UCL: Pep’s Tactics Fail City, Arsenal Dominates.

Then there existed one solitary team. After five matches, Arsenal stands alone as the only squad in the UEFA Champions League boasting a spotless record. The Gunners’ remarkable 3-1 triumph over Bayern Munich on Wednesday cemented this status, but what about the other outcomes from this week?

What inferences can be drawn from Chelsea’s assured 3-0 victory against Barcelona? How does Liverpool’s 4-1 defeat at the hands of PSV Eindhoven — occurring at Anfield, no less — impact Arne Slot, the Reds’ embattled manager? And what rationale underpinned Pep Guardiola’s decision to field a weakened lineup against Bayer Leverkusen?

Delve in as ESPN’s analysts Julien Laurens, Sam Tighe, Rob Dawson, and Gab Marcotti address the prominent inquiries arising from Matchday 5.

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– Arsenal maintain flawless Champions League record, solidify contender credentials
– Lindop: Liverpool’s woes intensify with UCL defeat to PSV
– Dawson: City’s depth deficits exposed in Leverkusen setback

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Q1. Will Guardiola ultimately regret deploying such a depleted team? Manchester City’s prospects of finishing in the top eight are now diminished, and they face heightened pressure in their remaining three encounters against Real Madrid, Bodo/Glimt, and Galatasaray. City also possess firsthand knowledge of the dangers inherent in dropping into the playoff round, having been ousted last year by Madrid.

Marcotti: This felt exceedingly peculiar. Such extensive changes are typically reserved for inconsequential matches or early-stage Carabao Cup ties where exiting the competition wouldn’t be a major concern. I doubt any coach other than Pep would even contemplate such a strategy.

Man City’s upcoming fixtures include Leeds United at home, Fulham away, and Sunderland at home. It’s not as though rest is an urgent requirement for these games. Nor was this a case of wanting to keep the reserves engaged. With 10 alterations, synergy becomes virtually nonexistent. You essentially signal to the incoming players that they are merely backups and nothing beyond that.

I can only surmise, but my intuition suggests an underlying factor at play. Guardiola typically avoids such maneuvers. Perhaps a novel motivational technique, or an attempt to send a message to those who faltered against Newcastle United? Regardless, it was a significant misjudgment, possibly influenced by Leverkusen’s two suspended regulars, Edmond Tapsoba and Robert Andrich. (Or perhaps he hadn’t registered Erik Ten Hag’s departure?)

Regardless, matters are now unnecessarily complex. Real Madrid away is the immediate challenge, followed by Bodo/Glimt away — a team playing on an artificial surface north of the Arctic Circle in January. Guardiola could be facing a severe winter storm. The potential for playoff involvement (or worse) is now palpable, adding two more fixtures to an already packed schedule.

Dawson: Guardiola erred with his starting lineup against Bayer Leverkusen, an admission he made afterward.

Rotation isn’t the issue, it’s a necessity given the crammed schedule. The core issue was the sheer scale of the changes, a staggering 10, when four or five would have sufficed, especially with Leeds at home in the upcoming Premier League match. The performance lacked rhythm, unsurprising considering the number of players making their first start in weeks.

Guardiola’s decision was perplexing, as the Leverkusen defeat has needlessly amplified the pressure on the remainder of their Champions League campaign. They have a daunting fixture against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu next month. A loss there could necessitate victories against both Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray in January to secure a top-8 finish.

Tighe: A mere glance at the result, and Man City’s heavily rotated lineup, might elicit scorn, an outcome further compounded by Leverkusen’s own extensive rotation.

Evidently, removing Erling Haaland from this team is a luxury City cannot afford. He’s responsible for 58% of their Premier League goals (14 of 24) and 50% of their Champions League goals (5 of 10). This over-reliance is concerning, but Pep likely sought to provide respite given Haaland’s projected 4,000+ minutes this season (and impending FIFA World Cup). If not now, against an injury-plagued Leverkusen, then when?

It’s crucial to note that the City team on the field should have secured the result. They amassed 1.8 xG, equivalent to Chelsea’s tally in their 3-0 win over Barcelona, and surpassing Benfica’s 1.2 in their 2-0 victory over Ajax. Tijjani Reijnders, Nathan Aké, Oscar Bobb, and Rayan Cherki all squandered opportunities of varying quality. Haaland himself, brought on as a savior, missed two additional chances.

Laurens: Despite my high regard for Guardiola, his extensive rotation was inexplicable. Not due to the loss itself; the B team created enough chances to win, and they will likely secure a top-eight spot regardless.

The decision was misguided because Guardiola is fundamentally altering his team’s playing style. A new philosophy, system, and teachings are being implemented. His strongest lineup is still assimilating these changes, making a complete overhaul for a Champions League match a misstep. Rotation is welcome, but not with the entire team when consistency is vital for learning the new approach.

It was evident against Newcastle that City’s revamped style hasn’t fully clicked, potentially leading to three consecutive defeats with Leeds visiting this weekend. Joking aside, Tuesday served as a reminder that, amid Man City’s current transition, Pep can no longer afford “Pep roulette.”

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Q2. In a contest between two previously unbeaten sides, Arsenal overwhelmed Bayern, fueled by a dominant second half where Mikel Arteta’s substitutions – and the Gunners’ overall depth – proved decisive. Are they currently the preeminent team in Europe?

Marcotti: Arguably. Their ability to unearth diverse solutions is what strikes me. The set-piece prowess and counter-attacking capabilities are well-documented (and they capitalized on them). However, Arteta possesses a deeper strategic arsenal, and the courage to deploy it. Substituting Bukayo Saka is a bold decision, considering his status as a primary set-piece taker and star player (and generally positive influence). Yet, Arteta acted decisively, and the move yielded significant dividends.

Arsenal comprehensively defeated a team that had won all but one of their matches this season. While Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies were absent, their absence has been a recurring theme. (Arsenal themselves were without Gabriel Magalhães, Viktor Gyökeres, and Kai Havertz, with Martin Ødegaard recently returning from injury.)

Luis Díaz was practically Bayern’s sole absentee, a relatively minor excuse. Arsenal’s second-half performance, even before scoring, was genuinely impressive. Bayern were caught completely off guard. I’m uncertain if they can maintain this form throughout the season, but their potential for further improvement is undeniable. Saka’s best is yet to come this year, and Ødegaard’s presence undeniably elevates their possession game.

Laurens: Arsenal is currently the foremost team globally, an undeniable truth. Their status as the sole unbeaten team in the Champions League, conceding a mere one goal in five matches, speaks volumes. Wednesday’s match highlighted the considerable gap between them and even the second-best team in Europe.

Arsenal dominated the German champions in the second half, effectively neutralizing their attacking threat and tightly marking Harry Kane. Their defensive solidity is unparalleled, and while their style may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, their efficiency in both penalty areas is exceptional. The squad’s depth further propelled them to victory on Wednesday. Arteta introduced Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, both of whom scored. Few European teams possess a squad as robust as the Gunners, who were still missing Ødegaard, Havertz, Gyökeres, and Gabriel.

Tighe: I concur. The prevailing sentiment entering the season was that Arsenal had finally amassed the requisite quality and depth for sustained success. Before December arrives, this notion has been unequivocally validated, as they’ve ascended to the summit of both the Premier League and Champions League tables despite significant injury setbacks. Injuries to Ødegaard, Saka, William Saliba, and Gabriel – coupled with other absences – should have derailed Arsenal’s early progress, but instead, it seems to have reinforced their resolve.

Their second-half showing against the previously undefeated Bayern was a relentless demonstration of dominance. Arsenal’s remarkable depth – and Arteta’s adept utilization of it – enabled the Gunners to maintain an extraordinary level of intensity that only intensified. Any team possessing such talent cannot be overlooked in the quest for top-dog status.

Dawson: While Arsenal may not boast the best individual players across the board in Europe, their squad depth is unmatched, which is the key to winning trophies. Modern football, with its demanding schedule, necessitates extensive squad rotation, and Arteta has assembled a formidable group at the Emirates. Consider their bench against Bayern Munich: Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapié, Ødegaard, Martinelli, and Madueke were all substitutes. Gabriel and Gyökeres were absent due to injury.

The range of options available to Arteta is remarkable. While nothing is settled in November, this week feels like a defining moment for Arsenal. A resounding victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, a commanding Champions League win against Bayern on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Chelsea at the weekend. Three consecutive wins within eight days would cement Arsenal’s position as the team to beat in both the Premier League and Champions League this season.

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Q3. Enzo Maresca and Estêvão triumphed 3-0 at home against Barcelona and Lamine Yamal. Was Barcelona’s poor performance to blame, or did Chelsea finally click with Estêvão in the starting XI?

Marcotti: I appreciate Maresca’s dismissal of the question comparing Estêvão to Yamal, emphasizing that Estêvão has performed at a high level for a while and is a Brazilian starter. Yamal might possess greater innate talent, but the critical distinction is that Barcelona (and Spain) are heavily reliant on Yamal, whereas Chelsea are carefully managing their Brazilian prodigy’s playing time, a sensible approach given his recent transcontinental move.

Estêvão consistently delivers quality and effort. While Hansi Flick’s questionable team selection (Eric García in midfield might have worked against Athletic Club, but it shouldn’t be repeated with Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal available) and Ronald Araújo’s first-half dismissal undoubtedly eased his task, Estêvão exhibits maturity and composure alongside his skill.

In fact, Estêvão arguably demonstrates more maturity and better decision-making than any other Chelsea midfielder or forward, excluding Pedro Neto, Moisés Caicedo, and Cole Palmer (when he’s not injured).

Regardless, attributing the game’s outcome solely to Ferran Torres’ missed early opportunity is an oversimplification, as Flick rarely deviates from his tactical approach regardless of the score. Chelsea’s youthful exuberance and energy may fluctuate, but when they’re on form, they can dominate a Barcelona team that plays and is structured in this manner, which is precisely what transpired.

Barcelona’s complete inability to contain Neto’s movement up front should also be acknowledged, perhaps they prepared for Tyrique George or Liam Delap, or perhaps not at all.

Dawson: It’s difficult to assess definitively, as Araújo’s moment of indiscretion forced Barcelona to play with ten men for a significant portion of the match. Chelsea capitalized on the advantage and deserved the victory, but it’s challenging to interpret it as more than an isolated incident.

At the very least, it will instill considerable confidence in Chelsea ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Stamford Bridge this weekend. Maresca’s young squad may lack the consistency required for a sustained Premier League title challenge, but they possess exceptional individual talent with players like Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, and Estêvão, which might make them better suited for cup competitions at this juncture. Winning the Champions League hinges on performing better on the day, a feat Chelsea demonstrated at the Club World Cup.

Tighe: A confluence of factors! Eyebrows were raised upon the announcement of the starting lineups, with Neto preferred over João Pedro in attack. Maresca had also preached patience regarding Estêvão’s adaptation to Chelsea…only to thrust him into this high-profile match. However, it was a well-orchestrated strategy, designed to test Barcelona’s frequently criticized high defensive line, and it proved successful.

Estêvão and Alejandro Garnacho each received nine progressive passes, the most of any player on the field, while Neto received four and the roaming Fernández received five. Many of these were penetrating balls behind the Barcelona defense, creating chances or forcing emergency interventions.

Skepticism surrounding Barcelona’s defensive approach will persist, but Flick remains steadfast in his style. That being said, perhaps the visitors’ most significant failure was their inability to utilize possession as a defensive measure (Chelsea couldn’t have harmed them without the ball!), and Pedri’s injury-induced absence was keenly felt.

Laurens: Barcelona played poorly and were outmatched by Chelsea, mirroring their experience against a second-string Paris Saint-Germain side earlier in the season. Chelsea didn’t even need to perform exceptionally, as Barcelona facilitated their victory, similar to their performance against Club Brugge three weeks prior, allowing their opponents to penetrate their 18-yard box and score thrice.

An inability to match the opposition’s intensity and apply pressure renders a high defensive line a liability, leaving the defense exposed. Araújo is a liability for Barcelona in these contests. He struggled in the draw against Belgium, but his performance on Tuesday was particularly detrimental. Even if Torres had capitalized on his early opportunity at 0-0, the outcome might have been unchanged. Maresca outmaneuvered Flick, devising a simple tactical plan that capitalized on Barcelona’s collapse.

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Q4. Liverpool suffered a second consecutive home humiliation, succumbing to a 4-1 defeat against PSV, a match that exposed their deepest flaws. How much time is Arne Slot allotted to rectify this?

Marcotti: Rectification cannot solely rest on his shoulders. He isn’t a Harry Redknapp figure who dictates personnel decisions independently. Slot wasn’t solely responsible for the decision to only sign Federico Chiesa last season, nor for extending Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s contracts (while neglecting Trent Alexander-Arnold), nor for acquiring Liverpool’s numerous summer signings, nor for allowing Ibrahima Konaté’s contract to dwindle.

While holding Slot accountable is necessary, the entire burden shouldn’t fall on him. It doesn’t necessarily imply that Liverpool made the wrong decisions, but responsibility must be shared. Much of the blame stems not from tactics or preparation, but from individual performances and the underperformance of new arrivals (along with some established players).

Slot has earned trust, at least until the season’s end. More importantly, any changes must involve a thorough evaluation of everyone involved in the decision-making process. (Starting with the initial misstep: failing to sign a central defender and lacking a contingency plan for the Marc Guéhi situation on deadline day).

Laurens: He has time, and the club isn’t contemplating his dismissal or seeking a replacement. However, Slot appeared both clueless and lost for the first time. He seems uncertain and overwhelmed by recent events. Nine defeats in 12 matches is unacceptable for a team that convincingly won the Premier League last season.

Last year, his integration was seamless due to the absence of new players, allowing him to capitalize on Jurgen Klopp’s legacy. The present situation is diametrically opposed, with escalating problems emerging daily. I have limited sympathy, as he advocated for these new players and secured their acquisition. He could have pushed harder for a new center-back. He hastily attempted to integrate the new signings, disrupting the team’s transition. While he isn’t solely responsible for the chaos, he shares a significant portion of the blame.

Dawson: Liverpool are enduring a dismal run of nine losses in 12 games, with the nature of the last three defeats being especially alarming. Conceding 10 goals against Man City, Nottingham Forest, and PSV demonstrates a profound lack of organization and defensive vulnerability.

Despite last season’s title triumph, Slot is undeniably under pressure. Liverpool’s leadership is resisting panic, recalling their previous victories against Aston Villa and Real Madrid. The upcoming three matches will reveal much about the team’s direction. If the players remain committed to Slot’s vision, their individual quality should suffice to overcome West Ham United, Sunderland, and Leeds. A loss of faith will be evident in these encounters. We are approaching a critical juncture, and Slot must stem the bleeding quickly.

Tighe: Football club owners face a complex dilemma in these scenarios, particularly in Liverpool’s case, where the following factors are simultaneously true: 1) Last season’s title win merits some leniency; 2) the substantial summer squad overhaul necessitates time; and 3) the current performance is inadequate.

Recalling Liverpool sides over the past three decades that appear as defensively disoriented as this one is difficult. This statement is remarkable considering the presence of Premier League winners and the leadership of Van Dijk (who appears equally uninspired). For Slot to maintain his position, the persistent issues plaguing this team – failure to deal with long balls, recurring defensive lapses, and the underperformance of attacking stars – must be addressed.

For the past two months(!), these issues haven’t improved; they’ve worsened. Consequently, it’s arguable that he’s fortunate to not face greater pressure. As Rob suggests, failing to secure nine points in the next three fixtures might trigger the “eject” button.

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Q5. What measures are required to revitalize Real Madrid? Only Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick salvaged a 4-3 victory at Olympiacos. That marks a second consecutive subpar performance, with pressure on Xabi Alonso and conflict with Vinícius Júnior adding to the challenges.

Marcotti: Numerous factors are hindering Real Madrid’s progress. The Vinícius situation is an unwelcome distraction for Alonso, but even with a resolution, other obstacles persist. They conceded three goals against Olympiacos, narrowly edging the expected goals, could have lost against Elche, and failed to score in their two previous matches. Mbappé is masking underlying issues in attack, where they appear one-dimensional. Defensively, they lack solidity. Dean Huijsen and Éder Militão’s returns should improve matters, but until then, the journey will be turbulent.

The phrase “It looks like Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid!” isn’t a compliment to Alonso. While Ancelotti was successful, Alonso’s mandate is different. He’s tasked with implementing structured patterns of play and a cohesive tactical setup, not merely managing individuals and relying on isolated moments of brilliance. This is a challenging undertaking at Real Madrid, and Alonso has a long way to go.