Takeaways from Matchday 1 in the Champions League

1. PSG can’t win the Champions League with Cavani
One of the matches of the 1st day was PSG vs. Arsenal. It was an affair in which the hosts dominated, yet failed to gather all three points in the end. Edinson Cavani scored within the first minute of the game, yet turned out to be the flop of that match; as he spurred chance after chance to put the game to bed. As a result, Arsenal were able to grow into the match; gaining possession of the ball and striving forward into PSG’s box. Arsenal’s goal scored late on capitulated what turned out to be an embarrassing night for Cavani. PSG will progress from the group, as they are just that talented; but against greater sides, where chances will be lacking, Cavani cannot be trusted to slot them away at this point. Fine margins are what decide those games, and Cavani’s misfiring is more than just a fine margin.

2. Kimmich stamps his mark on Bayern
For all the talk on Renato Sanches, it was the 21-year-old Joshua Kimmich who continues to make strides in the Bayern squad. Brought in last season from Rb Leipzig, the young German international quietly improved under Pep. Now, he has scored his first domestic, European, and international goals for club and country. He capped his fantastic week with a superb showing against FC Rostov, scoring two goals in the 5-0 win. In a Bayern squad filled with talent, Kimmich has become the story of the club so far this season.

3. Leicester can forget their League Form
Having had quite a slow start to the season, the reigning BPL champions had a lot of questions asked about them heading into the away match against Brugge. Losing 4-1 against Liverpool prior, there was the possibility for the Foxes to falter at the first hurdle in Europe. Leicester quickly dashed those concerns with an impressive 3-0 win away in Belgium, a performance capped off with a stunning free kick from Riyad Mahrez, who himself didn’t look to be his brilliant best from last season. Judging from the rest of the group’s strength, the Foxes may very well find themselves in the knockout stages come winter.

4. Strong Start for Spanish Clubs once again
None of La Liga’s sides lost on the opening match day. Atletico had a standard 1-0 away win against PSV, Sevilla held Juventus in Italy to a 0-0, while Real Madrid pulled off a late comeback against Sporting CP. However, it was Barcelona’s 7-0 demolition over Celtic that captured the headlines. Messi’s incredible hat-trick may mean things are picking up for the Catalan side. In general, La Liga will likely dominate Europe once again this season.

Michael Skok
Football Editor for
Polish-American Portal www.Poland.us
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