The top-flight none stop European football continues to come thick and fast this week with the Champions and Europa Leagues and EFL Championship, League One and Two action. Last night there was Champions League and EFL action from all three leagues and on the European front Spurs lead by new manager Jose Mourinho pulled off another remarkable European Houdini act, this time in front of their own fans against Olympiakos. After the humiliating 7-0 Bayern Munich defeat the sense of dread about it happening again was palpable in the Spurs stadium, but Mourinho’s players managed to regroup and most importantly got a crucial goal back just before the break.
Mourinho did his magic at half-time and his team duly delivered by dominating the second half with goals from Kane and Aurier. Manchester City were the other Premier League team in action last night, but it was another disappointing night on the European front as they could only manage a disappointing 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, which came after a 1-1 away at Atlanta two weeks ago, but in terms of the bigger picture they still have a commanding lead in their group. There were wins for European giants Bayern Munich 0-6 away at Crevena Zvezeda and Juventus beat Atletico Madrid 1-0.
The Champions League action continues tonight and reigning champions Liverpool and Chelsea face Napoli at Anfield and Valencia away respectively. Napoli have become a bit of a bogie team for Liverpool who have only won one of the last four Champions League encounters, losing the other three, and Klopp will be keen to work out how his attacking players can break down a well organised and resolute Napoli defence without being caught out on the counter attack, especially later in the game if things are still level or close.
There’s a three-way tie in Chelsea’s group with tonight’s opponents Valencia and Ajax all on seven points, so avoiding defeat tonight is vital, but Lampard will surely fancy his exciting teams chances on current form. Barcelona are also in action tonight against Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund at the Camp Nou and with Messi still pulling the strings and breaking records for Barca it looks like it could be a torrid night for the Germans.
