Champions League: The Big Guns are Firing Already

While the Champions League favourites, Manchester City, started with a victory on Tuesday night, the next three in line were all in action on Wednesday and they all came good as FC Bayern, Real Madrid and Arsenal all picked up three points.

FC Bayern vs Manchester United was one of the most hotly anticipated ties of the opening round and it delivered; the SBOTOP odds backed a Bavarian victory, which looked like it was settled by the half time break as Bayern struck twice in four minutes.

We’ve talked a lot about Harry Kane’s great start in Munich and he was the man who teed up Leroy Sane for the opener on 28. But Bayern had a big hand from Manchester keeper Andre Onana who had a nightmare, allowing Sane’s tame shot to squirm through his arms and into the net. The Red Devils were stunned and were still stumbling when they went 2-0 down; but this time it was brilliant play from Bayern as Jamal Musiala’s electric pace took him into the penalty area and he pulled a brilliant ball back for Serge Gnabry to fire home.

Erik Ten Hag must have put in a pretty good half time talk as the Red Devils showed up well in the second period. Rasmus Hojlund pulled a goal back early in the second half with a great finish, but then Bayern restored their two goal lead when Kane converted a penalty after Christian Eriksen had handled. There was even some hope of a famous United comeback when Casemiro hooked the ball home on 88 minutes; and then there was a goal rush as Mathys Tel restored Bayern’s two goal lead before Casemiro headed his second as the match finished 4-3.

This was a good result for Bayern and a spirited display from Manchester United; but they both need to improve.

Hey Jude does it again for Los Blancos

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring against Union Berlin the Champions League — Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their first goal with Lucas Vazquez

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid opened their account with a 1-0 win over FC Union Berlin but they left it very, very late. And it was England star Jude Bellingham who continued his dream start to his career in Madrid as he scored his sixth goal in six games. Federico Valverde’s shot deflected into Bellingham’s path and he slotted the ball home, four minutes into added time for the 1-0 win.

It was Union Berlin’s first game in the Champions League and they put in brave rearguard, but with only 24 per cent possession, and losing the shot counts by 32 to four, and seven on target to none, they did so well to hold out until the 94^th minute…but Bellingham’s strike will have hurt. The Champions League 2023 betting odds price Real Madrid as third favourites at odds of 8.00 and while they left it late, this was a result of a team which will go deep into the competition yet again.

Gunners shoot straight on their Champions league return

Arsenal are fourth favourites to win the tournament, at odds of 11.00, and they showed just how serious they are as they blew PSV Eindhoven away with three goals in the first half. Gunners attacker Bukayo Saka opened the scoring on eight minutes when he reacted the quickest when Martin Odegaard’s shot was parried, and Leandro Trossard doubled the lead when he finished off a lightning counter attack. But the pick of the lot came on 38 minutes as Arsenal had their visiting fans on their feet when Gabriel found Trossard with a delightful ball over the top, and he crossed for Gabriel Jesus who blasted his finish high into the top corner.

Odegaard made it 4-0 on 70 minutes with a beautiful strike from 25 yards, low into the bottom corner, to round of a great return to the European top table for Arsenal.

Napoli off the mark

Italian champions Napoli got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory away to Braga but it was something of a struggle. Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored a screamer into the top right corner to give the 2023 Scudetto winners a first half lead and they were in control of the game until late in the game. When Bruma headed Braga level on 84 minutes it looked like Napoli would have to settle for a draw but they had a lucky break when Sikou Niakate put through his own net four minutes later.

LA LIGA