Manchester United returned to the Champions League, securing a convincing 4-0 victory over Sabah on Thursday. Meanwhile, Como, coached by Cesc Fàbregas, made an impression in its debut in Europe's premier club tournament.
During this week, Harry Kane and Michael Olise each scored twice, earning nominations for the 'Ballon d'Or'. In other news, Bayern managed to defeat Bodø/Glimt 5-0 after the Norwegian team's second half turned into a collapse.
Mateus Cunha scored his first goal of the season, and captain Bruno Fernandes, forward Benjamin Sesko, and central defender Lisandro Martínez also contributed to the scoreline in the comfortable match for the 'Red Devils' at Old Trafford stadium.
Sesko told sports channel TNT Sports: 'I think it was perfect for everyone, especially for our fans. It means a lot to them, especially when they see so many goals. I believe it was great for us overall to give us more motivation for upcoming games.'
Dominant Manchester United performance: Cunha's advantage and youth debut
After Cunha gave Michael Carrick's team the lead in the 27th minute with a pass from Patrick Dorgu, there was a moment of concern as United's defensive weaknesses almost caught up with them. However, Joy-Lance Mickels directed the ball past the goal in his Champions League debut, earning a free kick in the back area less than five yards away.
The Azerbaijanis weakened towards the end of the first half when Yuri Tilemans delivered a pass to Fernandes, and then Sesko ran onto a cross from Bryan Mbeumo, bypassed goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov, and sent the ball into the net.
In the middle of the second half, Martínez capitalized on a rebound from Pokatilov and defender after a tackle by substitute Joshua Zirkse, as United switched to controlling the game. Carrick even allowed young players Harry Amassa and Shay Lacey to come on, debuting in the Champions League, aiming to rest the players before Sunday's derby.
Sesko added: 'I think the surge of confidence is definitely big. It is important to recover well and focus on the derby.'
Eight in a row for Kane
Goals from midfielder Martin Baturina of Croatia, forward Thasos Douvikas of Greece, and player Assane Diop of Senegal helped Como overcome RB Leipzig. Serbian midfielder Andrija Maksimović managed to equalize for Leipzig before Massimo Perrone sealed the 4-1 victory late on a magical night in northern Italy.
Kane scored his eighth consecutive goal in the Champions League, powerfully heading the ball after an Olise free-kick, while Bayern ultimately overcame an energetic Bodø/Glimt. Jamal Musiala opened the scoring shortly after a goalless first half, and after Kane's goal, Alphonso Davies struck into the far corner when Olise's corner was only partially deflected.
This was Musiala's first goal since falling during pre-season training due to a neurological condition. Musiala told DAZN: 'Scoring a goal is pure happiness. I just want to play well again... I just want to return to my level step by step, playing with a feeling of lightness, joy, and fun on the field.'
Olise joined the action with a brilliant finish seven minutes before time expired, before Odin Bortoft was removed from the Norwegian squad. Olise then completed the rout with his second goal.
Lens took the lead twice to beat Slavia Prague in a 10-man match 3-2 thanks to goals from Florian Thauvin and Ruben Aguilar in extra time. Daniel Sturm gave Slavia the lead twice, first immediately after Mikulas Kochen's sending off, and then two minutes before the end of the match, but the Czechs could not hold on to the advantage.
Earlier, there were 1-1 draws between Fenerbahçe and Roma, as well as between PSV Eindhoven and Shakhtar Donetsk. Fenerbahçe coach İsmail Kartal resigned after the match in Istanbul, where he was attacked with a bottle by the stands. However, his president Aziz Yıldırım stated that he rejected this resignation. AFP