Pottering, tottering but no tragedy yet

 

It was a generally unconvincing return to action in the Champions League for the EPL’s quartet.

As respectful as they’ve been about Queen Elizabeth’s passing, all four managers would have been grateful for the extra time on the training ground due to the cancellation of fixtures.

And it’s a sure bet that new Chelsea boss Graham Potter would have been the most appreciative.

Instead of plunging into a derby debut against Fulham after barely a handshake with his squad, he’s even had time for a haircut.

But there are already those wondering if, like Samson, it has robbed him of his powers.

Failure to beat RB Salzburg ensured the Blues remain bottom of their group and left the field to a few boos.

With one point from two games, they have work to do to qualify for the knockout stages or face the ignominy of the Europa League.

It would be a dizzying fall from being champions two years ago and if the new regime can live with it, there are Chelsea fans who may not.

The owners say they’re playing a long game, but Stamford Bridge is seldom more than three games away from tumult.

How the fans will take to having a relative nobody boss foisted upon them will be decided by results.

Accustomed to stellar names from storied clubs, they will need a lot of convincing.

And an early exit from a competition Chelsea won two years ago would be the worst possible start.

The twice-winners find themselves up against it with a double-header against a resurgent AC Milan next after the international break.

Potter tried to put his stamp on the team, leaving out £108 million worth of central defenders, Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana.

But he balanced that by including one of his predecessor’s signings, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – and probably wishes he hadn’t.

It was hard to discern any real shape or pattern on a neither-here-nor-there evening.

Potter was robbed of the start he and Chelsea craved when the guests spoiled the party with a late equaliser.

Nor was “Super Super Tommy Tuchel” forgotten: the crowd holding a minute’s applause in the 21st minute – 2021 being when the popular German won the Champions League.

You feel Chelsea will need at least four points from their clashes with Milan to feel confident of progressing.

But at least they don’t have to face Liverpool this weekend – another casualty of the police being overstretched.

Klopp, on the other hand, might have relished the chance to take on a Chelsea in transition.

The promised “reinvention” was more like rearranging the furniture but at least two old favourites made a difference.

Pass master Thiago ran the game and Diogo Jota made the front three look threatening again.

A big plus was Mo Salah getting on the scoresheet, but Klopp doesn’t yet have confidence in Darwin Nunez starting.

As for Arthur Melo, there’s already talk of his loan being cut short as it looks more and more like a panic signing.

Against Ajax, it wasn’t the “old Liverpool” but it will do after the debacle of Naples.

And scoring “Klopp-age” time goals is a useful habit to acquire.

In a tough group, the Reds will be glad its struggling Rangers they meet in next month’s double header, although they shouldn’t underestimate the ferocity of an Ibrox Park crowd in a “Battle of Britain” derby.

The big shock was Spurs losing at Sporting Lisbon especially as it was nil-nil after 90 minutes.

It looked like “job done” – a typical Antonio Conte away performance.

But added time saw a gut-wrenching return to the old Spursy ways just when we thought they’d been expunged by the Italian manager.

Tottenham sensibilities were not helped by the starring roles of two old boys.

Brazilian Paulinho scored the first but arguably the most impact was made by Marcus Edwards, a one-time “wonder boy” from the Spurs’ academy.

After playing just 15 minutes for the Londoners, the local boy got injured, fell out of favour and lost his way.

But having played at every age-group level for England – including the U-19 World Cup winners – he’s now trying to rediscover his former magic in Portugal.

On this evidence, he’s found it. One run was Maradona-esque. And he’s still only 23.

Much has been said about Spurs’ potency in attack and solidity in defence, but they don’t seem to have a midfield.

Conte prefers lightning counter-attacks from deep, but there are other ways to skin a cat.

Still, it would be a seismic shock if they didn’t progress.

Only Manchester City, whose failure to win the big prize was called ‘tragic’ by skipper Ilkay Gundogan, sit pretty with maximum points after the first two rounds.

But even they had to come from behind against Borussia Dortmund.

Gundogan, one of Pep Guardiola’s first signings, was probably referring to his manager more than City.

The great man, widely considered one of the great coaches of all time, has won the Champions League only twice.

Both times with the Barcelona side rated by many as the greatest club team ever.

It was in 2009 and 2011 with Lionel Messi in his pomp.

It’s remarkable that he’s had great teams at his disposal since – Barca for another year, then Bayern and then City with only one season (2012-13) as a sabbatical.

And, yes, he’s admitted to over-thinking. In fact, he says: “I enjoy it.” But many feel that this may be the year he finally gets his hands on Old Big Ears again.

The “insurance” he has bought in Erling Haaland is the main reason and the Norwegian did the business again this week, notching the winner against Dortmund.

Well, they said he wasn’t that good with his head: but when he can get his foot to a ball at head height, as he did for the winner, what’s the problem? - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.