The UEFA Champions League returned this week with its standard of blowouts, upsets and entertaining football, and while it’s too early to eliminate any club yet, the stakes are already high.
Tottenham Hotspur: 0 points
Result: 1-2 loss at Internazionale Milan
Next match: FC Barcelona at home
Oh, Tottenham. Another blown lead. Another 2-1 loss. Poor Spurs. Tottenham has lost three straight matches, two domestically and the third to Inter Milan, and after three seasons of consistent almost-greatness, Mauricio Pochettino’s side may finally be starting to feel the pressure. Inter Milan is one of Europe’s ancient giants, winners of three Champions League titles, and a historically great side, but the team is also six years removed from its last Champions League match. Tottenham is embarking on its third consecutive campaign and has an elite core of players in the prime of their careers. The team has added depth over the last few transfer windows, and this increasingly feels like a now-or-never squad. Spurs need to perform either in the Premier League or in the Champions League, and they should. Last season saw them comprehensively beat perennially great sides Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund to win their group, and despite the difficulty of this year’s draw, Spurs fans would have been forgiven for expecting a similar result. San Siro is a legendarily difficult venue to win in for away teams, but after dominating possession and going into the last 10 minutes with the lead, Spurs should have emerged with at least a point. Had they closed it out, there would have been less pressure on their upcoming match with Barcelona. Now Pochettino must steer his team to at least a draw against an in-form Barcelona squad, and then beat PSV Eindhoven on the road in order to put themselves in a position to play in the round of 16.
Liverpool: 3 points
Result: 3-2 win vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Next match: S.S.C. Napoli away
Liverpool’s first game went as well as the team could have hoped. PSG is one of Europe’s elite, and after Liverpool’s finish as runners-up in last year’s champions league, this opening match was a clash of titans. In a competitive group, Liverpool took a huge step toward securing the first spot and an easier route to the latter stages of the tournament. Questions remain about Mohamed Salah after a less-than-stellar World Cup and a slow start to this campaign, but the Reds showed that this is the same team that made last season’s final. Daniel Sturridge scored a goal, and while it may be a bit too soon to declare that Sturridge is back, it certainly was a welcome sight for Liverpool fans. New goalkeeper Alisson Becker may have finally solved Liverpool’s goalkeeping woes, and this win puts the Reds fate in their own hands. A win in Napoli would virtually cement the Reds’ place in the round of 16, barring a late collapse, but this big win gives them plenty of room, and a draw on the road would still be a welcome sight to most Liverpudlians.
Paris Saint-Germain: 0 points
Result: 2-3 loss at Liverpool
Next match: Red Star Belgrade at home
It would be easy to criticize PSG for its opening loss to Liverpool. It would be easy to question Neymar’s effort and a disappointing second half from the Parisian side. Many have already — Neymar recorded a lone assist on Kylian Mbappé’s equalizer and was largely contained by Liverpool in the second half. You can Google Neymar’s name and find your share of questions about his ability and propositions that the Brazilian superstar is overrated. For both Neymar and PSG, however, this game is not a death sentence. Playing at Anfield on a Tuesday evening is not an easy win by any means. Jurgen Klopp has turned Liverpool into one of Europe’s best, and Liverpool’s Champions League final appearance from last season is a testament to that new status. PSG should not be happy with a loss, but it’s likely the most difficult game the team will play in this group stage. It would not be inconceivable for PSG to win its last five matches and take the first spot in Group C. Neymar has never been one to shy away after criticism — he will perform. PSG possesses bags of quality aside from the Brazilian, and it should not solely fall on his shoulders to carry this team. PSG needs to and can win its group; that starts with a home match against Red Star Belgrade.
Olympique Lyonnais: 3 points
Result: 2-1 win at Manchester City
Next match: Shakhtar Donetsk at home
Lyon had the best — and I mean the best — opening it could have wished for. Before the tournament, Group F was clearly led by powerhouse Manchester City, with Hoffenheim, Shakhtar Donetsk and Lyon in a relatively even race for second place and a ticket to the round of 16. After 90 minutes of football at Etihad Stadium, Lyon had flipped that prediction on its head. A banner performance from star man Nabil Fekir, who was involved in both goals, coupled with good showings from former Manchester United outcast Memphis Depay and youngster Maxwell Cornet put Lyon ahead of Man City. Lyon’s defense rose to the difficult task of containing Manchester City’s vaunted attack, and stayed disciplined in front of a brilliant Anthony Lopes, who made seven saves. Lyon opened its Champions League campaign by winning the most difficult game it will play — away against predicted group winners Manchester City. This result puts Lyon’s fate squarely in its hands. If the team continues this disciplined brand of counterattacking football, there is no reason why it cannot win the group. Shakhtar, however, will be more likely to sit back and wait for Lyon rather than throw numbers forward, and in some ways this upcoming match may be more difficult than Lyon’s Manchester City win. Still, an opening victory gives Lyon breathing room, and a draw would be serviceable, although a home win and six points after two matches would be vastly preferable.
Jasper Sundeen writes for Bear Bytes, the Daily Californian’s sports blog. Contact him at [email protected].
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