Champions League (ECL) Matchday 5 produced some exciting action, some surprise results and some stunning performances.
In this post we are going to review all 18 games on ECL Matchday 5, and give you the latest update to the Champions League table.
As always, bet365 Sport offers a wide selection of betting on the Champions League, including its own 6 Scores Challenge for the ECL. Do remember to check out what the site has to offer both pre-game and also In-Play.
Always remember to gamble responsibly.
Check out bet365’s Safer Gambling page for more details.
So let's begin with a close look at how the action turned out across ECL Matchday 5.
Bet365 Review » Min Deposit: £5 ⊕ Expiry: 30 days ⊕ Min Odds: 1/5 (1.20)
Arne Slot's Liverpool went back to the top of the table and maintained their 100% record in the competition following a richly deserved 2-0 win over Real Madrid at Anfield. A tight first half saw the home side dominate without creating too many clear-cut chances.
However, in the second half a lovely goal from Alexis Mac Allister put Liverpool deservedly 1-0 up. The Reds spurned a couple of opportunities after that to increase their lead, none more so when Mo Salah blasted his penalty wide of the post. They looked set to pay the price when Andy Robertson gave away a penalty against the run of play.
Kylian Mbappe stepped up but Caoimhin Kelleher produced a fine save to keep the Reds in front. Then just minutes later, Cody Gakpo rose well at the far post to head home a second. The Reds were now in full control and could and should have perhaps won more comfortably.
Home stars Kelleher, Conor Bradley and Curtis Jones shone for the Reds, but Bradley did pick up an injury late in the game making him a doubt for the game with Manchester City at the weekend. Ibou Konate also limped off the field, but is believed to have not received a major injury.
Real drop to 24th in the table, occupying the final spot for the Playoffs for the Round of 16. Liverpool remain the only team with a 100% winning record in the competition.
Both Atletico Madrid and Atalanta had six-star away trips this week. Atletico travelled to Prague to take on Sparta and emerged with a thumping 6-0 victory over the hosts. Ex-Man City striker Julian Alvarez and Angel Correa both netted braces, with Antoine Griezmann also on the scoresheet.
Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere also both scored two goals each as Atalanta thumped Young Boys 6-1 in Switzerland. Atalanta, along with Liverpool and Inter (who won 1-0 at home to Red Bull Leipzig) are the only three unbeaten teams remaining in the league stage.
Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen returned to form with a 5-0 thrashing of RB Salzburg. In demand midfielder Florian Wirtz scored twice in the first half of the game to put the German side in command.
Sporting Lisbon were brought down to Earth with a bang. After beating Man City 4-1 last time out, the Portuguese side were beaten 5-1 by an excellent Arsenal performance. Red Star Belgrade also recorded a 5-1 win, this time over Germany's VfB Stuttgart.
For 73 minutes of Man City's home game with Feyenoord, it looked like the Citizens would record end their run of five straight defeats. They led 3-0 thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland and another from Ilkay Gundogan.
However, when Anis Hadj-Moussa pulled one back for Feyenoord in the 74th minute, the nerves set in. Eight minutes later Santiago Gimenez made it 3-2 and then in the 89th minurte David Hancko levelled for a stunning comeback from the Dutch side.
Manager Pep Guardiola turned up for his post-match interview with scratches all over his head and face, causing genuine concern as to his well-being as his stuttering City team failed to win once again.
Bayern Munich earned an important win at home to Paris St Germain. Kim Min-jae's goal in the first half enough to land a 1-0 win over the French side who also had Ousmane Dembele sent off in the game.
Barcelona and Inter Milan continued their excellent form, the Catalan side winning 3-0 at home to Brest, while Inter remain second in the table behind Liverpool after their 1-0 win over RB Leipzig. The Italian team are yet to concede a goal in any of their five Champions League games this season.
Aston Villa were held 0-0 by Juventus at Villa Park, although the home side had a goal controversially ruled out by VAR late in the game. Benfica and PSV Eindhoven produced late comebacks to earn 3-2 victories, Benfica doing so away to Monaco and PSV likewise at home to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Sturm Graz, Dortmund, Lille and AC Milan all earned important wins, while Celtic were held 1-1 at home by Belgian side Club Brugge.
Manager – Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Formation – 4-3-3
This is the last set of fixtures this year. The remaining league stage fixtures will be played on 21st & 22nd and 29th & 30th January 2025.
All contents are ©
Bet365 Bonus Code, Sports, Casino and Poker Sign up offers and News
18+ Worried about your gambling?
Gamcare - When the fun stops – STOP!
