Key talking points from Champions League MD1

English clubs enjoyed mixed fortunes as the Champions League returned with a bang this week. 

Manchester City and Arsenal started their campaigns in fine style, registering 3-1 and 4-0 victories respectively on Matchday 1. 

Newcastle battled their way to a point but Manchester United's patchy start to the season continued as they slipped to defeat in Germany. 

Alvarez steps up

After winning the Champions League to complete a remarkable Treble last term, Pep Guardiola's men came from behind to beat Crvena zvevda at the Etihad on Tuesday — and they did it without Erling Haaland scoring. 

Osman Bukari gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of half-time but a second-half double from Julian Alvarez put City in control before Rodri wrapped up the result in Group G. 

The fact the holders were so dominant without red-hot Haaland finding the net speaks volumes and is likely to leave future opponents shaking in their boots. 

Top Guns

Arsenal marked their return to European football's top club competition last night with a comfortable victory over PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta's side went goal crazy in the first half, with Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus putting the Dutch side to the sword. 

A 70th-minute effort from Martin Odegaard added a touch of gloss to the scoreline as the imperious Gunners sent a message to the rest of Europe.

If Arteta's free-scoring side can maintain their early season form, they will fancy their chances of going deep in the tournament. 

Battling Toon

Newcastle proved their European credentials with a battling performance at the San Siro on Tuesday night. 

Eddie Howe's troops dug in to frustrate AC Milan as they registered their first point in Group F with a goalless draw.

Toon have not enjoyed the best of starts in the Premier League but this result could galvanise their season. 

United's troubles build

The pressure continued to build on Erik ten Hag as United were overpowered and outgunned by German giants Bayern Munich. 

Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry put Bayern in control in the first half but Rasmus Hojlund cut the arrears four minutes after the restart with his first goal for the Red Devils. 

Harry Kane restored the two-goal advantage from the penalty spot before Casemiro gave Ten Hag's men hope two minutes from time. 

Yet the visitors, who had Andre Onana to blame for Sane's opener, conceded again in stoppage time when sub Mathys Tel got on the scoresheet. 

Casemiro netted his second before full-time but Ten Hag knows only too well that the Red Devils are careering towards a full-blown crisis. 

If his side do not stop shipping goals left, right and centre, the Dutchman may find his position is called into question. 

Champions League Matchday 1 results

Tuesday

AC Milan 0-0 Newcastle
Young Boys 1-3 RB Leipzig
Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-3 Porto
Manchester City 3-1 Crvena zvezda 
Lazio 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Barcelona 5-0 Antwerp
Feyenoord 2-0 Celtic

Wednesday

Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin
Galatasaray 2-2 Copenhagen
Bayern Munich 4-3 Manchester United
Benfica 0-2 FC Salzburg
Braga 1-2 Napoli
Arsenal 4-0 PSV Eindhoven
Sevilla 1-1 Lens
Real Sociedad 1-1 Inter Milan