UEFA.com recaps on the opening night of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League group stage. Click on a specific game for more details, analysis and reaction.
Group E
Rennes 1-1 Krasnodar
Krasnodar came from behind to draw the meeting of the two group-stage debutants, Cristian Ramírez levelling from distance within three minutes of Serhou Guirassy putting the home side ahead from the spot. The hero of the night, however, was Krasnodar goalkeeper Matvei Safonov, who pulled off a string of game-saving blocks, though the 21-year-old shunned the limelight at full-time, saying: " I don't want to talk about my game, but overall, we did a good job tonight."
Chelsea 0-0 Sevilla
Chelsea were held to their first 0-0 draw in more than a year, with neither side looking much like breaking the deadlock at Stamford Bridge. A summer signing from Rennes, Édouard Mendy looked solid as he made his UEFA Champions League debut in goal for the Blues, with Frank Lampard suggesting the 28-year-old may be in for an extended run, saying: "We knew his qualities when he came in and he's showed them today. He's our No1 for now."
28/10: Krasnodar vs Chelsea, Sevilla vs Rennes
Group F
Zenit 1-2 Club Brugge
Emmanuel Bonaventure prodded the visitors in front, but Zenit's luck seemed to have turned as Ethan Horvath was credited with their equaliser, the goalkeeper deflecting Dejan Lovren's shot into his net after it cannoned back off the post. However, the under-par hosts ended up losing all three points at the death, Charles De Ketelaere scrambling the winner in added time. "This shows that we can beat anybody," beamed the match-winner.
Lazio 3-1 Dortmund
Lazio's return to the UEFA Champions League after a 13-year absence was billed as a war of the super-strikers; ex-Dortmund man Ciro Immobile versus BVB's Norwegian marvel Erling Braut Haaland. As it was, both got on the scoresheet, but Immobile's side got the three points, showing a good deal of class in the process. "We are very happy," the striker said at full-time. "It's the perfect night. We have a long way to go to qualify still."
28/10: Dortmund vs Zenit, Brugge vs Lazio
Group G
Dynamo Kyiv 0-2 Juventus
Álvaro Morata filled the gap left by the absent Cristiano Ronaldo as he struck twice in the second half to secure victory in Ukraine, Andrea Pirlo's side prevailing over a youthful Dynamo team led by the Juve coach's one-time boss at Brescia and Inter, Mircea Lucescu. Defeat was no disgrace for Lucescu's side, while Morata is hoping that it could be the start of something wonderful for Juve, explaining: "Every year you have another chance to go all they way and we will try again."
Barcelona 5-1 Ferencváros
Lionel Messi scored in this competition for a record 16th straight season as Barcelona cruised to victory despite being reduced to ten men. The Argentinian's first-half penalty broke the deadlock, with Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho extending Barcelona's advantage before Gerard Piqué’s red card and Ihor Kharatin’s penalty conversion interrupted their flow. Ferencváros gave it a go, but late strikes from Pedri and Ousmane Dembélé killed off any hopes of a revival.
28/10: Juve vs Barcelona, Ferencváros vs Dynamo
Group H
Paris 1-2 Man. United
Having scored a late penalty to eliminate Paris from the competition in 2018/19, Marcus Rashford struck with three minutes left to earn another famous victory against Thomas Tuchel's side. Ahead through a Bruno Fernandes penalty, United were pegged back when Anthony Martial headed Neymar's corner into his own net. Salvation was at hand, though, Paul Pogba squaring for Rashford to send a low shot into the home side's net.
Leipzig 2-0 Başakşehir
Manchester City loanee Angeliño scored twice in the first 20 minutes to set Leipzig on their way to victory against the Turkish newcomers. With Paris and United also in Group H, both sides needed to get points on the board, but if Başakşehir were caught a little bit cold in the first half, they could take some comfort from a stronger second-half performance. "You shouldn’t fear anyone, even when your opponents are very strong," concluded coach Okan Buruk.
28/10: Başakşehir vs Paris, Man. United vs Leipzig
Source: UEFA