Champions League Update: Michael Jordan Meets Lamine Yamal, Impressive Saves and Unbelievable Skills

Champions League on a Thursday? It will take some time to get used to however the revamped model of Europe’s elite competitors served up extra intrigue on evening three.

It was the one matchday with out a tie that includes two European heavyweights however there was nonetheless drama: Arsenal had been held by Atalanta, Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen comfortably made the step up from the Europa League, two sought-after strikers produced memorable moments, a Champions League debutant bought off to a profitable begin and an American sporting icon was in attendance to see a future nice.

Here, The Athletic delves into the most effective tales in additional element.

Yamal x Jordan = starpower

The speak earlier than Monaco hosted Barcelona had been in regards to the guests’ 17-year-old Lamine Yamal and whether or not he's now within the dialog as the best of all time in the case of teenage footballing stars.

Yamal, in fact, just lately lit up the European Championship with Spain, scoring one of many objectives of the match and serving to his nation win the title.

If Yamal wanted recommendation about how to deal with his new-found fame, there was a person on the Stade Louis II capable of supply some: NBA legend Michael Jordan. Monaco hardly wants any extra glamour with its mega yachts and glitzy casinos, however the presence of Jordan — sitting behind a pink velvet rope within the company seating — actually added one other layer to the event.

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Michael Jordan was in attendance to see Lamine Yamal mild up Monaco (Chris Ricco – UEFA/UEFA by way of Getty Images)

Discounting the likelihood that Jordan was there to look at a person sporting his well-known No 23 shirt, Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, he did get to witness why Yamal is already soccer royalty.

The winger bought his workforce again degree with an outstanding solo aim after his team-mate Eric Garcia had been despatched off inside 10 minutes.

Everyone is aware of that he needs to chop inside onto his left foot — however stopping him is a distinct matter. He dribbled inside and reversed a intelligent end into the near-side backside nook, a flash of brilliance that went some approach to highlighting the gulf between him and a few of his team-mates.

Yamal scored an excellent aim in a dropping trigger (Chris Ricco – UEFA/UEFA by way of Getty Images)

It gained’t have been misplaced on Nike executives that because the digicam minimize to Jordan for his response — one of many model’s foremost faces since signing his first deal in 1984 and nonetheless sporting his iconic Jumpman cap — Yamal was sporting Adidas boots, having switched manufacturers earlier this 12 months.

Even although Barcelona finally misplaced 2-1, it nonetheless felt like one other evening when Yamal underlined his declare to be the famous person of this technology.

How did Raya make that save?

The second half was simply two minutes previous between Atalanta and Arsenal when Thomas Partey tripped Ederson to concede a penalty.

The VAR evaluate of the footage dragged on, however Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made good use of the delay. He sprinted over to the midway line to obtain directions from goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana. Exactly which algorithms had been shared is a thriller that was hidden behind their fingers, however no matter was stated labored.

David Raya receives directions from Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Mateo Retegui stepped up along with his physique closed, which telegraphed that he was putting the ball to his left. Raya learn it early however in committing so totally he really dived previous the ball and palmed it again into the trail of the Italian striker.

It regarded like a sure aim because it bounced kindly for him to go into an empty web, however Raya was not ready to surrender. Calling upon twenty years of muscle reminiscence, he sprung again to his toes with barely any use of his fingers for leverage and scrambled throughout his aim, scooping the ball out from behind him along with his left hand. Replays confirmed he had saved just below half of the ball from crossing the road.

UK readers watch right here:

DAVID RAYA, TAKE A BOW!
One of the most effective double saves you may ever see 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/sPgZF293QI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 19, 2024

U.S. readers watch right here:

DAVID RAYA WITH A STUNNING DOUBLE SAVE 🧱 pic.twitter.com/O6xGhOpS7F
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 19, 2024

It was similar to the double save he made in opposition to Aston Villa, which gained him the Premier League save of the month for August.

Goalkeepers apply making a save earlier than instantly bouncing to their toes for a follow-up shot tons of of occasions per week, however the core energy required to make up that floor in a top-level recreation is exceptional.

It is a testomony to Raya’s character. Ten years in the past he was taking part in for Southport in a 3-0 loss to Macclesfield within the fifth tier of English soccer. Now he's Arsenal’s undisputed No 1, having helped the membership attain the Champions League quarter-finals final season along with his saves within the penalty shootout in opposition to Porto.

In Bergamo, he added one other memorable second to a rising assortment.

Boniface’s ‘no-look’ genius

It is broadly often known as the “Thierry Henry fake-shot pass” — in honour of the French World Cup winner — however Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface might must trademark it as his personal after his pre-assist in opposition to Feyenoord.

In the thirtieth minute, the Nigerian acquired the ball with Thomas Beelen proper on his toes. He in some way managed to ricochet it by his legs…

… and, when David Hancko lunged in the direction of him, he managed to nutmeg him, too, with a drag-back…

If there was a component of luck concerned in that half, it was pure ability from that second on.

With a number of gamers closing him down on the fringe of the field, Boniface wound again his proper leg as if readying a bullet strike.

But somewhat than plant his left leg to shoot, he used it to play the ball vast to his team-mate Jeremie Frimpong on his exterior…

… all whereas swiping the air along with his proper foot.

Not as soon as did he look away from aim and that's what made the disguise so efficient. Feyenoord’s defenders purchased the dummy and it opened up area for Frimpong to play the ball throughout aim for Alex Grimaldo to make it 2-0.

This will not be a one-off for Boniface, who scored 21 objectives in his first season at Leverkusen final season on the best way to a home double. It is a ability he developed years in the past on dusty, usually uneven pitches in Nigeria when he performed for the Lagos membership Real Sapphire.

Street soccer may be very a lot alive in one of many youngest locations on earth. The density of expertise within the Nigerian capital helps produce this type of creativeness however Bonfiace’s imposing stature makes him a uncommon mix of each physique and finesse.

Sesko takes 11 seconds to point out why he’s a wished man

When the clock confirmed 3mins 44secs at Atletico Madrid, Benjamin Sesko was 30 yards from his personal aim with a swarm of dwelling gamers closing in to stop him launching an RB Leipzig counter-attack.

At 3mins 50secs, Benjamin Sesko was 30 yards from the Madrid aim, having left three defenders checking they weren’t sporting slippers.

After doing his finest Usain Bolt impression, the Slovenian striker well poked the ball to Lois Openda. Then, when Jan Oblak dived to his proper to palm Openda’s shot into the sky, Sesko summoned the vitality to soar into the air and head dwelling the rebound.

Benjamin Sesko nods in in opposition to Atletico Madrid (Oscar del Pozo/AFP by way of Getty Images)

It was 11 seconds which showcased why he's on the lists of the largest golf equipment throughout Europe.

His top and aerial capacity imply he can perform as the point of interest of the assault, whereas his tempo means he can stretch the sport in behind. It is a singular profile and reveals why Arsenal had been serious about a summer time transfer earlier than he selected to remain in Germany, signing a brand new long-term contract.

Brest show there may be room for love

There are skeptics of the brand new Champions League format however it's providing golf equipment who're often the whipping boys of a four-team group stage the possibility of glory, even only for an evening.

Take Brest, a membership fashioned as a regional aspect in Brittany in 1950, who went bankrupt in 1991. It took them till 2010 to return to Ligue 1 however it is just since 2019 that they've consolidated their place within the prime division.

Few might have anticipated an entry into the European spots, however Eric Roy’s appointment in January 2023 took them to 3rd place final season and an surprising ticket into the Champions League.

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Brest salute their followers (Fred Tanneau/AFP by way of Getty Images)

This was their first match in European soccer, not to mention the Champions League. Their opponents Sturm Graz had been competing within the competitors for the primary time since 2000, however Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima scored a terrific winner for Brest.

It wasn’t essentially the most glamorous tie of the week however there's something refreshing in regards to the league desk not being utterly dominated by the same old suspects — not but, anyway.