What a weekend full of emotions in the main European leagues! The Premier League gave us a stellar duel between two London title contenders, which ended in a 1-1 draw that will surely leave mixed feelings. In Spain, Xabi Alonso continues working to adapt Real Madrid to his style of play, and once again dropped points in a draw against Girona, which takes them away from the lead. In the European arena, Paris Saint-Germain may regret their relaxed approach in Ligue 1 after another disappointing defeat, this time 1-0 to Monaco, who played with one man down. Meanwhile, Napoli remains in the fight for the Serie A title thanks to their 1-0 victory over Roma, led by Antonio Conte. In addition, there was much to talk about on other fronts, including Barcelona (with a narrow victory by Hansi Flick), Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and much more. It’s Monday morning, and it’s the perfect time to analyze what happened on the field.
Chelsea and Arsenal: Reasons to celebrate?
The 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge left us with a classic debate: half-full or half-empty glass? However, for Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca, this point could be more valuable than it seems. Arteta will regret not having taken advantage of the numerical superiority for almost an hour, after Moisés Caicedo’s expulsion. But, it must be taken into account that Arsenal played without their starting center forwards, without their best passing midfielder and without their starting center backs. The lack of defensive chemistry, especially against a Chelsea that relies on quick transitions, was also a significant factor. The Arsenal coach did not hesitate to seek victory, making tactical changes to maximize ball possession. In the end, the team was close to winning. Maresca, for his part, can be satisfied with the performance of his young team in a derby that was intense and physical from the beginning. Chelsea’s reaction after Caicedo’s expulsion was encouraging. The importance of Caicedo to the team is undeniable. He is a key player in the defensive midfield, helping to maintain the team’s balance. With Caicedo out, Reece James took on the leadership role, showing a great performance. The bet on Liam Delap and Maresca’s tactical changes demonstrated his intention to seek the result.
Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid and a Slip-up in LaLiga
The 1-1 draw against Girona left more doubts than certainties. Real Madrid had the opportunities to win, but didn’t take them. Xabi Alonso’s tactical decisions raised questions.Was it the time to align Antonio Rüdiger alongside Éder Militão in defense? Is Fede Valverde the best option at right-back? Was it necessary to substitute Arda Güler at halftime?
Xabi Alonso seems to be in experimental mode, which is not ideal considering he took over in June. With only one victory in five matches, the pressure is mounting, especially after losing the lead in LaLiga.
Is PSG playing with fire?
The reigning champion PSG may be underestimating Ligue 1. After Lens’ victory over Angers, PSG is not leading the league. If it weren’t for Marseille’s ability to self-harm, PSG would be in third place. There are mitigating factors, such as international competitions and the lack of proper pre-season. However, PSG has achieved important victories in stoppage time. Injuries are also a problem, but other teams also suffer from them. The question is whether PSG is taking Ligue 1 lightly, allowing teams like Monaco, who were coming off three consecutive defeats, to put them in trouble.Napoli and Conte: A Strengthened Relationship?
After a difficult moment, Napoli and Antonio Conte seem to have strengthened their relationship. Following the defeat against Bologna, Conte stated that “it wasn’t his team.” However, the team reacted with three convincing victories, including a 1-0 win over Roma. Conte’s 3-4-2-1 formation, with David Neres and Noa Lang behind Rasmus Hojlund, kept Roma on the defensive in the first half. After the break, the team managed the match and defended well, allowing only one shot on goal. Roma, for its part, misses the opportunity to distance itself at the top of the table. Despite the absence of their coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, suspended, the team remains in the fight for the Serie A title.Other highlighted results
- Bayern Munich: Luis Díaz was key in the comeback.
- Atlético de Madrid: Rotations and solidity.
- Borussia Dortmund: Gets the victory.
- Barcelona: Lamine Yamal leads the team.
- Milan: Maignan saves the team and refereeing controversy.
- Liverpool: Arne Slot makes key decisions.
- Inter: Lautaro Martínez, the savior.
