Liverpool, Juventus maintain winning start in Champions League

Liverpool maintained their perfect start in the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Serie A side Bologna on Wednesday night at Anfield.

The Reds took the lead within 11 minutes through Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister before wrapping up all three points with a Mohamed Salah goal 15 minutes from stoppage time.

Wins against AC Milan and Bologna have propelled Liverpool to fifth on the table with six points, while the winless Rossoblu are 26th with one point.

Speaking after the match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot credited the Italians for giving them a tough match.

“It wasn’t an easy one in my opinion,” Slot said.

“Bologna made it difficult, similar to Atalanta last season, they played a man-mark all over the pitch.”

“It’s always difficult to play against a team that takes that much risk and is constantly on top of you.”

“Second half was better in pressing, I felt that the first half was an overall good result, but I wouldn’t use the word ‘delighted’ myself.”

Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park before the international break, with online bookmakers installing them as -185.19 favourites in Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace (+470).

Meanwhile, Bologna will host Parma on Sunday in the Serie A, and leading sports betting sites are paying -123.46 for the hosts to defeat the newly promoted side (+327).

10-man Juventus secure deserved win over RB Leipzig

Juventus registered a hard-fought 3-2 win away to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig on Wednesday in the Champions League.

Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko opened the scoring at the half-hour mark, before Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic restored parity for the visitors five minutes into the second half.

Sesko reclaimed Leipzig’s lead in the 65th minute, just moments after Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio was red-carded for a handball outside the box.

Dusan netted another equalizer in the 68th minute, as 10-man Juventus stole the winner with eight minutes left through Francisco Conceicao.

A second consecutive win leaves Juventus seventh on the table, while Leipzig — who were beaten on the opening day by Atletico Madrid — are 29th on the table.

Juve manager Thiago Motta lauded his side for fighting till the end despite going a man down.

“The courage was shown by my players, not by me, so they deserve the credit,” said Motta.

“The team gave the feeling it genuinely believed in what we had talked about before the match.”

“These players wear the jersey of an important club, so this is the mentality they ought to have.”

“The lads showed their pride and determination, for all the staff who work with them, all the fans who were here tonight and who watched at home.”

Juve will host Cagliari in the league on Sunday, and top bookie Bovada has the Bianconeri at -250 to beat their guests (+730).

Meanwhile, RB Leipzig will be on the road against Heidenheim this Sunday, and bookies have the visitors as -147.06 favourites to beat their hosts (+380).

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