Here’s what happened in the Champions League on Tuesday, in case you missed it…
THE RESULTS
Bayer Leverkusen 0, Tottenham 0 || CSKA Moscow 1, AS Monaco 1 || Real Madrid 5, Legia Warsaw 1 || Sporting CP 1, Borussia Dortmund 2 || Club Brugge 1, FC Porto 2 || Leicester City 1, FC Copenhagen 0 || Dinamo Zagreb 0, Sevilla 1 || Lyon 0, Juventus 1
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Tuesday’s roundup: Mahrez extends Leicester City’s perfect start
WHAT STOOD OUT
Buffon is always Juventus’ Superman
The reports of Gianluigi Buffon’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, as we discovered on Tuesday night. Earlier this month, Buffon committed an uncharacteristic gaffe in a World Cup qualifier at Juventus Stadium that allowed Spanish striker Vitolo to score into an empty net. The Azzurri went on to earn a 1-1 draw, but the veteran goalkeeper came in for heavy criticism from Italian fans and media.
This past weekend, when Juventus hosted Udinese in Serie A, fans in Turin unfurled a massive banner behind his goal that read, “Even Superman is just Clark Kent sometimes. Gigi Buffon is always our Superman.” It was a lovely show of support for Buffon after this ridiculous narrative surfaced about the legendary shot-stopper’s best days being behind him. Even at 38 years of age, Buffon is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world, a crucial player for both club and country.
In France on Tuesday night, Buffon drove home that point by standing on his head all game. He made a crucial penalty stop on Alexandre Lacazette in the first half, and then a highlight-reel save on Nabil Fekir with his trailing hand to absolutely rob the Lyon midfielder early in the second half. Even Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes applauded Buffon’s reaction save on the deflected shot.
Juve began to wilt as Lyon took advantage of the Italians being reduced to 10 men when Mario Lemina was sent off, but once again Buffon came up huge, this time denying Corentin Tolisso’s point-blank header with a fabulous reflex kick save.
It proved a vital stop by Buffon, setting the stage for teammate Juan Cuadrado’s winning goal in the 76th minute, allowing the Italian to escape Lyon with three points. Afterwards, Bosnian playmaker Miralem Pjanic praised his goalkeeper: “Gigi once again proved he’s always there. It makes no sense to doubt him.” Indeed, it doesn’t.
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BEST GOAL
Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring with a beauty when he out-paced and then out-muscled Sporting’s Semedo to win the ball, break in on goal and then cooly chip onrushing goalkeeper Rui Patricio. A lovely piece of skill from the Gabon international.
BEST GAME
Leicester City vs. FC Copenhagan was a tight yet entertaining battle, featuring an exquisitely-worked team goal scored by Riyad Mahrez, and a fantastic save by Kasper Schmeichel late in the game to preserve the win for the Foxes.
BEST MOMENT
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon comes up big to deny Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette in the first half.
BEST TWEET
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
Real Madrid dominated Leiga Warsaw without really shifting out of first gear:
BURNING QUESTION
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Leicester have more points in the Champions League this season (nine) than they do in the Premier League (eight).
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now scored nine times in his last nine games for Borussia Dortmund.
• FC Copenhagen has never won an away game against English opposition in all competitions (two draws and three losses).
• Only two of Tottenham’s 43 shots in the Champions League this season have found the back of the net.
• Marco Asensio has scored on his European (UEFA Super Cup), La Liga and Champions League debuts for Real Madrid.
• Mouctar Diakhaby is the youngest central defender to start a Champions League game for Lyon (19 years and 10 months).
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus: He kept Juve, reduced to 10 men in the second half, in the game and was the main reason why the Serie A champions earned three points away to Lyon.
2) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Borussia Dortmund: He scored the opener with a brilliant individual effort and kept Sporting’s defence on its toes with his pace.
3) Bernd Leno, Bayer Leverkusen: He made a number of fantastic saves, including a sensational finger-tip stop on Erik Lamela, to earn a clean sheet vs. Tottenham.
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