How Did Premier League Teams Do In The Champions League This Week

The first matchday of the newly-restructured UEFA Champions League is now done, with matches taking place on the usual Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as Thursday, which was a first.

Four Premier League sides have taken part in this week’s games – Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal – with mixed fortunes, but none of them lost their game. So let’s have a look at how the English teams in UCL did this week and how it stands after the first of eight matchdays.

Aston Villa

The Birmingham team was the first one representing England to play their UCL game and it came after more than four decades since their last European Cup appearance.

They started their campaign on Tuesday, away in Switzerland against Young Boys and came away with a big 3-0 win. Unai Emery’s men could have won by an even bigger margin, but had two goals disallowed for handballs in the build-up, as well as more big chances that went begging.

Goals from Tielemans, Ramsey and Onana put the game to bed and provided a good foundation for Villa’s attempt to make the knockout stages.

Liverpool

The Reds had to come from behind to beat AC Milan in one of Tuesday’s late kick-offs after Pulisic’s third minute goal.

Despite the riches available to Arne Slot in attack, it was actually his centre-backs who got them back in the game, with Konate and van Dijk both scoring headers before half time to turn the game on its head.

Into the second half, it was Szoboszlai who secured the result after some great work out on the wing from Gakpo.

It was a good performance in the end from Liverpool, who, like Aston Villa, began their UCL campaign with a win. But tougher games will come for both these teams.

Manchester City

City were the only English team in action on Wednesday in a rematch of the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan. Much like that game, this one was a cagey affair, with the two teams nullifying each other time and again en route to a 0-0 draw.

There were enough chances for both sides to seal a win, but neither were inspired enough to take them. Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer was also in very good form, dealing with everything that City managed to get past the Inter defence.

One of the biggest news coming out of the game was that Kevin De Bruyne is now a doubt for City’s blockbuster clash against Arsenal in the EPL this weekend, coming off at half time for Phil Foden.

Arsenal

After Tuesday brought two English wins and plenty of goals, Arsenal joined City in only securing blank draws against Italian opposition in the first matchday.

Coming up against last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta, Mikel Arteta’s team could only muster a 0-0 in Bergamo and it’s worth noting that they have goalkeeper David Raya to thank for that.

His double save from a Mateo Retegui penalty was a sight to behold and probably the best goalkeeping moment we’ll see all season.

Have a look for yourself if you haven’t seen it.

DAVID RAYA MAKES INCREDIBLE DOUBLE SAVE 🤯 | HIGHLIGHTS | Atalanta v Arsenal (0-0) | Champions League