Matchday one offers Champions League spectators the chance to reevaluate their perspectives about clubs across the continent. But most will have learned little new about both teams from this fixture. Italy’s cream of the crop have it all to prove in this tournament, while Arsenal are one of the best outfits in Europe— and their […]

For the second season in a row, Diego Simeone came out with a defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. Transitions and high turnovers were Andoni Iraola’s side’s main weapons to threaten Atlético Madrid. On the other side, Simeone’s team found solutions to loosen Liverpool’s high press via manipulation, wide and central overloads, and runs in behind. […]

José Mourinho’s Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign against an Inter side that enjoyed greater possession and midfield control. Madrid’s compact structure closed the central spaces before using selective pressing triggers and quick transitions to exploit weaknesses in Inter’s build-up, producing two early goals. Inter responded through wide overloads and sustained pressure, while Madrid […]