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One other thrilling weekend within the European soccer world gave followers loads to speak about. Rafael Leao led AC Milan to victory over Inter, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United ended Arsenal‘s win streak, Erling Haaland hit the 10-goal mark in simply six Premier League appearances, and Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich present indicators of fear, to call a number of. In the meantime, Real Madrid‘s belief and funding of their children is bearing fruit as Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga all delivered strong performances.
– Weekend Review: A new king of Milan, VAR controversy in Prem
– ESPN+ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
It is Monday, and Gab Marcotti reacts to the largest moments on the earth of soccer.
Bounce to: Leao shines in derby | Ten Hag’s tough calls | Barca’s newfound rhythm | City held by Villa | Bayern draw again | Chelsea’s derby win | PSG’s squad rotation | Liverpool’s midfield worries | Real Madrid’s youngsters | Allegri must lift mood at Juve | Richarlison’s role at Spurs | Kvara-mania at Napoli | Atletico struggle | Bas Dost delivers
Table of Contents
One of many features that defines Stefano Pioli’s Milan is the flexibility to return again into video games. And, having gone a objective right down to Marcelo Brozovic‘s strike within the derby, they did simply that, first exploiting Hakan Calhanoglu’s mistake after which driving Rafael Leao’s glowing type to a 3-2 win. That is Milan choosing up the place they left off final season: intense, decided, hard-working, capable of finding the sparks of high quality when it issues, even when issues aren’t going fairly proper. And, let’s be very clear, a lot of Pioli’s starters had tough rides.
From Charles De Ketelaere (who made a mistake for Inter’s opener and was in any other case subpar) to Fikayo Tomori (who may have carried out higher on most targets) to the likes of Theo Hernandez and Junior Messias, who had quiet video games. However that is one of many hallmarks of this Milan aspect. Many of the gamers, even on off-days, nonetheless contribute with their work off the ball and set a platform for others to make the distinction. On Saturday it was Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer in the course of the park, it was Maignan in objective and it was Rafael Leao up entrance, whose footwork and creativity befuddled Inter’s again line.
– Report: Leao double leads Milan to victory over Inter
The Portuguese ahead has a contract that expires in 2024 and it feels as if he has solely scratched the floor of his potential. Milan will wish to lock him up and it is going to be fascinating to see how the membership’s new house owners, RedBird Capital method this. The earlier regime typically took a tough line with “take-it-or-leave-it” presents free of charge brokers to be like Gigio Donnarumma, Calhanoglu and, most not too long ago, Franck Kessie. They have been vindicated on the primary two, the jury is out on Kessie because it’s solely been a number of weeks.
As for Inter, you are tempted to despair on the defensive errors and, to be honest, Stefan De Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni had a really tough time with Leao. (Samir Handanovic wasn’t nice both, however that is outdated information as of late). Simone Inzaghi additionally bought stick for beginning Joaquin Correa as a substitute of Edin Dzeko (the large man got here on and scored) and for ready greater than an hour to make his substitutions. I’ve much less of a difficulty with Inzaghi’s selections. Inter have Bayern developing subsequent within the Champions League and, with Romelu Lukaku out, you think about they will begin Dzeko: at 36, consecutive begins in large video games won’t be a good suggestion.
Extra of a priority, I believe, is what occurred in the course of the park, the place Nicolo Barella and Calhanoglu have been overrun, which solely made the again line’s job harder. The worst factor Inter can do now could be despair. As a result of, lest we overlook, they have been going through the defending champions with out their lynchpin, Lukaku, and this defeat would have been a draw or possibly even a win with out these stellar Maignan saves late within the recreation. To not point out the truth that as of proper now they’re nonetheless simply two factors off the highest in what guarantees to be a really tight Serie A race.
1:09
Craig Burley thinks Antony has room to enhance regardless of a constructive begin with a objective on his debut for Manchester United.
Say this for Erik ten Hag: the person has guts.
At house to Arsenal, who had gained each league recreation this season, he had no qualms about leaving Casemiro out of the beginning lineup for the third straight recreation, benching Cristiano Ronaldo (and, for these conserving rating at house, it is now 4 straight appearances on the bench for him, the longest run since 2005) and, maybe most of all, chucking Antony, the €100 million man, straight onto the pitch. Ten Hag may have acquired loads of criticism for every of these strikes, however, of the three, Antony’s inclusion was maybe probably the most stunning. The Brazilian had two coaching periods below his belt and hadn’t really performed a recreation in three weeks, owing to his efforts to pressure a transfer away from Ajax.
– Reaction: United’s big win over Arsenal shows Ten Hag’s impact
– Report: Manchester United 3, Arsenal 1
These are the kinds of calls that may blow up in your face. However his braveness was rewarded: Antony distributed some early eye sweet after which opened the scoring within the first half. He made a tangible contribution and provided greater than a glimpse of what is to return. Ten Hag can be displaying that he is much more pragmatic than many anticipated. We bought so labored up speaking about footballing philosophy and tactical imaginative and prescient that we typically overlook that there is a realpolitik that informs most coaches’ actions, particularly when issues get powerful. And on this case, within the 4 consecutive wins, this has meant a United that appears nothing like what we noticed at Ajax.
The numbers bear this out. Ajax averaged 62% possession within the Eredivisie final season. United, within the 4 wins, managed 42%. Ajax led the league in passes per defensive motion ( measure of how a lot a staff presses) with 5.36; United are second-to-last with 13.36. Ajax have been close to the underside when it comes to counter-attacking pictures (0.76), United are close to the highest (1.67). This can be a bit like hiring a world-renowned sushi chef solely to have them serve you a burger; a scrumptious burger, thoughts you, however undoubtedly not what you anticipated.
Going ahead, the elephant within the room is whether or not United can proceed to get outcomes enjoying this manner. Logic would recommend not. It is alien to Ten Hag, the squad is not actually constructed for it and until you rating first, the danger is that you find yourself drawing a bunch of video games. How nicely he handles that transition right into a extra proactive, front-foot staff (like he had at Ajax) will decide how his — and United’s — season pans out. And it will not simply depend upon Ten Hag giving them totally different directions, however quite how nicely his gamers — particularly those that, like Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford, have thrived since his arrival — adapt to what is going to basically be, tactically talking, a handbrake flip.
As for Arsenal, I believed they performed very nicely for many of the recreation, however paid a value for particular person errors. I am unsure it is a case of them being naive a lot as errors occurring on the unsuitable time, within the unsuitable areas. And, maybe, Mikel Arteta getting a bit too labored up with that triple substitution with quarter-hour to go. I get that he was chasing the sport, however turning his staff inside out once they have been a objective down and had United below strain appeared a bit rash with the good thing about hindsight.
There are a ton of positives for Arteta to take from this recreation, although, and also you hope the arrogance will solely improve. The form of errors Arsenal made have been psychological errors, not the sort that come right down to not being adequate. And that is an essential message for Arteta to ship. Plus, there is a parallel universe the place Gabriel Martinelli‘s objective is allowed to face. (Personally, I believed it was a foul, although I am not clear on why it took Paul Tierney so lengthy to work it out.)
We noticed one other aspect to Barcelona and it bodes nicely for Xavi. They traveled to Seville to face an opponent up in opposition to the ropes, caught on a single level and with an indignant fan base. Predictably, maybe, Julen Lopetegui despatched his troops out to attempt to shock Barca from the beginning, piling on the strain and enjoying with depth. For some time, it labored. Sevilla created possibilities (Marc-Andre ter Stegen was sensational on Ivan Rakitic) and at one level, they really had 70% possession. However if you play like that, you expose your self to the counter, and having weathered the early onslaught, Barca let their superior high quality shine by way of, scoring twice earlier than the break to place the sport out of attain (they usually may have had extra within the second half).
– Reaction: Xavi’s Barca hit an impressive rhythm
– Report: Lewandowski scores fifth in four LaLiga games
Robert Lewandowski scored once more — which isn’t information — and ter Stegen (after a tough journey final season) appears to be on his means again to prime type. What struck you although was the maturity Barca confirmed and the willingness to hunker down once they wanted to. It does not match the stereotype, however it does give them an entire new dimension. A phrase on Jules Kounde too. He has apparently indicated that he enjoys enjoying within the center quite than proper again. With Hector Bellerin not within the squad, he performed the primary half on the appropriate earlier than transferring centrally within the second, which, you’d think about, will likely be his long-term house. He nonetheless managed to ship a luscious help for Lewandowski. When you may play, you may play.
1:15
Janusz Michallik explains how Aston Villa held Manchester Metropolis to a hard-fought draw.
Pep Guardiola did not react to Manchester City‘s draw away to Aston Villa and under-pressure boss Steven Gerrard by tearing his hair out. (And never simply because there is not a lot there.) He merely mentioned that they had possibilities to attain however did not take them: “It is soccer, it occurs.”
– Report: Manchester City frustrated by Villa
Undeniably true, however figuring out what we all know now, Metropolis can be prime with three factors. And on the day, for all of Metropolis’s dominance (they conceded simply three targets and capitulated to a Leon Bailey wonderstrike), they appeared much less sharp, particularly Rodri in entrance of the again 4, than they normally do. The excellent news? Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland’s understanding continues to develop and the large Norwegian is now in double figures, scoring his tenth objective of the season. Possibly Guardiola is true: no purpose to be fussed if that man is solely going to get higher.
One other week, one other 1-1 draw for Bayern Munich, this time on the street in opposition to Union Berlin — who, lest we overlook, will be the feel-good underdog from the capital, however are degree on factors with Bayern and are unbeaten in twelve league video games. Nonetheless, the script was similar to what we saw in opposition to Borussia Monchengladbach per week in the past. We noticed Bayern go down early to a defensive error (shedding Sheraldo Becker on the free kick), we noticed them equalise and uncork a ton of pictures and we noticed an opposing keeper make some unbelievable saves (Frederik Ronnow wasn’t fairly as out-of-this-world as Yann Sommer final week, however not far off both).
– Report: Bayern stumble to second consecutive draw
My intuition is to level to the same old statistical markers (Bayern had extra xG — 1.54 to 0.33 — extra pictures — 21 to 7 — and extra possession — 74% to 26%) and recommend there isn’t any purpose to fret. That mentioned, Julian Nagelsmann, ever the nitpicker, did observe that his staff’s vitality ranges have been down in comparison with earlier outings. He might have a degree. Dropping Thomas Muller — with hindsight — in all probability did not assist: Jamal Musiala is solely a special type of participant. That mentioned, sooner or later Bayern must wean themselves off Muller, who turns 33 subsequent week.
1:30
Dale Johnson says there’s a lengthy technique to go for folks to belief Premier League referees once more after a weekend of catastrophic VAR selections.
Thomas Tuchel blended issues up for Chelsea in opposition to West Ham, probably to provide some guys a breather forward of the Champions League, probably to freshen issues up. We thus noticed Kai Havertz and Mason Mount make means for Christian Pulisic and Conor Gallagher respectively, whereas Wesley Fofana made his debut on the again. It should take greater than that to repair what ails Chelsea proper now although, as a result of in a bodily and contested first half, they did not handle a single shot heading in the right direction (and for all the recreation solely cobbled collectively an xG of 0.77).
Enterprise picked up as soon as Armando Broja got here on (and later, Havertz too), however the turning level got here courtesy of Ben Chilwell down the left, who changed the ineffective Marc Cucurella. You may reward Tuchel for making the appropriate substitutions (all three males performed key roles in each targets within the 2-1 win) or query why he bought it unsuitable within the first place. In some methods Chelsea have been lucky to return away with all three factors. Michail Antonio hit the woodwork late on, and naturally, Maxwel Cornet’s equaliser was disallowed (after VAR intervention) for the incident between Jarrod Bowen and Edouard Mendy.
– Premier League to review controversial VAR calls
– Chelsea ratings: Fofana 6/10 on debut
It was controversial, and personally, I would not be scandalised if it had gone both means since what we’re judging, in the end, is whether or not Bowen made sufficient of an effort to keep away from Mendy. However I do assume, given the way in which VAR is meant to work, the one means referee Andy Madley ought to have been known as to the display for the on-field assessment is that if he didn’t see Bowen’s trailing leg make contact with Mendy. If he did see it and did not assume it was a foul in actual time, I do not see on what foundation VAR Jarred Gillett can inform him: “Mate, take one other look, Bowen clearly left his leg in there to foul Mendy, the contact was neither unintended nor incidental.”
That is an apparent case the place, if the dialog between VAR and referee have been made public — even after the sport — we might all be higher off. People should be upset, however a minimum of we might know for what.
Neymar began every of Paris Saint-Germain’s first six video games of the season (counting the French Tremendous Cup) so it is not stunning that Christophe Galtier gave him a breather away to Nantes, sending him just for the final half hour. (I doubt he has ever began that many video games in a row since arriving within the French capital again in 2017.)
In his absence, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi did the heavy lifting: two targets for the previous and two assists for the latter. It helped that Nantes went down to 10 males after 24 minutes and maybe additionally that PSG weren’t in a temper to run up the rating. However regulate Galtier’s rotations (he did it in the previous couple of video games). They may show vital in pursuing the one trophy they really need: the Champions League.
1:37
Janusz Michallik factors the finger at Mohamed Salah & Trent Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool are held by Everton.
The Merseyside derby performed out the way in which many of those clashes do: tons of depth, not as a lot high quality, with the extra proficient aspect — Liverpool on this case — slipping to the extent of the opposition. Liverpool hit the woodwork thrice and this recreation may simply have damaged their means, however then Everton additionally rattled the body of the objective and Conor Coady‘s late strike was (appropriately) disallowed for an in depth offside. And on a special day, with a special referee, Virgil Van Dijk might nicely have been despatched off.
– Reaction: Liverpool drop more points as Pickford shines
The upshot is that that is the worst begin of the Jurgen Klopp period when it comes to factors. That issues as a result of it is how we maintain rating, however what issues extra is the efficiency. And right here once more the weak spot is in the course of the park, the place the absences of Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson (and potential replacements like Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita) weigh closely.
Fabio Carvalho bought to audition in that position and this in all probability wasn’t the sport for that. Klopp might want to discover a resolution right here, as a result of there is a powerful and fixture-congested interval forward. Would possibly or not it’s Arthur, who arrived on mortgage from Juventus? Presumably, although he is coming from three powerful seasons through which we have solely seen glimpses of what he can do. Proper now, if he merely provides Liverpool minutes and a reside physique, it is already a plus. Something extra is gravy.
Actual Madrid returned to the Bernabeu to face Betis, LaLiga’s solely different excellent aspect to that time and emerged as 2-1 winners. Carlo Ancelotti’s males did get the breaks — William Carvalho and German Pezzella have been unavailable and Nabil Fekir went off after ten minutes — however they absolutely deserved their victory. And the twist right here is that Ancelotti leaned on the children — wingers Rodrygo and Vinicius, each of whom scored — in addition to Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in the course of the park (plus Fede Valverde, when he got here on).
– Reaction: Real Madrid continue LaLiga winning streak
Sooner or later, Actual Madrid might want to transition away from the Luka Modric–Toni Kroos–Karim Benzema era, and on a day when Modric and Benzema have been quiet (and Kroos was on the bench) it was essential for the others to step up. It is vital, actually, as a result of there is no such thing as a high quality various to Benzema up entrance. Ancelotti, ever the membership man, disagreed, rattling off the numerous options (Mariano Diaz, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Marco Asensio) when requested, however in the event you appeared carefully, you in all probability noticed his nostril rising ever so barely.
It is exhausting to inform what was extra disappointing about Juventus’ 1-1 draw away to Fiorentina, which may simply have been a defeat if Luka Jovic had buried his penalty. Was it the truth that Juventus did not handle a single shot after minute 28? Was it the truth that, at half-time, he despatched on a defender (Mattia De Sciglio) for a winger in Angel Di Maria? Was it the truth that Dusan Vlahovic stayed on the bench for 90 minutes?
Was it the truth that based mostly on common positions Juve’s wingers sat deeper than Fiorentina’s fullbacks (who, by the way, aren’t Cafu and Roberto Carlos however Dodo and Cristiano Biraghi)? Was it Allegri telling his gamers to sluggish issues down and defend the draw late within the recreation? Was it his postgame feedback, when he referenced the Champions League and mentioned it wasn’t about PSG, and the sport they wanted to fret about successful was in opposition to Benfica?
The draw leaves Juve simply two factors off the highest, which is able to grow to be 4 if Atalanta win away to Monza on Monday evening. And, sure, they’ve had loads of accidents. However what will get you’re the vibes Allegri sends out: they really feel so unfavourable, so conservative, so defeatist, so out-of-step with the present recreation. He must elevate the temper in double-quick time.
1:40
Janusz Michallik says Tottenham are wanting precisely like an Antonio Conte staff after beating Fulham.
There is a view that Antonio Conte does not like rotating a lot, which is smart for a man who’s so large on chemistry and muscle-memory patterns of play. A few of that’s right down to the truth that a few of his biggest current success (the Premier League title at Chelsea and the Scudetto at Inter) got here in seasons when there was no European soccer for his staff or once they have been knocked out earlier than Christmas.
However Conte can learn a fixture listing in addition to anybody. And he is aware of that the unprecedented fixture congestion between now and the World Cup in November (and the fallout after it) makes load administration a necessity. That is why he pushed so exhausting for Richarlison, a man who he believes can slot in any of the entrance three roles. And that is why, within the 2-1 win over Fulham, we noticed Clement Lenglet and Richarlison make their debuts as starters, whereas Ryan Sessegnon returned rather than Ivan Perisic down the left.
– When could Harry Kane become Premier League’s highest all-time scorer?
Spurs performed nicely and will have scored extra (Son Heung-Min, whose ending hasn’t been nice of late, nonetheless hasn’t scored however appears on his means again) and the finale was needlessly nervy. However Richarlison clearly gave them one other dimension when it comes to drive and depth, and the yellow card he bought for celebrating a objective that was later disallowed is enjoyable footnote (for the impartial, much less for him). He will not be first selection, however he’ll get loads of minutes.
I do not know if Khvicha Kvaratskhelia can proceed enjoying at this degree, however few younger newcomers this aspect of Erling Haaland have had such a right away impression on a league. He and Victor Osimhen ripped Lazio to shreds on the street and the younger Georgian displayed his full repertoire of tempo, approach, depth and physicality, all in a compact package deal.
Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri had a meltdown after the sport and made some severe feedback concerning the match officers. He was indignant that Mario Rui wasn’t despatched off for an elbow on Mattia Zaccagni (honest sufficient, it ought to have gone to VAR) however then he doubled down saying it was both “incompetence or dangerous religion” and speaking about how anyone informed him within the tunnel pregame that the referee was going make Lazio “pay” on this recreation.
It appears fairly apparent that Sarri’s feedback must be investigated. You may’t make accusations like that with out with the ability to again them up. Subsequent time, quite than speaking about thriller figures who seem within the gamers tunnel brandishing threats, how about making certain you place collectively greater than 0.37 xG at house?
Sarri is, in some methods, a training genius. However he let himself down badly together with his postgame phrases.
Atletico Madrid turned in one in all their higher performances of the season within the away draw to Real Sociedad. It was very a lot a “lure” recreation in opposition to an opponent that may blow cold and hot, however is usually a tricky out at house. Either side had possibilities, however Atleti had the higher ones and can rue not killing off the sport after taking an early lead by way of Alvaro Morata.
That mentioned, the Antoine Griezmann scenario is a tragic reflection on the state of the sport and the membership (and the folly of the earlier Barcelona regime). It’s possible you’ll recall that Barcelona, in a determined effort to get Griezmann and his wage off the books in the summertime of 2021, despatched him to Atletico Madrid on a two-year mortgage. However there is a rider: if he performs greater than a sure proportion of minutes, then the deal turns into everlasting and Atletico should pay Barcelona €40 million.
– Report: Atletico held to draw as Griezmann’s minutes are limited
The precise situations have not been disclosed and stories range on what these situations are, however it appears fairly evident that the membership are actively limiting his minutes. In spite of everything, Atletico do not wish to should pay Barcelona €40m for a man who’ll be 32 subsequent summer time (and can have one other yr left on his hefty contract). In the event that they maintain him, they’d a lot quite negotiate a charge with Barca, one which is able to virtually definitely be far decrease than €40m.
The “sufferer” in all this — particularly in a World Cup yr — is Griezmann himself. He’ll be rested come November, however how match-fit he’ll be stays a query mark.
Bas Dost began for Utrecht and scored in their 4-3 away victory in opposition to Fortuna Sittard. He now has 4 targets in 5 appearances for Utrecht and is on tempo to attain 38 targets within the Eredivisie. This concludes this installment of #BasDostWatch.