While all the top leagues have completed one month into the 2023/24 season, fans were eagerly awaiting the start of the UEFA Champions League. And gameweek one of the Champions League didn’t disappoint as we saw emotional returns after years of some football clubs, dramatic finishes and high-octane clashes between top teams.
A total of 48 goals was scored across 16 games, as a host of teams made their intentions clear about winning the elite European trophy. That said, here are three things we have learned from gameweek one of the 2023/23 Champions League.
#Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid’s rescue
Cometh the hour, cometh the man—Jude Bellingham (again).
German side Union Berlin looked as if they were about to earn a fantastic point against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on their Champions League debut until Jude Bellingham came up with the Midas touch and broke their hearts at the death.
The England international was positioned perfectly to poke home after Federico Valverde’s shot had rebounded off player after player before luckily falling into his path, and just like he did against Celta Vigo and Getafe in LaLiga, he proved his mettle in the famous White of Real Madrid once again but this time in the Champions League.
This means Bellingham has scored on his LaLiga debut, first appearance at the Santiago Bernabeu and now his Champions League debut for Los Blancos.
#Bayern pile more misery on Erik ten Hag and Man United
It turned out to be a goal fest at the Allianz Arena as Bayern Munich won 4-3 against Manchester United, which deepened the woes for Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag’s Man United started and finished brightly in Munich but it eventually turned out to be another disappointing night, with Bayern’s attacking quality showing up. It is the first time the Red Devils have conceded three or more goals in three consecutive matches since 1978, thus, extending their worst start to a season in over a decade to four defeats in their opening six games across all competitions.
However, Ten Hag is having to deal with an injury crisis with more than 10 players currently on the sidelines. He would have certainly taken some positives in how his team fought back to almost come away from Germany with an incredible point.
#Arsenal back amongst the elite
It might have taken six years, but Arsenal’s long-awaited return to the Champions League might make some fans consider the absence worth it, given how Mikel Arteta’s side dismantled PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners blew PSV away in the opening 45 minutes, finding the net three times thanks to a host of well-crafted goals, before skipper Martin Odegaard put the icing on the cake with 20 minutes left to play. There were strong performances all around the pitch, starting at the back with goalkeeper David Raya to front Gabriel Jesus—both making their Champions League debuts for the club.
Whether it was the back five along with the keeper, the midfield unit or the front line, there were no flaws witnessed in Arsenal’s first group stage game against the Dutch side following their return to Europe’s elite competition.