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UEFA Champions League matchday 8: PSV beat Liverpool, Atalanta draws against Barcelona and Man City qualify for playoffs

After losing to PSV Eindhoven in a thrilling five-goal match, Liverpool lost their perfect winning record in the Champions League this season.

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Varun Sarwate
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UCL 8

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After losing to PSV Eindhoven in a thrilling five-goal match, Liverpool lost their perfect winning record in the Champions League this season. After leading twice in the Netherlands, Liverpool, who had won their previous seven games, lost twice at the end of the first half of their eighth and final group-phase encounter.

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Joey Veerman was fouled by Federico Chiesa, and Cody Gakpo gave the Reds the lead from the penalty spot against his old team in his hometown during an exciting first half. Johan Bakayoko equalized with a beautiful move and finish, then Harvey Elliott gave Liverpool the lead again when Chiesa's shot was deflected into his path. After Amara Nallo, a substitute, was sent off with a straight red card for fouling Bakayoko in the 87th minute, Liverpool ended the game with 10 men.

Since the Reds were guaranteed a position in the round of 16, manager Arne Slot rested some of his first-team players before Saturday's crucial Premier League encounter against Bournemouth. Additionally, as Dutch League leaders PSV secured a playoff spot, the Dutchman lost just his third game as manager of Liverpool in his 35th game in charge.

A play-off between the clubs who finished 15th to 18th in the league phase will determine Liverpool's opponents in the round of 16.

Barcelona lose out on first place

Barcelona's attempt to pass Liverpool in the rankings was unsuccessful, despite their aspirations to win the league phase. At the Estadi Olimpic, a win over Atalanta would have been sufficient, but the Catalans ultimately managed to get only a 2-2 tie.

Ultimately, it means Barcelona will have to be content with a second-place league result. Nevertheless, Flick and his team will be quite happy that they are still in the Champions League's round of 16, as they do not have to compete in the play-offs next month.

Man City make it to the playoffs 

Manchester City defeated Club Brugge at Etihad Stadium to narrowly advance to the Champions League play-offs after a major scare. The Premier League winners, led by Pep Guardiola, understood that winning was the only way to save themselves from the humiliating shame of finishing outside the top 24 in the tournament's new format.

Shortly before halftime, Raphael Onyedika gave Club Brugge a startling lead by turning in Ferran Jutgla's cross, leaving them to face that bleak scenario. A Belgian team that showed enough to earn their spot in the playoffs provided City with the answer they needed as the stress increased. When City eventually established some control, Joel Ordonez shifted Josko Gvardiol's cross into his net after Mateo Kovacic had driven low past former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet eight minutes after the time.

Savinho's low drive that slipped past Mignolet at his near post gave City the confidence boost they needed, and Guardiola was now able to look forward to greater success in the league that Manchester City had won in 2023.

Real Madrid head to the Champions League playoffs

Despite easily defeating Brest, Real Madrid missed out on finishing in the top eight and now has to play in the Champions League play-offs and a matchup with either Manchester City or Celtic. Jude Bellingham's goal and a double from Rodrygo gave the defending champions the victory; they needed to win in France to guarantee a spot in the round of 16.

However, Carlo Ancelotti's team needs to play an extra two-leg tie to defend their championship due to outcomes elsewhere. Brest's first Champions League campaign also enters the knockout stages.

Result 1

 

Result 3

Result 2

Real Madrid FC Barcelona Manchester City UEFA Champions League Liverpool
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