UCL Highlights: Bayern’s…

The Chaaaaampiooooons League showcased another thrilling matchday this week.

We witnessed notable victories, like Bayern Munich‘s 2-1 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in Paris, end-to-end draws such as Barcelona drawing 3-3 with Club Brugge, surprising defeats like Pafos edging past Villarreal 1-0, and to top it all, a stunning Puskas contender from Tottenham Hotspur‘s defender Micky van de Ven.

This week’s action highlights what we love about Europe’s premier club competition as we approach the halfway mark of the league phase and the table begins to shape up.

Join ESPN analysts Beth Lindop, Sam Tighe, Rob Dawson, and Gab Marcotti as they reflect on Matchday 4.

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– Who’s leading the race for the European Golden Shoe, Mbappé or Haaland?
– Dawson: Foden’s Champions League performances bolster England bid
– Ogden: Bayern demonstrate their UCL title credentials with flawless attack and defense

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Q1. After struggling defensively and dropping points against lower-ranked teams, Liverpool and manager Arne Slot took a “back to basics” approach, moving Florian Wirtz to the left wing and securing a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory against Real Madrid at Anfield. Could this be the turning point as they face Manchester City this Sunday?

Marcotti: All season, I’ve claimed that integrating Wirtz would take time, especially playing him in a 4-2-3-1 setup since it’s not a position he’s familiar with, especially with several new starters. Wirtz is a talented 22-year-old transitioning from a mid-level club in the Bundesliga to a major team in the Premier League.

While I believe Wirtz could find his place in Liverpool’s future, it feels premature to declare a “turning point.” Solving their tactical dilemmas will take time, particularly integrating a regular center forward. However, defeating Real Madrid certainly boosts morale, and they appeared more comfortable tactically.

Lindop: A football season is a marathon, and Slot and his team recognize they still have much to prove to be contenders for top honors. After a shaky start, Slot reverting to a midfield trio that previously led them to Premier League success—Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister—has revitalized their shape.

Wirtz has shown promise but has faced challenges with midfield’s physical demands; positioning him forward against Madrid allowed him to play with more freedom. Yet, the upcoming match against Man City will be a crucial test to see if Liverpool has turned a corner.

Tighe: If Liverpool triumph over Man City on Sunday, I’d willingly label it a turning point. That said, the manner in which they dismantled Real Madrid certainly makes a strong case for improvement.

It’s no longer just Szoboszlai and Gravenberch holding the team together. They’ve found solutions at right back, left wing, and left back; and tactical balance appears to be improving. Plus, Mohamed Salah is also showing promising signs of resurgence.

All this represents a major victory for Slot, who has been under pressure to develop a successful strategy quickly, leading a high-profile, well-resourced squad. However, given their previous struggles this season, I want to see more than just two outstanding performances—despite how impressive they were against both Madrid and Aston Villa—before declaring that Liverpool has found its form.

Dawson: It feels like a crucial juncture in terms of results. Breaking the cycle of defeats is vital, and they’ve done so with back-to-back victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, both of which were without conceding. This obviously lifts their spirits after a tough spell, and they will head to Manchester City with renewed confidence.

Slot made just one change to his lineup since facing Villa, and he will likely want to maintain a similar squad against City. The midfield trio of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Gravenberch were deeply connected, with Wirtz positioned correctly on the left enhancing overall fluidity.

The fullbacks also play a vital role; although Conor Bradley has faced challenges this season, he performed well against Vinícius Júnior. Andrew Robertson should keep his spot over Milos Kerkez.

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Q2. Bayern Munich has achieved 17 consecutive victories across all competitions this season. Quite impressive for a team that missed out on key transfer targets this summer. After their recent win over PSG, do you think they’re the best team in Europe?

Marcotti: I rank them as favorites alongside Arsenal and ahead of PSG. The French champions should be concerned about injuries to Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi. Additionally, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s departure adds to their concerns. However, it’s unwise to count out Real Madrid, Liverpool, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Inter in knockout matches.

Nevertheless, it’s remarkable what Bayern has managed without starters like Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala. Once they return in December or the new year, it will be like gaining two new signings. They’re dominating the Bundesliga, allowing them to rest and rotate effectively, especially during Germany’s lengthy winter break. But weaknesses remain.

Dayot Upamecano is on an expiring contract, while Harry Kane has no proper backup (apologies to Nicolas Jackson). Despite being in good form, Manuel Neuer’s age (39) raises concerns. It’s amusing to consider how many were pessimistic after the transfer window regarding missing out on Wirtz and Nick Woltemade, yet here they are with a solid winning streak.

Lindop: Bayern’s start of the season has been nothing short of remarkable. There’s been a lot of talk about Liverpool missing the dynamism of Luis Díaz, and despite his red card against PSG, he has seamlessly adapted to life in Germany, scoring 10 goals this season across competitions.

Kane’s form is exceptional, and as Gab mentioned, Bayern has some top talents yet to return, offering strong promise. Nonetheless, every team faces difficulties in a season, and it will be intriguing to see how Bayern responds in challenging times. Their impending clash with Arsenal is bound to be an electrifying encounter.

Tighe: The early indications suggest they are indeed the best team in Europe at the moment. Their winning streak is impressive, coupled with dominant performances. They’ve comprehensively beaten nearly all opponents domestically while remaining flawless in the Champions League.

The win in Paris felt like a statement victory. Until Díaz was sent off, they were the superior team against the reigning champions. Kane is delivering goals at a historic pace, the supporting players—despite injuries to Davies and Musiala—look strong, and there’s a sense of stability within the locker room.

However, we must remember, just because a team is showing great form now doesn’t guarantee success later. Consistency will be crucial if they aspire to achieve their goals.

Dawson: Assessing Bayern Munich’s actual quality can be tricky since they dominate the Bundesliga. An unblemished record this early is commendable, but the teams they face in the league often trail behind them significantly.

The Champions League offers a truer measure, and their win against PSG is a noteworthy achievement. While PSG has yet to regain their stellar form from last season, it remains a significant win for Kompany and his players. Alongside the excitement of Kane’s scoring, Díaz has netted 10 goals in 16 matches following his move in the summer.

Bayern possesses the firepower to compete with any club in Europe and will soon welcome Musiala back. While it’s still early in the season, they definitely mark themselves as contenders in the Champions League.

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Q3. Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven scored an extraordinary goal with an impressive 70-yard run against F.C. København. Was it a remarkable goal or just good fortune?

Marcotti: Scoring a goal like that requires some element of luck. The difference is that when someone like Neymar or Lionel Messi does it, we often don’t question the luck factor. Nonetheless, Van de Ven is an impressive physical presence with remarkable speed, making him quite the challenge to stop.

Let’s appreciate the goal for what it is: a hardworking player enjoying a standout moment. However, don’t expect to see this kind of goal from him regularly.

Lindop: The defensive play from København certainly raises questions. They allowed the Dutch player several chances to stop him before he could shoot. Nevertheless, it was undeniably an extraordinary goal.

So far this season has been somewhat inconsistent for Tottenham, but Van de Ven has been a highlight. Keeping him fit is crucial for Thomas Frank’s squad.

Tighe: I was lucky enough to witness that goal live, and it truly took my breath away. He surged from one box to the other, outpacing several defenders, and displayed remarkable composure to finish.

I can’t entertain the idea of luck contributing to such a goal—not only would it undermine my treasured experience but also overlook Van de Ven’s knack for this style of play. He previously notched two assists last season via similar long, commanding runs against Everton and Manchester United. Back in the Netherlands, he often showcased similar electrifying runs with FC Volendam.

Van de Ven possesses a near-unique ability to dribble from the defensive line, and he executes it brilliantly.

Dawson: Some might attribute it to poor defending, but luck is not a factor. He controlled the ball expertly throughout. It’s not merely about his speed; it’s about his explosive acceleration that makes the difference. As the run unfolds, you can see how the København defenders momentarily think they can swipe in, but he’s gone in the blink of an eye.

It’s an incredible goal, and he deserves extra credit for maintaining composure after such a long run when he found himself in a scoring position. It’s one of the truly unforgettable goals in Champions League history.

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Q4. Barcelona’s high defensive line and dismal defending led to their alarming 3-3 draw against Club Brugge. (They were fortunate, too, as VAR overturned Brugge’s disallowed fourth goal due to a foul on Wojciech Szczesny). What’s going wrong, and what can be done? Are they on the path to doom, or are they merely relying on Lamine Yamal to save them?

Marcotti: The high line isn’t inherently the problem, but it does look disjointed when they concede goals.

There are three main issues at play. To effectively employ a high line, a strong pressing game is crucial to prevent opponents from exploiting space with passes over the top. Barcelona can’t do that if Marcus Rashford and a partially fit Yamal are on the pitch. Additionally, you need defenders who excel in timing, positioning and chemistry, which seemed absent against Brugge—perhaps due to the lack of playtime between Eric García and Ronald Araújo.

And lastly, it’s evident that you need defenders who are comfortable retreating toward their own goal. Talent can mask a lot of flaws, and I can’t rank Barcelona’s center-backs as “very good,” except for Pau Cubarsí—but at just 18, he lacks the consistency and experience others possess.

Lindop: Last season, Barcelona were just moments away from advancing to the Champions League final, expecting to clash with the eventual champions, PSG. Currently, it’s hard to envision Barcelona reaching the final with their defensive struggles. Injuries play a part, and the return of key players could help solidify the defense, but consistently using a high line always carries risk. Relying solely on the talents of an 18-year-old like Yamal to mitigate that risk feels like a gamble for head coach Hansi Flick.

Tighe: Flick has a particular style and philosophy. If asked to compromise or adapt, he tends to resist. Hence, instead of lamenting Barcelona’s hyper-aggressive high line, we should explore why it’s faltering. They’ve yet to keep a clean sheet since September; former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Carlos Forbs exposed them thoroughly on Wednesday.

Employing a high line is among the more challenging tactical maneuvers, and it’s particularly tricky when deploying makeshift back lines and working presses that rely on precise timing. Fortunately, several injured players could return, which may enhance the effectiveness of this strategy. Chief among them might actually be goalkeeper Joan García, whose one-on-one skills could prove vital.

Dawson: Implementing a high line brings significant risk, but Flick likely believes it’s worthwhile.

For it to operate well, all components must be in sync. There must be enough pressure on the ball throughout the pitch, and defenders must work perfectly together. If even a single element falters, the entire system may crumble. The 3-3 draw against Club Brugge exemplifies this issue, and it won’t be the last time they face such problems.

The debate remains whether Flick should persist in this approach even when lacking his ideal personnel. However, remaining consistent with tactical instructions can sometimes be more effective than altering game plans frequently.

Barcelona’s dynamic defensive style is one reason they are among the most entertaining clubs to watch, although whether it is the correct approach to secure a Champions League title will only become clear in the knockout stages.

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Q5. Victor Osimhen has been consistently scoring for Galatasaray but lacks attention from major clubs. Despite helping elevate Galatasaray into the top eight, he wasn’t discussed during the recent Premier League spending spree. Why is that?

Marcotti: He’s actually the leading scorer in the Champions League. Currently, only Arsenal, Internazionale, Bayern Munich, and Man City have accrued more points than Galatasaray. The issue with Osimhen often centers around contract demands and agents. Napoli had trouble moving him despite two years of interest. The preference of some clubs to deal with certain agents could have hindered progress. Regardless, his lack of mention during the summer is surprisingly baffling. I hope he proves critics wrong, helps Galatasaray advance in the Champions League, and achieves success in both the African Cup of Nations and World Cup.

Lindop: It’s puzzling that a player of Osimhen’s caliber hasn’t been lured by a Premier League club. While Galatasaray holds a strong legacy and a dedicated fan base, it’s unusual that he has been overlooked during a period when so many teams are in desperate need of a striker. Nevertheless, his ability to propel his team into contention for Champions League knockout rounds speaks volumes about his capability.

Tighe: Osimhen’s prolific scoring at the highest level is rewarding to see, as his journey has been marked by surprising discredit. His arrival at Galatasaray—a historically significant club, I should emphasize—epitomizes the shortcomings of Europe’s elite, as he has been the most reliable No. 9 on the market for the past 18 months. Despite his scoring record, clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United opted for other alternatives. Now, he’s seizing the opportunity to showcase his prowess during the Champions League stage with six goals, significantly contributing to Gala’s rise.

Dawson: Galatasaray was as stunned as anyone to secure Osimhen’s signature last summer. The expectation was for him to transition to the Premier League or La Liga or Serie A. However, no transfer occurred, allowing Galatasaray to finalize a deal with Napoli for one of the game’s most proficient scorers.

He netted 37 times in 41 appearances for the Turkish side last season and has already bagged nine in 11 matches this season, six of which are in Europe. Players who consistently find the back of the net are a rarity, making Osimhen a significant asset for Galatasaray in the Champions League. They are also spearheaded by an accomplished coach in Okan Buruk and a talented assistant in Ismael Garcia, both of whom have garnered interest from various Championship opportunities.