PARIS: AC Milan reached the Champions League knock-out level for the primary time in 9 years on Wednesday with a 4-0 victory over Salzburg, whilst RB Leipzig additionally certified via thrashing Shakhtar Donetsk. Paris Saint-Germain would be the workforce organization winners need to steer clear of in Monday’s last-16 draw after lacking out on most sensible spot in Crew H in spite of a 2-1 win at Juventus, as Benfica hammered Maccabi Haifa 6-1 to take hold of first position on overall away objectives.
Seven-time Eu champions Milan knew some extent can be sufficient to ship them into the final 16 for the primary time because the 2013-14 season after a group-stage go out final time period. “Some of these nights is what we would like for,” Milan trainer Stefano Pioli informed Sky Recreation. “We would have liked to turn we progressed in comparison to final season within the Champions League. We’re formidable now, so let’s see what occurs subsequent.” Pioli’s facet eased any nerves on the San Siro inside of 14 mins as Olivier Giroud headed house.
Milan’s go back to the knockouts was once all however showed not up to a minute after half-time when Giroud headed the ball throughout function for Rade Krunic to nod previous Philipp Kohn within the Salzburg function. Giroud added his 2d earlier than the hour mark, permitting the house fanatics the chance to have fun for the rest of the fit and Junior Messias added additional gloss to the scoreline in added time.
Milan certified from Crew E in 2d position at the back of Chelsea, who got here from at the back of to overcome Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 at Stamford Bridge with objectives from Raheem Sterling and debutant Denis Zakaria. Leipzig additionally handiest had to steer clear of defeat to head thru towards Ukrainians Shakhtar in Warsaw. Shakhtar, enjoying their house fits in Poland and having observed maximum in their international avid gamers go away because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, had surprised Leipzig 4-1 of their Crew F opener. However the Bundesliga facet have been too sturdy after Christopher Nkunku’s early strike left Shakhtar with a mountain to climb.
Andre Silva and Dominik Szoboszlai netted in the second one length and Dani Olmo’s shot was once deflected into his personal web via Valeriy Bondar to wrap up a 4-0 win. “I’m actually happy with the workforce. We didn’t get started smartly on this Champions League marketing campaign, however we installed a forged efficiency these days and are actually glad to be thru,” Leipzig ahead Emil Forsberg informed DAZN. Holders Actual Madrid secured first position within the organization via hammering Scottish champions Celtic 5-1 on the Santiago Bernabeu.
Luka Modric and Rodrygo each scored consequences awarded for handball within the opening levels, earlier than Actual goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stored Josip Juranovic’s spot-kick. 2nd-half objectives from Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde finished the rout in spite of Jota’s overdue comfort for Celtic who completed backside. Karim Benzema additionally made his go back from harm instead to finish a excellent night time for Carlo Ancelotti’s males.
Benfica take hold of first from PSG
PSG misplaced most sensible spot in Crew H in spite of Nuno Mendes’ 69th-minute winner in Turin as Benfica scored 5 objectives in the second one 1/2 at Maccabi. Kylian Mbappe’s sensible particular person effort put PSG in entrance, earlier than Leonardo Bonucci dragged already-eliminated Juventus degree. Mendes scored just a minute after coming off the bench, however overdue drama in Israel noticed PSG slip to 2d. Conceivable last-16 fighters for the Qatari-owned membership come with 14-time champions Actual Madrid, Manchester Town, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and in-form Napoli. “It doesn’t topic, we certified… We’ll watch the draw and we’ll play to win,” Mbappe informed RMC Recreation.
3 objectives in 14 mins in the second one 1/2 gave Benfica hope of matching PSG’s function distinction and pipping them on away objectives. It seemed as although the Portuguese would arise two quick, however Henrique Araujo scored within the 88th minute and Joao Mario struck in harm time to finish the task. “As the sport improved, we noticed that it was once inside of our succeed in,” Goncalo Ramos, who scored Benfica’s 3rd function, informed 11 Sports activities.
Juventus will drop into the Europa League after completing 3rd in spite of dropping 5 in their six organization fits. Manchester Town got here from at the back of to spherical off their Crew G marketing campaign with a 3-1 win over Sevilla on the Etihad. Rafa Mir gave the Spaniards the lead, however 17-year-old full-back Rico Lewis fired Town degree. Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez sealed all 3 issues for Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions, who have been nonetheless with out the injured Erling Haaland. Borussia Dortmund have been held to a 1-1 draw via FC Copenhagen. – AFP