UCL speaking factors: Flawless Bayern, Slot’s change, VdV’s worldie

The Chaaaaampiooooons League delivered one more matchday of compelling motion this week.

We have had assertion wins (Bayern Munich beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in Paris), end-to-end attracts (Barcelona held 3-3 by Membership Brugge), some shock losses (Pafos defeating Villarreal 1-0) and, to cap all of it off, a Puskas contender from Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven.

That is what you get with Europe’s elite membership competitors, and this week has supplied a lot to speak about because the league section reaches its midway level.

Learn on as ESPN consultants Beth Lindop, Sam Tighe, Rob Dawson and Gab Marcotti supply their ideas on Matchday 4.

– Champions League desk: Bayern first, Ajax wallowing in final place
– Dawson: Foden utilizing Champions League to show England credentials
– Ogden: In assault and protection, Bayern present why they’re UCL favorites

Q1. After weeks of conceding early targets and dropping to groups they need to be beating, Liverpool and supervisor Arne Slot went “again to fundamentals” in a way, moved Florian Wirtz to the left wing, and saved a clear sheet in defeating Actual Madrid(!) 1-0 at Anfield. Is that this a turning level for them, with Manchester Metropolis up subsequent on Sunday?

Marcotti: I’ve stated all season that integrating Wirtz was going to take time, and could be very tough to do if it was going to be within the gap in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Why? It isn’t a place he has performed earlier than (not with this set-up round him anyway), it is particularly arduous when you’ve got 4 new starters in a staff. As proficient as he’s, Wirtz is a 22-year-old shifting from enjoying within the Bundesliga in entrance of 26,000 followers at a mid-size membership, to the Premier League and one of many greatest golf equipment on this planet.

I do not doubt that his future at Liverpool is likely to be in that function, however proper now’s too quickly.

I believe it is too early to talk of a “turning level” for Liverpool if, by that, you imply have they solved their tactical points. That is a heavy elevate and I believe in some ways they are going to solely get issues to click on as soon as they combine a daily middle ahead. However clearly beating Actual Madrid is an enormous confidence enhance, they usually felt much more snug in that scheme.

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Nicol: Szoboszlai was ‘world class’ vs. Actual Madrid

Steve Nicol analyses Arne Slot’s Liverpool efficiency as he believes they ‘outplayed’ Actual Madrid of their 1-0 win within the Champions League at Anfield.

Lindop: A soccer season is a marathon, not a dash, and Slot and his gamers will know they nonetheless have loads of work to do to indicate they’re actual contenders for Europe’s greatest prizes this time period. However after wanting worryingly unbalanced within the opening months of the marketing campaign, Slot’s choice to revert again to the midfield three that helped his staff to Premier League glory final season — Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister — actually appears to have given Liverpool a a lot better form.

Wirtz has already proven sufficient to recommend he could possibly be a star for Slot’s aspect, however he has struggled at occasions with the physicality of midfield, and enjoying him within the ahead line in opposition to Actual Madrid afforded him the liberty to roam with out as a lot defensive duty. The large video games carry on coming, although, and Man Metropolis on the weekend will likely be one other robust take a look at of simply how a lot this aspect have turned the nook, if in any respect.

Tighe: If Liverpool beat Man Metropolis on Sunday, I am joyful to name it a turning level. That is an if, after all, however I am unable to deny that the best way they took Actual Madrid aside was extremely spectacular, with a variety of issues lastly clicking into place.

Not are Szoboszlai and Gravenberch the one two gamers holding this staff afloat. There seem like solutions at proper again, left wing and left again; there are solutions to their tactical stability points; and Mohamed Salah is displaying pleasing indicators of life.

All of this can be a large win for Slot, who has come beneath immense strain to discover a profitable system, quick, with an expensively assembled, gold-gilded squad. However for a staff who’ve struggled so badly for a lot of this season, I am searching for greater than two performances — glorious as they had been in opposition to Madrid and Aston Villa) — earlier than saying that the Reds are again.

Dawson: It looks like a turning level by way of outcomes. Typically you simply want to interrupt the cycle of defeats, they usually’ve carried out that by beating Aston Villa and Actual Madrid with out conceding a purpose. It’s going to naturally elevate the temper after six defeats in seven, they usually’ll head to Manchester Metropolis on Sunday much more assured than maybe they’d have carried out if the sport was a few weeks in the past.

Slot solely made one change to his staff between the video games in opposition to Villa and Madrid — health allowing, he’ll need to maintain one thing near the identical XI in opposition to Metropolis. Every thing seemed extra linked with Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Gravenberch because the midfield three, and Wirtz on the left.

The fullbacks are key, too. Conor Bradley has struggled at occasions this season, however he was incredible in opposition to Vinícius Júnior. Andrew Robertson has to maintain his place forward of Milos Kerkez.

Q2. Bayern have received each sport (17) in each competitors to open the 2025-26 season … not dangerous for a staff that famously missed out on a lot of its prime switch targets in the summertime. After beating defending champs PSG in Paris this week, are they the most effective staff in Europe?

Marcotti: I’ve them as favorites alongside Arsenal and forward of PSG. The French champions should be involved about Ousmane Dembélé’s persevering with health points and Achraf Hakimi’s harm. Throw in Gianluigi Donnarumma’s departure on the finish of the switch window, and that is three large stars from final 12 months who’re unavailable or have clouds hanging over them. I additionally know higher than to jot down off Actual Madrid, Liverpool, Barcelona, Chelsea and even Inter in a knockout competitors.

That stated, it is fairly outstanding what they’re attaining with out two starters like Alphonso Davies and, particularly Jamal Musiala. They’re going to be again in December or the brand new 12 months and, because the cliche goes, will probably be like two new signings. They’re working away with the Bundesliga, which ought to afford them the chance to relaxation and rotate (as will Germany’s limitless winter break). However certain, there are weak spots too.

Dayot Upamecano is on an expiring contract. Harry Kane is phenomenal, however has no pure again up (sorry, Nicolas Jackson). Manuel Neuer has been nice, however he is additionally 39. Nonetheless, you have to love how detrimental they had been all being when the window closed, lacking out on Wirtz and Nick Woltemade, just for Vincent Kompany’s aspect to rattle off so many wins in a row.

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Klinsmann: Luis Diaz is ‘fantastic to look at’ at Bayern

Jürgen Klinsmann talks about Luis Diaz’s affect since becoming a member of Bayern Munich after the Colombian scored two targets of their 2-1 win vs. PSG.

Lindop: It has actually been a fairly particular begin to the marketing campaign for Bayern. There’s been lots of speak this season about how Liverpool have missed the dynamism of Luis Díaz and, pink card in opposition to PSG apart, he has taken to life in Germany like a duck to water, with 10 targets already this season in all competitions.

Kane is, after all, a phenomenon and as Gab stated, Bayern nonetheless have some top-class gamers to return again into the staff. The indicators are very promising and Kompany is doing an incredible job. That stated, each staff — regardless of how good — goes by way of the odd robust patch in a season and will probably be fascinating to see how Bayern fare when confronted with some adversity. Their upcoming conflict with Arsenal guarantees to be an actual blockbuster.

Tighe: The early indicators say sure, they’re the most effective in Europe proper now. The profitable run is unimaginable and so are the accompanying performances. They’ve wiped the ground with just about everybody they’ve confronted within the Bundesliga and remained good within the Champions League.

This victory in Paris seemed like an announcement: For so long as that they had 11 males, till Diaz was despatched off simply earlier than half-time, they had been superior to the reigning European champions. Kane is firing in targets at a file charge, the supporting forged — sans the injured Davies and Musiala — appears to be like nice, and there appears to be calm among the many influential, older headers within the dressing room.

It is value remembering, although, that the staff enjoying the most effective soccer in November is not assured to win something; they will want to take care of this all through to Could to search out the success they crave.

Dawson: It is at all times arduous to understand how good Bayern Munich are as a result of they’re so a lot better than the remainder of the Bundesliga. An ideal file at this stage of the season is spectacular, however a lot of the groups they face domestically are miles off their stage.

The Champions League is a greater gauge of the place they’re at and beating holders Paris Saint-Germain in their very own yard is an announcement win. PSG have not fairly rediscovered the shape they confirmed within the second half of final season, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an enormous outcome for Kompany and his gamers. For all of the speak about Kane’s type, Diaz has quietly scored 10 targets in 16 video games following his summer season transfer from Liverpool.

Bayern have gotten the attacking gamers to match anybody in Europe they usually’ve nonetheless acquired Musiala to return again. It is nonetheless early, however they seem like Champions League contenders.

Q3. Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven scored one of many targets of the event to this point, with a lung-bursting 70+ yard run from field to field earlier than scoring in opposition to F.C. København. Sensible purpose or fortunate one?

Marcotti: You’ll be able to’t rating like this with out some measure of fine fortune. The distinction, I suppose, is that if Neymar or Lionel Messi do it, we do not even ask the query of luck. However yeah, Van de Ven is a big, robust man who’s frighteningly quick as soon as he will get the lengthy limbs pumping, which makes him arduous to cease.

Let’s admire it for what it’s: A blue-collar man having his second. However do not anticipate to see this once more.

Lindop: You’ll be able to query the defending. It was poor from København, who had quite a few probabilities to halt the Dutchman’s progress earlier than he might even take into consideration scoring. However that ought to take nothing away from what was a very excellent purpose.

It has been a little bit of an detached marketing campaign for Tottenham to this point, however Van de Ven has been one of many shiny sparks. Retaining him match feels completely integral for Thomas Frank’s aspect.

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Frank surprised by Van de Ven’s ‘Messi’ purpose

Thomas Frank thought Micky van de Ven became Lionel Messi after the Dutchman scored an unimaginable purpose in Tottenham’s 4-0 win over FC Copenhagen within the Champions League.

Tighe: I used to be lucky sufficient to be within the stadium for this purpose and, fairly frankly, it took my breath away. He actually went field to field, beating half a staff, and had the composure and power to complete with aplomb.

I am unable to entertain the concept it was fortunate not solely as a result of it could spoil what’s the best purpose I’ve ever seen reside inside a stadium, but in addition as a result of Van de Ven has type for this sort of factor. He bagged two assists final season, in opposition to Everton and Manchester United, by working nice distances with the ball earlier than laying it off for a teammate to complete. Wanting again even additional, he made this one thing of a trademark transfer of his again within the Netherlands, as his FC Volendam spotlight reel is stuffed with these lengthy, bustling runs.

Van de Ven has a borderline distinctive capability to hold the ball for a middle again, and he makes use of it brilliantly.

Dawson: It is partly right down to poor defending, nevertheless it’s positively not fortunate. It isn’t like he is taken a heavy contact and the ball has one way or the other bobbled by way of a crowd: he is totally in management all the best way. He isn’t manipulating the ball along with his toes to keep away from being tackled.

And it isn’t simply tempo, as a result of clearly he is fast. It is a purpose that is right down to his capability to speed up. You’ll be able to see in the course of the run that there are occasions when København gamers assume he can nick the ball away, however within the blink of an eye fixed, it is gone and so has Van de Ven.

It is an unbelievable purpose, and he deserves specific credit score for locating sufficient composure to complete after working from field to field — his coronary heart may have been going 1,000,000 miles an hour as soon as he realised he had an opportunity to attain. It was one of many actually nice Champions League targets.

This autumn. Barça’s excessive line and disastrous defending was the perpetrator of their surprising 3-3 draw at Membership Brugge. (They actually ought to have misplaced, although VAR dominated out Brugge’s fourth after a foul on Wojciech Szczesny). What is going on unsuitable and what is the resolution? Is that this going to doom them? Or is their plan to only hope Lamine Yamal can maintain bailing them out?

Marcotti: The excessive line itself is not the issue, although, admittedly, it appears to be like surprising while you see them concede sure targets.

I believe it is a mixture of three issues. To play a excessive line you want an aggressive press to make sure the opponent would not have time and house to play the cross excessive. Barca aren’t going to have that if Marcus Rashford and a half-fit Yamal are on the market. You additionally want defenders who can perceive timing and have sense of place and chemistry. That was missing in opposition to Brugge, probably as a result of Eric García and Ronald Araújo have not performed collectively that always.

And eventually — this will appear apparent — you want superb defenders who’re snug working again in direction of their very own purpose. Expertise papers over lots of cracks. I am unsure I might rank any of Barcelona’s middle backs as “superb” apart from Pau Cubarsí and he is 18 and, inevitably, will not have the consistency and expertise of others.

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Did Vermant foul Szczęsny in Brugge’s disallowed purpose?

Ale Moreno and Shaka Hislop talk about the play of Romeo Vermant’s disallowed purpose in Membership Brugge’s 3-3 draw vs. Barcelona.

Lindop: Final season, Barcelona had been mere minutes away from progressing to the Champions League closing, the place they’d have been anticipated to go toe-to-toe with eventual winners PSG. At current, nonetheless, it’s arduous to think about Barcelona reaching the ultimate, with their defensive woes an actual situation this time period. Accidents have performed a component and the return of some key personnel might assist tighten issues up, however enjoying a excessive line at all times comes with danger. Whereas Yamal is, after all, an excellent expertise, relying solely on an 18-year-old to negate that danger looks like a giant gamble from head coach Hansi Flick.

Tighe: Flick actually solely has one velocity, a method of enjoying. For those who ask him to compromise, or to vary, he’ll simply say no. Understanding that, it looks like wasted vitality to bemoan the actual fact Barcelona function utilizing an exceedingly excessive defensive position. As an alternative, it is value why it appears to be failing, as they have not saved a clear sheet since September and former Wolverhampton Wanderers ahead Carlos Forbs completely took them aside on Wednesday.

A excessive defensive position is without doubt one of the trickiest tactical ploys to tug off at the most effective of occasions, however much more so while you’re enjoying makeshift again traces (who should squeeze up in unison) and ahead traces (who should instigate the press). There is a host of injured gamers who might return and enhance its performance, chief of which could really be goalkeeper Joan García, who has already hinted that his one-on-one prowess could possibly be pivotal to this tactic working.

Dawson: Taking part in a excessive defensive position is difficult and comes with lots of related danger, however Flick will really feel that it is value it.

For it to work, all the pieces has to maneuver collectively. There needs to be sufficient strain on the ball everywhere in the pitch and defenders who can learn every completely. If any a part of it’s off, it appears to be like calamitous. The three-3 draw with Membership Brugge is not the primary time it is occurred, and it will not be the final, both.

A part of the talk is whether or not Flick ought to stick with it even when he hasn’t acquired his first-choice gamers out there. Typically, nonetheless, it is higher to be constant along with your message relatively than tinker with directions from sport to sport.

The aggressive method Barcelona defend is without doubt one of the the explanation why they’re one of the entertaining groups to look at. Whether or not it is one of the simplest ways to win the Champions League will solely change into obvious within the knockout rounds.

Q5. Victor Osimhen. He is at all times scoring a ton of targets however will get no love/respect/curiosity from the larger golf equipment. Galatasaray are within the prime 8 due to his targets, however we simply had a summer season of massive spending within the Premier League go by with out him even a lot as being talked about. Why?

Marcotti: He is really the highest goalscorer within the Champions League. And solely Arsenal, Internazionale, Bayern Munich and Man Metropolis have extra factors than Galatasaray. The knock on Osimhen is at all times the identical: wages, brokers, blah blah blah. Napoli spent two years making an attempt to shift him however to no avail. I believe the insistence from some golf equipment about desirous to take care of the identical brokers and similar golf equipment might need price him. However sure, it is mind-boggling how he was missed in such a cavalier method. I hope he proves all of them unsuitable, takes Galatasaray far within the Champions League, wins the Africa Cup of Nations and, why not, the World Cup too!

Lindop: It does really feel actually weird {that a} participant of Osimhen’s calibre hasn’t been snapped up by a Premier League membership but. That is no disrespect to Galatasaray, who’ve a wealthy historical past and a fantastic fan base. However, at a time when so many groups have been crying out for a striker, it’s unusual he has been missed. Nonetheless, by powering his aspect virtually single-handedly in direction of a spot within the Champions League knockout phases, he’s proving that he can ship when the strain is on.

Tighe: I completely like to see Osimhen scoring prolifically on the prime stage, as he is had such a wierd, borderline disrespected profession to this point. The actual fact he is ended up at Galatasaray — an immense, storied membership to be clear — is an indictment on Europe’s conventional elite, as he has been probably the most surefire guess at No. 9 within the switch market these final 18 months. Regardless of what number of targets he scored, or who they had been for, the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United opted to pursue different choices — and he is seemingly utilizing this Champions League marketing campaign to indicate everybody why that was a mistake. Six targets and counting, with Gala within the working for a prime eight berth in consequence, make him one of the beneficial gamers of the league section to this point.

Dawson: Galatasaray had been as stunned as anybody that they had been in a position to signal Osimhen in the summertime. The idea was that after his mortgage spell ended, he would go to the Premier League, LaLiga or Serie A. However a transfer by no means materialised, and Galatasaray had been in a position to do a take care of Napoli which secured the signing of one of the prolific goalscorers on this planet.

He acquired 37 targets in 41 video games for the Turkish aspect final season. This season, he is acquired 9 in 11, together with six already in Europe. It is arduous to search out gamers who can commonly discover the web and Osimhen makes Galatasaray harmful within the Champions League. They’re additionally led by an achieved supervisor in Okan Buruk and a proficient assistant in Ismael Garcia, who has been linked with a variety of jobs within the Championship.