Thu Sep 19 05:33:02 UTC 2024: ## Champions League Kicks Off With Surprising Low-Scoring Affair
The new format of the Champions League began with a surprising lack of goals, with six matches on Wednesday producing a total of just 13 goals. This is a stark contrast to the previous day’s action, which saw 28 goals scored across six games.
Two matches ended in scoreless draws, a rare occurrence in the competition, which averaged three goals per game last season. The 0-0 stalemate between Manchester City and Inter Milan, a rematch of last year’s final, was particularly surprising, with both teams creating opportunities but failing to find the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund, despite a strong defensive performance led by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, managed to secure a 3-0 win over Club Brugge thanks to two late goals from substitute Jamie Gittens and a penalty from Serhou Guirassy.
Elsewhere, Celtic enjoyed a resounding 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava, showcasing a wealth of attacking talent.
The new format, which sees 36 teams compete in a single league table before progressing to the knockout stages, has brought both new faces and familiar faces back to the Champions League. Sparta Prague, playing for the first time in 19 years at this stage, defeated Salzburg 3-0, while Bologna, returning after a 60-year absence, narrowly lost to Shakhtar Donetsk.
The low-scoring nature of Wednesday’s games may raise questions about the effectiveness of the new format, but the competition has undoubtedly already produced some exciting moments. With the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen entering the fray on Thursday, the Champions League is set for another thrilling season.
First Piper 