Supercopa lessons for Barca, Real Madrid; Man United beat Arsenal; more: Marcotti recaps the weekend-ZoomTech News

What a weekend! European soccer did not disappoint, per common, with a ton of speaking factors to debate after a charming slate of video games. Barcelona thumped Clasico rivals Actual Madrid to win the Spanish Supercopa, however greater than the consequence, it confirmed how Hansi Flick’s aspect can bridge the hole in LaLiga whereas Carlo Ancelotti should repair his star-studded workforce. Within the English FA Cup, Man United superior over Arsenal on penalties to achieve the fourth spherical, however each groups bought what they wanted from Sunday’s fiery, full-blooded conflict.

Elsewhere, we’ve a lot to interrupt down from Milan’s wobbly win at Venezia, Trent-Alexander’s efficiency for Liverpool within the FA Cup, João Félix‘s flashes of brilliance for Chelsea, Bayern Munich’s labored win over Borussia Monchengladbach. Oh, and Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and even Jack Grealish.

Let’s get to it. Listed below are musings and reactions to essentially the most memorable moments of the weekend.

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Clasico beatdown will need to have penalties, extra for Actual Madrid than for Barcelona

Perhaps there is a parallel universe the place Rodrygo‘s shot caroms in off the woodwork early within the second half, Barca do not go up the pitch to attain immediately afterwards, Wojciech Szczesny nonetheless will get despatched off, Madrid rating one other and it is 4-4, and the sponsors/everybody marvels at each the spectacle of Barca’s abilities and Madrid’s never-say-die perspective.

The worst factor Actual Madrid may do proper now’s inform themselves that they’ve something in anyway to do with that parallel universe. As an alternative, after the 5-2 shellacking, approaching the again of a 4-0 humiliation on the Bernabeu in October and with one other Clasico arising in Barcelona in the direction of the tip of the season, the perfect factor to do is interact in some accountability.

It essentially begins with Carlo Ancelotti, in fact. He units the workforce and sends them out; considering you would cram Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham into some kind of 4-2-4 in opposition to this Barcelona aspect proper now was an enormous blunder. Having gone extra conservative within the prior Clasico, he went out weapons blazing on this one and bought his bottom handed to him from the beginning — let’s not neglect the 2 big early Thibaut Courtois saves.

Ancelotti will bear the brunt of the criticism and, to be truthful, he is used to it. However let’s not neglect the elephant within the room: how this workforce was put collectively.

We have touched on it earlier than. You are one of many best-resourced golf equipment on the planet and also you go into the season with a squad whose three finest forwards are all pure left-wingers (and whose essential midfield attacking risk, Bellingham, additionally gravitates to the left). Toni Kroos, your midfield basic, retires and also you suppose you could be aggressive with a man who turns 40 in September (Luka Modric) and one other man who’s, effectively, Dani Ceballos. You have bought two central defenders coming off season-ending ACL accidents, and it does not happen to you so as to add one other centre-back to the squad.

That is traditional “Panini sticker” method: deliver within the large names and let the coach determine it out. Mbappe is essentially the most coveted participant on the planet? Received to have him — regardless of that Vinicius performs the identical place. I am out of central defenders? No sweat: Aurélien Tchouaméni is tallish, so he can play on the again. That Endrick child who’s the following large factor? Convey him in as effectively, though he’ll by no means get taking part in time.

Ancelotti might have solved these tactical conundrums prior to now — typically by strokes of genius, typically as a result of it is soccer and you may beat most opponents if in case you have higher gamers and a standout keeper — however it does not imply he (or anybody else) can achieve this in perpetuity. And it actually does not imply it is smart to proceed constructing squads like this one, even when they do find yourself with silverware on the finish of the marketing campaign.

There’s one other damaging aspect impact to the superstar-driven method too. Once they battle, it is tougher to make changes. That is why, you presume, Vinicius stayed on the market for 76 minutes regardless of enduring one in all his worst performances in current reminiscence. The man is already banned in LaLiga for the crimson card he picked up in opposition to Valencia; he has been coddled and informed the ban was unfair, so what would taking him off earlier have achieved for his frame of mind? I can not say for positive, however I think about that is exactly what went by Ancelotti’s head.

Phrase from the membership is that they will not purchase anybody new in January. When you’re a Madrid fan, you hope Sunday modified their thoughts.

As for Barcelona, Madrid’s deficiencies and self-inflicted wounds shouldn’t take something away from their efficiency. Nevertheless a lot Madrid performed into their palms, Barca’s stars carried out. Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and, in fact, Lamine Yamal will get the headlines — righty so, given the technical high quality they confirmed — however credit score has to go to the center of the park. Marc Casadó, Gavi and Pedri performed with an depth and an intelligence that gave Barca the mandatory platform to carry out the best way they did.

That is about them, positive, however that is additionally about Hansi Flick. Recreation-planning for this second Clasico given the circumstances (the Dani Olmo state of affairs, the legacy of the primary Clasico assembly this season) couldn’t have been simple and but he bought nearly every little thing proper. Barcelona aren’t excellent and there are sure to be a lot extra bumps alongside the best way. It is nonetheless excessive threat/excessive reward with Flick, particularly as a result of they’ve struggled in opposition to smaller golf equipment that sit deep, although with Gavi now totally match which may change. However this Clasico win is an enormous confidence increase.

Making up the six-point hole in LaLiga — particularly as a result of it is not simply Actual Madrid they’d need to catch, however Atletico too — is perhaps past them. But after days like this, you’d need to put them among the many prime two or three favourites for the Champions League.

Increase for Ruben Amorim goes means past Man United’s place within the FA Cup fourth spherical

Ruben Amorim gained on Sunday, and Mikel Arteta misplaced. That might even have been the case even when the spot kicks had gone the opposite means, and it was Arsenal who superior to the following spherical. Why? Due to what we noticed within the previous 120 minutes, and since the prize — staying alive within the FA Cup — is value lower than what occurred on the pitch.

I do not imply to gratuitously diss the competitors right here. Sure, it is a trophy and an essential one, however it’s not how both of these managers goes to be judged. Do not imagine me? Ask Erik ten Hag. He gained it final yr and is now unemployed (and largely unloved).

Extra essential, for each these coaches, was to get an emotional increase and supply a way that their membership is transferring in the best path. That half was settled within the 120 minutes earlier than any penalty was taken.

Arsenal might need created extra probabilities and bossed the anticipated targets (3.22 to 0.27), however most of that got here within the practically one hour of soccer they performed with a person benefit. Oh, and it was in that hour of soccer that they missed a penalty and did not capitalise. The upshot? Extra doubt about what they will obtain with Kai Havertz at centre-forward. It isn’t a view I share: I am a Havertz believer, although it might be good to have an alternative choice off the bench — and with out Bukayo Saka on the pitch. Doubt is not what Arteta wants proper now, and a win on penalties would not have modified that.

As for United, sure, they created little or no earlier than and after Diogo Dalot‘s crimson card, however they stayed within the recreation and performed with depth and objective. A bit just like the Liverpool recreation, they appeared like a aspect that was rising into what the supervisor wished them to do.

Random moments just like the Matthijs De Ligt block obtain outsize significance. It felt as if little lightbulbs have been going off up and down the lineup. They punished their opponent’s errors, stored their tactical form and grew extra disciplined with a person down at the same time as their foe grew extra frantic. Confidence in your supervisor is a factor and as soon as once more, they confirmed it. And simply as with Arsenal, the end result of the spot kicks wouldn’t have impacted this.

Yet one more factor on the penalty “gained” by Havertz when he collided with Harry Maguire‘s arm. I settle for that some people hate VAR; effectively, we bought to expertise a recreation with out VAR, and we did not simply see a participant conning the referee into awarding a penalty (as Havertz did, I am sorry to say) — we additionally noticed a full-on melee afterwards with little in the best way of disciplinary motion. Not as a result of the referee was unhealthy, however as a result of it is merely not possible for one refereeing workforce to maintain observe of a 20-man brawl.

Didn’t having VAR (as is customary within the third spherical of the FA Cup) actually make the sport extra gratifying? Or did it supply an incentive for gamers to get away with stuff?

New coach, usual Milan? Perhaps, however it’s not essentially a nasty factor

The current comeback wins in opposition to Juventus and Inter en path to the Tremendous Cup have been exhilarating, however it was apparent that Milan have been going to be judged by how effectively they do the bread-and-butter of cranking out victories within the league and transferring up the desk. And that is the place issues below Sérgio Conceição felt like they did below Paulo Fonseca, which might be why boos rang out on the finish of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at dwelling to Cagliari.

In opposition to an opponent that parked the proverbial bus — and understandably so, contemplating that they are combating to keep away from relegation — Milan had loads of the ball and the possibilities, however did not capitalise. Their 2.75 xG and 24 pictures on purpose (11 heading in the right direction) find yourself that means little when it is one other two factors missed. And including insult to harm, there have been no fewer than three distinct particular person errors on Nadir Zortea‘s equalizer, from Youssouf Fofana‘s revolving door defending, to Theo Hernández getting misplaced, to Mike Maignan fumbling the shot.

It is the kind of stuff that infuriates followers — and possibly Conceicao, too — the type of stuff that performed an enormous a part of what price Fonseca his job on the finish of December. That stated, Milan have been aggressive and front-footed, the alternatives have been there (consider Christian Pulisic hitting the woodwork or Tammy Abraham‘s missed one-on-one) they usually did greater than sufficient to win. That is an indication the muse is extra stable than the desk suggests. And it is OK if this appears like Fonseca’s Milan as a result of that workforce, regardless of the self-inflicted errors, bought a whole lot of issues proper.

Conceicao does not have to tear it down; he simply must iron out the kinks.

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Fast hits

10. It is now 14 wins in a row for high-flying Atletico: The narrative out of Sunday’s 1-0 win over Osasuna was that this was old-school Atletico Madrid: defending staunchly and never dominating, however taking their probabilities on the different finish. I am undecided I agree, and the xG (2.33) again me up on the attacking finish. They weren’t overwhelming, and Julián Álvarez‘s purpose felt like a collective mind fart from Osasuna’s again line — regardless of having three central defenders, Alvarez is someway left all on his personal? — however the alternatives they did create have been top quality they usually have been stingy in their very own field. They continue to be some extent away from Actual Madrid on the prime of LaLiga and their confidence is barely rising.

9. Antonio Conte has his recreation face on as Napoli say goodbye to Kvaratskhelia: Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Verona makes it 5 wins on the bounce for Napoli (within the league, that’s, as a result of that is the one competitors they’ve left). It was dominant in a Conte means: an early purpose, tight defending after which a second (beautiful) purpose from André-Frank Zambo Anguissa after the break for insurance coverage functions. Extra telling have been his phrases on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who’s formally on his means out. Conte stated he was disillusioned that he wasn’t in a position to persuade him to remain; Kvaratskhelia would have stayed, in fact, if he had been in a position to get the pay rise everybody agreed he deserved. (What they disagreed on, in fact, was the dimension of the pay bump.)

8. It isn’t the contract talks, it is Trent Alexander-Arnold: I made the purpose final week — as did Arne Slot — after the horror present in opposition to Manchester United, and it is legitimate this week after his shock begin in opposition to Accrington Stanley, by which he was the one holdover from final weekend’s XI: you’ll be able to’t blame his contractual state of affairs and the truth that he is a free agent in a couple of months when issues are unhealthy, as a result of that very same state of affairs exists when issues are good. And so they have been superb on Saturday as he led the workforce out as captain and notched a peach of a purpose in a 4-0 drubbing. The fact is that Alexander-Arnold is phenomenal going ahead however typically suffers large lapses defensively. That occurred earlier than his contract talks, and it’ll possible occur once more after he indicators a brand new deal, whether or not with Liverpool or anybody else.

7. Inter’s bounce-back win is essential, however so too have been the late wobbles: Sunday’s 1-0 win at Venezia is critical as a result of it retains the workforce inside 4 factors of table-topping Napoli: that is manageable with two video games in hand. Extra vital, I feel, is the best way they bounced again from the gut-punch of the Tremendous Cup defeat to Milan, by which a 2-0 Inter lead changed into a 3-2 defeat. Regardless of additional proof that they are not the identical workforce with out Hakan Calhanoglu, they have been largely in cost for a lot of the sport — no less than till the final quarter-hour or so, once they conceded extra probabilities than Simone Inzaghi would have favored. If there’s a trigger for concern proper now, it is most likely on the again.

6. Unlocking Joao Felix is a delight for the eyes: Think about in the event you may do this. Think about in the event you may get Joao Felix to often supply what we noticed him give Chelsea within the 5-0 drubbing of Morecambe on Saturday. He was dealing with a aspect one spot above the underside of the whole English Soccer League, however no, your eyes didn’t deceive you. In the great thing about his two targets, you noticed his grace, contact, steadiness, ending, creativity — all of the issues which can be supposed so as to add as much as a famous person. Besides in his case, they do not. He is perhaps essentially the most technically gifted participant on the membership, however 5½ years after his absurd €126 million to Atletico Madrid — that is proper, he is nonetheless the fourth-costliest participant ever — he nonetheless cannot discover a supervisor to offer him common taking part in time. (Probably the most damning Joao Felix stat is perhaps that since turning 21, he has by no means began greater than 18 video games in a season). Enzo Maresca would love to alter that, however he is not so boastful that he thinks he’ll succeed the place so many others have failed.

5. Harry Kane‘s penalty rescues wasteful Bayern Munich: Some in Bayern-land are so involved about not killing each recreation early that Saturday’s 1-0 win away to Borussia Monchengladbach was seen as a disappointment. Gladbach had a few probabilities after the break and it was 0-0 till Kane’s spot kick with simply over 20 minutes to go. Might Bayern have dropped factors? Positive, however additionally they put collectively an xG of 4.28 (to 0.35) and did not concede a single shot till the second half. That they created a lot with out Jamal Musiala in opposition to a midtable opponent is not a nasty factor. If you are going to fear as a Bayern fan, fear about free agents-to-be Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies, each of whom have been sometimes wonderful.

4. Tottenham scrape previous nonleague Tamworth, and it could possibly be the tip of additional time within the FA Cup: Tiny Tamworth away was precisely what Tottenham did not need within the FA Cup: small floor, synthetic pitch, a fired-up opponent, second-stringers not taking probabilities (learn: Timo Werner), each impartial hoping for an upset within the identify of the “Magic of the FA Cup.” Tamworth stored it scoreless for 90 minutes, however the floodgates opened in additional time with an personal purpose paving the best way to a 3-0 Spurs win. Perhaps it is a coincidence, however The Instances reported Monday that the Soccer Affiliation was contemplating scrapping additional time and going straight to penalty kicks. With replays having already been eradicated, the traditionalists is perhaps incensed, however the harsh fact is that the much less precise soccer you play, the extra likelihood the smaller membership has of an upset, and going direct to identify kicks would have given a workforce like a Tamworth a greater likelihood. As for the larger golf equipment, you think the very last thing they wish to do is play an additional half hour on a frozen pitch in January.

3. Paris Saint-Germain reaping far lower than they sow: It has been like this for some time now and theories differ, however Sunday’s victory over Saint Etienne felt like peak Luis Enrique. The defending champions took 25 pictures on purpose and put collectively an xG of 4.07, however managed solely to win 2-1. It is simple to level to the entire “recognised striker” trope, aside from the truth that Gonçalo Ramos really began on this recreation. (Randal Kolo Muani was elsewhere, presumably ready to discover a new dwelling within the January switch window.) With rumours that they are near signing Kvaratskhelia, you surprise what number of winger sorts are sufficient provided that they have already got Bradley Barcola, Lee Kang-in, Désiré Doué, Marco Asensio and Ousmane Dembélé.

2. Let’s all decide on Jack Grealish? It slightly feels that means. You might need thought that his first purpose for Manchester Metropolis since December 2023 (in Saturday’s 8-0 demolition of Salford Metropolis within the FA Cup) would have earned Grealish some respite from the critics. As an alternative, we bought loads of reminders that it had been 392 days for the reason that £100m man’s final purpose. (Heck, as a result of it was a penalty, when he subsequent scores from open play — if he scores from open play — we’ll get a reminder that it is his first purpose from open play since 2023. Will not that be droll?) There is not any query that Grealish has been a bust and that there have been much better methods for Metropolis to spend that cash, however citing his lack of targets kinda appears like punching down. Grealish is what he’s: a man who was vastly overrated by one of the crucial profitable coaches in historical past, who then could not match him into his system in a productive means and who did not stay as much as his switch price or large contract. Plus, he has the look the kind of participant opposing followers like to hate. However he cannot be the one scapegoat right here.

1. Juventus disappoint (once more) in derby, however look arduous and you will find two brilliant spots: As uninteresting as Juve have been within the 1-1 draw with Torino, and as indignant as Thiago Motta was — he even bought himself despatched off, raging afterwards about how sad he was together with his workforce’s lack of aggression — there are two factors of sunshine. One is Kenan Yildiz, who scored and was a relentless thorn in Torino’s aspect. I am going to go away it to others to find out whether or not he is the perfect Turkish teenager round (or whether or not it is Arda Güler), however it’s wild to me that some have been linking him to an exit over doubts about whether or not he match Motta’s system. The opposite is Douglas Luiz, who made his first begin since October and bossed the midfield. I do not know how or why he ended up on Motta’s naughty step after his large summer time transfer, however it’s evident he can contribute to this workforce. Past that, Juve confirmed all their limitations (Dusan Vlahovic‘s absence shouldn’t be an excuse) en path to their twelfth league attract 19 video games. No one in Europe’s Large 5 leagues has drawn extra.