Winners and Losers from Champions League Week 4
With Europe back in action this week, the continent's best and brightest once again took centre stage as the first clubs took their spots in the competition's Round of 16.
However, for some to rise, others must fall, and there was an equal amount of sides soaring as there was plummeting under the Champions League's ever-watchful eye.
Whether it be a player, club or entire organisation, some fared better than others in Week 4 of the tournament's 2013/14 incarnation.
Read on to find out exactly who won and who lost in this week's Champions League drama.
Winner: The Professor and His Tactics
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Arsenal's smash-and-grab victory at Borussia Dortmund was the first time that the Black and Yellows have been beaten at the Westfalenstadion in Champions League competition.
Serving as further testament as to just how strong this Gunners side really is, the win redeemed Arsene Wenger and his side for their loss at home to the German giants just a few weeks previous.
Heading into this encounter, Arsene Wenger's tactics were being billed as an orchestra while Klopp's style closer to that of heavy metal, and it was the former that emerged triumphant on this occasion.
In the first half, Arsenal were unable to muster even one shot on target and were easily the more submissive of the two, but strategy held firm after half-time and eventually produced Aaron Ramsey's breakthrough goal.
Never losing faith in what his team were capable of producing, the visitors continued to soak up pressure and walk out of Dortmund with three points that now make them favourites to qualify from Group F.
Loser: Marseille's Champions League Hopes
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Wednesday night saw several teams eliminated from their Champions League campaigns, the most high-profile of which will have been Marseille, who lost 3-2 against Napoli thanks to some Gonzalo Higuain's scoring contributions.
The Argentine international helped to ensure that the Ligue 1 giants are yet to take a point from their group stage thus far, Viktoria Plzen being the only other club yet to get on the board.
Given their challenge for local credentials and the prestige of the club, Marseille really should be making more of a claim on international matters, but they were unfortunate in being drawn against extremely tough opposition this season.
Winner: Lionel Messi
3 of 8On Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record for most Champions League goals scored in a calendar year (14), a record that was previously held by Lionel Messi.
Currently recovering from injury, Barcelona's talisman admittedly hasn't been at his playing best in recent weeks, his talents ebbing ever so slightly out of the spotlight.
By the time Wednesday evening's fixture was over, the pint-sized poacher was firmly back in the spotlight after grabbing two essential goals in his side's 3-1 win over Milan.
Loser: Celtic and Ajax's Volatile Support Sections
4 of 8European football is something for everyone to get excited about, but it's unfortunate that some let their excitement get to the stage of hooliganism, expressing their support in less amicable ways.
This week saw Celtic and Ajax fans get in trouble on several occasions in Amsterdam, as was reported by the Daily Mail's David Kent, with both sets of supporters being caught up in police proceedings.
The history between these two clubs is one that goes back decades, so it's a sour addition to what should have been a great occasion.
Winner: Spanish Clubs' Qualification
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As well as some sides being dumped out at this early stage of the tournament, there were some clubs that managed to sew up progress to the next stage.
Atletico Madrid qualified for the Round of 16 on the same night that Real Madrid and Barcelona came within a point of accomplishing that same feat themselves.
Last season, with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich making the final, things were all about Germany, but now it seems that La Liga's representatives are back with a vengeance.
Loser: Group A Audiences
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This week, not a single goal was scored in Group A's two fixtures, with Manchester United seeing out a bore draw at Real Sociedad while Bayer Leverkusen snatched a stalemate at Shakhtar Donetsk.
In such a tight pool, the points-all-around meetings actually work in the favour of those involved, every side afraid to be the one dropping points.
However, that doesn't change the fact that paying customers would have preferred to see goals galore, especially considering the likes of Wayne Rooney, Stefan Kiessling, Carlos Vela others scoring stars all on show.
Winner: English Reputation
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Qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in their history, Manchester City broke new ground this week and did it in style.
So far this season, the Citizens have scored 11 European goals, second only to Bayern Munich in Group D and looking as confident as ever in their Champions League trials.
Alvaro Negredo and Sergio Aguero are leading the club's line with aplomb and Manuel Pellegrini's men capped off the hard part of their group phase with an emphatic 5-2 victory against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday evening.
Loser: Eastern Europe's Giants
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In the last decade or so, it's the western parts of Europe that have accounted for the greater portion of Champions League winners, which was showcased by the success of its representatives this week.
Red Star Belgrade were the last Eastern European club to win the highest of continental honours back in the 1990/91 campaign, not seeing much success on the stage since.
This week saw CSKA Moscow, Shakhtar Donetsk, Viktoria Plzen, Steaua Bucharest and Zenit St. Petersburg all drop points, several of which were in home territory.
Although some may yet go on to qualify, this week in particular wasn't a successful week from the eastern incumbents.
