UEFA Champions League: Notes from matchday 3 - 10 things that caught the eye

Lots of goals, lots of drama and some pretty marquee games that gave us good football – that was Matchday 3. Lionel Messi got a goal, Cristiano Ronaldo bagged two, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic bagged twice that. There were also some great team efforts from Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid making it a very eventful round of matches. Here’s 10 things that rankled the memory.

1. Dortmund remain a potent force even with the loss of Mario Goetze

Dortmund fans rejoice at their team’s victory

Bayern Munich paid out the release clause to purchase Mario Goetze from their rivals Borussia Dortmund. As is customary, it was a move aimed at strengthening their own squad while weakening a major rival.

Nobody told Dortmund that!

The cash from the Gotze sale, plus a little bit more, was used to get Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Juergen Klopp’s team have continued their winning ways and show no signs of missing their young starlet from yesteryear.

They can still press the life out of the opposition, as Arsenal found out. And barring their opening round loss to Napoli where they looked a little out of sorts, they have been in good touch and are poised for another deep run in this year’s tournament as well.

They’ve made a blistering start to their Bundesliga campaign too and look to give Bayern a real run for their money.

2. Manchester United are struggling to score goals

It’s been a worry line that has been growing over the weeks on the brows of David Moyes and the Manchester United fans for some time now.

The goal ticker has been barely moved by United in their last few games – since their 4-2 win against Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 1, Moyes’ side have scored only 1 goal in each of their games bar one.

And the problem has not been down to any brilliant defending or insane goalkeeping, but primarily down to a lack of rhythm and drive on offense.

They needed an own goal from Inigo Martinez to get over the line against Sociedad. Despite playing at home and owning possession of the ball for long periods, the threat of scoring was evident only in spurts.

Moyes needs to find some answers and find them fast.