The road to Madrid has begun with the league phase having reached its midway point - but which teams are currently looking in the best shape to go on and lift the European Cup?
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak expressed frustration after scoring his first Champions League goal for the club in a 3-2 defeat at Fenerbahce. The Swedish international admitted the Reds were "sloppy" after surrendering the lead twice in Istanbul to suffer their first European loss of the season.
Ezri Konsa was forced off with a knee injury during Arsenal's 2-1 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague. The summer signing has been an ever-present figure for Mikel Arteta's side, raising defensive concerns ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixtures.
Borussia Dortmund youngster Konstantinos Karetsas enjoyed a night to remember in the Champions League, but his match-winning contribution almost never happened. The teenage playmaker was nowhere to be found when he was called upon to replace the injured Serhou Guirassy in the first half.
Fenerbahce interim head coach Dirk Kuyt hailed his side's belief after guiding the Turkish club to a dramatic 3-2 victory over his former side Liverpool. The Yellow Canaries twice came from behind in Istanbul to secure their first Champions League proper win since 2008.
Jose Mourinho has openly bemoaned his side's demanding fixture schedule following a narrow Champions League victory over AEK Athens. The Portuguese manager revealed he will be forced into making sweeping changes once again ahead of a crucial domestic clash this weekend.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres expressed his delight after delivering a goal and an assist in the Gunners' 2-1 Champions League win at Slavia Prague. The Swedish international took his tally to 16 goal involvements in 25 competition appearances.
Jose Mourinho has provided a fascinating insight into how he manages Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior following their Champions League victory against AEK Athens. The Portuguese tactician explained that he relies mostly on a soft approach, but is not afraid to use a firm hand when required.
Como starlet Nico Paz produced one of the most touching moments of the Champions League season during his side’s emphatic victory over Lens. The Spanish-Argentine midfielder used the elite European stage to honour the memory of Jesus de Miguel, who recently passed away following an on-pitch tragedy.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his side fell "extremely far from our standards" during their 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague. Despite securing three points in the Champions League, Arteta took full responsibility for a alarming second-half drop-off.
Jude Bellingham has hailed the winning mentality of his team-mates after starring in a dramatic Champions League victory over AEK Athens. The English midfielder earned the MVP award following a thrilling match that saw Jose Mourinho’s side fight back twice to secure all three points.
Massimiliano Allegri cut a frustrated figure after Napoli’s difficult night in the Champions League, pointing to a severe injury crisis that left him with almost no tactical flexibility. The Partenopei suffered a heavy defeat against Porto, marking their third loss in just four European fixtures this season.
Federico Valverde proved to be the ultimate hero from the bench as Real Madrid secured a dramatic Champions League comeback against AEK Athens. The captain fired home a spectacular long-range winner to seal the victory after his side had fallen behind in a tightly contested European clash.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland urged his team-mates to show greater ruthlessness after netting a 78th-minute winner in Wednesday's 3-2 Champions League victory at RB Leipzig. The Premier League visitors twice surrendered their lead in Germany before their captain struck from close range to lift them to seventh in the table.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has admitted his side must sharpen up their second-half display despite holding on for a 2-1 Champions League victory away at Slavia Prague on Wednesday night. First-half strikes from Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres put the Gunners in control before the Czech hosts mounted a late fightback at the Fortuna Arena.
Lens midfielder Michael Cuisance fought back tears as he called on his team-mates to take responsibility following Wednesday night's humiliating 9-1 Champions League defeat at home to Como. Cesc Fabregas' Italian visitors produced a ruthless display in France to register the biggest away victory in the modern competition's history.
Como head coach Cesc Fabregas expressed frustration over failing to keep a clean sheet even after watching his side dismantle Lens 9-1 on Wednesday night. No Italian club had previously managed seven away goals in European Cup or Champions League history before the Serie A visitors ran riot in France.
Lens head coach Yannick Cahuzac has challenged his shell-shocked squad to confront some harsh truths after suffering a historic 9-1 Champions League thrashing at home to Como on Wednesday night. Cesc Fabregas' ruthless Italian visitors ran riot at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis to record the largest away victory in the tournament's history.
Borussia Dortmund moved to nine points in the Champions League table with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Real Betis at Signal Iduna Park. Fabio Silva and substitute Konstantinos Karetsas provided the crucial goals to overcome a resilient Spanish side.
Manchester City twice threw away the lead in Germany but still left with all three points, a result that lifts Enzo Maresca's side into the top eight of the Champions League table.
Arsenal continued their strong Champions League form with a 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague at the Fortuna Arena. Goals from Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres secured the points despite a late scare from the hosts.
Jose Mourinho believes only Real Madrid could have won the way they did against AEK Athens, after his side came from behind to snatch a dramatic stoppage-time victory in Greece. The coach also defended Vinicius Junior over Yan Diomande's switch to the right and admitted the penalty Kylian Mbappe won at Racing Santander was a soft one, though he insisted it changed nothing.
Andoni Iraola could not hide his frustration after seeing Liverpool's perfect start to the Champions League campaign come to a crashing halt in Istanbul. Despite leading twice, the Reds were undone by a spirited Fenerbahce side led by interim boss Dirk Kuyt, who secured a memorable 3-2 victory.
Real Madrid maintained their perfect European record with a thrilling 3-2 victory over AEK Athens in a match defined by tactical shifts and individual brilliance. Despite trailing twice, the Spanish giants displayed their trademark resilience to snatch all three points at the death.
Mason Greenwood was at the centre of a fiery first half at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, as Fenerbahce were denied a penalty against Liverpool when Kostas Tsimikas shoved the winger off the ball in the box. Ally McCoist was adamant the spot-kick should have been given, and Greenwood soon hit back himself with a deflected free-kick that wrong-footed a furious Alisson.
