Champions League Takeaways

Mbappe magic, double Dutch delight and PSG are purring.

The elongated Champions League structure has now resulted in the typical format. March will bring with it the round of 16, which is now decided after the play-offs.

Eight teams — Liverpool, Arsenal Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Inter, Aston Villa and Lille — were already sure of their place in the knockout stage proper. Now, we know the other eight teams.

European elite Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are through, as are last year’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund.

Yet there is no place in the last 16 for Italian giants Milan or Juventus, they were beaten by Dutch duo Feyenoord and PSV. Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions, lost to Club Brugge, and Manchester City, well they were humbled by the aforementioned Madrid, with Benfica taking up the final place in the last 16.

Here, we delve into some takeaways from this week’s Champions League action.

MAGICAL MBAPPE INFLICTS MISERY ON MAN CITY

Erling Haaland had a Champions League record in his sights on Wednesday, as Man City looked to complete the turnaround at the Santiago Bernabeu. Instead, the Norwegian — nursing an injury — watched on from the bench as Pep Guardiola’s team were put to the sword by 15-time European champions Madrid, and one man in particular.

It was Los Blancos’ number nine who stole the show — Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory on the night, securing a 6-3 aggregate triumph. If the damage hadn’t been done last week, when Madrid came from 2-1 down to win in stoppage time thanks to Jude Bellingham, then Mbappe’s opener after just four minutes set the tone for what would be a long, miserable night for the men from Manchester.

Mbappe made light work of Man City (Credit: Instagram - @k.mbappe)

Mbappe plundered in two more goals to net his second Madrid hat-trick, in what was his biggest performance for the club to date. There would be no risk of a comeback as Carlo Ancelotti’s side stormed into the next round — propelled by Mbappe. The only blot on their copybook coming late on, when Nico Gonzalez grabbed his first City goal as a consolation.

City’s attention will now turn to attempting to stall Liverpool’s Premier League title charge on Sunday, with Guardiola’s only realistic chance of silverware now being the FA Cup.

PSG PURR