1. Cech & Koscielny the standouts as Arsenal stun Bayern
ARSENAL SECURED AN unlikely 2-0 victory over reigning German champions Bayern Munich to rejuvenate their Champions League campaign tonight.
It was a performance filled with grit and defensive discipline — the kind of qualities with which Arsenal are not always associated, and that they have patently lacked at times in Europe this season.
With Bayern dominant in possession, the Gunners needed to be patient and wait for opportunities to arrive.
Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny were at the heart of the London club’s first victory in Europe this year — the former pulled off a number of terrific saves while the latter led a well-organised backline, keeping a world-class striker of Robert Lewandowski’s calibre quiet for much of the night.
Eventually, chances came, and substitute Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil showed the necessary level of ruthlessness in front of goal, as Arsenal ended Bayern’s 11-game unbeaten run.
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2. Are Chelsea starting to come good?
Chelsea faced a crucial moment in their history at the beginning of the month. Following the surprise 3-1 loss to Southampton at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho appeared to be virtually asking the owners not to sack him in the post-match interview.
With the club at a low ebb going into the international break, the board ultimately kept faith with Mourinho, issuing a supportive vote of confidence in the process.
Since then, the situation has improved to a degree — although, in many ways, Tim Sherwood’s hapless Aston Villa outfit were the perfect opposition to play amid a run of bad form. However, on the evidence of tonight, Chelsea seem to be recovering some of the resilience they possessed in abundance last season and are showing genuine progress as they bid to put an end to the problems that have hampered their underwhelming campaign thus far.
Eden Hazard, dropped on Saturday, returned to the starting line-up and demonstrated some of the defensive discipline that Mourinho had demanded of him.
The likes of Nemanja Matic, meanwhile, also looked better than they have been for much of the season, as Chelsea illustrated the kind of solidity and intensity that was once their hallmark.
So with the board backing Mourinho, perhaps the players are starting to follow suit again too, consequently creating a sense of stability at the club that had been conspicuously absent previously.
3. Barcelona getting along just fine without Messi
Although the loss of Lionel Messi will inevitably affect any team, Barcelona have shown they are more than just a one-man outfit of late.
Others, most notably Neymar, have taken on more responsibility in the Argentine superstar’s absence, and tonight was no exception.
Facing the potential banana skin of a trip to BATE, Dundalk’s conquerors in the preliminary stages, the Catalan side produced a professional performance to emerge with a 2-0 win and consolidate their place at the top of Group E.
Tonight, it was Ivan Rakitic’s turn to compensate for Messi’s absence, with a brace from the 27-year-old Croatian midfielder earning Barca all three points.
The Croat’s first goal, in particular, caught the eye, as he drilled the ball into the top corner from outside the box to inspire a deserved Barca victory.
“I was glad to help team and the most important thing was that we got the victory. It is not easy to play here in these conditions and the cold,” added Rakitic after the game.
“I think it was [our most complete game this season] as we were solid at the back and gave away few chances, while in attack we worked hard and maybe just lacked another goal. We are on the right lines.”
Are Chelsea back on form and more Champions League talking points
Updated at 23.59
1. Cech & Koscielny the standouts as Arsenal stun Bayern
ARSENAL SECURED AN unlikely 2-0 victory over reigning German champions Bayern Munich to rejuvenate their Champions League campaign tonight.
It was a performance filled with grit and defensive discipline — the kind of qualities with which Arsenal are not always associated, and that they have patently lacked at times in Europe this season.
With Bayern dominant in possession, the Gunners needed to be patient and wait for opportunities to arrive.
Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny were at the heart of the London club’s first victory in Europe this year — the former pulled off a number of terrific saves while the latter led a well-organised backline, keeping a world-class striker of Robert Lewandowski’s calibre quiet for much of the night.
Eventually, chances came, and substitute Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil showed the necessary level of ruthlessness in front of goal, as Arsenal ended Bayern’s 11-game unbeaten run.
2. Are Chelsea starting to come good?
Chelsea faced a crucial moment in their history at the beginning of the month. Following the surprise 3-1 loss to Southampton at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho appeared to be virtually asking the owners not to sack him in the post-match interview.
With the club at a low ebb going into the international break, the board ultimately kept faith with Mourinho, issuing a supportive vote of confidence in the process.
Since then, the situation has improved to a degree — although, in many ways, Tim Sherwood’s hapless Aston Villa outfit were the perfect opposition to play amid a run of bad form. However, on the evidence of tonight, Chelsea seem to be recovering some of the resilience they possessed in abundance last season and are showing genuine progress as they bid to put an end to the problems that have hampered their underwhelming campaign thus far.
Eden Hazard, dropped on Saturday, returned to the starting line-up and demonstrated some of the defensive discipline that Mourinho had demanded of him.
The likes of Nemanja Matic, meanwhile, also looked better than they have been for much of the season, as Chelsea illustrated the kind of solidity and intensity that was once their hallmark.
So with the board backing Mourinho, perhaps the players are starting to follow suit again too, consequently creating a sense of stability at the club that had been conspicuously absent previously.
3. Barcelona getting along just fine without Messi
Although the loss of Lionel Messi will inevitably affect any team, Barcelona have shown they are more than just a one-man outfit of late.
Others, most notably Neymar, have taken on more responsibility in the Argentine superstar’s absence, and tonight was no exception.
Facing the potential banana skin of a trip to BATE, Dundalk’s conquerors in the preliminary stages, the Catalan side produced a professional performance to emerge with a 2-0 win and consolidate their place at the top of Group E.
Tonight, it was Ivan Rakitic’s turn to compensate for Messi’s absence, with a brace from the 27-year-old Croatian midfielder earning Barca all three points.
The Croat’s first goal, in particular, caught the eye, as he drilled the ball into the top corner from outside the box to inspire a deserved Barca victory.
“I was glad to help team and the most important thing was that we got the victory. It is not easy to play here in these conditions and the cold,” added Rakitic after the game.
“I think it was [our most complete game this season] as we were solid at the back and gave away few chances, while in attack we worked hard and maybe just lacked another goal. We are on the right lines.”
Originally published 20 October at 23.11
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