For some time I have been of the opinion that 10 points will secure you progress from the Champions League group stages.
That has been the case virtually every season (with a couple of exceptions).
So, on that basis, holders Real Madrid, Manchester City, Napoli, Benfica and Paris St Germain are well on their way to the last 16 after the first two matches of this season’s competition.
Following another night of Champions League highlights, the portents aren’t as good, however, for Italian giants Juventus nor last season’s Europa League finalists Rangers.
While the Glasgow side are very much underdogs in this tournament, this was certainly not part of the plan for the ‘old lady’ of Turin.
There was only one place to start and that was in Manchester where English champions City welcomed Borussia Dortmund in a reunion with Erling Braut Haaland.
You can guess the script!
He was actually one of three ex-Dortmund players in the hosts’ line-up along with City captain Ilkay Gundogan and recent signing Manuel Akanji.
Yet when talented youngster Jude Bellingham ghosted in behind the City rearguard to head past Ederson early in the second half, it was a shock to the system.
That was how it stayed until 10 minutes from time when John Stones, not known for being a regular scorer and playing at right-back, hit a swerving shot from 20 yards which deceived goalkeeper Alexander Meyer.
It changed the mood and Dortmund were pegged back to a degree that a home winner seemed as inevitable as its source.
Sure enough, four minutes later Joao Cancelo played a delightful ball into the area with the outside of his foot into the box and there was Haaland producing an airborne acrobatic volley which again showcased his talent.
At the age of 22 years and 55 days, he is the youngest player in Champions League history to score for and against the same side in the competition (Borussia Dortmund), surpassing Álvaro Morata for/against Real Madrid (22 years, 194 days).
Haaland kept his celebrations muted. Respect for his former team-mates from a talent who gains respect with each passing week.
Talking of respect, like City, Real Madrid weren’t at their best but, as with all good champions, found a way to win.
Again, there were 10 minutes on the clock the matchwinner in last year’s final, Vincius Jr, found Federico Valverde who found the bottom corner.
Then in stoppage time, veteran Toni Kroos directed a free-kick and substitute Marco Asensio fired home from outside the box.
The victory meant Carlo Ancelotti is the second manager to win 100 Champions League matches, after Sir Alex Ferguson (102).
Real have also won their opening two Champions League matches for the first time since 2017-18. They won the tournament that season too!
After turning on the style to thrash Liverpool last week, Napoli faced another British club but a very different task as they headed to Glasgow to meet Rangers.
For some time, it seemed they may be thwarted as the resolute hosts withheld everything that was thrown at them.
Rangers also had Allan McGregor who certainly did not deserve to end up on the losing side.
Ten minutes into the second half and their task was made extra difficult when Giovanni Simeone was brought down in the penalty area by James Sands who, already on a booking, was sent off.
McGregor produced a top drawer save to keep out Piotr Zielinksi’s spot-kick before Matteo Politano converted the rebound.
However, VAR spotted an encroachment and when Zielinksi went for the same side, so did McGregor.
It was superb stuff from the 40 year-old who was finally beaten when Borna Barisic was adjudged to have handled the ball 13 minutes later and this time it was Matteo Politano who took responsibility from the penalty spot and squeezed his shot between McGregor and the corner.
There were just five minutes remaining when substitute Giacomo Raspadori grabbed a second from close range and it was in stoppage time when on-loan Spurs man, Tanguy Ndombele, put a one-sided slant on the scoreline against by now demoralised opponents.
To their credit, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s players kept going but were even denied a late penalty by VAR.
Finally, to Napoli’s Italian neighbours Juventus.
The SBOBET Champions League betting odds are certainly stacked against them now after a 2-1 home reverse to Benfica.
They could not have asked for a better start when Leandro Paredes curled a free kick onto the head of Arek Milik who glanced the ball into the far bottom corner of the net. Former Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario drew the visitors level from the penalty spot and, after Mattia Perin kept out a Rafa Silva shot, David Neres fired in the rebound to heap more pressure on Juve boss Maxi Allegri.
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