The favorites for the highest ranking in the Champions League this season opened the "campaign" with victories. PSG, Liverpool and Bayern celebrated triumphs at home, and Inter on the road.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain were the most convincing, scoring four goals to send Atalanta to Italy. Bayern Munich also scored three goals as they welcomed Chelsea to the Allianz Arena. Harry Kane scored two goals for the Bavarians.
An interesting duel was played at "Anfield" where the English champion Liverpool celebrated against Atletico Madrid with 3-2. Liverpool had a 2-0 lead after only six minutes of play. However, Atletico through Llorente reached the equalizer. To the joy of the hosts, Van Dijk took care of the goal in the second minute of the referee's addition (90+2).
Italian runner-up Inter celebrated their away win in Amsterdam, where they beat Ajax thanks to two goals from Frenchman Thuram.
Cypriot football club Paphos FC played a goalless draw away to Olympiacos FC today, in the club's debut appearance in the elite competition. Interestingly, the Cypriots reached the Champions League only 11 years after their formation, which is a great achievement in itself.
"Everyone was ecstatic," said former Brazil and Chelsea defender David Luiz, who joined the team this summer. "Everyone was absolutely happy, because we had done something incredible. Nobody expected us to be in the Champions League."
Paphos were reduced to a man in the 25th minute when Bruno Felipe was sent off for a second yellow card. This meant that they would have to play the entire match with one man less. Additionally, Olympiacos had the chance to have a red card themselves when Mehdi Taremi was sent off in the second half, but after a VAR review the decision was overturned and the Greeks were still left with 11 men. However, Paphos fought back to secure a historic point.
Watch the most interesting moments of Paphos' debut against Olympiacos.
In Prague, the atmosphere was far more dramatic. Slavia took a 2-0 lead thanks to two goals from Yusuf Mbodzi (23' and 74'), after the Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt had previously missed a penalty through Kasper Hogg. The hosts seemed to be on course for victory, but Bodo showed incredible character.
First, Daniel Bassi reduced the deficit to 2:1 in the 78th minute, and at the very end, Sondre Fet tied the score at 2:2 with a spectacular volley that went off the crossbar. There was over 11 minutes of extra time, but goalkeeper Nikita Khaikin was a star on the field and with several saves brought Bodo a point worth its weight in gold.
With these results, the two Champions League debutants sent a clear message that they will not be easy opponents, even when they seem on the verge of defeat.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – 1ST ROUND
WEDNESDAY
PSG – ATALANTA 4-0
LIVERPOOL – ATLETICO MADRID 3-2
BAYERN MUNICH – CHELSEA 3-1
AJAX – INTER 0-2
OLYMPIAKOS – PAPHOS 0-0
SLAVIA PRAGUE – BODO GLIMT 2-2
