A frantic Wednesday night time — 18 video games all of sudden — wrapped the league section of the UEFA Champions League, and we’ve a lot to speak about!
Anatoliy Trubin’s heroics will lengthy within the reminiscence for Benfica followers and neutrals alike — and possibly Real Madrid supporters, too — after the goalkeeper scored a stoppage-time aim to seal the Portuguese facet’s place within the knockout section.
Elsewhere, Arsenal accomplished a clear sweep, profitable all eight of their league section video games, whereas Chelsea gained 3-2 in Napoli — sealing the Blues a spot within the Top 8 and eliminating Antonio Conte’s facet within the course of.
So, with the league section full and seedings set for Friday’s knockout playoff spherical draw, ESPN FC’s writers weigh in on the motion up to now and what’s nonetheless to come back.
– UCL closing matchday because it occurred: Napoli out, Madrid fall into playoff
– Marcotti: The rise of set-piece royal rumbles is ruining soccer
– When is the Champions League knockout draw? Date, bracket, extra
Q1. What an evening! Real Madrid fell out of the Top 8 with a 4-2 defeat at Benfica, a consequence that launched the Portuguese facet into the knockout playoffs. Was Jose Mourinho’s turnaround essentially the most dramatic ending ever to a bunch stage because you began watching the Champions League?
James Olley: Funnily sufficient, essentially the most dramatic endings to the group stage aren’t actually one thing that reside within the reminiscence. This competitors is about knockout moments, trophy-winning moments. Real Madrid now should play two additional video games as heavy favorites and Benfica scrape right into a playoff. That latter improvement was undeniably a dramatic second, definitely in the way in which it took place, and the competitors is healthier for having a personality like Mourinho in it for just a little longer. Napoli’s topsy-turvy sport towards Chelsea was additionally enjoyable. But do not let one pleasing night time in entrance of the TV masks the weeks and weeks of diluted nonsense it took to get up to now. And the groups who will not be seeded within the knockout rounds are Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, AS Monaco, FK Qarabag, Bodo/Glimt and Benfica. Bodo getting this far is an effective story however does anybody actually anticipate any main upsets on this additional playoff spherical? So what was the purpose once more?
Julien Laurens: I do not need to ever hear once more that this format of the competitors isn’t good! I do not need anybody to moan once more about it. This was good drama once more, as we anticipated initially of the night time. There was all the time going to be some drama! It may have been at PSG-Newcastle or at one other sport, however it needed to be Mourinho and Benfica! Who else? The narrative was there for it: Mourinho towards his former membership with the chance to knock them out of the Top 8. He despatched Trubin up for the free kick which was by no means a free kick! The supply was excellent and Thibaut Courtois, who made some massive saves earlier than, could not save the header. The solely factor that this could come near is the Francesco Acerbi aim for Inter Milan within the semifinals final season towards Barcelona. That’s why we love soccer a lot!
Beth Lindop: I imply, how will you not love soccer, eh? There are few larger sights in soccer than a goalkeeper scoring a aim and for this one to be so vital by way of protecting Benfica’s Champions League desires alive makes it all of the extra particular. It’s arduous to recollect a extra dramatic climax so early within the competitors and for advocates of the brand new format, it is additional proof that the additional video games are definitely worth the pay-off. Plus, who does not need to see extra Mourinho touchline antics? Absolutely field workplace.
Gab Marcotti: Hell sure! Because it is freaking Jose Mourinho towards his previous membership! Because Benfica had misplaced their first 4 video games within the group stage! Because it is freaking Real Madrid! Because they’d misplaced three of 4 video games in all competitions previous to this one! Because they wanted a raft of outcomes elsewhere to go their method for this to even be a risk! Because they really battered Real Madrid (2.99 to 1.50 xG)! Because the aim got here deep in harm time with the final contact of the sport! Because the aim scorer, Trubin, is a freaking goalkeeper! Because Trubin did not seem to understand they wanted a fourth and appeared to be time-wasting seconds earlier than his aim! Because it is Mourinho!
Mark Ogden: What an ending! It was solely lacking a Mourinho dash down the touchline, however you possibly can’t have all the things. And credit score should go to Mourinho as a result of, with seven minutes of stoppage-time performed, he ordered Trubin ahead for the last-ditch free kick. Trubin headed residence for an unbelievable aim to seal Benfica’s playoff spot. The finest a part of this story is that Real Madrid will now face Benfica or Bodo/Glimt within the playoffs. Let’s simply hope it is Benfica so we are able to have the prospect of Mourinho getting below Real’s pores and skin but once more.
Sam Tighe: I am unable to consider something that matches that. The Real Madrid meltdown (two crimson playing cards), the actual fact the goalkeeper scored, the actual fact it was Mourinho … that was outrageous. The finest comparability I may even attempt to provide is Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s Ninety fifth-minute winner for Tottenham Hotspur towards Marseille in 2022, which noticed them qualify for the knockouts. But come on. Højberg isn’t a goalkeeper, so it is considerably much less novel than the utter insanity we simply watched.
Rob Dawson: In phrases of drama, it does not get a lot better than a goalkeeper scoring within the 98th minute to seal a spot within the Champions League knockout rounds. Goalkeeper Jimmy Glass remains to be a well-known identify within the U.Okay. after he scored a last-minute aim which saved Carlisle United from relegation and stored them within the Football League in 1999. It’s seemingly that the identify Trubin won’t ever be forgotten in Lisbon.
Alex Kirkland: It was an unbelievable, head-spinning couple of minutes, with Real Madrid rapidly out of the Top 8, and Benfica progressing, with Mourinho in tears as he headed down the tunnel after the ultimate whistle. It’s arduous to think about a bunch stage climax that got here shut. The most memorable turnaround that includes a Spanish workforce lately was most likely Atlético Madrid, who had been backside of their group earlier than they went to FC Porto and gained 3-1 in December 2021, with two of their targets coming in added time. But even that may’t examine to this. Real Madrid had been famously by no means eradicated within the group stage within the previous UCL format. Now, for 2 years in a row, they have been compelled into the playoffs.
Sam Marsden: For all of the above causes, it was clearly superb. Very little can beat a last-minute aim from a goalkeeper. How will probably be remembered will depend upon what comes subsequent, which I believe all of us hope shall be one other dose of Mourinho vs. Alvaro Arbeloa. It’s unlikely Benfica would beat Madrid over two legs (certainly not?) however all of us want Part II after the exceptional scenes we witness in Lisbon. Football gods, do your factor.
0:43
Are Arsenal favourites to win the Champions League?
Alejandro Moreno and Steve Nicol debate who ought to be favorites to win the Champions League.
Q2. Who/what has been the largest disappointment of the league section?
Dawson: It needs to be Napoli. Antonio Conte will argue that Italian golf equipment aren’t working with the identical finances because the European heavyweights — notably within the Premier League — however the reigning Serie A champions should not wherever close to the underside of a 36-team desk. Losing 6-2 at PSV Eindhoven and failing to beat Eintracht Frankfurt at residence are poor outcomes. Conte has a formidable report in home soccer, however for no matter cause he is by no means appeared capable of replicate it within the Champions League.
Olley: I’d have to choose the league section format itself. The second 12 months of this Swiss mannequin has strengthened my view of the primary: the significance of matches between massive groups are diluted, the additional two matches add nothing however an pointless improve on participant workload, and the televisual feast of Matchday 8 comes at too excessive a worth of sterile build-up. It is the European Super League by not-so-stealth design. Giving the highest two residence benefit within the knockout rounds is merely an incentive to make a flawed system have extra that means, and there’s an argument it overtly compromises the purity of knockout soccer — which the last-16 stage onwards all the time was.
Ogden: I fully agree with James on this. The league section could have heavyweight clashes on every matchday, however the video games do not actually imply something as a result of the giants know they will qualify anyway. Ok, you may argue that was all the time the case within the previous group section, however we did see some super-clubs — Manchester United, Barcelona — crash into the UEFA Europa League lately, as there was extra jeopardy and golf equipment knew they’d much less margin for error. This league section has been a protracted preamble towards a considerably inevitable conclusion.
Tighe: Sorry James, and sorry Mark … I stay an enormous fan of this new format. There’s sufficient peril concerned throughout the primary eight video games and I can not get on board with the concept a few of these video games “don’t matter” — they completely do. That’s why dropped factors within the first three or 4 weeks are prone to scupper your probabilities of ending within the Top 8, as this primary section has successfully turn out to be a quest to remain excellent. The stakes begin excessive and keep there. Last 12 months Juventus, AC Milan and Manchester City dropped into the playoffs, then paid the worth. This 12 months, Real Madrid, Internazionale, Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Juve (once more) danger the identical. I’m prepared to die on this hill: the league section is nice!
1:57
Are Chelsea extra entertaining to look at below Liam Rosenior?
Frank Leboeuf reacts to Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Napoli within the Champions League.
Marcotti: I form of really feel I want to deal with multiple concern right here. The largest disappointment needs to be Villarreal. Their desk seems worse than it ought to as a result of after the Dortmund shellacking left them with one level from 5 video games, they took their foot off the fuel, which is comprehensible. But nonetheless, this is a humiliation for a facet which might be fourth in LaLiga. Even with a stretched squad, you anticipated extra.
As for the format, I prefer it, as a result of it encourages attacking, much less speculative soccer. In that sense, it is positively extra entertaining. The “jeopardy” argument is a legitimate one, however I believe it is as a result of the seedings are fairly meaningless (aside from ending prime eight). There’s a simple repair, albeit one which solely me and UEFA common secretary Theo Theodoridis like, which is why it will not occur: Let the highest seed select their opponent for the knockouts. Then second seed picks subsequent, and on down from there. Not solely would it not add a layer of drama, however it might make video games much more significant.
Last 12 months, Liverpool gained the group stage. What was their reward (aside from lacking out on the playoff spherical)? Paris Saint-Germain within the Round of 16. Some reward!
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Kirkland: I agree with Gab, it is Villarreal. One level! For probably the greatest groups in Spain! Embarrassing is the phrase. It’s been the form of marketing campaign that makes you suppose: what is the level of working so arduous, all season, to qualify for the Champions League if you are going to carry out like this? Whatever the circumstances or mitigating components — like prioritizing LaLiga, and a few powerful fixtures in Europe — there’s actually no excuse. Lose to Tottenham Hotspur, Man City, Dortmund, certain. But Pafos and F.C. København? I actually fee Marcelino Garcia Toral as a coach, however he has some severe inquiries to reply.
Marsden: Yeah, I’ve acquired to go along with Villarreal right here too. For a workforce from Europe’s prime 5 leagues — and it does not matter which of these we’re talking about — to not win a single sport is fairly pitiful. Defeats to Pafos and at residence to København had been most likely the lows of Villarreal’s marketing campaign, however there isn’t any scarcity of moments to choose from. What makes their outcomes much more stunning is that, till not too long ago, they had been protecting tempo with Barcelona and Real Madrid on the prime of LaLiga. One level from eight video games isn’t an excellent search for the Spanish prime flight.
Lindop: When it involves largest disappointment, I’m going to go for Inter Milan. Last season’s finalists will seemingly nonetheless qualify for the spherical of 16 however, contemplating they’re 5 factors clear on the prime of Serie A, I believe they have been just a little bit underwhelming. Now, that may sound harsh contemplating they’ve gained 4 of their eight video games, however they failed to actually assert themselves in both of their residence matches towards Liverpool and Arsenal, and so they had been overwhelmed away at Atlético Madrid. They have not proven they’re able to make the subsequent step so far as profitable the competitors is anxious.
Laurens: I like this format quite a bit, I did final 12 months and I nonetheless do. In phrases of disappointment, I agree on each Napoli and Villarreal too. How are you able to be fourth in LaLiga and second-bottom within the Champions League on the identical time? For many people, Villarreal had been one of many groups to look at as a shock bundle; as an alternative, they have been a laughingstock! For Napoli, Conte has all the time struggled within the Champions League, so it is unsurprising to see his workforce not doing effectively this 12 months. Eintracht Frankfurt have been a shambles too, so have Ajax Amsterdam.
2:12
Klinsmann: Musiala’s return is big for Bayern Munich
Jürgen Klinsmann praises Jamal Musiala after he scored on his first begin since getting back from harm in Bayern’s 2-1 win vs. PSV.
Q3. Arsenal and Bayern Munich are clearly the front-runners to win all of it based mostly on their dominance within the league section. Is there another workforce that comes shut and might win all of it?
Dawson: Real Madrid. It’s been a turbulent season with the noise round Vinícius Júnior and the departure of Xabi Alonso, however it’s nonetheless a workforce packed stuffed with particular gamers. Often, Champions League knockout ties are determined by moments, and Real Madrid have the kind of attackers who produce them time and time once more. Then there’s the burden of historical past. It’s one thing that is inconceivable to quantify, however there’s one thing about Real Madrid within the Champions League. Despite their issues, they seem to be a workforce that nobody will need to face in March and April.
Ogden: Arsenal and Bayern are the favorites now, however it means nothing as a result of the slate is cleaned initially of the knockout rounds. The League Phase is principally a glorified preseason marketing campaign, and now the true motion begins. So, be at liberty to mock, however I’m tipping Liverpool and PSG to achieve the ultimate in the event that they keep away from one another alongside the way in which. Put your whole league section stats and type guides within the bin as a result of it is a fully completely different event when it is two-legged ties and sudden dying. PSG will come good, and Liverpool too: we have all seen how Anfield can propel Liverpool to exceptional outcomes.
Tighe: Mark’s proper: The league section is not an ideal indicator of what is to come back. You want solely take a look at PSG right here, who final season sprang to life on the flip of the 12 months and all of the sudden turned an unstoppable power. Tipping a workforce right here is not simple, as there’s loads of causes to downgrade most workforce’s possibilities (Barcelona have Pedri’s dodgy hamstrings, Liverpool are too open, Real Madrid are too flamable), so I’ll be tremendous boring and select … the reigning champs, PSG, once more.
Lindop: I do have a bizarre feeling about Liverpool this season. Now, I could effectively find yourself with egg on my face as they have been fairly horrible at instances within the Premier League this time period, however for essentially the most half, the Champions League has offered some respite, with Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid among the many opponents they’ve already vanquished. With much less of a deal with set items and physicality in Europe, Arne Slot’s facet are higher geared up for achievement. They have quite a lot of proficient people and can fancy themselves to beat anybody in a knockout tie at Anfield.
The incontrovertible fact that they will not be concerned in a title race within the spring may additionally work of their favor, too.
1:34
Burley: Barcelona’s assault shall be an enormous menace in UCL knockouts
Craig Burley reacts to Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Copenhagen within the Champions League.
Olley: Barcelona. The Premier League has produced three of the previous six winners and that undermines the argument I’m about to make … however the depth of English soccer can usually meet up with groups who attain the latter phases of the competitors. Three video games every week for months on finish, with no winter break, plus the depth of a title race — which can now exist after Arsenal’s latest type — could all be components. Barcelona look extra steady than Real Madrid, though I see Rob’s argument about their pedigree and particular person high quality being a menace to anybody. We could all really feel silly ignoring final season’s champions, PSG, too.
Marcotti: They’re form of two completely different questions. Being the third finest workforce proper now and being the third favourite are two various things. Heck, if Arsenal get embroiled in an energy-sapping title race, they won’t be the favorites. Loads can occur in a number of months. For me, Barcelona are the third finest workforce proper now (with all their foibles). Third-favorites to win, effectively, I’m not going to low cost Real Madrid, merely due to pedigree, Kylian Mbappé and Thibaut Courtois. I’m barely stunned how gung-ho everyone is about Paris Saint-Germain. Compared to final season, they downgraded their goalkeeper (no less than, short-term), Marquinhos is a 12 months older and so they’ve already misplaced to Marseille, Paris FC, AS Monaco, Bayern (at residence!) and Sporting CP this season.
Kirkland: I’ve acquired massive doubts about each Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barça’s protection is weak. No clear sheets within the Champions League this season, with 14 targets conceded, isn’t adequate. They conceded three targets at Club Brugge, and two at Slavia Prague. I’m unsure they are often relied upon within the latter phases. And sure, Madrid have Mbappé, Courtois and an enhancing Vini Jr, however they don’t seem to be notably sturdy on the again both, or in midfield. Just take a look at what number of possibilities they gave as much as Benfica on Wednesday. I’d look to Liverpool or PSG.
Laurens: There is not any method this present PSG workforce can win it once more. Going again to again is difficult sufficient if you happen to hold your degree on the identical top from one season to the subsequent, however it’s even more durable in case your degree drops! This workforce is the shadow of the workforce that walked over Europe’s finest final season, so rule them out! I nonetheless suppose that one other Premier League workforce can be third favourite. My cash can be on Liverpool and Manchester City. I do know they’ve points up to now this season, however they’re additionally succesful on their day, with their key gamers, to beat anybody else.
Marsden: Forget the highest two, as a result of holders PSG nonetheless should be the favorites for me. The league section is more and more related, and residential benefit within the second leg by way of to a possible closing shall be large for Arsenal and Bayern, however the secret’s who peaks in spring, not winter. A demanding Premier League marketing campaign could rely towards Arsenal later within the competitors, and whereas Lens are pushing PSG arduous, Luis Enrique’s facet ought to be capable of higher stability European soccer. Bayern’s commanding Bundesliga lead may assist them keep contemporary for the Champions League’s latter phases effectively.
This fall. Who/what was your favourite second/aim/participant of the league section, and why?
Tighe: I’ll most likely by no means cease mentioning it: I used to be within the stadium for Micky van de Ven’s outrageous solo aim for Tottenham vs. F.C. København. It’s the most effective aim I’ve ever seen reside. He picked the ball up on the sting of his personal field, began working and simply stored going. He beat 5, arguably six, gamers and lashed it in. Not solely was it a ridiculous particular person feat, however that stadium actually hasn’t seen too many optimistic moments this season, so I’d rely myself as much more lucky on account of that.
Marcotti: I’m going to go a bit left discipline right here. It’s week one of many Champions League, Kairat Almaty, debutants within the competitors, touring away to Sporting CP. Their first-choice keeper acquired injured within the qualifying spherical towards Celtic to get them into the league section. Their second-choice keeper acquired injured 4 days earlier, in a league sport, so 18-year-old Sherhan Kalmurza has to make his first-ever begin as an expert.
After 21 minutes, Sporting get a penalty. Kalmurza bounces up and down within the goalmouth. Morten Hjulmand takes the spot-kick and Kalmurza’s kick save denies him the aim! It did not final. Sporting scored 4 and every week later, he conceded 5 at residence to Real Madrid. But irrespective of. Thanks to an 18-year-old debutant, till the forty fourth minute (when Sporting took the lead), you believed in fairy tales.
Dawson: I’m going for Jens Petter Hauge’s aim for Bodo/Glimt towards Manchester City. It’s clearly not a second Pep Guardiola will bear in mind fondly, however for the Bodo/Glimt followers packed into the stadium that night time, it is one thing they will always remember. It was an excellent effort, with Hauge feinting away from Rodri with a intelligent step-over earlier than guiding his shot into the highest nook; Gianluigi Donnarumma may solely watch the ball fly previous as he sank to his knees. What a aim, and what an evening for Bodo/Glimt.
Kirkland: For Real Madrid, two particular person performances stand out. Mbappé’s four-goal haul at Olympiacos — together with a seven-minute hat trick — and Vinícius’ show towards Monaco in Matchday 7. Madrid have not been convincing general, however Mbappé, because the competitors’s prime scorer up to now, has delivered. Also, it felt like so lengthy since we might seen Vini acting at this degree, with this type of depth and power, creating three targets after which scoring a superb solo effort himself.
0:37
Burley: Man City will not come near profitable the Champions League
Craig Burley believes Manchester City’s defence is not adequate for Pep Guardiola’s facet to win the Champions League.
Olley: From the video games I attended, Estevao’s efficiency towards Barcelona was a memorable spotlight. Lamine Yamal is clearly an outstanding expertise, and the sport was billed as Estevao’s probability to indicate he may at some point attain Yamal’s degree: two 18-year-olds with the world at their toes. It felt an unfair framing given how a lot Yamal has already achieved within the sport and but, on the night time, the Brazilian produced a magical show capped by a superb particular person aim.
Lindop: Well, I’ve backed Liverpool to win the entire thing so I’m going to pick Dominik Szoboszlai as my participant of the league section. The Hungary worldwide has been the Reds’ finest performer by a long way, with 4 targets and three assists within the Champions League up to now. His strain penalty to safe a victory away to Inter Milan and his intelligent free kick towards Marseille had been highlights. If Slot’s facet do go all the way in which this time period, you possibly can wager that Szoboszlai may have one thing to do with it.
Ogden: It seems like a lifetime in the past now, however Marcus Rashford’s two targets for Barcelona towards Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Matchday 1 had been an actual spotlight — particularly his gorgeous 20-yard strike. We’ve all seen Rashford have ups and downs throughout his time at Manchester United, and the ups included some nice targets in massive video games — his efficiency towards Eddie Howe’s facet was a reminder of why he can nonetheless be a world-class participant. Consistency has all the time been Rashford’s downside, however he owned the Champions League stage that night time.
Marsden: It needs to be Yamal’s aim towards Club Brugge not simply because it was a superb aim, barely completely different to a number of the different strikes we have seen up to now, however due to how loopy the match was. Brugge led thrice towards Barça earlier than finally drawing 3-3 in a loopy sport in Belgium. The Yamal aim, which made it 2-2, was excellent. Grabbing the ball outdoors the field, he ghosted between two opponents and handed to Fermín López, who flicked it again to him, after which produced an outrageous end with the skin of his boot.
Laurens: For me, it needs to be Mbappé’s complete marketing campaign up to now. To rating 12 targets in seven video games is phenomenal. There was his quadruple towards Olympiacos, in fact, however all the things he has finished up to now within the competitors has been superb. He is on observe to get near his idol Cristiano Ronaldo’s report of 17 targets in a Champions League marketing campaign. To do it in a dysfunctional facet like this present Real Madrid, nonetheless not at their finest collectively, is much more exceptional.
