Wednesday, 22 November 2017

UEFA Champions League 2017/18: Group A


Group A


Manchester United have topped Group A with 15 points which consisted of five group stage victories in the UCL this season.

Swiss side FC Basel earned a deserving runners-up spot in the Round of 16 as they finished Group A with 12 points. 

CSKA Moskva was also in contention to qualify but with Basel victorious and their defeat to Man United, they will have to settle for Europa League qualification. 

Benfica had a disastrous UCL campaign this season suffering defeat in all six games in Group A.

Potential Opponents:

Man United:- Bayern Munich, Juventus, Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Porto, Real Madrid
FC Basel:- PSG, Roma, Barcelona, Liverpool, Man City, Besiktas, Tottenham

Matchday 6


Manchester United earned a comeback 2-1 victory over Russian side CSKA Moskva to book their place in the Round of 16 along with confirming their status as Group A winners.

Despite United's first-half pressure, CSKA surprisingly took the lead in the 45th minute as Vitinho took advantage of United's poor defending, firing a shot on target which last deflected off Alan Dzagoev


But United fired two goals in quick succession; Romelu Lukaku firing in the first to end his long goal drought and Marcus Rashford scoring a half-volley after Juan Mata played him in with a perfect overhead first-time pass.

This victory stretched United's unbeaten run at home to 40 games.


FC Basel took full advantage of CSKA's loss to Manchester United, earning a 2-0 victory away at Benfica. It was Basel's fourth victory in the Group Stages this season as they claimed the runners-up place in Group A.



Mohamed Elyounoussi noded the visitors in front early on in the 5th minute and the victory was sealed in the 65th minute when Dimitri Oberlin headed in his 4th UCL goal of the season to seal a qualification spot into the last-16. 

Matchday 5




Manchester United received a shock in Matchday 5 as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Basel, denying them a confirmation of top spot in Group A.

With a goalless first half, the game looked to end as a 0-0 draw with Man United getting the better chances through Anthony Martial & Marcos Rojo who hit the post and crossbar respectively.


But with the United defense switching off when it mattered, Michel Lang was handed a simple tap in to secure that late win and keep the Swiss side in contention to secure a qualification spot.



CSKA Moskva remained in contention to secure a qualification spot to the Round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Benfica to hand them their 5th straight UCL defeat this season.

They struck as early as the 13th minute with Georgi Schennikov opening the scoring. With the CSKA defense holding firm, Benfica player Jardel scored an own goal which was enough to hand CSKA their 3rd UCL win this season.

This was also a huge moment for the CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev who registered his first UCL clean sheet in 43 matches to end his horrific run in goal.

Manchester United & SL Benfica

Matchday 3

Manchester United's return to the CL this season couldn't have progressed better than it has. They have picked up 4 consecutive wins in the Group Stages; only the third team to achieve this feat along with PSG and Manchester City.

On the other hand, Benfica's CL campaign has been a disaster suffering 4 straight defeats in Group A, conceding 10 goals and scoring just once.



United earned their 3rd win in a row in the CL, earning a narrow 0-1 win at Benfica to hand them their third straight defeat.




Marcus Rashford's long-range free-kick was terribly misjudged by Benfica's debutante goalkeeper Mile Svilar, handing the Red Devils the lead in the 64th minute.



Benfica's night went from bad to worse after their captain Luisao was sent off in second-half stoppage time.



Matchday 4



Man United earned their 4th straight UCL victory in a row as they overcame Benfica with a 2-0 victory to move six points clear at the top.




Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar had a night of ups and downs; crucial saving Anthony Martial's penalty but had a nightmare just before halftime as Nemanja Matic's shot rebounded off the post, hitting him last.

The game was sealed in the 78th minute after Marcus Rashford was brought down in the box and United's second penalty on the night was drilled home by Daley Blind.

Svilar made history as he became the youngest ever goalkeeper to save a UCL penalty but Benfica has now been eliminated from qualification to the last 16.

CSKA Moskva & FC Basel

With United leading Group A; CSKA Moskva and Basel are battling it out to finish runners-up in the group and qualify for the knockout stages.

When the pair faced each other, they failed to make home advantage count as both registered an away victory to move level on 6 points in the table.

Matchday 3



Swiss side Basel earned a well-fought victory at Russian side CSKA Moskva, making it back-to-back wins to move three points clear in second in Group A.

Taulant Xhaka scored a low strike to hand Basel an early lead in the first half. Basel's defensive line held-up the home side's attacking prowesses for the entire game as substitute Dimitri Oberlin sealed the victory in the 90th minute giving Moskva their 2nd straight UCL defeat at home keeping them in 3rd place.

Matchday 4



Basel scuffed a one-goal lead as CSKA Moskva came from behind to earn a crucial 1-2 victory to move level on six points with their opponents.

The home side took the lead after the half-hour mark courtesy of Luca Zuffis's lob.

But CSKA's pressure paid off after Alan Dzagoev chipped the ball over the keeper for the equalizer & Pontus Wernbloom scored a fantastic volley to hand CSKA their second away win of the season.

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