Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League delivered some thrilling football and surprising results! Let's dive into the key stats from each game:
Benfica's Breakthrough & Ajax's Woes
5 - Benfica secured their first win of the Champions League season with a 2-0 victory away at Ajax. Two well-taken goals gave the Portuguese side a glimmer of hope for progression. Meanwhile, Ajax's struggles continue, having now lost their last five European home games – a new low for the Dutch giants.
Union Saint-Gilloise Stuns Galatasaray
6 - Galatasaray will be kicking themselves after a 1-0 defeat at home to Union Saint-Gilloise. Promise David's goal proved decisive, putting the Belgian side back in contention for a top 24 spot. This was Union's sixth clean sheet on the road in Europe, their first in the Champions League proper.
Canadian Magic for Juventus
9 - Juventus secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Canadian forward Jonathan David. It was a vital first win in the league phase for Juve, who remain undefeated in nine games against Norwegian opposition (5 wins, 4 draws). This was also their first victory in Norway, having drawn their previous four visits.
Leverkusen Shocks Manchester City at the Etihad!
12 - The biggest shock of the round came at the Etihad, where Manchester City suffered a stunning 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. Goals from Alex Grimaldo and Patrik Schick secured a historic victory for the German side in their first-ever meeting. This marked the first time in 12 years that City have been beaten at home by a German team.
Goalless Stalemate in Prague
18 - Slavia Praha and Athletic Club played out a goalless draw in the Czech capital. The result helps neither team significantly in their quest for progression.