UCL talking points: How good is Pulisic? Is Vinícius a Ballon d’Or lock?-ZoomTech News

Matchday 3 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League is within the books and the 36-team table is starting to take shape.

Aston Villa are Europe’s shock leaders, nevertheless it’s the shows of gamers like Christian Pulisic and Vinícius Júnior which have actually caught the attention. In the meantime, the underperforming massive weapons of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich may be starting to sweat just a bit.

ESPN writers Gab Marcotti, Mark Ogden and Julien Laurens mirror on a few of the burning questions after three rounds.

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Is that this the actual Pulisic or are we simply witnessing a sizzling streak?

Ogden: Pulisic is 26 now and getting into the height years of his profession, and I feel that’s starting to indicate. Chelsea was a troublesome transfer for him and it did not work out as he would have needed, however his time within the Premier League made him a greater participant, even when it dented his confidence at occasions. AC Milan are actually reaping the advantages of his expertise at Stamford Bridge.

His purpose towards Liverpool on matchday 1 was excellent and he topped it along with his purpose towards Membership Brugge this week. He is change into the primary man at Milan and you may see that he’s a unique participant purely as a result of he seems settled, needed and he is aware of he’s a key a part of the workforce. So sure, that is the actual Pulisic — one that’s realising his potential after being formed by the tough occasions he has needed to endure.

Marcotti: He is reached maturity and that is vital. He is match and that issues much more. However I would additionally add that he has a bunch of intangible qualities that shine by at Milan make him so useful. He is cognizant of the truth that, in contrast to with america nationwide workforce, he isn’t orders of magnitude higher than his teammates and he does not must be the primary man. They’ve loads of different gifted gamers, however what they do want from him as a result of others (not pointing fingers however … Rafael Leão) do not at all times present it’s work fee, reliability and a willingness to place the workforce first. I do not assume that is going away even when he’s on a sizzling streak (and I am undecided he’s: he is fairly darn gifted). So, I think about he’ll proceed to be vital for Milan for an extended, very long time. Or, at the very least, till they begin correctly clicking. Even towards Membership Brugge, positive, they gained, however the Rossoneri solely actually regarded good within the final half hour.

Laurens: That is the actual Pulisic and he’s on a sizzling streak! Each are legitimate and true. Now he must be constant and remodel the new streak into his norm. The more durable factor will likely be to remain on this kind and hold placing up performances like he did on Tuesday and like he has been for many of this season. He’s extra mature, staying match. He clearly feels liked and valued by his membership and his supervisor, on the again of an excellent season final 12 months too. I am satisfied he can change into that man — the man at Milan — particularly with Leao’s poor kind in the intervening time.

Does Vinícius’ hat trick seal the Ballon d’Or?

Ogden: Even when Rodri was match and taking part in at Manchester Metropolis, it appeared that Vinícius was the clear favorite to win the Ballon d’Or, however his hat trick towards Borussia Dortmund sealed the deal. Rodri’s ACL harm just about paved the best way for Vinícius to run away with the voting as a result of he was the one actual rival to the Madrid ahead’s probabilities.

Jude Bellingham has been a digital no-show for Los Blancos since his unimaginable begin within the first half of final season, whereas Toni Kroos dominated himself out of the working by retiring in the summertime. Wouldn’t it be harsh to counsel that 2024 has not been a classic 12 months for Ballon d’Or contenders? There isn’t any excellent candidate, so in that context, Vinícius ought to now have it wrapped up.

Marcotti: I assume it is an exclamation level, however nothing extra. Most, if not all, the votes are in anyway. And there are many whispers he had it within the bag. The Ballon d’Or voter is a wierd animal: she or he rewards massive performances from massive groups in massive video games. And Vini definitely delivered that towards Bayern Munich. However I think about he already had it sewn up.

Laurens: Vini’s hat trick on Tuesday will not impression who wins the Ballon d’Or — the votes have already been despatched and counted. He had gained it earlier than his wonderful second half towards Borussia Dortmund. He’s presently one of the best participant on this planet and no right-back can defend him. Personally, I like Rodri as a Ballon d’Or winner, however Vini is wonderful and so unplayable that he wins video games on his personal like he did on Tuesday.

Which massive workforce is in hassle?

Ogden: Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have each struggled to stay as much as expectations to this point, however PSG can at the very least level to Luis Enrique’s workforce being in transition from the membership’s previous famous person period to 1 constructed round rising younger expertise. They are going to have bumps alongside the street and perhaps should decrease their sights this time round. However Bayern haven’t any such mitigation and their defeat towards Barcelona — after shedding at Aston Villa on matchday 2 — uncovered the entire issues that can cease them difficult for the Champions League this season.

Their centre-backs, Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae, are too gradual and never adequate for a membership of Bayern’s stature, whereas others corresponding to Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer are nicely previous their greatest. Harry Kane will rating objectives and Michael Olise is a real expertise, however Bayern have too many weaknesses. Their sport towards PSG subsequent month will likely be intriguing for thus many causes.

Marcotti: I am undecided any of the massive groups are in precise “hassle” if by “hassle” you imply not ending within the prime eight and by-passing the playoff spherical. Certain, Bayern, Milan and Atletico Madrid are all on three factors, however, equally, they’re simply 4 factors from eighth place, with 5 video games to go. And in the event you imply “hassle” as in not qualifying for the playoff spherical, nicely, no person is. Not but anyway. I assume it is the character of this new format.

Laurens: I do not assume there may be any hassle for any workforce simply but. We’re three video games in and there are 5 extra to play so 15 factors nonetheless out there. So there is no such thing as a have to panic for PSG, Bayern, Atletico and even RB Leipzig. Having mentioned that, it is fairly enjoyable to see the strain mounting on these massive groups, particularly when you understand that Paris, Munich and the Colchoneros will face one another within the subsequent few weeks. There will likely be a great deal of drama then and that is what we would like and what this new Champions League format does for you.

With Frenkie De Jong, Dani Olmo and Gavi all match, how does Hansi Flick resolve his midfield? And who loses out for El Clasico on Saturday?

Ogden: I feel the one actual possibility to interrupt into the beginning workforce towards Madrid is Olmo. Gavi has registered simply 12 minutes all season, whereas De Jong has solely managed 24 minutes in all competitions, so it will be of venture — perhaps even a reckless one — by Flick to place one or each into the workforce, particularly after such a convincing win towards Bayern. I simply do not how, or why, Flick might take into account dropping Marc Casadó or Fermín López. Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha all should play, so these are the 2 most certainly to overlook out. However they should not.

Marcotti: Wednesday’s demolition of Bayern was the primary sport again for Olmo and De Jong and, clearly, Gavi simply has the 2 appearances. So perhaps the Clasico is simply too quickly, although had been De Jong totally match-fit I would undoubtedly have him in there. Going ahead, it is laborious to see how the items match. You’d think about De Jong would regain his place for Casado. Raphinha is in one of the best type of his profession, clearly Yamal is what he’s after which you have got Gavi and Olmo.

I feel we’ll find yourself seeing Gavi with Pedri and De Jong within the midfield three and Olmo sharing time on the wing with Raphinha and Yamal. They’ve each performed a ton of soccer so far and, lest we neglect, Yamal is 17. I feel Olmo may also be the selection when Robert Lewandowski wants a breather (and, at 36, he in all probability will), although Ferran Torres might be a greater match when it comes to his work off the ball. How Flick performs this going ahead goes to be completely fascinating. There are not any proper solutions. However I assume that is why he will get paid the massive bucks.

Laurens: For the short-term, and the Clasico this weekend, I might belief precisely the identical workforce that battered Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Flick has no purpose to alter something. I might hold Pedri and Casado in midfield. I might hold De Jong and Gavi on the bench. I might hold Fermin with a free position in midfield, each attacking and urgent whereas additionally dropping deeper out of possession to assist the double pivot. The defensive excessive line will likely be dangerous towards Actual Madrid, however Barça additionally know they may have the flexibility to harm the Merengues with the shape that Raphinha, Lewandowski and Lamine are in proper now.