1 Mancini more forthright than most
While too many coaches in the modern game are too political to upset expensive players and their entourages, and too watchful of their own backs to consider making trouble for the owner, well played Manchester City's Roberto Mancini, who pulled no punches in the face of player misbehaviour. It was interesting that he felt obliged to immediately mention the owner's role in dealing with Carlos Tevez's grand diva moment. Once upon a time such matters were dealt with by the coach and coach alone. Was he calling upon the influence of the board because he was obliged to involve them? Or because he needed their support?
Whichever, Mancini showed a bit more gumption in his post-match press conference than the Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, who took the opportunity for some shameless sucking up to the man who calls the shots at his club. "Tonight's win is dedicated to our president [Silvio Berlusconi], who turns 75 tomorrow," he said sweetly. Unfortunately, there were no sick buckets in the vicinity to be passed the way of the poor interviewer.
2 The lilliputians are on the rise
The odds on a triple of Apoel, Basel and Trabzonspor topping their groups after a couple of games would have been off the scale. If this is what Michel Platini had in mind when he adjusted qualification to assist the smaller clubs, the evidence that his plan has substance is there in black and white. Apoel's point at Shakhtar Donetsk is arguably the result of the round. Although all three could only manage a draw this week, the fact that Basel and Trabzonspor were frustrated to gain only a point is a giant backhanded compliment.
Trabzonspor's story is particularly stirring. They only discovered they would be in the Champions League the day before the draw, when they benefitted from Fenerbahce's punishment for a match-fixing scandal. The late call has clearly suited them. They were nerveless in their opening fixture at Inter, winning in the San Siro, and then recovered from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Lille. Trabzonspor are 92nd in the Uefa rankings for this season (their group rivals Inter are eighth, CSKA 20th, Lille 53rd). Next up, Trabzonspor head to Moscow. The dream continues, although it is probably asking a bit much for them to do a Denmark 1992.
3 Napoli have found the animal within
So enthralled were the people of Napoli to see European Cup football return after 21 years to Stadio San Paolo, a number of fans headed to the ground at lunchtime for an 8.45pm kick-off. They were rewarded with a comfortable win and have enjoyed an excellent start to the competition. It is Napoli's misfortune to be drawn in the trickiest of the groups, but they could hardly have a better platform from which to launch into a double header with the favourites Bayern Munich.
Their Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler revealed the team's excitement at notching a Champions League win – a new experience for most of the team. Then he paid tribute to the man of the match Ezequiel Lavezzi. "He is an animal," said Inler. "He always wants to play, even when he isn't fit, and this is what great players do: they give their all to help the side and that's what is taking us forward. I don't know how far we can go."
4 Kaká has his mojo back
There were, as ever, some memorable goals in the Champions League this week. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain merits a mention for coming up with an important strike on his Arsenal debut. Roman Shirokov's second for Zenit was a delight. And André Ayew scored a scorcher for Olympique Marseille, who were so bold in their 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund that Didier Deschamps confessed afterwards he might have to play the Champions League anthem in the dressing room before league games.
Antonio Cassano's first goal for seven years on this stage was aided by a pass from the ponytailed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was praised all round for being the difference for Milan on his return from injury. Another who rolled back the years was Kaká, whose fine strike capped a classy performance for Real Madrid. Commentators noted that the smile was back on his face after two demoralising seasons. "Little by little I am getting better," he said. "There were times here when I was playing 45 minutes and feeling spent. Now I feel comfortable after playing a full game." It's onwards and upwards for Kaká.
5 Barcelona's omnipotence is becoming humdrum
It would be interesting to know how many neutrals chose to watch BATE Borisov versus Barcelona as their match of choice on Wednesday night. Of course, Barcelona are always a major attraction, regardless of whether they are playing in a Clásico or merely training amongst themselves, but it is curious to note how their latest victory didn't register too highly on the Champions League richter scale of excitement. Are Lionel Messi and friends so good that we have reached a point where Barcelona winning 5-0 away from home now feels routine? Scary.