So Match week 5 of the UEFA Champions League, 2018/2019 was concluded yesterday, and 11 other teams have joined Barcelona in the round of 16. Top European power houses make the cut and a few old schools like Ajax making it to the next round.
Group E: Ajax were the first team to join Barcelona in the round of 16 after defeating AEK Athens 2-0, courtesy of a show of class by Dusan Tadic. The Serbian banging in two goals, one from the penalty spot and the second assisted by Jan-Klas Huntellar. Bayern Munich had a great game against Benfica, slotting 5 goals past Vlachodimos and Gedson Fernandes's goal just after the interval being nothing more than a consolation. The Big boys of the club showed their class in the match; Robben cutting in from the right twice, and delivering two stunning finishes with his left to give Bayern a half an hour two goal lead. Lewandoski added his name to the scoresheet on the 36th Minute. 5 minutes after Gedson's goal, Lewandoski added a 4th before Ribery added the 5th in the 76th minute. The team definitely picked up after their 3-3 draw with Fortuna. Jeong Woo-yeong made his debut in this match, the South Korean replacing Thomas Muller in the 81st minute for his professional debut.
Group G: Another team the got past a disappointing weekend was Real Madrid, getting back from a 3-0 loss to Eibar in La Liga to get a 2-0 win over Roma. The Italians definitely felt the absence of Edin Dzeko as they couldn't convert the 17 attempts they had. Solari opted to give Marcos Llorente his second start of the season in the heart of Madrid's midfield and I would say it wasn't a bad choice as Casemiro's absence was almost not felt. Bale and Lucas Vasquez did the needful in the 47th and 59th minute respectively to send Madrid to the next round as group leaders. Though the qualifications of both Madrid and Roma to the next round was confirmed when Plezen won CSKA 2-1 earlier in the day.
Group H: Mandzukic's goal off Ronaldo's assist, not only gave Juventus a win over Valencia but secured secured their place in the next round of the competition. In the other groups fixtures, Fellani's 91st minute wonderful finish from a Lukaku flick secured United's qualification to the next round and a double win over Young Boys. De Gea once again showed his class and further proved why he deserves to be the best goalkeeper in the world. Mourinho defintely gave us something to talk about outside the wonderful goals we saw with his reaction to Fellani's goal.
Group F: A 2-2 draw in France, ensured Manchester City's qualification to the next round, while also meaning that Lyon will have to wait till next week to Know if they will be playing in Europa or Still in the Champions league. In the other group fixture, Shakhtar won 3-2 against Hoffenheim.