We are officially at the halfway point of the 2020/2021 Champions League group stages and what a journey it's been so far.
We're starting to get an idea about who might be the teams to watch this season, as well as which sides shouldn't have bothered turning up in the first place.
Here is one hot take for each of the 32 Champions League clubs in the wake of Matchday Three.
1. Ajax - Get It Done Quickly
47 seconds. That was all the time it took for Ajax to take the lead against Midtjylland.
Just nine minutes later they were two up and could sit back, relax and coast their way to an important three points. It pays to get the job done early.
2. Atalanta - Maybe Do Some Defending Next Time Lads?
They might still boast a devoted, hipster following but Atalanta's defending against Liverpool was tragic.
We are huge fans of Gian Piero Gasperini's gung ho approach but come on, can we try to look like we're doing some marking next time lads?
3. Atletico Madrid - Joao Felix Is Very Good at Football
He may not have managed to score but that did not stop Joao Felix starring for Los Rojiblancos against Lokomotiv Moscow.
Of late, a few questions have been raised about whether the Portugal international can thrive in Diego Simeone's rigid system and his display in Russia added further evidence to the contrary.
4. Barcelona - At Least They're Good in Europe
2020 is shaping up to be an annus horribilis for Barcelona. Even by this year's horrific standard, the Blaugrana have had a torrid time.
In the wake of an 8-2 demolition to Bayern Munich, the ousting of president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the ongoing threat of bankruptcy, the club's European form has been a rare bright spot.
Victory over Dynamo Kyiv made it three wins for three. That's something we guess.
5. Bayern Munich - They're Still Ridiculously Good
In case you needed anymore proof that Die Roten are the best team on the planet, they provided it with a stunning 6-2 demolition of Red Bull Salzburg.
Can anyone stop Hansi Flick's Bavarian brutes?
6. Borussia Dortmund - Feed the Braut And He Will Score
Erling Haaland passed a late fitness to feature in Dortmund's 3-0 victory over Club Brugge.
Unsurprisingly, the prolific Norwegian bagged a brace - keeping up his record of scoring against every team he has faced in the Champions League.
7. Borussia Mönchengladbach - Gladbach > Real Madrid
It's simple really.
Real Madrid lost to Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Monchengladbach smashed Shakhtar 6-0 - therefore they are are a better side than Los Blancos. Next.
8. Chelsea - ANOTHER CLEAN SHEET?!
Remember when Chelsea couldn't defend? Simpler times ay.
The Blues shutout against Rennes means they have now gone five games in all competitions without conceding. Don't you hate it when a good narrative falls apart?
9. Club Brugge - A Minor Setback or the Beginning of the End?
Usual Champions League whipping boys Club Brugge had started this season's competition very well, besting Zenit St. Petersburg and gaining a point against Lazio.
Is there 3-0 defeat the beginning of the end or simply a minor setback on the road to their first ever progression into the knockout stages? Only time will tell.
10. Dynamo Kiev - The Fight For the Europa League Is On!
Dynamo Kyiv never had much chance of progressing from Group G over Barcelona and Juventus - and their recent defeat to the former all but ended their hopes.
Their attention now turns to Matchday Six when they take on Ferencvaros in what could be a winner takes all for a place in the Europa League. Fun!
11. Ferencvaros - Hey, At Least They Scored
Take a bow Franck Boli. The striker grabbed a 90th minute consolation during Ferencvaros' 4-1 defeat to Juventus to give their fans something to talk about on Zoom in the weeks ahead.
12. Inter - Panic Stations?
After three games Inter would have expected to have accrued more than two points.
After being edged out 3-2 by Real Madrid, things are starting to get a little desperate for Antonio Conte. Expect him to recruit another former Premier League wing back. That is the answer to everything after all.
13. Istanbul Basaksehir - Age Is Just a Number
Both of Istanbul Basaksehir's goals received a massive helping hand from the Manchester United defence, but that should not detract from their fine display.
A special mention to 35-year-old Demba Ba, who rolled back the years with the easiest goal anyone has ever scored in the Champions League.
14. Juventus - Morata Finally Scored!
After netting the world's first 'disallowed' hat-trick last time out, we can't have been the only ones that were delighted to see Alvaro Morata bag a brace against Ferencvaros.
15. Krasnodar - A Great Chance Slips Away
When you're 2-1 up and the opposition gets reduced to ten men, it takes a pretty spectacular capitulation to surrender the three points.
Step forward Krasnodar, who did exactly that against Sevilla.
16. Lazio - Bad, But Could Have Been Worse
Lazio really should be doing better than drawing to Zenit St. Petersburg, especially after poor result against Club Brugge.
At least Felipe Caicedo's 82nd minute equaliser saved them from a damaging defeat.
17. Liverpool - Jota or Firmino? That Is the Question
After Diogo Jota netted a hat-trick against Atalanta, Jurgen Klopp publicly stated that his performance did not give him a selection headache.
Privately though, the German must be battling migraines as he has the tough decision of opting for Jota or Roberto Firmino against Manchester City on Sunday.
18. Lokomotiv Moscow - The Dream's Still Alive
When Group A was drawn, most pundits suggested that it was a foregone conclusion that Atletico and Bayern would progress.
However at the halfway mark, those stubborn Lokomotiv Moscow boys are just two points back from Atleti. They couldn't actually upset the odds could they?
19. Manchester City - Good Night at the Office
There's not a huge amount to say about Manchester City's run of the mill 3-0 win over Olympiacos.
One of the most encouraging aspects of the victory was Ferran Torres - who impressed in a central role - netting once again.
20. Manchester United - Ole Out?
Schoolboy defending is too kind of a phrase to describe United's performance.
Serious questions have to be asked of the manager and the players after that pile of dross.
21. Marseille - 'We Are Being Sh*t'
After his Marseille side were bested 3-0 by Porto, Andre Villas Boas gave a very honest post-match interview.
"In order to be s*** in the Champions' League, you have to at least qualify for the Champions' League. We did it and we are being s***," the former Chelsea boss said.
You cannot argue with that.
22. Midtjylland - Slow Starts Are a Big No
If you're without a win after two games, you cannot afford to concede two goals within ten minutes.
That's exactly what Midtjylland did against Ajax, eventually succumbing to a 2-1 defeat. The result probably signals the end of their slim chances of progression.
23. Olympiacos - On the Verge
Matchday five is looking like it could be a important game for the Greek side. Another victory over fellow Group C strugglers Marseille would likely confirm a third placed finish.
24. Porto - Luis Diaz Is a Player
Fresh from bagging a great goal against Manchester City in Porto's opening game, Luis Diaz was at it again against Marseille.
The Portuguese giants clearly have some player on their hands, and it won't be long until he starts to attract serious interest from elsewhere.
25. PSG - Discipline Is Key
Things got off to a great start for PSG in Leipzig with Angel Di Maria opened the scoring inside seven minutes.
However, things soon fell apart with Die Roten Bullen making it 2-1 and Les Parisiens having two man sent off before full time. The result does not bode well for Thomas Tuchel.
26. RB Leipzig - All Hail Emperor Gulacsi
With RB Leipzig 1-0 down, Peter Gulacsi made a vital penalty stop which helped Julian Nagelsmann's side kick start their revival.
He may not be the flashiest name in the squad, but make no mistake - the Hungarian is one of the best shot stoppers around.
27. Red Bull Salzburg - Tighten it Up
Look, of course playing against Bayern is not easy and in some ways Red Bull Salzburg deserve credit for trying to go toe to toe with the reigning European champions.
However, their open approach led to a 6-2 thumping and this now leaves them four goals back from Lokomotiv Moscow in third.
28. Real Madrid - Phew
With 10 minutes left to play Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo combined to save Real from a second Champions League draw in as many games.
It was a fine strike and an important one as well. One dreads to think how their fans would have taken to not winning any of their first three European matches.
29. Rennes - Far From a Dream Debut
Rennes have not enjoyed the best maiden Champions League campaign.
Their 3-0 defeat to Frank Lampard's Chelsea means they currently sit stone dead last in Group E, six points adrift of both the Blues and Sevilla. We're not saying it's over but... actually, no we are saying it's over.
30. Sevilla - Passion, Desire, Teamwork
It takes a special team to rally after going into half time 2-1 down and reduced to ten man.
Presumably, Sevilla will be a bit gutted to have recorded a 3-2 win over Krasnodar in the end though, as securing a spot in their beloved Europa League by finishing third is always their number one priority.
31. Shakhtar Donetsk - Back to Reality
Going into their game against Gladbach, Shakhtar were the surprise leaders of Group B having famously beaten Real Madrid before drawing with Lazio.
Against Die Folen, they were utterly woeful, shipping no less than six goals without reply. The phrase: 'consistently inconsistent' comes to mind.
32. Zenit St Petersburg - A Point on the Board!
After back to back defeats, Zenit's 1-1 draw with Lazio saved them the ignominy of securing zero points from their opening three games.
They're still never going to qualify but at least it keeps their Europa League hopes alive.
Source : 90min