UEFA Champions League Matchweek 1 Wrap-Up for English Clubs

Napoli defeat defending champions Liverpool 2-0 at the Stadio San Paolo.

It was a less than ideal way to begin a title defense, as Liverpool fell in their opening group stage fixture to an impressive Napoli team.

These 2 sides also met in the group stages last season, where Napoli also triumphed over the Reds at home. This fixture was even throughout, as Liverpool failed to unlock a stubborn Napoli defence, which was anchored by the excellent Kalidou Koulibaly, as always.

While they saw enough of the ball, the Reds failed to create any genuine clear-cut scoring chances, which ultimately decided their downfall. In the 80th minute, Andy Robertson conceded a penalty, which following the benefit of a replay looked rather harsh, which allowed Dries Mertens to slot home a winning goal. Fernando Llorente sealed the famous victory in stoppage time, pouncing on a defensive error from Virgil van Dijk to make it 2-0 Napoli.

The Reds wont be too disheartened by the loss, as it came against a good team in a tough stadium, but Klopp’s men will now be playing catch-up with Napoli as the group stages continue.

Spurs let a 2-0 lead slip against an inspiring Olympiakos side.

Spurs vs Olympiakos looks like a rather straight-forward tie on paper, but when looking at the English sides recent away form (1 win and 2 draws in 12 matches), you had to wonder whether they would struggle in this one. That thought came to fruition in this fixture, as Spurs squandered a 2 goal lead yet again to allow a very deserving Olympiakos side a point in front of their own raucous fans.

The Greek side were far more lively than their visitors in the opening 25 minutes or so, coming close on a few occasions, but Harry Kane found himself on the receiving end of a poor challenge from Yassine Meriah inside the box, which allowed the English striker to put his team up 1-0.

Just a few minutes later, Lucas Moura picked up the ball and scored a screamer from outside the box, giving Spurs a rather undeserved lead.

A goal on the stroke of half-time proved crucial for Olympiakos however, as Daniel Podence got them back within 1 in the 44th minute. Less than 10 minutes into the 2nd half, Mathieu Valbuena converted a penalty which Jan Vertonghen, who put in a very poor performance, gifted to the Greek side.

Despite a late onslaught, Spurs would have to settle for a point.