Champions League Matchday 6: Drama, Goals, and Shifting Stakes
The opening weeks of the 2024-25 Champions League season felt like a whirlwind of excitement and confusion. With the tournament’s new format—36 teams in a single table, two extra matchdays, and a whopping two-thirds of teams advancing to the knockout rounds—it was tough to grasp the stakes early on. But after Matchday 6, the picture is finally coming into focus.
This week delivered everything fans could ask for: eliminations, clinched spots, redemption arcs, and, of course, goals galore. Twelve of the 18 matches featured at least three goals, and seven of those games saw five or more hit the back of the net. Liverpool secured a top-eight finish and a bye to the round of 16, while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) showed signs of life. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s struggles continued, leaving fans scratching their heads. With the competition now on a six-week hiatus until late January, anticipation is already building for the blockbuster clash between Manchester City and PSG on January 22—a game that could define both teams’ seasons.
Let’s break it all down, country by country, to see who’s thriving, who’s floundering, and which players stole the show in what has been the most thrilling matchday yet.
England: Liverpool and Arsenal Shine, Man City Stumbles
Title Hopefuls:
- Liverpool: 16.2% (up 1.2% from last matchday)
- Arsenal: 11.5% (up 0.6%)
- Manchester City: 10.1% (down 3.6%)
Liverpool’s season is going so well that even their 1-0 win over Girona on Tuesday felt underwhelming. A soft penalty was all they needed to secure the victory, but goalkeeper Alisson had to make some big saves in his return from injury. Despite not being at their sharpest, Liverpool clinched a top-eight finish and remain atop the table in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Arsenal, meanwhile, delivered a statement performance with a 3-0 win over Monaco. Bukayo Saka was electric, scoring twice and assisting once, while Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus also shone. Saka’s dominance on the right wing, combined with his defensive contributions, makes him a strong contender for the title of Best Right Winger in the World.
On the other hand, Manchester City’s struggles have reached a new low. With just one win in their last 10 matches across all competitions, their odds of a top-eight finish in the Champions League have plummeted to 0.0%. A 2-0 loss to Juventus on Wednesday highlighted their issues, as City dominated possession but failed to create meaningful chances. Erling Haaland was largely invisible, managing just two shots all game. With two matches left—against PSG and Club Brugge—City’s path to the knockout rounds is anything but certain.
Spain: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid Deliver
Title Hopefuls:
- Barcelona: 11.5% (down 0.6%)
- Real Madrid: 11.5% (up 1.3%)
Barcelona bounced back from a rough November with a thrilling 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund. Substitute Ferran Torres scored twice late to secure the victory, ensuring Barca’s place in the top eight. Atletico Madrid continued their red-hot form with a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava, extending their winning streak to 10 matches in all competitions. Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez were once again the stars for Diego Simeone’s side.
Real Madrid also found their groove, edging Atalanta 3-2 in a nail-biter. Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham all scored, but the team had to withstand a late onslaught from Atalanta to secure the win. With Mbappé picking up a minor thigh injury, Madrid will hope he’s back to full fitness for the next round.
Germany: Bayern Munich Rolls Despite Injuries
Title Hopefuls:
- Bayern Munich: 10.1% (down 0.2%)
- Bayer Leverkusen: 3.5% (down 0.4%)
Bayern Munich showed why they’re perennial contenders with a dominant 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. Despite missing key players like Harry Kane and Manuel Neuer, Bayern’s Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise stepped up, combining for three goals and two assists. Olise’s dazzling solo goal in stoppage time was the cherry on top of an impressive performance.
Bayer Leverkusen also impressed, defeating Inter Milan 1-0 to boost their top-eight chances. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund’s loss to Barcelona saw their odds slip, but they remain in the hunt for a knockout-round bye.
Italy: Juventus Makes a Statement
Title Hopefuls:
- Inter Milan: 4.8% (down 0.7%)
- Juventus: 3.5% (up 1.5%)
Juventus delivered a massive 2-0 win over Manchester City, reminding everyone of their potential. With eight draws in Serie A this season, consistency has been an issue, but Wednesday’s performance showed they can hang with Europe’s elite. Inter Milan, however, suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, raising questions about their ability to adapt in high-stakes games.
France: PSG Keeps Hope Alive
PSG finally found some form with a 3-0 win over Salzburg, keeping their advancement hopes alive. Gonçalo Ramos’ return from injury has been a game-changer, and Bradley Barcola delivered his best Champions League performance yet. With a crucial match against Manchester City looming, PSG will need to build on this momentum.
Best XI of Matchday 6
Here’s our standout lineup from an unforgettable week:
- Goalkeeper: Ivan Gutesa (Red Star Belgrade)
- Fullbacks: Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Nordi Mukiele (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Center-backs: Marquinhos (PSG), Ryan Flamingo (PSV Eindhoven)
- Midfielders: Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Wingers: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Forward: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
With six weeks until Matchday 7, the Champions League drama is far from over. Stay tuned for more twists, turns, and unforgettable moments!
Originally Written by: Bill Connelly
