Overview of Mourinho's Madrid beaten - and the Champions League returns!
The Athletic’s European football roundtable looked ahead to the return of the Champions League while reacting to a busy weekend across Spain, Italy, and France. The big themes were Real Madrid’s defeat to Real Betis, Inter’s statement comeback over Napoli, Barcelona’s relentless scoring under Hansi Flick, and PSG’s increasingly worrying start to the season.
Champions League Returns: Key Fixtures and Storylines
The panel ran through the opening Matchday 1 fixtures and circled the standouts:
- Real Madrid vs Inter was the headline tie, especially after Madrid’s league defeat and the added narrative of José Mourinho’s connection to both clubs.
- Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid also drew interest, with Atlético still trying to sort out their attacking balance.
- Napoli vs Arsenal was viewed as a potentially tricky trip for Arsenal, though not necessarily the intimidating away day it once would have been.
- PSG vs Slovan Bratislava was flagged as a possible banana skin only because PSG’s domestic form has been so uneven.
- Lille vs Real Betis was the “hipster pick” of the week, with Betis in strong form after beating Real Madrid.
A fun side note: the pod highlighted how Pep Guardiola’s Champions League influence now stretches across the coaching world, with several ex-Man City players now managing in the competition.
Serie A: Inter Impress, Napoli Rebuild, and the Scudetto Race Opens Up
Inter’s comeback against Napoli
Inter came from 2-0 down to beat Napoli, reinforcing the sense that they are already one of the strongest teams in Italy under Cristian Chivu. The performance suggested real belief and depth, with Inter producing plenty of chances and showing they can still control big games.
Napoli’s early issues
Napoli were described as a work in progress under Antonio Conte:
- The squad still looks unbalanced.
- Kevin De Bruyne has not started yet.
- The team’s attacking structure is still settling.
- Scott McTominay is out after a minor heart procedure, though the expectation is that he’ll return in October.
The panel felt Napoli have enough talent to improve, but right now the system and personnel do not quite fit together.
Other Serie A notes
- Roma continued their habit of late goals, with Paulo Dybala central to their form; his fitness makes a huge difference.
- There was also discussion of Atalanta- and Juventus-related tactical and squad issues, plus the broader impression that Serie A is unusually open this season.
La Liga: Barcelona Flying, Real Madrid Stumble, Valencia in Crisis
Barcelona’s scoring machine
Barcelona remain the most impressive side in Spain right now. Their latest win, a 5-0 demolition of Valencia, underlined how well Hansi Flick’s side are functioning even without a traditional No. 9.
Key points:
- Raphinha has thrived as a hybrid forward/false nine.
- Lamine Yamal is in sensational form, scoring braces in consecutive matches.
- The team has already scored 17 goals in four league games.
Real Madrid’s defeat to Betis
Real Madrid’s loss to Real Betis was the major domestic shock. The pod argued Madrid actually created enough chances to win, but:
- Vinícius Júnior missed a big chance.
- Kylian Mbappé also passed up opportunities, then missed a penalty.
- There are still familiar questions about Madrid’s midfield balance and defensive work rate.
Mbappé’s response to criticism was notable: he basically said he could question others’ scoring records too, but chose not to.
Betis, Troy Parrott, and the penalty quirk
Betis’ win was sealed by Troy Parrott, who scored against the manager who gave him his professional debut at Tottenham. There was also a quirky discussion of a defender jumping into the box during a penalty — technically not encroaching until he lands, which became a mini tactical loophole.
Valencia’s problems deepen
Valencia were described as being in a deep crisis:
- Heavy pressure from the fans
- Anger at the club ownership
- A visibly fragile team on the pitch
- The owner, Kiat Lim, was in attendance and received a hostile reception
Surprise teams
- Alavés were praised for an unexpectedly strong start, including a big win over Osasuna.
- Athletic Club were also highlighted as looking sharp, with Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet both singled out.
Ligue 1: PSG’s Alarm Bells, Monaco Top, Paris FC Rising
PSG’s poor start
PSG lost at home to Monaco despite dominating large parts of the game. The panel’s verdict was that this has become a familiar PSG problem: create lots of chances, fail to finish them, then get punished.
Concerns raised:
- Matvey Safonov has looked uncertain in goal.
- PSG are already seven points off the pace.
- It’s one of their worst league starts in years.
Monaco’s resilience
Monaco are top of the table and have impressed despite a thin squad and financial restrictions. They rode their luck a bit against PSG, but they’ve started strongly and look organised.
Paris FC’s rise
The biggest feel-good story in France was Paris FC’s 3-2 win at Marseille. The club’s wealthy ownership has allowed them to build an ambitious project, and they are emerging as one of the more interesting sides in Ligue 1.
Notable Moments of the Week
Aubameyang’s “aura farming”
Paul’s standout moment was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Villarreal, whose form prompted Spanish kids to nickname him something like “Aurameyang” — a nod to his “aura.” He scored the winner in a lively game and remains one of La Liga’s most entertaining veterans.
Nice’s moving memorial
Tom’s moment of the week was a deeply moving tribute at Nice, marking the 10th anniversary of the terror attack that killed 86 people. The stadium was darkened, names of the victims were read out, and supporters sang the club anthem in a powerful show of remembrance.
Other European Notes
A rapid-fire look around the continent included:
- PSV beating Ajax in the Eredivisie
- Telstar’s Ronald Koeman Jr. scoring twice from the penalty spot
- Bayern Munich surprisingly drawing with Schalke, with Loris Karius making a big late save
- Elversberg continuing their astonishing run with another wild win, this time against Borussia Mönchengladbach
Key Takeaways
- The Champions League’s return is framed by major storylines: Madrid vs Inter, Liverpool vs Atlético, Napoli vs Arsenal, and PSG’s pressure point.
- Barcelona are the most convincing team in Spain right now.
- Real Madrid are creating chances but still raising concerns about balance and defensive intensity.
- Inter look strong enough to be genuine European contenders again.
- PSG’s early-season form is a real concern, while Monaco and Paris FC are the early Ligue 1 surprises.