Overview
- Major outlets published fresh power rankings after the opening‑week Champions League matches, with coverage on Sept. 11 repositioning Barcelona and Arsenal among early title contenders.
- Paris Saint‑Germain remain a reference point as back‑to‑back winners and are still described as the team to beat despite uneven domestic form.
- The Sporting News (via Yahoo Sports) rates Barcelona the early favourite on current form while other outlets highlight Bayern, PSG and Arsenal after decisive opening wins.
- Summer coaching moves are shaping expectations, with Jose Mourinho's return to Real Madrid and Enzo Maresca replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City prompting close scrutiny of tactics and squad transitions.
- UEFA's expanded 36‑team single‑table league phase and draws that yielded varied early matchups are magnifying first‑round results and giving debutant clubs like Como outsized influence on early perceptions; these rankings are provisional and likely to change as more matches are played.