James’ harsh handball at Liverpool-Chelsea, Messi’s PSG debut, Man United poor before Ronaldo’s return

This weekend noticed Lionel Messi play for a brand new membership (bizarre), Manchester United flatter to deceive (not bizarre), Juventus wrestle with out the United-bound Cristiano Ronaldo (not his fault) and Arsenal be taught extra humbling classes, this time towards Manchester City. (We anticipated that, proper?) There have been large wins for Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan, an enormous controversy at Liverpool vs. Chelsea, and a ton of enjoyable from an unlikely supply: Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

– ESPN+ viewers’ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– Haven’t got ESPN? Get instant access

It is Monday, and Gab Marcotti reacts to the most important moments on the planet of soccer from the previous weekend in Europe.

Soar to: VAR drama for Liverpool-Chelsea | Messi’s PSG debut | Man United woe | Depay lifts Barca again | Juve look awful | Musiala magic for Bayern | Arteta humbled | Real Madrid’s better defense | Giroud dazzles in Milan | Tottenham are top! | Atletico play well, get lucky | Mourinho’s Roma are fun so far

Liverpool on their approach again, however Chelsea have the solutions

It appeared just like the Liverpool of previous at occasions. Anfield roaring, Trent Alexander-Arnold creating, Mohamed Salah scything, Fabinho directing and Virgil van Dijk main. And by previous, I imply their title-winning season of 2019-20. Final yr, Van Dijk was injured, Alexander-Arnold was tailing off, Fabinho was (largely) on the again and Salah, whereas prolific, did not at all times have the help he wanted. Oh, and Anfield was empty because of the pandemic.

We did not fairly hit these heights — Jurgen Klopp himself stated they weren’t as sharp as he’d like them to be — however we did get a ton of clever depth. That it wasn’t sufficient to deliver dwelling the three factors, even whereas taking part in with a person benefit within the second half, has extra to do with Chelsea’s high quality and Thomas Tuchel’s defensive set-up than it does with Klopp’s view that it is tougher to play towards 10 males. (Statistics kinda present the other, particularly once you get the person benefit within the first half.)

I assumed each groups performed effectively in their 1-1 draw, although perhaps Liverpool can enhance on the sharpness Klopp referenced and Chelsea will rue a number of the possibilities missed within the first half. The speaking level will inevitably be Reece James‘ handball, penalty and pink card.

There are two components to this. One is whether or not it was a handball. Consensus appears to be that it was, based mostly on the truth that James’ arm strikes to the ball and it is away from his physique, making the participant’s silhouette larger. Or, as the Laws of the Game state (in quite clunky language): “the hand/arm has made their physique unnaturally larger.”

I am not so positive as a result of, on the flipside, the shot is available in from a really shut distance, it ricochets off his leg and the motion of his arm comes after the rebound. These are all issues referees have to contemplate when deciding what makes for an “unnaturally larger” physique. But the match official, Anthony Taylor, took simply 13 seconds to make his choice and, based on Thomas Tuchel, did not rewatch the incident at regular pace. That is the form of factor that leaves me nonplussed. You’d anticipate, in these conditions, the VAR to stroll him via the replays.

– Ogden: Liverpool, Chelsea show title credentials

The opposite half is whether or not he was proper to offer each the penalty and the pink card. It feels harsh — and Klopp himself felt it was too. In spite of everything, this wasn’t Luis Suarez towards Ghana on the 2010 World Cup. However as the principles stand, when you deny a goal-scoring alternative by way of handball (versus, say, an unintentional foul within the penalty space, a rule that was modified a number of years again to remove the so-called “triple punishment) you must additionally ship the participant off. And in that, Taylor had no alternative.

The sport leaves the impartial observer with a way that each these sides seem like title contenders and, what’s extra, each will get higher. Chelsea are near securing Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde so as to add depth to the again line, whereas Liverpool will lose a few of their ring rust.

Messi debuts for PSG as Mbappe scores twice

play

Craig Burley discusses why PSG needs to see Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi play collectively earlier than making a choice on Mbappe’s future.

You knew it was going to really feel bizarre, and it did. For the primary time in his skilled profession, Lionel Messi turned out in a jersey aside from Barcelona’s or the Argentine nationwide group’s. Counting harm time, the looks lasted about half an hour and it nonetheless felt odd, like some bizarre superhero crossover comedian guide.

He might or is probably not absolutely match-fit, however the tempo of the sport suited him and we noticed the same old array of feints, dribbles and sudden accelerations. In time, it can little doubt develop into extra acquainted. You probably did already get a way of the completely different degree of physicality in Ligue 1 relative to LaLiga, with Messi getting the tough (not soiled, simply tough) therapy on a couple of event.

– Weekend Overview: Messi’s PSG debut outdone by Mbappe

In the long run, two Kylian Mbappe objectives gave PSG a 2-0 win and in case you solely judged the French striker’s manner and behavior, you’ll don’t have any clue that he’d been on the coronary heart of a possible €180 million transfer to Actual Madrid for the previous week. Mbappe appeared unflappable whereas Achraf Hakimi, who served up his first purpose, appeared deadly.

The window remains to be open as I write this, and we have realized to by no means say by no means. You assume that Actual Madrid have been engaged on this all summer time lengthy and the private phrases of his contract are agreed. If that is true, then if PSG comply with a deal — to date, they’ve stated they will not — this will get finished in a short time, in time for Tuesday evening’s deadline.

play

Mark Ogden explains how Cristiano Ronaldo ended up rejoining Manchester United as a substitute of signing for Man Metropolis.

I do not anticipate it to occur partly due to PSG’s insistence that it will not, however largely as a result of it would not make sense for Actual Madrid after they can get him to decide to a pre-contract settlement for subsequent season on January 1 and land him on a free switch. And each penny that might go in direction of his switch payment is a penny that Mbappe will not be getting in wages, in addition to — maybe extra importantly — a penny that may’t be used to strengthen Actual Madrid additional by placing extra high quality gamers round him.

However hey, take it with a pinch of salt. I did not anticipate Messi to be leaving Barcelona for PSG both and even after watching him with that No. 30 PSG shirt on Sunday evening, I nonetheless wonder if it truly occurred.

Three factors for Man United, however little to impress Cristiano

Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t at Molineux on Sunday for the go to of Manchester United, although a life-sized cardboard cutout of their new signing was noticed among the many crowd. That two-dimensional cardboard cutout model of Cristiano contributed solely marginally lower than a few of his new teammates.

– Marcotti: How Ronaldo shocked the soccer world
– Ronaldo agrees to return to Man United

That is how poor United’s efficiency was towards Bruno Lage’s Wolves, who compelled a number of good saves (one in all them otherworldly) from David De Gea whereas conceding little or no on the different finish. Little or no, that’s, other than Mason Greenwood‘s purpose, which ultimately sent the three points the opposite approach (and which can have been disallowed if the referee had known as a foul on Paul Pogba for his sort out on Ruben Neves within the build-up).

play

Alejandro Moreno discusses the significance of Antoine Griezmann if Barcelona need to achieve success this season.

We noticed United in a 4-2-3-1 and on paper, that is the way you anticipate them to line up, with Ronaldo at both center-forward or on the left wing. You think about that Bruno Fernandes is a lock to begin, in order that would go away Marcus Rashford (when match), Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial competing for the ultimate two slots.

– Ronaldo again at Man United: How social media reacted
– Ogden: Ronaldo talk dominates United’s win at Wolves
– Man United rankings: Greenwood the hero

The good thing about this set-up is that it permits for a entrance 4 to accommodate as lots of United’s attacking gamers as attainable, and it leaves a spot within the “gap” for Bruno Fernandes. The draw back is that it pushes Pogba right into a deeper function in a two, a task that has labored for him for France, however much less so at United.

If you happen to go along with a 4-3-3 — or, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been doing, stick Pogba huge within the 4-2-3-1 — you cannibalize one in all your entrance spots and miss one other gifted attacking participant. Plus it means you must discover two dependable central midfielders out of Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay and Fred (who was very poor towards Wolves) and, as we have seen, that is an enormous ask.

The opposite choice could be a entrance two. It will possible go well with Ronaldo greatest — roughly 90% of his minutes final season have been performed as a part of a placing duo — and it will give United a pacy risk behind, which Ronaldo clearly will not supply. However which means both going with a 4-4-2 and dropping Bruno Fernandes, or adopting a diamond in midfield, which seems troublesome (and in addition turns into an issue when you’ve gotten Aaron Wan-Bissaka at full-back).

There isn’t any query Ronaldo makes United a greater facet. Equally although, discovering the appropriate lineup and approach to make use of him represents a conundrum — one Solskjaer must clear up within the glare of publicity and second-guesses.

Memphis and little else for Barcelona

play

Gab Marcotti explains why he isn’t stunned by Juventus’ poor efficiency of their 1-0 loss to Empoli.

It was that when a group like Getafe visited and Barcelona scored after two minutes, the remainder of the sport could be all downhill. They’d hold the ball, make the pitch large, choose their spots and both asphyxiate you thru possession, or bombard your purpose with pictures everytime you tried to shut the hole. (Or, usually, each.)

However you-know-who is gone, and the whole lot feels tougher. So regardless of the early lead towards Getafe (who, as of late, are way more attacking below Michel than they have been below Jose Bordalas), this sport become an actual wrestle. Getafe notched the equaliser earlier than Memphis Depay — with the complete complement of shimmies and stopovers earlier than a dead-eye end — who restored the lead.

– Barcelona rankings: Depay not at his best, but good enough

That was all within the first half-hour, and Koeman will hope that the remainder of the sport is not a foreshadowing of the remainder of Barcelona’s marketing campaign. Antoine Griezmann and Martin Braithwaite supplied little to help Depay, whereas the midfield have been matched by Getafe’s and at occasions struggled the hold the ball successfully.

Koeman will even be hoping that issues enhance with the return of Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele. In spite of everything, you do not need to swap Messi-dependency for Memphis-dependency.

Ronaldo leaves and Juventus crumble, however it’s correlation, not causation

play

Don Hutchison particulars Arsenal’s latest struggles and questions the membership’s choice making that has led to their swift downfall.

Juventus turned in one in all their worst performances with Max Allegri on the helm of their first sport with out Cristiano Ronaldo. They lost to newly-promoted Empoli, 1-0 at dwelling, and plenty of shall be tempted to chalk it as much as their No. 7 leaving. However pump these brakes: Juve have been so poor that Ronaldo might need made a distinction when it comes to the outcome, however most likely not the efficiency.

Allegri famous how they appeared frenzied and nervous with too many people attempting to do an excessive amount of, particularly within the second half. It was as if everybody was eager to fill Ronaldo’s large footwear immediately. However that is solely a part of the story.

Juve paid a value for what has been their bugbear for the previous few seasons: a midfield that creates little and does not construct play. Add to that some surprising particular person performances from Adrien Rabiot and Rodrigo Bentancur — and Weston McKennie approach out of his depth within the holding function — and issues simply worsen. It put extra stress on the again 4 and, on a day when each Alvaro Morata and Paulo Dybala have been off their sport, meant there was little in assault both.

The tactical confusion made it look like something however an Allegri facet; even when his groups are unhealthy, they’re often cohesive and uninteresting, not frenetic and chaotic. This was so out-of-character we can provide him a cross on that and also you’d anticipate issues will enhance as soon as Manuel Locatelli features a foothold within the beginning XI (the earlier, the higher).

So the low-water mark (you hope) has been set. Now it is time for Allegri to get to work with the rebuild. Moise Kean seems to be on his approach again to the membership from Everton, and so they might make one other pickup earlier than the window closes. Those that stated that Ronaldo’s presence stood in the way in which of a ground-up renovation job not have that excuse.

Lewandowski luggage a hat-trick, however Musiala steals the present for Bayern

OK, that is a bit excessive. Robert Lewandowski‘s hat-trick in the 5-0 thumping of Hertha is clearly noteworthy. He has now handed the 300-goal mark and his best contribution of the sport may not have even been a purpose, however a dummy within the build-up to Thomas Muller‘s opener. However once you’ve been operating at a goal-a-game clip for the previous 5 seasons or so, that is pedestrian excellence.

Jamal Musiala‘s efficiency, after all, is not fairly “man-bites-dog” stuff — we all know simply how gifted he’s — however he appeared not simply gifted, however confident and clever on the market, far past his years. (He does not flip 19 till February.) Some see him as the long run inheritor to Muller; for now, he seems effectively forward of Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman out huge.

Hertha have been poor and overmatched, falling prey repeatedly to Bayern’s press, so you do not need to get carried away. However defensively, Bayern appeared a lot better with their hybrid back-three/back-four. And the possible arrival of Marcel Sabitzer from RB Leipzig will add some much-needed depth (and provides Julian Nagelsmann one in all “his guys”).

Man Metropolis pummel mistake-ridden Arsenal, however that wasn’t Arteta’s check

play

Gab Marcotti wonders why Actual Madrid would transfer for Kylian Mbappe now when he might be part of free of charge subsequent season.

It does not take a genius to determine that Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are in hassle; three straight defeats to open the season will try this. The check will come within the subsequent two video games towards Norwich City and Burnley the place, along with a outcome, you will be in search of a efficiency. That stated, there are other ways to lose video games, and what we noticed Saturday from the Gunners was the worst type.

There was a raft of particular person errors, from Rob Holding to Calum Chambers to Granit Xhaka‘s pointless pink card. There was a set-up that appeared so unfamiliar that you simply puzzled if it had been tried in coaching. Positive, the game was over by half-time — this group was by no means going to bounce again after going three objectives and a person down by the break — however even after, there was no signal that they have been even trying fundamental patterns of play towards a Metropolis facet that took their foot off the fuel.

– Olley: Arsenal, Arteta implode at Man City

It isn’t simply outcomes that want to select up for Arsenal after the worldwide break, it is performances too. In any other case this group dangers getting swallowed up in a detrimental spiral, regardless of Arteta’s phrases about his gamers’ “unbreakable spirit” final week.

As for Metropolis, Ferran Torres now has seven objectives in his final 9 Premier League outings, a stat that appears even higher if I body it as seven objectives in his final 536 minutes on the pitch. As Pep Guardiola famous, his motion is more and more like that of a central striker, it doesn’t matter what he might need performed earlier than or at Valencia. The child is 21.

This is not to say that Ronaldo wouldn’t have made Metropolis a greater group and, maybe most significantly, elevated their possibilities of profitable the Champions League (and never simply because if Ronaldo is a Metropolis participant, he will not be taking part in towards them). Nevertheless it does function a reminder that, hunt for Harry Kane however, this group does not have a difficulty scoring objectives. And that, after they play like this, Ronaldo’s primary contribution would possible have been as an aerial risk (he is nonetheless one of many easiest headers of the ball in historical past) quite than the important thing participant he would possibly but be at Previous Trafford (and positively was at Juventus).

Ancelotti tightens Actual Madrid defensively and so they get all three factors

play

Nuno Espirito Santo says Spurs should nonetheless enhance after they moved prime of the Premier League with a 1-0 win vs. Watford.

This isn’t Carlo Ancelotti’s first rodeo. After Actual Madrid’s horror present towards Levante (3-3) final weekend, he knew that related snafus towards Betis risked having a cascade impact. So he fastened issues up, giving the child Miguel Gutierrez his first begin of the season at left-back and restoring Dani Carvajal to right-back. Downside solved. After a decent first half, Actual Madrid got here to the fore after the break and Carvajal himself scored the winner.

True, it got here instantly after Juanmi fluffed a gilt-edged breakaway, however in case you look past incidents to a broader view of efficiency, that second half represents progress. We bought a greater sense of what Fede Valverde can do when requested to be extra defensive, although we’ll solely have a clearer sense of the midfield when Toni Kroos returns. Vinicius Jr. stays in positive kind, Eden Hazard much less so and Gareth Bale had his moments (although, once more, it is a lengthy season and we have seen him fizzle out earlier than).

– Actual Madrid rankings: Carvajal, 8/10, saves the day

For now, we’re seeing that this group can do what they did within the final two years of Zinedine Zidane’s tenure, after they did not dazzle however received a LaLiga title and got here shut to a different. Ancelotti will hope to ship extra.

Giroud powers a deeper Milan facet in Ibra’s absence

The joke was that Zlatan Ibrahimovic, watching from the sidelines, might need gotten that little bit anxious seeing Olivier Giroud lead the road for Milan in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Cagliari. Giroud scored twice, dished out what ought to have been a highlight-reel help for Rafael Leao with a beautiful again heel, and usually appeared like he’d been part of this Milan facet for years. (By the way in which, it is a joke, Zlatan. In case you are studying… only a joke. After all you will go straight again into the lineup, since you’re Zlatan and he is not.)

After scoring 4 occasions earlier than the break, Milan took their foot off the fuel within the second half and coasted a bit of, which is comprehensible. However the vibe is sweet and this squad seems far deeper than final season. Rade Krunic and Sandro Tonali (who scored a Pirlo-esque free-kick) have been in the course of the park, however final yr’s regulars, Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessie, shall be prepared to begin quickly. Alessandro Florenzi, who got here on, gives reliable competitors for Davide Calabria. Matteo Gabbia has proven he can hold at this degree. And Ante Rebic got here on too.

Oh, after which there’s that Ibra man … yeah, I assume he can take some minutes when Giroud wants a relaxation. (We’re kidding, Zlatan, trustworthy!)

Minimalist Spurs — with a man named Kane up entrance — are three for 3

play

Jose Mourinho is all smiles whereas devouring a “particular” pizza following Roma’s 4-0 win over Salernitana.

That is proper: Tottenham Hotspur sit atop the Premier League after their third straight 1-0 victory, and a defensive setup that features Japhet Tanganga, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and, a number of yards up the pitch in midfield, Oliver Skipp, has but to concede a single purpose. Oh, and Harry Kane made solely his first begin of the season on Sunday, within the 1-0 win over Watford.

(That victory, whereas deserved on the stability of play, was nonetheless fortuitous when you think about how Son Heung-Min‘s free-kick was actually a cross.)

There are two methods to take a look at this, each presumably considerably true. One is that regression to the imply is inevitable, Spurs have been lucky (particularly towards Wolves) and gravity will quickly push them additional down the desk. The opposite is that these 9 factors, nevertheless gained, are a lift that can construct confidence, and that this group will enhance over time.

Kane is a value-add, nevertheless it’s possible you’ll really feel about his switch shenanigans. Their two most important summer time signings, Bryan Gil and Cristian Romero, have performed a grand whole of 4 minutes. And Nuno Espirito Santo has solely simply arrived and, as we noticed at Wolves, it takes time for gamers to soak up his model of soccer.

Atletico play effectively, however want a present to keep away from defeat

That is soccer for you. Every week in the past, Atletico Madrid have been poor towards Elche and solely bought the factors because of a blunder by the opposition keeper. Towards Villarreal, a far stronger opponent, they performed a lot better, however solely bought some extent because of an almighty blunder on the very finish, when goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli went walkabout simply as Aissa Mandi was heading the ball again to his personal purpose.

It was as bizarre a blunder as you are prone to see and it left Unai Emery extra apoplectic than standard, not least as a result of he has but to beat Simeone in 15 makes an attempt.

Atletico, nevertheless, performed effectively. Luis Suarez began and scored his first purpose of the marketing campaign and Thomas Lemar, chopping in from the left, was very efficient; defensively, they have been stable too.

Choose by efficiency and so they should be (slight) favorites, to retain their title, a minimum of based mostly on what we have seen from the competitors to date.

No drama, loads of enjoyable: Completely different Mourinho, completely different Roma

It isn’t simply the sight of Mourinho’s post-match meal on the prepare again dwelling, or the 14 objectives scored in 4 video games, that makes me surprise if that is a wholly completely different Particular One to the man we most not too long ago noticed at Manchester United and Spurs.

It is the truth that his Roma facet, recent off 4 wins on the bounce together with (OK, calm down) the Convention League, look enjoyable, fearless and filled with pleasure. Not the form of issues we have usually related to Mourinho lately.

On Sunday they tore aside a Salernitana facet that arrange in a kind of de facto 9-0-1 formation with everybody behind the ball. Jordan Veretout bossed the midfield, Lorenzo Pellegrini scored twice, Henrikh Mkhitaryan disbursed magic and Tammy Abraham was someplace between a pinball and a wrecking ball. And Roma have been doing stuff like this.

We’re nonetheless in August, after all: There’s loads of time for Grouchy, Surly, Pedantly, Drama Queen and no matter different personalities might inhabit his mind to return out. However for now a minimum of, Mourinho has been on his greatest behaviour and his gamers have been taking part in a number of the greatest soccer we have seen from his groups in years.