UEFA Champions League 2014/15 Group Stage Results, Tuesday 30 September

The UEFA Champions League 2014/15 returned for the evening of Tuesday 30 September 2014, as the second round of the Group Stage proper began.

The result of the night was surely the five goal thriller which took place in Paris, where PSG took on the European might of Barcelona. The hosts came out on top on the night, with a 3-2 home win, courtesy of strikes from David Luiz (10), Verrati (26), and Matuidi (54). Barcelona had initially replied with Lionel Messi’s first goal of the 2015 Champions League, but were unable to come back from 3-1 down, despite a late rally.

As ever, Barcelona had the lions’ share of possession, but PSG were far more clinical in front of goal, on target 5 times from their 12 efforts. Barca had two more shots, but hit the target only twice in the full 90 minutes – scoring both times. They will want to be more decisive in front of goal if their high European aspirations are to be met this term.

Elsewhere, Bayern were workmanlike away at CSKA, with their second 1-0 win in a row in the difficult Group E – maintaining their 100% record despite a dogged display from the Moskva outfit. A Muller penalty on 22 minutes was all that split the two sides.

Also in Group E, Manchester City failed to collect the home win they needed to get their campaign off to a start when their early Aguero penalty (4 mins) was cancelled out by Francesco Totti’s record breaking goal on 23 minutes: Totti, at 38 years and three days, became the oldest ever scorer in the tournament.

Shalke were held to a 1-1 home draw with Maribor, giving fellow Group G side, Chelsea, a chance to move away from their three rivals courtesy of a 1-0 win away at Sporting Lisbon, with a Matic header on 34 minutes enough to split this close encounter.

UEFA Champions League 2014/15 Group Stage Results, Tue 30 Sep