Liverpool proved they’ll nonetheless grind out European outcomes with out Mohamed Salah, sealing an important 1-0 win over Inter Milan at San Siro to regular their Champions League marketing campaign. With Salah ignored after his public fallout with head coach Arne Slot, it was Dominik Szoboszlai who took duty from the spot, burying an 88th-minute penalty to elevate Liverpool again in direction of the highest eight within the league section.
The Reds traveled with a threadbare assault, Cody Gakpo injured, Federico Chiesa in poor health, leaving 200 million kilos duo Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike to steer the road. The pair labored tirelessly however lacked Salah’s incision, and Liverpool’s greatest early openings got here from midfield runners Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch.
A primary-half Konate header was appropriately dominated out for handball after a prolonged VAR delay, and Inter threatened by means of Nicolo Barella and Lautaro Martnez earlier than the decisive second arrived. When substitute Florian Wirtz drew a foul from Alessandro Bastoni, Szoboszlai stepped as much as safe a consequence that will really feel larger than the scoreline.
Barcelona edge Frankfurt out
Barcelona additionally delivered a major assertion, battling again for a 2–1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at Camp Nou. Regardless of dominating the ball, Bara conceded first to Ansgar Knauff on the counter, elevating fears of one other irritating evening. However second-half substitute Marcus Rashford reworked the tempo, supplying the cross for Jules Kound’s equaliser.
Three minutes later, Lamine Yamal floated in an excellent ball that Kound headed residence once more, sealing a comeback that retains Barcelona firmly within the hunt for an computerized last-16 place.
Chelsea’s letdown
Elsewhere, Chelsea’s European struggles deepened with a 2–1 defeat at Atalanta — a consequence that dropped Enzo Maresca’s aspect out of the highest eight. Joao Pedro’s composed end briefly lifted Chelsea, however they unraveled after the interval. Gianluca Scamacca’s header leveled the competition earlier than Charles De Ketelaere, excellent all evening, drove within the winner with seven minutes left. Atalanta, now third, look more and more harmful, whereas Chelsea’s path to qualification grows extra precarious.
A dramatic evening throughout Europe, and one which reshapes the evolving race for the final 16 — with Liverpool and Barcelona rising, and Chelsea sinking into undesirable uncertainty.
– ends