Tottenham’s Troubles…

As November unfolds, we’re about a third of the way into the 2025-26 European club season. So, what did this past weekend unveil for us?

This weekend saw Chelsea delivering a commanding performance against Tottenham, resulting in one of the most disproportionate 1-0 victories you’ll ever encounter. (Seriously, take a look at the stats!) Additionally, Erling Haaland netted two more goals, bringing his Premier League tally to 13 as Man City comfortably defeated Bournemouth, securing second place in the standings behind the impressively dominant Arsenal, who also triumphed this weekend to maintain their lead at the top.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Barcelona skillfully navigated challenging “trap games” ahead of midweek Champions League action with solid wins. Additionally, Luciano Spalletti started his managerial reign at Juventus with a victory. As for Manchester United, they’ve provided plenty of talking points after drawing against Nottingham Forest, Paris Saint-Germain needing a late goal to secure victory over Nice, and Liverpool managing to end their losing streak while again resting Florian Wirtz. Arsenal showcased their set-piece strengths in another solid win, while Bayern Munich impressed, comfortably dispatching Bayer Leverkusen despite resting key players.

Now that it’s Monday morning, let’s dive into some reflections.

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Chelsea’s 1-0 win raises significant concerns about Tottenham

Questions arise: Are they genuinely competitive? Will they achieve the goals Thomas Frank has set? And is that destination truly desirable?

Forget the standings. Sure, I know they’re said to be “accurate,” but in reality, they can mislead. The tables suggest Tottenham is fifth, an undeniable improvement from last year’s near relegation, yet their play raises doubts.

– Olley: Spurs appeared ineffective against Chelsea. Is Frank at fault?
– Ogden: Grading the top six after 10 PL games
– VAR Review: Clarifying why Man United scored from a corner

Since mid-September, Spurs have won just three of ten matches. One victory came in a cup match against Doncaster, two divisions below them; another was a deflection-heavy win at Leeds; and the last was an away match against Everton in an odd game. Only four teams in the league boast a lower xG from open play, showcasing an attack hampered by injuries or poor performances from its players aside from Mohamed Kudus, whose sometimes erratic play masks his talent.

If you only look at the score, Chelsea’s match seems like a closely contested derby that could have gone either way. However, highlights reveal an overwhelmingly one-sided affair, with Vicario earning Man of the Match honors as Chelsea racked up 3.68 expected goals, while Spurs managed a mere three shots, all from Kudus, with an xG of just 0.10.

While injuries are a factor for Frank, they shouldn’t serve as an excuse. He has a large squad at his disposal, meaning he’s responsible for the unusual formations and tactics that occasionally yield results but currently fail to resonate. Furthermore, Frank, who describes himself as “burning inside” from the poor performance, had to defend two players (Van de Ven and Djed Spence) after they ignored his request to thank the fans, calling it a “small issue.” However, it’s symptomatic of a much larger problem. Professionals must own their performances, especially when they let their teammates bear the brunt of fan discontent.

Whether his approach resonates more effectively with his players or not remains a question. If it requires some tough love, then so be it.

On the flip side, Chelsea’s display was impressive, even without Cole Palmer in the lineup, and no red cards were issued. That’s a promising sign. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that this match’s outcomes reflect more on Tottenham’s struggles than Chelsea’s brilliance.

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Spalletti checks all the right boxes in his Juventus debut victory

If you’re reading this, you likely know my opinion on Spalletti’s suitability as Juve’s manager. (Spoiler alert: It might not be positive.)

Despite only having one training session with the team, he showcased everything that neutrals could have hoped for in Juventus’s 2-1 victory over Cremonese on Saturday.

Two strikers on the pitch (Dusan Vlahovic and Loïs Openda)? Check.

Manuel Locatelli orchestrating the play? Check.

A place for Teun Koopmeiners to contribute rather than just sit on the bench? Check. (Although, employing him as a left-sided center back was a distinctly unconventional move, aligning with Spalletti’s typical approach.)

Despite being newcomers to Serie A, Cremonese had only been beaten once this season (to Inter, away). Juventus, however, remained composed, took the lead early, and maintained control without looking back. Even with a lead, they relentlessly pursued a second goal—precisely what a club of their stature should be doing.

Nevertheless, questions persist. A key player, Kenan Yildiz, was unavailable; how does he integrate upon returning? How long before tension arises with Locatelli? What happens if Spalletti exhibits past tendencies of explosive behavior, as witnessed in previous roles? And how did Federico Gatti get dominated by Jamie Vardy?

Nonetheless, his starting phase couldn’t have commenced any more promisingly. Allow Spalletti to work his magic.

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Manchester City soar as Erling Haaland continues to shine against Bournemouth

It’s worth noting that City isn’t simply a one-note team; they adeptly exploit opponents’ weaknesses. We’ve justly lauded Andoni Iraola and his Bournemouth squad, but City made them appear lackluster on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side displayed a measured approach with just 48% possession at home, valuing direct and quick play to bypass the trademark press of Bournemouth. And, of course, they have Haaland, who struck twice.

Both goals—bringing his seasonal tally to an astonishing 26 when factoring in his Norway games—came as he raced through Bournemouth’s high defensive line following clever setups from Rayan Cherki. Haaland might have even scored a third, with Nico O’Reilly scoring the final goal for a 3-1 finish. Guardiola’s evolution over the years is evident; he has adapted his strategy based on the talent available, proving that great coaches evolve with their teams.

– Reaction: Can Haaland’s goals drive Manchester City to title contention?

A brief mention of Bournemouth’s goal: Guardiola was irate after David Brooks appeared to impede Gianluigi Donnarumma during the corner leading to Tyler Adams scoring from a volley. While pundits suggested Donnarumma should have been stronger, I felt Brooks released his hold before the keeper went for the ball, raising concerns about discrepancies in how fouls are called during set pieces compared to open play.

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This weekend also saw the veteran French international score to secure Atleti’s 3-0 victory, keeping them in fourth place, just a point behind Villarreal. More notably, it marked Griezmann’s 200th top-flight goal, an impressive feat for a player who is not primarily a center-forward. Currently ranked 11th all-time, it’s feasible that if he continues playing at Atleti, he could break into the top 10.

Though we’ll never fully understand the nuances of his career choices, one wonders how different things might have been had he not moved to Spain at 14 to join Real Sociedad’s academy. That leap was a gamble, but it paid off. Conversely, his transfer to Barcelona in 2019 was fraught with challenges, yet his welcome return to Atleti has brought joy to many fans.

Griezmann’s role may have diminished on the pitch, but his presence off it remains substantial, embodying the essence of Atleti alongside Diego Simeone on the sidelines and alongside Koke and José María Giménez.

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Quickfire Recap

10. Vincent Kompany’s decisions create dividends as Bayern Munich dismantles Bayer Leverkusen: While it might be termed “rotation,” Kompany refers to it as “competition.” Regardless, with a crucial Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon, Kompany opted to make seven changes for the clash against Bayer Leverkusen. By halftime, Bayern was already ahead 3-0.

A terrific outcome for Kompany, with Nico Jackson notching his first league goal and youngsters like Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl proving they can compete at the top level. The winning streak now stands at 15 wins from 15 matches across all competitions, and with Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala set to return from injuries next month, expectations are high.

9. Unyielding Arsenal gears up for dominance at Burnley: When your opponent, in a home match and two goals down after 35 minutes, does not register a shot on target until less than 20 minutes remain (thanks to Zian Flemming), it indicates a range of possibilities: either you’re facing a weak opponent, executing exceptional defense, or something in between. Arsenal, however, never appeared at risk of dropping points.

The opener was courtesy of Viktor Gyökeres, but credit belongs to Gabriel, a master of set-piece execution. While one can praise the mastermind behind Arsenal’s set pieces, it’s also crucial to acknowledge the players’ execution—especially Declan Rice‘s delivery and Gabriel’s aerial prowess. This importance cannot be understated; any competent team will study Arsenal’s gameplay, and still, their strategies remain effective thanks to their players.

With a six-point lead at the top of the table, Arteta has every reason to be optimistic; they have not yet reached their peak performance in open play, as evidenced by Rice’s goal being their first from open play on the road this season. This reality is genuinely daunting for their competition.

8. Real Madrid celebrates consecutive comfortable wins, a welcome turnaround: After praising Real Madrid post-El Clasico, they maintained momentum with an easy win over a team significantly behind Barcelona in Valencia. Continued routine victories are crucial for a squad still solidifying its identity under Xabi Alonso.

Alonso made only a single change from the lineup that faced El Clasico (Franco Mastantuono replaced Eduardo Camavinga), indicating stability in the squad. By halftime, the game was effectively sealed, with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius contributing to the score while Jude Bellingham continued to gain strength. A solid day for Madridismo.

7. Florian Wirtz sidelined as Liverpool refocus and secure victory: In this match, Liverpool dialed back the inclusion of new signings, with nine out of the 10 outfield players being veterans from the previous title-winning squad. Their prior routine was far calmer and more familiar. The only change was Wirtz, who came off the bench for Hugo Ekitike, the sole newcomer in the starting lineup.

– Reaction: Energetic Anfield backs Slot as Liverpool shows signs of revival

Seeking comfort in familiarity is naturally human, and football is no exception. Arne Slot acknowledged that “luck” finally favored Liverpool, likely referencing Emi Martinez’s blunder that set up the opening goal. While beneficial, it’s a mystery how Amadou Onana avoided a red card for a throat grab on Alexis Mac Allister—presumably, Mac Allister’s theatrics didn’t helped his case. At some point, Slot will have to integrate Wirtz and fellow summer arrival Alexander Isak (who was absent this weekend due to a minor injury) for sustainable success. But for now, they can relish the three points and sit comfortably in third place.

6. Disheartened Barcelona bounce back in a challenging derby: Undoubtedly, this was a classic “trap” match. Just a week post-Clasico defeat and a midweek Champions League clash on the horizon against Club Brugge, and missing were key players like Raphinha, Joan García, and notably Pedri against an ambitious opponent.

Despite the odds, Yamal and Ferran Torres scored quickly to settle any nerves early, securing a 2-0 lead within 11 minutes. Yet, it was a bumpy ride as Rafa Mir scored just before halftime, then hit the woodwork twice, before Marcus Rashford sealed the win at 3-1. Encouragingly, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo returned from injury during this game, signaling hope for a team that is currently navigating a tumultuous phase.

5. Milan ignites against Roma, remaining one point behind Serie A leaders: For much of the opening half, it resembled the worst version of Max Allegri’s Milan. Roma maintained possession, while the Rossoneri were left clinging to the expertise of their 39-year-old star Luka Modric. However, it only required one moment for Rafael Leão to ignite their offense, assisting Strahinja Pavlovic for the lead. From there, Milan shifted into counter-attacking mode while minimizing defensive errors. “Magic” Mike Maignan even saved a penalty from Paulo Dybala to secure three points.

Having voiced critiques about Milan’s prior performances, this win earns them some grace. Roma posses quality and the victory bears significance; despite only a narrow margin, Allegri’s team continues to find ways to win.

4. Gonçalo Ramos‘ last-minute goal keeps Paris Saint-Germain atop Ligue 1: It’s worth noting that PSG entered their match with Nice having won just one of their last four league encounters—a curious anomaly, even as they maintained their lead in the standings. Various factors—Luis Enrique’s rotations, injuries, and opponents playing defensively—have contributed to this reality.

PSG seemed to be heading for another disappointing draw against Nice until Goncalo Ramos scored a header in stoppage time, stealing three vital points. This was crucial, revealing how close PSG’s best lineup was to taking the field and highlighting their ongoing struggles to create scoring opportunities against tough defenses. A significant test lies ahead against Bayern on Tuesday.

3. Inter Milan scrapes by Verona with an own goal and a marvelous strike: The Nerazzurri weren’t at their best this Sunday, which is understandable given manager Cristian Chivu’s decision to rest key players, including Nicolò Barella and the wingbacks. Verona, meanwhile, adopted a defensive approach, possessing just 27% of the ball. However, Inter overcame this challenge with a fortuitous own goal in injury time to clinch the win.

Fans were nonetheless treated to an audacious goal from Piotr Zielinski, who executed a volley from the edge of the box directly from a corner kick. The match ended 2-1 in their favor, underscoring their intent to secure victory rather than settle for a draw.

2. A step forward, a step back, but at least Manchester United gains a point: After a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, Ruben Amorim emphasized that this is the kind of match United would have lost not long ago. While he praised their tenacity in recovering from a 2-1 deficit early in the second half, United’s overall spirit didn’t seem particularly potent until a stunning strike by Amad Diallo leveled the score.

– Reaction: Manchester United receives a reality check against Forest

Despite securing three consecutive league wins, this remains a fragile squad requiring cohesion. Their recent absence of midweek games and a largely injury-free roster (aside from Lisandro Martínez) have contributed to their current form. This match serves as a rude awakening, reminding them that there’s still much work ahead.

1. Antonio Conte’s optimism doesn’t alter Napoli’s dropped points and lackluster showing: Conte’s words following Napoli’s 0-0 draw against Como were curious; he expressed pride in his “warriors,” stating they prevailed in dominating the second half. While Como is an improving side with skilled players like Cesc Fabregas, they still represent a lower-tier team, and failing to score at home against them is a glaring concern.

Napoli missed key talents like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, and they also lost important players like Leonardo Spinazzola and Billy Gilmour en route. Despite these setbacks, it’s still a disheartening scoreless draw at home that they were fortunate to avoid losing, given their underwhelming creation.