PSG set the Champions League standard as record goal week shakes Europe
PSG make their case as Europe’s team to beat
Paris Saint-Germain delivered the standout performance of the Champions League week, defeating Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad after overwhelming the hosts in the first half. City showed renewed fight after the break, but PSG held on and underlined their status as the competition’s benchmark, with Luis Enrique acknowledging that the result could have gone differently: “We could’ve lost this match if they scored the chances they created.”
Erling Haaland led a center-circle inquest after Vitinha made it 3-0, a striking contrast with City’s confidence after their weekend win at Liverpool. The defeat leaves Pep Guardiola’s side with a demanding standard to meet if they are to finish their European campaign with a trophy.
Madrid rally, while Italian sides stumble
Real Madrid overturned a deficit to beat Roma 4-3, with the comeback powered by younger players. Carlos Espí cut the gap to 3-2, Endrick levelled and Antonio Rüdiger struck the winner, assisted by Arda Güler. José Mourinho, back in charge of Madrid, said: “The first half was the coach’s fault; the second half was the players’ fault.”
The week produced a record 78 goals, surpassing the previous mark of 71. Italian clubs endured a difficult round: Roma lost in Madrid, Como were beaten 3-2 by Feyenoord after an own goal by Robert Sánchez, Inter fell 4-3 to Club Brugge and Napoli lost 3-1 to Villarreal. Napoli’s match also featured a visible disagreement over Kevin De Bruyne’s deeper role following Scott McTominay’s return to the team.
Viking Stavanger come within sight of a shock
Viking Stavanger made a striking return to the Champions League, leading Bayern Munich 2-0 before the German side moved ahead 3-2 through two goals from Harry Kane and another from Luis Díaz. Herman Haugen’s late header secured a 3-3 draw for the Norwegian champions. “I could have played another 90 minutes,” captain Zlatko Tripić said. “I’m so incredibly proud.”
The round also brought two hat-tricks. Bradley Barcola scored three times for Liverpool in a 6-3 win over Lask, while Nicolò Tresoldi was central to Club Brugge’s victory over Inter. Born in Italy and playing for Germany’s under-21 side, Tresoldi was asked about his international identity after the match: “I always speak Italian at home; I was born in Italy too. We’ll see.”
United criticism and heavyweight fixtures ahead
After Manchester United’s defeat to Atlético Madrid, Lisandro Martínez called for greater ambition, saying: “I expect more. I’m not going to close my mouth; we need more ambition, we need to talk more about winning Champions Leagues and Premier Leagues in terms of other things.” He added: “If we don’t say the truth, nothing will change.”
The next round brings a meeting between PSG and Barcelona, whose 4-1 win over Galatasaray extended their perfect start, as well as Arsenal against Bayern Munich. Manchester United are due to travel to Como, following a difficult league trip to Leeds.