English Clubs' In Europe This Week - The good, the bad, The ugly

How did English teams fare, and what do they need to do to progress? Matchday 2 saw the following clashes featuring Premier League teams:

Champions League

Napoli vs. Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Barcelona

Hoffenheim vs. Manchester City

Manchester United vs. Valencia

Europa League

FC Qarabag vs. Arsenal

Chelsea vs. Vidi

Matchday one was mixed overall for the English clubs, with wins for Liverpool and Man United, and losses for Spurs and Man City. Possibly Tottenham vs. Barca was the standout fixture, and it was an opportunity for Messi to come to town at Wembley Stadium.

Arsenal and Chelsea got some comfortable wins vs. FC Qarabag and Vidi respectively, to build on their opening wins prior.

However, matchday two’s results proved to be mixed also.

Liverpool lost narrowly to Napoli, and Messi ran the show for a Spurs defeat.

Manchester City got a late winner in Germany, and their fellow Mancunians scored a bore draw with Valencia.

The Premier League is touted as the best league in the world, though La Liga and maybe Serie A would contest that. It certainly is the richest, and at the top ends possibly the most competitive. CL success is not only a boon to the club in question, but the league overall, and failure only cements the notion that the PL flatters to deceive in terms of its monies and European successes. This could be compounded considering Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho have both won the competition before, with Inter, Porto, and Barca, respectively. And with their outstanding pedigree, they need to make a mark in it, since it’s been many years since either of them last won it (2010 and 2011). Failure would be a dent in their reputations, or at minimum stark, considering how well they’ve done in it prior.

That said, it still is only two games, but there still is some work to do, if an English team is to win the CL this season – or at the least make a serious impression in it.

As for the Europa League, it seems Arsenal and Chelsea will qualify readily from their groups, and this is to be expected. However, can they win it? Emery has won it before, notably three in a row with Sevilla. Sarri hasn't won a trophy before, and Chelsea are deemed favourites to win the competition by the bookies. It will be interesting to see how they handle the coming games, and the knockouts should they reach them. Chelsea has won it prior too, in 2013, the season after they won the Champions League.

NAPOLI 1-0 LIVERPOOL

SSC Napoli v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Group C

Jurgen Klopp’s men lost to CL expert and record winner Carlo Ancelotti, in a rather one-sided game vs. Napoli.

The first half was pretty even, however, Napoli upped the tempo in the second half, and they then had the impetus to create numerous chances. They hit the bar a few times but eventually got the winner in the latter stages.

Liverpool didn’t really change the tactics, and their forwards and midfield were isolated. The three top teams in the group all have one win and one defeat apiece, and the two top spots are fully up for grabs.

However, they have an opportunity to come back against past European Champions Red Star Belgrade, and wins, in this case, can boost their position. The attacking prowess of Salah, Firmino, ad Mane, should be fully utilised, for Liverpool to win their next games and progress.

RATING - 4/10

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-4 BARCELONA

The power and stature of Messi was the difference here. Well, Spurs were outdone in all areas, but Messi as always stood out.

Barca was 2-0 up at half-time, and bar a revival via Kane and Lamela, Barca strolled to a comfortable win, and top of the group.

Barca looks certain to progress to the next round, with Inter to come at home, and they should be favourites to win this.

As for Tottenham, qualification looks bleak and could be bleaker if they lose to PSV. Losing to Barca, in any event, is no disgrace. Plenty of teams have, and will, get done by Messi. He's been a major reason ALONE why Barca has been a serious force over the past decade.

But Spurs haven’t had the tactics and game management in both games, and need a miracle of sorts to get in the next round.

Six points from PSV would ease things, including a positive result at home to Inter. So qualification is not impossible. However, Spurs need to improve tactically, and Pochettino must ensure the best is gained from the players. It’s not impossible, but if they are to qualify, it’s in their own hands.

RATING 3/10

1899 HOFFENHEIM 1-2 MANCHESTER CITY

A routine win in Germany vs. Hoffenheim was in store here, and Pep managed to recover from the shock defeat to Lyon.

City didn’t look that comfortable and conceded an early goal after just 43 seconds.

Kun Aguero equalised shortly afterwards, and they didn’t fashion many chances after this.

It looked like a draw was likely, but then David Silva capitalised on a late defensive error to score a late winner.

City is second in the group and still can finish top. The reverse game vs. Lyon will be telling, but then there are two “winnable” games coming up vs. Shakhtar Donetsk very soon.

It was good to get the win here, naturally. But getting top of the group has to be the imperative, especially as City are by far the most talented team in the group.

RATING – 5/10

MANCHESTER UNITED 0-0 VALENCIA

Much is said of United’s current issues, both on and off the pitch.

More issues of late have emerged, vis a vis Antonio Valencia supposedly “liking” an Instagram post concerning Mourinho’s departure, and Mourinho himself saying in an interview that he doesn’t like split dressing rooms (despite his tenure and well-known events at Chelsea).

The problems at Manchester United are pretty holistic and go from the top (board/Woodward), to Mourinho.

However, this draw vs. Valencia should have been a defeat. The Spanish side was very good in their approach play, short passing, and interplay

y, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

United was the opposite, they were slow, sluggish, lacked ideas, and lacked invention. Pogba went close on a few occasions, but Lukaku, Sanchez, and Matic were poor.

United are still in a reasonable position to qualify. They beat Young Boys 3-0, who in turn lost to Juventus. The games against Juventus and old boy/legend Ronaldo no less may determine who is first and second of the group. However, even they lose both, they may still get second place. The Valencia game away may crucial since they will feel confident vs. Young Boys.

RATING – 3/10

FC QARABAG 0-3 ARSENAL

Arsenal got a comfortable win in Azerbaijan.

They got an early lead from new signing Sokratis Papastathopolous, who converted a header from Monreal from close range.

Qarabag had some near chances to score, but then Leno had made some good saves to deny them.

Arsenal improved the scoreline late on, and Guendouzi and Smith-Rowe to get in the goals for the first time in their Arsenal careers.

Arsenal looks like they will get in through the group stage with ease, and who knows Emery could get four Europa Leagues in his managerial tenure this season.

RATING 6/10

CHELSEA 1-0 VIDI

Chelsea was not at their best, but then they took a vital win to ease their progress.

Morata, a player who has been harshly maligned of late, scored the winner, and Chelsea look more or less assured of progress.

They won the competition in 2013, after their 2012 CL success, and will look to utilise their favourites' tag to gain another triumph.

They have on paper arguably the strongest squad in the competition (though Arsenal will contest this in some areas), and they are doing well in the league to boot.

If they don't qualify from this stage, then Sarri has some serious questions to answer.

RATING - 6/10