UCL Review: Basel Stun United; Barcelona Secure Last 16 Spot

Manchester United suffered their first loss in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) this season with a 1-0 defeat at Swiss champions FC Basel.

Swiss international Michael Lang was the hero for the hosts as he netted the only goal of the game with just a minute left on the clock to condemn Jose Mourinho’s men to their first loss in the competition.

The surprising defeat means Manchester United will have to wait till their last game in Group A to secure a last 16 spot. A draw at home to CSKA Moscow will guarantee qualification to the first knockout stage as group winners while a win for Basel against Benfica in Portugal will also be enough for a last 16 spot.

5-time European Barcelona didn’t have much problems in their own game against Juventus in Turin as both sides played out a goalless draw.

The result meant Barcelona qualify for the first knockout stage as Group D winners with Juventus needing a win from their last group game against Greek champions Olympiacos to guarantee last 16 qualification.

In the other group game, Sporting Lisbon boosted their chances of securing a last 16 spot with a 3-1 win over the aforementioned Olympiacos. The Portuguese side need to beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp to have any chance.

In Group C, Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro scored in the second half to give Atletico Madrid a 2-0 win over AS Roma. The Italians finished the game with 10 men after Bruno Peres was sent off in the second half.

Roma now need to beat lowly Qarabag in their last group game while Atletico will need to beat Chelsea to have any chance of making it to the first knockout stage.

Matchday 5 Results:

Group A

FC Basel 1-0 Manchester United

CSKA Moscow 2-0 Benfica

Group B

PSG 7-1 Celtic

Anderlecht 1-2 Bayern Munich

Group C

Atletico Madrid 2-0 AS Roma

Qarabag 0-4 Chelsea

Group D

Juventus 0-0 Barcelona

Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Olympiacos