—- The aim of the new Champions League format to generate extra interest in the first stage appeared in danger of backfiring after a night of heavy scoring which include seven goals for holders Paris Saint-Germain and six apiece for Barcelonka and PSV Eindhoven.

PSG scored three times in seven minutes at the end of a rollercoaster first half on the way to crushing hosts Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 after both teams played with 10 men for almost an hour.

Desire Doue scored twice for the French side who earned a club record-equalling sixth consecutive win in the Champions League, including last season, and top the league phase table after three matches with a maximum nine points. PSG thus snapped Leverkusen’s nine-match unbeaten run at home against European opponents.

A Fermin Lopez hat-trick and two goals from Marcus Rashford powered Barcelona to a crushing 6-1 over Olympiacos with the Greek side left fuming over a controversial red card early in the second half.

The match got off to a flying start when Fermin opened the scoring from a rebound in the seventh minute. The 22-year-old pounced on a loose ball after Lamine Yamal’s shot was parried by the Olympiacos goalkeeper. Fermin doubled his tally in the 39th minute by finishing off a lightning-quick counter-attack.

Ayoub El Kaabi cut the deficit early in the second half but the visitors’

momentum was short-lived, however, as Santiago Hezze was sent off in the 57th minute for a second yellow card.

Barcelona made the most of their numerical advantage with further goals for Yamal (penalty), Rashford (two) and Fermin for a hat-trick.

PSV Eindhoven’s Dennis Man scored twice as the home side handed Napoli a 6-2 thrashing after coming from a goal down to obtain their first win in this season’s Champions League.

Scott McTominay put the Italians ahead in the 31st minute but the Dutch champions swept into a 2-1 lead within seven minutes through an Alessandro Buongiorno own goal and more strikes from Ismael Saibari and Man (two). Napoli’s Lorenzo Lucca was sent off 14 minutes from time for dissent before further goals from McTominay for Napoli then substitute Ricardo and Driouech for PSV.

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