UEFA Champions League 2020–21: Last Matchday — As it happened
By: Aigar Shilvan
Tags: Football, Champions League, Uefa Champions League, Football Betting, Soccer

2 weeks ago, the Galacticos from the capital of Spain were in deep trouble. Not only had the team lost it’s second meeting with Shakhtar in the space of a month, they were sitting third in the points table of the Champions League Group B — all set to make an early and very gigantic exit from the contest. Not only Madrid, but Inter Milan too were in deep shock as to how the group had panned about — exactly contrary to the predictions back in September.

Borussia Monchengladbach were sitting first, just 2 points ahead of Shakhtar Donestk — two teams who had surpassed expectations already at the biggest stage in Europe. But with a game remaining at the Alfredo Do Stefano in Spain this past Wednesday, nothing could be assumed. It was a huge game for Madrid though.

Led by the captain fantastic Sergio Ramos at the back and the trio of Casemiro-Toni Kroos-Luka Modric in the middle of the park, Madrid brought their A-game to Monchengladbach. Dominating 63% of the ball possession on average, the white half of Madrid witnessed 19 shots alone, seven of which were on target. But kudos to the German side’s stopper Yann Sommer, the score-line stayed restricted to 2–0 in favour of the hosts.

A shocking exit from the competition was Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan, who were the finalists of the Europa League last season. In an interesting turn of events, the blue half of Milan finished last in the Group B, which meant that they do not even qualify for the Europa League Round of 32, which will be played in January.

Atalanta eliminate Ajax in their own backyard

A win for Ajax would have been enough to make it to the knockout stages of the Champions League and the last game being played at the Johan Cruyff Arena — it all seemed going as per plan for the Dutch giants. But Italian dark horses for the past two years — Atalanta — had other plans. The Serie A side, who have been known for their attacking football — especially their highest scoring campaign in the Italian top flight last season — made sure it was not all joy and happiness for the hosts on Wednesday night.

As Ajax dominated the game for majority of the first half, it looked like a goal was coming for the Netherlands’ biggest club, sooner or later, in the second half. But disciplined defending by Gianpiero Gasperini’s side coupled with their counter-attacking prowess made life difficult for Ajax. Soon, the visitors started getting into their stride and in the 85th minute, they finally broke the deadlock with Remo Freuler sliding in a perfect assist to Luis Muriel to finish swiftly.

Though Ajax are heading to the Europa League, which is a sort of a redemption league of its own, the Dutchmen would surely be upset because this has been the second season in a row that they have been ousted out in the group stages of the Champions League. This comes after the Class of 2018 when the young guns of Ajax made it to the semi-final of the competition.

Nevertheless, the club from Amsterdam are the hub of Dutch talent and the future is certain to be bright.

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