CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHDAY THREE TAKEAWAYS

2023-10-28 · 3 min read · UEFA Champions League/Soccer
Borussia Dortmund and UEFA Champions League players

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We're halfway through the Champions League group stage and things are starting to get interesting. The heavyweights continue to dominate, the group of death did not disappoint, and underdogs are making headlines. Here are the results and some of the key takeaways for matchday three.
Matchday 3 scores
  • Galatasaray 1, Bayern Munich 3
  • Inter 2, Red Bull Salzburg 1
  • Manchester United 1, Copenhagen 0
  • Sevilla 1, Arsenal 2
  • Lens 1, PSV 1
  • Braga 1, Real Madrid 2
  • Benfica 0, Real Sociedad 1
  • Union Berlin 0, Napoli 1
  • Barcelona 2, Shakhtar Donetsk 1
  • Feyenoord 3, Lazio 1
  • Paris Saint-Germain 3, AC Milan 0
  • Young Boys 1, Manchester City 3
  • Antwerp 1, Porto 4
  • Rb Leipzig 3, Crvena zvezda 1
  • Celtic 2, Atletico Madrid 2
  • Newcastle 0, Dortmund 1
Perfection continues for Bayern, Real Madrid
Both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were met with tough away trips to Galatasaray and Braga, respectively, but both passed those with flying colors. Bayern were under pressure as the intimidation in RAMS Park could be felt throughout the world.  This Galatasaray side were able to unsettle Bayern entering the half on level footing after Mauro Icardi scored a penalty. But Bayern showed why they are one of the favourites and prevailed with two goals in the second half.
Real Madrid went through a similar scenario facing Braga with a defense that has been under pressure in recent weeks. Rodrygo opened the scoring quickly and Jude Bellingham kept his good run going scoring yet again but Braga are never out of a game scoring a goal of their own and pushing for an equalizer in the closure of the match. But in the end, it was Madrid that secured all three points because that's what they do in Champions League.
Group F lives up to the hype
Newcastle United started the day atop Group F while PSG sat in second, AC Milan were third, and Borussia Dortmund in bottom spot. After PSG's 3-0 win over Milan and Dortmund's 1-0 win over Newcastle, the table looks different -- PSG are top, Dortmund is second, Newcastle slipped to third and Milan take over fourth place.
The results mean Group F is already living up to the billing with just four points separating first and last place. It means every team has a shot as we head into the business end of the group stage, but while every team has had the opportunity to impress at this point, Milan stands out like a sore thumb. They're on a goalless streak in Champions League play and may be digging themselves into a hole while the others duke it out for spots in the knockout rounds.
Four goal thriller in Glasgow was a sight to see
The night’s most entertaining game was at Celtic Park, where Celtic took the lead twice but conceded just as many times for a draw with Atleti. The result came as a surprise, especially considering the Scottish side's above-average attacking output.
It was an imperfect showing from both sides but an utterly entertaining one, even if it did not change the Group E standings much. It adds to the group's reputation for being an absolute goalfest, though - each team in the group has conceded at least four goals through three games, which arguably makes all of the upcoming fixtures must-see TV.
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By: Aaron Cantin

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