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There is a reason why the UEFA Champions League is regarded as the best inter-club competition in the world. All over the world, Tuesday and Wednesday nights are never the same when the competition comes to town.
This week was no different as the Champions League was back with all the excitement and panache it is noted for. But whiles things went well for some clubs in Europe, it wasn’t quite the same for others.
For individual players too, it was a dramatic week – filled with thoroughly inspirational as well as downright poor performances. The Likes of Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Nabil Fekir and Luka Modric were at their best as their respect clubs recorded routine victories.
However, the situation was far different for other international stars who simply could not conjure the usual magic that they are known for on the pitch.
Here are four players who flopped in the first week of the Champions League:
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo got off to the worst possible start on his debut for Juventus in the UEFA Champions League. The 33-year-old was on the receiving end of a controversial refereeing decision, which saw him sent off in the first half of Juve’s game against Valencia.
The Portuguese lasted just 29 minutes before receiving his marching orders after tangling with Valencia defender Murillo. The decision may have been harsh, but it doesn’t change the fact that it was a frustrating night for the 33-year-old.
Ronaldo is a beast when it comes to the Champions League. He stands as the competitions all-time top-scorer, with120 goals. But Tuesday night was just not one of those days for the forward. Even for the 29 minutes he stayed on the pitch, Ronaldo was barely given a chance to break through by the Valencia defence.
Perhaps his less impactful performance, coupled with the red card, was the reason why he broke down in tears whiles walking off the pitch. It was a bad day at the office for Ronaldo.
#3 Neymar
There was a time when Neymar was rated as the natural heir to Ronaldo and Messi. However, whiles the superstar duo have continued to progress seamlessly year after year, it appears that the Brazilian is rather regressing.
Neymar is believed to have left Barcelona so he could be his own man, without being under the shadows of Messi. However, Tuesday’s Champions League meeting between PSG and Liverpool typified why he has so much to learn and a long way to go.
Neymar was lost for the majority of the game and refused to track back as the Reds recorded a dramatic 3-2 win over the Parisians. Neymar is hugely talented, but his attitude sometimes hinders him from giving his best on the field. Tuesday was one of those days where his performance are not up to scratch.
Normally, it is Neymar who ridicules opposition defenders, but his highlight (or perhaps lowlight) in that Liverpool game as when he was completely bamboozled by Saido Mane during a duel on the right wing. That moment, in itself, summed up his frustrating night.
#2 Marcus Rashford
Another of the worst performing big-name players on match-day one of the UEFA Champions League was Marcus Rashford. The youngster was handed a rare starting role by Jose Mourinho during Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Swiss side, Young Boys.
However, Rashford failed to take his chances and ended up losing possession too easily, exhibiting indecisiveness on the ball, and putting up a disappointing performance overall. The England international enjoyed good fortunes while on international duty with the Three Lions, scoring twice, a different player turned up against Young Boys on Wednesday.
Mourinho has often spoken highly of the attacker, but with such performances, the Portuguese will have no choice than to keep him on the bench. Rashford had the chance to stake a claim for a starting spot in Man United’s next game, but instead, dished out a flop performance.
#1 Mohamed Salah
Liverpool recorded a thrilling 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, but the performance of Mohamed Salah would have gotten manager Jurgen Klopp a bit worried. The Egypt international has managed two goals this season, but his form has not been as consistent as last season.
Against PSG, Salah was responsible for giving the ball away cheaply on a number of occasions and was culpable in the build-up to Kylian Mbappe’s goal, which drew PSG 2-2 level in the 83rd minute. The former Roma star endured a frustrating night and did not last the entire duration of the game due to his ineffective display.
Already, there are huge debates on social media over whether Salah would be a one-season wonder for the Reds. Drawing such a conclusion is definitely premature, but on the face of his performance against PSG, Salah did not help his case.
The Egyptian is undoubtedly the star of this Liverpool team, but on Tuesday, he was poor and was outshined by the more efficient James Milner, as well as the more threatening Mane.
