Messi & Ronaldo dominated for different ways... The 10 reasons why UCL back with a bang

The Champions League is back and it certainly returned with a bang this week, proving again why it is the pinnacle competition in world football.

The two men who have dominated the landscape for years - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - did not fail to do so once more, but for vastly different reasons.

With the first groups games now done and dusted, Sportsmail takes a look back over the action to pick out the decisive moments, highs and lows.

Bale the Real deal

No Cristiano? No problem.

Gareth Bale was widely touted to pick up the mantle following the departure of the Portuguese superstar from the Bernabeu, and he's certainly wasting no time.

Bale added the second in Real's 3-0 victory over Roma and was the driving force for his side as they steamrollered last season's semi-finalists.

The Welshman now has five goals in seven games so far this season, and is showing no signs of slowing up any time soon.

Magic Messi

It wouldn't be the Champions League without mentioning the ludicrously gifted Argentine.

Messi did what Messi does best on Tuesday night, by fittingly scoring the first goal of this season's competition before going on to hammer home a hat-trick.

His first - a sumptuous freekick with minimal back lift - appeared to be the easiest thing in the world for him... yet impossible for us mere mortals.

His second an expertly cushioned half-volley into the bottom corner, while his third almost carbon copy in placement. The man still dominates.

Ronaldo's theatre

Switch over to the camp of Messi's fierce rival Ronaldo and oh what a contrast we have.

The £100m man signed for Juve with the specific intention of firing them to the latter stages of the Champions League... so getting sent off on his maiden appearance was certainly not part of the blueprint.

Ronaldo's clash with defender Jeison Murillo off the ball was picked up by the official behind the line, who encouraged the referee to brandish straight red after spotting a flailing leg and and grab of the head.

Cue the hysterics, and actual tears from the superstars, but no reversal of decision. As it stands the Portugal captain could miss both legs against Manchester United.

Early shocks

All arise for Lyon, the providers of the first game shock that none of us expected.

While a European force, the club are all but minnows in comparison to fellow French exports of PSG or Monaco... so when they rocked up at the Etihad to face Pep Guardiola's machine, nobody expected much.

A fierce and disciplined performance yielded a thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory however, which almost had the added humiliation of a goal from former United man Memphis Depay, but for the woodwork.

Crowds still rule supreme

If there's one thing we always associate with elite European football, it's atmosphere.

The first games didn't disappoint, with Anfield welcoming the Champions League back in roaring fashion.

The Kop bellowed PSG into submission, while over in Italy Inter Milan made a huge fuss of their return to the top level.

Banners adorned the San Siro, proclaiming 'We Are Back,' while decibels reached fever pitch once Matias Vecino's late effort rippled the back of the net.

Renato Sanches, the unlikely hero

Remember him?

The once wonderkid who lost his way before failing to even pin down a starting spot at relegated Swansea City? Well he's back.

It seems class really is permanent, and the midfielder could be making a comeback this season.

After being granted a second chance in the Bayern Munich set-up by new manager Niko Kovac, Sanches finished off a sublime team effort against his former club Benfica to cement a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Perhaps that sea air of the Gower Peninsula helped after all.

Milner bossing it

At this point, we can probably assume James Milner will still be playing Champions League football when he's 50.

The veteran midfielder ran the show for Liverpool against PSG, covering every blade of grass and providing tackles, passes and interceptions at will.

His showcase moment came in the early stages, when a good old-fashioned challenged completely shut the door on the world's most expensive footballer Neymar.

Ramos the card collector

Few players in the world have as many trophies than Sergio Ramos... yet likewise few players in the world have as many yellow cards as the Spaniard either.

With the return of European football, Ramos couldn't help but pick up his customary little slice of yellow paper.

Ramos already holds the all-time record for the most cautions in Champions League history, but has now pushed further ahead of Paul Scholes 32 mark.

The Madrid captain now has 35 and, with the tournament being one game in, it would take a brave betting man to say that won't increase further still.

Return of Red Star

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Red Star Belgrade are back in the big time, or Crvena Zvezda for those who were wondering who that team were.

It was tough to say what was more impressive, their return performance or the firepit of an atmosphere created inside the Rajko Mitić Stadium.

Red Star held freeflowing Napoli to a goalless stalemate, while fans lit up the stands with a sea of mosaic colour, flares and lights.

The boomerang gaffers

Yuri Semin and Fatih Terim, managers of Locomotive Moscow and Galatasaray respectively.

You perhaps don't know too much about these gentleman, but one thing they have in common is an uncanny ability to find their way back to their clubs. Like a pair of trusty boomerangs, if you will.

Both managers are in charge of their teams for, quite incredibly, the fourth spell in their careers.

The duo did battle in the opening fixture, in which Terim prevailed and Galatasaray took a 3-0 victory over the Russians, despite having Badou Ndiaye sent off. Madness.