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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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Spartak Moscow’s Aleksandr Samedov (TOP) leaps over NK Maribor’s Marko Suler (C) as Blaz Vrhovec (L) looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between NK Maribor and FC Spartak Moscow at The Stadium Ljudski vrt in Maribor on September 13, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jure Makovec (Photo credit should read JURE MAKOVEC/AFP/Getty Images)
Spartak Moscow’s Aleksandr Samedov (TOP) leaps over NK Maribor’s Marko Suler (C) as Blaz Vrhovec (L) looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between NK Maribor and FC Spartak Moscow at The Stadium Ljudski vrt in Maribor on September 13, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jure Makovec (Photo credit should read JURE MAKOVEC/AFP/Getty Images) /

17. Spartak Moscow

Spartak manager Massimo Carrera had to be proud of the way his side played on their travels to begin life in Group E. The only source of irritation for the Italian will come from how his side merited more than a point from the trip to Maribor.

Aleksandr Samedov opened the scoring for the visitors in the 59th minute. The goal was the signature moment of a peerless performance from the veteran midfielder.

Samedov, 33, belied his age to run midfield. He was aided by skipper Denis Glushakov, who also played with calmness and authority in the middle.

Spartak looked highly capable on the break, particularly with the pace of forward Luiz Adriano. But Carrera’s men will ultimately look back on this draw as an opportunity missed.

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