UCL Unpacked: PSG’s Epic Comeback, Glimt’s Giant Slaying

The initial fixtures of the UEFA Champions League elimination playoffs have concluded, and we have much to analyze! From Real Madrid securing a slim victory at Benfica (under the guidance of former Real manager Jose Mourinho), to Bodø/Glimt astonishing Internazionale in the polar region, and even reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain overcoming a two-goal deficit to triumph 3-2 against fellow Ligue 1 competitors AS Monaco, the events have been varied and dramatic. And let’s not overlook Galatasaray’s five-goal haul against Juventus, or Newcastle United’s six strikes at FK Qarabag!

Therefore, subsequent to an eventful series of opening matchups this week, ESPN FC writers Mark Ogden, Sam Tighe, Beth Lindop, and Sam Marsden offer their insights into the developments to date and upcoming prospects.

– Champions League summary: Bodø/Glimt shock Inter with memorable victory
– Real Madrid drew conclusions from Champions League defeat to Benfica
– The prospects of every lingering team in the UEFA Champions League

Q1. Paris Saint-Germain were compelled to recover from a two-goal deficit to clinch victory in the opening encounter at Monaco, with Désiré Doué introduced as a substitute to reverse the outcome. Is the exhaustion from last season’s UEFA Champions League title and their extended progression to last summer’s Club World Cup final finally taking its toll?

Sam Tighe: I am hardly astonished that any club which progressed far into last summer’s Club World Cup appears disjointed or plagued by physical ailments. In PSG’s particular situation, it’s both. Three weeks between “seasons” is inadequate, so these athletes are unquestionably contending with difficulties in terms of both physical condition and mental state.

At this juncture a year ago, Les Parisiens were in the midst of overwhelming Brest with a 10-0 aggregate score in the Champions League playoffs. They started operating seamlessly, instilling dread in observers globally in the process. A year on, the situation appears starkly altered, to the extent that Ousmane Dembélé recently criticized his colleagues, implying they were prioritizing personal interests over the team’s (unlike the previous season). There are other significant alterations too: Defensive leader Marquinhos’ performance has conspicuously declined, while they’ve shifted from relying on one of the world’s premier, match-deciding goalkeepers in Gianluigi Donnarumma (who left for Manchester City) to an unpleasant predicament of selecting between two sub-par performers, Lucas Chevalier and Matvey Safonov.

The atmosphere is genuinely distinct from the previous year; they don’t appear poised to achieve a dominant momentum, however, in the realm of this game, uncertainty always prevails…

Beth Lindop: It was relatively recently that it was challenging to envision any opponent triumphing over PSG. After a turbulent commencement to last season, Luis Enrique’s side truly found their optimal form after the turn of the year. They possess a multitude of exceptionally gifted athletes, so you cannot entirely dismiss their chances, and they displayed considerable resilience in their comeback versus Monaco. That said, they do not entirely resemble their former powerful selves and, as Sam pointed out, you can scarcely fault them considering the demanding schedule they endured over the summer.

They resemble more a collection of individual talents rather than the cohesive, efficient unit they were by the close of last season. Nevertheless, their singular brilliance might still prove decisive.

Mark Ogden: PSG face an unforeseen challenge this season — they are engrossed in a fierce three-way contest for the Ligue Un title with frontrunners Lens and Lyon. Consequently, they lack the indulgence of relaxing their efforts in the domestic league and concentrating on the Champions League, as they did last season. Thus, each match holds significance, and this circumstance, exacerbated by insufficient recuperation for Luis Enrique’s players last summer, is unquestionably impacting negatively on results and performances.

Nevertheless, do not discount PSG. They demonstrated their proficiency by reversing a two-goal disadvantage against Monaco, and they can overcome any European side when performing at their peak. I believe it will be challenging for them to claim victory in the Champions League again this season, especially with Chelsea or Barcelona as their subsequent opponent in the Round of 16, but their triumph from the previous year provides them with the knowledge to replicate that success.

Sam Marsden: I must confess I’m having reservations about PSG due to all the aforementioned factors, but I nonetheless continue to support them to perform decisively when crucial. It’s true that exhaustion, physical ailments, and a closely contested title chase are stretching them to their maximum capacity at the moment, but when faced with extreme pressure, I still believe they can succeed.

As Mark says, facing a two-goal deficit versus Monaco, and particularly following the injury setback to Ballon d’Or recipient Dembélé, the prospects appeared grim, but they demonstrated their proficiency and squad strength. This time it was Doué, replacing the injured Dembélé, who secured the victory for them, but next time it might equally be Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or Bradley Barcola. I will consistently support a Luis Enrique-managed squad, too.

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Leboeuf applauds Doué’s ‘flawless’ display for PSG vs. Monaco

Frank Leboeuf comments on Désiré Doué’s performance in PSG’s Champions League reversal victory against Monaco.

Q2. Real Madrid achieved an unsteady yet thrilling away victory on Tuesday, tainted by claims of discriminatory harassment towards Vinicius Jr., but they hold a slender advantage heading into the return fixture next week. Can Álvaro Arbeloa emulate renowned managers who have assumed control of a major team during the campaign and guide them to Champions League triumph?

Ogden: Indubitably, because the focus is entirely on the athletes in the Champions League. While a premier manager is significant, some pretty modest managers have claimed the title or guided a squad to the championship match, and Arbeloa has an abundance of leading talents to propel Real to ultimate success despite his coaching, instead of owing to it. Zinedine Zidane

and Thomas Tuchel are among the distinguished figures who have assumed a role during the campaign and ultimately triumphed in the Champions League, but Roberto di Matteo claimed it with Chelsea in 2012, and Avram Grant (Chelsea, 2008) and Edin Terzic (Borussia Dortmund, 2023) guided their teams to a final, so Arbeloa wouldn’t be an anomaly if he won it with Real.

But frankly speaking. If you possess Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold — do I need to continue? — in your squad, you can secure the Champions League. Provided the coach doesn’t needlessly complicate affairs with strategic requirements or peculiar lineup decisions, the finest players invariably stand a prospect. And Real are replete with top-tier athletes.

Lindop: I concur with Mark’s perspective. Although Real Madrid (by their own elevated expectations) have experienced a rather ordinary campaign so far, you can never dismiss their chances when the Champions League elimination rounds commence. More than any other club, Real maintain a unique connection to this tournament and they possess so many game-deciding talents within their squad. Arbeloa appears to have instilled a feeling of unity in the team, and Trent’s comeback could also be instrumental in the team’s smooth operation.

You’d certainly back them to secure the desired outcome in the return match versus Benfica, and then it’s entirely dependent on their opponent in the round of sixteen.

Marsden: While I concur with Mark and Beth’s views — Real Madrid in the Champions League is a notable phenomenon — I don’t think either of the Clásico teams, to include Barcelona in the discussion as well, possess the requisite quality to triumph in the competition this season. Of course, I would still place them in the category of contenders trailing the front-runners — the likes of Arsenal, Bayern Munich and still, for me, PSG — and it wouldn’t be a surprise with an advantageous pairing and an upturn in performance if either side advanced to the decider, but they both look so susceptible on occasion.

Nevertheless, Madrid actually appeared better in midfield against Benfica, which is where I would say they are least robust. Arbeloa’s deployment of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Valverde and Arda Güler proved effective, providing greater liberty for Mbappé and Vinícius in attack. It may prove challenging to preserve that equilibrium upon Bellingham’s comeback, though.

Tighe: I think I align myself with (the other) Sam here.

It’s undeniable that this Real Madrid squad possesses the caliber — particularly in attack and in goal — to win this tournament, and their unique bond with the competition enhances its appeal. And yet for some reason, I find it utterly impossible to envision.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve seen them perform so inadequately on too many occasions this season. Perhaps it’s because I attribute greater significance to the coach’s role than, say, Mark does, and Arbeloa is a bona fide newcomer. Whatever it is, it’s troubling my thoughts, and when forecasting an outcome as capricious and chance-based as a Champions League winner, you have to rely on your intuition. My instinct is negative.

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Nicol: Vinícius Jr. demonstrated composure with his response to purported racial taunts

Steve Nicol discusses Vinícius Júnior’s demeanor following suspected discriminatory insults against Benfica in the Champions League.

Q3. Which team of those that lost this week is most probable to overcome an initial match disadvantage?

Ogden: I think the Atalanta-Borussia Dortmund fixture still retains vitality. A 2-0 lead evidently positions Dortmund as the front-runners, but they did not perform commendably on the road in the League Phase, and a swift strike in Bergamo might provide Atalanta an advantage. I’d give Atalanta a marginally better prospect than Inter Milan, who face a three-to-one disadvantage against Bodø/Glimt.

Inter have the charged ambiance of a full San Siro to propel them forward, but Bodo have now defeated Inter, Atlético Madrid and Manchester City in consecutive Champions League matches, so they will travel to Milan emboldened by that streak. I just don’t see Dortmund having the same self-belief — this is a team that was decisively defeated on their visit to Tottenham Hotspur — so I’m supporting Atalanta to reverse the fixture’s outcome and secure victory in the return match.

Tighe: As exciting as the Bodø/Glimt narrative is, and as impressive as their performance was in their 3-1 win over Inter on Wednesday night, I merely ponder…does a two-goal advantage suffice? After all, while Glimt were exceptionally incisive offensively here — just as they were when they overcame Manchester City at home in the league phase — their goalposts enjoyed a fortunate existence. Both Matteo Darmian and Lautaro Martínez hit it as they attempted to gain the advantage, only for the Norwegians to then respond with two swift, unexpected blows.

And as Mark suggests, the venue conditions will be quite distinct next week — in the strictest sense. No artificial turf, no piles of snow bordering the field; instead, a boisterous San Siro to support last year’s finalists. It’s important to note that Bodø/Glimt do not exclusively depend on domestic outcomes — they suffered only a single away defeat during the league phase, and beat Atlético Madrid in Spain! — but this persists as a formidable challenge.

Lindop: I mean, Qarabag could continually astonish us! Joking aside, though, I intend to choose Atalanta. Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 lead might appear dominant theoretically, but the German side are a touch volatile, and Atalanta can create numerous difficulties for opponents, particularly when hosting matches.

Inter could achieve a reversal too, encouraged by the splendor of the San Siro. However, I did label them my chief letdown of the group stage, and Wednesday night’s result hasn’t significantly altered that perception.

Marsden: Firstly, another superb outcome for Bodø/Glimt. I think we need to accord significant recognition to their sequence of performances. They have now overcome, in Europe, Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Inter in successive matches. So while my initial inclination was to choose Inter as the most probable to reverse the fixture’s outcome, I will support the Norwegian team to conclude the fixture successfully — although it will prove challenging at the San Siro.

The other Italian teams playing on their own ground — Juventus and Atalanta — are also unlikely candidates for reversals, but consider this alternative: no team defeated in the opening match will advance to the round of sixteen.

Q4. Which performance (player

Which specific player (or side) made the biggest impression on you in the initial rounds?

Ogden: Anthony Gordon is undoubtedly the standout. Nailing four goals in a Champions League fixture surely warrants high accolades.

The Newcastle attacker now belongs to an exclusive echelon of athletes who have accomplished this, a roster that includes greats like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andriy Shevchenko, Marco van Basten, and Roberto Lewandowski – indeed, anyone whose name is appended to such a distinguished compilation of icons merits all the commendation they receive. Moreover, though Gordon stands out as the singular luminary this week, due recognition must be given to Newcastle as a unit for achieving a significant and conclusive victory in Azerbaijan. Considering Chelsea only managed a draw against Qarabag and Eintracht Frankfurt was defeated in Baku, this was an arduous journey for Eddie Howe’s squad, yet they executed it effortlessly.

Lindop: For me, it’s also Gordon, without question. The forward from Newcastle had a rather unremarkable couple of years, despite his standout form previously hinting at a potential £70 million switch to Liverpool in summer 2024. While he hadn’t netted sufficient goals for Newcastle over the last two campaigns, he thoroughly compensated for that on Wednesday evening.

He remains highly adept at delivering captivating performances, and even at the age of 24, he still possesses the capacity for significant further development. With the World Cup approaching in just a few months, his resurgence in performance is undoubtedly beneficial for both his team and national squad.

Marsden: It’s tough to dispute the selection of Gordon. What an exceptional Champions League campaign he’s currently enjoying.

Nevertheless, considering he’s already garnered ample commendation here, let’s extend some honorable mentions: PSG’s Doué for his match-winning contribution from the substitutes’ bench, Madrid’s Vinícius for his breathtaking goal on a challenging evening in Lisbon, Bodø/Glimt for another astounding victory, and Club Brugge for a commendable offensive showcase in their 3-3 stalemate with Atlético Madrid, a contest they arguably should have secured.

Tighe: Very well, Gordon has received ample acclaim. Let’s instead draw attention to a player who notched three goal involvements on Wednesday during a notable evening for his team: Kasper Høgh of Bodø/Glimt.

He has exhibited an impressive finishing prowess over the past two seasons, but perhaps we could also pause to commend his link-up and inventive play? The Dane not only scored but also assisted two goals here, one of which was truly outstanding. The primary reason Glimt are so enjoyable to watch in attack is their superior ability to exploit the central area of the pitch compared to almost any other team.

Instead of relying on wide combinations and aerial crosses, they execute intricate passing sequences in confined zones just outside the penalty area, somehow carving out room for an attempt that seemingly shouldn’t exist. Høgh is instrumental in both generating this space and capitalizing on these opportunities. He is experiencing an exceptional Champions League season.

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