What stood out the most to you on Matchday 1 of the Champions League? For me, it was PSG’s new Galácticos (Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé) failing to get three points and being outplayed by Club Brugge in a 1-1 tie and bringing back memories that Real Madrid’s Galácticos didn’t win any Champions League from 2003 to 2007 despite having the planet’s best collection of players.
But you have other options here, too. Maybe it was Manchester United’s implosion against Young Boys, with the USMNT’s Jordan Pefok taking advantage of a terrible Jesse Lingard pass and scoring the goal to complete a 2-1 victory. Or maybe it was Barcelona looking like a shadow of its former self in losing 3-0 at home to Bayern Munich. Perhaps it was Manchester City winning a wild 6-3 shootout against Leipzig, or Milan going ahead of Liverpool at Anfield and rekindling memories of glories past before Liverpool stormed back for a 3-2 win. Or who knows, maybe it was Real Madrid winning again on the road in Italy with a late Rodrygo strike to beat Inter 1-0.
To join the conversation, just type a comment below. I’m looking forward to hearing your opinions, and I’ll chime in as well.
It’s still strange seeing Lionel Messi in a PSG kit (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
The afternoon window of games needed six screens. Lots of star power and some crazy box scores. City v Leipzig and Haller being the most insane. Looking forward to seeing how ManU, PSG, and Barca rebound from their less than stellar debuts.
Fans going wild in the stands. A team from Moldova (where?) going toe-to-toe with Shakhtar. And WINNING. That the big fish didn’t simply devour the minnows (yet). Americans not named Pulisic & Reyna playing huge roles in *several* games.
The Man City RBL game was absolutely wild. I was really fearful for Jesse Marsh going into that game but even with a 3 goal loss and 6 conceded his team fought back and showed a lot of character against one of the top 2 or 3 teams in the world. Very entertaining.
FC Sheriff Tiraspol from the weird unrecognized country of Transnistria (aka Moldova) winning 2-0 and the Young Boys' Jordan Pefok scoring a gift winner in the last minute of the match. PSG tieing and Barcelona imploding is hilarious but really its FC Sheriff & Young Boys.
Liverpool hanging tough after a few difficult moments and worrying (almost) costly mistakes. 3 starters from this weekend’s win started on the bench but the “Mentality Monsters” came back in the second half. Klopp knows best!
I 2nd your thoughts regarding the ineptitude of both PSG and include Man United. Both spent more money on their front line than the entire salary of the Championship. Can somebody get the Galácticos strategy right?!?
What stood out is the continued downward spiral of Barcelona. No answers, no end in sight, no fight or heart. Bayern were at half speed and still put up 3 goals. Seems like the players don’t respect Koeman as a manager and it shows on the field. Its gonna take a couple of years and lots of contract shedding to bring back Barca. The question is: when does Xavi return to bring them back to glory?
At this rate, Xavi seems like he's coming back sooner rather than later—but that's only if he wants the gig now. I'm not so sure I would if I were him.
Definitely Liverpool's thrilling comeback win. It was great to see Milan back amongst the biggest clubs in the world. City's 6-3 victory was as much poor defending then great attacking play. I am concerned with Man United's position in the group after failing to register a point at Young Boys. Finally, it is abundantly clear that Barcelona are rungs below the top clubs; they look lifeless and impotent -- a fitting nadir after all of their financial troubles. Grant, I will be covering all of this and more for Monday's Lukas Review; I hope you take a look!
It was tough for me to decide which game to watch. I had on Man City-Leipzig at first, then changed to the whip-around show, then switched back to City-Leipzig when it got to 4-3. But every time they showed Liverpool-Milan it was interesting.
The golazo show was a brilliant idea for American audiences. Jesse Marsch has received a bit of unfair criticism as Leipzig has been forced to adjust to not only a new system predicated on high-pressure but also the departure of many notable stars.
Watching Sheriff Tiraspol, such an interesting story for Moldovan football.
It's a fascinating story, lots of shades of grey. And they won!
The afternoon window of games needed six screens. Lots of star power and some crazy box scores. City v Leipzig and Haller being the most insane. Looking forward to seeing how ManU, PSG, and Barca rebound from their less than stellar debuts.
I realize why it's hard to have more game windows for UCL, but I wish we did on days like Wednesday.
How quiet the Etihad stadium was. Felt like watching football last year
Agreed.
Club Brugge will be a team we remember years from now. They played well more than PSG play poorly.
PSG superstars not clicking...Young boys' american goal...Chelsea still not scoring as much as they should...but that defense...
What stood out to me was how far Champions League coverage has come in the U.S., both on TV and in "print"
Shootout to paramount+ for having one service where we can find all the games.
Yeah, I'm a big fan of not having to change apps to see games from the same league.
Fans going wild in the stands. A team from Moldova (where?) going toe-to-toe with Shakhtar. And WINNING. That the big fish didn’t simply devour the minnows (yet). Americans not named Pulisic & Reyna playing huge roles in *several* games.
Really enjoyed seeing the fans at Anfield singing YNWA before the game. Great to see fans back.
Agreed. Normally I’d have ignored that, but yesterday it was really special.
Not just Moldova, but an interesting breakaway state in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Interesting Twitter thread about the team here:
https://twitter.com/SlavaMalamud/status/1430939451069509639?s=19
The Man City RBL game was absolutely wild. I was really fearful for Jesse Marsh going into that game but even with a 3 goal loss and 6 conceded his team fought back and showed a lot of character against one of the top 2 or 3 teams in the world. Very entertaining.
FC Sheriff Tiraspol from the weird unrecognized country of Transnistria (aka Moldova) winning 2-0 and the Young Boys' Jordan Pefok scoring a gift winner in the last minute of the match. PSG tieing and Barcelona imploding is hilarious but really its FC Sheriff & Young Boys.
Yeah, for one matchday it was nice to see the little guys get wins. Would love to see the UCL group stage have more surprises this season.
Liverpool hanging tough after a few difficult moments and worrying (almost) costly mistakes. 3 starters from this weekend’s win started on the bench but the “Mentality Monsters” came back in the second half. Klopp knows best!
For me it was Arsenal's stellar performance against... oh, never mind...
I want to know what ONE SIMPLE SITE I can go to to SEE THE ACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS, goals, of these matches.....
https://www.youtube.com/c/cbssportsgolazo
You're welcome...
I 2nd your thoughts regarding the ineptitude of both PSG and include Man United. Both spent more money on their front line than the entire salary of the Championship. Can somebody get the Galácticos strategy right?!?
It's all about filling the Makelele Role.
The old MF for Chelsea?
What stood out is the continued downward spiral of Barcelona. No answers, no end in sight, no fight or heart. Bayern were at half speed and still put up 3 goals. Seems like the players don’t respect Koeman as a manager and it shows on the field. Its gonna take a couple of years and lots of contract shedding to bring back Barca. The question is: when does Xavi return to bring them back to glory?
At this rate, Xavi seems like he's coming back sooner rather than later—but that's only if he wants the gig now. I'm not so sure I would if I were him.
Definitely Liverpool's thrilling comeback win. It was great to see Milan back amongst the biggest clubs in the world. City's 6-3 victory was as much poor defending then great attacking play. I am concerned with Man United's position in the group after failing to register a point at Young Boys. Finally, it is abundantly clear that Barcelona are rungs below the top clubs; they look lifeless and impotent -- a fitting nadir after all of their financial troubles. Grant, I will be covering all of this and more for Monday's Lukas Review; I hope you take a look!
It was tough for me to decide which game to watch. I had on Man City-Leipzig at first, then changed to the whip-around show, then switched back to City-Leipzig when it got to 4-3. But every time they showed Liverpool-Milan it was interesting.
The golazo show was a brilliant idea for American audiences. Jesse Marsch has received a bit of unfair criticism as Leipzig has been forced to adjust to not only a new system predicated on high-pressure but also the departure of many notable stars.