The Holy grail
Season 2019/2020 Group Stage
Day 3 Analyzed games
23/10 Ajax - Chelsea 0:1
23/10 Inter - Borussia Dortmund 2:0
Unfortunately the Champions League on Tuesday October 22 did not offer us very interesting football. I had chosen to watch the game between Galatasaray and Real Madrid since this was a must win for Real who were desperate for points and because this stadium is one of the most unwelcoming in Europe to play on. Real took what they had come for in Istanbul. However the match itself was extremely physical and was lacking many if not all of the football qualities. Actually I should have known better from the start. What do you expect from a match where the visiting team is welcomed in the stadium by the sign ¨Welcome to hell¨ and where the home team players are acting like warriors showing their fighting skills in order to be drafted by Turkish President for the war in Syria. Surprisingly the best game of the evening in terms of suspense was Juventus - Lokomotive Moscow. The Russians opened the score in the 30 minute and Juventus had to struggle until the 77 minute when Dybala leveled the score and 2 minutes later gave the win for his team with another goal. Of course all the action was happening in front of the Lokomotive goalkeeper so this game did not either provide the best that the Champions League has to offer.
On Wednesday the choice was much easier. My first pick was Ajax - Chelsea scheduled for 18h55 and my second was Inter - Borussia Dortmund scheduled for 21h. The first half of the game in Amsterdam had met all my expectations. The atmosphere in Johan Cruyff Arena was spectacular as always when there is a Champions League night. Both teams played in very high tempo creating many chances. The ball was moving up and down the pitch without delay. The players fought for each possession but all within the rules of the game which made the referee's job much easier.
At the end of the first half one very good played counter attack by Ajax gave Quincy Promes opportunity to open the score. The joy of the goal didn't last long. Few minutes later after review of the VAR the goal was disallowed. It was revealed that Promes was in offside position by a very little margin. The second half made no difference. High tempo dominated much of the time with chances for each team to score. In 66 and 71 minute Frank Lampard made two substitutions which later proved to be a very successful move. In the 86 minute the second one Michy Batshuayi the young Belgian national player scored a goal which helped his team leave Amsterdam with the three points. Ajax also made changes in their team in the last minutes of the match to try to level the score but Chelsea's defense was too good and gave them no chances. Despite of the loss Ajax maintained their top position in the table with 6 points. It looks like the battle for the first two slots in this group will be undecided until the last matches which means that we will witness even more interesting games.
The later game in the evening was between Inter - Borussia Dortmund. The two teams clashed in a big battle for points in the group of death. This match offered everything we could ask for. Lots of opportunities created by both teams, high tempo, strong tackles, goals, missed penalty and much more. Since Inter had lost the previous game against Barcelona this one was very crucial. They desperately needed the three points to stay in the game for the first two slots in the group. The first half was full of chances mainly for Inter although Borussia also had their moments. In the 22 minute Lautaro Martinez opened the score for Inter after a beautiful assist in the penalty field by Stefan de Vrij.
The VAR reviewed this situation since there was a suspicion that Martinez might have been in offside position. The decision of the referee was a goal so Inter took the lead. Immediately Dortmund became more offensive and started organizing dangerous attacks towards Inter goalkeeper. The Italian defense was holding the fort with great confidence and while Handanovic was challenged on few occasions he managed to save all Borussia's attempts to score. The second half continued to be very interesting and dynamic. Dortmund made two substitutions in the 65 and 74 minute. Inter had accepted the play in their half and was trying to organize clinical counter attacks in order to close the game.
In one of these in the 82 minute the captain of Borussia Mats Hummels made a tackle in the penalty area for which the referee awarded penalty for Inter. It was a clear foul and there was almost no protests by the German players. The penalty shot taken by Martinez was saved by Handanovic. This gave Borussia another boost in their efforts to level the score. They put almost every their player to attack which gave Inter a chance in the 89 minute to double the score and close the game. Antonio Candreva went face to face with Burki after a perfect assist by Brozovic. Candreva kept his composure and at the right moment slid the ball in the left corner. Inter took their three points and now share the second position with Dortmund. Barcelona won their game in Prague against Slavia and are occupying the top of the table. However the race in this group has only started and is far from decided. Each of the first three teams destiny is hang by a threat and one mistake until the end could be very very costly. More interesting games ahead to come.