Introduction

Welcome back, readers! This week’s blog post will recap how the EPL clubs are faring in their respective European competitions.

As a quick recap, there are two continental soccer tournaments in Europe: The Champions League and the Europa League. The Champions League is the pinnacle of European soccer and consists of the top teams in the various European leagues. A tier below, the Europa League consists of essentially the next-best European teams and also the 3rd-place group finishers from the Champions League.

Currently, Chelsea, Liverpool, and  Manchester City are still alive in the Champions League quarterfinals while Arsenal and Manchester United remain in the Europa League quarterfinals. The quarterfinals are two matches (home and away). The team with the most goals scored move on, and the tiebreaker is away goals. All of these teams have played the first leg against their respective opponents, so let’s pick up from there!

Champions League

Chelsea

This was a rather straightforward 2-0 win for Chelsea. Porto mainly created opportunities from corner kicks but didn’t really threaten Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s net. Chelsea opened the scoring in the first half with Jorginho putting Mason Mount in on goal, and after a lovely turn, he slotted into the lefthand bottom corner. Late on, Chelsea leftback Ben Chilwell capitalized on a defensive lapse by intercepting the ball, dribbling around the Porto goalkeeper, and slotting into the empty net. Chelsea should move on as long as their stout defensive holds up.

Liverpool

I have to agree with the commentator in how he described this game: “Liverpool are the architects of their own downfall.” They lost 3-1, and every goal they conceded was basically a mistake. Striker Vinicius Junior opened the scoring by taking advantage of a beautiful ball over the top from midfielder Toni Kroos. Not even 10 minutes later, forward Marco Asensio capitalized on a poor backwards header from Liverpool rightback Trent Alexander-Arnold for an empty net tap-in. In the second half, Liverpool got back on track with star winger Mohamed Salah converting his teammate’s deflected shot into the net. However, not soon after, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson made a major mistake by not getting a strong hand onto Vinicius Junior’s sh0t, which trickled into the net for his second. Liverpool will most likely lose this tie, but they have a chance with the away goal Salah scored.

Manchester City

Compared to the rest of the games mentioned in this post, this game was the most competitive and entertaining. City opened the scoring via midfield star Kevin de Bruyne, who started the attack and scored on the receiving end of a ground cross. In the second half, City midfielder Phil Foden had a glorious opportunity saved by Dortmund keeper Roman Burki. At the end of regular time in the second half, Dortmund striker Erling Haaland put winger Marco Reus through on goal, and of course he coolly slotted home. However, Foden made up for his failure to convert earlier by scoring from a tight angle not soon after. City may have a 2-1 lead, but Dortmund have an away goal, so it’s any team’s game!

Europa League

Arsenal 

I am not quite sure how this match ended 1-1. Arsenal had so many chances to score. Willian and Alexandre Lacazette both hit the post. Rob Holding’s header was tipped over the crossbar by the Porto goalkeeper. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a sitter in front of goal. But finally, late in the second half, substitute Nicolas Pepe was put through on goal and chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. But in classic Arsenal fashion, they conceded a late equalizer on the last corner kick of the game. Arsenal Goalkeeper Bernd Leno had absolutely no chance of saving the header and could only punch it into the roof of the net. Arsenal need to be more ruthless in front of goal to win this matchup.

Manchester United

This was a very scrappy match to say the least as United players picked up many unnecessary yellow cards. Key fixtures of the team including midfielder Scott McTominay, centerback and captain Harry Maguire, and leftback Luke Shaw will now be suspended for the return leg due to yellow card accumulation. On the bright side for United, Granada failed to create too many chances. Only Kenedy consistently had shots on goal, which United goalkeeper David de Gea easily saved. United forward Marcus Rashford scored from a delicious ball over the top from centerback Victor Lindelof. And late on, midfield star Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty kick (although it should have been saved). United should have no issues qualifying for the next round if they put in a similar performance next match.

Wrap Up

In the Champions League, Chelsea are coasting, City are fighting, and Liverpool are flailing. In the Europa League, Arsenal are disappointing and United are dominating. Not too different from their EPL form! Let’s see if my predictions hold up when the return legs are played next week.