UCL round-up: Villarreal seal late draw, Athletic Club thrashed

Three La Liga sides were in Champions League action on Wednesday, as MD2 of the league phase continued. Barcelona hosted Paris Saint-Germain in the standout fixture, while Villarreal and Athletic Club were also in action.

Late equaliser secures bittersweet point for Villarreal

Villarreal 2-2 Juventus

Villarreal have picked up their first point in this season’s Champions League, although it could have been more. They took the lead in the first half courtesy of Georges Mikautadze after a fine assist from Nicolas Pepe, but inside seven minutes at the start of the season half, Juventus turned it around with goals from Federico Gatti and Francisco Conceicao.

Fortunately, Renato Veiga struck his first goal since his summer move from Chelsea, which ensured a share of the spoils for Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side. Nevertheless, there will be a feeling of disappointment at throwing away their lead, which made it very difficult to secure a much-needed win.

Athletic Club struggles continue in Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund 4-1 Athletic Club

Athletic Club’s miserable start to the new season continued with a resounding defeat in Dortmund. Ernesto Valverde raised eyebrows with his decision to leave the likes of Aymeric Laporte, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Oihan Sancet on the bench, and playing a weakened team lost him in the first half as the hosts took the lead courtesy of Daniel Svensson.

Carney Chukwuemeka doubled Borussia Dortmund’s advantage five minutes into the second period, but Athletic got back into the game when substitute Gorka Guruzeta fired home on the hour mark. However, that was as good as it got for the Basque club, as late strikes from Serhou Guirassy and Julian Brandt ensured a convincing win for the Bundesliga side.

Athletic are still yet to win since returning from the September international break, with it now being five defeats in six for Los Leones.