Champions League Group Stage Recap (Concacaf Version)
One of the few European updates you'll get from me...but don't worry...it's still all about Concacaf!
I was conflicted about putting this update together and debated whether to send it out. If you know anything about me, I am usually trying to steer us away from the Eurocentricity of football. I am also aware that last night we had the official draw for our region’s own version of Champions League (more on that soon!). In the end, there is a lot of Concacaf representation in the Champions League this year so I think it’s worth covering at some level. I know that Concacaf players playing at the highest levels of club football helps move our region forward as well. So with that, let's check in on how the group stage went for them and their clubs!
PSV
The Dutch Eredivisie has long been a launching pad for Concacaf players in Europe, but former USMNT sporting director Earnie Stewart seems to be working his way to an all-Concacaf XI at PSV Eindhoven. They are 15-0-0 in league play so far this year and their success has carried over into the Champions League. They finished 2nd in Group B behind Arsenal and punched their ticket into the Round of 16!
Ricardo Pepi (USA)
Stats: 1 goal, 1 assist, 7.0 Avg FotMob score
Highlight: With their 5th game against Sevilla tied at 2-2, Pepi entered to pitch to give PSV a spark off the bench. El Tren delivered as he started the attack in his own half and proceeded to take off in an all-out sprint towards the opposing box. His run was rewarded with a perfect cross from Vertessen that Pepi headed home to win the match and essentially secure PSV’s spot in the knockout round!
Overall assessment: In his debut Champions League campaign, Pepi probably wishes he was getting more playing time. He currently sits behind club legend and goal-scoring machine Luuk de Jong in the pecking order. In under 120 minutes of game time, Pepi has made his presence felt. He even added an assist in his first Champions League start against Arsenal to finish the group. Many fear that Pepi is being typecast as a super-sub for club and country…but if he continues this level of production, PSV will need to use him in the knockout stages.
Sergiño Dest (USA)
Stats: 1 assist, 5 starts, 6.8 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: Dest had a great assist that was overshadowed by a beautiful finish from Saibari against Sevilla. In light of that, I would have to say it was the way he cooked Jakub Kiwior against Arsenal that got the bench off their seats.
Overall assessment: Dest has been a crucial figure for PSV since his arrival and his Champions League experience from his time at Milan and Barcelona. While he isn’t the definition of a lockdown defender, he held his side of the field down well and provided a lot of creativity going forward.
Chucky Lozano (Mexico)
Stats: 0 goals/assists, 3 starts, 6.5 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: Chucky almost scored a vintage goal against Lens when he received the ball on the left side of the box, cut into his right, and shaped the ball towards the back post…unfortunately it hit that post!
Overall assessment: As I mentioned in a previous post, Chucky has been getting his groove back with PSV and El Tri this year. Unfortunately, production in the Champions League hasn’t been part of that. He hasn’t played poorly and has had some moments around the box, but didn’t have any goal involvements in the group stage. Worst of all, he was injured during their 5th game against Sevilla and it has kept him sidelined since then. He will be looking to bounce back in the Round of 16.
Malik Tillman (USA)
Stats: 1 assist, 3 starts, 6.8 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: Tillman’s assist to Bakayoko against Lens won’t be remembered (mostly because of the superb strike for the goal), but I was impressed by Malik’s composure on the ball and he made the right pass to set up the go ahead goal.
Overall assessment: He is becoming a very important part of this PSV midfield. While he had some Champions League experience at Rangers, he was much more involved in the attack in this year’s Group Stage. If he can continue playing at this level, it will be hard for Peter Bosz not to start him in at least one of the Round of 16 legs.
AC Milan
There was a lot of USMNT excitement when both Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah signed for Milan! When the Champions League groups were drawn, they knew it was going to be tough against the likes of PSG, Borussia Dortmund, and Newcastle United. Unfortunately for Milan, they weren’t able to get their offense going and only managed to score 5 goals as they finished 3rd in the group. Their shot at continental glory will continue in Europa League.
Christian Pulisic (USA)
Stats: 1 goal, 5 starts, 6.8 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: Down a goal in a game that would decide Milan’s knockout round fate, Pulisic found himself exactly where he needed to be and grabbed his first Champions League goal since a few seasons ago at Chelsea!
Overall assessment: While the production level wasn’t what he would’ve hoped for, the same could be said of the entire Milan attack. The fact that he was starting again in the Champions League is a huge change given where he found himself at Chelsea the last few years. I think the goal in the final game will give him some confidence going into the Europa League quest!
Yunus Musah (USA)
Stats: 0 goals/assists, 4 starts, 6.6 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: Making his Champions League debut at 20 years old!
Overall assessment: It’s always hard to assess Musah’s matches when just looking at stat sheets, he hasn’t been a player for club or country that gets involved in the attack as much as some pundits would like to see. Depsite this, I think it was a solid debut Champions League campaign for Musah. He earned 4 starts in a crowded Milan midfield and will be able to build on that in Europa League. He does need to watch yellow card accumulation though, as he picked up 4 and was suspended for a crucial game against Dortmund late in the group stage.
Celtic
The Celts got off to a slow start with losses to Feyenoord and Lazio. They showed some flashes of brilliance in their draw against Atléti at home that sent the fans into a frenzy. Unfortunately they were shutout in their next two games and their run in the Champions League ended with a last place finish in Group E. With the Scottish Premiership becoming less competitive by the day, Celtic will have to wait for another year to truly test themselves against top opponents.
Luis Palma (Honduras)
Stats: 2 goals, 4 starts, 6.9 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: He scored an absolute stunner against Atletico Madrid in their 2-2 draw. This was a huge goal for Celtic and helped Palma establish himself as a fan favorite in his first season!
Overall assessment: While it was not a good showing for Celtic, Palma became the first Honduran to score in the Champions League since Andy Najar in 2014. Palma’s career has been on a great trajectory and his performances in the premier club competition in the world are adding to that. While he will have to wait until next season to have another shot, Palma has established himself as one of the most dangerous players in the Celtic attack.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (USA)
Stats: 0 goals/assists, 3 starts, 6.3 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: Leveraging solid starts in Champions League to starting for USMNT
Overall assessment: It was always going to be a tough task for CCV and the rest of the Celtic defense against the teams in their group. This was most evident in their 6-0 loss to Atlético Madrid. Despite these collective struggles, Carter-Vickers showed that he was still a crucial part of their backline. These performances were enough to impress Gregg Berhalter as he was given back-to back starts with the USMNT in the November Concacaf Nations League games.
Feyenoord
They shared a group with Celtic, which meant having to battle Lazio and Atléti for spots in the knockout round. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to get any points off of Atléti and ended up finishing 3rd in the group. I think this team showed that they can play with some of the biggest teams in Europe and they will be one of the teams to beat in the Europa League.
Santiago Giménez (Mexico)
Stats: 2 goals, 1 assist, 6.9 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: In his Champions League debut, Santi continued his success against Lazio and bagged a brace. What would have been his debut goal was called back for offsides. Just 6 minutes later, he would not be denied with this incredible goal!
Overall assessment: After an incredible first campaign with Feyenoord last year, there were a lot of questions around whether Santi could turn that production into success in the Champions League and with El Tri. Santi arrived in style with that brace and added an assist in their finale against Celtic. While they did not advance, Santi will have the opportunity to continue scoring in Europa League (unless he goes to another Champions League team in the winter transfer window)!
Bayern Munich
As they always seem to do, Bayern finished atop their group in convincing fashion. The only points they dropped were during an inconsequential game with FC København in a 0-0 draw. This team is usually a favorite to make a deep run in this competition and with the addition of Harry Kane, they will likely continue that trend.
Alphonso Davies (Canada)
Stats: 0 goals/assists, 6 starts, 7.4 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: While he didn’t have a goal involvement in the group stage, he did force Manchester United gaffer Erik Ten Hag to eat crow a few times after Ten Hag claimed that Davies was “not a great defender”. In the first matchup, Bayern gave up 3 goals but Davies had a goal saving tackle on Pellistri. In the final matchup, he played a consistent game as they held a clean sheet against United and sent the Red Devils packing from any hopes of further European competition this season.
Overall assessment: Similar to Yunus Musah, when Davies is dominant, it doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet. With that said, he continues to be an anchor in the Bayern XI. He consistently does things on the pitch that help the team win games in dominant fashion. He is always where he needs to be and doing what he needs to do. That is why many consider him one of the best left-backs in the world. I expect to see him grab a goal or two in the knockout rounds!
Union Berlin
The nightmare season for Union Berlin continued in continental competition. In the Bundesliga they sit just above the relegation zone and they finished last in their Champions League group with just 2 points. This early exit could light a fire under the team….or it could help continue the downward spiral.
Brenden Aaronson (USA)
Stats: 0 goals/assists, 1 start, 6.2 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: Being back in the Champions League and making appearances in all 6 games.
Overall assessment: Two years ago, Aaronson was making a name for himself in this competition with two assists in RB Salzburg’s Round of 16 matchups versus Bayern. While the “Medford Messi” is playing in Champions League again, he only played 134 minutes in this group stage. The last two years have been a journey since leaving Salzburg and I don’t know if any of these showings will help him get more playing time with Union Berlin.
Borussia Dortmund
Despite their Bundesliga campaign going less than stellar, Dortmund topped a very crowded Group F! They finished ahead of PSG, AC Milan, and Newcastle United. Outside of their opening loss to PSG, they were dominant in every game. They will look to build on that momentum in the knockout rounds!
Gio Reyna (USA)
Stats: 0 goals/assists, 0 starts, 6.4 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: Maybe the only highlight for Gio was not getting injured in this two appearances. I couldn’t think of anything else.
Overall assessment: We have seen Gio Reyna produce in the last few years during this competition with Dortmund…but this group stage will be a disappointment for him. I am not sure where he goes from here. It is clear that he is not part of Terzic’s plans for the team and that is truly a shame. Even when healthy, being an unused substitute is becoming the norm. If he finishes out the season with Dortmund, there is a chance we see him in mop-up duty in the knockout rounds. A transfer is rumored to be looming for him and at this point that seems best for all parties involved.
Porto
Jorge Sánchez (Mexico)
Stats: 0 goals/assists, 1 start, 6.4 Avg. FotMob score
Highlight: Starting a Champions League game with his new club
Overall assessment: There’s no secret - it has been an up and down year for Jorge Sanchez. His performances with El Tri have been subject to a lot of criticism and Ajax decided to send him out on loan this season. It has taken him some time to become a regular in the lineup, but back-to-back full 90s in league play paired with a decent start to wrap up group play in Champions League should give him a boost!
Honorable Mentions
PSG: Keylor Navas (Costa Rica)
Before picking up an injury, Keylor’s only Champions League “action” was being on the bench for a few group stage games. Despite this, I am giving a shoutout to the Tico legend any chance I get! The man helped lead Real Madrid to three straight Champions League titles. In my opinion, he is one of the most underrated players of all time.
Antwerp: Sam Vines (USA)
He was a vital part of Antwerp’s qualification for the Champions League group stage. Vines started their final qualifier, went the full 90, and led the team in tackles. So why did he not make a single appearance in the group stage? Unfortunately, Sam was injured in league play back in September and still hasn’t returned to the squad. Even if he had recovered quickly, he wouldn’t have been able to take part in Champions League play due to accidently being left off of the squad list Antwerp submitted for the competition.
Sevilla: Mariano Díaz (Dominican Republic)
You may know Mariano Diaz as the player who was given the #7 shirt at Real Madrid after Ronaldo’s departure. Or as the player who made one appearance and scored a goal over 10 years ago for the Dominican Republic. After that, he decided to focus on his club career and pursue being called into the Spanish national team. He only had a few appearances in this year’s group stage, so why is he included here? There have been rumors circulating on X that he is considering accepting a call into upcoming camps for the DR. This is a growing trend for Spanish players with Dominican heritage…could be something to follow!
That wraps up our overview of Concacaf players in the UEFA Champions League group stage! Next year we will have the opportunity to see the PSV crew along with Jorge Sánchez, Gio Reyna, and Alphonso Davies in the knockout rounds. Unless PSV makes a deep run or one of these other players has an all-world performance, I probably won’t give any more updates on the Champions League.
There is so much more to share going on in Concacaf, including the 2024 Champions Cup (formerly Concacaf Champions League), so I am going to focus future posts on things going on in the region. I hope you enjoyed the very rare European update from me and stay tuned for some updates on the biggest Concacaf competitions coming our way in 2024!