UCL Matchday 5: Man City, Madrid, and PSG Face Turmoil While Liverpool and Inter Soar
Matchday five of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League is officially in the books, and the 36-team table is starting to take shape. With just three rounds left, the stakes are higher than ever, and the drama is palpable.
For some of Europe’s biggest clubs, the road to the knockouts is looking rocky. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are staring down an uphill battle after a tough loss to Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, defending champions Real Madrid are struggling to replicate the magic that won them the title last season. And then there’s Manchester City, who shockingly squandered a three-goal lead to Feyenoord, setting off alarm bells in Manchester. On the flip side, Liverpool and Internazionale are cruising, looking every bit like contenders for the crown.
Let’s dive into the biggest talking points from Matchday 5, as ESPN writers Gab Marcotti, Alex Kirkland, and Julien Laurens weigh in on the chaos and triumphs.
Who Should Be More Worried: Man City or Real Madrid?
Marcotti: Both teams will likely advance to the playoffs, but the real question is who should be more worried. For me, it’s City. However, who is more worried? That’s Real Madrid. Thursday’s Madrid papers will probably be filled with speculation about Carlo Ancelotti’s job security.
City’s situation is precarious. They face PSG and Juventus away in their next two games before finishing with what should be a straightforward match against Club Brugge. But then again, Feyenoord was supposed to be a “gimme,” too. The good news? They control their own destiny and could even make the top eight. The bad news? They haven’t won in six games, and it wouldn’t be shocking if that streak extends to seven after the weekend. Oh, and let’s not forget the 115 Premier League charges hanging over their heads, with a verdict expected before Christmas. Things could unravel quickly for Pep Guardiola’s side.
As for Real Madrid, injuries are a significant factor. Key players like Rodrygo, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Vinícius Júnior should return soon. Their next match against Atalanta will be tough, but Atalanta has been known to disappear in big moments. After that, Madrid finishes with two relatively easy games against Salzburg and Brest. While a top-eight finish seems out of reach, making the playoffs looks very likely.
Laurens: Honestly, neither team should be panicking. Both have world-class managers, elite players, and the resources to recruit reinforcements in January. Injuries will heal, and by March, I fully expect both teams to be in the quarterfinals. It’s too early to hit the panic button.
Kirkland: Madrid should be more concerned. They’re sitting 24th in the table with just six points from five games. In those matches, they’ve only played well for 45 minutes — the second half against Borussia Dortmund, thanks to an inspired Vinícius Júnior. Their next game against Atalanta could be a disaster, and they’ll likely need to rely on wins against Salzburg and Brest to progress. And let’s not forget, Madrid has never failed to qualify from the group stage in the old format. That’s a lot of pressure.
What’s Going Wrong at PSG?
Marcotti: Where do we start? Manager Luis Enrique is a tactical genius, but his decisions have been baffling. Playing a front two of Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola in a 4-4-2 against Bayern? That’s a head-scratcher. And don’t get me started on the decision to bench Gigio Donnarumma for Matvei Safonov. How did that work out?
The club’s transfer policy hasn’t helped either. They spent big on Randal Kolo Muani, who barely starts, and gave Milan Skriniar a massive contract only to try and offload him. The idea that the “youth project” would thrive after the departures of Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Neymar was overly optimistic. Against Bayern, only four of their starting XI were under 23. This isn’t the youth revolution fans were promised.
Laurens: PSG’s struggles boil down to two things: a tough draw and a lack of clinical finishing. They have the third-worst shot conversion rate in the competition. This is a young team, and while Luis Enrique is the right man to develop them, his tactical errors have been costly. The squad lacks experienced stars, and relying on Dembélé as your main attacking threat is a recipe for trouble.
Kirkland: PSG’s post-Mbappé squad lacks an elite goalscorer. They’ve created enough chances to win games but haven’t been able to finish. Luis Enrique is a great coach, but his teams can be predictable. He needs to find answers quickly.
Inter and Liverpool: The Unexpected Favorites
Marcotti: Inter are a well-oiled machine under Simone Inzaghi, capable of adapting to any style of play. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, have been equally impressive, especially considering they didn’t make any major signings this summer. Both teams are thriving on stability and strong coaching.
Kirkland: The defensive records of both teams are remarkable. Inter haven’t conceded a single goal in five games, and Liverpool have only conceded one. While neither team is lighting up the scoreboard, their solid foundations make them formidable in Europe.
Who Are the Top Eight Seeds?
- Marcotti: Liverpool, Inter, Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, and maybe Manchester City.
- Laurens: Liverpool, Inter, Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, and Aston Villa.
- Kirkland: Liverpool, Inter, Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern, Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen.
With three rounds left, the race for the top eight is wide open. Buckle up, because the drama is far from over.
Originally Written by: Gab Marcotti
