The Champions League did not disappoint on Tuesday evening as we saw upsets, great solo performances and a classic remontada in Madrid.

This is what happened.

It’s in the blood

No lead is safe against Real Madrid in the Champions League, and Borussia Dortmund learned that lesson the hard way in their 5-2 defeat to the Spanish giants.

Things looked pretty rosy for the visitors in the first half as they raced into a two-goal lead before half-time, but they learned why fans and opposition players felt like there was a box at the Santiago Bernabéu in this spot . big Champions League nights.

Five second-half goals from the home side, including a hat-trick from Vinicius Junior, saw Real Madrid blow away Dortmund, adding to their misery after last season’s final victory.

With the firepower they have at their disposal, you wouldn’t leave them out of any game, regardless of the score.

And to think they’re still figuring out how to make all the pieces fit together! If they do, watch out…

Shades of 2017 from Monaco

Football is far from the main topic of conversation in Monaco’s cafes and pubs, but every now and then we see a fantastic team grace the venue. Stade Louis II field.

After beating Red Star Belgrade 5-1 on Tuesday evening, the Ligue 1 side made sure they remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, and they did it in style.

A brace and assists from Takumi Minamino gave us a nice reminder of how slick the Japanese forward can be on his day. It may have been the first time he has found the back of the net in this competition since 2019, but it was a night to remember for the former Liverpool man.

Monaco has fallen out of the picture in the Champions League and Ligue 1 since the sparkling 2016/2017 team that went to the semi-finals of the former and won the latter.

After beating a new team from Barcelona in the opening match of the Champions League this season, they showed that they can also compete with the big boys. Could this team give the 16/17 team a run for their money this season?

Viktor Gyökeres remains Europe’s most sought after

Scandinavian forwards may be the new Brazilian wingers, with Viktor Gyökeres quickly making himself Europe’s most wanted man heading into the upcoming transfer windows.

The former Coventry man showed why he is so coveted with a stunning display of speed, power and finishing ability as he put Sporting two ahead in Austria on Tuesday evening.

It was the attacker’s thirteenth goal in as many games, and his second in the Champions League.

There is a laundry list of reasons why the Swede will move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs in the next ten months, and every item on the list was on display in this week’s Champions League.

How high is his ceiling?

Arsenal continue to miss the brutal finish

A win is a win at this stage of the Champions League for a club like Arsenal, who are looking to become one of the big boys in the competition again. But if they want to accomplish that feat, they will have to learn to be more ruthless in front of the goal.

The Gunners were perhaps lucky to walk away with all three points after only managing an own goal to take the lead and missing a chance to double the lead through Leandro Trossard from the penalty spot.

Mikel Arteta’s side have shown a tendency to allow opponents a share of possession this season, but their stout defense has kept things solid – which may not be entirely sustainable.

Perhaps a Scandinavian striker mentioned earlier in this article can make a difference…

Juventus look fresh, but they still have a lot to learn

Juventus had been feeling stale for years before Thiago Motta came in and some young, budding stars found their way into the new coach’s plans.

But Tuesday night’s home defeat to Stuttgart reminded them that they still have many lessons to learn before they regain their place in the upper echelons of European football.

Although it was the veteran Danilo who was sent off in the final minutes, the likes of Kenan Yıldız, Khéphren Thuram, Nicolò Savona and Juan Cabal have hardly produced a back-to-the-wall performance in the Champions League. their career.

This group of young people has plenty of room to grow, and that will happen. However, that growth will not come without pain on the way to their return to the picture.

It must be added that Stuttgart were deserved winners on a famous night for the club and their highly regarded manager Sebastian Hoeneß.