The Champions League is BACK, and so is the drama, intensity, and spectacle that define European football at its peak. The anthem returns, the floodlights are ready, and the continent’s biggest clubs step out again to prove a point. Two rounds in, the league-phase has already delivered surprises, dominant starts, early stumbles, and one or two unexpected storylines. Matchday 3 now arrives with the competition beginning to take shape, where momentum matters and every result could tilt the table before the race for knockout places tightens.
On an individual level, Kylian Mbappé has been the standout performer so far, leading the scoring charts with five goals and keeping Real Madrid firmly in the top-8 race. Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have also impressed, each scoring three goals and providing consistent finishing for Manchester City and Bayern Munich. Anthony Gordon has emerged as a notable contributor for Newcastle United with three goals of his own. On the assisting side, Achraf Hakimi, Marcel Sabitzer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and several others have already set the tone with two assists each, shaping key attacks for their teams. Qarabağ’s young players have surprised with crucial contributions in early wins, proving that underdogs can influence the table.
Collectively, the hierarchy is starting to form. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG, Inter, and Arsenal lead the way with perfect records, each showing a balance of control and conviction. PSG’s win over Barcelona in Matchday 2 was a clear message of intent, while Bayern continue to dominate both domestically and in Europe. Below them, things look less stable, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Juventus have all dropped points and cannot afford another slip. Under this new format, there is no easy recovery path. Teams that started slowly must respond now, or risk falling behind before the competition even reaches its halfway point.
With the league-phase format, every point matters more than ever. Teams are not just competing to qualify, they are fighting to finish in the top 8 and avoid the hassle of the playoff round. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG, Inter, and Arsenal have started strong, building early momentum and putting themselves in a position to secure automatic qualification. For the others, early stumbles mean they must respond quickly or risk falling into the playoff scramble because even a single poor result could force extra matches and increase fatigue.
Matchday 3 is a crucial moment for both types of teams. Leaders will aim to consolidate their position, extending winning runs and strengthening goal difference. Teams that have dropped points will be looking to correct mistakes, regain confidence, and get back into the top-8 race. The competition’s new format rewards consistency and punishes missteps, so every tactical choice, rotation, and substitution carries weight.
The league phase has also started to produce unexpected storylines. Qarabağ FK is the standout surprise so far, sitting in sixth place after two wins, including a comeback 3‑2 away victory over Benfica and a 2‑0 home win against Copenhagen. Their early success demonstrates that the new format allows smaller clubs to compete meaningfully and influence group dynamics, challenging assumptions about traditional hierarchies.
Other clubs are making statements of their own. PSG, the reigning champions, have continued their strong form with two wins, including a key victory over Barcelona, showing that last season’s success was not a one-off. Meanwhile, teams like Chelsea and Dortmund are under pressure to turn performances into results, as any further slip could make the playoff round a real risk. Across the board, the new system is forcing clubs to balance ambition with precision, making every result, even against perceived underdogs, consequential.
While the focus is on momentum and the top-8 race, certain fixtures naturally stand out this week. Real Madrid vs Juventus tests two heavyweights with early consistency on the line, while Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid will show whether Arsenal can maintain their winning start against a tactically disciplined side. Leverkusen vs PSG pits structural cohesion against last season’s champions’ firepower, and Chelsea vs Ajax highlights teams rebuilding with youth and identity. Each of these games carries weight not just for points, but for confidence, rhythm, and positioning in the top-8 chase.
The first two matchdays, combined with these upcoming fixtures, are starting to define the season’s narrative. Teams that maintain consistency like Bayern, Madrid and PSG are likely to secure automatic qualification and avoid the playoff grind. Those that stumble risk a tougher path, with extra games and higher stakes early in the knockout phase. Qarabağ’s surprise form shows that underdogs can influence the table, meaning established sides cannot take any opponent lightly. In this format, early momentum is decisive: it shapes confidence, squad management, and ultimately who can set the pace for the remainder of the season.
The early rounds have shown that individual brilliance matters, but it is only part of the story. The competition is far from settled, and there is plenty more to come, both in terms of standout performances from players and the evolving dynamics between clubs. As teams adjust, recover, and build momentum, the coming fixtures will reveal new contenders, emerging threats, and shifts in the top-8 race, keeping the Champions League unpredictable and compelling, the way we like it.
