UEFA Champions League action concluded on Wednesday, October 21, with the second day of Champions League Matchday 3.
Champions League Matchday 3 began Tuesday, October 20, with Paris Saint-Germain beating FC Barcelona and handing Barcelona its first loss of the season. It ended yesterday with a heavyweight showdown between Champions League contenders Bayern Munich and Arsenal, which ended in a draw.
Now, as we wait for Matchday 4 in two weeks, PSG lead the league phase table with nine points, tied with four other teams, thanks to a superior goal difference and more goals scored.
Now that all 36 teams have played their first three league-phase games, the second day of Champions League Matchday 3 showed another favourite to win this year’s competition alongside PSG and Barcelona, and which teams are in serious trouble for falling short of expectations. From shocking results to exciting games, here are the biggest takeaways from the second day of Champions League Matchday 3.
Three Key Takeaways From Champions League Matchday 3
1. Arsenal Emerge As Winners Despite Draw Against Bayern Munich
One year after Arsenal and Bayern Munich met in the league phase, the two teams met again in Germany. Heading into the game, questions remained about both teams after Arsenal struggled in their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich drew unexpectedly with Viking FK on the final Champions League matchday. In the end, despite the draw, Arsenal emerged as the winners, earning a result in a tough environment.
It was an evenly matched game: both teams had five shots on target and plenty of chances to score. However, the game tilted in Bayern Munich’s favour in the ninth minute when Arsenal substituted Bukayo Saka for Eberechi Eze after Saka was injured, leaving the Gunners without their most dangerous winger.
Despite Saka’s injury, Arsenal kept threatening and were rewarded in the 25th minute when Eze scored. After the goal, Harry Kane took over, assisted Bayern’s first and scored Bayern’s second to overturn the one-goal deficit, and it looked like Bayern were on track for a much-needed win.
However, Arsenal’s resilience saved the day when Declan Rice scored a crucial goal in the 82nd minute, as Bayern Munich were in control and threatening to double their lead. In the end, the Gunners got a massive result despite having a lower expected goals total, 54% possession, and being dominated after Bayern’s second goal. This spoke volumes about the team’s depth and perseverance, as the Gunners once again got a result without the attack threatening to score.
Bayern Munich will rue not winning this game, as they had the higher expected goals rate (2.51) and let the game slip away after taking a 2-1 lead. Consistency issues continue to plague this team, as they have now tied three of their last four matches since returning from the international break. Michael Olise’s absence was a major factor, but Bayern should’ve been able to win without him, given how clinical their attack is.
In the end, Bayern Munich missed a chance, failing to beat Arsenal for the second consecutive year on a night when they were the better team.
As for Arsenal, despite losing Saka, they have plenty to be encouraged about: they got a result against one of Europe’s best teams, with the attack registering only two of the team’s 14 shots. They look like the biggest threat to Barcelona and PSG right now and are an attacking difference-maker, with the potential to take themselves to another level.
2. Manchester United In Crisis After Blowout Loss To Como
Things have been ugly at Manchester United as they enter Champions League Matchday 3 without a win in any competition since September 10, when they beat Sabah in the competition’s first matchday.
However, the Red Devils hit a new low in Champions League Matchday 3, getting blown out by Italian side Como in a game dominated from start to finish. Now, this keeps Michael Carrick in the hot seat as time runs out for the manager to turn things around.
This was one of the most embarrassing losses in Champions League history for Manchester United, as the team came out flat from the start, and Nico Paz scored two minutes in to give Como the lead. Although the Red Devils went into halftime with a one-goal deficit, they never threatened in the first half, failed to register a shot on target, and finished with a 0.1 expected goals rate. Carrick went to the bench after halftime, making two substitutions to change the game’s fortunes, but it only made things worse.
Four minutes after halftime, Como doubled its lead with a goal from Anastasios Douvikas, and they kept pressing as the Red Devils looked lost. Como got its third on another goal from Paz before Jacobo Ramon scored in the 76th minute to complete the embarrassment for Manchester United.
Although Como failed to keep a clean sheet, their four goals showed how one-sided the game was, and they deserve credit for taking advantage of a very poor Manchester United team.
Manchester United looked lifeless in Champions League Matchday 3: they created only one big chance and had only four shots on target, all after falling behind 2-0. They finished with an expected 1.04 goals-against rate and were poor defensively, with only eight interceptions compared to Como’s 14. They were also undisciplined, finishing with three yellow cards as frustration showed on the field.
The themes of Manchester United’s lost season continued in Champions League Matchday 3. Something has to change at Manchester United after this disappointing Champions League Matchday 3 result because the team is underperforming and among the worst not just in Europe, but also in England.
It seems Carrick has lost the team, as players have voiced their frustrations with the club, including Lisandro Martinez’s criticism of the team’s ability to make transfers in last week’s transfer window. The Red Devils are in crisis, and they might not get out of it unless changes occur, including the potential sacking of Carrick.
3. Inter Milan Among Champions League’s Biggest Disappointments Despite Win Over Shakhtar
Italian teams have struggled in this year’s Champions League, with Como the only team entering Champions League Matchday 3 with a win. This is surprising, given Inter Milan has been Italy’s best team over the last couple of years and has won six of its first seven Serie A games.
It’s been a different story in the Champions League, with two league-phase losses, including a shocking defeat to Club Brugge last week. Despite their first win in Champions League Matchday 3, the Italian champions have been among this year’s disappointments.
Inter Milan were expected to take care of business easily against the inferior Shakhtar Donetsk, despite their unbeaten run. However, they struggled in their third consecutive Champions League game, failing to break down Shakhtar’s defence for most of the match and relying on fortune to win.
The first half was back and forth, and Inter looked the most threatening early on, with two chances. However, Shakhtar grew into the game toward halftime and forced Josep Martinez to make multiple saves to keep the scoreline level.
Both teams kept looking for a goal in the second half as the game opened up, but things started to swing in Shakhtar’s way when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off after a second yellow in the 67th minute. Down a man, Inter made a triple substitution in hopes of salvaging the game, as Shakhtar struggled to threaten for 10 minutes after Bastoni was sent off.
Then, out of nowhere, Inter took the lead on a counterattack with a goal from Carlos Augusto and managed to hang on, needing heroics from Martinez to survive.
Despite the win, Inter Milan struggled in Champions League Matchday 3, with an expected goals rate of 0.99, less possession, and a win that shouldn’t have been hard-fought. It’s been a disappointing Champions League for the Italian champions, who sit 20th in the league phase table after three matchdays.
Champions League Matchday 3 has made clear how many flaws and inconsistencies this team has, and they need to improve if they want to move up the league phase table. If they don’t, they could head for an early exit from the competition.
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Extra Time Notes
One week after Matchday 2, Champions League Matchday 3 is in the books, and we learned a lot about the competition’s favourites. While PSG are the clear favourites, Arsenal showed in their draw against Bayern Munich that they have a real chance to avenge last year’s final loss if someone steps up or they can add one attacking difference-maker to become Europe’s most complete team.
Champions League Matchday 3 also showed that Real Betis can be a dark horse in this competition, as they are one of five teams to have won all their games in the first three matchdays. Along with that, Aston Villa continue to show signs of being a dark horse as they continued their winning way in Champions League Matchday 3 with a win over Viking FK.
Real Madrid’s attack showed its potential as they defeated RB Leipzig 4-1. However, their defensive issues continued, as Thibaut Courtois had to play heroics, making five saves to keep Leipzig from gaining momentum. Lastly, LASK Linz pulled off a first-ever Champions League win in Matchday 3 over an unbeaten Sporting CP side, showing the unpredictability the competition brings.
Champions League Matchday 3 brought excitement and heavyweight showdowns that drastically changed the league-phase standings. As a result, some teams have work to do to get back into the top eight. We learned who the true favourites are and who the biggest threats in Europe are. The Champions League will only get better with five matchdays left of the league phase.
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