The Champions League kicked off on an exciting note with Lionel Messi scoring an excellent hat-trick in a 4-0 Barcelona rout of PSV and an unexpected 2-1 win for Lyon against City away from home. At the same time, there were a few shocks in store as well with Cristiano Ronaldo sent off in just 29 minutes against Valencia on his Champions League debut for Juventus.
The Portuguese footballer was handed a red card after a seemingly innocuous challenge leaving him in tears as he walked off the field. Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro termed the red card as an attempt to destroy him with a post on Instagram shortly after the incident: “Football’s shame … justice will be served. They want to destroy my brother but God never rests. Shameful.”
Teammate Emre Can had an equally controversial viewpoint surrounding the decision with his post-match remarks drawing sharp criticism online after being termed sexist in nature. The German midfielder said: “That’s supposed to be a red? We’re not women, we’re playing football. If you’re giving that as a red card, you can be sent off for any foul. One hundred percent, that is not a red card.” which has been followed by an apology.
I would like to take a moment to clear the air regarding comments I made after last nights game.
Please read the full statement below⤵️Yours
Emre pic.twitter.com/SLvdF6qf33— Emre Can (@emrecan_) September 20, 2018
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left powerless after being relegated to the stands following a suspension as his side crumbled to a 2-1 loss at home against underdogs Lyon. Maxwell Cornet and Liverpool target Nabil Fekir combined to ensure a 2-0 lead for the visitors before Bernardo Silva’s solitary strike in the 67th minute ensured a respectable scoreline.
VICTOIRE ! #MCOL pic.twitter.com/R6px3VzlRA
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) September 19, 2018
The other significant group stage clashes witnessed a 2-1 win for Atletico Madrid against Monaco with Napoli relegated to a 0-0 draw against Red Star Belgrade on the back of goalie Milan Borjan’s heroics.
90+3′ | 1-2 | FULL-TIME! GREAT WIN! #ASMAtleti #UCL #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/h3qIjSXvAw
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 18, 2018
Schalke and Porto battled it out in an intense 1-1 draw while Galatasaray sailed home on the back of a 3-0 win against Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow. However, it was not as easy for Borussia Dortmund with a late goal from Christian Pulisic ensuring an exciting 1-0 win against Club Brugge setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.
Source: Zee News