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Real Madrid trio Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Arbeloa. AP/Press Association Images
Ups-and-downs

TheScore.ie’s Champions League power rankings after week 2

Who are the movers and shakers in Europe’s premier cup competition after the second round of games?

10. Barcelona 

Barca were less than convincing when they overcame APOEL Nicosia on Matchday 1 and Luis Enrique’s woes continued as PSG handed them a 3-2 defeat. Messrs Messi and Neymar were both on the scoresheet but it is their backline which once again looks worryingly shaky.

9. Arsenal 

The Gunners needed to get their Champions League campaign up and running after losing out to Borussia Dortmund and they did just that with an impressive 4-1 against Galatasaray. Danny Welbeck also scored his first senior hat-trick.

8. Porto

After their 6-0 demolition of BATE Borisov on the opening night, the Portuguese side pounced late to earn a 2-2 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine after Jackson Martinez grabbed a brace in the 89th and 94th minute. They now top Group H on four points.

7. Atletico Madrid 

Diego Simeone’s men bounced back from their surprise defeat to Olympiacos with a solid 1-0 win over Italian champions Juventus at the Vicente Calderon. They may have lost a host of stars but last season’s finalists are still a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

6. Chelsea

Chelsea have moved to the top of Group G on four points thanks to a 1-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon. Nemanja Matic’s first half header proved enough to end a 16-match unbeaten run in Europe for Sporting.

5. Roma 

Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Manchester City v Roma - Etihad Stadium 38-year-old Francesco Totti scored for Roma on Tuesday night. Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

With maximum points in Serie A and four from six in Europe, Roma have been impressive so far this season. Having seen off CSKA Moscow 5-1 first time out, the Giallorossi travelled to the Etihad Stadium where Franceso Totti’s deft chip earned them a 1-1 draw with Manchester City as he became the oldest goalscorer in the competition.

4. Paris Saint-Germain 

They may have been missing talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Franch champions Paris Saint-Germain showed they had plenty of firepower as they got the better of Barcelona at the Parc des Princes and responded to recent uncertainty about Laurent Blanc’s future.

3. Borussia Dortmund 

Two wins from two for the 2013 finalists as Borussia Dortmund brushed aside Anderlecht in Brussels. Ciro Immobile scored after just three minutes before substitute Adrian Ramos added two more and the Bundesliga outfit are looking strong even without star man Marco Reus.

2. Bayern Munich 

Played behind closed doors in Russia, Bayern Munich bossed possession against CSKA Moscow but needed a 22nd-minute penalty from Thomas Müller to ensure they picked up three more points to move ahead of Roma at the top of Group E.

1. Real Madrid 

The reigning champions didn’t have it all their own way away to first-timers Ludogorets and had to come from a goal behind to record a 2-1 win. Their opponents were dogged throughout but when you’ve got the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in attack, goals are never far away. Next up for Madrid is a trip to Anfield.

Near misses: Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen, BATE Borisov.

Do you agree with out choices? Let us know in the comments section below

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