The UEFA Champions League returned to our screens this week after an absence the week prior. Six Premier League clubs were in action, with some faring a lot better than others.

Kairat Almaty, who dumped Celtic out in the qualifiers, hosted European giants Real Madrid in one of the early kick-offs on Tuesday. It would be two defeats from two for the Kazakhstan side, falling to a 5-0 defeat as Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick. Atalanta and Club Brugge played out the other early kick off, with the Series A side leaving it late to complete a 2-1 turnaround victory.

Three of the English sides competed on Tuesday night. Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in his new role as Benfica manager. His side lost 1-0 to the Blues on the night, but the ‘Special One’ received a hero’s welcome. Less can be said about the reception Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez received from his former fans housed in the away corner.

Tottenham Hotspur travelled to the Arctic Circle to take on Bodo/Glimt, who they knocked out of last season’s Europa League semi-final. A Jens Hauge double spooked a rocked Spurs side, but goals from skipper Micky Van De Ven and an own goal enforced by Richarlison meant that the North Londoners were able to escape with a point.

Liverpool were the third English club in action, faced with the task of overcoming the cauldron which is RAMS Park, home of Galatasaray. The atmosphere ultimately proved too much for the Premier League champions, with an early Victor Osimhen penalty being the difference between the sides.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1. Inter Milan defeated Czech side Slavia Prague 3-0 in the same week demolition plans of Inter and AC’s shared stadium San Siro were confirmed. Marseille romped to a 4-0 home win over Ajax, and Bayern Munich defeated a Pafos side featuring David Luiz 5-1 in Cyprus.

Three more English clubs took part in the nine Wednesday fixtures. Newcastle United occupied one of the early kick off slots, with a convincing 4-0 away win over USG of Belgium, another side with investment from Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom. Nick Woltemade scored his third since arriving in the summer, before two Anthony Gordon penalties and a Harvey Barnes effort completed the rout. Qarabag beat FC København 2-0 to maintain their 100% record in the other early kick off.

Arsenal were the only other English side to play at home this week, as Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners the lead before Bukayo Saka clinched a 2-0 win at the death at home to Olympiacos. Manchester City travelled to the Principality of Monaco to take on the Ligue 1 side of the same name, drawing 2-2 after an injury time Eric Dier penalty split the points. Erling Haaland scored two first half goals either side of a Jordan Teze thunderbolt, before Monaco won a penalty late on for a high boot offence.

International football returns next week in the form of World Cup qualifiers, so the UEFA Champions League does not come back until October 21st.