Champions League Matchday 2: Liverpool woes, Mbappé rescues Real, and are PSG and Barça the teams to beat?

Matchday 2 of the Champions League delivered heavyweight narratives. Liverpool’s latest European setback raises urgent questions: defensive transitions are fragile, set-piece focus drifts, and chance conversion remains inconsistent. The talent is there, but without control between the lines, pressure will mount quickly.

At the Bernabéu, Kylian Mbappé did what he so often does: turn a tight game into Real Madrid’s win. His timing in behind and ruthless finishing continue to mask growing pains in a new-look attack. The takeaway? Real’s resilience is intact, but their ceiling still hinges on integrating supporting runners and speeding up combinations in the final third.

PSG and Barcelona looked well-drilled and balanced. PSG’s aggressive press and midfield control are producing cleaner entries and second-ball dominance. Barça, meanwhile, are mixing youthful energy with sharper wide play and smart rotations, creating a steady stream of high-quality chances. Early days, but both look like genuine contenders.

Tactically, MD2 highlighted intense pressing, wing overloads, and decisive moments from elite forwards. Looking ahead to Matchday 3: Can Liverpool reset structure and confidence? Will Real remain Mbappé-dependent? And can PSG and Barça sustain their momentum against sterner tests?