In this week’s edition of the European Football Wrap, Damien looks at Man United’s dismal form, Bayern Munich frustrated by Leverkusen, Mkhitaryan’s performance and more!
United misery continues
I watched quite a lot of pre-match coverage for the United-Brighton clash and I was genuinely amazed at how many delusional United fans made them favourites for that clash. As if Old Trafford has the imposing atmosphere of Anfield.
Brighton are almost the yin to United’s yang. They recruit masterfully at a fraction of United’s price. And they play a brand of possession-based football that Ten Hag can only dream of implementing with this ragtag squad.
I almost feel as if the Dutchman played Scott McTominay- who was dreadful- as a middle-finger to owners who seem more intent on milking their cash-cow than actually investing in the future success of the club. But Ten Hag isn’t exempt from my opprobrium.
Too many United fans are reluctant to criticize the Dutchman, treating him as some sort of deity who is here to wash away the scourge of failures past. But how are you going to implement this high-octane pressing style with a midfield of Casemiro, McTominay, Eriksson and Fernandes?
That cumbersome unit is almost tailormade for this slick, industrious Brighton side. Why not play Pellestri- a natural right-winger- on the right? It defies belief. Also, Ten Hag is fast developing a reputation for being one of the worst in-game managers out there.
The substitution of Rasmus Hojgaard was yet another in a long line of calamitous interventions. Pascal Groos bossed the midfield area while Man United old-boy Danny Wellbeck returned to heap more misery on this beleaguered giant. Oh, and they are playing Bayern Munich in European action this week. These are worrying times for the Red Devils.
Inter crush Milan in Derby del Madonnia
Inter Milan continued their perfect start to the Serie A campaign with a rousing 5-1 victory against bitter city rivals AC Milan. Stefano Pioli’s Milan were also perfect going into the match, with Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic brining an added dimension to the side.
But they were overrun in midfield against Inter and Thiaw had an absolute shocker in defence. Inter were incredible, with the mesmeric Henrik Mkhitaryan calling the shots in midfield (more on him later). They don’t seem to miss Lukaku at all, with new arrival Thuram coming in and dovetailing beautifully with the reinvigorated Lautaro Martinez.
This is an Inter side that seems to be building on last year’s European odyssey and they are going to be a tough side to overcome.
Finally, some good news for the jaded Massimiliano Allegri. The perpetually under-fire manager helped guide Juventus to an imperious 3-1 win against Lazio. Serb Vlahovic scored a brace while Chiesa netted the other in perhaps Juventus’ most complete showing in recent memory.
Dusan Vlahovic and Cheisa are forming an unlikely but deadly strike partnership. It really looks as if the Bianconeri are ready to challenge for top honours again. Napoli look a shadow of the side that romped to their first Scudetto in three decades last season.
To be fair to new coach Garcia, his 2nd half substitutions did manage to salvage a point at lowly Genoa. But what has happened to the dynamic duo of Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia? I think you can forgive goal-scoring dynamo Osimhen having a few poor games.
But what has happened to fleet-footed winger Kvaratskhelia? He has lost his edge and is battling with his delivery. I just get a creepy ‘oompa loompa’ vibe that the playmaker is shopping around for his next big move.
Spanish giants pick up contrasting victories
With five wins from five matches, you could be forgiven for thinking that Carlo Ancelotti would be delighted with Real Madrid’s start to the campaign. But their narrow 2-1 home win against Real Sociedad laid bare their biggest fragility: the striking department.
The departure of Karim Benzema has left a massive hole in the attacking heart of this European juggernaut. This has obviously been exacerbated by the injury to star-man Vinicius Jr. Joselu- their stopgap option- did level matters with an emphatic 2nd half header.
But he simply doesn’t possess the pace to spearhead a Champions League-chasing outfit. He doesn’t have ten percent of Benzema’s technical prowess and it could prove costly for Los Blancos down the line.
Barcelona were absolutely scintillating, annihilating Real Betis 5-0 in one of their most enterprising performances in ages. Joao Felix just fits into their midfield like a glove, drifting into little pockets of space like a ninja whilst the likes of De Jong and Romeu do the grunt work.
It makes you realize that Ilkay Gundogan could be up against it in terms of minutes this season. Pedri and Gavi will play when they are fit while Felix is basically undroppable following that showing. It’s not bad when you have arguably the most instrumental member of City’s treble-winning season battling to get minutes.
Speaking of treble winners, Joao Cancelo looked sensational playing in his inverted role, bombing forward with abandon to remind us of what a special talent he is.
Tuchel frustrated by surprise leaders Leverkusen
Bayern Munich dropped their first points in the Bundesliga season on Friday night, sharing the spoils with a rejuvenated Bayer Leverkusen. Die Roten were guilty of wasting several huge opportunities throughout the match.
Harry Kane continued his brilliant goal-scoring form with a textbook Harry Kane header. But Alex Grimaldo’s sumptuous freekick equalized matters just before the half-hour mark. Goretzka gave Bayern the lead once again only for the Bavarian giants to concede a penalty in the dying moments of the match.
Tuchel will probably feel quite relived that they are hosting a wounded Manchester United in this week’s Champions League. Meanwhile, both Dortmund and RB Leipzig picked up resounding victories to put some early pressure on this Bayern machine.
Xavi Simmons was once again the talisman for Leipzig at home to Augsburg while Mats Hummels proved the unlikely hero for Dortmund, netting a brace in a crazy 4-2 comeback win at Freiburg.
Player of the Week – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
It’s crazy to think that there was quite a clamour for Simone Inzaghi to play Frattesi ahead of Armenian playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan in their crucial Derby della Madonnia clash.
The evergreen Armenian repaid Inzaghi’s faith with a scintillating display, scoring a brace and adding an assist to help guide Inter to an emphatic victory. The former Arsenal and United player just fits perfectly into a 3-5-2 formation that doesn’t overburden him with defensive responsibilities.
