Wins for European opponents

Club Brugge's three European opponents won all three of their matches this weekend. Atlético made it home from Girona, Porto knocked Portimonense and Leverkusen beat Schalke 04 by wide margins.

Atlético Madrid - Girona 2-1

In between the two games against Club Brugge, Atlético got the visit of Girona. Coach Simeone opted for Griezmann in the point, Witsel took his place back in midfield. The visitors from Girona made life difficult for Atlético, but still went down 2-1.

Kickoff was barely given when Griezmann got the leather to Correa, who immediately opened the scoring from close range. Girona did not really have a response on their hands, and it was only thanks to goalkeeper Juan Carlos that the score at the break did not go higher. He twice kept Cunha, and Correa once again from scoring a goal.

Three minutes into the second half, Correa struck again. Then suddenly there was a reaction and chances for Girona as well. With half an hour left on the clock, Riquelme scored with a stroke of luck, his shot deflecting off Gimenez which knocked Oblak out. After the tying goal, Atlético did not come out again, Oblak was firmly put to work. However, despite chances for Aleix Garcia and Bueno, among others, there was no more equalizer for Girona (KV).

Atlético: Oblak, Molina, Gimenez, Savic, Mandava, Correa (74' Joao Felix), Koke, Witsel (74' Kondogbia), Carrasco (65' Morata), Griezmann (65' Saul Niguez), Cunha (65' Lemar).
Goals: 5' Correa (1-0), 48' Correa (2-0), 65' Riquelme (2-1).

Portimonense - Porto 0-2

In between Champions League matches, Porto faced an away game at home to Portimonense. Despite a good start from the home team, Porto secured the victory without too much difficulty with a goal in each half.

The opening phase of the game was for Portimonense who started enthusiastically, with a quick chance from Ewerton. With 15 minutes on the clock, Porto began to get the better of the game as well as force chances. However, Uribe, Wendell and Evanilson were unable to get the ball into the net. On a pass from Evanilson, Otavinho did with a shot into the corner, out of reach of Nakamura. The home side tried to respond but except for a shot by Rui Gomes, they failed to force any more chances. After chances from Cardoso and Wendell, it was rather Porto that came closer to a second goal.

That second goal did fall immediately after the break. Pepe did not miss the opportunity on a Taremi pass and doubled the score. The moment for Porto to slow down the pace, allowing Portimonense to create some chances. Diogo Costa could not really threaten them. An easy win for FC Porto, which now occupies second place in the league with ten points. (KV)

Porto: Diogo Costa, Wendell (80' Bruno Costa), Carmo, Cardoso, Conceicao (80' Sanusi), Pepe Aquino, Eustaqio, Uribe, Otavio (89' Grujic), Taremi (89' Martinez), Evanilson (62' Wenderson).
Goals: 22' Otavio (0-1), 52' Pepe Aquino (0-2).

Bayer Leverkusen - Schalke 04 4-0

At home against Schalke 04, Leverkusen, with new coach Xabi Alonso, went in search of the three points to climb out of the relegation zone. After a turbulent week, with the dismissal of coach Seoane, it was important to finally get going with another win in front of their own public. And they succeeded, as Leverkusen won by heavy 4-0 figures.

Standout was Dutchman Frimpong, who signed for the second and third goals. In the 38th minute, Diaby had already opened the score after an assist from Andrich. So just before and just after halftime, it was up to the young Dutchman to deepen the score. Twice it was Diaby who provided the assist. Odilon Kossounou only came on in the closing stages of the match. Shortly after, Paulinho made it 4-0.

Schalke were unable to do much in return and Leverkusen took the well-deserved three points. The new coach had a good debut. Leverkusen jumps to a provisional fourteenth place in the Bundesliga. (EV)

Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky, Hincapie (88' Kossounou), Tah, Tapsoba, Bakker, Aranguiz (64' Demirbay), Andrich, Frimpong, Hudson-Odoi (88' Paulinho), Diaby (64' Adli), Schick (72' Hlozek).
Goals: 38' Diaby (1-0), 41' Frimpong (2-0), 53' Frimpong (3-0), 90' Paulinho (4-0).