Our Privacy Statement & Cookie Policy

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.

I agree
Download

CGTN Sports Talk: What went wrong with Newcastle, Manchester United?

CGTN
CGTN Sports Talk: What went wrong with Newcastle, Manchester United?

CGTN Sports Talk EP266 UCL group stage is over.mp3

00:00

Last season, Manchester United didn't appear in the UEFA Champions League, but at least they played in the UEFA Europa League. This season, the "Red Devils" didn't have even that luxury after exiting the Champions League as the bottom team of Group A.

Group F, in which Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), AC Milan and Newcastle United were competing, was seen as the "group of death" to many. Theoretically, any of them could enter the next phase or be eliminated.

However, the final result was still a little surprising, especially with the process that led to it. Newcastle blew their way to the Europa League because they chose to play aggressively when they could have played it safe and lived with a draw with Milan.

By contrast, PSG chose the safe option with Dortmund. Their draw took them to the next stage, but a win would have made the French giants the leader of the group. Nonetheless, the way PSG played the game's final six minutes left the impression that they wanted it over sooner than Dortmund did. Usually, the club that aims for the throne plays with more authority, which PSG have been lacking on most occasions so far this season.

Players of Manchester United look on after the 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League group game at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, December 12, 2023. /CFP
Players of Manchester United look on after the 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League group game at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, December 12, 2023. /CFP

Players of Manchester United look on after the 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League group game at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, December 12, 2023. /CFP

Players of Newcastle United look on after the 2-1 loss to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League group game at St. James Park in Newcastle, England, December 13, 2023. /CFP
Players of Newcastle United look on after the 2-1 loss to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League group game at St. James Park in Newcastle, England, December 13, 2023. /CFP

Players of Newcastle United look on after the 2-1 loss to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League group game at St. James Park in Newcastle, England, December 13, 2023. /CFP

Kylian Mbappe (#7) of Paris Saint-Germain shoots in the UEFA Champions League group game against Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany, December 13, 2023. /CFP
Kylian Mbappe (#7) of Paris Saint-Germain shoots in the UEFA Champions League group game against Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany, December 13, 2023. /CFP

Kylian Mbappe (#7) of Paris Saint-Germain shoots in the UEFA Champions League group game against Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany, December 13, 2023. /CFP

Host: Li Xiang

Guest: Josh McNally

Cover designer: Feng Yuan

MORE FROM CGTN

Norris holds off Verstappen to win wet and wild F1 opener in Australia
{"type":2,"value":"Sports Scene","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Formula 1

07:10, 17-Mar-2025

Andreeva beats Sabalenka at Indian Wells, Draper wins men's title
{"type":2,"value":"Sports Scene","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Tennis

07:02, 17-Mar-2025

Zhan wins heavyweight gold at Women's World Boxing Championships
{"type":2,"value":"Sports Scene","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Boxing

06:58, 17-Mar-2025

Arsenal edge out Chelsea, Man Utd beat Leicester
{"type":2,"value":"Sports Scene","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Football

06:55, 17-Mar-2025

TOP NEWS

Chinese economy off to robust start in 2025 as growth gains momentum
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

China

14:54, 17-Mar-2025

China urges G7 to do more things conducive to int'l cooperation
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Politics

13:54, 17-Mar-2025

Houthi group targets U.S. aircraft carrier amid fresh U.S. airstrikes
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Politics

11:40, 17-Mar-2025

Search Trends