UEFA Champions League: Talking Points Matchday 3

The UEFA Champions League has reached the halfway point in the group stages with the club still fighting to progress to the next round. Despite the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona keeping a 100 percent record, there are a lot of pointers to take after matchday 3. Here are the talking points.

1. Onana and Maguire Shine In A Much-needed Win For Manchester United

Manchester United welcomed FC Copenhagen on Tuesday knowing that a win will boost their chances of progressing to the next round of the UEFA Champions League. In the opening two matches, United had suffered defeats at the hands of Bayern Munich and Galatasaray. One thing that surprised many football fanatics was seeing Harry Maguire’s name in the starting eleven. The 30-year-old defender has become an enemy to the fans who many believe should leave the club. But his inclusion in the game paid off when heading the only goal to see his side seal 1-0 at home. On the day, It saw goalkeeper Andre Onana saved a last-minute penalty to save all three points. Like Maguire, Onana has been heavily criticized and made horrible mistakes in his club’s loss to Bayern in matchday

2. Santi Gimenez Announces Himself In The Champions League

Before the Feyenoord versus Lazio clash, the name of Santi Gimenez was flying around due to the fact everybody was asking if he would make his much-awaited Champions League debut or not. Then Feyenoord coach Arne Slot has already indicated that his on-form and star player will be available to taste European elite football for the first time in his career. The 22-year-old Mexican International has displayed wonderful goal-scoring form in the Eredivisie this season netting incredible 13 goals in 9 matches so far.

But he had to wait to appear in the Champions League because he was serving a suspension after receiving a red card in the EUROPA League quarter-final match against Roma last season. He was never disappointed as he transformed his league form to Europe with a brace to inspire his side to a 3-1 victory. So he has proven he is the man to watch and will be no surprise to see him getting a better deal in the biggest clubs in Europe. Currently, Feyenoord led the group with 6 points with Atletico Madrid second and Lazio third with four points. Meanwhile, Celtic are on 1 point.

3. No Party For Stefano Pioli

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli’s 200th game in charge of the club didn’t go according to his plans. Visiting the Paris Saint-German side on Wednesday, Pioli suffered a 3-0 loss as his side is yet to register a victory in this year’s Champions League campaign. Despite starting brightly in the league, Milan has failed to transform the form into Europe this season. Considered in a group of death, Milan have two points in three games so far and have to dust themselves if they have any chance to progress to the next round. Against PSG, they were totally outclassed in all departments and never looked like a team that reached the semi-finals in the last campaign. With the games halfway in the group stages, it remains to be seen if they can recover and produce brilliant performances.

4. Pepe Is Still A Rock In Porto’s Defense

At 40 years 242 days, Porto defender Pepe became the oldest outfield player to feature in the Champions League history. This comes after the match where Porto thumped Royal Antwerp 4-1 thanks to the Evalinson hat-trick. Pepe who is the captain of the side is not backing down as he keeps going and defying the age. As the leader and the last man in the Porto defence, he has done an incredible job of inspiring the youngsters to look out to him. His career has been nothing short of glory. Before returning home in Portugal, Pepe spent years in the Real Madrid colors where he enjoyed the best football years of his career. For Porto, who currently occupies second position in their group, will want Pepe to continue to be at his best and use his experience to his advantage if they intend to go far in the tournament.

5. Pep Guardiola Makes Another Record

Manchester City continue their perfect start in the Champions League winning away 3-1 against Young Boys of Switzerland. In that match, Erling Haaland scored a brace with Manuel Akanji scoring another goal to see City keeping a 100 percent record this season. The defending champions are making a statement with their results. On the day, Pep Guardiola wrote some piece of history going 16 matches unbeaten in the competition is the longest he has ever enjoyed in his highly decorated career as the manager. It looks like would be on course to stretch it even further looking at the opponents his side has in the group. It no doubt, it would be relatively hard to dispatch City from the throne especially as they keep getting back each game.

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