Manchester United celebrated their return to Europe’s premier club competition with a commanding 4-0 victory over Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday, while Cesc Fabregas guided Como to a stunning debut win in the tournament.
Harry Kane and Michael Olise, both recent Ballon d’Or nominees, found the net for the hosts. Olise scored twice, while goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko, and Lisandro Martinez sealed a comfortable night for the Red Devils.
Cunha opened the scoring in the 27th minute, converting a cross from Patrick Dorgu. Despite a scare when Sabah’s Joy-Lance Mickels headed wide from close range, United continued to dominate. Youri Tielemans set up Fernandes, and Sesko rounded goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov after threading a pass from Bryan Mbeumo. Martinez added a fourth midway through the second half following a rebound off the goalkeeper and a defender.
Manager Michael Carrick gave Champions League debuts to youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey, looking to manage leg fatigue ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby. Sesko praised the team’s confidence after the rout.
In another high-scoring match, Bayern Munich defeated Bodo/Glimt 5-0. Kane extended his Champions League scoring streak to eight consecutive games with a header from Olise’s free-kick. Jamal Musiala returned to form with his first goal since collapsing during pre-season, and Olise completed his brace late in the game after Odin Bjortuft was sent off.
Meanwhile, Como made a brilliant start to their European campaign with a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig. Goals from Martin Baturina, Tasos Douvikas, Assane Diao, and Maximo Perrone secured the win, despite Andrija Maksimovic pulling one back for Leipzig.
Elsewhere, Lens came from behind twice to beat 10-man Slavia Prague 3-2 with late goals from Florian Thauvin and Ruben Aguilar. Fenerbahce and Roma drew 1-1, as did PSV Eindhoven and Shakhtar Donetsk. Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal resigned after the match amid crowd disorder, though club president Aziz Yildirim rejected the resignation.
I’m just here waiting to see if Olise can keep up this form all season. Twice against Sabah and a brace for Bayern is no joke.
Kartal resigning after the draw seems drastic. Is the pressure really that high on Turkish coaches this early?
Sesko looked incredible on that second goal. United’s attack is looking very dangerous already.
Wait, Fabregas is managing Como now? That is quite the leap from being one of the best midfielders in the world.
Kane’s scoring streak is absurd. Eight games in a row? He’s going to break every record this season.