Matchday 3 Highlights: UEFA Champions League Sees Dominant Wins
On October 22, 2025, the UEFA Champions League resumed with exciting matches that had fans buzzing.
Among the standout performances, Arsenal triumphed with a decisive 4-0 victory over Atlético Madrid. Paris Saint-Germain showcased their attacking prowess, securing a 7-2 win against Bayer Leverkusen. PSV Eindhoven defeated Napoli with a score of 6-2, while Barcelona also enjoyed a fantastic performance, winning 6-1 against Olympiacos. Chelsea continued their strong form with a 5-1 victory over Ajax Amsterdam, and Liverpool similarly celebrated a 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.
In a closely contested match, Real Madrid narrowly beat Juventus 1-0, thanks to a goal from Jude Bellingham. Other clubs, such as Manchester City and Internazionale, also secured wins, leaving the top of the standings looking quite stable.
What can we take away from this round of fixtures? ESPN analysts Mark Ogden, Julien Laurens, Tom Hamilton, and Gab Marcotti share their insights on Matchday 3.
Ogden: Ekitike could step up for Liverpool following Isak’s departure.
Olley: Arsenal made a statement with their win against Atlético Madrid.
Laurens: Vinícius Junior’s future looks uncertain after being benched despite being a Ballon d’Or contender.
Barcelona Gains Momentum Ahead of Clásico
Barcelona received a timely boost for the upcoming Clásico with a commanding performance against Olympiacos, winning 6-1. While questions remain about how much of their success was due to their talent, including standout Marcus Rashford, versus poor officiating, the result was crucial.
Marcotti: Barcelona’s expected goals prior to a key sending-off were slightly in their favor (1.22 to 1.00), allowing them to dominate once they had a man advantage. Securing a win without injuries was essential.
Ogden: Liverpool’s 5-1 victory in Frankfurt is significant for their confidence; however, it needs to be considered carefully, as Frankfurt struggled. Matches against teams like Barcelona, Liverpool, and Chelsea are important benchmarks. Meanwhile, PSG, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich are currently leading the pack.
Laurens: It’s premature to analyze the standings meaningfully until Matchday 5 or 6. Different teams have faced varying challenges, and a larger data set is required to understand this season’s trajectory in the Champions League. Anticipation builds for the next matches, including the highly anticipated PSG-Bayern face-off in two weeks.
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