The Top Flight
Fansided

Power Ranking the 4 Premier League teams in the Champions League

By Keith Lisenbee

MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 01: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lifts the trophy following the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 01, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 01: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lifts the trophy following the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 01, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Stamford Bridge on February 25, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Stamford Bridge on February 25, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images) /

About To Tap Out: Chelsea

The Londoners’ first leg against Bayern was Frank Lampard’s worst nightmare. His club has been struggling in league play over the last couple of months as they have been consistent at not being able to convert goal opportunities and not being able to stop their opponents from converting theirs.

Chelsea has been one of the best in the Premier League this season in creating goalscoring opportunities. Bayern suffocated their offense throughout the match, especially in the midfield. The Blues’ xG for the match was 0.5 as they had only three shots on goal and 37% ball possession.

Der FCB drilled three away goals in 25 minutes to pretty much put the tie to bed already. Their xG was 3.5 from consistent clinical pressure even as Chelsea attempted to close off the mid-field for themselves. They had superior talent and game management.

Frank Lampard’s club has to now travel to Munich for the second leg. His team is depleted, has lost confidence, and is without any new ideas. They are also down three away goals.

They are done.

Staggering Around the Octagon: Spurs

RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner converted a penalty shot in the 59th minute to give them the away goal that may knock Spurs out of the Champions League. Tottenham was lucky that it wasn’t worse.

Spurs have been horribly depleted on offense due to injuries to Harry Kane and Son Heung-min leaving Dele Alli (who pouted on the bench after being yanked) and Lucas Moura as the forwards. Jose Mourinho’s club could not generate quality goalscoring opportunities. Their xG was 0.9 on a meagre five shots on target.

Leipzig, 2nd in the Bundesliga, did not exactly light it up offensively either. Their xG for the match was 2.0, but taking away Werner’s penalty kick that goes down to 1.25.

However, it was Die Roten Bullen that got that pivotal away goal.

Tottenham’s xGDiff/90 min of 2.6 is the lowest, by far, of the four Premier League teams in the competition. Their expected goals against is only better than Liverpool among the four top-flight clubs. However, Spurs npxG+xA/90 min is half a goal better than Leipzig in the competition.

Because the Champions League runner-ups from last year are down an away goal going to eastern Germany, they are staggering in this tie. They are also down the aforementioned offensive spark plugs and their defense is inconsistent. It’s going to be difficult to come back, but the Special One is one of the best one-match strategists in the game.

I think Leipzig wins in a split decision (the away goals rule).

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