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Reading the scoreline of the 16 UCL games played in two days might get you thinking that the matches were not as entertaining as game week 1 but the scoreline does not reveal the quality of football that was on display in most of the matches played in this week.
A 4-2 scoreline indicates a one-sided game but Tottenham fought back against a strong Barcelona side and they will be hoping to take this spirit forward. Real Madrid suffered a shocking defeat against CSKA Moscow and Napoli edged out Liverpool, thanks to a 90th-minute strike by Insigne.
Juventus continued their remarkable start to this season with a dominant victory against Young Boys and Manchester United drew Valencia in front of their home crowd who showed their disappointment with deafening boos. Here are the top 5 picks from game week two.
#1 Best player: Neymar vs Red Star Belgrade
After an average outing by his standards against Liverpool, Neymar was back to his best again this week with a top class hattrick which included two thunderous freekicks. Neymar made the first freekick look too simple as he calmly deposited the ball into the left corner.
The second was a bit difficult due to the distance but we are talking about Neymar and he stunned his home fans and the goalkeeper by netting the ball into the top right corner with utmost precision. His second goal was from close range with Mbappe providing the assist. In this form, there is no defence in the world that can stop him from either creating or scoring.
Honourable mentions: Dybala’s hat trick and Messi’s brace.
#2 Goal of the week: Ivan Rakitic vs Tottenham Hotspur
In front of an incredible Wembley crowd, Rakitic scored an absolute stunner which he will remember for a long time. Barcelona was already 1-0 up by then and were looking dominant.
Messi passed the ball to Suarez who chested it away to Coutinho. Coutinho did well to keep the ball in play and the ball bounced high at an awkward height to an incoming Rakitic who produced a moment of brilliance by jumping and somehow controlled the ball well enough to deposit it at the top left corner. What stood out was Rakitic’s impeccable technique while jumping to volley the ball.
Honourable mention: Neymar’s freekick vs Red Star Belgrade
#3 Best Manager: Ernesto Valverde
Before this match, Valverde had received much criticism for his recent change to 4-3-3 which has not produced the desired results for Barcelona. But, he made a gutsy decision and decided to continue with the 4-3-3 formation against a top level opponent away from home.
The move paid off big time as Barcelona looked utterly dominant and Coutinho also looked good in the left flank. This was a typical Barca-style thrashing as the passing was top notch and the front three looked very ominous. The defence also held up decently in the absence of the regulars Roberto and Umtiti and Valverde would like to take this momentum forward to this weekend encounter against Valencia.
#4 Game of the week: Tottenham Hotspur vs Barcelona
Many feared that this match might not live up to the expectations as the Spurs were without Alli, Eriksen and Vertonghen. But, this turned out to be a highly entertaining game and huge credits must go to the vociferous Wembley crowd.
Barcelona were 2-0 at halftime after Coutinho’s opener and Rakitic’s stupendous volley. Tottenham needed something special to come back into the game and Harry Kane sparked a comeback with a brilliant fake and low finish at the 52nd minute. But, Messi who was simply outstanding in this match opened his account at the 56th minute and silenced Wembley.
When all hope seemed to be lost, Eric Lamela’s attempt from outside the box took a deflection and went past a diving Ter Stegen. The crowd found its voice once again but there was no fairytale comeback this time as Messi converted a rather straightforward chance at the 90th minute and secured a well-deserved victory for Barcelona.
#5 Masterstroke of the week: Valverde’s decision to play Arthur
Dembele’s stint at Barcelona has received a mixed response but his top-class performance against PSV made many to assume that he will start against the Spurs. Even if he doesn’t make the cut, everyone expected the experienced Vidal to play, but Valverde made a brilliant decision and decided to give the promising young Brazilian Arthur Melo a chance and Barcelona reaped rewards for it.
Arthur’s touch was the highlight of the match as he took every Barcelona fan back to the glory days of Iniesta-Xavi with his astounding chemistry with Rakitic. He also provided a perfect assist to Messi for his opening goal and we will surely be seeing more of him in the upcoming matches.
