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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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PORTO, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 13: Besiktas forward Ryan Babel celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and Besiktas JK at Estadio do Dragao on September 13, 2017 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 13: Besiktas forward Ryan Babel celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and Besiktas JK at Estadio do Dragao on September 13, 2017 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) /

8. Besiktas

Porto no longer being the force they once were in Europe should take nothing away from their impressive display from Besiktas in. The Turkish side took to a formidable away trip with gusto, scoring three times and playing some fantastic, free-flowing football.

Such quality forward play was summed up by the third goal scored by former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel. Intricate one- and two-touch football set up the Dutchman to calmly slot the ball in and end Porto’s resistance.

It was a move typical of the way an experienced side with pace in wide areas and vision in the middle performed all night. The former quality comes from Babel and 33-year-old Ricardo Quaresma.

Meanwhile, ex-Arsenal youngster Oguzhan Ozyakup has grown in stature since moving to Besiktas. The captain is the string-puller in midfield for a side capable of upsetting a few in this season’s tournament.

Besiktas will always be tough at home. But if they can produce more quality away performances like this, qualification from Group G will surely beckon.

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