Is It Time for Liverpool…

The October international break has passed, and club football is back in action across Europe’s top leagues, offering us much to discuss! Let’s begin with Manchester United, who achieved a historic win against Liverpool—their first victory at Anfield in a decade. However, this doesn’t necessarily signify that Ruben Amorim’s team has resolved all their issues. (And for Liverpool fans, it might be time to feel a bit anxious…)

In LaLiga, both Barcelona and Real Madrid secured thrilling late wins, with Madrid’s triumph over Getafe taking them back to the top of the table. Meanwhile, in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich overcame Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 scoreline in the season’s first Klassiker. In that match, Harry Kane continued his scoring streak, although Bayern was a bit fortunate to clinch the victory. Other notable talking points emerged regarding Milan, Juventus, Tottenham, Chelsea, Marseille, and many more.

It’s Monday morning, which is the perfect opportunity for Gab Marcotti’s insights! Let’s dive in.

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Manchester United may not have turned the corner, while Liverpool definitely has reasons to worry…

Kudos to Ruben Amorim for his innovative thinking. Bench your expensive forward, Benjamin Sesko, reinstate the often-criticized center back Harry Maguire, and start 33-year-old Casemiro after an exhausting stint with the Brazilian national team—these decisions were certainly unconventional.

If one were to be overly cynical, it could be argued that Amorim was simply trying out various strategies to see what worked (while mostly sticking to the 3-4-2-1 formation), though such criticism would be unjust. His adjustments didn’t necessarily outsmart Arne Slot, but they did give his squad the opportunity to secure a favorable result, which is the primary role of a coach.

– Feedback: Man United’s crucial win pushes Liverpool into crisis
– Slot acknowledges the challenge in reviving Liverpool
– Ogden: Should Liverpool consider benching Isak, Salah, or both?

Slot remarked that United’s early goal, combined with their “low block” and reliance on long balls for counter-attacks, made matters tough for his team. While that’s a somewhat simplistic perspective often found in post-match interviews, there is some truth to it. Even if Bryan Mbeumo hadn’t scored in the first minute, Amorim’s game strategy likely wouldn’t have changed, especially since the equalizer came deep into the match. The game had its fair share of openings and mistakes, which fans typically relish, while most coaches disdain.

Slot also pointed out that his team created an astonishing number of chances. Indeed, they did. Cody Gakpo scored once, struck the post three times, and squandered a golden opportunity near the end, while both Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak also failed to capitalize on significant chances.

Liverpool ultimately paid a heavy price due to two harsh defensive errors. The focus will likely center on this aspect, as Virgil van Dijk and the back line appeared slow to react for the initial goal, and the marking on Maguire’s winner during a set piece was entirely inadequate. Given the ongoing concerns surrounding their center-back depth, expecting Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté to maintain peak performance continuously will be a tall order, making this performance all the more problematic.

Additionally, it seldom felt that Liverpool had the match under control: opportunities arose from opposition mistakes or individual brilliance because they fielded superior players, yet they failed to convert too frequently. This is evidently recognized by Slot—hence his decision to bench Florian Wirtz—but a clear understanding of how all his players fit together is still missing.

Dominik Szoboszlai offers a more balanced solution in the No. 10 role, but of course, Wirtz deserves a place in the starting XI as well. The same applies to Isak: although he has struggled since joining, you wouldn’t invest a record fee for a backup striker, even if the team seemed to perform better with Hugo Ekitike.

Then we have Salah. He received a significant contract extension at the end of last season, yet his performance so far this season has been lackluster, and with the Africa Cup of Nations approaching in January, the question arises: should Liverpool start managing his playing time to ensure he’s at his best in the spring?

There are numerous questions for Slot to address, likely not as many as Amorim faces despite United’s three points.

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Bayern Munich fortunate yet deserving in Der Klassiker win

Indeed, it’s a classic scenario where both sides of the argument can hold true. Borussia Dortmund adopted a defensive 5-3-2 strategy for their match against Bayern Munich, clearly aiming to limit damage while hoping for an opportunity to counter.

Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalize.

Harry Kane opened the scoring for Bayern, while Michael Olise hit the woodwork, and Dortmund had a total of zero shots while holding merely 26% possession. Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck lamented a “lack of urgency” within the team during the first half.

It’s uncertain whether Bayern became complacent following the halftime break or if Dortmund merely improved. The decisive goal came from a blunder by Jobe Bellingham, who, while facing his own goal, made an ill-advised pass across his body at his own goal-line, setting Olise up for a deflected finish into an empty net, ultimately sealing the 2-0 scoreline in favor of Bayern. Despite the substitution of Brandt, who entered in the 84th minute and scored immediately thereafter, it was too little, too late for Dortmund.

With this result, Bayern maintains an impeccable record—11 wins in as many outings across all competitions—even without the injured Jamal Musiala. It appears that against most opponents, their only means of defeat is if they defeat themselves.

A special mention goes to Kane—19 goals in 11 games say it all, and his ability to adapt to a more central role behind Nico Jackson has been equally impressive.

As for Dortmund, it’s easy to criticize manager Niko Kovac for his tactics. However, considering the current disparity between the two teams, a bit of creativity was justified, and had it not been for Bellingham’s mistake, it might have paid off.

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Ronald Araújo: An unexpected hero, signaling urgency for Barcelona

Yet, true to Barcelona’s form, don’t get your hopes up. The fact that a center-back, whom nearly everyone deemed surplus to requirements and whom they actively sought to offload, had to step in as an emergency forward to clinch a late win against a Girona team sitting at the bottom of the table should prompt a serious examination of the club’s direction and strategy.

Manager Hansi Flick will bear much of the criticism—especially for getting himself sent off and missing the upcoming Clasico due to a lack of discipline—but the issues can’t solely be placed at his feet. The squad has glaring flaws due to poor construction and an apparent focus on acquiring wingers/wide forwards, such as Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji, while defensive needs, like the non-replacement of Iñigo Martínez, were neglected. However, it is frankly irresponsible to put Flick in a position where he has to utilize a 17-year-old from the lower leagues as a striker due to the absences of Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski.

Almost as irresponsible as the subpar execution of their high defensive line—not the concept itself, but its application by Pau Cubarsí and Eric García. Following Pedri‘s phenomenal opening goal, Girona could have easily found the net three or four times, given Barcelona’s vulnerabilities. All the while, increasing pressure mounts on Cubarsí and Lamine Yamal: while they exhibit great potential, they are still developing, and it’s unreasonable to place the burden of fixing these issues squarely on their shoulders.

– Hunter: How Rashford rejuvenated himself at Barcelona
– Flick responds to red card during dramatic win
– Barca’s matchup paused amid protest over LaLiga fixture in Miami

Who knows, perhaps they won’t change their approach at all and could snag a win in the upcoming Clasico. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that they may again challenge for LaLiga or even the Champions League, with their leadership hailing their brilliance if achieved. If that occurs, it may very well be the individual talents that propel them forward, while the decisions and strategy from the management remain burdensome.

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Rafael Leão saves the day, allowing Milan to ascend to the top of Serie A, but someone needs to have a chat with Santi Gimenez

Let’s address the unfortunate. With four minutes remaining and the game tied at 1-1, Fabiano Parisi barely touched Santi Gimenez’ cheek in the penalty area, and the Mexican attacker went down as if the Fiorentina defender had used acid on him. Referee Livio Marinelli—who was right to wave play on—was called to review the situation by VAR and changed his decision, awarding the penalty. Leão, who had previously unleashed a stunning goal, converted the penalty, leading Milan to a 2-1 victory and the top spot in Serie A.

I support playing on the brink and attempting to earn favorable calls. Nevertheless, in this instance, Gimenez’s actions were quite embarrassing (not for the first time, in my opinion), and the VAR decision seemed utterly questionable. Fiorentina fans certainly feel robbed, and rightly so. While the officials may have acted in good faith, Gimenez certainly did not.

So, what can we say about Milan’s ascent to the top spot? Max Allegri deserves credit for persevering despite significant injuries affecting players like Pervis Estupiñán, Christopher Nkunku, Christian Pulisic, and Adrien Rabiot, among others, and for trusting talents like Zachary Athekame (which isn’t typically his approach).

However, this victory was less than pretty. It may remain unattractive until regular starters return, and even then, judging by the performances seen so far, there’s no assurance outcomes will improve. Allegri has a considerable challenge ahead.

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QUICK HITS

10. Mason Greenwood nets four, Marseille climbs to the top, and perhaps Paris Saint-Germain isn’t a guaranteed champion: Admittedly, it’s early in the season, and PSG is battling numerous injuries, while Luis Enrique’s team had their preseason thrown off due to the Club World Cup. However, the current standings tell an intriguing story: Olympique Marseille leads with 18 points, PSG follows closely with 17, alongside Strasbourg and Lens at 16 each. This situation creates a competitive environment, and PSG’s recent need to rally from two goals down to secure a 3-3 draw against Strasbourg further implies that this season may not be as straightforward as anticipated.

Marseille overwhelmed Le Havre with a 6-2 scoreline, featuring four goals from Greenwood. Their manager, Roberto De Zerbi, is unpredictable and the club certainly has seen its share of chaos (such as the brawl between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe that forced their departure from the club in August). However, PSG has managed only five victories in their first eight matches; for comparison, they clinched the title last season with 22 wins out of 27. We might just have ourselves an intriguing title race.

9. Arsenal struggles without Martin Ødegaard, yet defensive solidity gets them through: Playing away against Fulham, a venue where they have faced challenges in the past, especially after an international break, presented the potential for an upset trap. While one might dismiss the significance of their set piece goal or how Leandro Trossard got lucky with a scrappy finish, the three points were well-earned.

Mikel Arteta’s side excelled in various aspects, absorbing Fulham’s assaults in the first half without allowing a single on-target shot (yielding an xG of 0.31). Following the lead, they tightened their defense even more, conceding just one off-target shot with an xG of 0.03 during the final 30 minutes. Ødegaard’s absence is undeniably felt, and while they are a different team with Eberechi Eze stepping in, they are still capable of grinding out vital points through various means.

8. Tough outing for Real Madrid, yet they avoid getting ‘Bordalased’ and maintain their lead: Facing Getafe, under the management of Javier Bordalás, is sure to present challenges. With several players unfit and returning from an international break, Xabi Alonso was aware of the potential pitfalls. While a late winner from Kylian Mbappé and a crucial save from Thibaut Courtois from Coba da Costa ensured victory, Alonso will likely be pleased with the overall display.

Eduardo Camavinga made his season debut, while Jude Bellingham had his second start, both without issues. Rodrygo displayed brilliance on the left flank, proving to be a suitable alternative to Vinícius. David Alaba faced challenges in defense, yet when Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger return, it will minimize the need for him to play center-back.

Getafe finished with nine men, and their first red card was reminiscent of the typical Bordalás tactics. Substitute Allan Nyom received a warm welcome from fans, only to earn a straight red card on his first touch, resembling a notorious goon from old hockey footage on YouTube.

7. Erling Haaland steps up for Man City, but who else can score for them? Pep Guardiola addressed this following Haaland’s two-goal performance in a 2-0 victory over Everton. Manchester City has registered 17 league goals this season, with 11 scored by Haaland, while two were own goals and four came from other players. Is this a concerning trend? “Yes, it’s a [concern],” Guardiola answered. “We must find ways to score. Players train well and finish excellently. I trust that when we start converting, they will find the net regularly.”

What does he mean by “start converting”? Coaches often hold onto the idea that certain things will suddenly change, perhaps because they’ve seen it occur before. The concern, as I see it, is that City’s attack heavily relies on Haaland. This predictability brings risks, especially with the potential for injury. They have in-house creative options available to diversify their attack—Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki all spring to mind—but we haven’t yet seen them utilized this campaign. If and when they start delivering, ideally before Haaland hits a rut, City will be in good shape.

6. Injuries and misfortunes aside, Chelsea enjoyed some luck against Nottingham Forest: Their luck stemmed from not facing harsh consequences for several first-half mistakes and competing against a Forest side that looks closer to a dismissal of manager Ange Postecoglou. Perhaps, with a myriad of key players missing—such as Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill on defense, Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo in midfield, and an attack led by Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian, and Liam Delap—they were due for some fortune.

Suspended Enzo Maresca will have realized that his reserve players are another tier below the regular starters, particularly in the midfield where Andrey Santos and Romeo Lavia (yes, a Lavia sighting happened!) were only on the pitch for 45 minutes, similar to Alejandro Garnacho (another opportunity missed). With Palmer set to miss the next six weeks due to injury (equating to about nine matches), Maresca has little choice but to devise a game plan that does not depend on Palmer’s contributions. João Pedro appears to be the most plausible answer, a shift we observed following the break when Marc Guiu came on.

5. Even after securing three points against Roma, Inter must not believe their own hype: They ventured to face the league leaders and emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline, marking five consecutive wins. While some might overemphasize results, considering they have a relatively new manager like Christian Chivu in charge, it at least quells some dissenting critics. However, the narrative post-match—that Inter dazzled in the first half and dug deep in the second—leaves much to be desired.

Ange-Yoan Bonny‘s early goal should have allowed Chivu’s side to dictate the tempo, compelling Roma to chase. Instead, it was the giallorossi applying pressure, pushing Inter back defensively and squandering several clear opportunities. Was it a brilliant defensive display? Not necessarily, especially when conceding 1.09 xG and allowing 12 shots in a single half. Positive takeaways exist beyond the score, particularly Bonny and Francesco Pio Esposito, confirming a promising supply of quality substitutes. However, complacency would be their worst enemy right now.

4. Tottenham thwarted by Unai Emery’s tactics: Okay, “tactics” might be a strong term, but familiar readers recognize my skepticism of Emery. Aston Villa’s side not only equalized against Tottenham after going a goal down but also clinched a winner that seemed pulled out of a fantasy. With Matty Cash and Lucas Digne, who are solid but not extraordinary, putting on a skill showcase akin to the Harlem Globetrotters, the moment felt special.

Should Tottenham shoulder some of the blame? Definitely. High-energy play is admirable, but it must retain elements of control, something Xavi Simons has yet to provide consistently. Mathys Tel is a project that may take time to develop. Clearly, Thomas Frank is still adapting to an altered player roster.

3. Napoli stumbles against Torino, but the issue isn’t their playstyle: Following a 1-0 defeat, Antonio Conte observed that his team played “with dancing shoes” and were “too pretty,” arguing they needed to be “nastier.” While it’s common for a hammer to view every challenge as a nail (or perhaps this is just Conte’s way of deflecting attention?) my interpretation diverges. The real concern lies in quality.

Napoli didn’t concede many opportunities, primarily countering their own errors. Gio Simeone’s goal (it was a brilliant weekend for the Simeone family) resulted from a miscalculated tackle by Billy Gilmour. The disparity manifested at the other end, where the absence of Scott McTominay, Rasmus Hojlund, and particularly, Stanislav Lobotka heavily impacted the game. Shifting to two wingers was meant to assist Lorenzo Lucca, but he received almost no clean service, translating to Kevin De Bruyne trying to do far too much. If you execute the same game plan but with lesser talent, the results can be glaring. Napoli performed as well as could be expected; the issue isn’t their “lack of nastiness.”

2. Diego Simeone leans on his substitutes once again to secure three points for Atletico: This is precisely the role of the bench. In a deadlocked situation, you can introduce Alexander Sorloth to cause chaos, Conor Gallagher for some energy, Giuliano Simeone to create scoring opportunities, and Thiago Almada to finish the job. Simple!

Would it be preferable to close matches with the starters? Certainly, but Osasuna is notoriously difficult to defeat, and utilizing players like Koke, Álex Baena, Antoine Griezmann, and returning José María Giménez isn’t inherently the wrong approach. However, chemistry requires time to gel, and frequent changes hinder that process. It’s frustrating but, once again, Saint Jan of Oblak saved the day as Osasuna managed just two shots on target.

1. Igor Tudor makes a poor choice against Cesc Fabregas: It’s not solely about the defeat—although Juventus was largely outplayed by a Como team that also faced significant absences—but also about Tudor taking a needless jab at Cesc prior to the game. He stated: “The Como coach can select the players he wants.”

While Como has made substantial investments, mostly in young talents, it’s disheartening for the Juventus manager to lament Como’s resources, particularly when evaluating his own squad. Moreover, failing to even refer to Cesc by name suggested a lack of respect.

If he’s going to throw such comments around, he should ensure not to be embarrassed later. That’s exactly what Como, steered by the outstanding Nico Paz, was able to achieve against him. The pressure is mounting on Tudor (with a match against Real Madrid in the Champions League this midweek), and some of this likely stems from his own decisions.