The Champions League is hotting up as we near the halfway stage of the league phase. Everyone’s domestic seasons are well underway and we now know what all the teams stand for, it’s time to test them against Europe’s very best.
Three weeks is a long, LONG time in football. So much has changed since I wrote the last one of these it feels like I’m reporting on a different competition entirely. Liverpool are rubbish now, Erling Haaland has somehow found another gear and Atletico and Inter are spending their international break playing friendlies in Benghazi. As you were.
Another juicy set of fixtures are lined up to put the very best through their paces, all eyes are on minnows Qarabag to see if they can go 3/3 and it’s a first proper test for Arsenal. A million goals this week, so strap in as we explore the drama and intrigue this famed competition always throws up for us.
The Results:
Tuesday 21st October
Barcelona 6-1 Olympiacos
An outstanding performance from one of the early favourites in Barcelona although the referee killed the game for the Greek side. After having a goal ruled out by VAR and changed to a spot kick, they scored the resulting penalty to bring the score to 2-1 before receiving the worst red card you’ve ever seen. Argentine midfielder Santiago Hezze’s arm gently brushed the face of Barca’s Marc Casado, Casado dropped like a sack of bricks and the referee immediately blew and gave a second yellow card. A ridiculous decision that ruined a game that, while they were on the back foot, Olympiacos were genuinely in with a chance of getting something from. The Barcelona players then began taking apart the Greek side with ruthless efficiency, Fermin Lopez hit a hat-trick and Marcus Rashford bagged a brace as the Catalan side built up their goal difference to help avoid missing out on the top eight by the finest of margins. Job done, gutting for Olympiacos.
Kairat Almaty 0-0 Pafos FC
Not exactly a headline-grabbing result, but amazing for Kairat to get the first ever Champions League point in their history. Pafos lost a man to a straight red card after just three minutes for a very reckless high boot but, despite the man disadvantage, Pafos had the better of the chances and should have scored on at least three occasions. Veteran defender David Luiz will be furious with himself for missing two sitters. Kairat were limited to mostly efforts from range as they struggled to break down the ten men of Pafos. An historic night to be proud of, but it could have been so much more for either side as they each chase a maiden Champions League victory.
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
It would be fair to level the criticism at Arsenal that some of their performances, while ultimately victorious, have been more function than stylish so far this season. Against Atleti however, they turned it up to eleven. The first half was cagey as both sides felt each other out, but Arsenal burst into life in the second period. Four goals in thirteen minutes buried a usually stoic Atletico beyond reach, Gabriel scoring his weekly header and Martinelli burying a great finish to make it three goals in three Champions League games before Viktor Gyökeres bundled in a brace to seal the points. Maximum points after three games for Arsenal and they look like they’re ready to go all the way this year. Atleti have lost twice already and have a tricky run in, they’ll need to turn it around against Belgian side USG next time out to put themselves in contention for the knockouts.
Bayer Leverkusen 2-7 PSG
Reigning champs PSG made it 3 wins from 3 in emphatic fashion on the road in Germany. Both teams were reduced to 10 men in the first half, PSG centre half Ilya Zabarnyi received his marching orders just a few minutes after Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich. God only knows what the scoreline would’ve been if PSG had retained the man advantage for the rest of the game. Everyone got in on the act, not least Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé who marked their returns to Champions League action following injuries with a brace and a goal off the bench respectively. PSG aren’t even at full strength yet and they look magnificent, with everyone fit and firing and eleven men on the field I don’t see how anyone can beat them to the title in their current iteration. Frightening. Very little remains of the Xavi Alonso Leverkusen team that captured the hearts and minds of the world a couple of years ago, with the manager moved on and most of the players sold they are still yet to win in this years Champions League. They have a fairly favourable draw, but now have a large goal difference to overcome if they are to push themselves into contention for the knockout rounds.
FC København 2-4 Dortmund
Dortmund remain unbeaten and are cementing themselves as one of the most entertaining sides to watch in the competition. They’re the second highest goal-scorers, behind PSG, and have the leakiest defence in the top 18 sides at this stage. It’s safe to say you rarely leave a Dortmund match unsatisfied as a neutral. Both sides had dominant spells, but an away win is probably a fair result on balance. The first København goal was a gift from their visitors and they will be kicking themselves that they didn’t go on to capitalise on their subsequent spell of pressure. The Danes look buried already, they’re only on one point and will have to play consecutive Champions League games around friendly matches as their domestic season breaks over winter. It’ll be a huge ask for them to take on a fully-fit Barcelona side without having played competitively for weeks prior.
Newcastle 3-0 Benfica
Anthony Gordon is not letting Rashford take his England spot easily. The Newcastle winger is up to four goals and an assist already in this competition and looks to be combining wonderfully with big (monetarily and physically) Summer signing Nick Woltemade. A well deserved win for the Magpies that sneaks them into the top eight and Jose Mourinho’s Benfica still sit on zero points, they’ll have to conjure up the old Jose if they’re to come back from here.
PSV 6-2 Napoli
PSV grabbed their first win of the Champions League season by burying Napoli in The Netherlands. The Italian side took the lead through Scott McTominay before succumbing to two quick fire goals to go into half time 2-1 down. PSV struck next to make it 3-1 before Lorenzo Lucca received a straight red card to end all hopes of a comeback for the visitors. McTominay managed to grab another but the Dutch side hit 3 to seal an emphatic win. Antonio Conte will be furious his side have allowed their goal difference to take such a drastic hit so early on, three must-win games against teams that should be fairly routine tests are up next, it’ll be interesting to see where they are come week six.
Union St. Gilloise 0-4 Inter
Last year’s runners-up Inter have started as they mean to go on. 3 wins from 3 and no goals conceded as well as not being shy in front of goal, they’re definitely out for revenge. USG have suffered back-to-back 4-0 losses and have a wounded Atletico next, it’ll could be an early goodbye for the Belgian newbies.
Villarreal 0-2 Manchester City
Erling Haaland gives me nightmares. Each day I thank the powers above that the team I support don’t have to face this freak of nature, we have enough trouble with Championship forwards. Goals in 12 consecutive games and no sign of faltering, Erling Haaland is a big Norwegian steam train and nobody can stop him. City look nearly back to their best, turning teams over and seemingly invincible, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go all the way and win a second Champions League.
Wednesday 22nd October
Athletic Club 3-1 Qarabag
Consider my heart broken. The dream was on as Qarabag took the lead within a minute and I seriously started to believe we could see them get into the top 8 positions. My dreams were subsequently shattered as the Basque club brushed off their early setback and settled in to a dominant display, putting on a clinic on how to sweep aside weaker opponents in this competition. It was their first European points of the season, a platform to build before their trip to Newcastle.
Galatasaray 3-1 Bodø/Glimt
Victor Osimhen is wasted in Türkiye, but it looks like he’s having a wonderful time. Two goals for him today sealed Bodø’s first loss in the competition, it looks like they could come to rue missed opportunities against Spurs last time out. The Norwegians had the majority of the ball but Galatasaray were devastating on the counter, they’ve won twice now after a big loss to Frankfurt to start the campaign and they’re really starting to pick up steam. If any team outside the traditional top 5 leagues are to break the status quo and go deep this year, I’d wager it’d be them.
Atalanta 0-0 Slavia Prague
Atalanta’s performance had everything but the goal to seal a victory. Slavia defended admirably and warded off wave after wave of attacks from the Italians, but the home side will know they should’ve done better. The visitors had plenty of chances of their own and, on another day, they could’ve come away with all the points. A solid performance from both sides, but a point the away team will be happier with.
Bayern Munich 4-0 Club Brugge
Bayern are another of the five sides on maximum points after 3 rounds. Seventeen year-old Lennart Karl stole the headlines this time out with a fantastic strike to open the scoring on his first start in the competition, as if Bayern needed any more top-class forwards. Speaking of, Harry Kane scored again. It’s coming home.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
All three of Chelsea’s youngest ever Champions League goal-scorers were in this game, with Brazilian winger Estevao taking top spot. Ajax received a red card after just fifteen minutes for a reckless challenge and then subsequently never offered anything at either end of the pitch. The penalty was their only shot on target all game and they were split open by an extremely professional Chelsea display. Ajax are still without a point and have looked abject in their matches so far, not the performances you expect from such a storied club.
Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Liverpool are back baby! I think. All three of Frankfurt’s games have finished 5-1 so far, with them being on the receiving end twice. They’re a great watch for the neutral, a 3-0 loss to Bayern being the lowest scoring game of their season so far, but their defensive frailties are so easily exploitable by any half-decent side that they’re primed to be picked apart in this competition. Frankfurt took the lead early on before Liverpool hit 3 in 9 minutes to put the game to bed, seeing out the second period in professional fashion and grabbing an extra two goals to boost their goal difference. Interestingly, Liverpool started the game without Mohammed Salah and looked a much more balanced and fluid team than they have done in recent weeks with their main man in the side, I’m sure if Arne Slot had any hair he’d be pulling it out mulling over his next team selection.
Monaco 0-0 Tottenham
Spurs ‘keeper Guglielmo Vicario should be carried around the training ground on his teammates’ shoulders all week after this performance. If not for him, Monaco could’ve easily hit 4 or 5 and on another day they would’ve ran away with the game from the first whistle. Brennan Johnson missed a golden chance to steal the points late on but couldn’t quite find the net, so Spurs have to settle again for a point they probably don’t deserve. They’ll need to perform significantly better than this to advance any further.
Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus
Jude Bellingham is back! Did I mention it’s coming home? Real extended their 100% winning record in their favourite competition in a solid and professional manor, restricting Juventus to few opportunities while dominating possession and probing their box until they got the goal they’d been pushing for. Dusan Vlahovic did have a great chance in the second half to put his team in front but enormous Belgian machine Thibaut Courtois was equal to his effort. Madrid march on, Juventus remain winless.
Sporting CP 2-1 Marseille
The sixth, and final, red card of the round fell to Marseille as they went down to 10 men on half-time at 1-0 up. Sporting took full advantage and pushed all the way through the second-half until they broke Marseille’s resolve and got themselves into the lead. Any week Marseille lose is a great week in my books as they shamelessly continue to employ the players they do. The sooner they’re knocked out the competition, the better.
Game Of The Round:
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Arsenal recorded their 100th win in Champions League history with an emphatic 4-0 thumping of Atletico Madrid, the English side certainly came into the game as favourites but not even the most devout Gooner could’ve seen such a rout coming.
The Gunners are 3 from 3 and yet to concede in the league phase so far, a perfect start for Mikel Arteta’s side. The first half was a bit cagey, the best chance falling to the feet of Julian Alvarez as the normally dependable David Raya came way out of his area and left the net gaping. Fortunately for Arsenal, the angle was just too tight for the forward to squeeze the ball in and they were let off with a warning.
The second half came and the home side exploded, four goals in thirteen minutes buried any hope for Atleti and sent the fans home bouncing.
Accusations of Arsenal being boring and not clinical enough have, up to this point, been absolutely valid. But it looks like they might be starting to turn a corner. Makes a change to just scoring from them every week.
Gabriel remains a devastating threat from set-pieces and Eberechi Eze thrived deployed in a more central role in the absence of Martin Ødegaard. A special mention to the performance of Myles Lewis-Skelly by the way, the teenage sensation has found game time hard to come by as Arsenal strengthened their backline over the summer, but he took his chance excellently. The way he drove almost the length of the pitch through the compact Atleti midfield to lay the assist on for Gabriel Martinelli was phenomenal. He’ll hope Thomas Tuchel saw that one.
A great day for Arsenal and an uncharacteristically poor one for their opponents. After Arsenal overcome a test like this it’s hard not to think of them as contenders for a first European title.
Player Of The Round:
In a week with goals all over the place I’m going with one of the only players who managed to stop them flying in, Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Italian goalkeepers, you just expect them to be good. They’re like Spanish midfielders or Argentinian 10s, they just always seem to be brilliant.
While not his country’s first choice, the Spurs stopper is a more than capable deputy that has proven his ability at the top level on many occasions. His performance in Monaco this week might be the best of the lot.
Vicario made 8 saves across the game, some of which looked like certain goals, as well as being strong in the air and distributing the ball well to his hapless teammates. Monaco could have, and perhaps should have, won the game by a few goals and his performance could be crucial in how both of these sides’ Champions League campaigns progress with points hard to come by.
Guglielmo, you deserve better.
The Table:
3 down, 5 to go.
The table is starting to shape up a bit now and we can start to project where teams might finish come judgement day.
Newcastle fans will be delighted with their performances after a difficult opener against Barcelona, if they could occupy those top eight spots come the end of the league phase that would be a fantastic achievement after the summer of unrest they’ve just faced.
Qarabag, Sporting and Galatasaray are the three sides outside the traditional “Top 5” leagues to pick up two wins from their opening three games, it would be great to see all of them make the knockout stages to mix it up a bit.
Juventus, Benfica and Ajax are yet to win. The latter two are yet to even pick up a point. Fans of these historic clubs won’t accept the performances they’ve been shown for much longer and I wouldn’t be shocked to see some movement in the Ajax dugout if things don’t turn around sharpish.
Still, the rich get richer as those teams at the sharp end of things are the ones you’d typically expect. Bayern, PSG, Inter, Arsenal and Real Madrid top the tree with maximum returns from their games so far, but all five of them can’t play in the final.
Who will make it to Budapest in May? And, more importantly, who won’t even make it out of the league?
Just two weeks until the halfway mark and things really start to get tasty.
White Noise 