The 2022-23 goal is not easy for all top clubs.
PSG
The Parisians went into the break before the 2022 World Cup without a single defeat in all competitions, even with Benfica, who were trying to take away 1st place in the group Champions League, it turned out to draw twice. But after the world championship, the wards of Christophe Galtier lost 2 times at once, having played 4 matches.
Adding spice to the current situation in Ligue 1 and opponents who PSG gave 3 points. In early January, the French giant met Lens, the second team in the league. The Blood Golds were 7 points behind the Parisians which is pretty standard for the league. But to open the opponent PSG he only managed once, while ‘Lance’ hit the hosts’ gates three times. As a result, the gap was reduced to 4 points.
After a misfire between Lance and Strasbourg, the championship leader brought his pursuer even closer – this time Rennes took the key to the French champion. The Rossoneri gave possession to the opponent, but created no less chances in the opponent’s goal: 8 shots at the end of the match, just like Paris Saint-Germain. Only now Rennes realized their moment – Amari Traore’s ball became the winner. “Lens” in a parallel meeting closed with “Auxerre” and is now even closer to the leader of the championship – 3 points difference.
Manchester City
The “citizens” have similar problems: there are few failures (1 draw, 2 defeats in 7 matches), but they are extremely sensitive.
Manchester City endured the toughest phase after that world Cup-2022 because they had to play more than the others. After the victories over Liverpool and Leeds, there was an attacking draw Premier League with Everton (1:1). Subsequently, Arsenal from London, who are in first place in the league, also failed, so the gap between the clubs has not changed.
But in the last two matches, Pep Guardiola’s wards managed to fly out of the English League Cup, losing to Southampton (0:2). In this context, the team needed to win the Manchester derby with “Manchester United”- the class difference is already clear and nobody wanted the Gunners to move even further away from themselves. The Citizens tried to open the opponent’s defense for a long time – the first goal was scored in the 60th minute. True, then the Red Devils scored twice and kept the lead.
Arsenal are now 8 points clear of Man City, the Premier League leaders last gaining such a lead over a second team was in the 2003/04 season. Meanwhile, the “Azzurri” in the next round will play against “Tottenham”, which has already returned to the edge of the European Cup zone and will not go lower.
“Liverpool”
Unfortunately, the Merseysiders’ stagnation is not a sad December-January finding, but a trend throughout this season. According to the results of the first part of the championship, we can say that the team’s problem is not in the form of the players.
The defeat to Man City on 22 December can still be attributed to too little time gone by world Cup. But in their last three games, Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost to Brentford and Brighton, level with Wolverhampton in the Cup. Prior to this stretch, the Reds were in 6th place in the Premier League and were very close to 5th-placed Tottenham Hotspur. After, they dropped back to 9th and let Brentford and Brighton ride higher.
Success for Liverpool, judging by the pace taken, will already be entry into European competitions (perhaps at least Gakpo will help).
“Tottenham”
In the autumn, Spurs were chasing City and Arsenal in the top 3. Then they gave way to Newcastle. Soon after, they let Manchester United take the lead.
And for such a decline, the responsibility lies entirely with the team – the Londoners lost points to the middle farmers of the championship (2:2 with Brentford, 0:2 with Aston Villa). The derby against Arsenal was particularly important. Bring Tottenham 3 points – and it would be very close to the 3rd line. But Newcastle withManchester United” won his matches and Antonio Conte’s wards could not oppose anything to Arsenal (0: 2).
Now Spurs are close to allowing even lowly Fulham to take the lead. The last two games of January will be vital for the English giants: first they will have a tough encounter with Man City, and then they will fight for the European Cup zone with Fulham on the road away.
Chelsea
Nothing more is to be expected when you commit to make a revolution and completely change the way of life in the club. The Blues are playing at Liverpool’s level which is not a compliment these days. Two defeats against Manchester City, one draw with Nottingham, 1:2 against Fulham.
At the same time, the new bosses of the English giant completely trust coach Graham Potter and are already spending a lot of money on strengthening. With a difference of a couple of weeks, Joao Felix, Mikhail Mudrik, Benoit Badyashil, Andrey Santos joined the team. In total, Chelsea have already spent more than €143m. If this doesn’t affect the club’s ranking, Potter won’t last long.
“Milan”
The composition of Napoli’s competitors in the current Serie A draw is rapidly thinning. First Atalanta dropped, now Milan are losing ground.
After winning the 16th round, the Rossoneri were 5 points behind the Neapolitans. Then Jose Mourinho stole the victory in the match from the Milanese: his Roma lost 0:2 until 87 minutes, but managed to win back and take one point. Milan then dropped points to Lecce – currently 14th in the league.
It seems that nothing will stop Luciano Spalletti and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from winning the Scudetto. “Milan” to the championship leader – 9 points. Meanwhile, the advantage over Juventus and Inter is only 1 point.
