The best Champions League group stage ever

Last night, after six crazy and intense nights full of surprises, one of the craziest and funniest Champions League group stages has ended. Many records have been smashed and there are so many curiosities about both the sixteen teams that have reached the next stage, and the other clubs that participated, some ended up in the Europa League and another gone home with frustration.

Now, we’ll sadly have to wait until February to see the clashes in the last sixteen - the draw is set for December 11 - but the good thing is that we’ll be able to enjoy the national championship, that this season looks funnier than ever. And while waiting for the matchings of the next stage, here some of the records and the curiosities about this 2017/18 Champions League group stage.

Super Premier

In the past already happened that a country had five clubs in the UCL group stage (Spain), but no one before the Premier League this year got to qualify all the teams for the last sixteen. In February, in fact, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham will face each other for the ultimate prize.

Super Super Liverpool

Since when Jürgen Klopp became the manager, the Reds have always been an explosive team, just as much capable of winning and losing big time. In this UCL group stage Liverpool, which qualified for the last sixteen for the first time since the 08/09 season, smashed some records. The most curious one: the Reds have been on a 3-0 lead after 30 minutes against each team of their group. The most impressive: the 23 goals scored by Liverpool in this Champions League are the most ever scored by an English team in a group stage. The most swag: Liverpool is the first team ever to win two games with a 7-0 score in the same group stage. The most Brazilian: Roberto Firmino is the first Liverpool player to score 6 goals in this stage of the Champions League.

Well done, Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino’s boys are having a hard time in the Premier League, where they’re currently placed in the sixth position, far away from the top. In the Champions League, though, Tottenham has been the team which scored the most points, 16, thanks to five wins, 1 draw, and 0 defeats. The Wembley effect?

Not so well done, Dortmund

Same group, different outcome. Nobody expected Borussia Dortmund to easily win this hard group with the Spurs and Real Madrid, but the two points gained by Aubameyang and his teammates are a new negative record. No one before ever qualified for the Europa League with such few points.

Double Beşiktaş

It has been an astonishing group stage for our new favorite club (here’s why). Besiktas has smashed the record for the most point ever got by a Turkish side in the UCL group stage (14) and become the first team from the Süper Lig to end a stage unbeaten.

S like Shakhtar

To win in Ukraine is never easy, but the 2-1 loss that Manchester City got yesterday night (that, BTW, got Napoli eliminated) was particularly bad. It’s the first loss suffered by the Citizens in 29 games, their streak was during since the defeat against Arsenal in last season’s FA Cup semi-final.

Oh, and of course there’s Paulo Fonseca, Shakhtar coach, that as promised showed up for the press conference dressed as Zorro, to celebrate the qualification to the last sixteen. Pure magic.

Bonus: Ronald’or

Today Cristiano Ronaldo will get his fifth Ballon d’Or, equalizing the ones won by his eternal rival Leo Messi. How did he celebrate? By becoming the first player ever to score a goal in each and every one of the games he played in this UCL group stage. Oh, and by scoring this screamer. Chapeu.