Inter Milan are making an early statement in this season’s European competition, sitting second in the table without having conceded a single goal so far. Despite scoring just seven goals in five matches, Simone Inzaghi’s team continues to impress with its well-organized and efficient style. Their latest victory came against RB Leipzig, who were undone by an own goal from Castello Lukeba after Federico Dimarco’s clever free-kick. As Leipzig pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Inter’s solid defense, led by Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, and Alessandro Bastoni, saw out the match with ease.
Arsenal, too, are finding their rhythm, largely thanks to the return of Martin Ødegaard. The Norwegian midfielder has been instrumental in reviving their form, with his creativity making Bukayo Saka and others look far more dangerous. Ødegaard’s return has been a turning point for the Gunners, and as William Saliba put it, Ødegaard is one of the best in the world. Arsenal’s recent 5-1 demolition of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League follows a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, signaling that their season is back on track.
Atalanta, despite having a small squad and losing key players like Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus, are once again excelling in Europe. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini continues to impress with his tactical ingenuity. In their latest match, Atalanta crushed Young Boys 6-1, with striker Mateo Retegui grabbing a brace and Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and registering three assists. Atalanta’s resilience and Gasperini’s resourcefulness continue to make them one of the most exciting teams in European football.
On the other hand, several big clubs are struggling. Manchester City’s downfall continues to be one of the most surprising storylines of the season. Pep Guardiola’s side let a three-goal lead slip against Feyenoord, culminating in a dramatic 4-4 draw. With key players underperforming and fitness concerns mounting, City seem fragile, and questions are swirling around Guardiola’s tactics and team selections. The absence of Kevin De Bruyne from the starting lineup and Phil Foden’s struggles have been especially puzzling.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are showing signs that their dominance may be waning. After their shock defeat at Anfield, the reigning champions are sitting on the edge of the playoffs, needing to win their last three games to have a chance of advancing. Jude Bellingham has been among the few standout performers, but the team as a whole seems disjointed. Despite their star-studded roster, Madrid’s lack of cohesion is evident, and Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics have been under scrutiny.
Paris Saint-Germain are another team caught in transition. While Kylian Mbappé’s struggles have dominated the headlines, PSG have been equally disappointing as a team. Their lack of a clear attacking structure was evident in their defeat to Bayern Munich, where defensive mistakes and missed opportunities cost them. PSG’s gamble on youth may offer hope for the future, but their current campaign looks uncertain as they sit behind both Real Madrid and several other teams in the table.
However, there were standout individual performances this week. Conor Bradley’s impressive display for Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain earned him praise from the Anfield crowd, with his perfectly timed tackle on Mbappé one of the highlights. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez was also in fine form, keeping a clean sheet and making crucial saves to help his team stay close to the top eight. Lastly, Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens continues to shine, with his latest goal in the Champions League bringing his tally to four in five matches, cementing his place as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.