Who would have thought in September that first-timers Brest would be among the pacesetters and that only Liverpool would boast a perfect record?  

Of course, things will change – one notable aspect about this new format is how quickly things can shift – but, so far, the unpredictability has given us plenty to talk about. In this issue, we’ve dedicated space to teams up and down that massive table. Our cover star Ollie Watkins details his journey from non-league to Champions League, we pay tribute to Shakhtar Donetsk’s strength in adversity and we turn up the volume on Bologna’s rich musical heritage. 

Zlatan Ibrahimović is the issue’s other cover star, telling us about his new job in Milan and his typically intense gym routine. We also drop in on another retired legend getting to grips with a fresh role, Vincent Kompany, who shares insights on his leadership philosophy having taken charge as coach at Bayern München.

All this plus a look at the jewellery players are coveting, a fashion and football festival celebrating creativity, a whistle-stop tour of Zagreb and a walk around Paris Saint-Germain’s new campus with teenage sensation Warren Zaïre-Emery. 

Get your copy online at champions-journal.com, or in stores in WHSmith in the UK.