It's a kinder format that leaves plenty to be decided on the final day. Smaller clubs will unquestionably advance to the direct elimination stages of the competition, where the stakes and pressure are higher. Upsets in the playoff round are likely to happen, with plenty of Davids getting a chance to dispatch any struggling Goliaths.

Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika says playing in the UEFA Champions League is a remarkable experience for him. The Nigerian has played consistently in the competition since his arrival at the Belgian Pro League champions.

Five games into the new-look Champions League and the 36-team table is finally starting to take shape. Sort of. Strong favourites to progress have emerged, with Arne Slot’s Liverpool sat top of the pile after an impressive 2-0 victory over Real Madrid made it five wins from five.

Malik Tillman scored a brace to bring PSV level, becoming the first U.S. player to score twice in a Champions League match. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Ricardo Pepi scored the winner, sending the crowd at Phillips Stadium into a frenzy.