Cameron Carter-Vickers could be in line for a surprise recall when Celtic host Lazio in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The centre-back has not played since suffering a hamstring injury against Aberdeen on August 13.
With Gustaf Lagerbielke missing through suspension following his red card in the Group E opener against Feyenoord, and Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh still out through injury, Rodgers has limited options in central defence.
Liam Scales is set to continue in the team following his impressive recent form, while on-loan Liverpool Nat Phillips is available after coming off the bench at Motherwell on Saturday to make his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury on his debut against Dundee on September 16.
Manager Brendan Rodgers said: “In terms of Nat, he came through fine so he will be available.
“Cam, we wouldn’t take a risk unless he was fit. He has come through really, really well. He is further down the road than we thought.
“He has had a real good week of training and he’s been doing lots of other work out on the field before that.
“I said before that it (his return) might have been after the international break but he’s made great progress, so we will just assess that to see if he can be in for the squad (on Wednesday) and if he is, then obviously it would be great news for us.”
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti would not be drawn on whether he thinks Jude Bellingham is currently the best midfielder in the world.
Bellingham, 20, scored his eighth goal in eight appearances in all competitions for Real in Saturday’s 3-0 LaLiga win at Girona.
He scored the winner in the Spanish giants’ opening Champions League game against Union Berlin two weeks ago and will aim to maintain his dream start for Ancelotti’s side in Italy against Group C rivals Napoli on Tuesday night.
Ancelotti told a press conference: “I think Bellingham has adapted very well to his new team. He’s doing very well and is showing all of his quality.
“If someone thinks he’s the best in the world then great. I think we have the best team in the world.”
Ancelotti is under no illusions as to the size of his side’s task on his return to the club who sacked him after 18 months in charge in 2019.
“Coming back here makes me remember the time I lived in the city. In this wonderful city,” Ancelotti added. “There were good moments, others less so, but the experience was positive.
“The match is the toughest for us in this group, but the reality is that we are used to it. The Real Madrid shirt weighs on us and will also weigh on the opponent.
“We are playing against one of the strongest teams in Italy, who did very well a year ago.”
Napoli, who beat Braga 2-1 in Portugal in their opening group game, sit third in Serie A, four points behind top two Inter and Milan.
Head coach Rudi Garcia, whose side appear to be hitting top form after back-to-back 4-1 and 4-0 wins against Udinese and Lecce, described Ancelotti’s squad as “unique”.
Garcia told a press conference: “They were good at signing Bellingham to replace (Karim) Benzema although they don’t cover the same position, but they were also good at signing Joselu.
“They have many valuable players technically, but also tall and strong players for set pieces.
“They have many strong footballers with technique and physicality. I don’t know who Carlo Ancelotti will play, but we must be focused on ourselves and know who we face.”
Garcia said there was nothing to compare with the Champions League, adding: “The Champions League is the best competition, it’s a special moment for coaches and players.
“Just listening to the music is enough to get motivation. Napoli must play in the Champions League every season.”
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has urged his side to “stick with the positive things” ahead of their Champions League clash against Copenhagen.
His comments came following Bayern’s second-half turnaround against RB Leipzig at the weekend, where they were suddenly 2-0 down from two goals within six minutes of each other in the first half.
England captain Harry Kane then sparked the comeback before Leroy Sane snatched a point to draw 2-2 and Tuchel is determined to take the positives forward into future fixtures.
“We analyse it all and are drawing our conclusions, which we’ll discuss with the teams,” he told a pre-match press conference.
“We’re trying to develop a better plan and fill it with more life. We’re still finding a way to get into games, which is the positive. We’ll stick with the positive things.”
Bayern’s next game takes place in the Champions League as they travel to Denmark to face Copenhagen, who earned a point against Galatasaray in their opening fixture.
Speaking ahead of the game, Joshua Kimmich echoed his manager’s sentiments, adding that Bayern need to retain concentration for the task ahead on Tuesday night.
“We weren’t in the game against Leipzig in the first half, invited the opponent with too many simple mistakes,” he told a press conference.
“That can’t happen tomorrow. We have to go about our business with concentration over 90 minutes, then I believe we’ll win the game.”
Munich got off to a winning start in the competition last month after an eventful clash against Manchester United, which ended 4-3 at the Allianz Arena.
Sane, Serge Gnabry, Kane and Mathys Tel were all on target for Bayern, who shot to the top of Group A after the first round of fixtures.
The Danish side took a 2-0 lead through Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves against Galatasaray, but after Elias Jelert was sent off in the 73rd minute the Turkish Super Lig champions staged a comeback with two quick goals in the final 10 minutes.
Another tough test lies ahead for Bayern away to Copenhagen, who managed to draw all of their home games in the Champions League last season and Tuchel knows not to underestimate any side in the competition.
He said: “I’ve never seen an easy group stage, every game has its own character, Galatasaray scored two late goals. The focus is 100 per cent on Copenhagen.
“I’ve watched their games, we’ll prepare seriously. We first wanted to conclude the Leipzig game.
“We’ll limit it to two meetings, keep the info to a minimum. I have the greatest respect for every opponent in the Champions League, it’s the toughest club competition in the world.
“Copenhagen didn’t lose a home game in the Champions League last season against Manchester City, Dortmund and Sevilla. The drive to be the top team is big, but the facts are in our favour.
“(Jacob Neestrup) is a very young and successful coach, Copenhagen are the club winning all the titles in Denmark.
“He’s got a clear style. We’re expecting Copenhagen in a 4-3-3 formation, they’re very compact, very dangerous on the counter, and we’re expecting a mix of long balls and passing play.”
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi has warned his side must match Benfica’s high intensity when they go head-to-head again in the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri drew their opening Group D match with Real Sociedad, while Benfica lost at home to Red Bull Salzburg having played most of the match with 10 men.
Inter beat the Portuguese side at the quarter-final stage of last season’s Champions League as they went on to finish as runners-up to Manchester City.
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Inzaghi knows just what to expect when they face Roger Schmidt’s men again at San Siro on Tuesday night.
“It will be a tough match – we will be facing a team that play at a very high intensity and won the Portuguese Super Cup (in August),” Inzaghi said.
“They are a well-established team because they have had the same head coach for a while now.
“They lost their first Champions League match, but played the vast majority of the match with 10 men. Despite that, they had several chances and deserved a different result.”
Inzaghi told a press conference: “They possess more quality (this season), but their playing principles remain the same. We need to display intensity because Benfica are a great side.
“Benfica are coming into this game on the back of a victory over Porto, while we managed to win in Salerno.
“We are convinced we can produce a big performance. I am happy with how we’re progressing, and we promise to always give everything and win as many matches as possible.”
Inter’s veteran wing-back Juan Cuadrado, a summer signing from Juventus, has been recovering from tendinitis since early September, but could be back in contention for the European tie after being able to return to full training with the rest of the squad.
“I still have to make my assessments as far as who will play from the start,” Inzaghi said.
“We were without him after the first matches (of the season), and I am counting on him in the next matches.”
Midfielders Stefano Sensi and Davide Frattesi, though, are still not under consideration while forward Marko Arnautovic remains sidelined by a hamstring strain.
Schmidt feels Inter have carried on from where they left off last season.
“They are at the top of the (Italian) league and they play good football,” the Benfica coach told a press conference.
“They haven’t lost key players, they are used to each other and have the same coach, so it is a challenge to play against them. They are a complete team.
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“We are not afraid. We know it is difficult, but we believe in ourselves.
“We have experience in European games and what we try to do is show our best football, maintain our approach and fight for the three points, so that is the objective for tomorrow.”
Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva will be suspended having been sent off after just 13 minutes against Salzburg, while Brazilian defender Joao Victor has been left out of the travelling squad for disciplinary reasons.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag confirmed Antony could return in the Champions League clash against Galatasaray amid police inquiries into allegations of abuse against him.
The 23-year-old was given a leave of absence by the club last month to deal with the allegations that the winger has always strongly denied.
Antony returned to the UK from Brazil last week and attended a voluntary interview with Greater Manchester Police, with United saying on Friday that he was back available for selection.
The winger returned to training on Saturday and could feature against Turkish champions Galatasaray at Old Trafford, a month on from his last appearance at Arsenal.
“Antony will be in consideration, but yesterday was his first time back in team training,” United boss Ten Hag said.
“We have a final training (session) and then we make a decision, but he will be in consideration, yeah.”
Antony is facing several accusations of physical aggression towards his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, who spoke to Brazilian outlet UOL earlier this month.
The winger has denied those allegations, as well as further assault claims made by Rayssa de Freitas and Ingrid Lana.
Cavallin is reportedly set to speak to police later this week and Ten Hag was asked what Antony’s return to the squad says to victims of domestic violence.
“So, he cooperated fully,” the United boss said, having not heard the initial question. “It came out he’s not charged, so…”
Antony is back involved, but fellow attacker Jadon Sancho remains banished from a first-team squad beset by injuries.
Full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Sergio Reguilon are out, while Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo have been unable to feature this season.
Now key centre-back Lisandro Martinez is facing up to three months on the sidelines.
The Argentina international underwent surgery after sustaining a fractured metatarsal in April’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla.
Martinez returned to action this term, but an aggravation of that foot injury means he again has to go under the knife at a key point of the season.
“I can confirm Licha Martinez will have to undergo surgery,” Ten Hag said. “So, the team news is probably Antony dos Santos can return.”
United head into Tuesday’s match in desperate need of a win, not only due to losing their Champions League opener 4-3 at Bayern Munich but because of Saturday’s meek 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace.
That Old Trafford defeat brought them back down to earth with a bump after much-needed back-to-back wins, putting them under intense pressure and scrutiny once again.
“Of course we are disappointed about the result,” Ten Hag said.
“Then you have to analyse the game, where were the problems, then you have to move forward, but also give solutions for the problems.”
Ten Hag believes “the team is moving forward” despite the results, saying there are positives among the negatives.
Marcus Rashford’s performances have been among United’s issues, having scored just once after a campaign in which he plundered 30 goals in all competitions.
“The facts are that he is not scoring in this moment, but also he had the opportunities,” Ten Hag said of the misfiring England international.
“I think, for instance, in the game against Brighton, there were five or six occasions when he was in a very good spot.
“If he works hard and if he invests every day, goes into every game with the right focus and if the team also around him supply him, help him and support him with movement then it will come.
“Then Marcus Rashford is a player who is capable of always scoring goals in every game and when he’s coming in the right spots he will score.”
David Raya insists he always backed himself to become Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper – but admits he does not know if he will start Sunday’s north London derby.
The Spain international joined the Gunners on loan from Brentford this summer in a switch which, in all likelihood, will be made permanent for £27million next year.
Raya was signed to compete with Aaron Ramsdale for the gloves and made his Arsenal debut in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Everton, retaining his place in the team for Wednesday’s 4-0 Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven.
Arsenal’s decision to recruit the 28-year-old to battle it out with Ramsdale drew criticism and caution from some pundits but manager Mikel Arteta believes he can keep both happy.
Asked if he had to believe he could oust Ramsdale after the England goalkeeper’s strong showings last season, Raya replied: “Of course, it is something every player has to do – to back yourself to get in the team and that is why I moved to Arsenal and try to do my best for the team when I’m selected.
“You never know when you’re going to play and that is the hardest thing to do. Making your debut for a club like Arsenal, and obviously having Aaron as a team-mate makes it a bit harder for you, but it came quick but you never know when it is going to be and you have to be ready.
“It is a dream come true to play at the highest level so I’m very pleased to make my debut, but the main thing was the result and we got the three points in the end, so that is the main thing.”
Raya will be widely expected to keep his place between the posts for Sunday’s Premier League clash at home to Tottenham, even with Arteta claiming he has considered swapping his goalkeepers during matches let alone rotating between fixtures.
“I understand that and I think it is the first time that two top goalkeepers are in the same team,” Raya said of the possibility of the goalkeepers being switched.
“That is just part of football now and the gaffer wants two top players for each position and that is what we have to work with. I have played the last two games and now we see what happens on Sunday.
“I’ve just been selected the last two games, that is just the choice of the gaffer – that is his choice, not my choice and when Aaron comes in he will need to also fight for the team and to win games.
“He (Ramsdale) has been great, he is a great team-mate, a leader as well. He is a great lad and a great keeper as well, we are team-mates and that is the main thing. We are team-mates at the end of the day.”
Bruno Fernandes threw his support behind Andre Onana and told the devastated Manchester United goalkeeper to stop blaming himself for the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.
Having been beaten in three of their first five matches for the first time in the Premier League era, the Red Devils’ return to European football’s top table ended in a 4-3 loss on Wednesday night. Erik ten Hag’s men started the Group A opener surprisingly well at the Allianz Arena, only for summer signing Onana to somehow let a low Leroy Sane shot squirm home.
The 27-year-old buried his head in the turf and was consoled by team-mates, later saying he “let the team down” and that United “didn’t win today, it’s because of me”.
“It’s not about Andre,” United skipper Fernandes said. “Andre is a great goalkeeper.
“He will keep giving us a lot of points, a lot of saves. He hasn’t to take any blame for nothing.
“We have to take the blame as a team, that we’re going to go through this moment together because we are strong as a team.”
Onana’s gaffe was swiftly followed by a Serge Gnabry strike, with Harry Kane then scoring a penalty straight after Rasmus Hojlund had pulled one back early in the second half.
The match came to a hectic conclusion, with Casemiro scoring either side of Mathys Tel’s stoppage-time strike as United showed spirit but ultimately lost for a fourth time in five matches.
“I think what everyone has to do is to do their own job and look at themselves first,” Fernandes said in the bowels of the Allianz Arena.
“That’s what I do as a player, not as a captain – as a person and first point.
“I think everyone does that and I think today it wasn’t the case that not everyone was doing the best for the team or trying to fight for getting the result. I think everyone did that.
“It’s just the momentum and against big teams, as I said, when you give a lot of chances to them, they’re going to hurt you.
“Even then they give us some chances and we scored three goals, so I think no-one would expect us to come into Bayern and score three goals.
“I don’t think anyone outside of us would expect us to fight for the result in trying to get something from the game.
“But I think the team did. Obviously it wasn’t enough but we’re not playing against some bad team.
“We were playing one of the best teams in the world, with great players, with great qualities.
“Obviously it’s not the best moment for us but we will get through this and we will get the results back.”
United stayed in Germany following the Group A opener and are training before flying back as preparations step up for Saturday evening’s key trip to Burnley.
Ten Hag will be hoping to have more options to choose from at Turf Moor, having headed to Bayern without nine injured players.
“Obviously, we want to have everyone back because we know that as many players we have available, the team will be stronger,” Fernandes said. “And obviously more options for the manager to do his choices and whatever his tactics, the first 11 or whatever he picks.
“But obviously, still, we have the players and we have enough experience and enough talent in the team to get through this moment even with all the players.
“Obviously now I think some of them probably will come back earlier and will lift the team because we have quality players injured.
“But it’s about the ones that are now playing, giving something to get the result and that’s it.
“We can’t rely now on the injuries and everything.
“We know it’s tough and you need to get through that because you can’t control (it).
“But I think the team has players (good) enough to get a response.”
Devastated goalkeeper Andre Onana said he let the team down with his costly mistake at the start of Manchester United’s Champions League loss to Bayern Munich.
Erik ten Hag’s side suffered a fourth loss in five matches as a bright start in Bavaria went up in smoke with the summer signing somehow letting a Leroy Sane shot squirm home.
Bayern quickly added a second through Serge Gnabry and never relinquished control of the Group A opener, with Harry Kane scoring a penalty straight after Rasmus Hojlund had pulled one back after half-time.
Casemiro scored either side of Mathys Tel’s stoppage-time strike in a dramatic conclusion to a 4-3 defeat that glum Onana took responsibility for.
“It’s difficult,” the Cameroon international said.
“It’s difficult to lose this way because I think in the beginning we started very good and after my mistake we lost control of the game.
“It’s a difficult situation for us, for me especially because I’m the one who let the team down. But the team were good, very good, but because of me we didn’t win the game.
“I am happy for the work of the team and we just have to move on. This is life of the goalkeeper and if we didn’t win today it’s because of me.”
Onana requested to face the media after the game and was clearly cut up about his error in the first half, which he said was “the key point” in the loss.
“I have to learn from it and be strong, move on,” the former Inter Milan player told TNT Sports.
“It’s not an easy situation but I’m very happy for the comeback of the team. We were fighting until the end, but I have to recognise because of me we didn’t win.
“I have a lot to prove because, to be honest, my start in Manchester is not so good, not how I want.
“Play how I play today is one of my worst games and it’s difficult because we have big ambition, we are a very big club and we want to win everything.
“It was a big opportunity for us to bounce back after the situation we are facing. It’s tough, a tough time. We have to be together, we have to continue what we are doing, learn from our mistakes because it’s the only thing to do.”
Ten Hag did not sugarcoat things when asked about Onana’s error in the press conference, but made clear it is about the team rather than an individual.
“I think he shows that he takes responsibility and shows personality and the personality he needs to get in high levels,” the United boss said.
“But that’s not only about him, it’s about the team’s performance, so we have to support him on the pitch, not only in life, we have to help him.
“But it doesn’t only count for Andre, it counts for all the players on the pitch. They have to understand they are in the same boat and they have to be on the same page to get results.”
Ten Hag said people should “not make it bigger than it is” and is sure Onana will bounce back from the clanger as attention turns to Saturday’s Premier League trip to Burnley.
“When you score three goals in Munich you have to take at least a point, which we didn’t,” the Dutchman said. “We have to take a look at ourselves in the mirror.”
As for Bayern, they were far from their free flowing best but Thomas Tuchel – banned from the touchline – was happy with the result.
“It is a deserved win,” the ex-Chelsea boss said. “Every win in the Champions League is a big point.
“Every win against Manchester United is a big point. We didn’t have the rhythm that we wanted and in the phase after we made it 3-1 we could have killed the game off. But we reacted well to every setback.”
Mikel Arteta admitted to becoming emotional on a “beautiful night” as Arsenal marked their long-awaited Champions League return with a stylish 4-0 win against PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium.
In their first outing in this competition for six years, Arteta’s side put PSV to the sword in the first half, going in at the break 3-0 up after a ruthless show of attacking intent.
First Bukayo Saka reacted fastest to score on the rebound after Martin Odegaard’s long-range effort was parried by Walter Benitez in the PSV goal, before the England winger turned provider with a smart pull-back that was guided into the bottom corner by Leandro Trossard.
After 38 minutes the game was all but over as Gabriel Jesus took a touch inside the box and drilled an unstoppable drive into the far corner.
Odegaard added his team’s fourth when he shot low with his left foot past the goalkeeper with 20 minutes to play, as last season’s Eredivisie runners-up were outrun and outclassed by Arteta’s side, who were at their electric best in wet and difficult conditions in north London.
“It was a beautiful night after such a long time,” said Arteta.
“We wanted to produce the right performance to win the game. It was great to see the atmosphere and the Champions League music.
“Everyone was getting a bit emotional before it. We showed in both boxes today I think we were exceptional. That was the difference today, I think.
“I was (emotional), yeah. I was really excited about it. I wanted to control and not show that too much, but I was really excited.
“The journey started last year when we earned the right to be in this competition which is where we have to be as a club. Now we have to produce what we have to produce to stay at this level.”
After watching his side struggle at times to break down opponents who have set up defensively against them in the Premier League this season, Arteta was particularly pleased with the way his attack effectively killed the contest off before the break, taking advantage of a more open game than they have been used to domestically.
“(It was) very good,” he said. “That’s what we have to do. That’s why I mentioned that in the box we were exceptional today, we were ruthless, we took our chances. (It) was top. And as well we could have done more. Probably as managers we are looking a bit more on that than any part.”
Amongst an array of standout performances for Arteta’s team, Kai Havertz enjoyed possibly the best display of his early Arsenal career.
There had been signs of frustration from home supporters towards the £65million summer signing during recent games at the Emirates, but he was instrumental in the team’s fluent attacking rhythm as he finally looked at home in an Arsenal shirt.
“Yeah, he was really connected today in the game,” said Arteta.
“It’s true I asked him to play two different roles in regards to the behaviours of the opponents and he’s so intelligent that he does it. It’s just finishing one or two actions that we had but it’s coming and he’s so willing to do it.”
Jude Bellingham’s dream start to his Real Madrid career continued after he fired home a stoppage-tine winner against Champions League debutants Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The hosts looked destined to be heading for a frustrating goalless draw after failing to find a way past the resilient Bundesliga side.
But England international Bellingham converted from close range with virtually the last kick of the Group C clash to claim his sixth goal in as many matches and land all three points for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot in Bayern Munich’s 4-3 win against Manchester United.
Absentee-hit United began brightly enough at the Allianz Arena, only for Serge Gnabry to score shortly after former Manchester City forward Leroy Sane’s effort squirmed past summer signing Andre Onana.
Rasmus Hojlund scored his first goal for the club, but Kane quickly slammed a penalty, with Casemiro scoring either side of Mathys Tel’s stoppage-time strike as the Red Devils suffered a fourth defeat in five matches.
In Group A’s other fixture, Galatasaray scored two late goals in a 2-2 draw against 10-man Copenhagen.
The Danish side went 2-0 at half-time through Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves. Elias Jelert was sent off in the 73rd minute for two bookable offences and Galatasaray took advantage with Sacha Boey and Tete earning a point.
Arsenal enjoyed a fine return to the Champions League as they cruised past PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium.
Six years of absence were brushed to one side as a scintillating attacking display saw Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard all score in a one-sided 4-0 win.
The result puts Arsenal top of Group B after Angelo Fulgini cancelled out Lucas Ocampos’ opener as Lens secured a 1-1 away draw at Sevilla.
In Group D, Lautaro Martinez salvaged a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad with a 87th-minute equaliser following Brais Mendez’s early goal, while Red Bull Salzburg cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win at 10-man Benfica.
Karim Konate missed a third-minute penalty for Salzburg before Antonio Silva was sent off 10 minutes later. Roko Simic scored from the resulting spot-kick and Oscar Gloukh wrapped up the points.
Elsewhere, Sikou Niakate put through his own net with just two minutes remaining as Napoli secured a late 2-1 victory at Braga. Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time before Bruma headed home a deserved equaliser in the 84th minute.
Lautaro Martinez’s late equaliser rescued disappointing Inter Milan a 1-1 Champions League draw against Real Sociedad at the Estadio de Anoeta.
Last year’s beaten finalists Inter had failed to have a single shot on target in their opening Group D tie when captain Martinez fired home in the 87th minute.
Brais Mendez had given Sociedad an early lead but the Spaniards, back in the Champions League for the first time since 2013-14, were cruelly punished after twice hitting the woodwork.
Inter thrashed city rivals AC Milan 5-1 on Saturday, but were a shadow of the side which have won their first four Serie A matches.
Sociedad lost 2-1 at Real Madrid on Sunday and have won only one of their first five LaLiga games, but went straight on the offensive.
Ander Barrenetxea had already hit the crossbar before Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni slipped in possession, allowing Mendez a free shot on goal, which he buried.
Marko Arnautovic headed Inter’s best chance before the break wide, but Sociedad went close to extending their lead.
Robin Le Normand’s diving header from Takefusa Kubo’s excellent cross flew inches over the bar and the impressive Kubo forced Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer into a low save just before half-time.
Sommer made an even better save early in the second period to keep out Mikel Oyarzabal’s header as Sociedad chased another goal.
Le Normand’s header was blocked before Inter were given a reprieve in the 65th minute after referee Michael Oliver had shown Inter’s Nicolo Barella a straight red card.
The Italy midfielder appeared to stamp on goalscorer Mendez, but Oliver rescinded his decision after being asked to check the pitchside monitor by VAR.
Mikel Merino then headed another cross from Kubo against the bar for Sociedad as Inter failed to pose an attacking threat.
Simone Inzaghi’s side had mustered one attempt on goal throughout the game when they thought they had equalised.
Carlos Augusto side-footed home Alexis Sanchez’s low cross into the area in the 79th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
But in the 87th minute the Italians levelled it up with their first shot on target.
Martinez raced on to Davide Frattesi’s low diagonal ball into the box and lifted a superb first-time shot over Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro.
Manchester United’s Champions League return ended in disappointment as Harry Kane struck from the spot for Bayern Munich in an entertaining 4-3 win kicked off by Andre Onana’s clanger.
The European heavyweights are at very different stages right now, with the perennial Bundesliga champions second favourites to win a competition that the Red Devils did not even feature in last season.
Absentee-hit United began brightly enough at the Allianz Arena, only for Serge Gnabry to score shortly after ex-Manchester City forward Leroy Sane’s effort squirmed past summer signing Onana.
Rasmus Hojlund scored his first goal for the club but Kane quickly slammed home a penalty, with Casemiro scoring either side of Mathys Tel’s stoppage-time strike as the Red Devils suffered a fourth defeat in five matches.
Few could argue with the eventual outcome, but United had started brightly in Bavaria and should have gone ahead through Facundo Pellistri or Christian Eriksen inside four minutes.
Bayern, who were without suspended boss Thomas Tuchel on the touchline, shook off initial sluggishness, with Sane’s strike beating distraught Onana before Gnabry fired home four minutes later.
Hojlund’s effort off the heel of Kim Min-jae shortly after half-time brought hope to Erik ten Hag’s men, only for Eriksen to soon be adjudged to have handled.
Ex-Tottenham team-mate Kane scored the resulting spot-kick, with Casemiro’s brace sandwiching Tel’s strike during a dramatic conclusion to the Group A opener.
Arsenal enjoyed a fine return to the Champions League as they cruised past PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium.
Six years of absence were soon brushed to one side – as were PSV – as a scintillating attacking display saw Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard score in a dominant 4-0 win.
The club’s hiatus from the top table of European football was so long someone felt it necessary to print the words to the Champions League anthem in the matchday programme and Arsenal’s players were certainly singing from the same hymn sheet.
Mohamed Elneny, back on the bench for the first time since a serious knee injury in January, was the only member of the current crop to have experienced Champions League football in an Arsenal shirt.
It did not take any of the tournament debutants long to make their mark on a new stage, however, as Saka struck inside eight minutes before Trossard doubled the lead, Jesus added a third before the break and Odegaard capped off a fine evening.
David Raya retained his place in the Arsenal goal having replaced Aaron Ramsdale for Sunday’s Premier League win at Everton.
Kai Havertz and Jesus came in for Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah while Trossard deputised for the injured Gabriel Martinelli.
Saka set the tone for the evening, the England winger finishing after PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez pushed an Odegaard shot into his path.
Jesus should have doubled the lead moments later but could not make contact on Ben White’s low cross but the second came soon after as the Brazil forward led a counter-attack and played in Saka, who crossed for Trossard to strike.
It was one-way traffic at the Emirates as Havertz fired over before Jesus forced Benitez into a good stop and then got on the scoresheet himself with a fine effort from a deep Trossard cross.
With Arsenal hosting north London neighbours Tottenham on Sunday, boss Mikel Arteta took advantage of the big lead to take off his key men as the second half progressed.
All three goalscorers, as well as Oleksandr Zinchenko, were replaced before the 70-minute mark with the Gunners in complete control of proceedings at a rain-soaked Emirates.
There was still time for more goals, Odegaard not to be outdone as he angled home a fine finish to further widen the gap.
Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal progressed from the group stages of the Champions League for 17 successive seasons, but the last seven of those ended in defeat in the last 16.
Arteta’s team have started Group B in fine style but the Spaniard will be under no illusions that his side will face more challenging tests if they are to go deep into the competition and successfully juggle European football with a Premier League title bid.
Jude Bellingham’s fairytale start to his Real Madrid career continued after he fired home a stoppage-time winner against Champions League debutants Union Berlin at the Bernabeu.
The hosts, winners of the biggest prize in European football on 14 occasions, looked destined to be heading for a frustrating draw after failing to find a way past the resilient Bundesliga side.
But Bellingham converted from close range with virtually the last kick of the Group C clash to claim his sixth goal in as many matches following his summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund, and land all three points for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Los Blancos arrived for their opening Champions League fixture with a 100 per cent record in LaLiga to see them sit two points clear of rivals Barcelona after five matches.
Bellingham has been key to their strong start and the 20-year-old – the sixth English player after Laurie Cunningham, Steve McManaman, David Beckham, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate to feature for Real in the European Cup – was again central to his side’s pursuit of a win under the lights.
After just three minutes it was Bellingham’s cross which Joselu nodded straight into the arms of Frederik Ronnow – the first of a hat-trick of headers he was unable to score during a tepid opening period.
Following the interval, Joselu then saw a header tipped on to the post by Ronnow.
Ancelotti’s men were starting to up the ante, and Rodrygo had two good opportunities to hand his side the lead – first drawing a good save from Ronnow, and then blasting an effort off the woodwork.
But as the clock ticked down, Real were staring down the barrel of a disappointing point with Ancelotti’s annoyance etched all over his face. That was until Bellingham saved the night.
Following Real’s 16th corner of a one-sided contest, Federico Valverde’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked, before falling perfectly into the path of Bellingham.
The unmarked England international could not miss as he prodded home from a little more than a yard out before wheeling away in celebration and lapping up the adulation of the adoring home crowd.
Julian Alvarez is revelling in his partnership with Erling Haaland in Manchester City’s attack.
The Argentinian World Cup winner continued his strong start to the season with two goals as the holders began their Champions League title defence with a comfortable 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.
An injury for Kevin De Bruyne has seen Alvarez handed a run of games in support of prolific centre forward Haaland and it is a role he is relishing.
“I am very happy with the goals, to help the team,” the 23-year-old said. “We are doing well, we are winning – which is the most important thing – and playing good games.
“I am trying to adapt and I continue growing in this position, where I am moving freely, to give the team another option and add to the attack.”
Alavarez was the dominant figure in City’s forward line as they threatened to overwhelm Red Star in their opening Group G game at the Etihad Stadium.
Yet despite creating a plethora of chances – with Haaland hitting the bar and goalkeeper Omri Glazer making several saves – City fell behind to an Osman Bukari strike just before half-time.
Alvarez began the fightback with a fine dinked finish after the restart and then put Pep Guardiola’s side ahead when his free-kick was inadvertently punched into the goal by Glazer.
Rodri wrapped up a thoroughly deserved victory with a typically composed finish 17 minutes from time but, again, City could have had several more. Haaland went the closest when he hit the goal frame for a second time.
“We played a good game,” said Alvarez. “It was important to start with a win and three points at home in this difficult competition. We are very happy.
“We had many chances we could not convert but Pep told us to keep doing what we were doing and the goals would come.
“It was the same in the previous game where we were losing and came back, so it was fine. We always try to stay calm, play well in the second half and win.”
Alvarez was not a regular starter last season, despite his starring role in his country’s World Cup triumph, but Guardiola believes he can do an important job in easing the goalscoring burden on Haaland.
Guardiola said: “It’s the same player as last season but being a World Cup winner doesn’t mean you have to play all the time.
“Last season we had Kevin and (Ilkay) Gundogan in that position. Kevin was in top form and Gundo was incredible.
“In that moment sometimes it was difficult to find spaces but I never had a doubt.
“Now Gundo has gone and Kevin unfortunately is injured. We need players to be close to Erling, don’t put all the responsibilities just on the shoulders of Erling to score all the goals.
“That’s why when Phil (Foden) has played there, when Julian plays there, we have the feeling that we create a lot of chances.”
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