European soccer information: Liverpool perplex, Man United crumble, AC Milan embarrass, extra

It is one other busy weekend in European membership soccer because the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A all have tasty match-ups on the menu.

The weekend began with Paris Saint-Germain getting upset by Good whereas Bayern Munich battled Leverkusen to a draw. In the meantime, Saturday had its personal surprises, with Manchester United falling to Brighton, Inter Milan walloping AC Milan and Valencia embarrassing Atletico Madrid.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

So let’s get into it. As an thrilling weekend from Europe’s massive 5 leagues continues, listed below are your speaking factors, highlights and the information it’s essential know.

SATURDAY REVIEW

The Saturday lead: Liverpool once more supply causes for optimism or fear (relying the way you have a look at it)

Liverpool have not at all times been convincing this season however briefly on Saturday, after beating Wolves 3-1 at Molineux, they had been high of the desk with 13 factors from a doable 15.

Wolves took the lead in opposition to the Reds, identical to Bournemouth and Newcastle did in earlier weeks already this season, however once more Jurgen Klopp’s aspect got here again to win.

Liverpool, who handed 20-year-old Jarell Quansah his first Premier League begin in defence, had been fortunate they had been solely 1-0 down at half-time however within the second half, their attacking energy was an excessive amount of for the house aspect. Luis Díaz modified the sport after approaching on the break, Cody Gakpo acquired the equaliser and Mohamed Salah chipped in with two assists. Klopp was additionally capable of convey £85 million striker Darwin Núñez off the bench with the rating at 1-1.

After lacking out on the highest 4 final season, it is troublesome to know what goals Klopp ought to be setting for Liverpool this season. Is securing a swift return to the Champions League sufficient or can this crew emulate the category of 2019, 2020 and 2022 and push for the title?

They’ve solely saved one clear sheet this season however they’ve the attacking expertise to rival some other crew within the league. –Rob Dawson

Saturday speaking factors across the leagues

Man United are flailing, however the membership cannot activate Ten Hag now

Manchester United are in bother, however they haven’t any possibility however to again supervisor Erik ten Hag. They seem to be a membership seemingly lurching from disaster to disaster off the sector, and issues aren’t going a lot better on it, however they’ve staked a lot on Ten Hag that they cannot panic now.

The Dutchman has been central to a switch coverage that has seen former gamers Lisandro Martínez, Antony, André Onana and Sofyan Amrabat arrive at Previous Trafford, plus many others with hyperlinks to Dutch soccer, whereas he is additionally been given licence to put down the legislation to the squad. Cristiano Ronaldo was lower free final season after his spat with Ten Hag, and £73 million ahead Jadon Sancho may need performed his final sport for the membership following his very public row along with his supervisor.

If Ten Hag is just not the fitting man for this job, then who’s? For the primary time within the Premier League period, United have misplaced three of their first 5 video games however membership management can take solace in the truth that final season started with defeats to Brighton and Brentford and Ten Hag managed to show issues round.

Ten Hag, the 53-year-old former Ajax boss, wants some respite shortly, nevertheless it will not get any simpler with a Champions League journey to Bayern Munich to return on Wednesday. — Dawson

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Dawson: Environment at Ten Hag’s Man United disintegrating

Rob Dawson reacts to loud boos at Previous Trafford after Erik ten Hag’s choice to sub Anthony Martial on for Rasmus Hojlund.

Guardiola’s affect palpable as Man Metropolis successful machine rolls on

Manager Pep Guardiola’s powers of persuasion got here to the fore as Manchester Metropolis beat West Ham 3-1 at London Stadium on Saturday.

It appeared possible at one stage that each Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker would go away the Premier League champions this summer season. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain had been courting Silva whereas Bayern Munich pursued Walker just for each gamers to signal new offers with Man Metropolis following prolonged conversations with Guardiola, who was determined for the pair to remain. Saturday proved why.

Whereas solely Rodri, with 129 touches, acquired on the ball greater than Walker’s 105 touches as Metropolis dominated play in east London, Silva offered the second of high quality to unlock a spirited and compact West Ham aspect, lifting a 76th-minute end over Alphonse Areola to place the guests 2-1 up. They needed to come from behind after James Ward-Prowse‘s Thirty sixth-minute header threatened an upset with the Hammers taking the one clear probability that got here their manner.

However Jérémy Doku marked his second Metropolis look with a nice purpose simply 41 seconds into the second half earlier than Silva struck and Erling Haaland ended a day during which he regarded extra human than he has shortly with a late third.

Haaland had as many photographs (9) as accomplished passes and ended with a person xG of two.47, underlining the standard of probabilities he spurned. Finally, it did not matter as Metropolis maintained their excellent begin to this Premier League marketing campaign.

There was a reminder, nevertheless, that Guardiola, again within the dugout after a minor again operation, cannot at all times get his personal manner as Lucas Paquetá opposed his Metropolis aspect. Metropolis had two affords rejected this summer season for Paqueta, who wished to make the transfer, and he made some extent of embracing Guardiola earlier than and after the 90 minutes right here.

Guardiola lingered a bit of longer than the usual post-match interplay with an opponent, showing to whisper one thing into the Brazilian’s ear. We could by no means know what was mentioned however West Ham will hope it is not as efficient as his phrases to Silva and Walker. — James Olley

Inter Milan firmly safe higher hand in derby vs. AC Milan

Inter have made beating their neighbours and arch rivals AC Milan a little bit of a behavior now — suppose Champions League semifinals, Coppa Italia semifinals and Italian Tremendous Cup all final season, in addition to lots of their head-to-heads within the league in the previous couple of years. As of Saturday, the Nerazzuri have received the final 5 Milan derbies in a row for the primary time of their entire historical past.

But, their demolition of their crosstown rivals on Saturday was on one other stage — a 5-1 margin with most effectivity, brilliance, directness and ruthlessness. It was supervisor Filippo Inzaghi’s Inter at their finest, and their greatest win within the derby. Moreover, it was first time they scored 5 instances since March 1974 when in addition they received 5-1.

And Inter followers have a brand new hero. Marcus Thuram scored a wonderful purpose to make it 2-0 earlier than the break, coming inside onto his proper foot and inserting the ball in Mike Maignan‘s high nook. He was additionally concerned in his crew’s first one after 5 minutes.

An early first-half purpose, a late first-half purpose and the sport was just about over already. Milan tried after the break to return again however every part Inzaghi tried labored and his gamers proceed their excellent begin of the season with a fourth win in as many league video games with 13 objectives scored and only one conceded! A massively spectacular begin for Inter whereas this defeat will harm AC Milan a terrific deal. –Julien Laurens

Bayern Munich’s grip on the Bundesliga is in jeopardy however they will nonetheless construct

Bayern Munich wanted a spark. Sure, the long-standing Bundesliga champions got here out of the worldwide break in second place on purpose distinction, however their uneven play and questionable switch window provided legitimate cause for concern. Friday’s go to of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen provided a golden probability to reassert themselves as the very best crew in Germany, and whereas it led to a dramatic 2-2 draw, supervisor Thomas Tuchel & Co. have one thing strong on which to construct.

An early Bayern Munich lead — because of Harry Kane‘s reflexive header on the again put up after simply seven minutes — gave approach to a dominant opening 20 minutes, however Leverkusen did not wilt. Alejandro Grimaldo scored his first Bundesliga purpose with an outstanding free-kick to stage issues on 24 minutes, although Leverkusen could not press their benefit as they ended the half seemingly in management.

Leverkusen’s summer season signing Victor Boniface, who already has 4 objectives in three profession Bundesliga appearances, acquired the higher of Bayern centerback Dayot Upamecano time and time once more solely to squander his probabilities. The one shot he did get past Sven Ullreich was disallowed for offside because the second half noticed each groups have probabilities to take the lead.

Kane was denied by Lukas Hradecky‘s foot after a sweeping Bayern transfer, Boniface flashed a pair of photographs narrowly over the bar and Florian Wirtz hit the put up for Leverkusen, however with 4 minutes left, the hosts would lead once more. A flowing transfer down the left was capped by Leon Goretzka‘s late purpose into the field and assured, sweeping end on 86 minutes, which had everybody within the Allianz Enviornment (and watching on TV) realizing that Bayern had “done it again.”

Then, within the first minute of damage time, a slipshod collision by Alphonso Davies on Jonas Hofmann in an innocent place on the left fringe of the field gave Leverkusen an opportunity to equalize from the spot. Substitute Exequiel Palacios duly dispatched it past Ullreich, sealing Leverkusen’s comeback for a 2-2 end, leaving Tuchel once more looking for solutions.

The draw was what each side deserved, however each side will invariably draw totally different conclusions. For Leverkusen, it was vindication that this squad has the expertise and tenacity to problem for the title. For Bayern, it was some extent well-earned forward of a Champions League date with Manchester United, and an opportunity to regroup earlier than league video games with Bochum and RB Leipzig to shut out the month of September. At this early stage of the marketing campaign, it ought to supply affirmation that issues aren’t as unhealthy as they appear. –James Tyler

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Bayern denied go-ahead purpose by Leverkusen’s gorgeous double save

Bayern Munich will get two photographs on purpose, however Bayer Leverkusen by some means retains the ball out with some excellent last-ditch defending.

Valencia convey Atletico Madrid again all the way down to earth

From a 7-0 win earlier than the worldwide break to Saturday’s meek 3-0 defeat at Valencia — this was a actuality verify for Atletico Madrid, and a critical blow to their picture as darkish horse title contenders. Coach Diego Simeone referred to as it “possibly the weakest game in the time I’ve been at a club” and that is fairly a declare, provided that he took over in December 2011.

Atletico’s popularity was constructed on a rock-solid defence, however that was nowhere to be seen at Mestalla. Neither was the midfield. Captain Koke is injured, Rodrigo de Paul was harm on worldwide obligation with Argentina, Thomas Lemar went off within the first half right here, and the deep-lying midfielder who was the membership’s primary goal through the summer season switch window by no means arrived.

The Champions League group stage begins this week, as Atletico look to keep away from a repeat of final yr’s embarrassing elimination. They journey to Lazio on Tuesday, after which there is a Madrid derby with Actual subsequent weekend. This was the worst doable preparation. –Alex Kirkland

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Javier Guerra curls in a magnificence to make it 3-0 Valencia

Javier Guerra purpose 54th minute Valencia 3-0 Atletico Madrid

The Joaos add wow issue for Barcelona

Barcelona quickly moved to the highest of LaLiga as they blitzed Actual Betis 5-0 on Saturday at Montjuic, with João Félix and João Cancelo including the wow issue on their full debuts and Ferran Torres ending the crew’s 866-day look forward to a purpose from a free-kick.

Felix opened the scoring from a good angle earlier than serving to arrange the second for Robert Lewandowski with a pleasant dummy. Torres added the third as he scored Barça’s first direct free-kick since Lionel Messi netted in opposition to Valencia in Might 2021. Substitute Raphinha netted the fourth and Cancelo accomplished the rout with a superb solo effort.

Deadline day signings Felix and Cancelo each got here into the aspect for his or her first begins for his or her new membership. They had been the celebrities of a primary half that noticed Barça hit heights they’d not beforehand hit this season. Regardless of coming by means of their first 4 video games unbeaten, they’d not at all times impressed, however this was totally different.

Felix had already had a couple of good moments when he delivered the opener with an acute end. The purpose was born from Barça’s press and a thumping Cancelo problem. The second purpose got here from a sustained spell of strain. Cancelo offered an additional physique within the center earlier than Andreas Christensen‘s incisive go, brilliantly left by Felix, was turned dwelling by Lewandowski.

Solely the offside flag denied Felix a second purpose after the break. The floodgates quickly opened, although, as Betis crumbled. Torres fired dwelling a superb free-kick, Raphinha put the crowning glory to a different good transfer and Cancelo beat his man earlier than firing low into the underside nook to seal a memorable night for Xavi’s aspect. They transfer one level away from Actual Madrid, who host Actual Sociedad on Sunday. –Sam Marsden

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Barcelona vs. Actual Betis – Sport Highlights

Watch the Sport Highlights from Barcelona vs. Actual Betis, 09/16/2023

Information of the day

• Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag was met with booing from the group as he subbed off Rasmus Højlund for Anthony Martial throughout his aspect’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton. Requested about it, the supervisor unsurprisingly opted to brush it off, saying it was “a positive” as a result of it confirmed the followers had been proud of Højlund’s efficiency. “It’s good they give this signal, this message,” he mentioned. “It will give Rasmus belief.”

• Why has Jude Bellingham been off to such a scorching begin for Actual Madrid? Nicely, he is proficient, positive, however supervisor Carlo Ancelotti says it is greater than that. It is the participant’s persona that’s the reason he has tailored so shortly to life at Actual Madrid, Ancelotti mentioned, including: “Good players with personality suffer a bit less than the others.”

• Paris Saint-Germain suffered their first lack of the Ligue 1 season as Good ahead Terem Moffi scored two objectives and earned an help to assist his aspect to a 3-2 win in Paris on Friday. PSG, who on Tuesday will host Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League, may have provisionally topped the standings with a win however slipped down to 3rd on eight factors.

And eventually …

Fifteen Las Palmas gamers — over half the squad — and two of the membership’s physios had been left red-faced after lacking the crew’s flight to mainland Spain for Sunday’s LaLiga sport at Sevilla.

A communication breakdown noticed the group go for a espresso at a restaurant inside Gran Canaria airport when their flight was delayed, solely to then arrive late to the departure gate with the aircraft already making ready for take-off.

Transportation is a serious difficulty for Canary Islands golf equipment like Las Palmas, with flights to the remainder of Spain taking just below three hours.

Thankfully, the membership was capable of organize a last-minute constitution flight for the gamers in a while Saturday, praising native airline Binter for “managing to find an available plane and crew” to make sure your complete squad may spend the night time in Seville forward of the match. –Marsden