Champions League night for the French: Ekitike lively, Olise influential | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Hugo Ekitike unsettled Benjamin Pavard as Liverpool won 3-0 at Marseille, Michael Olise was decisive in Bayern’s 2-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise, and Khephren Thuram scored in Juventus’s 2-0 defeat of Benfica.

Ekitike gave Pavard a torrid time, even without a goal. He struck the post with a right-footed volley on 59 minutes, then went off on 79 for Cody Gakpo, who later made it 3-0. Ibrahima Konaté was not in the squad for personal reasons.

Having been a substitute at Leipzig in the 5-1, Olise returned to start and grew after the break. His curling corner set up Harry Kane’s header on 52 minutes. Three minutes later his smart pass led to a penalty for the striker, he was booked on 58 for a foul on Ross Sykes, then volleyed over Kjell Scherpen’s bar on 84 before making way for Serge Gnabry on 90+2, while Dayot Upamecano and Sacha Boey were out ill.

Thuram drove Juventus on against Benfica, carrying the ball box to box and dictating play despite limited movement around him. His display was rewarded with the opener, a precise low finish on 55 minutes. Pierre Kalulu, physically impeccable and never replaced all season, was quieter but assured.

From the hour mark, Antoine Griezmann almost turned Atlético’s 1-1 with Galatasaray into a win, his free-kick heading for Ugurcan Cakir’s top corner on 85 before the goalkeeper clawed it away. Otherwise he had little influence. Clément Lenglet was not on the teamsheet because of a knee injury.

Source: L'Équipe