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A capital match. This Wednesday night, all eyes were on the Parc des Princes where PSG faced Liverpool on behalf of the fifth day of the UEFA Champions League. But other meetings took place in the four corners of the Old Continent. In London, Tottenham (3rd, 4 points) welcomed Inter Milan (2nd, 7 points) for a shock almost decisive in the group B. The English had absolutely to prevail to hope to stay alive while a draw was enough to Italians to qualify with FC Barcelona. To achieve this goal, Mauricio Pochettino, deprived of Trippier or Dembélé, opted for a 4-2-3-1 with Harry Kane in tip. An eleven where we met the French Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko. For his part, Luciano Spalletti used the same system with infernal Mauro Icardi to lead the attack. In the beginning, the English asphyxiated their opponents thanks to a good pressing and a fast game and carried forward.
Tottenham provides the essentials
After Harry Kane whose center at the far post was not far from trick Handanovic (7th), Lucas was talking his speed before being shoved into the box. The referee thought there was no fault (8th). Then in the 11th, Kane slalomed between several players before serving Dele Alli, who did not fit his shot. Despite the opportunities, Londoners were not dangerous. At first annoyed by the aggressiveness of the Spurs, the Nerazzurri committed a lot of mistakes before taking the lead at the instigation of Icardi (fault provoked on Alderweireld at the 28th). But Tottenham did not let go. In the 30th, Moussa Sissoko launched a counterattack right side before centering for Dele Alli in the axis. The Englishman let the ball pass for Lucas. But the Brazilian crushed his shot from the right. Moments later, Winks, served by Lucas in the center, sent a powerful overhand shot from the right. Beaten, Handanovic was saved by his cross (38th).
In front, the Milanese could also open the scoring. Entering the 43rd to replace wounded Nainggolan, Valero, alone in the middle of the box, inherited the ball. But the Spaniard procrastinated too much and was taken back by an opponent. Both teams returned to the locker room on this score (0-0). After the break, Inter Milan was in attack. After a good collective action initiated by Valero, Vecino, served in withdrawal, did not fit his shot (48th). Opposite, the English also put intensity and hurt the defense transalpine with Lucas (52), Dele Alli (67) or Vertonghen (70). Under pressure, the Spurs did not find the flaw in the face of well disciplined Lombards who played the shots in the front with Perisic whose powerful shot in the area forced Lloris to unsheathe a parry. The turn of the match since a few moments later, Sissoko pierced the Italian defense before finding Eriksen, came into play a little earlier. The Dane adjusted Handanovic with a flat foot (1-0, 80th). After a new parade of Lloris against D'Ambrosio (84th), the score did not move. Tottenham won 1-0. A success that allows the English to return to the height of Inter Milan. Everything will be played on the last day for both teams (7 points each). The Spurs will go to Barcelona while Inter will receive the PSV.
Naples does a good job
In the same group, FC Barcelona (1st, 10 points) defeated precisely PSV Eindhoven (4th, 1 point). On this occasion, Ernesto Valverde had to compose without several injured players including Suarez, Umtiti or Sergi Roberto. The Spanish technician was therefore betting on a 4-3-3 with a trio Coutinho-Messi-Dembélé. Quickly, the two teams multiplied the opportunities. In the 16th, De Jong chained a control-shot from the left before bumping into the ter Stegen post. Opposite, Coutinho (19th), Vidal (35th) or Messi (42nd) replied. But at the 45th, De Jong put an angry head on Ter Stegen's crossbar. Bergwijn followed well but the German goalkeeper saved the ball on his line (0-0). The second period started again at the same pace. But Barça found the way through the nets thanks to the inevitable Messi, which erased several players before scoring (0-1, 61st). On a free-kick hit by the Pulga, Pique drove the PSV to 70 (0-2). Despite the goal of De Jong (83), Barça won 2-1. The Catalan club (13 points) consolidates its first place.
In Group C, the poster between PSG and Liverpool made the front page. But the Parisian fans also had an eye on the other meeting of Group C which opposed Naples, co-leader (6 points), to the Red Star of Belgrade (4 points). The Partenopei had to win to get away. But they had to deal with a surprising Serbian team that had snatched a draw in the first leg (0-0). However, Napoli opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Following a corner kick by Mertens, Hamsik propelled the leather into the net (1-0, 11th). Clearly above, the men of Carlo Ancelotti dominated despite a big opportunity for the Red Star with Simic, in one against Ospina. But in the 34th, Mertens doubled the right foot (2-0). Then, he signed a double in the 52nd (3-0). Despite Ben Nabouhane's 3-1, 57th loss to Belgrade, Napoli did not shake and prevailed. Italians take the lead in Group C.
The results of the evening in the Champions League:
Group A:
Atlético de Madrid 2-0 AS Monaco (Badiashile (CSC, 2nd), Griezmann (24th) for Atlético)
Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Club Brugge
Group B:
Tottenham 1-0 Inter Milan (Eriksen (80th) for Tottenham)
PSV Eindhoven 1-2 FC Barcelona (De Jong (83) for PSV, Messi (61st), Pique (70th) for Barça)
Group C:
Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Liverpool FC (Bernat (13th), Neymar (37th) for PSG, Milner (45th + 2, sp) for Liverpool)
Naples 3-1 Red Star of Belgrade (Hamsik (11th), Mertens (34th, 52nd) for Naples, Ben Nabouhane (57th) for Belgrade)
Group D:
Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 Galatasaray (Krychowiak (43), Ignatev (54) for Lokomotiv)
FC Porto 3-1 Schalke 04 (Militao (52), Corona (55), Marega (94) for Porto, Bentale (89, sp) for Schalke)
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