Champions League panic meter: Manchester United survive late scare, Roma and Atletico under pressure

The latest Champions League matchday is partly complete, and some clubs have already reached the halfway point of a league phase that runs until January. The format leaves little margin for mistakes: only the top eight teams advance directly to the knockout rounds, while sides finishing ninth through 24th must fight through a two-legged playoff in February. Here is how worried four of Europe's biggest names should be with four games remaining.

AS Roma keep finding new ways to lose late. Gian Piero Gasperini's team fell 3-2 at Manchester United despite scoring the first two goals at Old Trafford, a repeat of the collapse they suffered last month at the Stadio Olimpico, where Real Madrid scored three times late to overturn a 3-1 Roma lead. A trip to Paris Saint-Germain awaits next, and with only four points from four matches, it is hard to picture them returning from the Parc des Princes with anything. Panic level: 7 out of 10.

Atletico Madrid sit in a slightly safer position but have not convinced. Diego Simeone's side lost at Liverpool and fell to Bayern Munich at home, with a win over Manchester United in Madrid their standout result so far. The schedule now softens considerably: Viking, PSV and Bodo/Glimt, then a final away trip to Fenerbahce. Finishing in the top 16 should be the minimum expectation. Panic level: 6 out of 10.

Inter have steadied themselves after a rough start. Defeats to Real Madrid and Club Brugge opened their campaign, but consecutive wins over Shakhtar and, more impressively, a 3-0 victory away at Feyenoord have changed the mood. That result came days after a 3-1 Derby della Madonnina loss to AC Milan had raised questions about Cristian Chivu's management. Stuttgart visit San Siro next, followed by a trip to Borussia Dortmund, a home date with Liverpool and a closer against Slavia Prague. Panic level: 5 out of 10.

Manchester United finally have something to build on after coming back to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford, ending their skid in dramatic fashion. The question now is whether Michael Carrick's side have left their recovery too late, an answer that should become clearer before the November international break. The remaining fixtures are demanding: away trips to Sporting CP and Villarreal, plus home matches against RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich.

United are not out of danger, but the comeback win at least lets them look ahead with some optimism rather than pure dread. Panic level: 6 out of 10.

Across the board, the picture is the same for each of these clubs: the league phase will not wait for anyone, and the next four matchdays will decide who books a direct ticket to the knockouts and who is left sweating on a February playoff. For Roma and Atletico in particular, the margin for error is close to gone.