Arsenal and PSG Reinforce…
October24October 24, 2025

Arsenal and PSG Reinforce…

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ESPN Soccer News

  • Bill ConnellyOct 23, 2025, 10:16 AM ET

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      Bill Connelly is a writer for ESPN, covering college football, soccer, and tennis. He has been part of ESPN since 2019.

What occurs when teams realize that in the revamped UEFA Champions League, draws are less beneficial and losses are less detrimental? They go all out. They might rack up numerous goals, possibly conceding many in the process. Regardless, it’s a win-win for the spectators.

This week, we witnessed 71 goals in 18 matches (averaging 3.9 per game), with an astonishing 43 goals scored on Tuesday alone. The line-up included three 4-0 victories, two 5-1 results, a 6-1, a 7-2, a 6-2, and a 4-2 outcome, alongside a couple of 3-1 and 3-0 matches. The three goalless draws were largely incidental, with an average xG of 3.1 across those matches.

While action may be reduced in the Premier League, Champions League Matchday 3 certainly delivered excitement.

Notably, the week also featured significant blowouts. Besides the unexpected 0-0s, only two matches were decided by a single goal. The sport’s elite seem to have taken cues from teams like Manchester City and PSG, who struggled in their respective early stages last season, signaling that the time to intensify their efforts is now. Of the current top 10 teams according to the Opta rankings, five teams have secured nine points from their first three matches, while the others have netted at least six points.

– UCL Talking Points: Conte’s rant, Liverpool’s best XI
– Ogden: Ekitike should be Liverpool’s No.9
– Olley: Arsenal’s statement win makes them front-runners

While many renowned clubs continue to face challenges — including Napoli and Atletico Madrid each boasting three points, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen with two, and Benfica and Ajax still without any points — the elite teams are making their dominance evident. As we near the midpoint of the League Phase, let’s review the standout teams, players, and the match of Matchday 3.

TEAMS OF THE WEEK

Arsenal logo
PSG logo
Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain

Arsenal 4, Atletico Madrid 0; Bayer Leverkusen 2, PSG 7

Currently, the two top teams in Europe showcased their prowess, winning a combined 11-2 against opponents who’ve claimed Big Five league titles in the 2020s.

Arsenal unleashed a 15-minute assault on Atletico, appearing dominant throughout the first 55 minutes. Atleti’s Julián Álvarez narrowly missed a long-range shot that struck the post in the 49th minute. Had that gone in and Atleti successfully parked the bus, the outcome could have shifted. But it seemed like Arsenal was fated to win regardless.

A stunning set piece break the deadlock as Atleti appeared to have the advantage on a Declan Rice free kick, yet Gabriel Magalhães broke free, scoring with a clean header. Once Atleti’s defense cracked, it completely unraveled: Just seven minutes later, Myles Lewis-Skelly weaved through multiple defenders to set up Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal’s opening goal.

Viktor Gyökeres netted twice within another six minutes, extending the score to 4-0 before manager Mikel Arteta even used his substitutes.

Ultimately, the outcome was dictated by determination and athleticism. Arsenal’s defense outperformed the defensive-dominant Atletico, allowing them to effectively guard the entire pitch — forcing 20 high turnovers compared to Atleti’s three and starting plays an average of 14.1 meters farther upfield. They have now conceded just three goals in 12 matches across all competitions, with no goals let in through their first three Champions League matches.

In contrast, PSG’s 7-2 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen could have easily gone the other way; if things fell apart, they could have mirrored their shocking semifinal exit against a Bundesliga team like Borussia Dortmund from two seasons ago. Despite dominating possession (70.4%) and attempting 24 shots to their opponents’ six, the xG figures were startlingly close: 2.8 for PSG vs. 2.5 for Leverkusen. PSG clinched the win with an astonishingly clinical finishing touch, converting seven of eight shots on goal.

The match opened up late in the first half with red cards being issued to both teams in quick succession; Garcia equalized for Leverkusen in the 38th with a penalty. However, Désiré Doué scored twice, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added another goal while contributing an assist. PSG maintained their momentum, finishing the match strong. Even the returning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé made his mark by scoring within three minutes of coming back from injury.

Difficulties due to injuries and extensive squad juggling by Luis Enrique meant that PSG hasn’t had the opportunity to field their ideal lineup consistently. This has contributed to some dropped points in Ligue 1, where they’ve only secured one win in their last four matches and currently trail Marseille. Nevertheless, they’ve dominated in the Champions League with three victories and a formidable +10 goal differential.

Galatasaray logo
Galatasaray

Galatasaray 3, Bodo/Glimt 1

Galatasaray responded impressively after a shaky start to the tournament. Following a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Matchday 1, they’ve reminded fans of their capability to compete against the best, triumphing over both Liverpool and Bodo/Glimt convincingly.

Their 3-1 victory against Bodo/Glimt was almost subdued; they recorded 23 shots worth a notable 4.1 xG, indicating that only a lack of finishing impeded them from achieving a far more lopsided score. Despite possessing 62% of the ball, Bodo/Glimt only mustered eight shots, while Galatasaray’s efficient counter-attacking strategy allowed them to dominate with just the right amount of possession.

That defeat to Eintracht remains their only loss since March 29. They have only dropped two points in the Turkish Super Lig and, despite their rocky start, have climbed back to 14th in the Champions League standings. The team’s ranking has notably improved the most of any team, moving from 23rd to 14th.

I’m starting to trust their consistency, and that faith will only grow if they can dominate Ajax away in Matchday 4.

MATCH OF THE WEEK

Real Madrid logo
Juventus logo
Real Madrid 1, Juventus 0

As two of the last three holdouts from the Super League, these teams sought to reshape European football, partly in pursuit of more direct matchups against each other. On Wednesday at the Bernabeu, however, they faced off like intense rivals.

Sadly for Juventus, they couldn’t match Real Madrid’s speed. The Blancos executed a high-energy possession game, maintaining 65.1% possession, averaging nearly 10 passes per possession, and launching their possessions 12 meters farther upfield than Juventus. The connection map indicated their offensive aggression.

(The thickness of the lines indicates the frequency of connections. Real Madrid’s connections were nearly all high frequency.)

Real Madrid was also effective defensively, allowing just 7.1 passes per defensive action (PPDA), a measure of defensive intensity. Only Athletic Bilbao had a lower average (6.5), creating a potent combination of offense and defense. Despite this, Juventus mounted solid counterattacks and forced four significant saves from Thibaut Courtois in the initial 47 minutes. Real Madrid managed to take the lead only in the 57th minute, when Jude Bellingham scored off a rebound.

Bellingham’s goal marked his first since he found the net against Pachuca in the Club World Cup last June, undoubtedly a nice moment for him.

It will be fascinating to see how Bellingham integrates with the impressive dynamic of Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler in the attack. The three combined for seven shot attempts and created 14 chances, showcasing their effectiveness.

While I’d have loved for the match of the week to feature a bit more back-and-forth action — final xG totals: Real Madrid 2.8, Juventus 0.6 — the match was intense, enjoyable to watch, and featured Real Madrid’s stars performing at their best, making it well-spent viewing time.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray

The Nigeria international opened the scoring with a smooth transition effort and added a second goal by intercepting a back pass. He had nine shots in total, the highest in Matchday 3, despite playing only 73 minutes.

Galatasaray’s strategy hinges on a solid defense paired with effective play directed toward Osimhen, and this approach is proving extremely effective.

Pedri, Barcelona

A perfect pivot man, Pedri recorded a remarkable 27 combined progressive carries (12) and progressive passes (15), leading the team with six ball recoveries. His touch map underscores the pivotal role he played against Olympiacos.

Anthony Gordon, Newcastle

Gordon shone with one goal from four shots, one assist, and 15 progressive carries, along with a strong showing in duels (7-for-14) and a total of eight ball recoveries. His relentless play was crucial in Newcastle’s 3-0 victory over Benfica, making him both a standout attacker and defender.

Konrad Laimer, Bayern Munich

Laimer excelled as a versatile left-back, providing two assists in the first half against Club Brugge, while also making significant contributions with 12 progressive carries and eight progressive passes, winning four of seven ground duels along with leading the team with 11 defensive actions.


play

1:04

Marcotti impressed by Bayern’s flying start after summer issues

Gab Marcotti reacts to Bayern Munich’s perfect start to the season, after a summer transfer window that saw them miss out on Florian Wirtz and others.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool

Like Laimer, Szoboszlai filled in admirably as a fullback, impacting every aspect of the game on Wednesday: he scored, assisted, achieved 12 progressive carries, 17 progressive passes, and led the team with seven ball recoveries. After concerns about Liverpool’s big-money signings pushing him down the pecking order, the Hungary international continues to prove himself essential to the squad.

Ramy Bensebaini and Waldemar Anton, Borussia Dortmund

Operating on the left and right in Niko Kovac‘s three-man defense, this duo combined for 31 defensive actions, 27 progressive carries, 27 progressive passes, and a remarkable 14-for-18 success rate in duels during a 4-2 victory over Copenhagen. Bensebaini also scored a penalty goal, canceling out Anton’s own goal, demonstrating their vital role in both defense and attack.

Fermín López, Barcelona

Despite sharing the spotlight with Lamine Yamal and the outstanding performances from Pedri, López made a name for himself by scoring his first Champions League hat-trick, doubling his career Champions League goal total in one match.

Jan Boril, Slavia Prague

Boril became a key figure in Slavia’s defensive strategy, leading the competition with 26 defensive interventions, despite the team struggling to create offense and allowing Atalanta to attempt 22 shots.

RANKING ALL 36 TEAMS AFTER MATCHDAY 3

(Note: These rankings are based on my personal evaluations of team standings at this moment, rather than directly reflecting the current league table.)

Arsenal logo1. Arsenal (9 points, +8 goal differential)

According to Opta’s supercomputer, Arsenal holds over a 20% chance of capturing the Champions League title and more than a 50% chance of winning the Premier League as it stands. While injuries and circumstances could influence the outcome, they are remarkably well-positioned for a successful season.

PSG logo2. PSG (9 points, +10)

The most disconcerting aspect regarding PSG is that despite a slew of injuries, they appear stronger compared to this juncture last season, when they secured the Champions League title.

Bayern Munich logo3. Bayern Munich (9 points, +10)

Statistically, they were the most dominating team during the initial two months of the season and returned from a break triumphant against Borussia Dortmund and Club Brugge. Bayern created 4.1 xG from 26 shots while conceding only 0.3 xG from five shots. They also produced 64% of match recoveries and committed 82% of the fouls. This team’s relentless approach is spearheaded by Harry Kane and Michael Olise.

Bayern also boasts an impressive talent in 17-year-old Lennart Karl, who has been exceptional.

This is an incredibly strong team.

Internazionale logo4. Internazionale (9 points, +9)

Internazionale showcases remarkable maturity as a team. They faced initial pressure from Union Saint-Gilloise, who controlled the first period with a series of attempts. However, Inter quickly adapted.

– First 12 minutes (0-0): USG 7 shots (0.41 xG), Inter 2 shots (0.06 xG)
– Last 78 minutes (4-0 Inter): Inter 19 shots (4.48 xG!), USG 8 shots (0.54 xG)

They achieved a feat of four goals on four different scores despite slightly missing out on connecting strong finishes from their 4.5 xG.

Real Madrid logo5. Real Madrid (9 points, +7)

If this team runs at this pace with all players hitting form, it’s a daunting thought for their opponents.

Manchester City logo6. Manchester City (7 points, +4)

In their 2-0 win against Villarreal, City seemed to be operating below maximum throttle, attempting only 10 shots. However, Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 17th minute, despite having only twelve touches in the match — four of which were shots and three registered on goal. Meanwhile, Savinho capped their scoring with a brilliant assist for Bernardo Silva.

Overall, Savinho excelled with 14 progressive carries, four chances created, and eight defensive interventions, showcasing a strong performance.

Liverpool logo7. Liverpool (6 points, +4)

A 1-0 lead was enough to ignite Liverpool on Wednesday. They initially seemed lackluster against Eintracht Frankfurt, but once Hugo Ekitike drew level against his former team, it set off an attacking barrage.

Florian Wirtz finally made his impact felt with two assists, his first for the club, while Cody Gakpo contributed with both a goal and an assist. If Liverpool can’t awaken their attack against Eintracht Frankfurt’s shaky defense, it raises concerns about their potential. Thankfully, they found their rhythm.

Barcelona logo8. Barcelona (6 points, +5)

Though benefitting from a (somewhat dubious) red card that provided them an advantage, Barca quickly capitalized on it, scoring four goals in just 12 minutes against Olympiacos. Marcus Rashford netted twice, while Fermín López showcased his skills with a hat-trick, and Lamine Yamal contributed a penalty alongside 13 progressive carries (with 4-for-5 success in one-on-ones). The match ended with a comfortable 6-1 victory for Barca.

Chelsea logo9. Chelsea (6 points, +3)

Chelsea faced a struggling Ajax team that received a red card after just 17 minutes. Although the outcome was in their favor, Chelsea’s younger players stood out significantly. Estêvão (18) scored on a penalty and was highly active, attempting eight shots with 14 progressive carries, while Josh Acheampong (19) made solid contributions with seven progressive passes and four duels won in under one half of play.

Newcastle United logo10. Newcastle United (6 points, +6)

Chunking the match as good hosts, Newcastle allowed Benfica a brief stay without scoring, lasting 26 minutes.

– First 26 minutes (0-0): Newcastle 5 shots (0.37 xG), Benfica 3 shots (0.21 xG)
– Last 64 minutes (3-0): Newcastle 15 shots (2.54 xG), Benfica 4 shots (0.12 xG)

They didn’t necessarily dominate in terms of progressive play, but limited Benfica’s effectiveness in the attacking third to just four progressive passes. Standout performances came from Kieran Trippier, who created a multitude of attacks, paired with a dynamic Anthony Gordon and an assist from goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Borussia Dortmund logo11. Borussia Dortmund (7 points, +5)

Suffering from only losses to Bayern and Real Madrid, BVB continues on their journey, highlighted by a hard-fought but somewhat frustrating 4-2 victory against Copenhagen. They were overly cautious in the first half but exploded following Bensebaini’s penalty.

– First 60 minutes (1-1): Copenhagen 10 shots (0.70 xG), BVB two shots (0.41 xG)
– Last 30 minutes (BVB 3-1): BVB seven shots (1.23 xG), Copenhagen one shot (0.12 xG)

Noteworthy performances by youngsters Jobe Bellingham (two assists, four blocked passes) and Carney Chukwuemeka (one assist and two chances created in 28 minutes) shone brightly while Felix Nmecha scored twice, including an astounding first effort from outside the box.

Tottenham Hotspur logo12. Tottenham Hotspur (5 points, +1)

Manager Thomas Frank’s tactical approach often balances structured possession with defensive counterplay. In a lackluster 0-0 draw at Monaco, Spurs found themselves entrenched in defense, winning only 43% of ground duels and 33% of aerial duels while Belarusian side Copenhagen managed 23 shot attempts.

This lack of offensive intensity led them to a fortuitous draw.

Atletico Madrid logo13. Atletico Madrid (3 points, -1)

After a strong September, Atletico has struggled recently, particularly after a demoralizing 4-0 defeat against Arsenal on Tuesday.


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1:44

Moreno: This was a reality check for Atletico Madrid

Alejandro Moreno reflects on Atletico Madrid’s performance after suffering a heavy defeat to Arsenal.

Galatasaray logo14. Galatasaray (6 points, -1)

Playing a counter-attacking style can be effective when backed by one of the world’s best forwards. This strategy shows promise.

Marseille logo
Sporting CP15-16. Marseille (3 points, +2) and Sporting CP (6 points, +3)

Marseille initially led against Sporting on Wednesday before losing control following Emerson‘s second yellow card for simulation. They succumbed to a fortunate go-ahead goal for Sporting, resulting in the points flipping in their favor.

I’ve ranked Marseille slightly higher due to their superior performances throughout the competition.

Juventus logo17. Juventus (2 points, -1)

Accumulating only two points after three matches isn’t ideal. However, they’ve faced two of the top 11 teams in this list, and have upcoming matches against those ranked 17th, 21st, 24th, 28th, and 34th. They should have opportunities to collect points.

Atalanta logo18. Atalanta (4 points, -3)

They produced numerous quality scoring opportunities (xG: Atalanta 2.0, Slavia 0.7) and controlled possession but struggled to penetrate Slavia Prague’s defenses. Nonetheless, Charles De Ketelaere was outstanding, creating six chances and generating 10 progressive carries and 11 progressive passes.

AS Monaco logo19. AS Monaco (2 points, -3)

Similar to Galatasaray, Monaco began the tournament poorly with a 4-1 defeat to Club Brugge but rallied successfully to secure draws against both Manchester City and Spurs, almost achieving a win against Spurs.

Villarreal logo20. Villarreal (1 point, -3)

They faced Manchester City with a chance to clinch a result, matching shots before being unable to convert despite a solid evening for former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pépé, who generated four chances and contributed defensively.

Napoli logo21. Napoli (3 points, -5)

Antonio Conte’s side took a heavy 6-2 defeat against PSV, and apart from the impressive Scott McTominay, who tallied two goals and created three chances, the team as a whole performed poorly. PSV commanded the match with superior ball recovery and aerial battles with Napoli lacking in many facets, most notably Kevin De Bruyne’s limited offensive presence.

Bayer Leverkusen logo22. Bayer Leverkusen (2 points, -5)

Mark Flekken had a particularly rough week, facing numerous efforts that resulted in high xG totals yet left his team in a precarious position, saving only two of 12 shots on goal faced against Mainz and PSG.

Eintracht Frankfurt logo23. Eintracht Frankfurt (3 points, -4)

With a talented attacking lineup, their vulnerability in defense limits their goals this season as they have allowed a troubling 18 goals across seven Bundesliga games, including 11 in three Champions League fixtures.

Bodo/Glimt logo24. Bodo/Glimt (2 points, -2)

The Norwegian side continues to show that financial investment isn’t everything, as they displayed a beautiful possession-based game. However, their inability to contend with Galatasaray’s attacking force derailed their performance on that day.

PSV Eindhoven logo25. PSV Eindhoven (4 points, +2)

After some standout performances from Dennis Man and Ismael Saibari, contributing to a string of three goals against Napoli, they were brimming with confidence even against the experienced opposition.

Athletic Club logo
FK Qarabag logo26-27. Athletic Club and FK Qarabag

Qarabag started brightly, capitalizing on an early goal against Athletic but ultimately fell 3-1 as Athletic demonstrated superior control and demand for the match.

They may still be well on their way to reaching the knockout stages, particularly with another game against Ajax on Matchday 6 but were easily overcome here.

Benfica logo28. Benfica (0 points, -5)

Following their shocking Matchday 1 loss to Qarabag, Benfica replaced Bruno Lage with Jose Mourinho, but results have remained stagnant.

Club Brugge logo29. Club Brugge (3 points, -2)

Although they compete well against mid-tier teams (having beaten Monaco and drawn with Atalanta), they were completely overwhelmed by Bayern.

Union St.-Gilloise logo30. Union St. Gilloise (3 points, -6)

They kicked off engagingly, threatening Inter with multiple shots in the first four minutes, but were unable to sustain that energy. Their opening win against PSV keeps their hopes alive for the advanced rounds, but succeeding performances have been discouraging.

Olympiacos logo31. Olympiacos (1 point, -7)

While they produced some promising attacking moves early against Barcelona, the red card suffered in the 57th minute derailed their performance, leading to a disappointing defeat.

FC Copenhagen logo32. FC Copenhagen (1 point, -4)

Despite having moments of potential against Borussia Dortmund, they ultimately fell short, making the absence of points more painful.

Slavia Prague logo33. Slavia Prague (2 points, -3)

Despite their energetic performance, their limited goal tally constrains their potential for better progress.

Pafos logo34. Pafos (2 points, -4)

Their early red card in the fourth minute required them to be more defensive than anticipated. Nevertheless, their ball control enabled them to create several opportunities, and in terms of chance values, they did well in maintaining defensive pace.

Ajax logo35. Ajax (0 points, -10)

Ajax has struggled following a winless spring that cost them the Eredivisie title. Currently, they have only managed to claim four wins out of nine matches, exhibiting concerning inconsistency.

Their initial loss to Inter was somewhat forgivable, but defeats like the combined 9-1 from Marseille and Chelsea signal serious underlying issues.

Kairat Almaty36. Kairat Almaty (1 point, -8)

Kairat had a prime opportunity to secure three points but only managed to achieve a point against Olympiacos, as they continue to seek improved performance and a chance to advance in future matches.