By Taiwo Ibrahim
The Champions League returned on Tuesday with exciting games as usual with some clubs closer to elimination, while some have confirmed their place in the second round of the competition.
Sportivationng.com brings you the reactions and highlights of all the Champions League games played on Tuesday.
PSG vs Newcastle 2023-24 Champions League Reactions and Highlights
Kylian Mbappe scored a late controversial penalty to rescue PSG from defeat against Newcastle United at the Parc de Princes.
Goalscorer Mbappe rued his team’s inability to convert their chances.
“It’s hard when you see the game. What happened was we had so many chances to win. In football you can be so much better but don’t win.
“I try to be at my best level every night. I think I could have done more for my team. I had many chances and didn’t score more goals.
“Too many chances. You watch many games and in the Champions League you have to score when you have the opportunity.” Mbappe concluded.
Newcastle United goal scorer Alexander Isak hailed his team’s performance in the encounter.
“Unfortunate for us to get a goal against us so late. I think we started defending our goal a bit too early. It’s never nice to concede a goal that late.
“My first reaction was it wasn’t [a penalty]. It seemed cheap. I haven’t seen a replay. Hopefully it was a penalty. We have to trust the referees.
“We are very proud of the team. It’s not an easy place to come. They haven’t lost for some time here.
“We almost got the win. It is unfortunate. We always want to win, but this point will be important. We have it all to play for.”.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was disappointed with the officiating.
“I’m still coming to terms with it. I feel really flat but at the same time really pleased with what the players gave today. Their commitment, execution… We rode our luck. We ran out of luck at the end. I didn’t think it was a penalty.
“What you don’t take into account with those replays is how quick the ball goes. It hits his chest first. If it hits his hands first, well it’s still not a penalty because he’s so close. But you can make more of a case.
“It’s not a penalty when it hits his chest first and then hits his hand which is low. I’m not allowed to sum it up. I can’t say my inner thoughts obviously [I’d get in trouble].
PSG vs Newcastle 2023-24 Champions League Highlights
https://supersport.com/football/uefa-champions-league/video/832dd3f9-de8c-4c45-8c2b-fd2b2477b274/psg-v-newcastle-match-highlights-uefa-champions-league
AC Milan vs Dortmund 2023-24 Champions League Reactions
Dortmund earned a stunning 3-1 win over AC Milan in Italy to book a place in the Champions League second round.
Reus opened the scoring for Dortmund in the 10th minute before Samuel Chukwueze restored parity for AC Milan eight minutes before half time.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Karim Adeyemi added the other goals to make it 3-1.
Dortmund coach Edin Terzic praised his team for making it out of the ‘Group of Death’ in style.
“We all remember that evening after the draw when they reported about the ‘Group of Death,'” Terzic told reporters.
“We also remember the first game in Paris when everyone told us after the defeat now it’s going to be difficult.
“And then after the 0-0 at home against Milan, they said, yes, now it’s over. And then we went there as leaders in this group,” he added.
AC Milan coach Stefan Pioli has blamed his side’s lack of quality and Giroud’s penalty miss for the loss against Dortmund.
“I think we lost it the moment we could’ve directed the game our way, on the penalty but also just a minute before their second goal when we could’ve gone 2-1 up on the counter-attack and didn’t finish it off,” Pioli told Mediaset.
“When you don’t score and then concede, that knocks the wind out of your sails. Obviously, losing Thiaw also damaged our defensive balance. We should’ve defended better on those situations.
AC Milan vs Dortmund 2023-24 Champions League Highlights
https://youtu.be/_QgR79X9YsA?si=DU4pZLn7UqYgUMV4
Man City vs Leipzig 2023-24 Champion League Reactions
The Defending Champions fought back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a remarkable 3-2 win over RB Leipzig.
Manchester City’s Foden told TNT Sports the first-half performance was the “worst I’ve seen us”.
He added: “Motivation and courage turned it around. This team has great mentality.
“We just needed that [first] goal to get going. Even the fans were a lot louder after the goal.
Once the first went in the motivation was there.
“We’ve got a great record at the Etihad and it only takes one goal to change things.”
Asked about his goal: “I’ve been rushing a few chances but I passed it through the guys legs. Fortunately it went in.”
Man City boss Guardiola told TNT Sports: ” What happened? That’s the Champions League.
“Leipzig is always a team that qualifies for the last-16 the last five or six years. We conceded too much defensively. You have to win the duels and we didn’t do it. After that we played so anxiously.
“When you concede two goals you have to remain relaxed as possible. But at the same time we reacted really well in the second half. With one game left we are first in the group and I am very satisfied for the reaction.
“The team runs and fights and had a good spirit.”
Man City vs Leipzig 2023-24 Champion League Highlights
https://youtu.be/aJxddIBAnr0?si=TkIJJ913-zq597us
Barcelona vs Porto 2023-24 Champion League Reactions
Barcelona earned a 2-1 win over Porto to qualify for the Champions League second round.
Barcelona vs Porto 2023-24 Champions League Highlights
