WINNERS
REAL MADRID
Post Cristiano Ronaldo, "Los Blancos" kickstarted their UCL 18/19 campaign with a bang with a 3-0 win over Roma. The front three of Bale, Benzema and Isco interchanged seamlessly throughout the 90 minutes and contributed greatly to the fluidity of the Madrid attack. Gareth Bale looks like a man reborn and his fine second half finish was the Welshman's 4th league of this season. Isco scored from a free kick, which was the first direct free kick he has taken since his arrival in 2013 also indicates Madrid's star men are relishing the new post Ronaldo era. Given Bale's comments prior to Wednesday's game this has never been more apparent. Lopetegui's men enjoyed 61% possession and dictated the tempo throughout showcasing already the influence of their newly appointed manager.
With the likes of Asensio and Mariano Diaz impressing from the bench the new boss will be fully keen on extracting the most from the current group dynamic and has already the June showpiece at the nearby Wanda Metropolitano firmly in his sights.
JUVENTUS
A club also post CR7; "La Bianconeri" enjoyed a hard fought 2-0 in their opening match away to Valencia. The Italians pushed past the initial setback of their star man's dismissal to enjoy the better of a tense, fraught encounter between the two sides. Miralem Pjanic capitulated on some poor, wreckless Valencia defending to convert two penalties. Although Leonardo Bonucci's performances upon his return to Turin have been disconcerting the Juve defence all stood up to the challenge at La Mestalla. Wojciech Szczeenzy when called upon pulled off some good saves and he was aided by bright performances from ex Valencia man; Jao Cancelo and Italian stalwart Giorgio Chiellini at the back. Given the array of attacking potential Massimiliano Allegri has available to him, a combination of the fight and heart they showed at La Mestalla with an on fire attack could prove rather significant in their quest to capture Europe's greatest prize.
JAMES MILNER
Some football fan phone ins had suggested if the 32 year old midfielder had been brought to Russia earlier this summer England would have won the World Cup, although I do not share the same sentiment I do not doubt the constant improvement and significance which James Milner has had which has coincided in Liverpool's upturn in form this calendar year. Milner for the past decade has been the consummate pro and an ever reliable staple in any team he has graced. As shown by his cameo season as left back or his current role as midfield general you cannot argue against the fact that he is the ultimate team player. His crunching challenge on Neymar early on set the tone for a racuous night at Anfield and it is noteworthy that no player has had more assists than Milner since the beginning of the 17/18 season. Although Jordan Henderson is the official bearer of the captain's armband at the club for many there is only one real leader.
TANGUY NDOMBELE
Nabil Fekir, Marcelo, Anthony Lopes, Maxwel Cornet all earned rave reviews for the role they played in taking down Manchester City at the Etihad Wednesday night but for me it was 21 year old Tanguy Ndombele who was integral to the French team's success. Lyon fought off Tottenham and Bayern Munich interest to secure their starlet for at least another season and it was his formidable presence which set the tone for a spirited Lyon side on Wednesday night. Ndombele illustrated an uncanny similarity to Patrick Vieira with his lung busting box to box runs, ability to thread a pass combined with his determination to scrap and fight for loose balls. This will not be the last time you hear of Ndombele this UCL campaign. If the Frenchman does soon depart the 8 million euros which Lyon parted with to secure the Frenchman's signature will merely represent a fraction of the sum they stand to earn.
LOSERS
TOTTENHAM
From Mauricio Potchettino's cow analogies to Harry Kane's fitness to ongoing stadium concerns there is a much of a muchness about Spurs this season and they are doing little right on or off the pitch to remove their tag of perennial underachievers. With Matias Vecino's late winner at the San Siro, that means Tottenham have now conceded three set piece goals this season which is in stark contrast to the defensive fortitude and resolve they have displayed in prior years. Daniel Levy's transfer market shrewdness left coach and players particularly vulnerable in several key positions this season and for a team which had numerous player partake as far as the semi finals of the World Cup, it has left many fans and pundits heads scratching as to where next Spurs will unearth their next gem. Surely reinforcements will be added come January, but until then Potchettino has the unenviable task of leading this jaded group through the brutal and grueling schedule of games on the horizon.
PSG
PSG players trudged off the pitch humbled by Liverpool on Tuesday night. While the 3-2 scoreline was what was noted in the referee's match report the difference between the two teams was far more extravagant. The expensively assembled front three of Neymar, Cavani and Mbappe were outclassed and outfought by their opponent's ALDI priced attack in comparison and showed little of the flair and skill required to own the stage of a game of such magnitude. Edinson Cavani in fact only touched the ball just the 20 times at Anfield. Given the reasonable size of the club's coffers one could have forgiven me for thinking Thomas Tuchel was back coaching Borussia Dortmund with the midfield three he had assembled on Tuesday with central defender; Marquinhos partnering winger; Angel Di Maria and an out of sorts Adrien Rabiot. If PSG are to become the force they think they are in Europe one may advise them to keep publicity stunts such as the Michael Jordan kit deal to the side and focus on maybe turning up once on occasion to compete with Europe's elite. Out of their last 13 games against 'Europe's elite" away from home, PSG have just won once.
VAR
Given the heavy amount of slew and propaganda surrounding the technology we were fed prior to this years World Cup one may have thought UEFA (European competition's governing body) may have implemented it for the holy grail of club competition. Such technology would have added to the novelty and folly surrounding CR7's early dismissal on Wednesday night. Sadly UEFA believe they do not have the sufficient resources available to implement VAR until next season's campaign. Roberto Rizetti was previously the head of referees this past summer in Russia and is heavily acquainted with the technology. He has since taken up the head role at UEFA and announced just a past few weeks ago in Monaco that the system would not be introduced at this stage due to numerous factors such as technical issues, not having enough referee's accustomed to it and UEFA not having one centre for all head decisions to take place. Seems nearly as slow as Spurs move to their new stadium, but by the time they make the move one could be doubtful if there will still be any European football played in the North Londoners new home.