Analysis from Champions League knockout playoffs

The Champions League returned this week with the knockout playoffs. Check out our key takeaways from every first-leg match below.

👉Jump to: Bodo/Glimt-Inter | Brugge-Atletico | Olympiacos-Leverkusen | Qarabag-Newcastle | Galatasaray-Juve | Benfica-Real Madrid | Monaco-PSG | Dortmund-Atalanta

Wednesday's matches

Are Bodo/Glimt still underdogs?

Bodo/Glimt were rueing their luck after six tight league-phase matches yielded only three points. The Norwegians were on the cusp of Champions League elimination and hadn't played a competitive game in 41 days when they welcomed Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to their home inside the Arctic Circle.

Bodo deservedly beat City 3-1 and then went to Atletico Madrid and won 2-1. Miraculously, they squeezed into the knockout playoffs. And now, after a 3-1 victory in their opening leg with Inter Milan, they could dare to go further.

Some teams struggle to form an identity. That's exactly what is behind Bodo's improbable rise. The club is intrinsically linked to what helped it get to where it is now, never forgetting that locals' donations and fundraisers kept it alive during rough financial times. Legends of its old teams often rub shoulders with today's heroes in the stadium canteen. On the pitch, the players have a deep understanding of their roles in Kjetil Knutsen's 4-3-3 formation, flooding forward while swapping passes and positions with ease. Bodo perfectly blend humility with ambition.

Considering Bodo have beaten Manchester City and Atletico Madrid this season - and Lazio, FC Porto, and Roma in recent campaigns - results like the win over Inter will soon cease to amaze. The David vs. Goliath narrative will weaken. However, that should never diminish the fact that this might be the best story at the top of modern European football: success not paid for, but instead fostered by a community and fueled by a progressive game plan.

Atletico too unpredictable

Don't look now, but Atletico Madrid might be fun to watch? While great for the neutral onlooker, Diego Simeone will almost certainly consider this budding development as detrimental to his side's chances of success. And, frankly, he'd be right. The Spanish team's sudden volatility runs counter to everything the hard-nosed Argentine tactician has always valued. Atletico, whose success under Simeone has long been built on impenetrable backlines and feisty defending, have made a concerted effort in recent years to add more flair and firepower in attacking positions. The winter addition of Ademola Lookman, who's been excellent since his arrival from Atalanta with five goal contributions in as many games, is a prime example.

But that philosophical shift has seemingly come at the expense of what's long made Atletico such a nightmare to play against for opposing teams. The Atleti of yesteryear simply wouldn't have coughed up two separate leads like this iteration did Wednesday in Belgium. Comfortably ahead at halftime, Atletico were uncharacteristically open and squandered multiple advantages, first from 2-0 to 2-2 before then conceding an 89th-minute equalizer to cap the engrossing draw.

There were times during the days of Diego Godin, Juanfran, Filipe Luis, and Co. that it felt like Atletico could play for hours and simply never have to retrieve the ball from the back of their own net. On Wednesday, though, it seemed like an adventurous Club Brugge attack could create dangerous openings each time it forayed forward.

When Atletico put everything together, like in their recent 4-0 obliteration of Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, it all looks great. But when they don't, you get their last two games, which have seen them concede six total goals. That type of unpredictability is a bad recipe for an Atleti side whose only realistic path to silverware this season is in a cup competition.

An intriguing dark horse

Bayer Leverkusen have one foot in the round of 16 after Wednesday's away victory in Piraeus. The big question for Kasper Hjulmand is now a simple one. Just how far can the German side actually go here?

Leverkusen appear to be hitting their stride at precisely the right time, and profile as the type of team that could cause some headaches for either Arsenal or German peers Bayern Munich; they're in line to meet one of those heavyweights if they make good on their first-leg advantage and advance to the next round.

Since losing to Olympiacos in the league phase in January - a game in which Leverkusen crafted tons of great chances but simply couldn't find the net - the Bundesliga outfit is unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions, and has conceded just twice in that spell.

Patrik Schick, who scored both goals in a four-minute span Wednesday, is an experienced marksman, while attackers Ernest Poku (22) and Ibrahim Maza (20) are blossoming young creators. Set-piece wizard Alejandro Grimaldo, who assisted Schick's second goal against Olympiacos with a trademark delivery from a corner kick, is exactly the kind of weapon capable of making the difference in tight knockout games that can often be decided by a single dead-ball situation.

They're not an "underdog" in quite the same way as Bodo/Glimt - we're not that far removed from Leverkusen winning the Bundesliga and making the Europa League final, remember - but the ingredients are certainly there for a run to the latter stages of the tournament that few would've predicted.

How high is Gordon's ceiling?

Qarabag's defensive efforts were pathetic Wednesday. The gap in wealth, and therefore overall squad quality, must be taken into consideration, but Qarabag's heavy touches, panicked passing, and non-existent positioning against Newcastle United reached comedic levels seldom seen even in pub-league soccer.

Anthony Gordon's third goal was the most glaring example, as Qarabag conceded mere seconds after restarting play with their own kickoff. The hosts gave up possession in the center circle and Kevin Medina kicked a desperate clearance against his own leg before Gordon rounded the goalkeeper and prodded the ball in. Nevertheless, Gordon rightfully demanded attention with four goals in the opening half, and Qarabag's futility shouldn't take away from an individual campaign that's breaking records.

There's a hunger in Gordon that only the finest players possess. Take, for example, the way the 24-year-old refused to allow struggling teammate Nick Woltemade to take Newcastle's second penalty of the game, so he could take it himself for his fourth goal. But Gordon also seems to get distracted by outside forces. He's had his head turned by transfer rumors in the past, and he completely lost his focus during the latter stages of last season following criticism for a red card in an FA Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.

If Gordon can keep his head in the game for an extended period - and this could very well be the season it happens - he could firmly establish himself among the best attackers in England.

Tuesday's matches

Yilmaz torments Juve

There were plenty of flowers to go around after Galatasaray used a rousing second-half onslaught to dismantle Juventus 5-2 and all but seal a place in the round of 16. Gabriel Sara, who scored the opening goal and created another, ran the show in midfield; Noa Lang notched a brace; Victor Osimhen put Juve's backline under constant pressure with his relentless running and aerial presence.

But Baris Yilmaz deserves special praise.

The Turkish winger terrorized Andrea Cambiaso and his halftime replacement, Juan Cabal, every time he touched the ball. Cambiaso, booked for an early foul on Yilmaz, was lucky to avoid a second yellow for another infraction involving the 25-year-old and was promptly hooked at the interval. No matter for Yilmaz, who ran circles around Cabal all the same.

He drew two fouls on the Colombian in quick succession, the first of which led to Galatasaray's third goal from the ensuing free-kick. Then he got Cabal sent off in the 67th minute after another piece of tight control and change of direction bamboozled the substitute and ended his disastrous outing in short order. Officially, Yilmaz was only credited with one successful dribble, but he was unstoppable all game.

Juve crumble with 10 men

What a difference a few days can make. Juventus have now been reduced to 10 men in each of their last two matches, but their response to those respective setbacks couldn't have been more different. Luciano Spalletti's team, on the wrong end of a wildly controversial sending off against rivals Inter Milan on Saturday, fought valiantly, defended resolutely, and even managed to create chances in that eventual 3-2 loss in Serie A.

This time around, though, the club capitulated when Cabal was shown red. Galatasaray, spurred on by a vociferous home crowd, attempted to smother Juve all match with their high pressing and intensity, while the Italian side wilted under the weight and incessant nature of that pressure in the second half.

Juve actually went into the interval holding a 2-1 lead. But they fell apart during a dismal second stanza that included unforced errors - Khephren Thuram and Lloyd Kelly gifted Lang his second goal in absurd fashion - and a total absence of the self-belief displayed at the San Siro. Down 3-2 and playing with 10 men, Juve couldn't keep the match close to give themselves a fighting chance going into the second leg next week. Spalletti knows it, too, saying afterward that his team "lacked personality and character."

Barring an epic comeback, Juve's involvement in this season's Champions League is over. They've now conceded a ghastly 13 goals in their last four matches across all competitions. Unless Spalletti can rectify the suddenly porous defense - which will be much more difficult if the injury to star center-back Gleison Bremer proves serious - it may be at least another year before they're back in this tournament.

Vini rises above the hate

Late in the second half, Nicolas Otamendi pointed to tattoos of the World Cup, Copa America, and Finalissima trophies - three international competitions that Vinicius Junior hasn't won - on his chest. In response, Vini laughed off the Argentine defender's wind-up antics.

It was yet another example of admirable restraint, bravery, and even humor during a testing evening for the Brazilian. Vinicius can deliberately antagonize opponents, and his dancing celebration in front of the locals after his wonderful strike clearly riled up Benfica fans. But the way he reported alleged racial abuse from Gianluca Prestianni to the referee before going to the dugout, and therefore away from the heated exchanges that followed, was commendable.

Sadly, abhorrent abuse is something he's familiar with from his experiences playing in Spain. It's obviously not something he (or anyone else) should ever have to deal with.

Vinicius did well to remain disciplined after the game's miserable talking point, battling through missiles thrown from the stands and a fusillade of insults - some presumably more insufferable than those uttered by Otamendi - to emerge as a match-winner. Benfica should face serious disciplinary action following the encounter.

Mourinho fails his players

Benfica rode their luck at times in the first half. Kylian Mbappe missed a huge chance following an excellent Vinicius backheel. The hosts blocked three shots from the 44th minute until the halftime whistle, including Anatoliy Trubin excellently flicking Arda Guler's shot past the post for his fourth save of the opening period.

Following the Jose Mourinho blueprint, Benfica were prepared to do more than frustrate and, occasionally, break against Real Madrid, and a goalless first stanza kept the match within their control.

It soon unraveled. Mourinho's failure to substitute Prestianni after Vinicius said the Argentine winger racially abused him was a huge misstep. Guilty or not, how can anybody, especially someone as young as 20, be expected to have their head in the game after being accused of such rancid behavior? He was largely ineffectual thereafter and even incurred a yellow card when he flopped in the box in response to minimum contact from Aurelien Tchouameni.

Mourinho was subsequently sent off for two quick-fire yellows after Vinicius escaped a caution when he clipped Richard Rios and conceded a foul near the penalty area. The veteran coach's irritation was merited, as it probably should've been a yellow. But to be sent off when the tie remains tight is inexcusable, especially against a team that conceded three at Olympiacos and, of course, four against Benfica during the league phase. He won't be much use in the stands next week.

Monaco's missed opportunity

Folarin Balogun scored twice (great news for USMNT supporters!), Paris Saint-Germain had a penalty kick saved, and Ousmane Dembele was forced out of the match due to an apparent injury all within the opening 28 minutes of Tuesday's first leg in the principality. And the Champions League holders still came away with a 3-2 victory, putting them in great shape to advance to the next round. Monaco boss Sebastien Pocognoli probably still can't believe it.

The hosts, who have been solid at home in this season's tournament, just wasted a glorious opportunity to put the reigning champions in serious danger of being eliminated. Even more confounding for Pocognoli is that Dembele's enforced substitution was actually the catalyst for PSG's comeback instead of being the nail in their coffin.

How often do you say that about a reigning Ballon d'Or winner? Then again, how many other clubs can bring Desire Doue, the star of last season's Champions League final, off the bench to replace one? The 20-year-old was singularly dominant Tuesday, scoring with one of his first touches, playing a role in Achraf Hakimi's equalizer, and netting the match-winning goal. Dembele, hampered by various ailments this season, clearly wasn't 100% despite starting. Doue immediately looked more threatening.

PSG aren't quite as devastating as last season, and, as such, are widely viewed as being a tier below Arsenal and Bayern Munich among the contenders for this year's title. But this result, and the manner in which it arrived, is a good reminder that Luis Enrique has the kind of depth, especially up front, that few others can match. Discount them at your peril.

Ryerson under the radar

Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy deserves praise after rebounding from a difficult winter with six goals in his last four matches, including the opener Tuesday against Atalanta. And Luca Reggiani, the 18-year-old Italian defender, hinted at his huge potential with a mature performance during his first start in senior football, hitting a team-leading five clearances.

But what about Julian Ryerson?

The Norwegian wing-back dizzied Ederson to eke out space before delivering a beautiful cross to Guirassy's head for Dortmund's opener, taking him to 14 assists in all competitions for the team. For comparison, the only player plying his trade in German football who owns more assists than Ryerson this season is Bayern winger Michael Olise (with an extremely impressive tally of 21).

Ryerson, part of Norway's impressive crop of talent, has earned greater recognition outside of Germany.