The 2021-22
edition of the UEFA Champions League made a blockbuster start on Tuesday, with the first
matchday brimming with thrilling goals, rousing comebacks, crushing defeats and
fairytale underdog moments. Bayern Munich inflicted further misery on FC Barcelona
with a dominant 3-0 away win, while the Premier League clubs – with the
exception of Manchester United – continued to flex their superiority in Europe.

Here are
five key talking points from the first set of group fixtures in the showpiece European
tournament.  

1. Bayern
vs Barca: The memory remains

Memories from
the 8-2 humiliation were flashing in the eyes of the Barca fans and players as
Bayern once again dictated proceedings to inflict another crushing defeat on
the Catalans. While they did not concede eight goals this time, a third home
loss in a row, a first in the competition’s history for the club, and the
timing – after Lionel Messi’s unceremonious exit – make the loss just as damaging.

2. BSC
Young Boys vs Manchester United: Ole’s at the wheel

Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer may have thought the influx of stars over the summer might help him
change his fortunes in the Champions League, but his shoddy record in Europe continued
on Tuesday, as his side gave up a 1-0 advantage to allow unfancied BSC Young to
complete a thrilling comeback in the 95th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo
gave the visitors an early lead, and his second-half replacement Jesse Lingard
set up the home side’s 95th minute winner with a disastrous
back-pass.

3. Premier
League dominance continues

The recent
power shift in Europe from Spain, Italy to England is showing in the Champions
League, with Premier League sides making light work of their European rivals to
make winning starts to their campaigns. Defending champions Chelsea clawed to a
1-0 win at Zenit St Petersburg, while Manchester City hit RB Leipzig for six,
while Liverpool completed a memorable comeback against AC Milan with a
long-range stunner from captain Jordan Henderson.

4. Club
Brugge vs PSG: MNM make disjointed, frustrating start

This was
supposed to be a glimpse at what’s to come with Paris Saint-Germain unveiling their attacking trident
of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – dubbed MNM. But it turned out to be
a frustrating night for the Parisians, who were held to a 1-1 draw at a spirited
and organised Club Brugge. However, the season’s only getting started, with
plenty still to arrive from the megastars of Paris.