The Champions League returned with a bang this week, resulting in a record 78 goals across 18 matches (an astonishing average of 4.3 goals per game).
The English sides enjoyed a bit of a rollercoaster, picking up nine points from a possible 15. Manchester weighed the Premier League down considerably while the likes of Liverpool and Villa ran rampant against less fancied opposition. Here is my ranking of the Premier League sides’ performances.
5. Manchester United- Lost 2-0 at Atletico Madrid
It’s kind of crazy to think that United’s 2-0 defeat at Atletico was the straw that broke the camel’s back. On another night, this match would have been canonized as ‘one of those great European away days’ (ala PSG under Solskjaer). United conceded a silly early goal but then created some major opportunities, with Bryan Mbeumo guilty of missing out on two gilt-edged chances. All in all, United gave arguably their best performance of the season in one of the most hostile environments in club football. One ludicrously soft red card ended the game as a contest. However, the match will forever be remembered for Lisandro Martinez’s unfiltered post-match press conference, where he implicated the INEOS hierarchy- Jason Wilcox specifically- in the club’s demise. Scandalous.
4. Manchester City- Lost 4-2 at home to PSG
Is there such a thing as a valiant 4-2 home defeat? I think there is. This match was the literal embodiment of the expression ‘a game of two halves’. Two-time defending European champs PSG showed why they are the best in the business, gracefully negotiating their way through City’s press to take a 3-0 halftime lead. Honestly, that opening 30-min spell was as good as I have seen a team play in Europe since Man City dismantled Real Madrid en route to the treble in 2022/2023. To his credit, Maresca didn’t dawdle like a deer in the headlights (I’m looking at you Carrick), making several crucial halftime changes that altered the trajectory of the match. Bouaddi was particularly impressive, using his technical prowess and zen-like composure to turn the game on its head. City won the 2nd half 2-1 and honestly could have scored six! Too bad that Donnarumma is becoming a major liability.
3. Liverpool- Won 6-3 at LASK
Liverpool needed a bit of a pick-me-up following Sunday’s dispiriting defeat at the hands of Man City. And they made the most of a friendly fixture in Austria, thrashing Champions League minnows LASK 6-3 in a morale-boosting away performance. Sure, one could say that Liverpool really had to be winning that game. But they played with a wonderful verve and dynamism, with much-maligned figures such as Wirtz and Barcola getting the chance to flaunt their abundant wares. Hat-trick hero Barcola was particularly impressive, pirouetting through tackles in a carefree showing that harkened back to his PSG days. Iraola will be disappointed that 2nd half subs Van Djik and Gomez looked defensively at sea when brought on to replace Araujo and Jacquet. Could this be the beginning of the end for Liverpool icon Van Djik?
2. Arsenal- Won 3-0 at home to Lille
‘Second Half FC’ struck again at the Emirates, as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal put a sluggish first half behind them to run out comfortable 3-0 winners against Lille. Arsenal have now scored 14 second-half goals in all competitions this season, which is exactly double the amount they have scored in the first halves. It’s really a testament to the way that Arteta’s process-driven side wear the opposition down, prodding and probing before finally devouring their prey. Jurrien Timber was explosive down the right-hand side, opening the scoring with a cheeky chip that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Sergio Aguero highlight reel. Bukayo Saka silenced some of his critics with a telling cameo from the bench, scoring once and assisting another to remind jaded fans just what he’s capable of.
1. Aston Villa- Won 6-0 at home to Fenerbahçe
But top spot goes to the Villains. I don’t fully understand how Unai Emery manages to do it. Villa were gutted in the last transfer window, losing the likes of Rogers, Tielemans, Konsa and Martinez (essentially the spine of their team). Yet Emery and his intricate scouting network are consistently able to replenish their ranks and remain highly competitive. They were sensational on Wednesday, routing Turkish giants Fenerbahce 6-0 for the biggest European win in the club’s history. The newly assembled attacking trio of Jackson, Manzambi and Mbaye tormented Fenerbahçe with their pace and power, leaving the reigning Europa League champs with two wins from two and a tantalizing home fixture against Viking to come. Exciting times.
