Champions League: Berbatov Returns to Haunt Arsenal F.C., Atletico Madrid Lose
Arsenal F.C. were handed a 3-1 defeat at home in the first leg of the last-16 clash by French club Monaco.
Former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov rolled back the years to score as Monaco pulled off a memorable 3-1 victory over Arsenal in their Champions League last 16 first leg match on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old -- who played for Tottenham from 2006-08 -- struck the French side's second goal as the visitors made it an extremely unhappy reunion for former coach Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
It meant that none of the three English sides left in the competition have won their first leg games -- Chelsea having been held 1-1 by defending French champions Paris Saint Germain last week.
The Gunners -- who had not conceded a goal in three previous visits from French sides in the competition -- face a huge challenge when they travel to Monaco next month if they are to reach the last eight for the first time since 2010.
"We are confident in our ability so honestly we deserved to win," Berbatov, who is Monaco's leading scorer this season with eight goals, told Sky Sports.
"We scored our chances and in the end it's a great win for us. It's not over, we have one more game in Monaco and Arsenal are a great team."
Monaco joined Bayern Munich and Manchester United in putting three past Arsenal in the competition's history.
The night's other match was an ill-tempered affair which saw one player sent off and eight other players booked.
However, German side Bayer Leverkusen gave themselves a glimmer of hope of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time as they beat last season's finalists Atletico Madrid 1-0.
Hakan Calhanoglu scored the only goal and become the first player to score against Atletico in the Champions League since Kostas Mitroglou did for Olympiakos on September 16.
"I think we were clearly the better team and therefore we deserved the win," said Calhanoglu.
"I gave it all I had for the goal, but we have to play just as well in the return leg as we did today and then we have a good chance."
The visitors ended the game with 10 men when Tiago was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Bayer coach Roger Schmidt's boldness in aligning an attacking formation was rewarded and he was extremely proud of his players for delivering.
"We can be extremely satisfied with this result," said Schmidt, who was guiding Bayer to their first win in their last eight knockout matches in the competition.
"The team was exceptional and now we have a real chance of reaching the quarter-finals."