goal, Lionel Messi free kick and Lucas Digne insurance strike were enough to overcome their Greek opposition on a wet and wild night at the Camp Nou. Messi’s goal was his 100th overall in European competition with 97 coming in the Champions League and three in the UEFA Super Cup.
Wednesday’s Chelsea-AS Roma game had everything. It had six goals in total, Antonio Rudiger playing against his former team, Gary Cahill wearing a bandage around his head like he just went to the dentist in 1876, Frederico Fazio getting magic spray on his junk because Pedro’s head smashed into his nether regions and an Edin Dzeko goal that might be one of the best you’ll see all year. In the end, Chelsea and AS Roma played to a wildly entertaining 3-3 draw in Champions League group play at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar will not be pleased with his performance Wednesday against Manchester United in the Champions League, as his mistake proved the defference between the two sides. The18-year-old caught a Marcus Rashford free kick and brought it with him across the goal line, which is not, you know, good.
An unfortunate deflection from AS Roma defender and David Luiz makes no mistake of capitalizing on the opportunity. It may come as a surprise to you but David Luiz is a defender.
My goodness David Luiz, what a curler! https://t.co/xbAMB5zA8v
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 18, 2017
Atletico Madrid were held to a 0-0 draw with FK Qarabag in Azerbaijan in Champions League group play on Wednesday despite playing with a man advantage for over 15 minutes. Atletico landed only three shots on target in another tepid display that makes Diego Costa’s January arrival all the more pressing.
Real Madrid hosted Tottenham at Santiago Bernabéu as both sides are struggling be group leaders in this season’s UCL.
The match was certainly one of the day’s highlights, with Real Madrid displaying a somewhat patched lineup due to the injuries of Mateo Kovacic, Dani Carvajal and Gareth Bale.
On the other hand, Spurs featured a full-power lineup starring major star Harry Kane. And Harry Kane is on fire. So much that it’s hardly news anymore. However, he has now proven he can score against arguably the best team in the world.
If you’re curious as to why you’re suddenly being inundated with photos of Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti looking quizzical with his eyebrow cocked, it’s because Bayern Munich have parted ways with the coach following their 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Romelu Lukaku is bigger than you. He’s stronger than you. He can jump higher than you. He has better touch than you. He will score on you. CSKA Moscow and their old men on defense didn’t have much of a chance against the Belgian on Wednesday. Lukaku scored a brace in Manchester United’s 4-1 romp in the Champions League.