The Champions League is back! After six weeks away from the exhilarating atmosphere of European nights, it’s time to dive back into the action. Before crowning this season’s top teams, the competition will kick off with a couple of league rounds.
This week features a significant matchup involving Arsenal, who could claim the top spot by securing their first eight victories in the new format, but they’ll need a win at San Siro to do so. Meanwhile, their North London rivals, Tottenham, face Borussia Dortmund in a crucial game, as a victory might be the only way for Thomas Frank to save his job. And let’s not forget the drama surrounding Real Madrid, which we’ll explore in this preview.
1. Arsenal’s Quest for Set-Piece Dominance
The biggest challenge for Arsenal’s perfect league record this season lies ahead at San Siro. Even teams that face rotation have shown they can prevail, as shown by Kairat. Mikel Arteta may be eyeing something unique—perhaps resting Bukayo Saka for the trip to Nottingham Forest indicates a shift; he’ll need to perform significantly better than last season against Inter, especially remembering that 1-0 defeat. The outcome of that tense match, decided by a set-piece, would hardly serve as a model for the upcoming season if you look back on it.
We expect a similar pattern to emerge this time. This match pits the Premier League’s set-piece specialists against top European contenders. Both sides score often and concede little. “Arsenal is lethal on set-pieces,” Cristian Chivu mentioned, but he added that “Arsenal should be cautious, as we also find the net from such situations.”
When it comes to corners, both teams create significant danger. Combining domestic and European play, Arsenal and Tottenham currently lead the way with 13 goals apiece from corners, while Inter follows with 12. Their ability to win corners stems from a consistently aggressive approach in the attacking third.
There is a distinct contrast in the strategies employed by Inter and Arsenal around corners. Arsenal favors inswingers, known for a precise but effective approach, while Inter showcases creative variations with options for outswingers—something they lead among the top five leagues. Coaches like Angelo Palombo might not be dedicated solely to set-pieces, but they’re guiding Inter well in this area, experimenting with techniques.
Unusual goals can come from corners, usually when players operate near the edge of the box, rather than complicating matters by meeting balls from awkward positions. “It started with something we practiced yesterday,” Zielinski said. “Palombo focuses on the details, studying other leagues for new ideas, which we’ve only begun to implement.” Such innovations might confuse opponents, but the necessary players remain pivotal.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães has emerged as a significant threat in set-piece scenarios, proving essential in scoring from such situations this season. The big 6’4 striker benefits greatly from precise crosses from excellent deliverers like Hakan Calhanoglu and Federico Di Marco. In the battle of set-pieces, the advantage might lean toward Premier League teams, considering the ongoing performance metrics favoring them.
Match Information
- Date: Tuesday, January 20th | Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: San Siro — Milan
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Milan +165; Draw +225; Real Madrid +185
2. The Champions League’s Pressure on Frank
A year ago, Tottenham faced a tough 3-2 loss to Everton. While the domestic campaign seemed nearly over for them, doubts loomed over Ange Postecoglou’s future. Contrast this with the situation of Thomas Frank, who last week received a vote of confidence amid uncertainty regarding his position as manager.
Frank will lead his team against Borussia Dortmund, hoping for a chance to secure qualification. CEO Vinay Venkatesham prioritizes giving his staff opportunities to succeed, and Frank feels sustained support from management. “I sense the trust growing,” he remarked, focusing solely on upcoming matches.
A win will buy Frank some breathing room, but with recent turmoil at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he’s in a precarious position. Fans are dissatisfied with their style of play, reflecting on the tension permeating the team as they struggle to build from midfield.
The absence of key creative players James Madison and Dejan Kulusevski has placed immense pressure on under-resourced players like Xavi Simons, whose adjustment to the Premier League hasn’t been as effective as hoped. It’s still troublingly clear that Tottenham is underperforming.
They are positioned in the league behind where they should be, lacking the capability to advance play, win balls, or connect effectively. Even if Frank has time to make adjustments, there isn’t much evidence that improvement is on the horizon.
Should they ever find themselves in any European competition, it creates a striking dilemma. Frank is not likely to stabilize the situation at Tottenham, which many observers question as a true ‘Champions League club.’ Even with favorable conditions, the struggles continue, and unless drastic changes occur, Frank might face a tough exit.
Match Information
- Date: Tuesday, January 20th | Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — London
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Tottenham Hotspur +180; Draw +250; Borussia Dortmund +145
3. Real Madrid’s Current Standing
This reflects on what Real Madrid might have looked like. Just four months ago, Xabi Alonso had his squad playing some of the finest football in Europe, characterized by a robust identity and effective pressing. This was their year to solidify Kylian Mbappe as the world’s top player and likely clinch another title.
Right now, we don’t need to discuss Alonso’s departure, nor surrender to the players’ influence. Madrid currently finds itself in a complex situation, with a manager who has minimal competitive experience. Alvaro Arbeloa has clear expectations, stating, “My job is simply to guide the players. If they don’t perform, it falls to me.”
In the meantime, thoughts might linger on Carlo Ancelotti. The narrative suggests that Madrid cannot easily reclaim their previous dominance in the Champions League, as Ancelotti fostered a more free-flowing style that brought success. While he comprehended the club dynamics, his successes often obscured the nuances of his approach.
Good managers understand their player pool’s strengths, like Jude Bellingham, amid a goal-solving drought. Ancelotti efficiently utilized the partnership of Vinicius Junior and Mbappe, showing flexibility in approach, but was resistant to drastic changes mid-season.
It remains unknown if Arbeloa will adopt similar flexibility moving forward after their recent defeat. Evidence of the current setup’s issues is apparent, as Bellingham appeared isolated in midfield, with four forwards lingering too far up the pitch. If trends persist, it’s hard to believe that Madrid can contend as strong candidates for the title.
Match Information
- Date: Tuesday, January 20th | Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium — Madrid
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Real Madrid -338; Draw +500; AS Monaco +756
Fan Take: The return of the Champions League and these matchups promise to produce thrilling drama as elite clubs vie for glory. As fans, it’s crucial for us to witness how these teams navigate challenges that could impact the dynamics of the sport for seasons to come.
