With Spain’s LaLiga and Italy’s Serie A kicking off this weekend, all of Europe’s major football leagues are back in action. And even though the seasons are barely underway in leagues such as England’s Premier League and the Germany’s Bundesliga, there already has been plenty of drama and storylines.
ESPN correspondents Rob Dawson, Alex Kirkland, Julien Laurens, Sam Marsden and James Olley all break down the big stuff you need to know about the weekend.
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Jump to: Talking points | Best goals | Teams in trouble | MVP of the Weekend
Talking points
Martinez’s woes on Ten Hag?
There are plenty of issues for Erik ten Hag to wade through following Manchester United‘s 4-0 humiliation at Brentford on Saturday, and Lisandro Martinez is one of them. There has been debate about whether the Argentina man can handle the physicality of the Premier League since his move from Ajax Amsterdam, and it was noticeable that he was targeted by Brentford with long balls up to Ivan Toney.
– Social media reacts to Man Utd’s shocking loss
Ten Hag replaced Martinez at half-time and brought on Raphael Varane in his place, and while it’s still very early, there will be concern that Ten Hag has got one of his key summer signings wrong. You only have to look at the players brought in and the other names linked with moves to see that Ten Hag has been central to United’s recruitment this summer, and Martinez’s performance at Brentford does not reflect well on the new manager. — Dawson
Conte and Tuche ignite new rivalry
Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte previously only had nice things to say about each other, but Sunday’s tempestuous 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur featured clashes that will surely ignite a fresh managerial rivalry.
On an unusually hot London afternoon, the temperatures were at their highest on the touchline as first Conte and then Tuchel took turns to celebrate with increasing antagonism as the teams traded blows in a pulsating 90-minute encounter. Twice, they had to be separated by players and staff from both clubs, the second time after a handshake during which Tuchel took umbrage at Conte’s lack of eye contact.
Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte admit they enjoyed their heated exchanges following Chelsea’s draw with Spurs.
Referee Anthony Taylor sent both managers off at the final whistle as Spurs celebrated salvaging a point from an underwhelming display through Harry Kane‘s 96th-minute header. Tuchel launched a furious attack on Taylor afterward, claiming he should not be allowed to officiate Chelsa games in future — a suggestion that is almost certain to land him in more hot water with the Football Association — but it was his fracas with Conte that drew the most attention.
Chelsea and Tottenham have a long-standing and bitter rivalry. But here was a new chapter, and with Spurs harboring aims under Conte to close the gap on the Premier League’s finest sides, it might be set to run and run. — Olley
Bench rescues Madrid in opening win
There was something familiar about Real Madrid‘s LaLiga opener at Almeria on Sunday: a dramatic 2-1 comeback win, with the champions fighting back from a goal down to claim all three points. In fact, by Madrid standards, this was a rather tame turnaround, with the goals from Lucas Vazquez and then David Alaba — providing one of the moments of the weekend with a sublime free kick, curled into the top corner seconds after taking the field as a substitute — coming in the 61st and 75th minutes, rather than added time.
ALABA FREE KICK GOLAZO WITH HIS FIRST TOUCH OF THE MATCH ? pic.twitter.com/Bto4ZoMMsb
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 14, 2022
Madrid had been troubled by a well-organized Almeria team, with coach Carlo Ancelotti’s five changes leaving the side lacking some fluency, especially in midfield, where Casemiro and Luka Modric were missed. The game…
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