.Oct 23, 2024, 09:00 PM ETMatchday 3 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions Game is in the books and the 36-team dining table is actually beginning to take shape.Aston Property are actually Europe's shock leaders, however it is actually the shows of players like Christian Pulisic as well as Vinu00edcius Ju00fanior that have actually really stood out. On the other hand, the underperforming big deals of Paris Saint-Germain as well as Bayern Munich may merely be actually starting to sweat just a little.ESPN article writers Gab Marcotti, Symbol Ogden as well as Julien Laurens assess a number of the burning questions after three rounds.Is this the true Pulisic or are our team simply watching a hot streak?Ogden: Pulisic is 26 right now as well as entering the peak years of his profession, and also I think that is starting to reveal. Chelsea was a difficult propose him and it didn't work out as he would certainly have preferred, yet his time in the Premier Game made him a far better player, even though it gouged his confidence at times. Hvac Milan are actually now reaping the benefits of his knowledge at Stamford Bridge.Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis target versus Liverpool on matchday 1 was actually outstanding and also he covered it with his objective versus Nightclub Brugge recently. He is actually become the major male at Milan and you can find that he is actually a various player purely since he appears worked out, yearned for and also he recognizes he is actually an essential part of the team. Thus of course, this is the genuine Pulisic-- one that is realising his potential after being actually shaped due to the tough opportunities he has needed to endure.Marcotti: He is actually arrived at maturity and also is very important. He is actually in shape and also concerns much more. But I will likewise incorporate that he possesses a lot of intangible high qualities that beam through at Milan create him therefore valuable. He's cognizant of the reality that, unlike along with the USA nationwide group, he is actually not orders of immensity much better than his allies and also he doesn't need to have to become the principal guy. They possess lots of other gifted players, however what they do require coming from him because others (not directing hands yet ... Rafael Leu00e3o) don't always give it is actually work rate, dependability as well as a willingness to place the staff to begin with. I don't assume that is actually vanishing even if he is on a warm touch (as well as I'm unsure he is actually: he's fairly darn skilled). Thus, I picture he will remain to be crucial for Milan for a long, number of years. Or even, at least, up until they start adequately clicking. Also versus Club Brugge, sure, they won, but the Rossoneri just definitely appeared good in the final fifty percent hour.Laurens: This is actually the genuine Pulisic and he gets on a scorching touch! Both stand and true. Currently he needs to become regular and also change the very hot streak right into his rule. The harder trait is going to be actually to remain in this form and maintain putting up performances like he carried out on Tuesday and also like he has actually been actually for most of this season. He is more mature, remaining fit. He clearly really feels enjoyed and also valued through his club and his manager, on the back of a good time last year as well. I trust he can become that person-- the guy at Milan-- particularly along with Leao's bad type at the moment.play0:59 Christian Pulisic flexes his Italian after Olimpico goalChristian Pulisic offers a post-match interview in Italian after scoring directly coming from a corner kick in Milan's 3-1 gain vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League.Does Vinu00edcius' hat method seal the Ballon d'Or? Ogden: Even when Rodri was fit and dipping into Manchester Metropolitan area, it appeared that Vinu00edcius was actually the clear favourite to succeed the Ballon d'Or, however his hat technique versus Borussia Dortmund closed the offer. Rodri's ACL personal injury essentially paved the way for Vinu00edcius to manage away with the voting given that he was the only genuine rival to the Madrid onward's chances.Jude Bellingham has actually been actually a digital no-show for Los Blancos because his extraordinary beginning in the first one-half of last time, while Toni Kroos reigned himself away from the operating by resigning in the summer months. Would certainly it be actually severe to propose that 2024 possesses certainly not been actually a classic year for Ballon d'Or challengers? There is actually no impressive candidate, therefore because context, Vinu00edcius needs to now possess it wrapped up.Marcotti: I guess it's an exclamation aspect, but nothing additional. The majority of, or even all, the ballots remain in anyhow. As well as there are loads of whispers he possessed it guaranteed. The Ballon d'Or voter is a weird pet: she or he awards large performances from large teams in huge games. As well as Vini definitely provided that versus Bayern Munich. However I picture he currently had it sewn up.Laurens: Vini's hat stunt on Tuesday won't impact that succeeds the Ballon d'Or-- the votes have actually already been actually sent as well as counted. He had gained it just before his remarkable 2nd fifty percent against Borussia Dortmund. He is actually currently the best player in the world as well as no right-back may defend him. Directly, I as if Rodri as a Ballon d'Or winner, but Vini is actually amazing and so unplayable that he succeeds activities on his own like he did on Tuesday.play0:49 Ancelotti: Vinu00edcius Ju00fanior will win the Ballon d'OrCarlo Ancelotti compliments Vinu00edcius Ju00fanior after his hat trick in True Madrid's 5-2 gain Borussia Dortmund.Which significant staff remains in trouble?Ogden: Paris Saint-Germain and also Bayern Munich have each strained to live up to assumptions so far, however PSG can easily at the very least lead to Luis Enrique's staff residing in change coming from the nightclub's aged superstar age to one built around surfacing young skill. They will certainly possess bumps along the roadway and possibly have to lower their views this time around around. But Bayern possess no such minimization and also their loss versus Barcelona-- after dropping at Aston Property on matchday 2-- revealed every one of the problems that will certainly cease them challenging for the Champions Organization this season.STREAM ESPN FC DAILY ON ESPN+D an Thomas is actually joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and also others to bring you the latest highlights and also discuss the greatest stories. Flow on ESPN+ (UNITED STATE only).Their centre-backs, Dayot Upamecano and also Kim Min-Jae, are also slow and not good enough for a nightclub of Bayern's growth, while others including Leroy Sanu00e9, Thomas Mu00fcller as well as Manuel Neuer are well past their best. Harry Kane will slash targets and also Michael Olise is an authentic talent, but Bayern possess way too many weak spots. Their game versus PSG upcoming month will definitely be fascinating for plenty of reasons.Marcotti: I am actually not sure any one of the large crews reside in genuine "problem" if through "trouble" you suggest certainly not finishing in the leading eight and also by-passing the playoff sphere. Sure, Bayern, Milan as well as Atletico Madrid are actually all on three points, yet, just as, they are actually just 4 aspects from 8th spot, along with 5 video games to go. And if you suggest "difficulty" as in not obtaining the playoff sphere, effectively, no one is. Certainly not yet anyhow. I guess it's the attribute of the new format.Laurens: I do not assume there is actually any type of problem for any sort of staff just yet. Our experts are actually 3 games in and also there are actually 5 additional to participate in thus 15 aspects still available. Thus there is no demand to freak out for PSG, Bayern, Atletico or perhaps RB Leipzig. Possessing mentioned that, it's pretty exciting to view the stress mounting on these large crews, specifically when you understand that Paris, Munich and also the Colchoneros will certainly experience each other in the following handful of weeks. There will be bunches of drama at that point and that's what our team desire and what this brand-new Champions League layout does for you.play1:40 Nicol: Bayern's protective strategy 'created no sense'Steve Nicol can not fathom why Bayern Munich enjoyed with such a high line in their 4-1 loss to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.With Frenkie De Jong, Dani Olmo and Gavi all fit, just how does Hansi Flick determine his midfield? As well as who loses out for El Clasico on Saturday?Ogden: I believe the only true choice to break into the starting crew against Madrid is Olmo. Gavi has signed up simply 12 minutes all season, while De Jong has actually merely handled 24 mins in each competitors, so it would certainly be a gamble-- perhaps even a negligent one-- by Flick to place one or even both in to the staff, specifically after such a persuading win versus Bayern. I merely don't exactly how, or why, Flick can take into consideration going down Marc Casadu00f3 or even Fermu00edn Lu00f3pez. Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha all must participate in, thus those are the 2 most likely to miss out. However they shouldn't. Marcotti: Wednesday's demolition of Bayern was the 1st activity back for Olmo and also De Jong and, clearly, Gavi just possesses the 2 appearances. So maybe the Clasico is actually ahead of time, though were actually De Jong fully match-fit I 'd definitely possess him therein. Moving forward, it is actually challenging to see just how the items fit. You will think of De Jong would certainly reclaim his location for Casado. Raphinha is in the very best kind of his occupation, clearly Yamal is what he is actually and then you have Gavi as well as Olmo.I think our experts'll end up viewing Gavi along with Pedri and De Jong in the midfield 3 and also Olmo discussing opportunity on the airfoil with Raphinha as well as Yamal. They've both played a ton of soccer so far and, lest we neglect, Yamal is 17. I presume Olmo could likewise be actually the selection when Robert Lewandowski needs to have a rest (and, at 36, he most likely is going to), though Ferran Torres is perhaps a better match regards to his work off the sphere. How Flick plays this going forward is actually mosting likely to be actually positively exciting. There are absolutely no right answers. Yet I suppose that is actually why he earns the large bucks.Laurens: For the temporary, as well as the Clasico this weekend, I would certainly count on specifically the exact same crew that damaged Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Flick possesses no main reason to modify anything. I will keep Pedri as well as Casado in midfield. I will always keep De Jong as well as Gavi unemployed. I will always keep Fermin along with a free of cost part in midfield, both attacking and also pressing while likewise dropping deeper out of possession to help the double pivot. The protective high line will definitely be actually risky against Genuine Madrid, yet Baru00e7a likewise recognize they will definitely possess the potential to harm the Merengues with the kind that Raphinha, Lewandowski as well as Lamine are in at this moment.