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Real Madrid, Manchester City both humiliated in Champions League, Liverpool enjoy Alonso’s return

By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer

European heavyweights Real Madrid and Manchester City both suffered major defeats in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Defending champions Madrid were humiliated 3-1 at home by AC Milan, while Erling Haaland missed a penalty and City squandered a fourth-minute lead as they lost 4-1 at Sporting Lisbon, whose coach will soon take charge of his rival at across town.

It was a much better night for Liverpool as Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick and Cody Gakpo grabbed another goal in a 4-0 win over German champions Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield that marred Xabi Alonso’s return to his old home.

The Leverkusen manager received a warm welcome on his return to the club where he became a fan favorite as a player over five seasons between 2004-09. Alonso won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005.

Liverpool moved top of the league table with four wins from four games, followed by Sporting and Monaco, both on 10 points after three wins and a draw. Under the new 36-team format introduced by UEFA this season, the top eight teams advance directly to the next round, and those from ninth to 24th enter a playoff to reach it, while the bottom 12 are eliminated.

Amorim’s audition

Before their match, Sporting fans showed a big tifo thanking Rúben Amorim in his last home game before he takes over at Manchester United.

Phil Foden then got City off to a flying start in the fourth minute, just the second goal Sporting have conceded in four games in the tournament.

But Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres scored a hat-trick as Sporting came roaring back. Gyökeres first equalized in the 38th after a perfect pass from Geovany Quenda, before Maximiliano Araújo made it 2-1 just after the break. Gyökeres then made it 3-1 from the penalty spot after Joško Gvardiol was penalized for a push on Francisco Trincão in the area.

Haaland’s penalty hit the crossbar before Gyökeres showed the Norwegian how it’s done with another spot-kick at the other end to complete the scoring.

It is the first time since 2018 that City have lost three games in a row, following a defeat to Tottenham in the English League Cup and a loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League.

“In my seven-and-a-half years at the club, I can’t remember losing three games in a row,” said City midfielder Bernardo Silva.

Madrid is faltering

In Spain, Christian Pulisic headed in a corner for Malick Thiaw to head Milan into a 12th-minute lead, securing Madrid from behind for a third successive Champions League game this season. The 15-time champions had already lost to surprise side Lille in their second game.

Vinícius Júnior equalized from the penalty spot in the 23rd after being tripped, but Álvaro Morata pounced on the rebound after Andriy Lunin saved Rafael Leão’s shot to restore the visitors’ lead against his former club.

Morata had already received a hostile reception from the home fans, who clearly remember the goal he scored to take Juventus through to the 2015 final at their team’s expense.

Tijjani Reijnders scored Milan’s third goal as the home fans made their frustrations known at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

“The last two defeats are inexplicable. We have to analyze and react quickly,” said Lunin, referring to Madrid’s 4-0 loss to Barcelona in its previous Spanish league match.

It is the first time since 2009 that Madrid have lost two consecutive games at home with at least three goals conceded in each, according to Opta.

“We need to get back on track,” Lunin said.

Other results

German striker Nicolas Kühn scored twice as Celtic beat Leipzig 3-1 at home and Juventus drew 1-1 at Lille.

Diminutive midfielder Edon Zhegrova evaded two defenders before playing a perfect pass to Jonathan David, who fired inside the far post, but Dušan Vlahović equalized with a penalty for the Italian club.

Donyell Malen scored late for Borussia Dortmund to beat Sturm Graz 1-0 at home and Thilo Kehrer did the same for Monaco to beat Bologna 1-0.

American midfielder Malik Tillman scored one goal and set up another as PSV Eindhoven beat Spanish side Girona 4-0.

Dinamo Zagreb handed Slovan Bratislava their fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament as the visitors came from behind to win 4-1 in Bratislava.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.