Unexpected favorites appeared in the Champions League groups.

Group A. Expensive defeat

Something incredible is doing Napoli this season. Even if we ignore the leadership of the Neapolitans in Serie A, the performance of Luciano Spalletti’s team in the Champions League group is impressive. After an important update, for which many have had questions, Napoli seem to have received a second wave and are ready to turn something serious.

The defeat of Liverpool (4: 1) in the first round was attributed to the problems of the wards of Jurgen Klopp. The defeat of “Rangers” (3: 0) in the second round – on the class difference between the teams. But Ajax’s defeat, and with the score 6: 1 in Amsterdam, is already a reason to take a closer look and start taking this team seriously.

The game in the Netherlands was not only characterized by the abundance of mistakes by the hosts, but also showed how Napoli achieve their excellent results. It is a very intense fast work of the attacking group, in which everyone has dribbling, speed and the ability to make unconventional decisions. As well as the chic pressing in the center line. Zambo Angissa and Lobotka simply destroyed Ajax’s midfield. Ndombele, who came out for the second half in place of Zielinski, also entered this game mode. So it’s all a question of the system.

The Neapolitans have scored 26 shots in this match, 13 on goal. Ajax only have eight shots. It is noteworthy that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia became the hitter on the field, who made seven attempts, one of which became productive. He also has an assist. In total, he already has six goals and three assists in 11 games with Napoli. Obviously he came to the construction site. The young Rapadori, the author of a brace and an assist, is the absolute protagonist.

It is logical that Napoli are leading in Group A and look at the moment as the best team in the Champions League with the maximum points, 13 goals scored and two conceded. Fixed his position in the “Liverpool” side game. He beat Rangers 2-0 with a “working” score. In addition, the “reds” landed 23 hits: 10 hit the target. The Scots only had six attempts. But at the same time, Liverpool have not scored from the field. Salah converted a penalty while Alexander-Arnold scored a free-kick.

The Reds are in second clean place with six points, Ajax are third with three points and Rangers close the standings, not having scored a single point yet and no goals.

Group B. Unexpected leader

A tense fight is underway in Group B. There are now three teams at the same time with three points each. These are Porto, Bayer and Atlético. And Brugge, who was expected to be a clear outsider in this company, went on an unexpected escape from everyone. The Belgians also managed to win all three group matches without losing a single point. And if the victories over Porto and Bayer could not yet surprise to some extent, Atlético fell in the third round.

Club Brugge played like the same Materassi, scoring only seven shots and scoring two goals out of three shots on goal. While Atlético scored 20 shots, Griezmann hit a wood from the spot. By the way, he didn’t convert his 11th career penalty with 30 in total. Weak implementation.

The situation in the group was made more confusing by Porto’s parallel victory over Bayer. With the same score 2: 0. Here also the Germans missed a penalty: Shik missed Costa. Also, Bayer had Frimpong sent off at the end of the match. Leverkuseners had a lot more ball possession, but serving created teams in much the same way. Both goals were scored in the second half.

Thus, now three teams have a win each and the incredible Club Brugge has three at the same time. It will be interesting to see if the Belgians lose momentum in the second part of the group stage.

Group C. Catalans in danger

In group C we note the clear dominance of Bayern, who have won all three games without conceding a single goal. He met a clear outsider of the Pilsen quartet “Victoria” and won with a score of 5: 0. Thus, the Czech club has conceded 12 goals and only one scored in three games.

In the match of the third round, Bayern smeared the opponent, owned the ball more than 70 percent of the time, shot 21 shots, 13 of them on goal. Victoria has only had ten hits.

Among these different poles of the quartet are Inter and Barcelona, ​​who will apparently play the second ticket for the Champions League playoffs. So far the Milanese club is closer to this, which won a home victory over the Catalans with a score of 1: 0 thanks to a goal from Calhanoglu. The game was extremely tense, Barcelona had more than 71 percent of the ball, but the shots were very few: 12 on two and two on goal. So far Inter have six points and Barcelona have three. Much will depend on the match in Spain. The epilogue in the group can be dramatic.

Group D. All intertwined

But if in group C an intriguing epilogue is expected between a couple of teams, then in this quartet all four will provide it, since there is absolutely no clarity about the future of each of them. Round three just confused everything. In the battle between Eintracht and Tottenham, a goalless draw was recorded, although the English had better ball possession and the Germans were more likely to hit on goal. In general, the comparison turned out to be the same. And both teams have four points after three rounds.

Sporting had the opportunity, following the example of many other leading teams from other groups, to score nine points, but stumbled on the match with Marseille, who played the role of winger. The Provençals lost to Eintracht and Tottenham with no options in the early rounds but tuned into Sporting at home as they should.

Furthermore, Marseille conceded goals already in the first minute, but scored twice in the 16th minute (the first goal was not without the help of a goalkeeper error) and took the lead. And Sporting goalkeeper Adan also received a red card midway through the first half. So soon Marseille scored the third goal and in the end scored a devastating score – 4: 1. With 20 shots on goal against six, which is not surprising when playing in power play for half and a half.

Sporting now have six points, Eintracht and Tottenham have four each and Marseille have three. And each of the teams has every chance of being in the Champions League playoffs. Nothing is clear.