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<p>Market Value Rankings</p>
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<p><img alt="Which clubs are performing above and below expectations in this season's Champions League?" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/newcastle-and-bayern-1758282369-178131.png" title="Which clubs are performing above and below expectations in this season's Champions League?"></p>
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<p dir="ltr">The opening matchday of this season's Champions League has concluded, and there was no shortage of excitement. Kylian Mbappé set records with Real Madrid, and Erling Haaland became the fastest player to score 50 goals in the competition, while some of Europe’s premier clubs battled to demonstrate their prowess on the continental stage. Nevertheless, not every major squad found success in the initial round.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Determining the frontrunners in the Champions League each season can be challenging, but <em>Transfermarkt’s</em> market values provide a useful indicator of a squad's potential. By analyzing the 36 teams in this season's group stage and ranking them based on their squad market value, we can easily identify which clubs are exceeding expectations relative to their rankings and which ones should be performing better. Here’s how the standings appear after the first matchday.</p>
<p><img alt="UCL over performers" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/ucl-over-performers-1758282545-178133.png?lm=1758282558" title="UCL over performers" width="503"></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Clubs Exceeding Expectations in the Champions League</h2>
<p dir="ltr">While it's premature to draw definitive conclusions after just one matchday, several of Europe’s less prominent clubs have made impressive starts this season. As illustrated above, larger clubs like Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain secured strong victories against formidable opponents. However, the most captivating narratives emerge from the lower-ranked squads that have achieved notable results.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For instance, Kazakhstan’s Qarabağ embarked on a 7000-kilometer journey to Portugal, where they triumphed over Benfica with a thrilling 3-2 victory. Remarkably, only one team in the tournament boasts a lower squad market value than Qarabağ, making their success in Portugal worthy of their +25 score, derived from their 35th market value rank minus their current position of 17th in the group. Close behind them is Club Brugge, who delivered an impressive 4-1 victory against Ligue 1 powerhouses Monaco, despite having the ninth lowest squad market value in the competition at €170.5 million. Nevertheless, the standout performance of the week came from Union Saint-Gilloise, who defeated Dutch giants PSV 3-1 and sit fifth in the group, despite being ranked 21st in squad value.</p>
<p><img alt="UCL under performers" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/ucl-under-performers-1758282584-178134.png?lm=1758282602" title="UCL under performers" width="503"></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Clubs Underperforming in the Champions League</h2>
<p dir="ltr">On the other hand, when we examine the clubs that are underachieving based on their squad market values, it becomes evident that several prominent teams have room for improvement if they aspire to advance to the next round of the Champions League. Newcastle finds themselves in fourth place with a score of -14, having the 11th highest squad market value but suffering a defeat against Barcelona that leaves them in 25th position in the group. Similarly, Napoli (14th in market value, 30th in standings) and Atalanta (15th in market value, 36th in standings) are struggling to meet expectations. However, the biggest underperformer after matchday one is Chelsea, whose squad market value ranks among the top six in the tournament, yet their loss to Bayern Munich places them 28th in the group.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As previously mentioned, these figures should be viewed with caution at this early stage of the tournament. Be sure to return for updates on how Europe's top clubs are faring as the Champions League group stage progresses.</p>
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