Teams from the so-called "Champions Path" are struggling in the competition proper while Ligue 1 again demonstrated it's worthy of more than two automatic group stage places.
The Champions League is back. Barcelona laid down a title marker immediately with Lionel Messi scoring a hat trick in the 7-0 demolition of Celtic while his feats were matched by compatriot Sergio Aguero for Manchester City. Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Real Madrid to a late comeback against Sporting while Juventus could only draw with Sevilla.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund obliterated their opposition but Arsenal had to battle to secure a draw with PSG.