Vincent Kompanys Bayern Munich. They rule supreme in Germany and are on a 16-match winning streak. Beating the defending champions, Paris Saint-Germain, on Tuesday was further proof of Bayerns credentials. Luís Diaz, whose combativeness is sorely missed by Liverpool, scored two, but he took the aggression too far when his challenge on Achraf Hakimi led to a first-half red card. That meant the second-half became a test of defensive credentials that Bayern passed. I also want us to enjoy it when we have to defend, said Kompany. He was by no means his clubs first-choice as coach in the summer of 2024 relegation from the Premier League with Burnley had damaged his reputation. But in Bavaria, the noise from the boardroom has been quelled for now by the brilliance of his teams play.
Pafos make history. A familiar face and hairstyle played 90 minutes as David Luiz marshalled the defence for Pafoss defeat of Villarreal. The 38-year-old, the defensive lion of Chelseas 2012 Champions League win, is the oldest outfield player in this seasons competition. When the Cypriot club were formed on 10 June 2014, Luiz was in the process of negotiating a move from Chelsea to PSG. The scoring hero for Pafos this week, coached by Juan Carlos Carcedo, a longtime assistant to Unai Emery, was Derrick Luckassen, Luizs defensive partner. Luckassen is the older brother of Brian Brobbey, Sunderlands No 9. The assist came via Ken Sema, once of Watford, who is part of a Pafos squad from across the football spectrum. As a first-time manager, its my greatest victory, said Caredo; it was Pafos first-ever group stage win, too.
Qarabag and Brugge denied. Perhaps the formats relative lack of jeopardy encourages smaller teams to attack supposedly elite opposition whatever the case, it makes for great entertainment. Both Qarabag, who gave Chelsea a fright in Baku, and Club Brugge, who drew 3-3 with Barcelona in the best match of the week, supplied the extended group stage with legitimacy via entertainment. Gurban Gurbanov has been in charge of Qarabag since 2008 a period in which Chelsea have had 14 permanent managers. His team ravaged Chelseas defence, with Jorrel Hato suffering a rotten night. Meanwhile, Brugge repeatedly pierced Hansi Flicks high-line, high-wire act. It took Lamine Yamals habitual brilliance, and a video assistant coming to the rescue of Wojciech Szczęsny as Brugges winner was ruled out, to save Barça. Brugge coach Nicky Hayen is winning admirers; he was in charge of Haverfordwest County in the League of Wales three years ago.
Related: Bradley shuts down Vinícius and shows Liverpool he can be right-back for future | Nick Ames
There were plenty of contenders for this award. Brugges Carlos Forbs got two goals and an assist against Barcelona, Galatasarays Victor Osimhen scored a brilliant hat-trick against Ajax, while Arsenals 15-year-old midfielder Max Dowman became the competitions youngest ever player. But this weeks award belongs to a defender although not Tottenhams Micky van de Ven, despite his breathtaking solo goal against Copenhagen. The award instead goes to Liverpools Conor Bradley, who first made his mark a year ago with a crunching tackle on Kylian Mbappé. On Tuesday it was Vinícius Júnior who was locked down by the Northern Irishman, who clearly reserves his best for Real Madrid. Bradleys bite took place as Trent Alexander-Arnold, booed all evening by the Anfield crowd, was sat on the Madrid bench until the later stages. Thibaut Courtois, in Madrids goal, was a contender for player of the week, too.
Some players are not happy to be substituted, they dont react well, and we sort these things out in the locker room. Ivan Jurić, Atalantas coach, plays down the ferocious touchline altercation with Ademola Lookman after the player was subbed off during the teams 1-0 win at Marseille. While Atalantas players celebrated at full-time, Jurić and Lookman resumed their heated discussion. We all know these situations, weve all had them as players, as coaches, they happen in the heat of the moment, Jurić added.
As Virgil is captain I think that is your opportunity to go and lead the players and that is what I was saying. That happens in football and I think the response has been great from Virgil and the team. Awkward for Wayne Rooney, as Virgil van Dijk confronts him in Amazon Primes post-game show. That came after Rooney had been critical of the defenders leadership and body language on his BBC podcast. Point made, Van Dijk signed off with a we move on and an embrace with Rooney.
There is no relegation in the Champions League but the fifth round of matches, which starts on 25 November, opens with a six-pointer between two fallen giants, Ajax and Benfica. John Heitinga is the latest Ajax youth product to struggle to revive the clubs former glories. Will he be in charge for much longer? Johnny is not the right manager for this Ajax, the official Ajax supporters club said in a statement. Benficas loss to Bayer Leverkusen saw José Mourinho revert to type. He blamed a referee who, unfortunately, I know well and I know doesnt have much affection for me. Mourinhos return to Lisbon may not last long, either.
Enzo Maresca drew criticism for Chelseas performance in Baku: his squad cost £1.6bn compared to Qarabags £21m. A defeat of Barcelona at the Bridge would help his cause. The fixture recalls fond memories of meetings between the clubs: Ronaldinhos brilliant 2005 flick, Lionel Messi coming of age the following year, Andrés Iniestas winner in 2009, and a titanic semi-final in 2012.
Arsenal have had some tough nights against Bayern Munich in this competition. 26 November will see a meeting of the tables top two, with Arsenal yet to concede, and rampant Bayern having scored the joint-most goals.