Champions League: The big talking points from an enthralling Matchday 3

The 2021-22 UEFA Champions League is now halfway done with the group stages. And while the qualification spots are still very much up for grabs, there is a clearer sense of who’s more likely to make it into the knockout stages.

A chaotic, thrilling and fun to watch third round of fixtures is now done with. Fans were treated to plenty of goals, action and – most importantly – drama. Whoever believes the group stages lacks fan interest is sorely mistaken.

That being said, the end of Matchday 3 leaves fans with plenty to talk about before the next round of fixtures gets underway. Let us now look at the major talking points from every match.

Lionel Messi shines bright on the biggest stage – again

Lione Messi hasn’t always looked at home in a PSG shirt in league games; that much is evident by their indifferent league form. However, he has been on a different level in the Champions League. And he continued to showcase his ability to single-handedly change games when he inspired PSG to an unlikely win over RB Leipzig.

PSG threw away a 1-0 early lead to be down 2-1 at the hour mark. However Messi – who hadn’t been at his best till that point – turned it on in some fashion. He scored the equaliser and then, seven minutes later, completed the comeback with a Panenka penalty. Big player for the big occasion indeed.

…. while rival Cristiano Ronaldo does the same – again

Speaking of Messi, his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo could not be left too far behind now could he? Manchester United looked in dire straits after the first half against Atalanta. The Bergamo-based side were leading 2-0 at the break and seemed destined to take all three points.

However, not for the first time in recent memory, United carved out a comeback. Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire levelled the game, before Ronaldo completed the comeback in the 81st minute. Reservations of how disjointed United look won’t go away any time soon; but they somehow eke out the results.

Atletico, Liverpool play out another Champions League five-goal thriller

The last time Atletico Madrid and Liverpool faced off in the Champions League, Diego Simeone’s side ran out 3-2 winners. This time around, in a poignant case of life coming full circle, it was Liverpool who won by the same margin. It was by no means an easy win but it was one they cherished.

Of course, Atletico will feel they could have gotten away with all three points too – or at least a draw. Liverpool twice went ahead in the first half, with Antoine Griezmann cancelling the lead out both times. However, the Frenchman’s sending off in the second half would prove key and Liverpool can look back at a job well done in a venue no one likes visiting.

Ajax’s almighty performance shows power of good coaching

The Ajax side that reached the semi-finals of the 2018-19 edition of the CL predictably saw their best players cherry-picked by the European elite. However, the side haven’t seemed too affected by the loss of those players. Never was this more evident than in their 4-0 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund.

Sebastian Haller looks a man reborn, shorn off the pressure that accompanied him at West Ham. But this Ajax side are a team greater than the sum of its parts; and that is something down as much to good coaching as anything else. Erik ten Haag has done a fabulous job at the side and it shows. However far Ajax go, they will continue to be fun to watch – and easy to root for.

Gerard Pique breaks notable Champions League records

Gerard Pique’s goal was enough to give Barcelona a 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev. The win ensures they are within touching distance of qualifying for the second round, although they are still third in the group. Nevertheless, the most notable aspect of the game was Pique’s record-breaking goal.

??????! @3gerardpique scored his 16th career @ChampionsLeague goal in #BarçaDynamo, tying him with Roberto Carlos for most all-time among defenders! ??? pic.twitter.com/4lbTOBCbpB

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 20, 2021

Not only is Pique now the joint-highest scoring defender in the tournament – both him and Roberto Carlos have scored 16 goals – he is now also the oldest goalscorer for Barcelona in CL history. Amazingly, he’s also scored one goal more than Sergio Ramos – someone who is known for being a prolific defender.

Best of the rest

• Sporting CP recorded a commanding 4-1 win over Besiktas to keep their hopes of making the knockouts alive. The Turkish side, however, are all but out – this was their third match in as many games. Even a Europa League spot seems beyond them at this point.
• Manchester City recorded a fairly regulation 5-1 win over Club Brugge. Pep Guardiola’s side have, in recent weeks, hit their full goal-scoring stride – and this is without a proper striker up front. However, sterner tests than this lie ahead for the Cityzens.
• Real Madrid also put five against a hapless Shakhtar Donetsk side. This was a much needed victory for Los Blancos, who suffered an embarrassing loss to Sheriff in the previous matchday. That they had three different goalscorers – Vinicius, Rodrygo and Karim Benzema – is also a bonus.
• Speaking of Sheriff, they lost 3-1 to an Inter Milan side who are seemingly finding their groove under Simone Inzaghi. Many feared losing Antonio Conte and a host of key players would see them slide down the table this year. However, it’s been a case of so far so good for the Nerazzuri.
• The same can’t be said about AC Milan, whose Champions League comeback has been a nightmare. Their 1-0 loss to Porto has seen them lose their first three games and even a Europa League spot seems unlikely. However, Porto stay in contention for a top 2 finish in what is arguably the toughest group of this year’s campaign.
• RB Salzburg continued their unbeaten start to the tournament with a 3-1 win over Wolfsburg. The Austrian side are currently the favourites to top Group G, whereas second spot is very much up for grabs.

And finally…

• Lille and Sevilla, the other two teams in Group G, played out a 0-0 draw. Sevilla currently sit second but with Lille and Wolfsburg both on two points, face a tough fight to make it out of the group.
• Juventus continue to stay atop Group H after beating Zenit St. Petersburg 1-0. It wasn’t the prettiest performance but Dejan Kulukevski’s late winner means they remain unbeaten in the group.
• Defending champions Chelsea registered a regulation 4-0 win over minnows Malmo. The big concern for the Blues, however, will be the injuries suffered by both Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku.
• Villareal registered a big win over Young Boys to keep their own top 2 hopes alive. They’re currently behind Atalanta but level on points with them. Meanwhile, Young Boys can also make the top 2 despite being last inkvm,

That’s all for this week. Don’t forget to join us for the next edition of this column. See you then!