Liverpool come unstuck, Atlético destroy Real and Kane claims another goalscoring record. Here’s the stories you need to know from the weekend of football.
Arsenal Are Boring – But Winning
They might not be enjoyable to watch, but Arteta’s Arsenal grind out results. Built upon a solid defensive structure that can survive even without the world-class William Saliba, Arsenal will be a very hard team to beat this season – just ask Pep.
Compare Arsenal’s visit to St. James’ Park to Liverpool and Barcelona’s earlier in the season. Despite the late goals, it was Arsenal who delivered the most confident and assured performance, suffocating Newcastle with possession high up the pitch.
It might not be enjoyable to watch for the neutral, but don’t underestimate Arsenal this season.
Never Write Off Simeone’s Atlético
Like so many times before, when people start doubting Simeone’s Atlético, they just seem to decide that enough is enough. This isn’t the first time they’ve started a season poorly only to deliver a blockbuster win against a major rival.
They dismantled Real Madrid, who, apart from a couple of moments of individual brilliance, struggled to create anything.
Now, with Julián Álvarez back, Atlético look like a different team.
This was a Simeone performance of old.
Alarm Bells for Real?
Xabi Alonso had enjoyed a flawless start to life at Madrid until this sudden defeat served as a harsh reality check.
Huijsen and Carreras both struggled. The young pair had both impressed against lesser opponents, but in this first true test, they struggled. The pair looked nervous on the ball and naïve in the air.
A first start for Jude Bellingham was meant to be the final piece of the puzzle but instead has presented a selection and tactical headache. Güler was shunted out to the right to accommodate Bellingham behind Mbappé, disrupting the attacking chemistry. Bellingham wasn’t at his best, having just returned from injury. But with Barcelona already leapfrogging Real to the top of La Liga, Alonso needs an instant impact from the English midfielder.
AC Milan Are Title Contenders
Milan’s most difficult test of the season and they came out on top.
Allegri’s men climbed to the top of the table after beating champions Napoli in a tense encounter at the San Siro.
The free signing of Luka Modrić is looking like a masterstroke; he has brought the experience and control they were lacking last season. Next to him in midfield, Adrien Rabiot has settled in quickly. Christian Pulisic has had an electric start to the season, having already bagged 4 goals in 5 league games. With Rafael Leão returning from injury, AC Milan look well-equipped to mount a serious title charge.
Liverpool’s Poor Form Catches Up With Them
A late goal in a Liverpool game that for once went against Arne Slot’s men.
Glasner once again got the better of Liverpool, setting Palace up in such a way that ruthlessly exposed the weaknesses in the defending champions. If it wasn’t for the fine performance of Liverpool keeper Alisson, the scoreline would have better reflected Crystal Palace’s dominance.
The reigning champions spending close to €500m in one window should guarantee Premier League success, but Liverpool look well off the pace. Grinding out results when playing poorly is not sustainable.
Chelsea Underwhelming – Again
Chelsea are another Premier League giant who spent big in the summer, bringing in 26 players for a combined outlay of over €300m.
A home defeat to Brighton was the latest in a long line of mediocre displays; they’ve picked up just one point in the league throughout September. The injury to Cole Palmer forced a tactical rethink for Maresca but without success. Andrey Santos made his first start of the season but was hauled off before the hour mark.
Chelsea had no answer to Brighton’s late comeback, down to ten men and looking bereft of ideas and leadership.
Chelsea have the youngest squad in the league, a gamble that doesn’t look to be paying off as it stands.
Roma’s Defence Will Keep Them in Contention
Four wins, five goals for Roma.
Defences win titles, and it is Roma’s who look most solid in Serie A – they’ve conceded just once in the league.
Zeki Çelik, Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka have formed a formidable partnership in Gasperini’s back three system that brought him much success at Atalanta.
The goals at the other end haven’t yet been flowing for Roma. They’ll be needing Artem Dovbyk to hit his Girona goalscoring form should they hope to sustain a title challenge.
Bayern Look Dangerous
Five wins out of five for Bayern in the Bundesliga. Dortmund look strong, but Bayern look dangerous.
Harry Kane became the fastest player to reach a century of goals for a club in the top five leagues, reaching the milestone in just 104 games. Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland both took 105 games to reach 100 goals.
Bayern are far more than Harry Kane though. Olise and Díaz are rightful heirs to the fabled Robben and Ribery partnership, although bringing very different playstyles to the Bavarian giants. New signing Tom Bischof adds a dynamic dimension to the Bayern midfield.
Bayern only placed sixth in the Score 90 Champions League Power Rankings; their start to the season proves they will be a strong contender for European glory.
Amorim’s System to Blame?
Another week, another defeat for Manchester United.
Poor defending from United had given Brentford an early lead through an Igor Thiago double. Benjamin Šeško – who had his best game in a United shirt – pulled one back and United looked to be on the ascendancy before Bruno Fernandes had a second-half penalty saved and a late Mathias Jensen goal secured the points for Brentford.
Much has been written about Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, especially about its suitability for the current crop of United players. Harry Maguire was exposed as the last man in a failed offside trap for Igor Thiago’s opener. Brentford repeatedly exploited the wide space behind United’s wing-backs. A back three of Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw does not have the legs to support a high line.
Amorim spent €250m in the summer. He had ample budget to buy the players needed to suit his preferred system. The Portuguese manager looks to be the architect of his own downfall through his commitment to a system that just isn’t suitable for the squad at his disposal.
Athletic Club Struggling After Nico Williams Injury
Athletic Club had made a bright start to the season, winning their first three on the bounce in the league. But September hasn’t been kind to Bilbao, they’ve picked up just one point in a drab draw against Girona.
It is no coincidence that Athletic’s downturn in form coincides with the injury to Nico Williams. The Spanish forward picked up a leg muscle injury during the international break; Athletic haven’t been the same since.
Saturday’s tame defeat to Villarreal was indicative of the troubles Athletic are having in Nico Williams’ absence. They were still able to dominate possession away from home, but lacked the attacking fluidity that Williams brings to their front line. Now sitting in tenth, Athletic will be counting down the days to the return of their talisman.
