This week marked the opening round of knockout fixtures in the UEFA Champions League, the Europa league and the Europa Conference League.
From shock results to high scoring matches, this week had it all in Europe’s top competitions so it has set up nicely for the respective second legs.
We take a look at the biggest talking points from the week’s action.
Controversial red card
Lazio 1-0 Bayern Munich
Dayot Upamecano saw red controversially in the 67th minute for Bayern Munich against Lazio, after the French defender’s dangerous tackle was deemed enough for him to be sent on his marching orders.
The sending off was certainly deemed as harsh, and left the German side very little chance to get anything in the remainder of the match after the resulting penalty was scored and they had to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men. It means Bayern have work to do to avoid a shock exit.
Shock defeat for Braga
SC Braga 2-4 Qarabag FK
Braga came third in their Champions League group, which meant that they ended up in the Europa League but against all odds, the Portuguese side were on the receiving end of a 4-2 defeat at home against Qarabag FK.
Flying colours for AC Milan
AC Milan 3-0 Stade Rennais
After dropping out of the Champions League, AC Milan had a point to prove and they certainly did this after they breezed past Stade Rennais and beat them 3-0 thanks to a brace from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and a goal from Rafael Leao.
Red card drama
Galatasaray 3-2 AC Sparta Praha
This game had it all and Galatasaray came out 3-2 victors, but the main talking points from the feisty affair were the red cards for each team, which tees up an exhilarating second leg with it all to play for.
All action at the death
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 Olympique Marseille
The game was 1-1 heading into the 90th minute and Marseille thought they had won it in the dying embers when Iliman Ndiaye found the back of the net, but the drama did not end there after Shakhtar equalised in the 93rd minute to leave it an even playing field as they head into the second leg.
Head to Bet9ja to bet on next week’s European second legs
