Champions League Roundup: Paris Saint-Germain's Young Guns, Valverde's Discontent and Qarabag Shine
Major Victors
The Viewers. The encounter with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain was the final many desired last season. The midweek group game demonstrated exactly why. The fixture lived up to expectations, although it was held in the less atmospheric Lluís Companys Stadium as a result of red tape hindering the opening of the renovated Camp Nou. Luis Enrique’s youthful Parisians mounted a comeback in Catalonia, thanks to their coach’s masterful use of his roster. Nineteen-year-old Senny Mayulu outshone Lamine Yamal by finding the tying strike – marking the first match this season where Yamal did not contribute a goal or assist. On the other hand, the rejuvenated Marcus Rashford set up Ferran Torres’s first strike for Barcelona. PSG were without Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the strike force that secured last season’s crown. That was irrelevant: Young forward Bradley Barcola rose to the occasion as the experienced forward and ravaged Hansi Flick’s high-line, high-risk defense. The youngsters kept emerging for PSG: Teenager Ibrahim Mbaye was replaced by another teenager, Quentin Ndjantou, to partner the energetic Lee Kang-in. In the end, Achraf Hakimi delivered the pass for Gonçalo Ramos, another substitute, to score the 90th-minute winner and inflict Barça's initial loss this season. “If you’re the best team, you have to prove it during the game, and not just talk,” remarked Ramos, who habitually scores decisive finishes when introduced. “We are the continental kings.”
Olympique de Marseille. The Ligue 1 side were the original victors of the revamped Champions League in 1993, yet they have a complicated relationship with the competition. That triumph carries an asterisk: the title was taken away of their French crown the same year due to match-fixing. In the current campaign, Roberto De Zerbi’s fiery coaching might guide them on a extended campaign. Following a defeat 2-1, yet respectably, at Real Madrid and overcome PSG last week in Ligue 1, Marseille overwhelmed another former winner in Ajax, 4-0 in a electric Stade Velodrome. De Zerbi’s squad is a blend of unwanted talents, many familiar to Premier League fans. Facing Ajax, Mason Greenwood echoed his impactful display in Madrid. His goal followed Brazilian partner Igor Paixão’s early double. The fourth was scored by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is still enjoying his football at the age of 36. De Zerbi, normally a strict disciplinarian, was enthusiastic: “I appreciate the effort of my team, the pleasure they take, and the connection they form with the supporters.”
Manchester United are not involved in this season’s competition but Napoli’s Højlund is the newest player to thrive once freed from the United jersey. Two goals from the Dane, exiled to the “reserve group” by Ruben Amorim last season, illustrated why United invested £68m for him in 2023 and why United will suffer a £26m loss if his temporary move to Napoli turn into a buy. Another former Manchester resident, Kevin De Bruyne, delivered two precise assists in Napoli’s 2-1 win over Sporting. “Kevin is a legend in the game and with possession at his feet, I know that due to his skill he will always place it perfectly for me,” said Højlund.
Player of the Week
Hauge of Bodø/Glimt. It took a late own-goal to stop Bodo/Glimt the triumph over Tottenham they likely deserved. Hauge, a key figure of the Norwegian club’s journey to last season’s Europa League semi-final after rejoining his local team from stints at Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt, netted a brace against Spurs this week. The two scores involved him moving centrally from the touchline to hammer past the keeper.
They Said It
“I know I have had bad games in certain games, I acknowledge it. I am not evading … Many might claim a lot about me, but never can they claim that I avoid playing. I have sacrificed all, and even more, for this club. I have competed with broken bones, physical issues, and never once have I complained or asked for a rest. I have a good relationship with the coach, which empowers me to communicate my ideal spot … at all times, I have stated that I am ready in all roles, in any away game, and in every match.” Federico Valverde, a unused sub in Real Madrid’s win at Kairat, took to social media to refute talk of a disagreement with Xabi Alonso and declining to play at right-back with the unavailability of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal.
Commentator's Take
“Right now, he must come out, Liverpool should go back to what they were, and attempt to build certain belief and a degree of solidity. Right now it appears like a mess.” Carragher's analysis of Liverpool summer signing Florian Wirtz on CBS, in the wake of their 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray.
Future Fixtures
In the group on two wins from two are Qarabag, who defeated FC Copenhagen 2-0 in Baku subsequent to a win over Benfica in Portugal in their opener. Qurbanov is a icon of Azerbaijani football, a prolific striker now coach of the Azerbaijan's serial champions, his reign extending to 17 years. The club’s first participation in the groups since 2017-18, only their second overall, is progressing excellently. Their next challenge is Athletic Club, who are yet to earn a point after their 4-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund. Is a third victory possible?
Two players coming into form are Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard, full of creativity against Olympiakos on Wednesday, and Julián Alvarez, who shone in Atlético Madrid’s weekend derby triumph of Real Madrid. The Argentinian netted a dying moments penalty in Tuesday’s 5-1 rout of Eintracht Frankfurt. As Atlético travel to the Emirates later this month, there will be a familiar face in the executive seats. Andrea Berta, the sporting director who brought in the players for Diego Simeone’s colchonero reign, presently oversees Arsenal’s player acquisitions.
