If you assumed that the recent upheavals in the Premier League were merely a temporary aberration, this past weekend firmly established that the topsy-turvy atmosphere is far from fleeting.
Manchester City suffered yet another unexpected defeat, this time against Brighton, while Manchester United showcased flashes of brilliance in their victory over Leicester City. Arsenal, on the other hand, had to settle for a frustrating stalemate against Chelsea. It’s hard to imagine that just 11 matchdays into the season, these would be the unexpected developments.
Over in Spain, Real Madrid secured a convincing 4-0 victory against Osasuna, but it came at a significant cost, as they may soon face an injury crisis that could jeopardize their title defense. In Germany, Borussia Dortmund’s troubles deepened as they languished in seventh place on the Bundesliga table, continuing a worrying trend of inconsistent performances.
In Italy, the drama did not stop there. Roma’s management is already on the hunt for their third coach this Serie A season, while the ever-controversial Jose Mourinho continues to stir the pot in Turkey with his brash comments and antics.
What else transpired across Europe this weekend? ESPN’s experts Julien Laurens, Alex Kirkland, and Constantin Eckner dive into the weekend’s notable matches, players, and stories in this edition of ESPN’s Weekend Review.
Top takeaway: Another defeat for Man City and more questions for Guardiola
For the first time in his illustrious managerial career since 2008, Pep Guardiola has now witnessed his team suffer four consecutive losses across all competitions.
Manchester City experienced a disheartening 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Saturday in the Premier League, adding to a series of disappointing results: a 2-1 league loss against Bournemouth, a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, and a staggering 4-1 loss to Sporting CP in the Champions League.
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Saturday’s match began optimistically for Manchester City as they controlled the first half and took an early lead. However, they soon lost their composure, resulting in a lack of focus, disarray, and waning energy levels throughout the game. The manner in which the reigning Premier League champions relinquished this match is as alarming as their growing injury list. Of particular note was Guardiola’s curious decision to substitute Savinho, who had been his standout performer in the latter stages of the match.
The Citizens now find themselves five points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool. Interestingly, the upcoming international break may arrive at an opportune moment, allowing players time to recuperate before tough matches against Tottenham at home and Liverpool away.
Best match: Brentford 3, Bournemouth 2
Brentford’s matches continue to defy predictability this season. Their latest encounter at the Gtech Community Stadium showcased this once again as the Bees pulled off a spirited comeback to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, courtesy of a brace from Yoane Wissa.
Best goal: Aina vs. West Ham
Ipswich Town had a momentous occasion away at Tottenham on Sunday, marking their first league victory of the season. The match will be forever remembered not just for the result but also for the stunning overhead kick scored by forward Sammy Szmodics, which left fans in awe.
MVP of the weekend: Mohamed Salah
Salah delivered a remarkable performance, contributing an involuntary assist and finding the back of the net during Liverpool’s victory over Aston Villa. His season statistics are telling: eight goals and six assists in just 11 Premier League appearances. — Julien Laurens
Top takeaway: Injuries mar Real Madrid’s big win
While Real Madrid celebrated their emphatic 4-0 victory over Osasuna, the joy was overshadowed by injuries that could spell trouble for the team down the line. The match featured a hat trick from Vinícius Júnior, a goal from Jude Bellingham, and rare minutes for youngsters Endrick and Arda Güler. However, three first-half injuries, one of which is serious, dampened the spirit of an otherwise vital win.
Madrid appears somewhat resilient without Rodrygo and Lucas Vázquez, both out for a month. However, Éder Militão’s season-ending ACL injury is a devastating loss. The club had already taken a risk, relying on a slim pool of central defenders, with Alaba still recovering from his own ACL tear.
Their injury concerns extend to the right-back position, where both Carvajal and Vázquez are unavailable. Fortunately for coach Carlo Ancelotti, he now has an international break to reassess the squad’s direction.
Best match: Real Betis 2, Celta Vigo 2
Although the match between Real Betis and Celta Vigo didn’t quite meet expectations, it delivered excitement as Celta took the lead twice, only for Betis to respond valiantly, including a last-gasp equalizer from Marc Bartra in the dying moments of the game. Celta’s coach Claudio Giraldez acknowledged post-match that they were lucky not to lose.
Best goal: Ilias Akhomach vs. Alavés
In a standout performance, Villarreal’s Ilias Akhomach scored a mesmerizing goal during their 3-0 victory over Alavés, executing an elegant turn before curling the ball into the net. However, the promising 20-year-old was later forced off the pitch due to yet another ACL tear.
MVP of the weekend: Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior continues to display exceptional skill and poise, netting his fourth goal in two matches following his ball-winning performance against Osasuna. His striking was particularly impressive, highlighted by a counterattack goal orchestrated after a quick kick from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. — Alex Kirkland
Top takeaway: Dortmund suffer yet another loss on the road
Borussia Dortmund’s season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, exemplified by their frustrating 3-1 defeat against Mainz – a loss marking their fourth consecutive league defeat away from home. One of the noteworthy moments was captain Emre Can receiving a red card for a reckless foul, further complicating their struggles.
Despite their woes away from home, Dortmund’s perfect record at Signal Iduna Park keeps their spirits up. Nevertheless, the management appears committed to supporting head coach Nuri Şahin during this turbulent time, indicating they still see potential in his leadership.
Best match: Stuttgart 2, Frankfurt 3
Stuttgart’s clash against Frankfurt concluded with a heart-wrenching defeat, as they fell 3-2 despite being the better team for sizeable portions of the match. Frankfurt capitalized on their opportunities early on, yet Stuttgart fought back commendably, only to see a potential equalizer ruled offside in the dying moments after a VAR review.
Best goal: Jamal Musiala vs. St. Pauli
The 21-year-old standout Jamal Musiala shone brightly for Bayern Munich, scoring the only goal in their tight victory over St. Pauli. Winning the ball from about 35 yards out, he drove forward and launched a powerful shot that ricocheted in off the crossbar, showcasing both his talent and potential.
MVP of the weekend: Oliver Burke
Oliver Burke’s recent career journey has been fraught with challenges, as he endeavors to reestablish himself in the Bundesliga. Now back in Germany, Burke seized a pivotal opportunity, scoring the winning goal during a late substitute appearance against Holstein Kiel, demonstrating resilience and a desire to earn his place. — Constantin Eckner
What else you missed this weekend
Roma fire coach Juric after Bologna defeat
Roma, in a surprising turn early into the season, are already on the hunt for their third coach after the dismissal of Ivan Juric following a disappointing home loss to Bologna. With only mid-November upon us, the club is grappling with significant woes, having experienced four losses in their last five league matches.
Juric faced mounting pressure as fans voiced their frustrations at the Stadio Olimpico, culminating in his sacking after the 3-2 defeat. The Italian media speculate potential replacements, with names like Roberto Mancini and Daniele De Rossi surfacing, as Roma finds themselves languishing in a troubling 12th place in Serie A, 11 points adrift of European qualification. — Kirkland
José Mourinho antagonizes Turkish federation
José Mourinho’s return to the coaching limelight with Fenerbahçe has been characteristically colorful, as he openly criticized the Turkish football system following a contentious match where his side was awarded no penalties. Mourinho’s remarks generated controversy; he claimed his team was “playing against the VAR and the system,” a statement deemed unsportsmanlike by the Turkish Football Federation.
Currently, Mourinho’s squad ranks second in the Turkish Süper Lig, trailing five points behind rivals Galatasaray. It will be fascinating to see what Mourinho does next as he navigates the Turkish football landscape. — Eckner
The spotlight, he played a pivotal role in helping his team achieve a crucial win this weekend. Burke scored two goals in a thrilling 2-1 victory for his side, showcasing his resilience and determination to make an impact in the league. This performance not only reflects his individual growth but signals his potential to influence upcoming matches significantly. — Constantin Eckner
Looking Ahead
As the international break approaches, clubs across Europe will use this time to regroup and analyze their campaigns so far. For Manchester City, the focus will be on overcoming injuries and solving their current form crisis. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s injury woes will be a primary concern as they prepare for an intense schedule, and Borussia Dortmund must address their defensive frailties and search for consistency. The drama in Serie A and the ongoing managerial changes will keep fans engaging as they await what comes next.
this weekend’s games offered a mix of thrilling matches, standout players, and teams grappling with their form as they continue to navigate the challenges of a demanding football season.