Champions League drama on a Thursday, who would have thought?

The new era continued with six European matches and many delicious results. Let us recap all the best moments for you.

Ødegaard Gap is already proving to be a major problem

The news that Martin Ødegaard has suffered an ankle injury that could keep him out for eight weeks will have Arsenal fans feeling sick, and that feeling could be heightened after what they saw in their Champions League opener.

The Gunners managed to beat rivals Tottenham 1-0 without their own midfield maestro, but against a determined Atalanta the captain’s absence was clearly visible.

Mikel Arteta’s team lacked personality in the first half, with Kai Havertz and Declan Rice struggling to match the creativity that Ødegaard brings to the team. They finished the first half with just 184 passes and failed to register a shot between the 18th and 74th minutes.

Neither Jorginho nor Raheem Sterling’s input was enough to breathe new life into the game. Given that the season has only just begun, Arsenal could lose even more ground in the early stages if they cannot close the gap to Ødegaard.

Arteta will thank heavens that David Raya made a great save from a double penalty, leaving the match 0-0.

Wonderful Wirtz belongs on the big stage

Florian Wirtz finally made his Champions League debut. How did it take so long, honestly?

This European competition is a stage for the best players to show what they are made of. The 21-year-old German international proved that he has that status after an incredible individual performance against Feyenoord.

Wirtz needed just four minutes and 36 seconds to find the net with a low shot from distance in the league and he scored two goals before half-time, making it six goals in six games this season.

Other notable stats include 100% ground duels won, 87% passing accuracy, three chances created, three ball wins and the first German to score twice on his competitive debut.

If it wasn’t for that ACL tear, we would have seen his skills on the UCL stage a lot sooner. However long it took, it’s great to finally have him here.

Yamal’s skills alone can’t save Barcelona

Barcelona have historically relied on Lionel Messi to bail them out of trouble, but with the Argentine star in the United States, that responsibility has fallen to an unexpected name.

Lamine Yamal showed once again why he is arguably the best footballer in the world right now, despite only being 17. The Euro 2024 winner shone in the Champions League by scoring his first goal in the competition.

His long-range curling ball (almost registered by now) helped Barcelona level after Eric Garcia was sent off after 10 minutes. Unfortunately for Hansi Flick and co., Yamal’s individual efforts weren’t enough to save them this time.

Barcelona conceded the eventual winner when substitute George Ilenikhena fired the ball straight at Marc Andre ter Stegen, who slotted it through. The goalkeeper was also the cause of the red card incident after making a hasty pass.

Barcelona knows, Flick knows, the world knows that Yamal’s talent can take the club to new heights. But his wonders are for naught if some of their experienced players can’t do their job when needed.

Brest wins the race for best debutant

In the 2024/25 season, Brest and Girona will step onto the biggest European stage as the two league debutants. And it is the French club that is making the most of their moment.

Girona were prevented from drawing with Paris Saint-Germain yesterday, losing 1-0, while Brest went one step further by winning the season opener 2-1 against SK Sturm Graz.

Of course, the quality of the opponent is evident here. However, after finally stepping onto Europe’s biggest stage, the French club marked the celebratory moment with their first goal when Hugo Magnetti fired the ball off the ground.

Technically, Brest also scored the other two goals, through own goals from Abdallah Sima and Edimilson Fernandes.

In a new competition format where every goal and every point counts, this is the club’s best start in the Champions League, as they sit 13th in the table, above the likes of PSG, Arsenal, Inter, Manchester City, Barcelona and Milan.

The Wanda remains a cathedral for drama

Oh, the Wanda Metropolitano. A hall that suffocates the opposition teams thanks to a roaring red-and-white crowd inside. It is a true theatre for drama, which was the case again on Thursday.

RB Leipzig thought they would take the ground after Benjamin Sesko scored after 3:55 for the third earliest goal Atleti had conceded in the competition, but the ever-reliable Antoine Griezmann was unwilling to take such a risk.

Atleti’s legendary Frenchman turned back the clock and volleyed home the equaliser from the penalty spot, before slotting home in the 90th minute. Fans and Diego Simeone went wild as Griezmann won the ball back in the box and sent an unblinking cross to José María Giménez, who headed in the winning goal.

It is fitting that one of Atlético’s best players, who also leads Atlético’s top scorers in Europe and has already led the team to the Champions League final twice, was the man to orchestrate such scenes in a stadium.

The Wanda continues to be a team-consuming environment.