More Champions League action returned on Wednesday, and multiple clubs were put to the test as we get down to the nitty gritty.
Here is what we made of it all.
Griezmann the great
???? PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU – AFP or licensors
Antoine Griezmann always seems to be a player who doesn’t earn enough credit. So we’re here to give him some.
Atlético de Madrid’s beloved talent was back pulling the strings for Diego Simeone’s side as the Spanish club beat ŠK Slovan Bratislava 3-1. It was his two goals, alongside one from Julian Alvarez, that did the job.
Griezmann has now scored seven goals in his last five games for Atleti across all competitions. That is 55 goals and assists in his Champions League career, too.
His form has helped Atleti make it 10 wins in a row across all competitions—something they haven’t done in over a decade.
He is a club legend, a French legend, and someone who consistently delivers on the European stage throughout his career. Perhaps a player robbed of a certain Ballon d’Or?
The art of Italian defending
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We’re continuing on the artistry trend and taking a look at Juventus’ backline.
Even without Andrea Cambiaso and naming 21-year-old Nicolò Savona in the starting lineup, they stifled almost everything Manchester City tried to whip up.
The 2-0 win was a display of last-ditch defending, double man marking to keep star Erling Haaland quiet, and every player was giving it their all.
Juventus are unbeaten in Serie A for a reason, and now they are well within reach of the Champions League top eight, too.
Can the Saka show travel?
He’s called the Starboy for a reason. And boy, does Bukayo Saka love delivering in front of a home crowd at the Emirates.
The Englishman was the main output for Arsenal in their 3-0 win over Monaco with two goals and one assist on the night.
It means he has 21 goals and assists in his 21 appearances this season. Additionally, he has seven goals and three assists in seven Champions League games at home. Not too shabby.
Arsenal are third in both the Premier League and the Champions League, but if they can get Saka doing what he does best away from home, who knows where they might be in 2025?
Barcelona are back!
???? INA FASSBENDER – AFP or licensors
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side might have struggled in LaLiga in recent weeks, but a statement 3-2 win over Dortmund in the Champions League shows us they still have it.
The Spanish side prevented the hosts from finding a shot on target in the first half (the third time they had hit that stat this season) and dug deep to hand Dortmund their first loss at home.
Raphinha continues to make headlines, with the football world debating whether he is one of the best this season. Ferran Torres delivered off the bench once again, and then there is Lamine Yamal, who naturally struts his stuff all game.
Liverpool sit top of the European table, and while they’re also equally as impressive, make no mistake of counting this Barcelona group out to go all the way.
Where do Man City go from here?
The season continues to be grim for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.
Another defeat sees the Premier League champions sit 22nd in the Champions League table, only one point off the relegation zone.
They dominated the game statistically against Juventus with 69% possession of the ball and 698 passes to just 310. But they couldn’t do what matters most: score.
Instead, Ederson picked the ball out of his net twice as City conceded their 22nd and 23rd goal in all competitions from their last 10 games.
Guardiola was still pleased with the match, insisting “the performance is there,” but the club looks a long way off the powerhouse they used to be.
And up next is a Manchester derby with Ruben Amorim wanting to pile on the misery.
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