In a remarkable return to the top-level European soccer scene, Sparta Prague and Bologna made a strong statement in the Champions League on Wednesday. Sparta Prague, competing in the main stage of the competition for the first time in 19 years, secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Salzburg, with a quick lead established in under two minutes. Meanwhile, Bologna, absent from the Champions League for 60 years, managed to hold Champions League regular Shakhtar Donetsk to a goalless draw in Italy. Bologna dominated the game after Shakhtar missed a penalty in the early minutes. These matches marked the beginning of the new Champions League format, where 36 teams face eight different opponents until January and are ranked in a single table to determine who advances to the knockout phase.
One of the highly anticipated fixtures of the evening was Manchester City taking on Inter Milan, in a rematch of the 2023 final which Manchester City won. Sparta Prague showcased an electric performance with midfielder Kaan Kairinen scoring the fastest goal of the season after just 108 seconds. Nigeria’s Victor Olatunji added a second goal in the 42nd minute, followed by Qazim Laçi from Albania securing the third goal in the 58th minute. On the other hand, despite multiple attempts from Bologna, Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk made crucial saves to deny them a goal, including a penalty save early on in the game.
For Sparta Prague, their successful start in the Champions League proper was a disappointment for Salzburg coach Pep Lijnders, who previously worked as an assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Salzburg had to navigate through two qualifying rounds in August to secure their place in the competition after their decade-long title streak in Austria was broken. In contrast, Bologna, playing in only their third Champions League game ever, put up a resilient performance against Shakhtar, showcasing their determination on the European stage. Determined goalkeeping from Lukasz Skorupski and persistent attacking from Bologna made the match a challenging one for Shakhtar to break through.
Despite the contrasting outcomes for Sparta Prague and Bologna in their respective matches, both teams made a significant impression in their return to top-tier European competition after prolonged absences. The resounding victories and competitive performances against seasoned Champions League teams signal their intent and capability to leave a mark on this year’s competition.
