How Arsenal, Man City, and the rest of PSG's Champions League rivals fared this weekend
By Manuel Meza
While PSG were held to a draw at Reims on Saturday (1-1), just three days after their narrow victory over Girona, what did the seven future European opponents of the club achieve in their league matches this weekend? Here’s a recap of their results and performances, including a lively Manchester City vs Arsenal clash in the Premier League.
How Arsenal, Man City, and the rest of PSG's Champions League rivals fared this weekend
Manchester City vs Arsenal (2-2)
The two English opponents of PSG in the Champions League faced off on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium in the clash of the fifth round of the Premier League, after having drawn in the Champions League earlier in the week. The Citizens quickly opened the scoring through Erling Haaland (9th minute), perfectly set up by Savinho for his 100th goal with the English club.
The Gunners equalised through their summer signing Riccardo Calafiori with a lovely left-footed strike (22nd minute), and then former Lille player Gabriel headed in from a corner to double the lead (45+1 minute).
Reduced to ten men just before half-time, Arsenal ultimately crumbled in the 90+7 minute with a goal from John Stones, who had come on just 20 minutes earlier. It was a deserved equaliser for Pep Guardiola’s men, who had 33 attempts on goal compared to Arsenal’s mere 5.
Manchester City remain at the top of the Premier League with 13 points, two ahead of Arsenal. Notably, Rodri suffered a serious injury to his right knee early in the match and could be out for several months. PSG will face City on 22 January, and the Spaniard might miss the match.
Fortuna Sittard vs PSV (1-3)
After being beaten 3-1 by Juventus this week, PSV Eindhoven got back on track in the league with a 3-1 victory over Fortuna Sittard, thanks to a brace from their American midfielder Malik Tillman, including a stunning free kick, and a goal from captain Luuk de Jong. PSV is top of the Eredivisie with six wins from six matches and a goal difference of +19.
Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid (1-1)
Following a 2-1 win against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid had to settle for a point away at their neighbours Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Diego Simeone rotated his squad, and it was his new English midfielder Conor Gallagher who equalised in the 49th minute. The Colchoneros remain unbeaten in La Liga after six matches but are already six points behind the leaders, Barcelona.
Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich (0-5)
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich is operating at full throttle. After thrashing Kiel 6-1 and Dinamo Zagreb 9-2, the Bavarians claimed a 5-0 victory on Saturday against Werder Bremen, featuring another brace from their summer signing Michael Olise, who also provided two assists.
Jamal Musiala, Harry Kane, and Serge Gnabry scored the other goals for Bayern, who sit alone at the top of the Bundesliga after four matches with 12 points and a +13 goal difference.
Wattens vs Salzburg (0-0)
After being defeated 3-0 by Sparta Prague in the Champions League, Red Bull Salzburg could only manage a disappointing 0-0 draw away at Wattens, a team near the bottom of the table. Managed since this summer by Dutchman Pepijn Lijnders, Salzburg currently sits in fifth place in the Austrian league after five matches, but there's no cause for alarm yet as some of their rivals have played two matches more.
Stuttgart vs Dortmund (5-1)
After losing 3-1 to Real Madrid earlier in the week despite a commendable performance, Stuttgart enjoyed a resounding 5-1 victory on Sunday against Dortmund, featuring a goal from their French midfielder Enzo Millot.
Former Parisian Dan-Axel Zagadou came on in the 70th minute against his old club. This was an impressive showing from VfB, who sit seventh in the Bundesliga after four matches with 7 points from a possible 12.
Complete PSG Champions League schedule:
- Wednesday 18 September: PSG vs Girona (1-0)
- Tuesday 1 October: Arsenal vs PSG
- Tuesday 22 October: PSG vs PSV Eindhoven
- Wednesday 6 November: PSG vs Atletico Madrid
- Tuesday 26 November: Bayern Munich vs PSG
- Tuesday 10 December: Salzburg vs PSG
- Wednesday 22 January: PSG vs Manchester City
- Wednesday 29 January: VfB Stuttgart vs PSG