Overview
- After three matchdays, the early table is led by domestic pacesetters with PSG, Bayern, Arsenal and Real Madrid in the top positions, with Inter the lone near‑outlier.
- Bayern sit second on goal difference (12:2) and visit leaders PSG tonight (13:3), then travel to Arsenal in three weeks in fixtures likely to decide whether they bypass the Zwischenrunde.
- Last season’s format debut showed the cost of slipping early, as Bayern followed a 9:2 opener with a 0:1 loss at Aston Villa and never returned to the top eight, leading to the extra round.
- Top clubs appear to have adapted in year two, showing higher intensity from the outset to secure direct last‑16 qualification through a strong league‑phase start.
- Elsewhere in Matchday 4, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund meet on November 5 as adjacent teams on seven points (ranks 7 and 6), underscoring the tight race around the top‑eight cutoff.