So far in this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL), we’ve been treated to some thrilling footballing action.
There have been plenty of notable moments and records. AC Milan, in complete contrast to their unbeaten Serie A season so far, have failed to win a game in Group B. Juventus are a reverse case, with their perfect Champions League record.
Then there’s the inimitable Cristiano Ronaldo. The man who is there, time after time, dragging his Manchester United team from the doldrums.
There have also been some unstoppable teams. After matchday four, four clubs have perfect records in the Champions League this season. All four are already through to the last 16; one is guaranteed top spot in their group.
Let’s rank the four teams with perfect records at this stage, viewing their strengths and possible weaknesses.
4. Juventus
It’s been a season of contrasts for Juventus and Massimiliano Allegri. For so long the dominant force in Serie A, they currently sit in ninth place in the standings – 16 points off top spot.
Their Champions League form could not be more different. They have defeated every team that has come before them, including European champions Chelsea. Federico Chiesa put the Blues to the sword in Turin, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win.
Paulo Dybala, meanwhile, netted twice in Tuesday’s 4-2 win over Zenit. Those two goals were the first Juve have conceded in the competition this season.
For all their hard work thus far, though – and one of four perfect records this season – there are still extensive tests to come. A trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the return fixture represents a massive challenge. With head-to-head records the tie breaker when teams finish on equal points, a win for Chelsea by two or more goals – and victory in their final game against Malmo – would see them top the group.
3. Ajax
After the disappointment of being knocked out in the UCL group stage last season, Ajax have bounced back in phenomenal style in this campaign.
Erik ten Hag’s side has been simply unstoppable so far. Their biggest test came at Dortmund last night, where they were outplayed in the first half.
However, the 10-man hosts couldn’t keep Ajax out in the second. Three goals – including a seventh European goal of the season by Sebastien Haller – helped the Dutch side to a 3-1 victory.
Read: How Sebastien Haller went from West Ham flop to Champions League hitman.
Their 4-0 win in the reverse fixture in Amsterdam, where Ajax simply dominated, underlined just how threatening they can be in the latter stages.
No more than a few years ago, we would have delivered that last line with some doubt. Not anymore. Recent knockout wins over Real Madrid and Juventus have seen to that. There’s every chance Ajax could go all the way on this form.
2. Liverpool
It is probably a measure of just how good Liverpool are that they have recorded maximum points whilst perhaps not playing at their absolute best in every game.
They were pegged back to 2-2 in the away fixture against Atletico Madrid after going 2-0 up, before Mohamed Salah scored the winner from the penalty spot.
The Reds were also 2-1 down against AC Milan at half-time at Anfield before charging back to win 3-2. However, as Jurgen Klopp said after the victory at Atletico, the “dirty wins” are the important ones.
Last night, Liverpool were excellent in the reverse fixture against Diego Simeone’s side. They went two goals ahead inside 21 minutes, before Felipe saw red for the visitors before half-time. The eventual 2-0 win means Liverpool have already qualified for the last 16 as group winners from the ‘group of death’. Other teams need to watch out.
1. Bayern Munich
If there’s one thing that has defined Bayern Munich‘s UCL campaign, it’s goals. And lots of them.
No other side has scored more than the 17 Bayern have plundered in four games. The metronomic Robert Lewandowski has eight of them. Even by the Pole’s excellent standards, this is some start to the season.
Before their 5-2 win over Benfica on Tuesday – when Lewandowski scored a hat-trick – they hadn’t conceded a UCL goal, either.
There will be more significant tests than group opponents Barcelona, Benfica and Dynamo Kiev, but Bayern are in excellent shape. If there is one concern, it is that teams can breach their defence – their 5-0 DFB-Pokal defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach last month showed exactly that.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
