UCL discussion points: Slot’s unusual decisions, are Bayern the new frontrunners?
And then there were four. The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals concluded on Wednesday, featuring Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in a historic clash, while Arsenal achieved the clean sheet necessary to keep Sporting CP at bay.
On Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain asserted their dominance over Arne Slot’s struggling Liverpool, while Atlético Madrid triumphed over Barcelona in their all-Spanish quarterfinal matchup.
So, what conclusions can be drawn? ESPN FC writers Gab Marcotti, Sam Marsden, Julien Laurens, and Sam Tighe are here to analyze the events as they unfolded and look forward to the semifinals.
– After Champions League defeat, can Madrid’s project be salvaged?
– VAR Review: Why was Liverpool denied a penalty?
– While other giants falter, Arteta’s Arsenal continues to flicker
Q1. Liverpool’s European campaign came to a disappointing end on Tuesday night, marked by numerous missed opportunities and a significant injury to Hugo Ekitike, which dashed any pre-match hopes of a remarkable comeback as PSG emerged victorious with a 4-0 aggregate score. Slot attempted some daring strategies — including benching Mohamed Salah and starting all summer signings except the injured Geovanni Leoni — but did any of it yield results? Can this team recover and secure a top-five finish in the Premier League?
Tighe: Last week in Paris, Slot made a surprising choice with a vague 5-2-1-2 formation that Liverpool had rarely employed. It did not prevent PSG from creating chances at will and scoring twice, while Liverpool’s attack was nearly non-existent, registering only 0.17 xG. Any improvement would have been welcome, and while the Reds posed a greater threat in the second leg at Anfield, doubts about Slot’s decisions persist.
Alexander Isak was an unexpected starter, but perhaps he shouldn’t have been. He recorded just five(!) touches and completed two of three passes before being substituted at halftime. Prior to Tuesday, he, Ekitiké, and Florian Wirtz had collectively spent a mere 88 minutes on the pitch together since the season began.
Facing the reigning European champions, who have clearly found their rhythm while trying to overcome a two-goal deficit, opting for a forward combination that is not only lacking in fitness but also devoid of any natural synergy and flow seems questionable. It is hardly hindsight to suggest that someone like Salah might have been a more suitable choice from the outset.
Laurens: Slot, what were you thinking? I must admit, I was not familiar with your (poor) game. What was that on Tuesday? It’s one thing to miscalculate in the first leg, but to arguably perform even worse in the second is absurd! It was also unacceptable: PSG were always going to be too strong for Liverpool over two legs, but Slot made this tie even more challenging for his team.
Starting Isak will be remembered as one of the worst decisions made by a Liverpool manager in recent seasons. What led Slot to believe this was a sound choice? Isak isn’t fit enough to play even 10 minutes in a match of this significance, though it’s not his fault; he has been sidelined for four months! And it’s not just the Isak selection that raises concerns. Milos Kerkez has struggled all season and has never faced anything of this magnitude, yet he was chosen on Tuesday while Andrew Robertson remained on the bench.
Jeremie Frimpong? Another questionable decision, as he was so out of his depth that he lasted only 45 minutes. Salah on the bench? He may not be at his peak and lacks the stamina to press effectively, but on a night like this, he could have made a significant impact. Rio Ngumoha is only 17, but given his ability to provide a spark and a genuine threat, he would have been beneficial. And why is Alexis Mac Allister still starting for this team when he has been underwhelming all season?
Liverpool should have approached the game as they did in the second half. By then, however, it was too late.
play1:28Laurens confirms Ekitike ruptured Achilles
Julien Laurens shares details of Hugo Ekitike’s Achilles injury as he faces months on the sidelines.
Marcotti: I also found Slot’s lineup puzzling, as it seemed he was trying to catch PSG off guard by starting Isak. However, that strategy was misguided since PSG are not a team that will adjust significantly to the opposition’s tactics, especially with a 2-0 lead from the first leg. He mentioned after the match that Isak could last 45 minutes and he didn’t want to bring him on at halftime in case the game went to extra time and he would have to substitute him again. It was an odd comment, but ultimately he must rely on Isak’s input and the advice from the sports science team.
Juls is being somewhat harsh on some of the other selections. If you’re going to employ this formation, width is essential. You weren’t going to achieve that with Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai as your right backs. With Salah, you’re in a bind either way. Starting Ngumoha? A nice idea, but also somewhat desperate.
Slot will face criticism, and yes, he made the situation worse. However, we must remember that he lost his most significant attacking asset, Ekitike, after just half an hour due to a serious injury. Additionally, we have seen Liverpool perform poorly even when they utilize their “base formation” — or at least the lineup envisioned by the recruitment team, starting with Michael Edwards. You know, the 4-2-3-1 that was prevalent in the summer? The one without Szoboszlai and featuring Salah and Isak, along with Wirtz in the No. 10 position? Slot will bear the brunt of the blame, but he is certainly not the only one accountable. It’s just that those who share the responsibility do not face the media before and after every match.
Marsden: As Gab mentioned, Slot is not solely at fault, but I would be surprised if he remains Liverpool’s coach after this season. Liverpool has been trending downward for over a year now. One could argue that his first six months — a blend of his tactics with what Jurgen Klopp had left behind — was the anomaly of Slot’s tenure at Anfield thus far.
Of course, there is no shame in losing to the European champions, but consider how much has changed since PSG eliminated Liverpool on penalties last season. The Reds have fallen behind the continent’s elite teams, and with matches still to come against Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Chelsea, it is difficult to envision them finishing in the top four of the Premier League. Fortunately, the fifth-place finish also qualifies for the Champions League, meaning whoever is in charge next season — and I would strongly advocate for Xabi Alonso — will inherit a team that has a spot in Europe’s top competition.
Q2. Meanwhile, in Spain, Barcelona’s commendable run concluded in Madrid as Diego Simeone’s side maintained their composure against Lamine Yamal and a relentless press, securing the goal they needed after the visitors scored twice early on, and grinding out a notable victory. This marks the second cup in which Atleti have eliminated Barça this season: could they actually go on to win the UCL as well? For Barça, another red card — their disciplinary record is alarming — and further blame. Will this team ever have the defense it requires to complement its world-class attack?
Laurens: The first leg between these two teams was captivating. The second quickly became legendary despite the outcome being anticipated. Ultimately, we all knew how this would unfold, and Atlético executed their game plan: they rode their luck, conceded goals as expected, exploited Barcelona’s high line, and utilized Antoine Griezmann, the Metropolitano’s star, to disrupt the Barça press and create problems. The match had all of that and more.
I sympathize with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick because many aspects of his game plan were effective: Ferran Torres’s mobility up front, Dani Olmo’s movement between the lines, Fermín López’s frequent inward runs, and the role, movement, and creativity we’ve come to expect from Yamal. Yet Flick was let down by Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski’s lack of effectiveness, as well as by his press and defense not being solid enough once again. As we know, Barcelona’s greatest strength — their attacking style — is also their most significant weakness.
For Atlético, they are not as defensively oriented as they once were, but they remain challenging to face. Simeone can also credit Ademola Lookman for making a significant impact on the team since his arrival in January. However, as much as I would love for Griezmann to leave the club on a high note by finally winning the Champions League, I still believe they lack a little something to go all the way.
Marcotti: I would point out that yes, Atlético can achieve success again, as they have key players who have already won major European titles. Matteo Ruggeri, Juan Musso, and Ademola Lookman all started together for Atalanta when they triumphed over media favorites Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final. (OK, I’m half-joking: Musso will be replaced by Jan Oblak, and Ruggeri initially struggled against that Yamal player, only to improve after the break.) But yes, they have a reliable goalkeeper, they match up well against Arsenal, and in a final, anything can happen.
As for Barcelona, at the risk of repeating myself, if you’re going to employ a high-risk/high-reward strategy, you must press effectively and minimize mistakes in the attacking phase (which they largely did) while being alert, quick, and adept at reading the game defensively (which they are not, especially with Pau Cubarsí sidelined).
Could they still have won with 11 players on the pitch? Certainly. Could they have won even with a man down given the chances they created? Of course. But when you play in this manner, the margin for error is extremely slim. I feel for Flick, as Raphinha would have mitigated many of those issues, and on the night, Flick made most of the right decisions. But credit must also go to Simeone. Atlético’s defending was not just heroic, frantic stuff: it was intelligent and calculated.
play1:03Robson: Barcelona only have themselves to blame for UCL exit vs. Atletico
Stewart Robson laments Barcelona’s missed opportunities after they were eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid.
Marsden: The same narratives emerged from Barça following their defeat to Atlético. There was pride in the team’s valiant effort to mount a comeback, hope that a squad filled with talented youngsters will eventually win the Champions League, and numerous complaints about the officiating. At some point, there needs to be a degree of self-reflection. If Barça has had eight players sent off across all competitions this season, and one in each leg against Atlético, it is because they consistently place themselves in precarious situations.
Of course, as Gab mentioned, this brings us back to the high defensive line. It is reasonable to believe that pushing the defense so high is causing issues while also maintaining that Flick’s approach is the best fit for this squad. It certainly requires an effective press — slightly hindered by Raphinha’s absence — but also a well-organized backline. Observe the positioning of the back four for both Lookman’s goal and the Eric García red card: they were disorganized.
What I will say, and there are those who doubt that signing new defenders will instantly resolve the issues, is that I would at least like to see Flick given more resources to work with. His center backs this season have included: Cubarsí, a 19-year-old from the academy; García, a versatile defender with evident limitations; and Gerard Martín, a converted left-back recruited from Spain’s third tier for the B team two years ago.
Flick’s net spend has been negative during his two years at Barça. Provide him with more options and depth, and perhaps they won’t be eliminated by Internazionale or Atlético — two teams they should, to use that old cliché of “on paper,” have been able to defeat over two legs, in my opinion. Of course, it’s not all negative. A second consecutive LALIGA title is expected to follow in the coming weeks as Flick adds to his trophy collection, which will reach five since his appointment in 2024.
Tighe: Self-destruction emerged as a recurring theme throughout the quarterfinals, and no team exemplifies this better than Barça. Two matches in which they dominated, yet in both, they received red cards and fell apart as a result. Clearly, domination alone is insufficient. To endure these ties, one must exhibit remarkable concentration and mental resilience; it truly isn’t solely about who possesses the superior players, whether on paper or on the pitch.
Flick’s Barça has dazzled over the past two seasons, but they have consistently displayed that self-destructive tendency. As previously mentioned, some of this is tactical, some is personnel-related, but it has once again combined to create a lethal mix that has led to Barça’s exit.
Last season, it felt unjust that the Blaugrana did not reach the final, but this year? There is only so much sympathy one can extend.
Q3. Arsenal delivered a performance akin to watching paint dry in their unconvincing victory over Sporting … unless, of course, you consider their solid defense to be unconvincing. (It isn’t.) Can this cautious, resolute approach carry them all the way, especially as they face Atlético next, the only team more cautious than them remaining in this competition?
Laurens: Typically, we would all agree that defense is key to winning titles. Most seasons, this holds true. If that is the case again, then Arsenal could claim this Champions League title based on their status as the best team in the world out of possession, the hardest working side, and arguably the most defensively sound with two of the top center backs in world football. However, this season, either PSG or Bayern will reach the final, and their attacking prowess is so formidable that they could overcome even the best defensive team in the world, like Arsenal. Therefore, the Gunners will need more than what they demonstrated in the two matches against Sporting to go all the way; the level of quality they displayed in the quarterfinal will not suffice, but the side that defeated Bayern or Atlético and topped the league phase could succeed if it finds its form again.
Tighe: Defenses can secure titles, but they must be complemented by some form of attacking threat, right? Just a little bit?
Arsenal lacks even a minimal attacking threat. They have completely stalled, their confidence drained from their play. It begins at the back, sometimes with David Raya but often with the center backs’ distribution, and trickles all the way to the front.
Arteta has a reputation for being defensive, so he naturally bears much of the criticism, but I believe an overlooked aspect of this discussion has been just how severely injured they are. We haven’t seen Bukayo Saka for weeks, Martin Ødegaard has barely featured this season, Eberechi Eze started his first match in a month on Wednesday, and even players like Jurriën Timber are now unavailable.
Does Arteta want to rely on 16-year-old Max Dowman this much? Probably not. Does he wish to field a half-fit Kai Havertz as often? I seriously doubt it. Will this situation resolve itself in time for them to face a shrewd Atlético Madrid over two legs? I remain unconvinced.
play1:42Do Arsenal deserve to be favourites against Atlético Madrid?
ESPN FC’s Kay Murray, Kasey Keller, Craig Burley & Jurgen Klinsmann look ahead to the UCL semifinal between Arsenal and Atlético Madrid.
Marcotti: I’m not convinced Atleti are more cautious than Arsenal, so I disagree with that premise. The Gunners resemble a team constructed to win leagues (perhaps), not necessarily Champions Leagues. This is peculiar considering how different they were in Arteta’s initial two seasons. Injuries are a factor, but observing them line up with four de facto central defenders (plus another one playing as a center forward in Viktor Gyökeres) was striking.
We know they don’t have to play this way, but you can’t simply switch tactics overnight. The semifinal first leg is in two weeks, and it’s not as if you can expect Saka, Ødegaard, Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori to hit the ground running. Partly due to fitness issues and partly because this entire team has been playing a different style for an extended period now. Two years ago, they were playing differently, and Saka and Ødegaard were accumulating record assist and goal totals.
But to quote Slim Charles: “The thing about the old days is… they the old days.” You can’t revert now. At this stage, if you’re going to play the way they currently are (only improved), Havertz needs to start up front. Alternatively, you could commit to an attacking style and bombard Gyökeres with passes. Not to single him out, as it’s not entirely his fault, but Gyökeres had 14 touches against Sporting (two of which were in the opposition box) and one shot. You cannot have two central defenders playing as fullbacks (if only to create something constructive from the press). Either Timber or Calafiori/Myles Lewis-Skelly must start. Ideally, both.
Marsden: The issue lies not so much with Arsenal’s approach, but rather their form. They were thoroughly unconvincing against Sporting but will feel they have a favorable semifinal draw, avoiding PSG and Bayern. However, I also don’t believe Atlético are more cautious than Arsenal. I contend that the Gunners are the most cautious team remaining in the competition. Simeone’s side does not always defend well — as evidenced by their victories against Tottenham Hotspur and Barça — but they do possess a genuine attacking threat through Julian Álvarez, Griezmann, Lookman, and Giuliano Simeone.
More than their style, which could potentially see them past Atlético, Arsenal’s most significant challenge is their current poor form. Having been eliminated from both domestic cups in the past month, losing to AFC Bournemouth in the league, and with Manchester City hot on their heels, where will their priorities lie in the coming
