da luck： The Champions League returned this week, with a number of Premier League clubs securing their European fate.
da betano casino： Leicester City continued their incredible debut season run with a 2-1 win over Club Brugge, securing top spot in the process.
The Foxes were the only winners from England, however, as Arsenal and Manchester City could only draw against Paris St Germain and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively while Spurs were eliminated following a loss to Monaco.
The Gunners had already secured qualification but missed a chance to consolidate top spot after Alex Iwobi’s own goal ensured the game finished 2-2.
Both the Citizens and their German opponents finished with ten men after a tense 1-1 draw that saw Pep Guardiola’s side qualify.
Tottenham meanwhile lost their third group game of the tournament against Monaco and face a showdown with CSKA Moscow next month to decide who gets third place.
So what else did the midweek games tell us? Here are FIVE things we learnt from the Champions League.
LEICESTER ARE THROUGH BUT STILL STRUGGLING
Leicester City managed a 2-1 win over Club Brugge in a real Jekyll and Hyde performance.
Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez both scored in the first half to give them a commanding 2-0 lead. But, Jose Izquierdo pulled one back just after half-time, making for a very nervy last 40 minutes in which the Belgian side were often on top.
While the Foxes started the campaign with a bang by thrashing Brugge 3-0 at their own place, they’ve struggled in the last two and were lucky not to lose to Copenhagen. It remains to be seen if their patchy league form really will improve now they’re through to the knockouts.
SPURS CAN’T PRESS WEEK-IN, WEEK-OUT
Tottenham laboured to a 2-1 loss against Monaco, confirming their exit from only their second ever Champions League campaign.
What was worrying was that there seemed to be a lack of effort from some players despite playing on Europe’s biggest stage.
Rather than lack of effort, it’s possible Spurs are already running out of steam from playing with such a high intensity every week. They have already lost Harry Kane, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela to injury so far this year.
4-1-4-1 IS CITY’S BEST FORMATION
Pep Guardiola experimented once more with his 3-6-1 formation against Borussia Monchengladbach but was unable to beat the German side.
City have drawn three of four games in the league with a three-man defence, with the only win a 4-0 thrashing of a hapless West Brom.
It seems City are much more free-scoring when they play 4-1-4-1, which allows the likes of Raheem Sterling and Nolito more chances to attack. It will be interesting to see which formation the Spaniard employs against Burnley.
AGUERO MIGHT NEED A REST
After starting the season on fire, Sergio Aguero is going through a bit of a quiet patch at the moment.
The Argentine has only found the net three times in his last eleven games in all competitions and wasn’t at his best in Monchengladbach or against Crystal Palace last weekend – it’s possible the striker is tired.
Aguero has had his fitness problems in the past and Kelechi Iheanacho would be a more than able replacement against Burnley. Perhaps Guardiola should consider giving the striker the weekend off?
ARSENAL NEED CAZORLA TO RETURN ASAP
Aaron Ramsey has been a key player for Arsenal and Wales over the last few years, but he is not a holding midfielder.
The Welshman looked out of his depth in Santi Cazorla’s usual spot, highlighting just how much the Gunners miss the ex-Villarreal and Malaga man.
The Spaniard is key to dictating the tempo and orchestrating attacks from deep as well as keeping the ball in tricky situations. Arsene Wenger will be sweating on whom he plays in the double-pivot until his wizard is available again.