EPL Clubs Struggle in Champions League First Legs

In the Champions League first legs, English Premier League clubs struggled, with none of the six teams securing a victory. Arsenal drew 1-1 against Bayer Leverkusen, while Newcastle United held Barcelona to a scoreless draw at St.

James' Park. Chelsea suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and Tottenham Hotspur faced a similar fate, losing 5-2 to Atlético Madrid.

Manchester City, the defending European champions, experienced a significant setback with a 3-0 loss to Real Madrid. City manager Pep Guardiola insisted that the result should not lead to questions about the quality of English football.

Historically, English clubs have struggled against Real Madrid, with Guardiola's side having been eliminated by them four times in the knockout stages. This season, no Premier League team has won a first leg in the last 16 of the Champions League, raising concerns about the league's reputation as Europe's strongest competition.