The first round of Champions League group stage fixtures did not disappoint. Despite several big results, disappointing scores were few and far between. The return of the Champions League brought with it the five substitute rule that caused traders headaches aplenty when football restarted in the summer.
Krasnodar goalkeeper Matvey Safonov is an unlikely selection between the sticks as his heroics helped to rescue a point in Rennes. Liverpool centre-back pairing Joe Gomez and Fabinho were superb with Virgil Van Dijk out for the foreseeable future. Bayern Munich ran riot at home to – the traditionally hard to break down – Atletico Madrid, with Kimmich and Tolisso starring here. And of course, it would not be a Champions League night without Lionel Messi putting his stamp on proceedings at the Camp Nou, as he registered a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over Ferencvaros.
Matvey Safonov – total payout 69p; base payout 49p
Angelino – total payout 75p; base payout 20p; 2 goals
Joe Gomez – total payout 71p; base payout 46p
Fabinho – total payout 71p; base payout 46p
Joshua Kimmich – total payout 73p; base payout 38p; 1 assist
Corentin Tolisso – total payout 77p; base payout 37p; 1 goal
Zlatko Junuzovic – total payout 76p; base payout 44p; 1 goal, 1 assist
Joao Felix – total payout 10p; base payout -3p
Lionel Messi – total payout 98p; base payout 48p; 1 goal, 1 assist
Alvaro Morata – total payout 79p; base payout 24p; 2 goals
Duvan Zapata – total payout 77p; base payout 27p; 1 goal, 1 assist
