Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made an outstanding double save to safe an away level of their opening Champions League fixture at Atalanta, whereas 10-man Barcelona had been off to a shaky begin with defeat by Monaco.
The Gunners discovered their opening match sandwiched between the North London derby, the place they beat Tottenham final weekend, and a go to to Manchester Metropolis on Monday (AEST). Metropolis additionally appeared to have one eye on that Premier League blockbuster once they drew their opening match of this yr’s UCL a day earlier towards Inter Milan.
Very similar to within the 1-0 win over Spurs, Arsenal had been defensive and restrained, and it took some brilliance from their keeper Raya to maintain the ultimate rating to 0-0.
After Thomas Partey was dominated to have introduced down Ederson within the second half, Raya spoke to the staff’s goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana throughout a prolonged VAR delay to find out if the foul was in or outdoors the field.
Raya returned and dived low to maintain out Mateo Retegui’s penalty and the striker had an ideal probability to make amends. His header was on course however Raya sprung up and saved it from going over the road.
“It’s only a penalty, I used to be fortunate to go the fitting approach,” Raya instructed TNT Sports activities.
“I used to be unfortunate to present the rebound straight to him however I used to be fortunate to rise up and reserve it. It’s nice to maintain the clear sheet and assist the staff get some extent.
“The choice to go to the sideline was as a result of it was a very long time to determine if it was a pen or not.
“I went to the goalkeeper coach and requested the place to go and the place to not go, what to do and what to not do. He helps me with all the things and helped me make the save.”
They had been the one two saves required from Raya whereas Arsenal had simply two on course and no pictures between the 18th and seventy fifth minute when the out-of-form Gabriel Martinelli spurned their greatest probability by firing effectively over the bar.
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“Atalanta will be very pleased with their efforts and they need to have received the sport,”stated former Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Bosnich on Stan Sport.
“They know that. Solely a unbelievable double save by David Raya prevented it.
“It was a little bit little bit of a head-scratcher, sure, for me, from the Arsenal perspective.”
Bozza stated he understood if Arsenal had an eye fixed on the massive conflict towards Metropolis on the Etihad, and that they’re having to play with out their injured chief artistic participant Martin Odegaard.
“I nonetheless assume it’s a really dangerous coverage for them. I perceive that they need to add one other arrow to their bag, so to talk, with the ability to play in a defensive approach.
“However should you get caught in that mode… I feel it’s truly extra dangerous to be caught in that defensive mode than it’s to play what their pure sport is.
“I feel it’s an admission that with out Odegaard they’re not the identical staff.
“They know that conserving clear sheets in the mean time, they’ve received 4 out of 5 to date, has been their forte. Nevertheless it’s very harmful.
“I’ve been within the staff earlier than whenever you’ve received into that mode, considering which you can principally win one thing by at all times simply conserving clear sheets. The sport is about targets. And for me, tonight, they didn’t seem like scoring in any respect.”
Atalanta, final season’s Europa League champions, have struggled thus far this season, successful two Serie A video games, but additionally dropping to Torino and flattened 4-0 by Inter at San Siro.
“In fact there are regrets, a penalty is at all times a giant alternative and going 1-0 up at that second would’ve been vital,” their supervisor Gian Piero Gasperini instructed Sky Sport Italia.
“Nevertheless, we needs to be proud of the efficiency, which was of a excessive degree to match our opponents. Seeing the rebound, it was an distinctive save, but additionally the header was too near him. It’s a pity, as that was maybe the perfect efficiency Retegui had since he’s been right here and he labored so exhausting tonight, he deserved a aim.
“I like Arsenal a fantastic deal and tonight they didn’t do rather a lot in assault, however confirmed they’re stable and tough to interrupt down.”
Barcelona overwhelmed, Leverkusen romp
Two of the world’s most enjoyable younger gamers shone on membership soccer’s largest stage with combined fortunes.
Teenager Lamine Yamal’s aim couldn’t forestall 10-man Barcelona from falling to a 2-1 defeat at Monaco on the Stade Louis II, ending the Spanish membership’s excellent begin to the season.
At De Kuip, it took Florian Wirtz lower than 5 minutes to attain his first Champions League aim on his debut in Europe’s elite membership competitors.
Wirtz additionally netted one other as Bayer Leverkusen romped to a 4-0 win at hosts Feyenoord.
Leverkusen misplaced within the Europa League last in Could, their solely defeat in a exceptional season that noticed them win the Bundesliga and German Cup.
Atlético Madrid beat Leipzig 2-1 and Benfica topped Purple Star Belgrade 2-1, whereas Brest’s first-ever look in European competitors resulted in a 2-1 win over Sturm Graz.
It was the third night of the brand new Champions League format which replaces the normal group stage.
Now, 36 groups every play eight completely different opponents by way of January and are ranked in a single league desk to determine which groups advance to the knockout section.
Wirtz have had a fantastic begin to the season, with three targets in as many Bundesliga video games.
And the 21-year-old continued that streak on Thursday in Rotterdam. Robert Andrich intercepted a poor Feyenoord move and slipped the ball by way of to Wirtz, who surged ahead earlier than firing into the underside proper nook.
Leverkusen doubled their lead on the half-hour mark as Victor Boniface’s intelligent move from the sting of the penalty space launched Jeremie Frimpong on the fitting and his cross was slotted in by Alejandro Grimaldo on the far put up.
One other Frimpong cross was volleyed in by Wirtz six minutes later.
Leverkusen hardly wanted any assist however got it on the stroke of half-time when a howler by Feyenoord’s German goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther noticed him flip the ball over the road following Edmond Tapsoba’s header.
New Benfica coach Bruno Lage made it two wins out of two because of targets from Turkey internationals Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Orkun Kökçü.
(With companies)
