-
Gabriele Marcotti, Senior Author, ESPN FC
The ultimate weekend of European membership motion earlier than the worldwide break did not disappoint, with speaking factors galore throughout the highest leagues. Within the Premier League, Liverpool humbled Man United at Previous Trafford in entrance of United’s new midfielder. In LaLiga, Barcelona look pretty much as good as they’ve in years with a 7-0 win whereas Kylian Mbappé received off the mark for Real Madrid in one other wobbly workforce effort.
Within the German Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen‘s 462-day unbeaten streak was snapped by RB Leipzig, and Thomas Müller grabbed headlines with an excellent objective in his record-setting 710th look for Bayern Munich. We additionally received a lot to debate round AC Milan, Chelsea, Tottenham, Atletico Madrid, Napoli and extra.
It is Monday. Gab Marcotti reacts to the largest moments on the planet of soccer.
Liverpool are for actual, whereas Ugarte can solely assist Man United if used correctly
One bald Dutch supervisor was in his third sport for the membership; the opposite is in his third season. In the event you watched Manchester United vs. Liverpool with out figuring out who’s who, you would possibly simply have mistaken Arne Slot for Erik ten Hag and vice versa.
Liverpool appear like a workforce with a coherent id. Certain, it helps that it is the similar crew from final season and sure, it is true that Slot shares many footballing ideas along with his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp. However there are main adjustments too, from the scheme — a fairly distinct 4-2-3-1 — to the extra possession-oriented method, together with a larger sense of pragmatism and suppleness. (It isn’t a coincidence that Slot principally used a special setup final season at Feyenoord.) The best way Liverpool have taken his message on board — and the way in which they appear to have improved in every of their first three video games — speaks volumes of the job he is doing so far.
As for United, one of many irritating issues is that this nonetheless seems like a workforce in transition. Partly as a result of the personnel preserve altering — Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martínez, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro have been the one starters on Sunday who have been additionally regulars in Ten Hag’s first season — however largely as a result of it is troublesome to pin down what they’re making an attempt to do. United’s method feels in steady flux, and no matter that method is, it hasn’t come near trying like Ajax’s Ten Hag, which is presumably what received him the job within the first place. Certain, there are many causes and mitigating circumstances, but it surely must be a supply of frustration as a result of it seems like three years of treading water.
There have been particular person errors, too. Casemiro gave away the ball twice, resulting in Liverpool’s two first-half targets. It isn’t a linear factor — in each conditions, Liverpool had a lot to do earlier than scoring — however he shortly turned the scapegoat. Rightly so (in all probability) since he was poor, although if there was any doubt Ten Hag’s determination to exchange him at half-time with any person named Toby Collyer — a 20-year-old child with zero Premier League minutes underneath his belt — left little doubt. Symbolically, with new signing Manuel Ugarte within the stands, it felt as if Ten Hag was turning the web page.
Ugarte is 23 and when it comes to work-rate, tackling and defensive capacity in midfield is sort of a youthful, larger power Casemiro. But it surely’s price reminding ourselves why PSG have been completely happy to maneuver him on and why he misplaced his place as a starter midway by means of final season.
PSG boss Luis Enrique wished a defensive midfielder who may move effectively, do some playmaking and be press-resistant. Ugarte does not excel in any of these areas, and it was errors in these areas that triggered Casemiro to get substituted. It does not imply Ugarte cannot be an improve, simply that possibly he is not the man you need carrying the ball out of the again, like Casemiro did in opposition to Liverpool. Perhaps it would imply utilizing Kobbie Mainoo in a different way — although, you may notice, he too misplaced the ball forward of the third objective — or possibly there can be a larger position within the build-up for Mathijs De Ligt or Lisandro Martinez, each of whom are good passers.
Both approach, for this to work, change has to come back … once more.
It wasn’t all damaging for United. They performed effectively within the first half-hour, Marcus Rashford seemed sharp and Joshua Zirkzee missed a hat-trick of probabilities — a glass half-full take can be that United created these scoring alternatives and he was there to attempt to convert. However total, it felt like a intestine punch and the very last thing Ten Hag wants is for the sensation of drift to return.
Throughout the way in which, it is three wins on the trot for Liverpool, with seven targets scored and none conceded. If we wish to nitpick, their depth did drop at 2-0, which is why Alisson needed to come up large with some vital saves. That 0.95 xG is suboptimal too, they usually’ll wish to determine whether or not it is merely a byproduct of attacking as a lot as they do or if there are defensive tweaks to be accomplished (I might lean towards the latter). Nonetheless, search for “dream begin” within the encyclopedia and you may see Slot’s face smiling again at you.
Yet one more factor on Sunday’s sport: I do not suppose Mohamed Salah reminding everybody that he is within the last yr of his contract and the membership have not mentioned an extension with him is a giant deal. Sure, Liverpool did spend large (in wages, not switch charges) on Federico Chiesa, who performs the identical place as Salah. As a deal, it is someplace between a possibility — he is an excellent participant if he stays match — and a hedge in opposition to Salah shifting on.
I’ve no drawback by any means with Salah airing what all people already is aware of, and I’ve much less of an issue with Liverpool ready to broach the topic of an extension. It is simply good enterprise.
2:46
Gab & Juls conflict over Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool
Gab & Juls disagree over whether or not Federico Chiesa’s arrival at Liverpool impacts Mohamed Salah’s future.
By no means thoughts whether or not Paulo Fonseca was proper to drop Rafael Leão and Theo Hernández … did it really work?
Leao and Hernandez are, arguably, Milan’s two finest gamers. They’re additionally two of essentially the most maddening. For all his expertise, Leao often goes AWOL for lengthy stretches. Theo is a devastating pressure going ahead, however typically displays the positional sense of a busted compass when defending. Each have been poor in Milan’s first two video games, so Fonseca dropped them for Saturday’s journey away to Lazio.
Most coaches exit of their strategy to defend their finest gamers, at the very least outwardly. Those that do flex in such a public approach are usually those who’ve constructed up a ton of sporting capital, as a result of they have been of their jobs a very long time and have trophies to point out for it. That is Fonseca, who has but to win a sport as Milan coach and has gained nothing since leaving Ukraine in 2019. On the very least you must admit the man has guts.
Initially, it seemed prefer it was working a allure as Milan took the lead and created probabilities within the first half. (Fonseca is a genius!) Then, after the break, we received the defensive meltdown that has dogged them in current video games, they usually gave up two within the house of 4 minutes. (Fonseca is a idiot!) So he despatched each of them on, they usually instantly mixed with one other sub, Tammy Abraham, to notch the equaliser. (Fonseca is a genius!) Then got here a kind of cooling breaks and whereas all of the Milan gamers convened across the bench to rehydrate, Theo and Rafa stored their distance, watching — some would possibly say sulking — from the other sideline. (Fonseca is a idiot!)
It completed 2-2 and since it is in everybody’s curiosity to take action, everybody performed down what occurred. Theo stated after the sport that they did not be a part of their teammates within the cooling break as a result of they’d solely been on for a couple of minutes and did not want it. Nice. However given the circumstances, it wasn’t a very good look, and also you assume they’re conscious sufficient to know that.
Fonseca went out on a limb right here. He can do the maths: he is aware of his two stars are price extra to the membership than a whole battalion of Fonsecas and if Milan discover themselves having to decide on, it is no selection in any respect. Equally, you assume he is aware of some gamers reply to carrots and others to sticks. These two have loved a ton of carrots over time. He isn’t paid to suck as much as them; he is paid to do what he thinks is finest for the workforce. If he will get it mistaken, he is the one out the door. And on this case, he selected the stick, hoping he will get the response he needs.
‘Neverlosin’ no extra as Bayer Leverkusen’s streak is ended by RB Leipzig, however is there trigger for concern?
2:23
How the ‘magic ran out’ for Bayer Leverkusen within the Bundesliga
Alejandro Moreno reacts to RB Leipzig ending Bayer Leverkusen’s 35-game unbeaten streak within the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen’s unbeaten run in all competitions ended within the Europa League last final Could and now, after 462 days, the unbeaten streak within the league is over too following a 3-2 dwelling defeat to Leipzig. Streaks finish — that is what they do, that half just isn’t a giant deal. Nor are you able to level to a breakdown in Leverkusen’s efficiency. They notched a cumulative xG of two.68 (to 0.72), took 26 photographs (to Leipzig’s 9) and had 10 heading in the right direction (to 4).
And but, there isn’t a escaping the truth that if you’re 2-0 up at dwelling, you should not lose. It is only a mantra of the sport and, for all of the rationalising you would possibly wish to do — Leverkusen switched off for Kevin Kampl‘s objective within the seventh minute of first-half harm time, Loïs Openda put the ball by means of Matej Kovar‘s legs for the equalizer and scored a worldie for the winner — psychologically, it might stick.
Supervisor Xabi Alonso cannot enable that to occur. The membership doubled down on him after his determination to remain, including loads of depth (Nordi Mukiele, Aleix García, Martin Terrier, Jeanuël Belocian) whereas hanging on to Jonathan Tah and the opposite starters from final yr. They’ve all of the instruments to problem not only for the Bundesliga, however the Champions League as effectively.
As for Leipzig, Openda once more confirmed what he can do. After scoring 29 targets final season, all however one from open play, he turned in one other masterful efficiency. The truth that he is the second-most hyped center-forward on this workforce (after Benjamin Sesko) is proof of how loaded Leipzig are.
Raphinha runs rampant and Hansi Flick will get a standing ovation as Barcelona destroy Valladolid
1:28
Moreno: That is finest Barcelona we have seen in a very long time
Ale Moreno praises Barcelona after they thrashed Actual Valladolid 7-0 to take care of their excellent begin to the LaLiga season.
A lot for the doom-and-gloom retailers (together with yours actually), as this weekend made it 4 video games, 4 wins and a four-point LaLiga lead after Barcelona’s 7-0 win over Valladolid. (It may have been extra, too, given they hit the woodwork 3 times.) All this regardless of the accidents (Gavi, Ronald Araújo and Frenkie de Jong to call however three), regardless of only one newcomer in the summertime (however what a newcomer in Dani Olmo) and regardless of a brand new coach (Flick) who some thought was cooked after his debacle with Germany in Qatar.
You possibly can have fun the person high quality. Olmo appears as if he spent the final decade on the membership. Lamine Yamal, at 17 years and 49 days of age, notched his tenth LaLiga help: some man named Lionel Messi was 20 when he reached double figures. Robert Lewandowski, 36 years younger, scored once more to make it 4 of 4 for him whereas Raphinha, who so few appeared to consider in, bagged a hat trick and turned in one among his finest performances in a Barca shirt.
However please do not forget Flick. The best way this workforce has taken to him — and the way shortly he has transmitted his extra direct type of soccer — is exceptional. It might not work over the long run, and we’ll see what occurs when the regulars return, however for now it is a pleasure for the impartial to behold.
Fast hits
TEN — Mr. August does it once more in Manchester City‘s newest romp: I ought to have waited for August to really finish earlier than sharing these Haaland numbers final week. My unhealthy. So after his hat trick within the 3-1 away win over West Ham on Saturday, he is as much as 30 targets in 19 matches in August for his profession. It is fairly ridiculous, particularly when you think about he missed what, for him, are sitters: a header within the first half, a one-on-one within the second. And it isn’t simply him, both, as Metropolis have hit the bottom operating with three wins from three video games to open the season.
NINE — Rotating strikers? When it really works — prefer it did for Atletico Madrid — you appear like a genius: Atletico Madrid have 4 senior strikers within the squad and Diego Simeone has used three totally different mixtures in Atleti’s 4 video games. Every time, he has substituted the 2 starters and introduced on the 2 different guys. In opposition to Espanyol of their drab 0-0 midweek draw, it made his aspect worse. Saturday away to Athletic Bilbao, it made them higher, as Alexander Sorloth gained the ball in midfield and teed up Ángel Correa for the winner. There is not any actual sample right here — not but, anyway — however when Simeone finds it, the choices may make Atletico contenders. Till he does, they will be lower than the sum of their components.
1:08
Why Ale Moreno was not a fan of Bayern’s beginning XI vs. Freiburg
Ale Moreno explains why Bayern Munich’s beginning XI was subpar vs. SC Freiburg.
EIGHT — Mueller’s objective and look file brighten a colorless day for Bayern Munich: The file books will log it as a routine 2-0 win over Freiburg, with Bayern not but having metabolized Vincent Kompany’s method. However they will additionally notice Thomas Mueller approaching as a sub and making his 710th look for the membership, breaking the file he collectively held with legendary goalkeeper, Sepp Maier. Moments later, Mueller scored a objective which may have been decisive if Freiburg hadn’t despatched their late penalty over the bar. He snatched the ball out of the air along with his proper foot with a refined contact after which, in the identical movement, fired dwelling along with his weaker left foot. It was a lovely objective and a becoming — if counterintuitive — strategy to have fun the day, on condition that for many of his profession, he was recognized extra for his athleticism and intelligence than nice technical capacity.
1:30
Was the referee proper to ship off Declan Rice in opposition to Brighton?
ESPN FC’s Luis Miguel Echegaray is joined by Janusz Michalik as they focus on the controversial second yellow card for Declan Rice and describe it as “disastrous.”
SEVEN — Ref proper to ship Rice off vs. Brighton? Perhaps, however why did not Veltman go too? That is lacking the forest for the bushes. Was Declan Rice making an attempt to delay an innocuous Brighton free kick? In all probability, and by the letter of the legislation, since he was already on a yellow, referee Chris Kavanagh was proper to ship him off. However what about Joël Veltman? Does being entitled to take a free kick imply you are additionally entitled to swing by means of the ball and whack an opponent at the back of the leg? Did we neglect that element? Regardless of taking the lead with a contact of excellent fortune, Arsenal weren’t nice and received markedly worse after the sending off. Brighton are usually not the type of workforce you wish to play a person down: 11 vs. 10, they outshot Arsenal 20-3 on their strategy to a 1-1 draw. Deal with it as a studying alternative.
.
1:20
Why Craig Burley views Actual Madrid’s win vs. Actual Betis as vital
Craig Burley says Actual Madrid is “removed from excellent,” however acknowledges the significance of their win in opposition to Actual Betis.
SIX — Mbappe baggage his first LaLiga targets as Ancelotti continues his seek for stability: After the wretched efficiency midweek, Kylian Mbappe made the headlines along with his first two LaLiga targets. (Vinícius letting him take the penalty was a pleasant contact.) Extra fascinating, I feel, is Carlo Ancelotti’s determination — after experimenting with Arda Güler and Luka Modric — to let Dani Ceballos audition for the midfield position in Jude Bellingham‘s absence. The form was higher — the efficiency too — however once more the targets got here late and also you get the sense that Fede Valverde is carrying the center of the park proper now, and with Bellingham presumably returning after the break, it will not be an computerized repair: They did not look proper earlier than his harm both. Eduardo Camavinga‘s return would possibly assist, however I ponder if the following factor to attempt may not be dropping Rodrygo for an actual winger like Brahim Díaz or biting the bullet and, with a match Camavinga, shifting Valverde out huge.
1:20
Marcotti: Maresca’s ‘regular to not win’ feedback problematic for Chelsea
Gab & Juls focus on Enzo Maresca’s feedback after Chelsea’s draw with Crystal Palace.
FIVE — Enzo Maresca is appropriate, however possibly it isn’t what try to be saying: Following the 1-1 dwelling draw in opposition to Crystal Palace (Chelsea are bettering … slowly), new Blues supervisor Maresca stated: “One factor must be clear: Chelsea gained the Champions League three years in the past … however now it’s now that type of Chelsea … typically, for those who do not win, it’s regular.” He is proper, in fact: Reece James is the one holdover from that workforce we’re prone to see on the pitch, assuming he is ever match, whereas every part from membership proprietor to govt employees to total vibes have modified. And, in fact, “not successful” is “regular.” It is simply onerous to see the good thing about reminding your supporters about this.
FOUR — Lukaku scores on his debut as Conte’s Napoli huff, puff and blow Parma‘s home down: It took Parma keeper Zion Suzuki getting despatched off (a bit harshly), Enrico Del Prato (ordinarily a right-back) having to go in objective and harm time targets from Romelu Lukaku and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa to get it accomplished, however Napoli willed their strategy to a 2-1 comeback win, Antonio Conte-style. Memo to Parma, who took the lead and stopped attacking (the second half shot depend was 19-3): In opposition to extra gifted opponents, that is a recipe for catastrophe.
1:29
Nicol cannot consider Spurs misplaced after ‘one-way visitors’ vs. Newcastle
Steve Nicol says Ange Postecoglou can be questioning what went mistaken in Tottenham’s Premier League defeat to Newcastle United.
THREE — Spurs’ excessive line is not the issue … the execution is: Hand over two targets on the counter and lose a sport you are dominating when it comes to photographs and possession in opposition to an injury-hit opponent and the response is inevitable. Ange Postecoglou does wish to gamble and his defensive position may be very excessive. However there is a strategy to play it — with defenders alert and in the appropriate positions, plus forwards urgent so there is not any clear hit into house once they lose the ball — that mitigates the injury. They merely did not get it instantly to Newcastle and paid the worth.
TWO — Spherical 2 of the Bundesliga, and Dortmund already look uninspired: You’d suppose that in your second league sport underneath a brand new supervisor, you’d nonetheless preserve some degree of dynamism and enthusiasm. As a substitute, Borussia Dortmund seemed limp and uninspired within the scoreless draw away to Werder Bremen, even earlier than Nico Schlotterbeck‘s pink card. The complete again 4 received booked and the entrance males (regardless of altering three of the 4) did little. There’s a lot for coach Nuri Sahin to do.
ONE — Juventus and Roma cancel one another out in a sport of hen: It may well occur typically. Take two up-and-coming coaches who preach attacking soccer and are unafraid to push kids and … you find yourself with a boring 0-0 draw. It isn’t that Thiago Motta and Daniele de Rossi did not attempt to be inventive. If something, possibly they tried too onerous, in actual fact, as a result of the tip consequence was a boring sport through which house was restricted and it lacked what had been a trademark, particularly for Motta: fearlessness.
