Champions League Roundup: Real Madrid stutter yet again in Europe; Bayern grind out result

Real Madrid are still not back to their best despite thrashing Barcelona at the weekend during the El Classico as they fell to two early goals at Borussia Monchengladbach in their Champions League Group B match. However, managed to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw late on.

Marcus Thuram scored twice, converting the hosts’ first chance of the game in the 33rd minute and then tapping in on a rebound in the 58th minute to leave Real staring at two defeats out of two in their 2020/21 campaign.

Karim Benzema, however, reduced the deficit in the 87th minute with an overhead kick as real managed yet another late drama when Casemiro got the equaliser in stoppage time.

The 13-time European champions haven’t won in their previous three games in the competition following last season’s losses to Manchester City in the knockout stage and then their shock 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk last week.

Zinedine Zidane didn’t get to see his side carry over the momentum from beating Barcelona 3-1 over the weekend in La Liga to Europe’s elite club competition as chances were few, leaving the heavyweights to settle for saving face.

See also: Champions League Roundup: Liverpool and Manchester City win; Plus other results

Lokomotiv Moscow 1-2 Bayern Munich: Champions League holders battle to stretch winning run

Joshua Kimmich scored a 79th-minute winner for champions Bayern Munich as they battled past Lokomotiv Moscow 2-1 in their Champions League Group A match, extending their winning run in the competition to 13 games.

Leon Goretzka pulled Bayern in front in the 13th minute but Anton Miranchuk punished them for their wastefulness following a quick break from Ze Luis.

Bayern, however, remain top of their group on six points, after thrashing Atletico Madrid 4-0 last week in their opener.

The Russians had the first good chance of the game as Fyodor Smolov’s third-minute header missed its intended target but Bayern’s Goretzka did better as he latched on a perfect Benjamin Pavard cross.

Kingsley Coman could have made it two when he got an identical assist from Pavard 10 minutes later but could only strike the foot of the post as the Russians seemed to struggle with Bayern’s pace down the wings.

Kimmich should have done better early in the second half but he fired at a defender from two meters out. However, he then made amends 11 minutes from the end.

With Lokomotiv pressing for a second goal, he picked up the ball on the edge of the box and with his back to the goal, flicked it up, pivoted, and volleyed in the winner.

UEFA Champions League (Tuesday’s full results)

• Lokomotiv Moscow 1-2 Bayern Munich
• Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 Inter Milan
• Atalanta 2-2 Ajax
• Atletico Madrid 3-2 Red Bull Salzburg
• FC Porto 2-0 Olympiakos FC
• Liverpool 2-0 FC Midtjylland
• M’gladbach 2-2 Real Madrid
• Marseille 0-3 Manchester City