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EDITOR PICKS

  • Watch: Carvajal's header delivers killer blow for Madrid in UCL final

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • Real Madrid beat Dortmund to win 15th European Cup

Soccer

5 thoughts from Tuesday's Champions League action

The Champions League rumbles on with Matchday 2 this week. Below, we dissect the biggest talking points from Tuesday’s action in Europe’s premier club competition.

Son becoming a big problem for Conte

Son Heung-Min has now gone eight games without a goal, and if his performance in Tottenham Hotspur’s surprising 2-0 defeat to Sporting CP on Tuesday is any indication, the drought will continue for some time.

Many expected Son to take his game to the next level, and rightfully so. The South Korean forward finished the 2021-22 Premier League season with 12 goals in his final 10 appearances, enough to earn him a share of the Golden Boot award. But his form in front of goal since the start of August has dropped dramatically. Son’s failed to convert any of his 18 attempts on goal, and only half of those have been on target.

Son didn’t register a single shot Tuesday against Sporting ‘keeper Antonio Adan, and one of his only two touches in the penalty area came from an offside position. He just couldn’t connect with the rest of his teammates. Clearly frustrated, Spurs boss Antonio Conte replaced him after 72 minutes – and Son’s lucky he even lasted that long.

Soccrates Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The 30-year-old’s substitute Dejan Kulusevski showed much more attacking impetus in the final quarter of an hour, appearing on the left and right to create chances. With Richarlison also comfortable playing on the left wing, Son’s place in Conte’s starting lineup could, and probably should, come under scrutiny.

Richarlison has played extremely well in his limited time on the pitch, showing greater compatibility with Harry Kane and the will to get into scoring positions. Initially signed to provide depth, the Brazilian forward could now earn a significant run in the team, with Kane up front and Kulusevski returning to his usual place on the right. That spells trouble for Son, whose native South Korea is banking on him to lead the way in the World Cup. But Conte can’t afford to wait for anyone – not even one of the Premier League’s best players.

That’s more like it, Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp got the response he demanded.

In a game Liverpool desperately needed to win after opening their Champions League campaign with an embarrassing defeat, Klopp’s men delivered a strong defensive performance on their way to beating Ajax 2-1 and picking up their first three points of the tournament.

The result offered a huge boost for a Liverpool side that was left reeling after last week’s abysmal performance in Italy.

In the aftermath of the 4-1 loss to Napoli, there was plenty of uncertainty about the Reds’ ability to rebound from what Klopp described as the team’s “worst” performance since his arrival. Klopp delivered “four or five days of absolute truth” to his struggling squad.

Although Liverpool’s route to victory was anything but direct, the rallying cry seemingly worked. After Mohamed Salah’s first-half goal, poor play from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk was largely responsible for Ajax’s equalizer before halftime. The Reds’ attack went sterile after the break until unlikely hero Joel Matip’s 89th-minute winner sent Anfield into a frenzy.

10 – Joël Matip’s 89th minute winner was his 10th goal for Liverpool in all competitions with the Reds avoiding defeat in all 10 of those matches he’s scored in (W9 D1). Relief. pic.twitter.com/yqk4yyjPk8

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 13, 2022

Although Liverpool have a ways to go before they’re comparable to the outfit that dazzled last season, Tuesday’s victory was undoubtedly a relief for a club that’s underachieved for much of the season so far.

When heavyweights collide

That was fun.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona, familiar foes in recent seasons, delivered a rousing spectacle in Bavaria on Tuesday. It was only a group-stage affair, but the almost unhinged intensity and elite skill on display were befitting of a final. Both teams pressed fiercely, trying to play on the front foot and not allow their illustrious opposition any time to breathe. Tackles were flying, and bodies were often strewn across the pitch as the two sides went blow-for-blow, racing up and down the field and exchanging rapid attacks peppered with quick, clever passing sequences and exquisite dribbling.

Alphonso Davies and the rejuvenated Ousmane Dembele – and fellow winger Raphinha – engaged in a series of explosive tussles that were as entertaining as the actual match itself. A game within the game. Teenage midfielders Pedri and Gavi were two standout players in the first half as Barcelona, looking to regain their status as Europe’s elite footballing institution, played with the incisiveness, inventiveness, and swagger of their peak years. The club’s financial future may be tenuous, but things look bright on the pitch.

But Bayern, despite still looking vulnerable defensively when put under pressure, didn’t crack. Julian Nagelsmann’s decision to introduce Leon Goretzka to begin the second half was vital, and the German juggernaut helped turn the tide in his side’s eventual 2-0 victory.

Bayern are now unbeaten in their last 30 Champions League group stage games:

WWWWWDWWWDWWWWWWWWWWDWWWWWWWWW

Unstoppable. ? pic.twitter.com/wgModRVRLD

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 13, 2022

“In the first half we had a lot of chances to score, and when you forgive so much against a team like this, you end up paying for it,” Pedri, wise beyond his years, said following the defeat.

Those ebbs and flows are the hallmarks of memorable Champions League nights.

The group stage of Europe’s premier club competition has been increasingly neutered as the gulf between football’s wealthy elite and everyone else has continued to grow over the years, making it more difficult for Cinderella stories to develop. But Tuesday’s clash at the Allianz Arena was a reminder of everything that’s still good about the tournament. When heavyweights collide, it’s still the most riveting show around.

Lewandowski’s rare off night

Captivating as Tuesday’s match in Bavaria was, it didn’t quite go according to plan for Robert Lewandowski.

The prolific Pole, who scored 344 goals in 375 Bayern appearances before departing for Barcelona this past summer, was given a predominantly warm reception upon his return. But a smattering of boos emanated from a fan base that isn’t totally at peace with the acrimonious nature of Lewandowski’s departure. Not quite hostile, but there was tension in the air.

“I think for Lewy, it was really an emotional game to come back,” said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer after the match. It’s impossible to know if that harmed the forward – even the most accomplished veterans can get butterflies – but whatever the reason, Lewandowski was just slightly off at the Allianz Arena. A rare sight over the years.

Robert Lewandowski had more shots (5-4) and had a higher xG (0.54-0.32) than the entire Bayern side combined in the first half at the Allianz Arena.

All that was missing was a goal on his return. ?#UCL pic.twitter.com/ZJCEljPrIy

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 13, 2022

The 34-year-old spurned two glorious opportunities in the first half, whistling a volley just over the crossbar from inside the box before sending a close-range header at the back post right into Neuer’s chest. Another good chance went begging when Noussair Mazraoui made a last-ditch block late in the first half. From there, Bayern’s defenders corralled him, and whenever Barca did scamper forward menacingly, Lewandowski couldn’t find the right timing and connect with his teammates.

Lewandowski had nine goals in his first six games with Barcelona going into Tuesday’s encounter, but his dream start to the season ended with a thud in the one match he was surely more excited about than any other.

What’s happening in Group B!?

This comes with the caveat that it’s still very early – we’re only two games into this campaign’s Champions League, after all. But Group B, against all odds, is already shaping up to be a wild ride.

Club Brugge sit atop the quartet with a perfect record after waltzing into the Estadio do Dragao, a typically intimidating venue, and crushing FC Porto on Tuesday. Despite losing Charles De Ketelaere over the summer, the Belgian club certainly wasn’t lacking an attacking spark in its 4-0 rout.

MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP / Getty

The surprises didn’t stop there, though, as Bayer Leverkusen put their woeful early-season form behind them to claim a 2-0 win against overwhelming group favorites Atletico Madrid. Leverkusen went into the match having lost six of their eight games in all competitions to begin the new campaign, so naturally, they shut down Diego Simeone’s side. Throw all reason out the window.

Group B, viewed after the draw as lacking much intrigue or excitement, is flipping the script.

Soccer

FIFA 23 ratings: Benzema soars as Kane, Ronaldo, Neymar plummet

Recognition of Karim Benzema’s extraordinary year has extended into the realm of video games after the Real Madrid striker was named the top-ranked player in EA Sports’ latest installment of FIFA 23.

The 34-year-old enjoyed the biggest jump in the rankings of the 23 players that were revealed Monday, moving up 13 places with a rating of 91 after he was rated 89 and ranked 14th last season.

In being crowned the highest-ranked player, Benzema – who scored 44 goals last season and helped Real Madrid capture another Champions League title – becomes the first player outside of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to finish atop the FIFA rankings since 2008.

After finishing first last season, Messi fell to fifth in the new edition of the wildly popular video game, while Ronaldo fell five places down to eighth.

However, Harry Kane’s stock dropped the most as the Tottenham Hotspur star plummeted from eighth to 17th, while his rating fell by a point.

Additionally, new Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane was rewarded for another brilliant season at Liverpool by moving up nine places into 13th, while Thibaut Courtois was given the highest rank among goalkeepers.

FIFA 23 is scheduled to be available to purchase Sept. 27.

Rank Player FIFA 23 Rating ’22 rating
1 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) 91 89
2 Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) 91 92
3 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) 91 91
4 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 91 91
5 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) 91 93
6 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 90 89
7 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) 90 89
8 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) 90 91
9 Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) 90 89
10 Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) 90 89
11 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) 89 91
12 Heung-Min Son (Tottenham) 89 89
13 Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich) 89 89
14 Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) 89 89
15 Casemiro (Manchester United) 89 89
16 Alisson (Liverpool) 89 89
17 Harry Kane (Tottenham) 89 90
18 Ederson (Manchester City) 89 89
19 N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) 89 90
20 Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) 89 91
21 Erling Haaland (Manchester City) 88 88
22 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) 88 88
23 Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain) 88 87
Soccer

Tuchel on Chelsea's struggles: 'Everything is missing'

Before Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea tenure officially ended, the German manager spoke candidly about Tuesday’s shocking 1-0 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb, questioning everything from his players’ desire to his own approach in what would be his last game in charge.

“At the moment, everything is missing,” Tuchel told BT Sport when asked what elements Chelsea currently lack.

Tuchel was fired Wednesday after 20 months in the job, and had no answers for the club’s woeful start to the season. Wesley Fofana, along with fellow summer recruits Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, failed to impress in a flat team performance that raised concerns over the £261 million the Blues spent this summer to retool the squad.

The loss to Zagreb follows defeats to Leeds United and Southampton in the space of 17 days. Aubameyang – signed on deadline day to address Chelsea’s issues up front – failed to make an impact in the Croatian capital, touching the ball just 20 times without registering a shot on target.

Tuchel made an effort to turn the tide in his team selection. In addition to handing Aubameyang his debut, he replaced Edouard Mendy with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal and initially deployed Mason Mount in a deeper midfield role.

“I’m angry with myself, and I’m angry with our performance,” Tuchel said after the loss, according to The Guardian’s Ed Aarons. “This is a huge underperformance from all of us. It’s not precise enough, it’s not clinical enough, it’s not aggressive enough.

“It’s not determined enough, and not enough individually and not enough as a team, and that’s why we lose this game. It was the story of the last few games: We start OK for 15-20 minutes but then lacked determination, precision, and maybe even lacked the smell of blood.”

Chelsea travel to Fulham in Premier League action Saturday.

NFL

Daily Notes: Dak, Allen, Mitchell among key Week 1 injuries

7:47 AM ET

  • Eric MoodyESPN

    Close

      Former manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company, now living my dream creating fantasy and sports betting content about the NFL, NBA, and WNBA for ESPN.

Read ESPN’s fantasy football daily notes every weekday to stay caught up on the news you need to know and get a head start on the fantasy football content coming today and tomorrow to ESPN.com and the ESPN Fantasy App.


The news: Dak Prescott needs surgery after suffering a thumb injury.

What it means in fantasy: Prescott is expected to have surgery Monday and miss six to eight weeks, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. The fantasy value of CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliott, Dalton Schultz and Tony Pollard plummets as a result of this news.

Going deeper: It would not be surprising if the Cowboys contact the 49ers regarding a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo.


The news: Keenan Allen pulled a hamstring in the second quarter of Week 1’s game against the Raiders.

What it means in fantasy: After the game, Allen implied to reporters that he does not believe his injury is serious. That doesn’t necessarily mean Allen will suit up for a division matchup against the Chiefs on Thursday night to kick off Week 2. Stephania Bell said “The biggest concern for NFL athletes with a mild hamstring injury is it turning into a more severe hamstring injury. Playing four days from now could be a risky proposition.” It shouldn’t be difficult for Mike Williams to move into the No. 1 role as a borderline WR1. Josh Palmer and DeAndre Carter are on the flex radar in Week 2 against the Chiefs’ secondary.

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1:45

Field Yates and Daniel Dopp break down the effect Keenan Allen’s injury will have on the Chargers going into Week 2.


The news: It is too early to determine how Najee Harris’ ankle/foot injury will affect the Steelers.

What it means in fantasy: Harris finished the game against the Bengals with 12 touches and 26 total yards before departing in the 4th quarter. It is unknown how severe Harris’ injury is, but potentially losing him is a huge blow for the Steelers. If Harris were to miss time, Jaylen Warren could fill the void and start. In that scenario, Warren c ld be viewed as an RB2 by fantasy managers.

Going deeper: Harris averaged 22.4 touches per game in 2021 and accounted for 31% of the Steelers’ scrimmage yards.


The news: Chris Godwin left Sunday night’s game against the Cowboys with a hamstring injury.

What it means in fantasy: The Buccaneers wide receiver had three receptions for 35 yards prior to the injury. Godwin, who tore his ACL late last season, was active for the game after not being sure he would play. It shouldn’t be surprising to see Godwin out again in Week 2 against the Saints. Mike Evans would undoubtedly take over as Tom Brady’s top receiving playmaker, while Russell Gage and Julio Jones will move up the depth chart.

Going deeper: Jones led the Buccaneers in air yards Sunday night. He caught three of five targets for 69 yards and appears to have a good rapport with Brady. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Jones reached the seventh-fastest top speed (20.62) of anyone in Week 1.


The news: 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell left Sunday’s game in Chicago with a knee injury in the first half and he was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.

What it means in fantasy: Mitchell ran six times for 41 yards before leaving the game. The extent of the injury is unknown, but it could be a MCL sprain, according to reports. After the injury, Jeff Wilson Jr. took over as the running back on early downs. There is no doubt that he will be one of the most popular waiver wire additions this week.

Going deeper: Mitchell averaged 18.8 touches per game in his rookie season in 2021.


The news: AJ Dillon led the Packers’ offense against the Vikings.

What it means in fantasy: Dillon accumulated 91 total yards on 15 touches while Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers grimaced at his wide receivers. Dillon led Green Bay in both rushing and receiving, and he and Aaron Jones should continue to be key contributors on the ground and in the air as Rodgers and the Packers adjust to life without Davante Adams. Dillon is firmly on the RB2 radar for fantasy managers.

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0:52

Field Yates and Daniel Dopp react to AJ Dillon’s performance vs. the Vikings and what they expect from the Packers’ backfield.


The news: JuJu Smith-Schuster also had the second-most targets in his Chiefs debut against the Cardinals.

What it means in fantasy: Smith-Schuster finished with 79 receiving yards for Kansas City. Smith-Schuster is better off catching passes from Patrick Mahomes than late-in-his-career-Ben Roethlisberger. He is a WR2 in Week 2 against a Chargers defense that Davante Adams torched in Week 1, in what should be a high-scoring game.

Going deeper: Smith-Schuster’s 79 receiving yards is his fifth-highest total over the last 28 games. Mahomes and Chiefs head coach and offensive maestro Andy Reid should make this a more frequent occurrence.


The news: Jarvis Landry led the Saints in targets and receiving yards against the Falcons.

What it means in fantasy: In their first game together in the regular season, Landry showed excellent chemistry with Jameis Winston. It is very encouraging that the veteran receiver is off to such a fast start. In Week 1, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael had three wide receivers on the field more than 50% of the time. This is good news for Landry’s fantasy prospects. He’s on the flex radar for fantasy managers.


The news: Dameon Pierce’s regular-season debut didn’t go the way fantasy managers expected.

What it means in fantasy: Pierce finished Week 1 against the Colts with 12 touches for 39 yards. He operated in a committee with Rex Burkhead. Pierce surprisingly played only 28% of the snaps compared to Burkhead’s 78%. After the game, Texans head coach Lovie Smith spoke with reporters about the situations Houston found themselves in during the game, which led to Burkhead seeing more action than Pierce. The rookie is best viewed by fantasy managers as a flex option in Week 2 against the Broncos.


The news: Amon-Ra St. Brown led the Lions in targets, receptions and receiving yards.

What it means in fantasy: St. Brown has a receiving touchdown in five consecutive games, the longest streak by a Lions player since Calvin Johnson in 2011. Due to extra competition for looks, fantasy managers feared Brown’s targets would suffer, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. He can be trusted as a WR2 with upside against the Commanders in Week 2.

Going deeper: St. Brown has maintained his rapport with Jared Goff they established late last season. Over the final six games of 2021, St. Brown averaged 11.2 targets per game. During that stretch, only one wide receiver scored more fantasy points than St. Brown (100.1), and that was Cooper Kupp (109.3).


The news: D’Andre Swift set a career high in rushing yards.

What it means in fantasy: Swift finished with 175 total yards (144 rushing, 31 receiving) in an impressive performance to start the season. He became just the sixth player in franchise history to rush for 100 yards in a Week 1 game, and only the third Lion to accomplish that feat in a home game, following Barry Sanders (1996) and Steve Owens (1972).

Going deeper: Swift showed Sunday why the Lions think he can be one of the league’s best three-down backs. He will not be able to reach 20 touches regularly due to Jamaal Williams, but Swift’s efficiency (1.09 career fantasy points per touch) and targets as a receiver position him as an RB1 in Week 2.


The news: Michael Pittman Jr’s 121 receiving yards and touchdown cement him as the Colts alpha wideout.

What it means in fantasy: Pittman and Matt Ryan seem to be a fantasy football bonanza for managers. The chemistry this duo exhibited in training camp and in preseason games was evident against the Texans. Pittman certainly has top-10 upside in 2022. Against the Jaguars in Week 2, he is on the WR1 radar.

Going deeper: With Ryan as his quarterback, Pittman is capable of replicating the per-game averages that former Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones had in Atlanta. Jones averaged 9.8 targets, 95.5 receiving yards and 18.5 fantasy points per game.


The news: Tyreek Hill won’t miss Patrick Mahomes as much as fantasy managers feared.

What it means in fantasy: Hill’s 12 targets led the Dolphins in their win over the Patriots. In his regular-season debut with the Dolphins, he racked up 100 total yards and looked in sync with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Against the Ravens in Week 2, Hill should remain in the WR1 conversation.


The news: Christian Kirk hit the ground running with his new team in Week 1.

What it means in fantasy: Kirk led the Jaguars in targets (12), receptions (6), and receiving yards (117) against the Commanders. In our live draft trends, he was the WR34, and fantasy managers who have Kirk on their rosters are thrilled. Kirk was signed as the Jaguars’ top target in 2022 in a big deal this offseason. He can be viewed as a flex option with WR2 upside.

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0:19

Daniel Dopp explains that fantasy managers should be happy with Christian Kirk if he continues his production from Week 1.



Today on ESPN.com/Fantasy and in the ESPN Fantasy App

Matt Bowen’s streaming pickups: deeper picks for deeper leagues and emergency need

• Fantasy Focus podcast now at 10 a.m. ET

In Case You Missed It:

• Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft on the Week 1 highs (Michael Thomas) and lows (Joe Burrow)

• It’s not too late! Sign up for team or start a new league this week and start play fresh for Week 2.

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Soccer

  • Watch: Carvajal's header delivers killer blow for Madrid in UCL final

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • Real Madrid beat Dortmund to win 15th European Cup

  • Police arrest dozens of ticket-less fans at Wembley final

  • Dortmund boss Terzic lauds 'brilliant' Sancho after UCL defeat

  • Modric, Kroos among Madrid stars to make history with latest UCL triumph

  • Madrid's inevitability is a superpower no rival can match

  • Transfer window preview: 50 players who could move this summer

  • Vinicius Jr. named Champions League Player of the Season

“If you think about it, I've never held a job in my life. I went from being an NFL player to a coach to a broadcaster. I haven't worked a day in my life.”
-John Madden


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