Champions League Matchday 5: The tops and flops

Highlights from fourth week clashes, where FC Rostov produced surprising result against Bayern Munich

KARACHI: With match day five of the Champions League came to an end, there were some shocking results which made the headlines, as teams gave their all to cement their place in the round of 16 of the Europe's elite competition.

The Express Tribune will look at all the hot and cold performances from Tuesday and Wednesday nights with our tops or flops series.

Tops

PSG

Paris Saint-Germain players applaud fans after the game against Arsenal on November 23, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

First in the list of tops features French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who secured a well-deserved point at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal on Wednesday to strengthen their top position in Champions League’s Group A.

Before the match was started, pundits tipped Gunners to be outright winners against a side who is currently struggling in the domestic league.

However, Unai Emry’s men were much better on the night, as they never let the hosts play to their full potential.

Midfielder Marco Veratti was the star performer for the visitors along with defender Aoas Corr, as the duo helped containing Arsene Wenger’s men to just two shots on goal in the match.

FC Rostov

FC Rostov's Christian Noboa celebrates with his team mates after scoring a goal against Bayern Munich. PHOTO: REUTERS

The second in the list of tops features Russian club FC Rostov, who produced the biggest upset on match day five, as they defeated German giants Bayern Munich 3-2 in a cold night at Olimp 2 on Wednesday.

Rostov, who are currently placed second in the Russian league, displayed a performance full of resilience, as the hosts dug deep to stop the domination of the Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

The star of the show for the home side was Ecuador midfielder Christian Noboa, whose work rate along with 67th minute winning goal proved vital for Ivan Daniliants’ side, as they secured a famous win against one of Europe’s powerhouses in front of over 15,000 spectators.

Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa celebrates with Marco Reus after they scored against Warszawa on November 22, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

The last in the list of tops is German side Borussia Dortmund, who scored eight past struggling Legia Warszawa in the record setting match on Tuesday.

Coming fresh after beating Bayern in Bundesliga’s biggest derby over the weekend, the hosts were in red-hot form from the word go.

Coach Thomas Tuchel made nine changes in the team who defeated Carlo Ancelotti’s side on Saturday, but there were no signs of any problems as Dortmund scored five goals in the first half to set a new record for the most number of goals in the opening half of the match in Champions League.

Captain Marco Reus, who was out injured for the last six months, made a stunning come back and scored a hat-trick to silence his critics.

With victory, Dortmund now need only one point in their last match against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu to secure top spot in Group F.

Flops

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery leaves the pitch following their defeat by FC Rostov on November 23, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

First in the list of flops features Bayern Munich who faced a shocking defeat against FC Rostov on Wednesday, ending their hope of finishing top of the Group D.

On a wintery night in Russia, Carlo Ancelott’s side dominated the match, where they had 21 shots on goal compared to six from their opponents. However, it was their defensive unit which left the German giants disappointed as they suffered a 3-2 defeat in a match where they were expected to win.

The best performer of the night for Bayern was winger Douglas Costa, who apart from scoring the first goal of the match, created numerous chances for his team, which came to no avail as striker Robert Lewandowski had a subpar performance in the match.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham's Harry Kane looks dejected at full time against AS Monaco on November 22, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Second in the list of flops features Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, who became the only English side to be knocked out of the group stage after facing a 2-1 defeat against Monaco on Tuesday.

Needing at least a draw to keep their hopes alive for progressing to the next stage, Spurs were deservedly beaten against a Monaco side, who should have won by a bigger margin.

Maurio Pochettino’s men looked tired and clueless throughout the match, especially their defensive unit, as the hosts opened their defence on numerous occasions, and thanks to their captain Hugo Lloris, who was their best performer of the day, the London-based club remained in the hunt throughout the 90 minutes, but were eventually defeated by a far superior Monaco side.

Sevilla

Sevilla's coach Jorge Sampaoli reacts in match against Juventus on November 23, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Last in the list of flops features Spanish side Sevilla, who only had themselves to blame as they lost the top of the group battle against Juventus on Tuesday.

Playing at home in front of nearly 40,000 spectators, Jorge Sampaoli’s men controlled the early part of the match and took the lead in the ninth minute courtesy Nicolas Pareja’s strike.

However, the game turned upside down after Franco Vazquez who received his second yellow card of the night, opening the flood gates for the visitors. Juventus equalised just before the half-time through Claudio Marchisio’s penalty.

In the second half, the hosts dug deep to defend against the Italians, who required a win to keep their hopes alive of finishing on top of the group. Late strikes from defender Leonardo Bonucci and forward Mario Manzukic sealed the match for the Turin-based club.