This was the game week everything changed. Defensive frailties were exposed, front lines flopped on the biggest stage and one team has emerged head and shoulders above the rest.
10) Inter Milan
Inter had a perfect start in Europe with four consecutive wins, but a late José María Giménez winner condemned them to defeat at the hands of Atlético Madrid. Reached last year’s final and are currently firmly in the Serie A title race, but remain rank outsiders to add to their collection of three Champions League trophies this season.
9) Atlético Madrid
Despite Wednesday’s win over Inter, Atlético still sit outside the top 8 automatic qualification spots. Having started the season slowly, things have started to click for Simeone’s men who remain unbeaten since the visit to Arsenal in October. Atlético have never won the Champions League and were last in the final in 2016, and aren’t tipped to be changing either of those this season.
8) Liverpool
The downfall of Arne Slot’s Liverpool will be studied for decades to come. Having won the Premier League last season and invested heavily in the attacking firepower of the squad, they’ve completely fallen apart. On current form, you wouldn’t back them to win the Championship yet alone the Champions League, but with the squad at their disposal they’ll surely turn it around at some point.
7) Chelsea
If anything was to sum up Chelsea, it would be the 2-2 draw against Qarabag followed by the 3-0 destruction of Barcelona. On their day, they seemingly can beat anyone. Let’s not forget they comprehensively picked PSG apart in the Club World Cup final back in July. On their day they can beat anyone, yet there is always the sense that a slip is waiting around the corner.
6) Barcelona
A humbling midweek loss to Chelsea has lowered expectations for Barcelona’s chances of going the distance. Hansi Flick downplayed the importance of the loss, but it was clear they missed Pedri in the middle of the park. Their qualification through to the knockouts is far from guaranteed; having won just twice they sit down in 15th. At full strength their attacking firepower can overwhelm any team, but the consistency is not there.
5) Manchester City
A much-changed team fell to defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen, but a City team without Haaland shouldn’t be over-analysed. His goals will strike fear into defences across Europe, but this iteration of Pep’s City isn’t the unstoppable juggernaut that it once was. They will need more from Doku, Foden, Cherki, Savinho and Marmoush if they want a second title.
4) Real Madrid
Four Mbappé goals papered over the cracks of another suspect defensive display from Real Madrid. Having lost to Liverpool, conceding three goals to 33rd-placed Olympiacos was far from ideal. Plenty to work on for Xabi Alonso in his first season in the Bernabeu dugout, but with the best player in the world up front, they’ll always be among the favourites.
3) PSG
PSG survived numerous spirited Tottenham comebacks to secure the three points. The Luis Díaz-inspired defeat at the hands of Bayern remains the only blemish on their European campaign this season – they currently sit second with four wins out of five. Having proven that they have the ability to go all the way last season, they remain a strong contender this time around.
2) Bayern Munich
Wednesday’s visit to the Emirates was a fascinating battle between the two most in-form teams in Europe, and Bayern came out second-best. Kane and Olise were kept quiet and defensively they couldn’t handle Arsenal’s inevitable strength from set-pieces. Should they meet again, the scoreline could be very different, but for now, it is advantage Arsenal.
1) Arsenal
Arsenal delivered their biggest statement of the season. Beating Bayern with authority showed where they are at the moment. They look organised, confident, and dangerous in every area. Right now they are the side everyone else has to catch.
