Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign is back on track after they thrashed Galatasaray 6-0 on Wednesday! Youngster Rodrygo was the given his first start in the competition, and he staked his claim for a more regular place with the first two goals in the opening seven minutes. Ramos added a third from the penalty spot after Kroos was fouled in the area, and Benzema made it four on the stroke of half time from a Rodrygo assist. With ten minutes to go Benzema got his second of the evening from Carvajal’s cross, and with the game in injury time Rodrygo completed his hat-trick to round things off. Atlético Madrid though were beaten 2-1 by Bayer Leverkusen, and although they are still well placed to qualify for the knock-out stage, they still have some work to do. Thomas looped a header into his own net and Volland took advantage of a poor clearance to score again either side of the break, but an injury time strike by Morata at least gave Simeone’s side the head-to-head advantage against their rivals. (06.11.19)
This has not been the best of weeks for Barcelona, and after their Saturday defeat at Levante, they were held to a 0-0 draw by Slavia Prague in the Nou Camp on Tuesday. Messi hit the bar before the break, and visiting keeper Kolak made several saves, particularly from Semedo, Sergi Roberto and Messi, and Boril and Vidal had strikes ruled out at either end for offside. The Czech side also had a couple of chances of their own though, and they became the first team to prevent the Catalans from scoring at home in over a year and a half. Valencia had no problems seeing off Lille though, the Ches running out 4-1 victors despite losing at half time thanks to an Osimhen strike. Parejo levelled it from the penalty spot though after Fonte handled in the area, and with eight minutes to go Soumaoro turned a Gayà cross past his own keeper. A minute later Kondogbia made it three with an impressive long shot, and Ferran wrapped things up near the end. (05.11.19)