The 2021/22 Champions League has thrown up some brilliant drama and world class match action and we’re now heading for the Round of 16.
Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are out, while Bayern, PSG and the four English clubs coasted through as players such as Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe wowed the fans. But there were a handful of lesser known names who scored goals which lifted the roof off stadiums Europe wide.
Sebastien Haller: Ajax
Former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Sebastien Haller has found a new home in the Netherlands and he’s ripping up the Champions League as top scorer with ten goals, firing Ajax through to the Round of 16. For anyone to be ahead of Lewandowski after six games is some achievement, but Haller has done more than that. When he scored a penalty in Ajax’s 4-2 win over Sporting Lisbon, he joined Cristiano Ronaldo as one of only two players to score in every match of the group stage, a feat CR7 achieved in 2017.
And Haller’s four goals on his Champions League debut made him the first player to achieve that tally on his first European outing since Dutch Legend Marco van Basten did so 30 years ago. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a player who toiled with West Ham in the Premier League, in 2019 and 2020. Ajax are in the draw for the Round of 16 which we’ll be covering here at SBOTOP later on Monday, and their opponents, Inter Milan, will start working on a plan to stop Haller without delay.
Sebastien Thill: FC Sheriff
When Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium hosted Champions League football for the first time in a year and a half, nobody expected Moldovan minnows Sheriff to take all three points and an early lead in Group D. But they did, to pull off the biggest of all the Champions League 2021 results so far, and one which is unlikely to be overshadowed for many years to come.
Jasurbek Yakhsiboev’s early header was quickly cancelled out by Real’s top scorer Karim Benzema, and everyone in the ground expected Los Blancos to go on and win. But Sheriff held out and, in the last minute, Sebastien Thill fired home a stunning half volley to win the game for the Moldovans and spark the wildest of celebrations. Thill said: “It’s the best and most important goal of my career, that’s for sure.”
Damn right it was!
Jordan Siebatcheu: Young Boys
Another relative unknown popped up to bloody the nose of one of Europe’s football royalty when Swiss side Young Boys hosted Manchester United. 30,000 fans at the Wankdorf Stadium erupted at the final whistle as substitute Jordan Siebatcheu latched on to a dreadful back pass from Jesse Lingard to slide home a winner deep into stoppage time. It all seemed to be plain sailing for the Red Devils when Ronaldo gave them a first half lead, but then wing back Aaron Wan Bissaka was sent off the balance of the game shifted and, midway through the second half, Moumi Mgamaleu levelled for the hosts to set up a grandstand finish.
The home fans were still celebrating 20 minutes after the final whistle while United’s boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed the artificial surface for tiring out his players…bless them!
Last week the Red Devils hosted the Young Boys in their final match of the group stages and had the chance to put their humiliation in Switzerland behind them; which they almost did; but after Mason Greenwood gave them an early lead, this time it was Donny van de Beek who gave the ball away to Fabian Rieder who curled in a beauty of an equaliser.
Leroy Sane: FC Bayern
He’s not exactly an unknown but Bayern’s winger Leroy Sane has re-merged as a world star after a frustrating time struggling with injuries, notably an ACL tear which kept him out of the entire 2019/20 campaign.
His move from Manchester City to FC Bayern has helped Sane back to full fitness and now his rehabilitation is complete; and he put in a number of fine performances as the Bavarians stormed through to the Round of 16. He made four assists and scored five goals in Group E including a beauty in Bayern’s demolition of Barcelona last week.
The latest Champions League 2021 betting odds suggest the tournament could end in a shootout between FC Bayern and Manchester City and if that comes to pass, then a meeting with his old club could open the door for Sane to write the Champions League final headlines.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
