sport news Champions League report card at halfway stage of group campaign trends now
After what seems like no time at all, every side is three matches down in the Champions League and we're at half-time in the group stage.
So far, in a tightly congested European calendar there's been plenty of talking points in just about every group.
Defending champions Real Madrid, along with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have made predictable lightning lights.
Napoli though have exploded out of the blocks with 13 goals in their opening three games and Club Brugge have been the surprise package of the competition.
Six teams - Napoli, Club Brugge, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund can book their place in the last-16 with a victory on matchday four next week.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham all have a bit more work to do, but not as much as Scottish sides Celtic and Rangers - who are both still winless in the competition.
But who are the teams with work to do to maintain their place in Europe's elite tournament? Sportsmail runs through each group.
Napoli have been in stunning form in the opening three weeks of the Champions League
GROUP A
Napoli appear to be running away with the group with a 100% record and by scoring a staggering 13 goals in their opening three games.
Luciano Spalletti's side have appeared to take a giant stride both domestically and in Europe, topping the Serie A table, while putting four goals past Liverpool, three against Rangers and six past Eredivisie champions Ajax.
They have an exciting team with the likes of Piotr Zielinski, Giacomo Raspadori and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all in inspired form. The Italian side could qualify for the last-16 with a victory over Ajax on Wednesday.
Despite their struggles, Liverpool look best placed at present to join them in the next round.
Liverpool are in a strong position to qualify despite their struggles this season - while Rangers' hopes look dead in the water after three straight defeats, nine goals conceded and zero scored
Jurgen Klopp's men have recovered from their battering at the hands of Napoli with victories over both of the other teams representing their group. Joel Matip's 89th minute winner at Anfield against Ajax could prove decisive in terms of who else qualifies from this group.
Still, Liverpool will have to overcome a fiery atmosphere when they travel to Ibrox next week. If they are able to walk out with a victory, then their place in the next round will be all but sealed.
Rangers though look dead in the water with three defeats, nine goals conceded and zero scored.
They were handed a tough draw and going off how the group stage has started, it looks like they have some way to go to be challenging the top teams in Europe's biggest competition.
A shock victory over Liverpool, and a Ajax defeat to Napoli though, could just put Rangers back in conversation to make it out of the group.
Standout player - Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli)
Best performance - Napoli in 6-1 victory against Ajax
Biggest shock - Liverpool's 4-1 defeat by Napoli
Half-time report card: Napoli A+, Liverpool C, Ajax D, Rangers E
GROUP B
The award for the surprise package of the Champions League so far would undoubtedly have to be Club Brugge.
Regulars of the Champions League group stage, they have never made it to the knockout phase of the competition.
However, that all looks set to change after winning their opening three matches - 1-0 over Bayer Leverkusen, 4-0 away at Porto and 2-0 at home against Atletico Madrid.
One win in their final three matches would be enough for the Belgian side to make it into the next round.
Ghanaian midfielder Kamal Sowah and former Barcelona academy star Ferran Jutgla have both impressed in particular, with the pair scoring in both the thrashing away at Porto, and the victory at home against Atletico Madrid.
Club Brugge are in a strong position to make it to the knockout stage after three straight wins
Behind them it is set to be a fierce race to decide who will also make it to the knockout round.
Atletico Madrid look a shell of the team that clinched the LaLiga title two seasons ago but will still be favourites to make it into the next round.
Bayer Leverkusen will be hoping for a strong second half to the group stage having sacked Gerardo Seoane and replacing him with former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Porto bounced back strong from their heavy defeat by Club Brugge by beating Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, and can never be ruled out given their Champions League experience.
Standout player - Ferran Jutgla (Club Brugge)
Best performance - Club Brugge 2-0 Atletico Madrid
Biggest shock - Club Brugge winning three games out of three
Half-time report card: Club Brugge A+, Porto D, Bayer Leverkusen D, Atletico Madrid D-
GROUP C
Bayern Munich might be without Robert Lewandowski, but they still look as formidable as ever with three comfortable victories to start the group stage.
The Bundesliga giants still have a wide array of attacking talent, and Leroy Sane has appeared to take the mantle left by Lewandowski in the opening weeks of the group stage - scoring four goals in three games.
Lewandowski meanwhile scored a hat-trick for his new club against underdogs Viktoria Plzen, but could do nothing to help them in defeats by his former side and Inter Milan.
Robert Lewandowski and Barcelona have work to do to make the next round after consecutive defeats to his former side Bayern Munich as well as Serie A giants inter Milan
Barcelona's chances of making the last 16 took a severe blow thanks to Hakan Calhanoglu's winner for Inter Milan earlier this week.
The decisive game of the group could come at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, with a victory for Inter Milan, making it near impossible that the Italian side can drop out of the top-two places.
A victory for Barcelona though would spice things up going into the final two games, with both teams likely to beat Viktoria Plzen, and the Catalan giants - unlike Inter Milan - still to play Bayern Munich at home.
Standout player - Leroy Sane (Bayern
