We are officially halfway through the UEFA Champions League league phase, as the second day of Champions League Matchday 4 concluded on Wednesday, November 4.
Three Key Takeaways From Champions League Matchday 4
1. Liverpool Suffers Massive Setback In Upset Loss To Fenerbahce
Liverpool got off to a fast start in the league phase, winning their first three league-phase games and tying for first place heading into Champions League Matchday 4.
It looked like their perfect start would continue on the road against a Fenerbahce side on a 10-game winless streak. Instead, the Reds suffered a surprising loss to Fenerbahce, their first in the competition, and now face questions about how far this team can go in the Champions League.
Liverpool’s performance was ugly, as all of Fenerbahce’s goals came from their mistakes.
On the first goal, Liverpool’s wall deflected the ball into the back of the net from a free kick Mason Greenwood hit. The second goal came from a mistake by Cody Gakpo as he tried to clear the ball away from danger on a cross by N’Golo Kante, but instead inadvertently headed it toward Archie Brown after Alisson left his line, leaving the net open.
On Fenerbahce’s game-winning goal, the Reds defended poorly as no one went for the ball on a high-flying cross from Brown into Liverpool’s box, allowing Vedat Muriqi to rise, head it down, and score.
This Champions League Matchday 4 game is one the Reds will wonder how they didn’t win, as they were the better team for most of the match.
Liverpool had 68% possession, 12 corners, four big chances, and 22 shots. Although Fenerbahce had a higher expected goals rate (1.70 vs. Liverpool’s 1.57), they created better chances, while all of Fenerbahce’s goals came from self-inflicted mistakes. While some of this loss should be blamed on Andoni Iraola for not starting Gakpo, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz, the Reds had everything they needed to win despite these changes.
This was a massive setback as Liverpool went from tied for first to eighth after this loss in Champions League Matchday 4.
The mistakes remain a huge problem for this team, as they keep making them at key moments. Their defence remains leaky, allowing almost two goals per game since returning from the international break, and the attack is inconsistent. With so many problems on this team, there isn’t much optimism for Liverpool to make a deep run in the Champions League.
READ MORE: Premier League Matchday 9: Three Key Takeaways As Arsenal Take Top Spot After Win Over Liverpool
2. Como Is the Champions League’s Dark Horse After Blowout Win Over Lens
Since the Champions League adopted the league phase format two seasons ago, a surprise team has always emerged that nobody expected to go deep in the competition.
After four matchdays, including Champions League Matchday 4, it’s becoming clear that Como is the competition’s dark horse after they thrashed French side RC Lens on the road.
Entering Champions League Matchday 4, Como have had a stellar debut, winning the first two of three games, including a statement win against Manchester United in Matchday 3. In their game against Lens, Como blew out their opposition, scoring nine goals on the road and becoming the first team in Champions League history to score nine goals in an away match.
The Italian side continues to show their identity under manager Cesc Fabregas as a well-balanced team with a lot of young talent, and it’s getting better, as shown in their win in Champions League Matchday 4.
Como delivered an incredible performance in Champions League Matchday 4, getting off to a flying start by scoring seven minutes in. They extended their lead to three heading into halftime, but in the second half, the running riot got worse for Lens as Como scored six goals before winning 9-1.
With an expected goals rate of 4.27, six different players scored, with Tasos Douvikas leading the way with a hat-trick. Nico Paz, the team’s star, was instrumental in midfield, scoring a goal and providing two assists while helping the team hold 57% possession.
Despite this strong performance, Lens never really had a chance, with only three shots on target, a 0.77 expected goals rate, and no goal until Como led 7-0.
This Como team is special: it sits fourth in the league phase with nine points and has scored 19 goals, the second-most behind PSG. They are well-coached, have plenty of young talent and veteran leadership, and continue to play without pressure.
While they still have to face the competition’s favourites, PSG and Barcelona, in the league phase, Como proved in Champions League Matchday 4 that they will be this year’s dark horse.
3. Real Madrid Continue To Show The Heart Of Champions In Comeback Win Over AEK Athens
Real Madrid has been the Champions League’s most successful team, with 15 titles. What makes this club special in this competition is its ability to come back whenever it’s down and out. That is why we always have to consider them among the favourites to win the competition, no matter their form.
In Champions League Matchday 4, Los Blancos reminded us of their comeback DNA and why they are a threat to win the competition.
It was an ugly win for Real Madrid in Champions League Matchday 4 as it won 3-2 on a stoppage-time winner against Greek opposition, AEK Athens, who have won only one game in the league phase and have lost three of their last four games. AEK Athens got off to a fast start, taking a surprising lead over Los Blancos 12 minutes in and being the more dangerous side through the first 20 minutes.
However, Jude Bellingham scored an amazing goal to tie the game at one, and it felt like Real Madrid were on their way to a comfortable victory, with an expected goals rate of 1.13 compared to AEK Athens’s 0.49.
Instead, the game was fairly even for most of the second half, as both teams had chances but neither broke through. However, in the 75th minute, AEK Athens surprisingly retook the lead as they neared a shocking result against the 15-time Champions League winners.
This moment was short-lived as Los Blancos’ comeback DNA resurfaced when Kylian Mbappe tied the game at 2-2 three minutes after AEK Athens took the lead. Then, just when it seemed like the game would end in a draw, Federico Valverde scored an amazing outside-the-box goal in stoppage time to clinch the win for Real Madrid in Champions League Matchday 4.
For the second time in the league phase, Real Madrid made an incredible comeback after looking down and out. They did it in Matchday 2 against AS Roma and did it again in Champions League Matchday 4.
Los Blancos deserved the win: they had an expected goals rate of 3.35 compared to AEK Athens’ 0.86, 70% possession, eight shots on target, and all seven corners. This team has gotten hot since the international break, with a seven-game winning streak.
With their comeback DNA, hot form, and roster talent, Real Madrid should never be counted out in the Champions League, and we could see them as dangerous contenders.
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Extra Time Notes
In other results from the second day of Champions League Matchday 4, Arsenal and Manchester City survived tough road tests from Slavia Prague and RB Leipzig.
Despite the wins, they did not look their best, struggling to dominate the game and having to hold off strong late challenges from their opponents. Both teams need to be more dominant and improve, as they will face stronger opposition in the second half of the league phase.
Also, it’s starting to look very likely that we will have our first Champions League disappointment, as Napoli suffered their third loss of the competition in Champions League Matchday 4. They suffered a 4-1 loss to Porto, and the game fell apart after the 70th minute, with a red card in the 88th minute.
They currently sit in the elimination zone in 27th place with three points, haven’t shown signs of improvement, and face a tough second-half league schedule. Napoli is very likely headed for a second consecutive early exit from the Champions League.
After four matchdays in the league phase, the first half of the league phase has ended with Champions League Matchday 4. Right now, PSG and Real Madrid have a huge lead in clinching a top-eight spot, as they are the only two teams to have won all their league-phase games.
Otherwise, the battle is tight in the standings, as fourth through 12th place have nine points. That is only a five-point advantage between being in the next round of the knockout phase and being eliminated.
We are seeing clubs that we never thought would face the prospect of early elimination now facing that reality, as Atletico Madrid are close to the elimination zone, sitting in 23rd place with four points. Everything starts to become very important heading into the second half of the league phase, as goal difference to goals scored could mean the difference between moving to the next round and being eliminated.
With Matchday 5 in three weeks, we should expect a thrilling second half as we near the conclusion of the league phase.
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