Tuesday's Champions League action saw six teams hoping to book their qualification for the next stage of the competition, but in the end...
Tuesday's Champions League action saw six teams hoping to book their qualification for the next stage of the competition, but in the end, only one side managed to do it.
Arsenal were in action at home against Marseille, although Gunners fans may have been forgiven for having one eye on matters in Germany—where Borussia Dortmund were hoping to keep their qualification hopes alive against Napoli.
Elsewhere, Chelsea were hoping to book their place in the last 16 (and gain revenge for an earlier loss in the process) against Basel, while AC Milan and Ajax were also facing pivotal encounters.
Here are the lessons that can be drawn from the games.
Jose Needs To Bring Back Mata… and quickly too
What is going on at Stamford Bridge between Mourinho and Juan Mata? The Spaniard has started just eight games this season, and while he has not necessarily struggled, he has looked far from his best.
Oscar has taken on the central playmaking role in Mata's absence and has proven to be a worthy replacement, with six goals so far this season. But the Brazilian looked jaded against Basel, lacking that extra yard of pace and sharpness that is usually so clear to see in the 22-year-old. He was replaced by Kevin De Bruyne in the second half.
With Mata on the bench and apparently fit, why was the two-time Chelsea Player of the Year not asked to come and change the game? Chelsea struggled in the final third and did not test Yann Sommer in the Basel goal once.
After the defeat, the questions surrounding Mata's future are certain to intensify with the 25-year-old bizarrely left out again.
John Obi Mikel's Inconsistency a Concern
After a superb showing against West Ham, Mikel's below-par display against Basel showed exactly why he has not been given a regular role in the Chelsea team.
As a stark contrast to the 3-0 win at the weekend, where he was dominant in possession and tidying up the play, Mikel was a liability in the centre of midfield. Mourinho will be disappointed that the Nigerian failed to continue where he left off.
His midfield partners, Frank Lampard and Ramires, were no better, with all three struggling to impose themselves.
Nevertheless, the duo have proven themselves worthy of their spot in the past.
Mikel? He still has a lot of work to do.
Jack Wilshere Is a Good Fit on the Right Wing
Several games back, Arsene Wenger tried to fit Jack Wilshere on the left wing, and the move was a monumental failure. Then, a few weeks ago, Wenger shifted him to the right against Norwich, and the result was a talismanic performance.
Due to a combination of Theo Walcott's lack of full fitness and Arsenal's surfeit of midfield talent, Wilshere was pushed out on the right flank and did his best Arjen Robben impression to slice inside and cause havoc in central midfield.
Wilshere's display gives Wenger a selection dilemma with Walcott returning to his prior sharpness, as the Englishman truly is a unique option on the right wing.
But Wilshere's man-of-the-match display in a contest that had several contenders nullifies any suggestions that he was a flash in the pan or that he will not overcome his ankle injuries.
Lorenzo Insigne Can Be a Star...if He Plays
One of the heroes for Napoli in Champions League Matchday 1 was Lorenzo Insigne, who scored a brilliant free-kick that put Napoli 2-0 ahead of Dortmund.
On Tuesday, the 22-year-old was benched. But when he came on, he scored within five minutes—a cool finish with his first opportunity that suggests he is already very mature. In injury time, he nearly scored a critical away goal for Napoli that would have given them an aggregate advantage over BVB in a possible head-to-head tiebreaker.
In spite of his poor scoring record in Serie A, Insigne's performance in his two matches against Dortmund are evidence that he has the composure and maturity to be relied upon as more than just a substitute in big games.
Still 22, he has plenty of room to develop and could become a big star.
How Did Barca's Patchwork Defence Fare?
Both Ajax goals were as a result of sloppy defence on Barca's part.
Not very well is the answer.
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| Puyol, Pinto were poor against Ajax |
Given his success in the job thus far, it would be unfair to criticize Tata Martino.
However, there can be no valid reason for leaving Marc Bartra out of the starting line-up, instead preferring the Gerard Pique-Javier Mascherano partnership.
With Martin Montoya filling in as emergency left back, the defence had somewhat of a lopsided feel to it, and Carles Puyol at right back was a risk given the speed of the Ajax attack down that channel.
There was no cohesion throughout the back-line, far too many balls going straight to the opposition, slipping at crucial times.
No one was immune and frankly, it was an embarrassment.
Should We Have Expected More from Neymar?
Is there too much pressure on the young Brazilian?
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| Is the burden on Neymar too much for him to carry? |
In Lionel Messi's absence, there is a cursory acknowledgement that Neymar should be the go-to man. Is that being a little unfair to him?
Or in games such as this, are we right to expect that when an opportunity presents itself, he has to take it?
Twice in the first half the Brazilian was in on goal, both times unable to trouble the keeper.
There can be no complaints about his industry and work ethic and in the second half, particularly, he was much more incisive.
However, goals win games, and he hasn't yet delivered on the biggest European stage.
Kaka Continues to Impress
Kaka's speed had appeared to be gone after Real Madrid relegated him to the bench for four seasons. Often injured, he had seemed to have lost the defining characteristic that set him apart from other footballers: his searing pace with the ball at his feet.
Against Celtic, he scored a header from a corner kick and went on a few signature darting runs, where he effortlessly breezed past onrushing defenders.
At 31 years old, Kaka has seemingly entered a rejuvenation machine since joining Milan this summer. With him in the lineup, Milan have a much-needed player who can bring the necessary experience to thrive in crucial moments.
