The four teams with four straight wins - after Bayern Munich
and Juventus sealed their places Tuesday - have already given the knockout
lineup a nostalgic feel. Ajax, Bayern and Liverpool combined to win all eight
European Cup titles from 1971-78.
Liverpool had never opened a Champions League group stage
with four wins, though they were rarely troubled against Atletico in Group B
after Diogo Jota and Sadio Mané scored in the first 21 minutes. Atletico
dropped to third in the group behind Porto, who were held to a 1-1 draw at
last-place AC Milan.
Ajax are having a standout Champions League campaign after
being ignored by the Super League founders from England, Italy and Spain when
they lined up their ill-fated project several months ago.
The Dutch champions made it back-to-back big wins over Dortmund,
which had veteran defender Mats Hummels sent off in the first half.
Second-place Dortmund trail Ajax by six points in Group C
with two rounds left. Dortmund are level on points with Sporting Lisbon, who
routed Besiktas 4-0 and host the German side next on November 24.
Real Madrid and Inter Milan - two of the 12 Super League
clubs - have taken control of Group D from upstart Sheriff after important wins
on Wednesday.
Karim Benzema's goals ensured Madrid beat Shakhtar Donetsk
2-1 and lead the standings by two points from Inter. The Italian champions made
it two straight wins over Sheriff, 3-1 away to the champions of Moldova.
Manchester City overpowered Club Brugge 4-1 and were
rewarded with the top spot in Group A after late drama at Leipzig where Paris
Saint-Germain drew 2-2.
A PSG team missing the injured Lionel Messi rallied from an
early Leipzig surge to lead at halftime through two goals by Georgino
Wijnaldum. But PSG dropped points after a stoppage-time penalty by Leipzig
substitute Dominik Szoboszlai.
City took a one-point lead over PSG before they meet in
Manchester in three weeks' time.