5️⃣ things we learned from Wednesdays's Champions League action | OneFootball

There were four more Champions League playoff matches to enjoy on Wednesday night.

Here's what we made of it all.

Unhappy return to Feyenoord for Milan's Gimenez

📸 JOHN THYS - AFP or licensors

Milan's new striker Santiago Giménez only made the move from Feyenoord in the January transfer window, but the quirks of the Champions League playoff draw meant that he was back at De Kuip sooner than expected.

A howler from Rossoneri goalkeeper Mike Maignan gave the Dutch side an early lead, one they hung on to for the remainder of the game.

The 1-0 deficit is by no means insurmountable, but it certainly wasn't a happy return for the Mexican striker.

Celtic handed a lifeline in tough Bayern clash

📸 ANDY BUCHANAN - AFP or licensors

In a two-legged affair, it's always important not to let the tie run away from you. And at 2-0 down to Bayern Munich at Celtic Park, Brendan Rodgers' men could have easily capitulated.

Yet the Hoops gave themselves a lifeline when Daizen Maeda stabbed home his effort from a corner after a game of head tennis inside the box.

That goal means that it's still all to play for in the second leg.

Gasperini fumes over Brugge penalty

📸 NICOLAS TUCAT - AFP or licensors

Not one to ever mince his words, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini was furious with the officials after his side went down 2-1 after a 94th minute penalty for the home side.

“Football is going in a direction that isn't football, led by I don't know who," the veteran told reporters afterwards.

“The players throw themselves in to steal, they all try to get a penalty. This is not spirit of football. The rules are crazy."

Michael Olise shows his star power

📸 ANDY BUCHANAN - AFP or licensors

From Reading to the Champions League. That's how meteoric Michael Olise's rise has been since moving from the Royals to Crystal Palace in 2021, to securing a move to Bayern Munich at the beginning of the season.

Sandwiched in between was a stellar performance for France at the Olympics, weighing in with two goals and five assists en route to the Silver medal.

Tonight, Olise scored his fifth Champions League goal of the season at Celtic Park, and it was a special strike indeed.

Receiving the ball inside the box, the Frenchman whipped a wicked effort towards goal, a shot that smashed high into the roof of the net, giving Kasper Schmeichel no chance.

Vangelis Pavlidis does the business again

📸 VALERY HACHE - AFP or licensors

Remember when Benfica scored three goals before half time against Barcelona? All of them came from striker Vangelis Pavlidis and – after scoring against Juventus in the final league phase game – he was on target again in tonight's playoff encounter against Monaco.

The job is only half done for Benfica, but Pavlidis is certainly enjoying the Champions League.

📸 Ian MacNicol - 2025 Getty Images