2010 UEFA Champions League: What We Learned After Matchday One

After seeing Inter Milan claim the Champions League title last season, football fans throughout the world have eagerly waited for the return of the Champions League group stage.

Those fans were not disappointed, as we saw some fantastic matches during matchday one that were extremely memorable.

From Lionel Messi's brace to a fantastic offensive display from Arsenal, we have witnessed some great play during the first week of matches.

With this in mind, here are some observations we can make from the Champions League from this first week of matches.

Twente Can Be Formidable at Home

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ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 29: A general view before the Eredivisie league match between FC Twente and FC Utrecht at the De Grolsch Veste Stadium on August 29, 2010 in Enschede, Netherlands. (Photo by Anoek De Groot/EuroFootball/Getty Images)

In its first ever Champions League match, the De Grolsch Veste really was a formidable home ground for Twente, as they were able to hold off defending champion Inter Milan as Twente picked up a 2-2 draw.

Overall, Twente's home crowd really played a huge part against their toughest opposition in the Champions League group stage.

Now, one must wonder if this stadium can be as great an advantage against Tottenham and Werder Bremen moving forward.

No matter what, though, it was a great place for the first match in Twente's Champions League history.

Tottenham Do Have the Skill to Advance to the Knockout Stage

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Peter Crouch of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with Tom Huddlestone (L) as he scores their first goal during the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and BSC Young Boys at White Hart Lane on

Despite having problems going into this match, Tottenham had a fantastic first first half that saw Spurs go up by a 2-0 score.

Despite Spurs having that lead, Werder Bremen fought back in a match that ended in a draw.

Tottenham did prove from this that they are more than capable of advancing from the group, and with three matches at White Hart Lane, expect Spurs to advance to the knockout stage.

Werder Bremen Are a Fantastic Second-Half Side

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Marko Marin of Werder Bremen during a Friendly match between Fulham and Werder Bremen at Craven Cottage on August 7, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

For anyone who has followed Werder Bremen this season, you would know that they are a side that is fantastic at coming back at you.

They already have done that once in Champions League qualification against Sampdoria in Italy, and they did it again against Tottenham on Tuesday, except for the fact that they did not register a win.

What Bremen does is dangerous for all sides involved, as it could cause Bremen to really fall back if they face a wave of goals, but it could kill a side's hopes if Bremen makes a massive comeback to win a match.

Everyone Should Still Watch Out for Lyon

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LYON, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 14: Miralem Pjanic (l),Yoann Gourcuff (c) and Lisandro (r) of Lyon line up before the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Olympique Lyonnais and FC Schalke 04 at the Stade de Gerland on September 14, 2010 in Lyon, France.

After making an extremely unlikely run into the Champions League semifinal last season, Lyon put together a solid performance against Schalke in what turned out to be a solid 1-0 victory.

Last season, Lyon were able to take down several European giants to reach the semifinal, and this looks no different now, as they easily disposed of the Bundesliga's runners-up from last season.

Manchester United Really Needed Dimitar Berbatov

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MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 21: Dimitar Berbatov (L) of Manchester United celebrates his second goal with team mate Wayne Rooney during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Manchester United and Celtic at Old Trafford on October 21, 2

After spending two seasons where he was continuously criticized for lack of energy on the pitch, along with appearing at times to be "washed-up," Dimitar Berbatov has been nothing short of spectacular so far this season.

However, Berbatov was on the bench during Manchester United's scoreless draw against Rangers, a match that could have used Berbatov's brilliance and creativity.

You can definitely expect Berbatov to play in most of United's Champions League fixtures this season.

Rangers' Defensive Style Can Be Instrumental in the Scottish Side's Success

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United is challenged by Madjid Bougherra (R) of Rangers during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Manchester United and Rangers at Old Trafford on September 14, 2010 in Mancheste

During Rangers' scoreless draw at Old Trafford, they played a defensive style that saw nine players on defense with a lone striker.

This style was the reason why Rangers were able to do as well as they did, and it really could help the Scottish champions advance from this group, a thought that was unimaginable by most people at the beginning of the week.

David Who? Valencia Ease to Victory Without Villa and Silva

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VALENCIA, SPAIN - MAY 09: Ruben Baraja (#8) of Valencia celerbrates after scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga match between Valencia and Real Madrid at the Mestalla Stadium on May 9, 2009 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Imag

Despite not having the services of David Silva and David Villa due to summer transfers, Valencia put a fantastic result on Turkish champion Bursaspor by winning 4-0 in Turkey.

Valencia have some great play from new midfielder Tino Costa (who was named Man of the Match), and they look like they will advance from this group.

Barcelona Will Be Extremely Tough to Stop

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 14: David Villa (L) of Barcelona celebrates scoring his sides second goal with his teammate Lionel Messi during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Barcelona and Panathinaikos on September 14, 2010 in Barcelona, S

After suffering a shocking loss over the weekend to Hercules, Barcelona showed the ingredients of what can be a fantastic season in the Champions League after destroying Panathinaikos by a 5-1 score.

Barcelona were led by some fantastic offensive play all-around by their squad, and they certainly will be a side to watch for the rest of the season as they look to win the Champions League again.

Watch Out for Copenhagen

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COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 25: Members of the FC Copenhagen (L-R back row) Johan Wiland, Dame N'Doye, Oscar Wendt, Jesper Gronkjaer, Mikael Antonsson, William Kvist, Solvi Ottesen, (L-R front row) Cesar Santin, Zdenek Pospech, Martin Vingaard, Claudemi

Expected to be the last place finisher in Group E, Copenhagen got off to a great start in Group E by shocking Rubin Kazan by a 1-0 score at the Parken Stadion.

Copenhagen got a late winner from Dame N'Doye and now hold the advantage to reaching the round of 16, as they are beating out Rubin and Panathinaikos on points right now for the final spot.

Who knows—maybe the impossible will happen, and we will see Copenhagen reach the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Rubin Kazan Might Not Advance from an Easy Group

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RAMENSKOE, RUSSIA - APRIL 04: Yevgeni Balyaikin of FC Rubin Kazan during the Russian Football League Championship match between FC Saturn Moscow Oblast and FC Rubin Kazan at the Saturn Stadium on April 04, 2010 in Ramenskoe, Russia. (Photo by Sergei Tsar

The two-time defending Russian Premier League champions, Rubin Kazan found themselves off to the wrong foot with a 1-0 loss against Copenhagen.

Going into this Champions League, many people expected Rubin to advance with ease from this group, but now with the odds against them, one must wonder if Rubin has what it takes to advance to the round of 16.

Bayern Munich's Attack Will Be Extremely Tough to Stop

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RAMAT GAN, ISRAEL - SEPTEMBER 15: Bayern Muenchen's Thomas Muller (25) celebrates his 85th minute goal with teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Maccabi Haifa and FC Bayern Muenchen at Ramat Gan Stadium o

The Champions League runners-up from last season, Bayern Munich got two late goals (including a fantastic goal by Thomas Mueller) against Roma to pull out a victory at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern showed us that they are one of the top sides in all of Europe with this victory, and the young guns from this side can really make a huge impact again in Europe.

Chelsea Are Prepared for European Glory

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ZILINA, SLOVAKIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Nicolas Anelka of Chelsea (C) celebrates with Florent Malouda (L) and Yossi Benayoun scores their second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between MSK Zilina and Chelsea at the Pod Dubnom Stadium on Sept

After suffering major disappointments the last several years in the Champions League, Chelsea got off to a strong start in Slovakia by beating Slovakian champion MS Kilina by a 4-1 scoreline.

Chelsea looked completely dominant in this match, and if they keep this up against the stronger opposition in their group, watch out for Chelsea to maybe finally win the Champions League.

Marseille Can Really Struggle

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MARSEILLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 15: Andre-Pierre Gignac of Marseille rues his luck after a shot hit the post during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Olympique Marseille and Spartak Moscow at the Stade Velodrome on September 15, 2010 in Marse

After winning the French double last season, Marseille looked overmatched at the Velodrome, as they lost to Spartak Moscow as they continue to struggle through this season.

Marseille need to wake up in their next match at Chelsea. If they fail to succeed, they could fail to advance from a group that they were expected to advance from.

Real Madrid Can Break Out of Their Long Streak of Not Reaching the Quarterfinals

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MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Gonzalo Higuain (C) of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd L) and Mesut Ozil (2nd R) who gave the assist, during the UEFA Champions League group G match between Real Madrid and Aj

With a star-studded squad and a great manager in Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid were completely dominant in a 2-0 win against Ajax.

Real Madrid might have blown some fantastic chances in the match, but they showed their offensive might, and that alone is an extremely important aspect of los Blancos' game.

Should Real finish their chances better by the end of the group stage (which will probably happen), expect Real Madrid to get past the final 16 and be a legitimate contender to win the Champions League.

Milan Need to Play Better

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MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 15: Celebrates of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho of AC Milan after the second goal during the UEFA Champions League group G match between AC Milan and Auxerre at San Siro Stadium on September 15, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo

Despite a 2-0 win at the San Siro against Group G minnow Auxerre, Milan did not look their best at all and did struggle at times (especially in the first half).

Despite a second-half brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Milan will certainly improve from this performance moving forward and will need to play strong against Ajax in their next match.

Arsenal's Offense Can Be Unstoppable

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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Carlos Vela of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Cesc Fabregas after scoring his teams sixth goal during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Arsenal and SC Braga at the Emirates Stadium on September 15, 2010 in

Arsenal's offense was absolutely incredible against Braga, as the Gunners were able to put up a six spot against the Portuguese side at the Emirates.

Arsenal were led by Cesc Fabregas' brace and a fantastic display by Jack Wilshere that were two of the main reasons for the Gunners' complete dominance.

Moving forward, if this offense continues to play the way that it did, Arsenal can find themselves in the Champions League final in Wembley come May.