UCL speaking factors: Conte’s rant, Liverpool’s greatest XI, Clásico readiness

The UEFA Champions League returned with a bang this midweek as Matchday 3 provided lots to speak about.

We had huge wins for Arsenal (4-0 vs. Atlético Madrid), Paris Saint-Germain (7-2 at Bayer Leverkusen), PSV Eindhoven (6-2 vs. Napoli), Barcelona (6-1 vs. Olympiacos), Chelsea (5-1 vs. Ajax Amsterdam) and Liverpool (5-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt).

We additionally bought drama with Actual Madrid squeaking previous Juventus 1-0 due to a Jude Bellingham winner, and several other different huge golf equipment — like Manchester Metropolis and Internazionale — collected wins to provide the highest finish of the desk a quite predictable look.

So what did we glean from the motion general, and what have we discovered from these groups? ESPN writers Mark Ogden, Julien Laurens, Tom Hamilton and Gab Marcotti supply their ideas on Matchday 3.

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– Ogden: Isak’s exit leaves room for Ekitike to be Liverpool’s predominant man
– Olley: Arsenal earn assertion win in Champions League vs. Atléti
– From Ballon d’Or favourite to being benched: What is going on on with Vinícius?

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Barça bought a pre-Clásico confidence increase by placing six previous Olympiacos, however how a lot of it was their high quality — led by Marcus Rashford, who may be the reply up entrance for now — and the way a lot was it Olympiacos being on the receiving finish of some unhealthy refereeing?

Marcotti: The anticipated objectives on the time of the sending off was 1.22 to 1.00 to Barcelona, in order that’s a technique of it. After which, with the additional man for greater than half an hour, they piled on in rubbish time and received 6-1.

That stated, it is a midweek sport pre-Clásico and these comply with patterns, particularly at residence. You simply need the outcome and you do not need to choose up accidents and so they bought that. Everyone was wanting previous Olympiacos, rightly or wrongly.

Nonetheless, there are apparent brilliant spots. Dro Fernández seemed sharp, although, clearly, this crew is not precisely quick on gamers who match within the No. 10 position. Fermín López stole the present on the left wing and I am pleased for him as a result of the membership spent many of the summer time purchasing him round, attempting to get an honest charge. No fear: he scored an outstanding hat trick.

Rashford as an answer up entrance is an attention-grabbing one. Standard knowledge at Manchester United was that the England star was extra productive in large areas. However that was a special crew, with a special type and a special coach (truly, a number of completely different coaches). When you consider what’s requested of a Barcelona heart ahead as of late — motion, urgent, operating in behind — Rashford has the instruments to try this. In actual fact, there is a parallel with Ferran Torres, who has confirmed to be a very good match for Hansi Flick’s system. Definitely, when all people’s match, you’d think about it might be simpler for Rashford to get sport time at heart ahead than out large, given the competitors for locations.

Ogden: This was the right sport for Barcelona to showcase their attacking qualities, quite than be punished for his or her defensive frailties, as a result of they have been going through one of many groups most definitely to complete within the backside eight of the league section. The problems that led to them shedding 2-1 at residence to PSG on Matchday 2, reminiscent of being caught out with their dangerous defensive high-line, have been by no means going to resurface towards Olympiacos, and this was mainly a turkey shoot for Barça — and so they shot loads of turkeys.

If a crew is ill-equipped to deal with Barcelona’s attacking gamers together with Lamine Yamal, Rashford and Fermín, they’re going to get picked aside, so I do not assume this win instructed us something new about Flick’s crew. We already knew that they have been able to hammering inferior groups, however we nonetheless know that they’re susceptible towards opponents with an efficient counter-punch.

This was nice for the purpose distinction and the arrogance of the forwards, who all weighed in with a minimum of one purpose, however Barça may additionally concede six towards Actual Madrid this weekend; that is the issue that Flick should remedy if his crew are to win the Champions League.

Laurens: There may be nothing Flick would have gleaned from Tuesday’s win, and there is arguably nothing we discovered both. There cannot be a lot of a confidence increase after a efficiency like this. They received and scored six objectives: good for them. We all know they’re superb going ahead, even after they have huge names lacking. Lamine can harm any defence, Fermín is a beautiful participant too, and Rashford has bought his mojo again.

However for the remaining, they have been once more very fragile in midfield and in protection. Frenkie de Jong not being there in midfield to manage a bit extra the tempo of the sport made it a basketball match too usually, in tribute to the beginning of the NBA common season a couple of hours later. That is nonetheless a crew you wouldn’t belief in defensive transitions, as Olympiacos confirmed, however who may rating towards anybody in the identical approach.

What does this say earlier than the Clásico? Nothing new actually. They might win 3-2 or lose 3-2, nobody is aware of.

Hamilton: After that farcical crimson card, Olympiacos collapsed, however the way you see this efficiency is dependent upon how Barça-tinted your spectacles are. They have been ruthless in entrance of purpose — Fermín’s hat trick was an train in perseverance and scientific ending, whereas Rashford’s pair of objectives have been brilliantly judged finishes. Few groups on the planet may have coped with the pace of passing that led to Rashford profitable the penalty for Lamine to fit residence.

For these of the extra cynical perspective, Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis had a stinker, Santiago Hezze was sufferer of a woefully unfair crimson card, and up till that time, Barça have been discovering it onerous to interrupt the Greek aspect down and take their possibilities, echoing problem in latest matches towards PSG, Sevilla and Girona. The crimson card modified the move of the match, so let’s pause earlier than saying this crew are again to their greatest.

Forward of El Clasico, they desperately have to get a few of their injured contingent again, however regardless of this monster win, they are not but again to the degrees we noticed final season.

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Q2. Liverpool shrugged off a shedding streak with some daring strikes as Arne Slot benched Mohamed Salah, pulled Alexander Isak at half-time, and let Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz run the present. Is that this the best way ahead for the Reds? What’s their greatest line-up proper now in the event that they’re to construct on Wednesday’s 5-1 shellacking of Frankfurt?

Marcotti: The worst factor you are able to do is learn an excessive amount of into the Frankfurt outcome. They’re seventh within the desk, 11 factors off the highest within the Bundesliga. They have not saved a clear sheet since April and have conceded 23 objectives of their final six video games. You aren’t getting to play Eintracht each week; you are not going to get the long-term resolution out of this sport.

That stated, the 4-4-2 formation — as a result of that is just about how I noticed it, with Wirtz coming in from the suitable — is an attention-grabbing possibility. You possibly can put no matter two midfielders you want in there: Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai labored on Wednesday, clearly long-term you’d count on it to be Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, however you possibly can choose primarily based on type/opponent.

After all, the difficulty is the entrance two and the elephant within the room is Salah. A Salah-Isak partnership can work, however proper now you’d clearly need Ekitike in there. And clearly, you need Wirtz to have as free a task as potential if he will begin in a large space, so you will want width. That is Jeremie Frimpong, although he got here off early towards Eintracht.

Like I stated, this scheme has its deserves, however let’s take all of it with a grain of salt given who they have been enjoying and the best way they have been defending.

Ogden: Profitable breeds confidence and might banish self-doubt, so the significance to Liverpool of the 5-1 win in Frankfurt cannot be overstated. Nonetheless, there is a however — Eintracht Frankfurt have been so unhealthy that we won’t actually gauge whether or not Liverpool are out of their droop till they face Brentford on Saturday as a result of that may be a sport that may actually check Liverpool’s weaknesses.

Slot stated after the Eintracht win that it was simpler for his crew to press as a result of “we weren’t ready to try this in latest video games as a result of the ball was all the time within the air.” That was clearly a veiled dig at Manchester United and Chelsea, who each beat Liverpool 2-1 with extra direct techniques, however that’s exactly what Slot’s aspect will face at Brentford. So let’s reserve judgement.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that Ekitike is Liverpool’s most dependable ahead now. He’s doing all the pieces that Isak hasn’t completed, however Isak’s damage will not assist the pair type an understanding and with Salah set to vanish on AFCON obligation on December, Ekitike and Isak want as a lot time collectively as potential earlier than then.

Hamilton: Slot gave us a glimpse of what Liverpool may appear to be post-Salah on Wednesday night time, as they snapped their four-game shedding streak. However in making these adjustments, he is given himself some welcome choice dilemmas, whereas additionally scratching the itch of seeing what it is like to start out Ekitike and Isak up entrance. Ekitike seemed much more snug within the position, with Isak hooked at half-time. (Slot says it was right down to match health, however you determine.) Slot now faces the difficult conundrum of getting to provide Isak time to play himself again into type, whereas getting a run of wins below their belt after shedding 4 in a row.

Wirtz has struggled to search out his ft at Liverpool after the summer time transfer however had the liberty of Frankfurt of their 5-1 win. Gakpo is just undroppable for the time being, so in case you’re searching for a Liverpool crew to play Brentford on Saturday out of these accessible for the time being, it has to resemble one thing like: Giorgi Mamardashvili in purpose (Alisson will ultimately return), Conor Bradley at proper again (Frimpong went off injured), Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk within the center, with Andy Robertson at left again (Milos Kerkez was so poor towards Manchester United); Gravenberch (presuming he is match for Saturday, play Jones if not), Mac Allister and Szoboszlai within the midfield three. After which up entrance, Gakpo has the left spot sewn up, Salah on the suitable with Ekitike by way of the center.

Wirtz might have one thing to say about lacking out within the midfield, however he wants time to gel, as does Isak.

Laurens: Slot reportedly took off Isak at half-time due to a groin damage, so we are going to by no means know if the Liverpool supervisor would have nonetheless taken him off on the break or if the rationale was purely medical. Personally, I do not assume the entrance 4 the Dutchman selected labored within the first half. Ekitike scored a solo purpose that had nothing to do with the line-up, Isak had two first rate possibilities within the first 10 minutes on easy runs. And Frankfurt are actually not an excellent crew.

With all that in thoughts, I am undecided if Slot has discovered the solutions to the questions and issues he has had to this point this season. However it was good to see him altering issues, and never hesitating to drop Salah and Mac Allister. Nonetheless, I do not imagine this entrance 4 would work within the Premier League. If Isak is injured, he’ll miss the journey to Brentford on Saturday and I count on Salah to be again on the suitable with Ekitike because the No. 9, Wirtz behind him and Gakpo on the left.

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Q3. Napoli bought crushed 6-2 by PSV and Antonio Conte — no stranger to failure on this competitors — misplaced his cool after the match, blaming rotation and new signings: “We added 9 gamers in the summertime, that has value us when it comes to chemistry. The previous guys, together with me, have to rediscover their spirit, the brand new guys have to study to slot in and be humble and silent.” Is Conte proper to rant about his crew? Is that this a sensible motivational method, or will it solely make issues worse?

Marcotti: I assume it’s important to defer to the coach, as a result of he is there, he works with the gamers day by day and he is aware of what buttons to push. Sure, integrating 9 guys impacts chemistry, that is apparent. It applies to Liverpool too, who introduced in a ton of latest gamers and have been inconsistent. However that is why it is Conte’s job to make it work. And the heavy recruitment was needed as final season they weren’t in Europe and have been ready to make use of a a lot smaller squad.

That stated, Conte additionally stated his gamers have been being disrespectful to Napoli and their followers and hinted that folk weren’t being practical concerning the challenges they confronted. I do not like that. It appears like blaming gamers and sucking as much as supporters. Gamers see by way of that, particularly a number of the veteran newcomers like Kevin De Bruyne. And a few of his different feedback, like in the direction of Noa Lang, who had identified that he’d solely spoken to Conte as soon as go away lots to be desired. Conte’s reply was: “Noa Lang performs after I say he performs.”

You’d hate to assume it is historical past repeating itself, with Conte falling out in Yr Two after success in Yr One.

Ogden: I am sorry, however weren’t all of us hyping up Rasmus Højlund earlier this month as one other participant who thrives away from Manchester United and billing De Bruyne as a fantastic signing for the Serie A champions? Conte cannot have it each methods. Perhaps it isn’t the quantity of signings that’s the drawback for Napoli, however the usual of the gamers. Or possibly, simply possibly, it’s that Conte has by no means delivered within the Champions League and we’re simply seeing the identical previous story repeat itself this season.

Hamilton: When issues get a bit ragged on the pitch, Conte responds off it. Tottenham Hotspur followers know that properly: Nobody is free from his spray. However look, they’re one level off the highest of Serie A and we have seen elsewhere in Europe (Liverpool) that it takes time to mould a brand new aspect.

After their appalling defeat to PSV, you possibly can think about a good bit of his ire was directed at Lorenzo Lucca — one among their many summer time signings — who endured a torrid time at Eindhoven on Tuesday and was proven a crimson card for mainly calling the referee out. It was symptomatic of the frustration Lucca should be feeling, but in addition made him a simple goal for Conte to masks his crew’s shortcomings.

Nonetheless, there’s additionally a component of smoke and mirrors right here. These gamers who left over the summer time have been all largely superfluous, however what they’re lacking is Romelu Lukaku anchoring issues up entrance, regardless of the spectacular early begin from Højlund. The crux of the crew that performed PSV on Tuesday was the group who received the league final time period — as an alternative of blaming the brand new signings, have a look at the system which allowed PSV a lot house in entrance of Napoli’s defence.

Maybe a extra measured view after their dismal efficiency was from Scott McTominay. “It is a lengthy season,” he stated. “For us, we simply should be calm. We won’t go loopy and take into consideration too many alternative issues.”

Laurens: There have been solely three new gamers amongst the ten outfield Napolitans who began on Tuesday in Eindhoven (Lucca, De Bruyne, Sam Beukema) so I’m not positive I’m shopping for Conte’s excuse. This was only a horrible efficiency from himself and from his crew. He arrange his aspect unsuitable, leaving the management of the midfield to PSV.

At half-time, Napoli have been solely 2-1 down, so Conte’s team-talk clearly did not encourage his males in any respect. His substitutions did not work both and the second half devolved into one of many worst nightmares of his managerial profession.

Napoli and Conte are higher than what we noticed within the Netherlands, however his struggles in Europe proceed. The reception of Frankfurt and Qarabag within the subsequent two Matchdays ought to assist Conte and Napoli climb again up the desk and make peace with this season’s Champions League which has been a tricky journey to this point: two losses in three and two crimson playing cards as properly.

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This autumn. Actual Madrid did not look sensible vs. Juventus, however Bellingham bought his first purpose of the season. Is a Bellingham-Arda Güler midfield pivot the factor to make them click on heading into the Clásico?

Marcotti: Juventus got down to defend. It took Actual Madrid some time to attain, however let’s not child ourselves, their anticipated objectives at full-time have been 2.81 and so they had 66% possession whereas taking 28 pictures. This was one-way visitors and, aside from a pair Kenan Yildiz moments (too few) and that Dusan Vlahovic likelihood, we noticed little from Juve.

The place to place Bellingham is sort of an existential query. The accidents at proper again imply Federico Valverde is out of the image in midfield, which is why Xabi Alonso tried Güler with Bellingham. I believe that is onerous to do towards an opponent who will assault and can need the ball like Barca will within the Clásico.

It is a query of stability. If Bellingham places within the defensive work that Valverde presents, you will get away with it, so long as you have got the ball for lengthy stretches. If not, it turns into actual robust. And when the suitable backs are match once more, you will have a tricky option to make. I can not see Valverde being dropped, you want Aurélien Tchouaméni (or somebody like him) in there and Güler is the golden little one proper now. 4 into three do not go.

Ogden: As Gab says, that solely works if Bellingham is ready to drop deeper and play a extra defensive position as a result of you possibly can’t ask Güler to try this.

Bellingham has all the pieces in his locker to be that participant, however he nonetheless permits himself to grow to be the 10-year-old within the playground who is best than everybody else and due to this fact decides to play wherever he desires. If his time on the sidelines recovering from damage was used properly, Bellingham ought to have studied the adjustments Actual are going by way of below Alonso and labored out how greatest to swimsuit the crew. His England omission lately might also have precipitated him pause for thought.

So let’s examine. If Bellingham can add the maturity to his sport that might allow him to play a extra disciplined position, that is nice information for membership and nation, however I believe he is in all probability nonetheless a 12 months or two away from that.

Hamilton: Alonso wished this pair of matches to set the usual for the remainder of Actual Madrid’s season. They usually’ve bought half one within the bag, due to their 1-0 win. However the Clásico will play out to an altogether completely different tempo. Actual Madrid will not end with 28 pictures, or 66% possession, or with almost double the variety of passes than their opponents.

However regardless of this one-sided image, this wasn’t a whole efficiency from Actual Madrid — within the early phases of the match, they seemed disjointed and general, the power of the crew is not but proportional to the expertise within the squad. Forward of the Clásico, his choice goes to be fascinating.

With Valverde marooned at proper again in the meanwhile to cowl accidents, you’re feeling the crew wants Tchouameni within the center to assist anchor issues. So with Güler in an outstanding run of type, and Bellingham rightly considered one of many world’s greatest gamers — regardless of being an England exile — it is a robust conundrum for Alonso. In the meanwhile — till Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold return a minimum of to release Valverde — you’re feeling he might stick to this trio.

Laurens: I personally wouldn’t go there towards Barcelona. It could be too attacking and too dangerous for Alonso to go away Tchouameni on his personal because the low level of this triangle. Even a poor Juventus crew discovered it simple at instances to undergo this midfield, so think about the Spanish champions.

Towards Pedri, De Jong and Fermin, enjoying with only one No. 6 and two No. 8s, could be one thing. Sure, Madrid can be at residence and they’re going to need to put the Catalans below stress and recuperate the ball excessive up on the pitch, however having one other hard-working participant like Valverde would take advantage of sense.

That is why I do not imagine we are going to see the trio of Tchouameni, Güler and Bellingham from the beginning on Sunday. Eduardo Camavinga changed Güler after 74 minutes on Wednesday. Bellingham performed the entire 90 minutes however performed very excessive with little defensive contributions (two recoveries, one interception, two clearances). Barça can be so good with the ball that you just want a special midfield three than the one we noticed towards the Bianconeri. I might even put Valverde virtually man marking Pedri. However that is simply me, I’m no Xabi Alonso.

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Q5. Pulling out for a big-picture look, the Champions League desk appears depressingly acquainted in comparison with final season with so many huge golf equipment off to scorching begins and locking within the Prime 8 with almost half the league section full. Is that this actual or a mirage? Can we nonetheless count on some surprises from right here?

Marcotti: Perhaps we should always relax. Galatasaray, Sporting CP, Newcastle United and Qarabag (!) have as many factors as Liverpool and Barcelona. They’re all one win from going high. It is not miserable, it is simply how the video games shook out. I believe schedule power additionally performs a component right here. Inter have 9 factors, however they’ve performed Ajax, Slavia Prague and Union St.-Gilloise. Actual Madrid had a tough time towards Marseille, beat Kairat Almaty and their 17-year-old debutant keeper, and a poor Juve aspect. The truth that solely 5 groups are three from three is an efficient signal, I believe. And, of these, solely PSG, Bayern Munich and Arsenal have been persistently good.

Ogden: A number of the large golf equipment misjudged the early matchdays of the league section final season, whereas the unfancied groups reminiscent of Celtic, Brest and Sporting took benefit with quick begins that helped get them into the playoff stage. That hasn’t occurred this season, the shock worth has gone, so it is unlikely that we will have a repeat of the drama on Matchday 8, when PSG and Manchester Metropolis may have gone out.

I believe the change this 12 months is that the highest golf equipment need to get qualification wrapped up with a few matchdays to go to allow them to relaxation gamers throughout a busy January. However let’s examine what occurs subsequent month, when Liverpool play Actual Madrid and PSG meet Bayern Munich. A defeat in these video games may make issues uncomfortable for the shedding aspect.

Hamilton: The fantastic selection and randomness of the new-look Champions League has evaporated, for now, a minimum of. Or has it? The highest of the desk has a well-recognized really feel with the standard powerhouses sitting fairly on the summit after three rounds. The likes of Benfica, Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen have been put again of their place this week and as issues stand, many of the high eight are the groups we might count on to be that includes within the latter phases of the match.

However there’s nonetheless loads of time for this image to vary. The schedule has been type to a crew like Inter, and you are feeling others are discovering their ft, and the hangover of the Membership World Cup in the summertime will grow to be ever-more influential because the season progresses. If earlier than the match you’d been given a sneak peek of the desk after three rounds, you’d haven’t batted an eyelid at PSG, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Actual Madrid profitable all of their matches to this point, with Man Metropolis, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea all hovering. However there’s nonetheless loads of time for this to vary. PSG, Arsenal and Bayern are setting the usual to this point however count on others to proceed biting at their heels.

Laurens: I do not assume we should always have a look at the desk till Matchday 5 or 6 anyway. Everybody has performed groups with completely different ranges, strengths and weaknesses to this point. We have to have a much bigger pattern to see what this season will supply us within the Champions League. It would properly be a marketing campaign the place solely the highest golf equipment make the Prime 8 and nobody is lacking out on the Prime 24 both. However, for now, I believe it has been enjoyable to observe — very aggressive at instances and really one-sided at others, however that is high quality. It is soccer. It is going to be the case once more in two weeks’ time the place we may have the mouthwatering PSG-Bayern conflict to observe.