#defensive-issues

#defensive-issues

In fact, sat rock-bottom of the group stage table and becoming somewhat of a laughing stock from across the continent, Claude Puel's men have astonishingly failed to put a single point on the board during this year's tournament. With their knockout stage dreams already going up in smoke prior to opening 2026, Nice have remarkably lost all of their six Europa League appearances this season by an aggregate score of 13-4.

Getting December underway with a 2-1 loss against Cursor Ashton, Alfreton have also shown some extended defensive issues. With their recent rut underlined by a frantic 6-2 drumming against Merthyr Town on November 22nd, Tuesday's hosts have registered just two clean sheets from any of their previous 13 showdowns across all fronts - a run that stems all the way back to September 20th.

"[The mood in the dressing room] is relief but with a very clear understanding that the margins should have been bigger," Arteta told reporters. "After not being precise enough in the first half with the amount of situations that we generated inside the opposition box and we didn't pick the right colour of shirt, we had to improve in the second half.

In the few months he has been there, Thomas Müller transformed a team with mere raw potential into a team with the grit to win trophies. Having won the Canadian Championship and the Western Conference, the only trophy left was the MLS Cup Final against Eastern Conference champions Inter Miami. David Beckham's Miami though defeated by the Caps twice this season played with their entire being and won the game 3-1. Here are the observations from the game.

Another level. If Rodri came on for the last 20 minutes against Fulham, put right in the middle, do you know the effect? Just his presence, not even touching the ball? The other 10 players feel safe, better. They play better even if he doesn't touch the ball. Just the fact that he is there. And for one year and a half we didn't have it.

The Warriors used to be the greatest show on hardwood. Night after night, they were doing a genre-pushing, never-before-seen live improv set a blur of movement and mouthguard chewing and some of the most ridiculous and beautiful basketball that went beyond the realm of even your wildest imaginations. Man, were they fun. But that is not a word I would use to describe this year's Warriors. No, these Warriors are doing something laboriously, painfully joyless. What a slog.

Following a dominant win over Athletic Club on their historic return to Camp Nou at the weekend, Barcelona travel to London for a massive European night as they face reigning Club World Cup champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in Matchday 5 of the league phase of this season's Champions League on Tuesday night. Barça come into this one knowing anything but a victory will all but end any realistic chance of them finishing in the Top 8 and securing automatic qualification for the Round of 16.

Unlike his misfiring side, when Tony Docherty took aim last weekend he did not miss. "An unacceptable level of performance," he said. "I have always come out and defended the players. I can't defend that." The Ross County manager took no prisoners after his side lost 3-0 at home to Greenock Morton. To be fair to the Staggies' strikers, the Dingwall side are ranked sixth when it comes to goals scored in the Championship.

Despite securing a much-welcomed 2-1 victory against Annecy last month, Le RAF have lost each of their other three Ligue 2 appearances and they have shown some worrying defensive issues. Including another 2-1 loss agains Amiens on October 25th, Rodez have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 consecutive appearances across all competitions - a run that stems all the way back to September 12th.

Starting with the hosts, while Real Zaragoza might have dragged themselves over the finishing line last season as they clung to their Segunda status, Los Manos have an almighty battle on their hands. Getting this weekend's fixtures underway sat rock-bottom of the table, Ruben Selles' new squad have continued to show a string of glaring issues. Only putting six points on the board from any of their first 13 Segunda appearances, the former Sheffield United boss has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders.

You need every player to work and I think this season teams have targeted [Liverpool] down the right, Salah doesn't run back, there's an obvious concern for Liverpool down there because he's not getting back and not having the consistency of a right back playing every game. I think teams are targeting down that side. [Manchester] City done it and I felt sorry for Bradley, he needed help.

Lawlar's defense was a significant issue late this year. The Diamondbacks finally opened everyday playing time for him at third base with the Eugenio Suárez deadline deal. Lawlar was on the minor league injured list for a couple weeks but was recalled at the end of August. His third base audition didn't last long. Lawlar committed four errors in 76 innings, two apiece on September 7 and 14.

Last seen putting in another nightmare performance as they fell to a 4-1 defeat against Al-Khaleej, Thursday's hosts have lost three of their previous four Pro League appearances. Heading into October's international break with a dramatic 3-2 loss at home against Neom, Al-Riyadh have continued to show some glaring defensive issues. Including a 5-1 drumming against Al-Nassr last month, Calleja's downbeat squad have already shipped 15 goals in their opening six Pro League matchups.