Arsenal were the only ‘top-six’ side to drop points this weekend as Liverpool, United and City picked up wins in the EPL. LaLiga’s giants were also victorious while Mbappe inspired PSG to victory in Ligue 1. This and more in this week’s European Football Wrap!
Darwin the missing link for Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool love a bit of adversity. Their epic 2nd half comeback at Newcastle marked successive weeks where the Reds have won with 10 men. And it makes complete sense.
Going a man now pretty much necessitates that you play predominately on the counterattack (where Liverpool look most dangerous). Klopp has seemed reluctant to utilize Nunez this year but his hand was forced a bit in this ‘Hail Mary’ situation.
And the Uruguayan’s chaotic energy was just what Liverpool needed as they basically nullified the Magpie’s one-man advantage. Perhaps this brace will be the catalyst for Nunez as he looks to cement his place in this new Klopp regime. But can we just take a moment to focus on Newcastle’s naivety? Anthony Gordon had Alexander-Arnold in disarray on that wing but Howe decided to replace him with Harvey Barnes.
Why? They had the extra man but it almost felt they couldn’t keep possession of the ball. Bruno Guimaires had his worst outing in a Newcastle shirt, inviting all types of pressure with his dreadful passing. They really miss Saint-Maximin’s threat in behind and it will be interesting to see how Howe bounces back from this period of minor adversity.
Mo Salah assist to Darwin Nunez and Goal!!
— Kapten Kito 🇮🇩 (@Footballers501) August 28, 2023
*Liverpool against Newcastle goal moment#Liverpool #YNWA #NEWLIV
📹: Liverpoolpic.twitter.com/WfOgxDHlr0
Arsenal drop points as City remain flawless
Arsenal were the only traditional ‘top-six’ side to drop points this weekend, surrendering a 2-1 home lead against a ten-man Fulham. I knew the moment Arteta signed Kai Havertz for 65 million pounds that this could be a defining moment in his managerial reign.
It honestly stinks of hubris to me. Arteta turned around the fortunes of Granit Xhaxa and is now high on his own supply. This little pet-project is fine if he was a loanee or cost around 30 mil. But 65 million! Havertz simply cannot play in the number 8 role in a team that has designs on winning the Premier League.
He lacks the dynamism and just doesn’t fit the ‘Arteta’ mould. Just look at the selection gymnastics that are going on to accommodate a failed Chelsea striker. He has Thomas Partey- one of the best holding midfielders in the Prem season- lingering at right-back and being isolated by wingers. It is utter madness and could prove costly for the Gunners. Because City don’t appear to be in generous mood this season.
They are traditionally slow starters, tending to come into their own around Christmas time. But Guardiola’s men were ruthless at newly-promoted Sheffield United, suffocating the Blades despite some late drama. You can’t afford to tinker with this Man City juggernaut looking so ominous.
Arsenal have conceded inside the 1st minute in three of their last nine Premier League matches at home 🫨 pic.twitter.com/T25PlwuFi8
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 26, 2023
Kane shows his class as Bayern romp to victory
Harry Kane scored two goals on his home debut to continue his dream start in a Bayern shirt, helping Die Roten ease to a 3-1 victory against Augsburg. I am delighted for the English captain.
His final few years at Spurs felt like an extended hostage situation with Daniel Levy playing the role of maniacal supervillain. He scored a pen and then deftly chipped the winner in another towering performance. Leroy Sane is really starting to express himself in this 4-2-3-1 formation, playing off the right and occasionally penetrating through the middle in a completely fluid manner.
Perhaps it’s a consequence of his time in England but he seems to instinctively understand Kane’s runs and they are just dovetailing beautifully. Dortmund looked insipid in their 1-1 draw with Bochum and I really think Terzic’s men are going to struggle this season. Bellingham was the fulcrum of their entire side and they just look a bit rudderless without him.
The Blacks and Yellows were actually fortunate to come away with a point as the woodwork and Gregor Kobel’s shot-stopping kept Bochum at bay. RB Leipzig destroyed Stuttgart 5-1 and they might represent a more plausible threat to Bayern’s utter dominance.
Harry Kane has three goals in his first two Bundesliga games 🎆 pic.twitter.com/5qlDtBr4E5
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 27, 2023
Spanish giants pick up contrasting victories
I knew that Jude Bellingham would prove a success at Real. I didn’t really expect him to be carrying the side at such an early stage. But he is a true generational talent who doesn’t appear to be fazed by anything. Los Blancos weren’t at their fluid best at Celta Vigo, struggling to break down a very well-organized and stubborn defensive line.
But Bellingham came to the fore in the dying embers of the game. He actually fed Rodrygo with a lovely reverse ball that led to a penalty (missed by the Brazilian). He then came up trumps with a skulking close-range header. One area of real concern for Carlo Ancelotti is the injury to key-man Vinicius Jr.
He was forced to bring on Joselu and the Spaniard is simply not fit for purpose to play up front for Real. Will the Italian be forced into making an impulsive last-gasp transfer? Xavi’s Barcelona won last year’s title with a more phlegmatic approach that didn’t always please the Blaugrana faithful. Well, I guess they can’t have any complaints this week.
Barcelona won a rollercoaster match at Villereal 4-3, with 16-year-old academy project Lamine Yamal a standout for the Catalan giants. It was the type of Harlem Globetrotters-inspired performance that will have given Xavi a bit more credit in the bank.
BARCELONA WIN A LALIGA CLASSIC 🍿🤩 pic.twitter.com/agUEBdBtOo
— 433 (@433) August 27, 2023
AC Milan looking ominous as Juventus struggle
Defending champions Napoli produced a workmanlike display to see off 10-man Sassuolo 2-0. Victor Osimhen continued his sublime scoring streak with a 16th minute penalty and the Partenopei aren’t going to relinquish their Scudetto without a fight.
But it was AC Milan who once again caught the eye in Italy this weekend. The Rossoneri thrashed Torino 4-1, with Christian Pulisic and Rafeal Leao in sparkling form. Stefano Pioli’s side have started the season positively and Pulisic looks like a rejuvenated man.
He isn’t the only Chelsea reject shining in this Milan side: Loftus-Cheek’s running power was immense throughout. Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus looked jaded and downright ordinary as they were held 1-1 at home against Bologna.
Bremer and Sandro were abysmal in defence and it took a towering 80th minute header from Dusan Vlahovic to spare the Bianconeri’s blushes.
The new-look AC Milan are running RAMPANT 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/XARidFw3Xg
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) August 26, 2023
Player of the Week – Kylian Mbappe
There is a strong argument to be made that Kylian Mbappe represents everything that is wrong with the modern game. He earns obscene wealth but then operates like a petulant child when things don’t go his way.
PSG had to move heaven and earth to keep the mercenary star but his performance against Lens showed how essential he is. He scored a brace and almost single-handedly ran Lens ragged.
He seems emboldened by the departures of Neymar and Messi, liberated knowing that he is now without doubt the main man.
