In the new Champions League format, teams are discovering that draws offer little value and losses are not necessarily devastating. The result? They’re going all-in. This attacking mindset produced a thrilling week of football, with a staggering 71 goals scored across 18 matches—an average of 3.9 per game—including 43 on Tuesday alone.
Fans were treated to a glut of high-scoring affairs, including three 4-0s, two 5-1s, a 6-1, a 7-2, a 6-2, and a 4-2. Even the three matches that ended 0-0 were statistical anomalies, featuring a combined average of 3.1 expected goals (xG). While Premier League action may have been more subdued, Matchday 3 of the Champions League was nothing short of spectacular.
The week was also defined by dominant performances. Mindful of how Manchester City (22nd in last year’s league phase) and PSG (15th) struggled early last season, Europe’s heavyweights are putting their foot on the gas. Of the top ten teams in Opta’s current power rankings, five have secured a perfect nine points from their first three games, while the rest have at least six.
While many famous clubs are still finding their footing—Napoli and Atlético Madrid have three points each, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen have two, and Benfica and Ajax have none—the continent’s elite are leaving little to doubt. As we approach the halfway point of the league phase, here’s a look at the standout teams, players, and the best match from a memorable week of action.
TEAMS OF THE WEEK
Arsenal, PSG
Arsenal 4, Atlético Madrid 0; Bayer Leverkusen 2, PSG 7
Europe’s top two teams flexed their muscles, winning by a combined score of 11-2 against formidable opponents who have both won top-five league titles in the 2020s.
Arsenal dismantled Atlético with a blistering 15-minute spell. The Gunners were the superior side through 55 scoreless minutes, though Atlético’s Julián Álvarez came close when his magnificent long-range shot rattled the post in the 49th minute. Had it gone in, things might have unfolded differently, but perhaps Arsenal’s dominance was simply inevitable.
The breakthrough came from a brilliant set piece. Despite Atlético appearing to have the numerical advantage on a Declan Rice free kick, Gabriel Magalhães broke free from the pack to head home. Once Atlético’s resistance was broken, the floodgates opened. Just seven minutes later, Myles Lewis-Skelly weaved past several defenders to set up Gabriel Martinelli for the second. Viktor Gyökeres then added two more goals in six minutes, and suddenly it was 4-0 before Mikel Arteta had even turned to his deep bench.
The match was decided by intensity and athleticism. Arsenal not only defended better than the typically resolute Atlético but also pressed relentlessly across the pitch. They forced 20 turnovers to Atlético’s three, and their average starting field position was 14.1 meters higher. It was absolute dominance. Incredibly, they have now conceded just three goals in 12 matches across all competitions and none in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, PSG’s 7-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen could have easily been a different story. In a scenario reminiscent of their shocking semifinal loss to Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago, PSG could have been wasteful in front of goal while Leverkusen countered brilliantly. Despite PSG dominating possession (70.4%) and registering 24 shots to six, the final xG was nearly identical: 2.8 for PSG and 2.5 for Leverkusen. However, PSG’s finishing was absurdly clinical. They put eight shots on target, and seven found the back of the net.
The game opened up late in the first half after each side received a red card, and Leverkusen’s Aleix García equalized from the penalty spot in the 38th minute. But a quickfire brace from Désiré Doué and a goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—who also assisted one of Doué’s goals—made it 4-1 at halftime. From there, PSG never looked back. Even Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, returning from injury as a substitute, joined the scoring frenzy just three minutes after coming on.
Due to injuries and heavy rotation by Luis Enrique, PSG’s best XI has rarely been on the field together. While this has cost them points in Ligue 1, they have still secured three Champions League victories with a +10 goal difference.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray 3, Bodø/Glimt 1
Galatasaray responded to an early tournament setback in perfect fashion. After a humiliating 5-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 1, the Turkish giants have reminded everyone of their quality. At their home fortress, Rams Park, they can beat the world’s best—as evidenced by their 1-0 win over Liverpool on Matchday 2—and overwhelm anyone else.
Their 3-1 victory over Bodø/Glimt on Wednesday was almost understated. They generated 23 shots worth 4.1 xG, and only poor finishing prevented them from running up a scoreline similar to others seen this week. Bodø/Glimt played their attractive possession-based style, but Galatasaray’s counter-attacking personnel were perfectly suited to exploit it. The visitors managed just eight shots despite 62% possession, while Galatasaray fired off 23 attempts with far less of the ball.
That early loss to Frankfurt remains their only defeat since March 29. Having dropped just two points in the Turkish Süper Lig, they have climbed to 14th in the Champions League table. Their rise from 23rd to 14th in our power rankings marks the biggest jump of any team.
MATCH OF THE WEEK
Real Madrid 1, Juventus 0
As two of the three final Super League holdouts, these clubs once tried to reshape European football, partly for the chance to play each other more often. At the Bernabéu on Wednesday, they played with the intensity of old rivals.
Unfortunately for Juventus, they could not match Real Madrid’s pace. Playing a potent version of Xabi Alonso’s high-energy possession game, Los Blancos controlled 65.1% of the ball and began their possessions nearly 12 meters higher up the pitch than Juve. Their passing map was a demonstration of intricate, relentless connections.
Defensively, Madrid was just as impressive, allowing only 7.1 passes per defensive action (PPDA), a strong measure of pressing intensity. Yet, Juventus countered well enough to force Thibaut Courtois into four solid saves in the first 47 minutes. Madrid finally broke the deadlock when Jude Bellingham pounced on a rebound in the 57th minute.
It was Bellingham’s first goal since returning from injury, and it was fascinating to see him integrate with the increasingly impressive attacking duo of Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler. While Bellingham scored, Güler and Mbappé combined for seven shots and created 14 chances. It’s safe to say the partnership worked. Although the final xG totals (Real Madrid 2.8, Juventus 0.6) suggest a lopsided affair, the match was intense, entertaining, and featured Madrid’s stars at their best.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray
The Nigerian international opened the scoring with a beautiful transition goal and added a second by pouncing on a misplaced back-pass. He attempted nine shots—more than anyone on Matchday 3—in just 73 minutes.
Pedri, Barcelona
A picture of perfection in the pivot role. Pedri recorded 27 progressive actions (12 carries, 15 passes) and led his team with six ball recoveries, controlling the game against Olympiacos from start to finish.
Anthony Gordon, Newcastle
A relentless performance in Newcastle’s 3-0 win over Benfica. Gordon contributed a goal from four shots, an assist, 15 progressive carries, and a team-high eight ball recoveries. He was arguably their best attacker and defender.
Konrad Laimer, Bayern Munich
The do-it-all left-back provided two first-half assists against Club Brugge, registered 12 progressive carries and eight progressive passes, and led the team with 11 defensive interventions. He was pivotal at both ends of the pitch.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool
Like Laimer, Szoboszlai delivered an all-action display. He scored, assisted, recorded 12 progressive carries and 17 progressive passes, and also led Liverpool with seven ball recoveries. The Hungarian international continues to prove he is too important to be left on the bench.
Ramy Bensebaini and Waldemar Anton, Borussia Dortmund
Playing on the left and right of a back three, the two veterans combined for 31 defensive interventions, 27 progressive carries, and 27 progressive passes in a 4-2 win at Copenhagen. Bensebaini also scored a penalty, making up for Anton’s earlier own goal.
Fermín López, Barcelona
It’s hard to stand out when Lamine Yamal and Pedri are playing at their best, but scoring your first Champions League hat-trick—and doubling your career Champions League goal tally in a single night—is a pretty good way to do it.
Aleksandr Martynovich, Kairat
At 38 years old, the Kairat veteran delivered a heroic performance to earn his team its first-ever Champions League point. He was the only player on Matchday 3 with over 20 progressive carries and over 16 progressive passes.
Ricardo Pepi and Couhaib Driouech, PSV
The ultimate super-subs. In just 12 combined minutes during PSV’s 6-2 demolition of Napoli, the pair traded assists: Driouech set up Pepi in the 87th minute, and Pepi returned the favor for Driouech in the 89th.
Jan Boril, Slavia Prague
Slavia Prague may have put in the hardest-working shift of Matchday 3. While they struggled to create chances against Atalanta, their defensive effort was immense, with nine of Atalanta’s 22 shots blocked. Boril led the charge, topping the competition with 26 defensive interventions.
POWER RANKINGS: THE FULL 36 AFTER MATCHDAY 3
(Note: These rankings reflect my personal opinion on where teams currently stand and are not a direct reflection of the official table.)
1. Arsenal (9 points, +8 GD)
Opta’s supercomputer gives the Gunners over a 20% chance of winning the Champions League and over a 50% chance of winning the Premier League. Barring unforeseen circumstances, they couldn’t be better positioned for a special season.
2. PSG (9 points, +10 GD)
The scariest thing about PSG is that despite a wave of recent injuries, they look even better than they did at this point last season—when they won the Champions League.
3. Bayern Munich (9 points, +10 GD)
The most statistically dominant team through the season’s first two months, Bayern have returned from the break with commanding wins. In their demolition of Club Brugge, they outshot their opponent 26-5, generated 4.1 xG to 0.3, and recovered 64% of loose balls. A ridiculously good team.
4. Internazionale (9 points, +9 GD)
Arguably the most mature team in Europe. After weathering an early storm from Union Saint-Gilloise, Inter took complete control, winning 4-0 away with four different goalscorers.
5. Real Madrid (9 points, +7 GD)
It’s a frightening thought what this team might be capable of when their high-energy system is clicking and their stars are performing at their peak.
6. Manchester City (7 points, +4 GD)
They never seemed to leave third gear in a 2-0 victory over Villarreal. Erling Haaland opened the scoring, and Savinho was brilliant, finishing with 14 progressive carries and four chances created.
7. Liverpool (6 points, +4 GD)
After a slow start in Frankfurt, Hugo Ekitike’s equalizer against his former club woke Liverpool up. From then on, it was one-way traffic, with Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo leading a resurgent attack.
8. Barcelona (6 points, +5 GD)
While they needed a red card to fully break down Olympiacos, they did so with ruthless efficiency, scoring four goals in 12 minutes en route to a 6-1 victory.
9. Chelsea (6 points, +3 GD)
Facing an out-of-form and short-handed Ajax, Enzo Maresca’s team secured an easy win. More importantly, the youngsters shined, with 18-year-old Estêvão and 19-year-old Josh Acheampong impressing.
10. Newcastle United (6 points, +6 GD)
After a tight opening 26 minutes against Benfica, Newcastle asserted their dominance to win 3-0. They stifled Benfica’s attack while Anthony Gordon provided a constant threat.
11. Borussia Dortmund (7 points, +5 GD)
Their only losses in the past six months have come against Bayern and Real Madrid. The 4-2 win over Copenhagen was both impressive and frustrating—classic BVB—as they overcame a slow start with a dominant final 30 minutes.
12. Tottenham Hotspur (5 points, +1 GD)
In their 0-0 draw at Monaco, Spurs were stuck in a defensive posture, allowing 23 shots and looking fortunate to come away with a point.
13. Atlético Madrid (3 points, -1 GD)
After a spectacular September, Atlético have lost momentum. The 4-0 defeat in London was a deeply demoralizing result.
14. Galatasaray (6 points, -1 GD)
They play the kind of counter-attacking football ideal for an underdog in this competition, but they have one of the world’s best strikers leading the line. This formula could work.
15-16. Marseille (3 points, +2 GD) & Sporting CP (6 points, +3 GD)
Marseille were in control against Sporting before a questionable second yellow card for Emerson turned the tide, allowing Sporting to steal the three points.
17. Juventus (2 points, -1 GD)
Two points from three games isn’t ideal, but they’ve already faced two of the top teams in these rankings. With a more favorable schedule ahead, points should start to come.
18. Atalanta (4 points, -3 GD)
They created all the dangerous chances against Slavia Prague but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Charles De Ketelaere was fantastic, however, creating six chances.
19. AS Monaco (2 points, -3 GD)
After an early stumble, Monaco have recovered well with draws against Manchester City and Tottenham, and they arguably deserved all three points against Spurs.
20. Villarreal (1 point, -3 GD)
They gave themselves a chance against Manchester City, nearly matching them in xG, but only City could find the finishing touch.
21. Napoli (3 points, -5 GD)
Antonio Conte’s side ran into a highly motivated PSV in a 6-2 thrashing. Aside from the ever-impressive Scott McTominay, the team was flat in a simply dreadful performance.
22. Bayer Leverkusen (2 points, -5 GD)
Goalkeeper Mark Flekken had a week to forget. Across games against Mainz and PSG, he faced 12 shots on target and saved only two of them.
23. Eintracht Frankfurt (3 points, -4 GD)
They boast an array of exciting attackers, but their defense is holding them back, having conceded 11 goals in three Champions League matches.
24. Bodø/Glimt (2 points, -2 GD)
The Norwegian side continues to prove that an attractive, effective possession game doesn’t require a massive budget, though they couldn’t match Galatasaray’s energy.
25. PSV Eindhoven (4 points, +2 GD)
The younger team on the pitch, PSV made Napoli look ancient in their dominant 6-2 victory, with key contributions from their starters and substitutes alike.
26-27. Athletic Club & FK Qarabag
Qarabag scored in the first minute, but Athletic Club took over from there, cruising to a 3-1 win. Qarabag were outclassed but still have a path to the knockout rounds.
28. Benfica (0 points, -5 GD)
Replacing Bruno Lage with José Mourinho after a shock Matchday 1 loss has done little to change their fortunes in Europe or domestically.
29. Club Brugge (3 points, -2 GD)
They can compete with top-ten caliber teams, but Bayern’s pace and aggression were too much for them to handle.
30. Union St.-Gilloise (3 points, -6 GD)
After a bright start against Inter, their performance faded. Their big win on Matchday 1 keeps their knockout hopes alive, but the last two matches have been discouraging.
31. Olympiacos (1 point, -7 GD)
They showed some promising attacking ideas against Barcelona and even pulled a goal back to make it 2-1, but a red card in the 57th minute led to a complete collapse.
32. FC Copenhagen (1 point, -4 GD)
It was encouraging to see them outplay Borussia Dortmund for long stretches, but failing to secure at least a point from the match will sting.
33. Slavia Prague (2 points, -3 GD)
A team with wonderful effort, but just two goals in three matches severely limits their ceiling.
34. Pafos (2 points, -4 GD)
An early red card forced them to play defensively at Kairat Almaty. Despite this, they created the most valuable chances of the match and were unlucky to only draw 0-0.
35. Ajax (0 points, -10 GD)
A poor run of form cost them the Eredivisie title last spring, and they haven’t recovered. After a respectable loss to Inter, defeats to Marseille and Chelsea by a combined 9-1 scoreline are alarming.
36. Kairat Almaty (1 point, -8 GD)
Their match against Pafos was likely their best chance to get three points, but at least they are on the board—which is more than can be said for Ajax.
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