5 Things We Learnt from The Champions League This Week as Newcastle Tops ‘Group of Death’

• The second round of group matches in the Champions League had almost everything
• Several big teams fell to surprising upsets, while the favourites exerted their credentials in the competition
• There were several talking points from Tuesday and Wednesday's group games, and Sports Brief takes a look at the most significant ones

The 2023/24 Champions League is living up to its reputation as there have been several hype-worthy moments after just 32 games of the campaign.

Not only have we seen some cracking goals in this year’s edition of Europe’s elite competition, but fans have also been given a prelude of what is likely to happen down the line.

Only four teams have a 100% record in the competition after two games; Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and defending champions Manchester City. These four teams, incidentally, are also considered strong favourites to win the competition.

Which are the all time biggest football rivalries in the UK?

Football

Similarly, teams like Manchester United have surprisingly underperformed in the competition, losing their opening two games to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray respectively.

In Group F, Newcastle United are running the show in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ after comprehensively beating other competition favourites, PSG, in their second group game on Wednesday.

Sports Brief now sums up the Champions League after two games with five talking points:

1. There is no easy group

When the Champions League draw came out, many tipped Arsenal to cruise to the knockout stages early after drawing Lens, Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven in Group B.

But a shock 2-1 defeat in France gave Mikel Arteta’s men a brutal reality check as it leaves the group wide open, especially with PSV’s entertaining 2-2 draw with Sevilla.

Similarly, Manchester United were expected to at least be second best in the group to Bayern Munich in Group A, but that couldn’t be further from the facts as far as the standings are concerned, as the Red Devils have suffered two losses on the spin.

Top 10 biggest upsets in sports history: Best underdog wins

Other Sports

2. Newcastle are cooking

Many football pundits considered Newcastle United the most vulnerable of the English teams in the Champions League this season for two reasons.

The Magpies have not tasted elite European football in 20 years, and they were drawn against PSG, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund in Group F.

However, Eddie Howe’s side has shown some intent in the competition so far after going to Italy to claim a point against Milan, then completely outclassing PSG at home as reported on BBC.

At this point, it is difficult to bet against the Tyneside to advance to the last 16.

3. Man City remain favourites

Anyone who has watched Manchester City’s opening two games will be aware of the potency Pep Guardiola’s side still possesses in the Champions League.

While Bayern, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all had to claw wins at times, the Citizens look very comfortable in their games and have dominated their opponents.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Which is the better football team at the moment and why?

Football

4. Debutants’ inexperience is showing

As a neutral, one can’t help but feel for the German side Union Berlin.

They sit bottom of Group C with no points, but it would be a different case if they did not concede last-minute goals in back-to-back matches as cited on Bleacher Report.

On Tuesday, they took a two-goal lead against Sporting Braga, who staged a dramatic comeback with goals from Sikou Niakate, Bruma and a last-minute winner by Andre Castro.

Two weeks earlier, they suffered last-minute heartbreak after doing brilliantly to contain Real Madrid, who eventually found a way through courtesy of a late winner by Jude Bellingham.

5. Europa League knockouts will be a cracker

Third-placed Champions League sides automatically get relegated to the Europa League, and from the proceedings in the first two match weeks of the groups, there are bound to be some giants of Europe finishing in third in their respective groups.

Jurgen Klopp admits Europa League will be difficult to win despite 3-1 win over LASK

Football

Mbappe goes straight down the tunnel

Sports Brief also reported on Kylian Mbappe’s immediate reaction after PSG’s defeat to Newcastle.

Goals from Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar completely swept away the Parisians, whose only goal of the game came from Lucas Hernandez.

At full-time, PSG players took some time to applaud the travelling supporters, but there was a notable absentee as Mbappe was seen walking straight down the tunnel.