Tuesday, 21 November 2017

UEFA Champions League 2017/18- Group F


Group F


Despite their shock defeat on Matchday 6, Manchester City was guaranteed top spot in Group F irrespective of the result.

But, this result proved to be vital for Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk as it guaranteed them second place and qualification to the Round of 16.

Napoli were strong contenders to rival for second place but they too slipped up despite taking the lead at Feyenoord, but qualify for the Europa League knockout stages.

There was some joy for Feyenoord supporters who saw a run of five successive come to an end with a comeback victory in Matchday 6 but finished bottom.

Potential Opponents

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

Matchday 6


Shakhtar Donetsk were the first team to beat Group F winners Manchetser City this season, picking up a 2-1 win to clinch second place. Pep Guardoila had rested many regular starters with the weekend's Manchester Derby in mind.

Bernard broke through the City defense, beating three players to score a superb curler past goalkeeper Ederson, handing Shakhtar the early advantage.


Ederson was responsible for the error that led to Shakhtar's second as left back Ismaily got a simple tap in through a fortunate rebound off the keeper.

Sergio Aguero came from the bench to score a late penalty in injury time but that wasn't enough for the victory as Shakhtar progressed into the last 16.


Napoli's late bid to secure a qualification spot ended as they suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat at Feyenoord despite taking the lead. Finishing 3rd in Group F, Napoli will now play Europa League football.

Napoli led as early as the second minute through Piotr Zielinski, scoring in his second successive UCL game which was cancelled out Nicolai Jorgensen's bullet header.
Feyenoord were reduced to 10-men with Tonny Vilhena sent off in 83rd minute but the home side took the late in the 90+1' through Jeremiah St. Juste, ending Napoli's hopes along with handing Feyenoord their first group stage victory.

Matchday 5




An already qualified Manchester City side secured their 5th straight UCL victory in the Group F this season with a last-gasp winner against Feyenoord.

The deadlock was broken in the 88th minute as Raheem Sterling broke through a seemingly unbreakable Feyenoord defense, clipping in the winner to secure City's status as winners of Group F.

Feyenoord's UCL campaign hasn't gone as per their expectation as they will now finish rock bottom of Group F after five straight defeats.


Napoli secured a vital 3-0 win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk; keeping them in contention to qualify for the Round of 16. This was Napoli's second win of the UCL campaign who now sit on 6 points with Shakhtar a further three points ahead.

With no first-half goals, Lorenzo Insigne broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with a wonder strike. Nine minutes before time, Piotr Zielinski doubled Napoli's lead with a cool finish after Dries Mertens secured the win with a header just two minutes later.

Napoli's future of qualifying for the Round of 16 is out of their hands. They need to win their game at Feyenoord and hope that Skhatar suffers defeat against Manchester City.

Matchday 3 & 4

Manchester City & SSC Napoli

Man City have now won 4 consecutive games in the UCL this season which has sealed qualification to the Round of 16. However, with Napoli already losing three games have all but ended their qualification hopes.


Matchday 3


Man City earned a well-fought victory at home to Napoli to register their 3rd consecutive win of the season in the UCL.

Man City opened the scoring in just the 9th minute after Raheem Sterling fired home the opener after Kyle Walker's shot was blocked.

Four minutes later, they doubled their lead after Kevin De Bruyne played a pinpoint cross to Gabriel Jesus who tapped in City's second.

With City moving into a defensive shape, Napoli had the better-attacking chances than on but Dries Mertens failed to convert his spot kick on 2-0.

Napoli got a second penalty in the game which Amadou Diawara managed to convert but it wasn't enough as Napoli who could have left with a crucial point; left with nothing and dented their hopes to qualify into the Round of 16.


Matchday 4


Man City earned a comeback win at Napoli to make it 4 consecutive UCL wins to confirm a place in the Round of 16.

Napoli was handed the lead through Lorenzo Insigne but City was on level terms after the half-hour mark through Nicolas Otamendi and took the lead just after half-time through John Stones to register his 3rd UCL goal.

Napoli was back on level terms courtesy of Jorginho's penalty but fell behind seven minutes later after Sergio Aguero scored the goal to become City's all-time top scorer. Raheem Sterling sealed the win late in injury time.


Feyenoord & Shakhtar Donetsk

Shakhtar Donetsk is on the brink of qualifying for the knockout stages after getting back-to-back wins against Feyenoord and now require just a single point from the remaining two games.

Feyenoord suffered their 4th consecutive loss and have been removed out of the contention for qualifying for the knockout stages but will still look to finish 3rd in Group F.

Matchday 3


Shakhtar Donetsk came from behind to register their first away win in the UCL season beating Feyenoord to move into second place in Group F.



Steven Berghuis scored in the eight minute to hand Feyenoord an early lead but as the game went on, momentum shifted towards Shakhtar as Bernard scored a brace to complete the comeback.

With this defeat, Feyenoord still sits bottom of Group F with no points as Shakhtar moved three points clear of third-placed Napoli.

Matchday 4


Shakhtar for a second time came from behind to earn a 3-1 win at home to Feyenoord to move further closer towards qualifying for the Round of 16.


Despite Feyenoord once again taking an early lead through Nicolai Jorgensen, their defense failed to control the Shakhtar attack after Facundo Ferreyra scored the equalizer two minutes later.

Shakhtar took the lead three minutes later through Marlos who scored his second in the 68th minute to move Shakhtar onto 9 points; keeping Feyenoord rock bottom of Group F.

Man City welcome Feyenoord to the Etihad Stadium tonight who can edge further towards finishing top of Group F.

Napoli has a crucial home fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk who can seal qualification if they avoid defeat.

UCL 
Group E so far 
(Read it Here!)

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