On September 18, 2024, the Champions League witnessed a rare goal-shy evening with 0-0 draws between Manchester City and Inter Milan, as well as Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk. This unexpected turn of events marked a stark contrast to the goal-fest of the previous day, where only 13 goals were scored across six games, in contrast to the 28 goals fired on Tuesday.
Low Scorers in the League Phase
The two goalless draws on this matchday, out of 12 of the 144 games scheduled in the new league phase, already represent half the total number of 0-0 draws from the previous season’s group-stage format, which had four in 96 games. This shift is significant considering the competition had an average of three goals per game last season.
Late Drama in Various Matches
Paris Saint-Germain and Girona were on course for a blank result until a costly 90th-minute error by Girona’s goalkeeper gifted PSG a 1-0 victory. Girona’s coach, Míchel, emphasized the need for hard work to achieve their goals.
Dortmund’s Striking Late Goals
Borussia Dortmund clinched a 3-0 victory over Club Brugge with late strikes from substitutes Jamie Gittens, twice, and Serhou Guirassy. The new Champions League format has ushered in fresh faces and rekindled old rivalries in European football.
Sparta Prague marked their return to this stage of the Champions League after 19 years with an impressive 3-0 win against Salzburg. Meanwhile, Bologna’s attacking display against Shakhtar Donetsk showcased their ambition, albeit lacking in goals despite a penalty save by Bologna’s goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.
Celtic’s Dominant Performance
Slovan Bratislava faced a tough challenge against Celtic, who secured a convincing 5-1 victory in Glasgow. The scoring spree included goals from players across different nationalities, earning praise from Celtic’s coach, Brendan Rodgers.
Upcoming Matches and Format Overview
The upcoming Thursday fixtures will see Barcelona take on Monaco, Atalanta hosting Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen visiting Feyenoord. With six games on consecutive nights, the new format entails 36 teams playing eight different opponents through January to determine the knockout phase qualifiers.
Manchester City’s Missed Opportunities
The clash between Manchester City and Inter Milan ended in a stalemate, reminiscent of their 2023 final encounter. Despite chances, including two late opportunities squandered by Ilkay Gundogan, City failed to break the deadlock at home, maintaining a long unbeaten streak in European games.
**Sources**:
1. [Official Champions League Website](#)
2. [Manchester City News](#)
3. [Inter Milan Updates](#)
4. [Borussia Dortmund’s Page](#)
This comprehensive coverage highlights the varied outcomes and implications of the Champions League matchday, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the revamped competition.