Paris: Defending champions Real Madrid slumped to a rare 0-1 loss away to CSKA Moscow, while Manchester United’s woeful run continued with a 0-0 draw with Valencia.
While Bayern Munich were also held by Ajax, it was a happier evening for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as they scrapped past Hoffenheim 2-1, and Juventus were also comfortable winners thanks to Paulo Dybala’s hat-trick.
Real were not expected to struggle in Group G as they look to continue their recent dominance of the Champions League, but Julen Lopetegui’s side went behind inside two minutes in Moscow following a mistake by Toni Kroos.
The German’s drilled backpass turned into a gift for Nikola Vlasic, and the winger on loan from Everton fired past Keylor Navas to put CSKA ahead.
Luck wasn’t on the side for Los Blancos as Casemiro hit the post in the first half — one of three attempts that found the woodwork for the visitors but Real were weakened by the absences of Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, while Luka Modric started on the bench.
It was only Madrid’s third defeat in the tournament’s group stage this decade, but Real nevertheless are expected to bounce back next against Czech champions Viktoria Plzen, who were crushed 5-0 by Roma. Edin Dzeko scored a hat-trick for the Italian side, with Cengiz Under and Justin Kluivert also netting.
Elsewhere, at Old Trafford, the pressure continued to build on Jose Mourinho as United produced another insipid attacking display in their goalless stalemate with Valencia.
They are now four games without a win, and Mourinho’s decision to recall Alexis Sanchez — after dropping the Chilean for the weekend defeat at West Ham United failed to pay off as it hardly made any effect.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence who is serving a one-game ban didn’t have any effect as Juventus rode on Argentinean Dybala’s brilliant hat-trick to comfortably see off Young Boys 3-0.
The Black and Whites went ahead after five minutes as Leonardo Bonucci’s pass found Dybala, who volleyed home from close range.
The 24-year-old midfielder was proving to be a real nuisance to the opposition defence, and it was only a matter of time before he struck again after forcing David von Ballmoos into a save after 20 minutes.
Dybala bagged his and Juve’s second of the night in the 33rd minute as Van Ballmoos parried Blaise Matuidi’s effort into the path of the Argentine, who buried the ball into the bottom corner. The Argentine completed his hat-trick by turning home Juan Cuadrado’s cross in the 69th minute.
Guardiola saw City come from behind to beat Hoffenheim in Germany in Group F. Ishak Belfodil had put Hoffenheim ahead after just 44 seconds, but Sergio Aguero equalised in the eighth minute before David Silva’s late winner on 87th minute.
City next face Shakhtar Donetsk, who squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Lyon in France, in a game played behind closed doors.
Brazilian forward Junior Moraes scored twice for Shakhtar, but Lyon fought back to draw with goals from Moussa Dembele and Leo Dubois.
Meanwhile, Bayern could not hang on to the early lead given to them against Ajax when Mats Hummels headed in Arjen Robben’s cross. Young full-back Noussair Mazraoui equalised to give the Dutch side a 1-1 draw.
