UCL Fantasy Football Matchday 1: Tuesday lessons

After the opening night of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League, some huge scores have already been posted by #UCLfantasy managers, and we’re only halfway through the matchday.

Popular captain choice Lionel Messi did what Lionel Messi does and registered a goal and assist for his owners, while fellow premium pick Erling Braut Haaland also got on the scoresheet, although he couldn't quite match his hat-trick from Matchday 1 last season.

Star of the show was Leipzig’s Angeliño, a player highlighted by The Scout on Monday, whose 19-point haul was the highest of the evening thanks to two goals and a clean sheet. Available for just €5.0m and playing in an attacking wing-back position, his ownership will surely rise significantly over the next week.

As we saw last season, ball recoveries can play a significant role in your Fantasy score and there are plenty of budget-enablers to be had who offer this avenue into points. One such asset is Zenit's midfielder Wílmar Barrios, who made ten ball recoveries despite his team's home defeat by Club Brugge, good enough for the €4.5m-priced asset to pick up an extra three Fantasy points. #UCLfantasy managers are clearly savvy to this, as he currently features in almost 50% of teams.

Finally, the power of youth was on display during Tuesday’s matches. In addition to Haaland, Club Brugge’s Charles De Ketelaere (eight points) and Barcelona pair Ansu Fati (11 points) and Pedri (six points) also found the net, goals from the latter two in a 5-1 home win against Ferencváros marking the first time two players under 18 have scored in the same UEFA Champions League match.