Champions League: Five things we learned from Matchday One

Five things we learned from Matchday One of the 2024/25 Champions League, following the conclusion of the first round of action.

Champions League: Five things we learned from Matchday One

Inter a tough nut to crack

Inter Milan romped to the Serie A title last season as Simone Inzaghi’s side finished 19 points clear of nearest challengers AC Milan. The club’s title success was built on the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues, having conceded just 22 goals in 2023/24.

Their campaign followed an unexpected run to the Champions League final in 2023, which saw Inter lead the competition for clean sheets and push Manchester City close in the decider.

The opening fixture of this season saw a rematch of that contest, as Inter travelled to the Etihad to face the Premier League champions. A gritty performance earned Inter a goalless draw, at a venue where the Citizens scored 13 goals in just five Champions League ties last season. Inzaghi’s back three and wing-back system are perfectly drilled in their responsibilities and few will fancy facing the Nerazzurri in Europe this season.

Bayern and Kane break records

Bayern Munich and Harry Kane enjoyed a record-breaking night, as several landmarks fell during the German’s 9-2 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb. Bayern became the first team in the Champions League era to score nine goals in a single fixture, with Kane on target four times at the Allianz Arena.

The 31-year-old became the first player to score a hat-trick of penalties in a game, the first Englishman to score four times in a Champions League game, and moved past Wayne Rooney as the highest-scoring Englishman in the competition’s history.

It was a night to remember for the Bavarians and the England captain.

The highest scoring Englishmen in Champions League history

Can Celtic improve European fortunes?

It feels like a long time since Celtic made a memorable impact in Europe. The financial disparity between Scottish football and Europe’s top leagues has not helped but Rangers’ recent runs in the Europa League have emphasised an underwhelming period for their Old Firm rivals in continental competition.

Celtic have not reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League since 2012/13, while The Bhoys have not reached the knockout stages of any European competition in five years. It was a perfect start for the Scottish champions, however, after thrashing Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in Glasgow. A ruthless performance saw Brendan Rodgers’ side earn a big win, one that leaves them second in the early league phase table.

Far tougher tests await than the Slovakian champions, though Celtic’s draw offers encouragement. Last season’s runners-up, Borussia Dortmund, are next up before a tough trip to Atalanta. However, clashes with RB Leipzig (H), Club Brugge (H), Dinamo Zagreb (A) and Young Boys (H) should be embraced, before a Battle of Britain with Aston Villa to finish their league phase campaign.

Turkish delight for Benfica and Juventus

Turkey were one of the more entertaining teams at Euro 2024 in the summer and some of the Crescent-Star’s biggest names have made an immediate mark in the Champions League.

Benfica’s 2-1 win at Red Star Belgrade was Turkish-inspired, as goals from Orkun Kökçü and Kerem Aktürkoğlu sealed three points. The latter is a new arrival in Lisbon and has wasted no time making an impression with debut goals in the Primeira Liga and Champions League for his new side. Having been linked with the Premier League previously, there might be some regretting the failure to take a chance on the winger.

Elsewhere, Juventus starlet Kenan Yildiz announced his arrival on the big stage. Juventus have huge faith in the Turkish teenager and handed the 19-year-old the club’s number ten shirt in the summer, one worn by Alessandro Del Piero, Michel Platini, Omar Sivori, Roberto Baggio et al.

His postage-stamp finish into the top corner against PSV Eindhoven was incredible. There was certainly an element of Del Piero to it…

Arsenal still have lessons to learn in Europe

Mikel Arteta said ahead of facing Atalanta that he hoped his side had learned lessons from their return to the Champions League last season.

After a six-season absence, Arsenal reached the quarter-finals in 2023/24 before a narrow defeat to Bayern Munich. On the evidence of their opener in Bergamo, however, Arsenal still have much to learn.

The Gunners were frustrated for large periods against the Europa League holders and relied on David Raya to salvage a point, following a sensational double save from the Spaniard. Arsenal have the talent to go deep into this tournament, but question marks remain over their European experience and ability to handle the unique demands of this competition.

Read – Champions League Team of the Week – Raya, Kane and more

See more – Champions League awards: Raya’s reflexes, Zeno De-blast!

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