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Champions League Power Rankings: PSG shine in matchweek 1

By James Dudko

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Kylian Mbappe of PSG during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic Glasgow and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at Celtic Park on September 12, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Kylian Mbappe of PSG during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic Glasgow and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at Celtic Park on September 12, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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LEIPZIG, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 13: Emil Forsberg of Leipzig celebrates after he scores the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League group G match between RB Leipzig and AS Monaco at Red Bull Arena on September 13, 2017 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 13: Emil Forsberg of Leipzig celebrates after he scores the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League group G match between RB Leipzig and AS Monaco at Red Bull Arena on September 13, 2017 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

19. Maribor

There is certainly not much shame in being held to a 1-1 draw by last season’s Ligue 1 champions. Yet Leipzig can be forgiven for having expected more from their home fixture against Monaco.

This isn’t the same Monaco team which bewitched Champions League audiences last season. A series of high-profile departures this summer, including Kylian Mbappe, inevitably weakened the squad.

Yet for all the changes, Leipzig still couldn’t break Monaco down more than once. The Bundesliga side’s lone goal came from star playmaker Emil Forsberg, who was exceptional on the night.

Sadly for Forsberg, not enough of his teammates did enough to help out. Leipzig also missed the drive of Liverpool-bound midfield workhorse Naby Keita, who was absent with a groin problem, per the Bundesliga official website.

Leipzig boss Ralph Hasenhuttl will need to juggle his squad more effectively to deal with the challenges of a maiden campaign in the Champions League.

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