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Liverpool FC – Steven Gerrard Can’t Keep Playing Like an Old Man
If last season was somewhat of a Renaissance for Steven Gerrard, this year feels more like the beginning of a wake, as an illustrious career is reaching its final stop, with the Liverpool captain looking like a player who has had too many matches and too many surgeries weighing down on his legs, body and soul.
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Juventus FC – Arturo Vidal Can’t Keep Saving Them
After waiting for so long to get their attack fixed and possibly succeeding by adding Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, the usually impregnable Juventus defense has been looking awkward this season, while the midfield unit with Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal looks slow and predictable.
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Bayern Munich – Making Manchester City Look Like They Don’t Belong
Another school for pressing and midfield domination was presented by Bayern Munich to an English club, this time Manchester City. Pep Guardiola might not have used a striker, instead giving Thomas Muller the most forward role, but the absolutely wonderful performance from Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos meant that there was really no need for a true number 9 to get what they set out to accomplish.
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Real Madrid – Angel di Maria is Currently Better Than Gareth Bale
There was never any question about Real Madrid going back to their winning ways, but it was still refreshing to see someone either than Cristiano Ronaldo be their best player on the pitch, with Angel di Maria proving his place is in the lineup, and at the moment is a better fit than an injured or healthy Gareth Bale.
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Manchester United – Marouane Fellaini Partially Succeeds in New Role
Considering the rain of criticism falling down on David Moyes, an away draw in the Champions League inside a very tough stadium is nothing to be ashamed about, as Robin van Persie felt quite alone without Wayne Rooney by his side, while Marouane Fellaini might have been the most important player on the pitch in his advanced role, which is also keeping Shinji Kagawa out of the lineup.
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Numbers That Show Manchester United Won’t Win the Premier League Title
You can use statistics to prove anything you want, as long as you use the right numbers. Finding reasons for Manchester United to finish this season empty handed seems like a very easy task these days, as defending their Premier League title seems like an almost impossible mission at this point.
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Borussia Dortmund – Marco Reus & Robert Lewandowski in Unstoppable Mode
The football machine that is Borussia Dortmund might have its glitches, but up to this point, no one has been playing better football than them in Europe this season, as Marco Reus continues to prove he might be the best attacking midfielder in the world today, while Robert Lewandowski is showing no signs of slowing down, even if this is his final season with the team.
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FC Barcelona – Neymar Can Fill in For Lionel Messi
Even if Barcelona aren’t the same team without Lionel Messi, against a certain level of competition, there’s enough quality to back him up. Whether it’s Neymar, who doesn’t mind being the center of attention on the pitch and sacrifice for the team, or Cesc Fabregas, proving time and time again that he’s the best finisher this team has albeit the injured Argentine star.
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Arsenal FC – Mesut Ozil & Aaron Ramsey Thriving Side by Side
Even without playing a single midfielder with tendencies to play on the wing, Arsenal had a look about them during the first half of having an extra player to their opponent, as the switching between Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey worked perfectly, leaving themselves and other players wide open on almost every other attack to ensure the victory before the end of the first half.
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Chelsea FC – Juan Mata Makes Everything Easier
If Jose Mourinho needed any more convincing about the importance of Juan Mata, his performance in the Champions League made sure no doubts were left. Andre Schurrle was excellent on the wing and Ramires was unstoppable through the middle, but it was the Spanish star who made most of the difference as Chelsea got back to their winning ways.