GOAL US writers discuss the Champions League, which featured high-profile matches and last-second heroics
So we have Champions League football again. It's year number two of a revamped Group Phase that features more teams, more big matchups, and more knockout games. Last season, that proved a little mixed.
We got some iconic clashes early on, but it also felt a bit cumbersome by the end of things (and the team that won the whole thing finished near the bottom of the league).
The good news is that the return for this season featured a slate of really high-octane games. Liverpool bested Atletico Madrid with a stoppage time header from Virgil Van Dijk. Real Madrid came from behind to pip Marseille – a game in which Tim Weah became the first American to score at the Bernabeu in the Champions League. Barcelona turned in a comprehensive performance to beat Newcastle on the road – a terrifying final five minutes notwithstanding.
What can we make of it all? Are Real Madrid back? And there's no way Liverpool can keep relying on late goals, right…RIGHT?
GOAL US writers break it all down in a Champions League edition of… The Rondo.
Getty Images SportWhat the takeaway from Arsenal's performance?
Tom Hindle: Brutally efficient. The Gunners came to a hostile environment, set up supremely defensively, saw off the inevitable early pressure, and then turned it on in the second half. They didn't exactly blow Athletic away, but they didn't have to. Mikel Arteta has plenty of tools off the bench, and he brought them in at the right time to change the game. Nicely done, onto the next.
Alex Labidou: It was a routine win. The Gunners’ defense was impressive, but its difficult to fully assess this group when Athletic were without their star, Nico Williams. On a positive for Arteta’s side, it was encouraging to see just how much depth this team has. Viktor Gyokeres still isn’t in-sync with Arsenal yet, and when he came out due to injury, they were able to instantly turn to Gabriel Martinelli – who delivered a strong performance. It’s easy to forget, but he was a star attacker for this team just two seasons ago. With Arsenal aiming to contend on multiple fronts this season, that strength in numbers could prove pivotal.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesHas Xabi Alonso figured out how to use Kylian Mbappe?
TH: Tough to say, because Mbappe will score loads of goals wherever he plays. What we can take, though, is that Madrid look far more balanced. Mbappe is in a more central role, seems to have bought in a little more to the tactical setup, and is reaping the rewards. Vinicius Jr's return might make things tricky, but for now, he looks much more effective – and the team do, too.
AL: No disrespect to Weah and Marseille, but it’s too early to tell. Beating a Ligue 1 side not named PSG when you’re Real Madrid isn’t anything to write home about. Los Blancos are all about the big games. Remember even Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t considered a Madridista until he started delivering in El Clasicos and winning La Liga. Until Mbappe does the same, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Getty Images SportHow big was Weah's goal at the Bernabeu?
TH: Well, any record is a good one, right? Weah played really well in defeat, and was thoroughly deserving of his goal. The question now becomes, can he do it again? Mathematically, given time, there will be other American dudes who walk into that place and find the net. But it's probably more about Weah getting into the groove at Marseille. would be far more important than any well-crafted finish in a 2-1 loss.
AL: It’s bigger for Weah than it is for American soccer. He made the move to OM to be a consistent fixture after being in and out of the lineup at Juventus. Up until the Madrid match, he hadn’t found a role in which he was effective for Roberto De Zerbi’s side. His goal showed something that Weah and De Zerbi can build upon. And the timing is great, with Le Classique this weekend.
Getty Images SportAre Barcelona clear contenders again?
TH: Yes. They might even be favorites. Hansi Flick's side have been a little shaky at times in La Liga, but they were so, so good against Newcastle – full of grit en route to a fairly comfortable road win. Ironically, they looked better equipped for this thing Lamine Yamal – a bit steadier and willing to hit on the break. Then again, Yamal might win the Ballon d'Or. He does not make them worse. You wouldn't bet against the Blaugrana lifting the trophy come June.
AL: No. Yamal might be the best player in world football right now, which is scary given his age. But Barca doesn’t have the balance that stronger teams in the Champions League have. Sure they’ll beat the Newcastles of the world, but when they get to the knockout stages, can they beat Liverpool, Bayern, Real Madrid or PSG? Unlikely.
