The Champions League’s fourth match week delivered some intriguing storylines on Wednesday.
Here’s what we made of it all.
Reborn Barça could go all the way
???? ANDREJ ISAKOVIC – AFP or Licensors
Barcelona in the Champions League’s knockout stage has become something of a cautionary tale.
Exits to Roma, Liverpool and Bayern Munich became blots on the Blaugrana’s copybook which continue to haunt fans to this day.
Under Hansi Flick, however, they have become a force to be reckoned with on the continent’s biggest stage as much as LaLiga.
A 5-2 defeat of Red Star proved to be the latest case in point as they moved over halfway to sealing an automatic qualification spot.
They could still come up short again but Flick’s meticulous approach suggests that Barça’s days of bottling it are officially at an end.
Luck is no longer on Arsenal’s side
???? MARCO BERTORELLO – AFP or licensors
Mikel Arteta must wonder whether Arsenal are officially cursed after their start to this season.
Already falling off the pace in the Premier League title race, the Londoners’ luck appears to also be running out in Europe.
They failed to lay a glove on Inter despite dominating possession and were undone by sliding doors moments in the first half.
Mikel Merino was the fall guy on both occasions, denied a penalty by Yann Sommer’s punched clearance before conceding one himself.
Not even Martin Ødegaard’s long-awaited return to action could inspire the Gunners to produce a late onslaught at the San Siro.
PSG risk becoming an early casualty
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The Champions League was always going to require an early victim to justify its new-look format and it might soon have one.
Paris Saint-Germain have taken maximum points just once in their opening four outings and risk failing to reach for the knockout rounds.
Atlético de Madrid’s late smash-and-grab victory now leaves Luis Enrique’s side hovering just outside the play-off spots on four points.
Not since 2004/05 have Les Parisiens failed to progress to the latter stage and their remaining fixtures do not bode well for avoiding a repeat.
With clashes against Bayern Munich and Manchester City up ahead, the Ligue 1 giants might be dropping out of the conversation completely.
Lookman inspiring Atalanta again
???? THOMAS KIENZLE – AFP or licensors
Atalanta might just have one of European Football’s hottest properties on their hands in Ademola Lookman.
Fresh from delivering the Europa League to Bergamo last term, the Nigeria international continues to hit the goal trail.
A slick finish to open the scoring in La Dea’s away win at Stuttgart took his tally to eight goals from 12 so far this season.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have a penchant for defying the odds and a favourable run-in gives them an added edge for qualification.
A required seven points from their trip to Young Boys before hosting a lacklustre Real Madrid and Sturm Graz is definitely not unattainable.
Brest continue to fly the flag
???? MICHAL CIZEK – AFP or licensors
Few would have had Brest placed above bona fide heavyweights in Inter, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund after four games.
But Ligue 1’s surprise package are continuing to do it their own way after extending their unbeaten run with a 2-1 win at Sparta Prague.
Whether they will be able to sustain their fairy tale run with a guaranteed knockout round place is still something of an unknown.
A trip to Barcelona later this month does not offer much hope for Les Pirates although they will still fancy their chances of progression.
Football fans love a good underdog and Eric Roy’s men could be a genuine feel-good story amid the big hitters.
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