Madrid derby draw yields drama, Man United distress, extra: Marcotti recaps the weekend

One other weekend of European soccer, and one other boatload of speaking factors to unpack. In LaLiga, the largest sport of the season to date ended with controversy and factors shared as Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid endured a 20-minute stoppage in play and a 1-1 draw. Within the Premier League, Tottenham took benefit of a Man United facet in disarray to rack up a 3-0 victory, and Bayer Leverkusen turned in a surprisingly cautious efficiency whereas drawing at Bayern Munich within the Bundesliga‘s conflict of presumed title contenders.

Elsewhere, there’s tons to debate about Liverpool (who beat Wolves to go high of the Premier League), Manchester City (who drew at Newcastle of their first huge sport with out Rodri), Barcelona (who rotated too many stars in a shock 4-2 defeat at Girona), and Napoli (who went high of Serie A as Antonio Conte’s strategies lastly appear to be they’re working).

It is Monday. Gab Marcotti reacts to the largest moments on this planet of soccer.

Real Madrid pegged again in damage time by Atlético as crowd points briefly halt sport

Let’s get the soccer out of the way in which first. A Madrid derby is all the time a high-stakes sport, much more so with Barcelona dropping the day earlier than, and it was attention-grabbing how the 2 coaches approached it. With Kylian Mbappé unavailable, Actual Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti largely went again to final yr’s blueprint, with Vinícius and Rodrygo because the entrance two and Jude Bellingham given licence to roam behind, whereas Luka Modric slotted in to offer creativity as Toni Kroos did a yr in the past.

Diego Simeone, however, who is not shy about chopping and altering, drew up a completely new search for Atleti, introducing a again 4, dropping his playmaker Koke and shoehorning Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth into the lineup. Perhaps it was meant to be a curveball, however given how cautious each groups had been within the first half, it had little impact as each groups evidently noticed this extra as a “cannot lose” than a “should win.”

Simeone’s determination to introduce Koke at half-time opened issues up considerably, and the sport got here to life shortly earlier than Éder Militão gave Actual Madrid the lead. Ancelotti’s crew grew after the break, with Vinícius and Bellingham dialing again the clock to final season. (Rodrygo? Much less so, and if he turns in a couple of extra performances like Sunday night time, he’ll be the one lacking out when Mbappé returns.)

The lengthy break for the objects thrown by Atlético followers at Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois killed a few of the momentum of the match. Simeone made his regular gaggle of substitutions, and two such replacements, Javi Galán and Ángel Correa mixed to attain an unbelievable (however not undeserved) equalizer deep in damage time.

Perhaps in the future Simeone will inform us whether or not his substitutions (or, for that matter, his beginning lineups) are all based mostly on instinct or whether or not there is a science behind it that solely he understands. Both approach, it labored. Gaining three factors on Barcelona would have been enormous, however either side took a step nearer to the league leaders with the draw. And in Actual Madrid’s case, the Clasico in 4 weeks (Stream LIVE on ESPN+) looms even bigger.

As for the suspension of play, which turned out to be a whopping 20 minutes, it took place when Atlético’s ultras behind Courtois’ aim began pelting the pitch with projectiles, every part from lighters to cash. The referee utilized the protocol, stopping play and warning followers that the sport could be deserted if the throwing of objects continued. Honest sufficient.

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Gab Marcotti: These followers shouldn’t be overlaying their faces

Gab Marcotti reacts to controversy within the Madrid derby, the place followers had been seen to be throwing objects at gamers while masking their identities.

Clearly you’ll be able to condemn the culpable followers — Atleti have already issued a permanent ban to 1 supporter for his or her half in Sunday’s disruption — however postgame, Simeone and others prolonged the blame to Courtois. He’d been getting abuse all match lengthy (maybe comprehensible given his Atleti previous), however issues actually got here to a head after Actual Madrid’s aim when he turned to the ultras and appeared to gesture “convey it on” along with his crew 1-0 up.

Simeone stated that “we” (as in gamers and coaches) are additionally accountable after they goad the gang. He included himself in that, as he is carried out it earlier than, nevertheless it felt a bit tone deaf contemplating that the fan unrest is what disrupted the largest LaLiga sport of the season thus far, not the gamers.

Evidently, Atlético will possible face a wonderful plus a stand closure consequently.

Ten Hag takes Spurs humiliation on the chin, however somebody ought to communicate as much as cease membership’s sense of drift, a method or one other

To his credit score, Erik Ten Hag did not cover behind Bruno Fernandes‘ crimson card — which, by any vantage level, was harsh and pointless — to clarify Sunday’s humiliating 3-0 defeat at residence to Tottenham.

“What I noticed within the first half-hour [with Bruno on the pitch] is under the extent of what we are able to anticipate from a Man United crew and even whenever you concede so early, you need to keep calm and simply follow the plan … then you will have a foothold within the sport. We did not have this,” he stated.

And that is form of the place the credit score runs out. Six weeks into the 2024-25 season, and United have already misplaced half their league video games and produced a wretched efficiency within the Europa League. The newest defeat, in opposition to a Spurs crew who weren’t precisely pulling up timber and had been lacking their finest participant, is precisely the form of outing that destroys no matter shreds of confidence you might need constructed up. Particularly since, for the primary time, Ten Hag despatched out what was possible his finest XI, with the potential exception of Luke Shaw (who hasn’t performed for the membership since February) and Rasmus Højlund (however he was on the bench, in order that was the coach’s determination).

It is not simply his finest XI, both: it is Ten Hag’s XI. Aside from Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot, these are his guys, individuals he both signed or elevated from the academy (like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo).

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Laurens desires Ten Hag out of Manchester United ‘proper now!’

Julien Laurens says Erik ten Hag can’t proceed at Manchester United after one other heavy residence defeat.

You will get hung up on outcomes, however extra telling whenever you’re rebuilding are the performances. And the uncomfortable query for Ten Hag is that this: what’s the pathway, and the way usually have you ever seen a efficiency that makes you suppose you are on target? Certain, the truth that 4 of the starters in opposition to Spurs had been new could be a mitigating issue, however that is about it.

You’ll be able to blame some gamers for not being adequate, although I am unsure that on the entire you’ll be able to fault their effort. Nor are you able to fault the gang at Previous Trafford, who’ve been affected person all through. So, as a result of no person else on the membership ever faces the media, you are left with Ten Hag carrying the can.

The danger is that by persevering with with him as supervisor, you get trapped in a cycle of negativity and waste the season. On the flip facet, the newcomers (Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox, et al.) opted over the summer time to maintain him round and provides him a brand new deal. Pulling the plug now would increase critical questions over their judgment. I feel you reassess the scenario on the eve of the subsequent worldwide break and, if issues degenerate, you will have little selection.

As for Tottenham? This was classic Ange Postecoglou; there is a purpose they’re the hardest-pressing crew within the league by some margin (a PPDA of 6.75). They play at 1,000,000 miles an hour, and when that occurs, it is excessive danger/excessive reward. Postecoglou says he desires them to be courageous, and so they definitely had been, particularly with out Son Heung-Min, whose intelligence off the ball papers over loads of gaps left by the press.

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Is Kulusevski the important thing to Spurs’ successful run?

Shaka Hislop explains why he is impressed by Dejan Kulusevski’s efficiency in Tottenham’s 3-0 Premier League win over Manchester United.

That kind of soccer is not for everybody, however he is true to his message of empowering gamers. Not many central defenders would have licence to dash the size of the pitch with the ball the way in which Micky van de Ven did, which led on to Spurs’ opening aim. Not many pure wingers would enable themselves to be reinvented as central attacking midfielders like Dejan Kulusevski was, and never many No. 10s could be allowed to freelance everywhere in the pitch like James Maddison will get to do.

For it to work persistently, it would not simply take bravery, although; it takes chemistry, intelligence, health and buy-in. Victories like this one little question assist, particularly in terms of the latter.

Xabi Alonso goes blue collar/laborious hat and holds Bayern to a draw away from residence … however is that good or dangerous?

That is principally a philosophical query.

You could have a younger coach (Xabi Alonso) who’s lionized for taking part in devastating attacking soccer, successful the home double, incomes plaudits from everybody and getting himself linked to gigs at Liverpool and Actual Madrid. He goes away to Bayern, his largest home rival, and his crew generate a grand complete of three pictures on aim with a cumulative xG of 0.15 and 31% possession en path to a 1-1 draw.

Pragmatists will adore it. They’re going to say that his crew confirmed they are often humble and defensive when wanted and that having stored simply two clear sheets in all competitions this season (and having already twice conceded three objectives, which occurred simply as soon as final yr), it made sense to park the bus in opposition to a facet like Bayern, with their 33 objectives in six video games this season.

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Moreno: Alonso can be upset with Leverkusen’s efficiency vs. Bayern

Alejandro Moreno assesses Bayer Leverkusen efficiency of their 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich within the Bundesliga.

Purists, in the meantime, will flip up their noses. Sure, it is Bayern away, nevertheless it’s additionally an untested coach like Vincent Kompany and so they had not performed any high sides but. Kompany’s strategy does provide you with alternatives for those who’re courageous and take the sport to them, however this form of Leverkusen efficiency sends the improper message and undermines confidence.

Me? I am someplace within the center, however in all probability nearer to the latter and never simply because, as a impartial, I wished to be entertained. You might be hyper-defensive, however it’s important to do it properly. Certainly conceding 18 pictures and 1.13 xG is not a part of the plan. Each objectives had been long-range screamers for which, once more, neither coach can legislate, however it might have been attention-grabbing to see what might need occurred if Aleksandar Pavlovic‘s had come earlier than Robert Andrich‘s.

As for Bayern, break it down and it appears like a win. Sure, it is bizarre that Harry Kane ought to end the sport with zero (sure, zero) pictures on aim, however the again line was in shutdown mode, Pavlovic (mistake for the aim apart) impressed past his long-range prowess, Michael Olise lived as much as the billing, and there have been greater than sufficient probabilities to win this. Assume again to the hole between these two sides a yr in the past and the truth that it was Leverkusen exhibiting Bayern all this respect tells you the way far (and the way rapidly) they’ve come.

Fast hits

10 — Shopping for futures? Few higher than Leipzig’s trio that dominated Augsburg: In case you had been choosing an attacking trio for the subsequent 5 years, there would not be many you’d take forward of the Leipzig mixture of Loïs Openda (24), Benjamin Sesko (21) and Xavi Simons (21, on mortgage from Paris Saint-Germain for the second straight yr). Final season, they mixed for 46 league objectives (and 18 assists), and after Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing of Augsburg, they’re already as much as six (and 5). Leipzig could be inconsistent, however the SOS (see what I did there?) seem to have a nailed-on future.

9 — Palmer steals the present in wild Chelsea win: I am all for being daring, however Chelsea and particularly Brighton took this to an excessive, at one level trying like parodies of themselves. Brighton’s absurdly excessive line yielded likelihood upon likelihood for the house facet, whereas Chelsea’s obsession with taking part in out from the again and alluring the press (with this set of gamers) might have price them way over it did. Ultimately, Chelsea gained 4-2 as a result of they assorted the assault and since they’ve Cole Palmer, who was on one other degree, scoring all 4 objectives. With higher ending (Enzo Maresca wasn’t mendacity when he stated Palmer alone might have had six or seven), they may have hit double figures. This sport was so odd that it is laborious to even analyse apart from concluding that Palmer — who moved to Chelsea from Manchester City in a comparably paltry £40m ($53m) deal 13 months in the past — could be value greater than anybody at his previous membership not named Erling, Rodri or Phil. It would not mirror properly on his earlier employers.

8 — All hail the “Conte Impact” as Napoli go high of Serie A by beating Monza: We have seen this earlier than. Give Antonio Conte a pair signings and an entire week between video games and you may see dividends. No matter else you consider him, few coaches worldwide have the form of impression he can have. And It is him greater than the signings to this point. Alessandro Buongiorno and Scott McTominay have been stable, Romelu Lukaku hasn’t fairly discovered his footing but, which implies largely it has been about getting final yr’s crew to do higher. Conte himself has been the one pumping the brakes, mentioning that, apart from Juventus, they have not had a very powerful fixture record to this point. The person is taking part in the lengthy sport…

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Michallik: Slot making Liverpool’s post-Klopp transition painless

Janusz Michallik says the largest praise you’ll be able to pay Arne Slot is that he is stopped pundits speaking about life after Jurgen Klopp.

7 — Much less is extra working for Slot as Liverpool go high of Premier League: Liverpool had been very hardly ever out-hustled by opponents within the Jurgen Klopp Period. Beneath Arne Slot, they’ll nonetheless put the hammer down, however they’re additionally snug choosing their spots and letting their possession sport do the work. Fairly than being drawn right into a slugfest by a Wolves facet who’re much better than their document, they targeting the fundamentals and holding their form, once more letting Ryan Gravenberch develop into the midfield basic position and working out 2-1 winners. Outcomes-wise, they’re forward of the place they thought they’d be; performance-wise, they’re clearly rising. Which is what issues to a brand new coach.

6 — Vlahovic masterclass suggests Thiago Motta is pushing the best buttons at Juventus: Every week in the past, eye-brows had been raised when Thiago Motta yanked Vlahovic for (of all individuals) Tim Weah at half-time in Juventus’ scoreless draw with Napoli. It could be foolish to say that motivated the large Serb, nevertheless it definitely did not deter him on the pitch as evidenced by this two objectives (the second, a stunner) within the 3-0 win over Genoa. When he is like this, he is near unplayable and if Motta can hold him scoring whereas sustaining the water-tight again line (Juventus are the one facet in Europe’s Massive 5 leagues who’ve but to concede), they’ll begin speaking league title in 12 months Certainly one of his tenure.

5 — Leicester win ought to train Arsenal that they only have to put video games away: Bizarre issues occur on this sport, positive, like James Justin getting a deflected aim after which scoring a worldie to make it 2-2, however this could have been out of sight properly earlier than that. Arsenal had been rescued by a little bit of fortune and the standard set-piece prowess, with Mikel Arteta understandably spinning it as finest he might in public: “In principle, whenever you play like that you need to by no means get so far [allowing an opponent to come back from 0-2 to 2-2 at home] … however I am even happier with how we handled the conditions afterwards [and how we were] emotionally in management.” He’ll be happier nonetheless if he can flip this right into a teachable second: if you wish to win the league and also you’re this a lot in management, you’ll want to kill video games off.

4 — Lautaro comes alive on the proper time as Inter cruise: The headline stat was that Lautaro Martínez had but to attain for Inter this season and, in reality, had scored simply as soon as for the Nerazzurri since final February. A lot for silly numbers (and these are significantly silly, since he scored a lot for Argentina on the Copa America). It was cheap, after the summer time he had, that it might take him some time to get going. In opposition to Udinese, Lautaro was again to his finest in a 3-2 away win: two objectives, an help and a number of other huge probabilities. Inter have their attacking lynchpin again, and the excellent news is that they are deeper up entrance than they had been final season.

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Michallik: Man Metropolis have a ‘main lack of creativity’ with no Rodri or De Bruyne

Janusz Michallik worries about what he noticed from Manchester Metropolis of their 1-1 draw with Newcastle.

3 — It is not nearly Rodri, however Phil Foden too as Man Metropolis held to a draw: Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle makes it three straight video games with out a win for Manchester Metropolis (no, the League Cup would not depend) and the final time that occurred was two-and-a-half years in the past. It is simple to level to Rodri’s absence, however I assumed the mix of Rico Lewis, Mateo Kovacic and Manuel Akanji stepping up labored properly sufficient. Extra related had been Newcastle’s efficiency, the defensive hiccup that led to Anthony Gordon‘s penalty, Erling Haaland‘s off day and, particularly, Phil Foden. He wasn’t absolutely match going into he season, however he has now appeared in 4 league and European video games, all of them off the bench. That is the man who had 19 objectives and eight assists en path to being named Participant of the 12 months final season. Metropolis are deep, sure, however in all probability not deep sufficient to deal with extended absences for Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne and a Foden who’s there in physique solely.

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Burley: Osasuna loss a ‘actuality verify’ for Barcelona

Craig Burley explains why Barcelona could should re-evaluate their expectations following a 4-2 loss to Osasuna.

2 — A rotation too far for Flick as Barca fall to Osasuna: Some will throw Hansi Flick below the bus in these circumstances. With eight senior gamers out, he nonetheless determined to go away Alex Balde, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Iñigo Martínez on the bench, stuffing the facet with La Masia guys. I get the criticism particularly with extra manageable video games (like a Champions League date Young Boys at residence in midweek) arising forward of the worldwide break. Then once more, he is been preaching religion within the youngsters and the “subsequent man up” ethos since he arrived, so possibly it is not stunning that he would push it for another sport. When you will have momentum, it is laborious to pump the brakes on the proper time.

1 — Aston Villa miss their likelihood after second-half collapse at Ipswich: Unai Emery could also be an acquired style, however he is fairly good at photographing conditions. So when he notes how poor Villa had been after the break, you are likely to consider him. In reality, after going 2-1 up, they cobbled collectively simply three pictures for 0.20 xG and suffered in opposition to Ipswich’s depth and motion. Liam Delap might have had a hat-trick and Diego Carlos will get nightmares over the stepover that turned him inside out. Video games (and performances) like this one can depart their mark, for higher and for worse.