Champions League

Conference with Atletico and Milan from 18:45 LIVE

Atletico's Julián Álvarez scored a brace in his team's 6-0 win over Sparta Prague ...(Bild: AFP)

Atletico Madrid and AC Milan emerged victorious from the early games of today's Champions League day - once clearly and once not so clearly! The team from the Spanish capital secured the clear victory with a 6-0 win at Sparta Prague - and the Italians not so clear victory with a 3-2 win at Slovan Bratislava.

In Prague, disaster struck for the home side, who had sent Red Bull Salzburg home 3-0 earlier in the season, after just 15 minutes: Argentinian world champion Julián Álvarez surprised Sparta goalkeeper Peter Vindahl with a free-kick that was neither particularly sharp nor accurate to give Atletico an early lead.

The team of coaching legend Diego Simeone then went one better without having to shine: Marcos Llorente (43'), Álvarez again (59'), Antoine Griezmann (70') and Ángel Correa with a brace (85', 89') ensured Atletico's resounding victory.

AC Milan win 3:2 at Slovan Bratislava
Milan had more trouble than the Spaniards before they were able to celebrate their third Champions League win after two defeats and two victories. After an early 1:0 through Christian Pulišić (21st), Tigran Barseghyangegen hit back immediately for Slovan Bratislava (24th) - and the Slovaks repeatedly exposed the vulnerability of the Milan defense, especially on the counterattack.

A "Rossoneri" brace from Rafael Leão (68') and Tammy Abraham (71') then seemed to give the visitors the lead, but a long-range strike from Nino Marcelli (88') gave Slovan hope once more. It was short-lived, however, as a yellow card for Marko Tolić shortly afterwards halted the home side's final offensive - and Milan held on for a 3-2 win.