What a weekend! Europe’s prime leagues once more delivered a ton of issues to speak about, with excessive drama in Spain, large ends in England and controversy in Serie A.
To start out, how a couple of Clasico that delivered on and off the sphere? Actual Madrid took all three factors with a powerful 2-1 win over Barcelona, although not each Madrid participant was comfortable — Vinicius Jr. stormed off, visibly mad, following a second-half substitution — and the sport resulted in an on-pitch scuffle that noticed a number of yellow and crimson playing cards allotted after the ultimate whistle.
Within the Premier League, champions Liverpool endured a fourth straight defeat that not solely put an enormous dent of their hopes of repeating, however laid naked what’s unsuitable with this crew. Italy’s duel of title contenders had a ton to unpack, too, as Napoli wrapped up an enormous win over Inter Milan even with a dubiously awarded penalty. (Napoli followers can be hoping Kevin de Bruyne is not critically harm, although, after the mercurial playmaker limped off earlier than halftime.)
Elsewhere, there may be a lot to debate about Bayern Munich (who made it 13 wins from 13 video games to open the season), Chelsea (who actually miss Cole Palmer), Tottenham (who have not fairly turned the nook regardless of beating Everton 3-0), Manchester United (who might properly have turned the nook by beating Brentford), Paris Saint-Germain (who proceed to handle minutes properly) and far more.
It is Monday morning, so what higher time for Gab Marcotti’s musings? Let’s get into it.
A press release Clasico win for Actual Madrid as Lamine Yamal vs. Vinícius gives spicy subtext
Sunday’s Clasico ended with police pitch-side averting a possible tag-team blockbuster: Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior on one aspect, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on the opposite. It had shades of the nastier Jose Mourinho vs. Pep Guardiola Clasico clashes, despite the fact that Actual supervisor Xabi Alonso (who was a loyal Mourinho foot soldier again in these days) was fast to attenuate issues on the finish, calling it a “wholesome rivalry.”
We’ll get to the off-pitch stuff; first the soccer. Actual Madrid’s first-half show within the 2-1 win over Barcelona might properly have been the perfect we have seen since Alonso’s arrival. He put his religion in Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, they usually responded, big-time: They neutered Barca’s possession and maximized their very own time with the ball. Thirty-six p.c possession to generate an xG of two.29 is an effectivity masterclass. The one slip-up was Fermín López‘s purpose, completely in opposition to the run of play following a uncommon mistake from Arda Güler.
– Response: Alonso, Actual Madrid get assertion Clasico win
– Vinicius tantrum distracts from victory: ‘It is not about you’
– Barca’s De Jong slams Carvajal for Yamal ‘scene’
Alonso acquired the work fee and depth he wished from his stars — even the maligned ones like Vini and Bellingham. If you wish to nitpick, they slowed down greater than they need to have after the break, using the efficiency of Éder Militão on the again, although if Kylian Mbappé had transformed his second-half penalty, that would not actually have been a difficulty, both. (And by the way in which, anybody who questions the choice to award it’s clearly unfamiliar to how the handball rule has been enforced in Spain for the previous couple of years.) However it’s nonetheless a Clasico, and breaking the streak of futility — after 4 consecutive defeats — was important, not only for their confidence, but in addition for Alonso’s clout with the membership.
How a lot of this end result was right down to Barcelona’s deficiencies? Lots.
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Moreno: Actual Madrid performed their finest 45 minutes underneath Alonso
Ale Moreno discusses Actual Madrid’s efficiency in opposition to Barcelona that give Xabi Alonso his first El Clasico win in LaLiga.
Towards a Actual Madrid aspect enjoying with this stage of depth and physicality, you wanted creativity coming from somebody apart from Pedri (who did his half, all advised, and his upcoming suspension after the crimson card will sting). With Yamal clearly unfit (however nonetheless enjoying, and in some unspecified time in the future you hope this does not come again to hang-out him since he is nonetheless 18), it grew to become very troublesome for Dani Olmo and Raphinha (and Gavi, who will get forgotten too typically) to interrupt Actual Madrid’s traces. Lopez is incredible, however he isn’t that kind of participant, and neither is Marcus Rashford.
The shortage of choices on the bench — ending the sport with Ronald Araújo as a fake heart ahead (sure, Robert Lewandowski can be nonetheless sidelined) isn’t what anybody needs to see — serves a partial alibi on the day, however not on the season. As I’ve famous many instances, this aspect was not well-constructed, and if you find yourself with Eric García and Pau Cubarsí struggling to execute Hansi Flick’s excessive line, it is partly since you’ve chosen to place your sources elsewhere, specifically in eye sweet gamers you do not want.
As for the self-discipline half, there’s solely a lot Flick can say since he was watching from up within the stands, having misplaced his composure and getting despatched off of their final outing. However actually it begins from the highest. Sending an 18-year-old Yamal out on the eve of a Clasico to inform Ibai Llanos that Actual Madrid “steal after which complain” is simply irresponsible. That is merely an absence of management from the upper echelons of the membership, even when they imagine it is true.
I am not saying you possibly can’t ever say issues like that, whether or not to achieve a psychological edge or unsettle the opposition or just air legit grievances. However there is a option to do it, there is a time to do it and there is the proper messenger to ship it. It is not a message a youngster ought to be delivering on the eve of the largest recreation of the season, not to mention one who is not totally match and who’s carrying way more weight on his shoulders than he ought to be.
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Moreno: Yamal ran his mouth earlier than El Clásico and did not carry out
ESPN’s Alejandro Moreno believes Lamine Yamal’s El Clásico efficiency did not match his pre-match phrases.
It was inevitable that the proverbial chickens would come residence to roost. Carvajal and Vini (not a man immune from disciplinary points himself, witness his response to being substituted) known as him out, and it ended the way in which it did. Worst of all for Barca, if Alonso pushes the proper psychological messages, this is usually a rallying cry for unity in a dressing room that’s filled with egos.
For Flick, then again, it is going to increase the query of whether or not Yamal must be dialed again. And the issue with doing that’s that proper now he wants him, even when he is solely half-fit.
Arne Slot is brutally sincere as Liverpool lose 4 league video games on the bounce
The headline is that after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat in opposition to Brentford, Liverpool have now misplaced 4 straight league video games, which is as many as they misplaced on their option to the title final season. Slot is taking it on the chin — quite than, say, whining in regards to the Cody Gakpo penalty that wasn’t given (although if he hadn’t thrown his arms within the air, it might need been) — saying there are “fairly a number of issues” that are not going proper for the time being, and including there have been various things in numerous video games throughout his crew’s poor run.
On Saturday, he emphasised defensive shortcomings, and it was exhausting to not, once you concede the kind of purpose like Brentford’s second. Mikkel Damsgaard hit a positive go for Kevin Schade to chase and end, however Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté appeared like novices on the market. Heck, for all of the speak about Michael Kayode‘s capacity to throw the ball actually, actually, actually far, you are still getting beat on the close to submit, which is basically the one place the ball can go. (I am not even going to attempt to clarify away how Milos Kerkez defended Dango Ouattara’s end.)
– Lindop: Liverpool’s good instances appear so distant after one other loss
– Carragher: Liverpool in ‘disaster mode’
– O’Hanlon: Ought to Liverpool be anxious about Salah?
You’ll be able to work on defensive solidity, and right here, it is fairly binary. There are not any viable heart backs apart from Konate and Van Dijk; they’re a part of the issue, and they should flick a change and change into a part of the answer. Van Dijk stated they “must look within the mirror,” and he is proper.
But when all Slot can actually do is look forward to his guys to type themselves out in central protection, elsewhere there may be loads of scope for him to sort things. The center of the park is unrecognizable, and Ryan Gravenberch‘s absence would not assist. Newcomers Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have not but lived as much as the billing (or the charges), and whereas Mohamed Salah scored a peach of a purpose in rubbish time, this season he has proven solely glimpses, whereas final 12 months he was carrying the aspect offensively.
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How can Arne Slot repair Liverpool’s Premier League type?
Gabriele Marcotti and Stewart Robson focus on how Arne Slot can flip round Liverpool’s dangerous type after one other defeat within the Premier League.
Too many newcomers in a single go? Positive. Slot stated so himself, and I have been making the purpose all season: It’ll take some time to make the items match collectively. However within the meantime, you might want to make issues work and grind out factors. The model of the 4-4-2 formation we noticed in midweek in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt could also be price wheeling out once more. Not as a result of Liverpool gained 5-1 — Eintracht have been horrible, as you’d count on from a aspect that had conceded 18 objectives in 5 video games going into it — however as a result of it offered a sure steadiness.
Towards Eintracht, Wirtz was on the proper aspect off the ball, providing cowl to the fullback and with sufficient autonomy to shade inside and create when in possession. The midfield duo provided cowl to the again 4, and with two guys up entrance, you possibly can nonetheless press, although clearly the triggers and patterns are going to be totally different.
You’ll be able to select your entrance two from Salah (given the quantity of defending he does large, you could as properly relieve him of these duties), Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Isak (with Sweden) and Ekitike (with Eintracht final season) each have expertise in a entrance two. Altering issues up at this stage of the season is not superb as a result of you do not have the coaching time, however due to how the window went — and the accidents they’ve suffered — they have not had a lot time coaching the 4-2-3-1, both.
Coaches are at all times balancing short-term and long-term positive aspects. You’ll be able to preserve constructing for the 4-2-3-1 you want and hope the chemistry will develop. However do it for too lengthy, and you will be up to now behind, you danger preventing for a Europa Convention League spot.
Inter can blame themselves, quite than the penalty name, for 3-1 defeat at Napoli
Let’s be clear. The penalty awarded to Kevin De Bruyne (which noticed him pull a hamstring within the technique of changing) after half an hour was absurd. Reportedly, the Italian referees affiliation agrees, which is why referee Maurizio Mariani is more likely to be suspended.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan‘s contact with Giovanni Di Lorenzo was initiated by the Napoli participant, who then went down within the field. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) didn’t intervene and the referee initially didn’t give it, however the linesman apparently signaled to the ref, who then determined to award it almost 10 seconds later. There’s lots unsuitable right here — and never simply the linesman’s interpretation, however the truth that Mariani allowed him to alter his thoughts, probably considering the VAR may “repair” issues if he acquired it unsuitable. (Theoretically, he might need, however evidently he did not really feel it met the “clear and apparent” standards. A directive reportedly given to VAR officers to make use of a “excessive threshold” when getting concerned in all probability did not assist, both.)
The logical factor for the referee to do right here given the scenario was to ask for an on-field assessment — one thing he is entitled to ask for, however that very hardly ever occurs as a result of it quantities to admitting you are undecided. And refs don’t love to do this.
A foul name, nonetheless, would not clarify what occurred to Inter, who began brightly and may have taken the lead by way of Lautaro Martínez, solely to wilt after the penalty. Scott McTominay‘s long-range strike early within the second half solely made issues worse, and regardless of Hakan Calhanoglu pulling a purpose again from the spot, they by no means acquired into the sport, and André-Frank Zambo-Anguissa’s strike mounted the ultimate rating at 3-1.
Inter chief govt Beppe Marotta stated the Napoli penalty modified the sport. I a lot choose the interpretation of his personal coach, Cristian Chivu: “We will not use it as an alibi and complain in regards to the referee. We should always take a look at ourselves.”
That is what Inter lacked, together with first rate defending from Francesco Acerbi and Manuel Akanji — the kind of dedication to get punched within the face and struggle again. You realize, the type of drive Napoli — who acquired spanked 6-2 by PSV in midweek — confirmed. Positive it is simpler to sit down, defend and be strong after somebody items you a penalty. However lest we overlook, Napoli had David Neres up entrance as a makeshift ahead, no Stanislav Lobotka in midfield and, after half an hour, no De Bruyne, both.
Inter are, by a ways, the perfect crew in Serie A, but it surely’s Napoli who transfer to the highest of the league desk, alongside Roma. If Chivu’s crew are going to win it, they should kick it up a number of notches.
Fast hits
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Is 17-year-old Lennart Karl Bayern Munich’s subsequent celebrity?
Shaka Hislop reacts to Lennart Karl’s purpose in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win in opposition to Borussia Mönchengladbach within the Bundesliga.
10. Bayern Munich equal report with 13 straight wins: It was prime vs. backside within the Bundesliga, which suggests Bayern’s 3-0 win away at Borussia Moenchengladbach is not a lot of a shock. The truth that they performed with an additional man from the nineteenth minute onward, however did not truly rating till Joshua Kimmich‘s strike almost midway by means of the second half, would possibly increase some eyebrows. However this was the basic recreation through which one crew parks the bus, particularly after going a person down. Bayern’s xG earlier than the purpose was 2.41, and Gladbach’s solely shot in your entire match was the Kevin Stöger penalty he despatched in opposition to the submit with quarter-hour to go.
That makes it 13 wins in all competitions for Bayern to begin a season, matching the report for a Massive 5 membership set by Milan again in 1992-93. And as I wrote final week, it is outstanding when you think about what the temper was like on the shut of the switch window.
9. Defending and set items energy Arsenal as they prolong Premier League lead, and it might be key to profitable a title: This is not a criticism, only a reality. They beat Crystal Palace 1-0 to go 4 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League thanks to a different set piece strike (although, to be honest, Eberechi Eze nonetheless had lots to do in opposition to his former membership). On the identical time, they restricted Palace, who had scored in each recreation this season, to a single shot on course. They’ve conceded a league-best three objectives this season (on an xG of 5.3, additionally a league finest) and have scored a whopping 11 set-piece objectives, whereas simply 5 have come from open play.
What is the upshot? Their top-notch defending retains them in video games and the set items enable them to attain objectives others won’t. That interprets into factors even after they’re not enjoying significantly properly, as was the case in opposition to Palace. Can they kick it up a notch? In all probability, when Bukayo Saka will get again to his 2024-25 ranges and when Martin Odegaard (and Kai Havertz) return to health. Till then, they’ll experience the again 4 and useless balls so far as they’ll take them.
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Nicol: Arsenal have the consistency to win the Premier League
Steve Nicol analyses whether or not Arsenal are the favourites to win the Premier League after their victory over Palace to be prime the desk.
8. Paris Saint-Germain roll previous Brest as Luis Enrique manages minutes: We should always in all probability get used to extra video games like these. Brest parked the bus away to PSG (who ended the sport with a whopping 75% possession) and it grew to become a query of when, not if, Luis Enrique’s crew discovered a manner. They did so twice, by way of Achraf Hakimi (the latter after extra genius from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia), to just about finish proceedings within the first half, earlier than Désiré Doué got here on so as to add a 3rd in rubbish time. No matter possibilities Brest might have thought that they had have been squandered when Romain Del Castillo slipped (a la John Terry in Moscow) and despatched a penalty over the bar.
No accidents and a reshuffled squad (Marquinhos, Ousmane Dembélé, Doue and Nuno Mendes all began on the bench) allowed for loads of relaxation. Luis Enrique could not have requested for a greater Saturday.
7. Newly promoted Sunderland beat Chelsea to fly excessive up the desk, and the Blues nonetheless have a Cole Palmer downside: I do not wish to beat a useless horse, however Palmer dependency is a factor for Chelsea, particularly in video games like this. You’re taking the lead early, at residence, in opposition to a aspect that varies deep defending with coordinated urgent — and due to this fact ought to provide alternatives — and you really want to do higher. However with Marc Guiu providing virtually nothing (two touches within the opposition field in 76 minutes), João Pedro having an off day and Alejandro Garnacho disappearing after scoring early, there simply wasn’t sufficient attacking oomph. Estêvão from the beginning might need helped, however let’s not overlook, the child is eighteen years outdated and settling into a brand new league.
You’ll be able to level to the defensive points that led to Sunderland’s winner, however conceding in transition in damage time is at all times dangerous in case you’re attempting to get the three factors. The larger concern is on the attacking finish. Palmer papers over cracks, and when he isn’t there, the shortage of chemistry reveals. All that stated, credit score Sunderland and coach Regis Le Bris, who outcoached Enzo Maresca on Saturday (and would have accomplished so even with out Chemsdine Talbi‘s late winner). Third place in November is past their wildest expectations.
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Michallik: Chelsea have been chaotic in loss vs. Sunderland
Janusz Michallik reacts to Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Sunderland within the Premier League.
6. Do not look now, however Borussia Dortmund may truly be discovering some solidity: Yeah, I do know, it is nonetheless Borussia Dortmund, so pinch of salt and all that, but it surely’s legit to marvel if one thing is brewing right here underneath Nico Kovac. Their 1-0 win over Koln on Saturday felt just like the kind of recreation through which they’d have misplaced factors in previous years. At residence in opposition to a counterattacking opponent, they gave the ball away and almost paid a hefty value even because the ball refused to enter the online on the different finish till Maxi Beier’s injury-time purpose. However there is a resilience and, dare I say, a humility to this Dortmund aspect that wasn’t there earlier than. The shot rely after the thirty fifth minute was 22-0 for BVB. They by no means misplaced perception. Felix Nmecha is lastly enjoying to his expertise. Kovac is not afraid to arrange blue-collar fashion and go away the likes of Julian Brandt, Jobe Bellingham and Marcel Sabitzer on the bench. Let’s examine whether or not it lasts.
5. Are we able to say Manchester United have turned the nook (regardless of one other late scare)? Form of. First, the excellent news. It is three league wins in a row, and that hadn’t occurred since February 2024. Gamers know what they’re presupposed to do: execute to the perfect of their capacity and seem suited to the position (excluding Bruno Fernandes, who stays a sq. peg in a spherical gap — a particularly gifted sq. peg, thoughts you). And when Brighton clawed two objectives again — one a free kick, the opposite a defensive error off a set piece — to make it 3-2, United did not lose their heads however as a substitute added a fourth, which can be good.
On the flip aspect, that is nonetheless a reactive crew that was more practical with out the ball than with it. Matheus Cunha‘s opener was from outdoors the field, whereas their second, additionally from manner out, benefited from an enormous deflection. 4 objectives from an xG of 1.29 tells you issues did go a bit wacky, so child steps for certain. However the course of journey is promising, they usually’re two factors out of second place, which isn’t nothing.
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Has Ruben Amorim proved the doubters unsuitable?
Gabriele Marcotti and Stewart Robson react to Manchester United’s 4-2 victory over Brighton and debate if Ruben Amorim has proved the doubters unsuitable.
4. RB Leipzig’s reset after final season’s embarrassment is coming alongside properly: The 2024-25 season was a veritable nightmare for Leipzig and their vitality drink homeowners. Seventh place — their worst league end since you-know-who acquired concerned 16 years in the past and the cash began pouring in — some hideous European performances and a supervisor change midseason. Reasonably than prolonging the ache, they blew up the crew in the summertime, transferring on Benjamin Sesko, Xavi Simons, Loïs Openda, Lutsharel Geertruida, Arthur Vermeeren and even Yussuf Poulsen.
New-look Leipzig underneath new boss Ole Werner are a piece in progress, however after the 6-0 highway thumping of Augsburg, they’re as much as second within the desk. The playbook is similar — spend cash on gifted children and develop them — and it has been a sluggish burn (Christoph Baumgartner and Antonio Nusa are stepping up), however the lack of European soccer is a big plus this season, they usually could also be Bayern’s greatest (solely?) home challengers.
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Why do Tottenham carry out higher away from residence?
ESPN’s Steve Nicol believes Tottenham play with extra stress at residence in comparison with enjoying away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
3. Spurs romp previous Everton 3-0, but it surely should not paper over the cracks: Two Micky Van de Ven headers off set items despatched Spurs on their option to a 3-0 win away to Everton (Pape Sarr added a 3rd in rubbish time), so naturally some of us are speaking about Tottenham emulating Arsenal’s dead-ball prowess. (That is in fact nonsense, on condition that Thomas Frank was large on set items at Brentford, too.) It is an essential win and their fourth in 5 league highway video games, however you’d hope Frank is aware of there’s lots to work on nonetheless.
Guglielmo Vicario was as soon as once more Lanky Saint Vic, making two big saves. Everton greater than held their very own, whereas Spurs as soon as once more appeared restricted in possession. Randal Kolo Muani would not but appear to be the reply up entrance, Xavi Simons was quiet once more and Mohamed Kudus typically appears like a man enjoying on his personal. Between them, the trio mixed for zero objectives, one shot and three touches within the opposition field. Spurs have a protracted damage record, and Frank can be glad he has extra choices.
2. Juventus lose to under-strength Lazio, however piling on Igor Tudor is silly: Nothing like overreaction pushed by outcomes quite than performances, eh? After three defeats in a row and eight video games with out a win, Tudor has failed to avoid wasting his job, with information Monday morning that the membership had fired him. It is evident Juventus have not been good, and Tudor’s decisions have not helped. Many wished to see two forwards on the pitch, and we acquired that (Jonathan David and Dusan Vlahovic), but it surely got here on the expense of Kenan Yildiz, which is difficult to grasp.
That stated, they have been coming off a slim loss to Actual Madrid, they usually acquired not one of the breaks in opposition to Lazio. They go a purpose down after 9 minutes to a deflected shot. Nonetheless, they create a bunch of possibilities (handily profitable the xG battle) and, maybe most significantly, ought to have had a penalty when Gila got here down on Chico Conceicao’s foot on the hour mark. That is the humorous factor: Had they transformed that penalty and never missed their sitters, they’d have had three factors and Tudor could be (comparatively) secure.
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Is Pep’s enjoying ‘philosophy’ the issue at Man Metropolis?
Steve Nicol discusses why Pep Guardiola’s enjoying techniques is likely to be the issue at Manchester Metropolis after loosing to Aston Villa.
1. Not so simple as no Erling Haaland purpose and no Manchester Metropolis factors, but it surely’s not far off, both: After 13 video games for membership and nation, Haaland failed to search out the online and Manchester Metropolis misplaced away to Aston Villa. That a lot is difficult to disregard, simply because it’s exhausting to disregard that — exactly as a result of Pep Guardiola was attempting to handle issues his crew was changing into considerably one-dimensional — he combined issues up vs. Aston Villa. With Rodri unavailable, he tried Tijjani Reijnders, probably not a defensive midfielder, in entrance of the again 4 in an effort to juice his crew creatively.
It labored when it comes to making Metropolis extra different — Haaland ended up with simply 4 touches within the opposition field and three photographs, two of them within the final 20 minutes — however on the day they have been no more practical. Credit score Villa supervisor Unai Emery, who on his day, can tie the opposition up in knots with the perfect of them. It is not a tragedy, simply dropped factors. Guardiola does want to repair the difficulty (Haaland isn’t a machine, he simply comes throughout as one typically) and with the creativity out there to him, he’ll get there. It is only a query of how rapidly he does.