Mano a Mano · Néstor Vargas

1a Vuelta de Champions League

November 17, 2020·55 min·5 clips

Atlético Madrid's 1-1 draw with Lokomotiv Moscow sparks debate over Saúl's form and Héctor Herrera's decisive handball penalty.

Néstor Vargas hosts a solo episode of Mano a Mano, covering the final matchday of the first round of the Champions League group stage and the latest La Liga results before the international break. Atlético de Madrid drew 1-1 with Lokomotiv Moscow, a result the host considers disappointing given the quality gap between the teams. Héctor Herrera assisted Atlético's goal but was also involved in the controversial handball that led to Lokomotiv's equalizing penalty. The host criticizes Simeone's decision to start Saúl Níguez over Koke, raising questions about favoritism over merit in team selection. Bayern Munich comfortably beat Salzburg 6-2, with Lewandowski ending a goal drought, though the episode notes David Alaba's contract dispute and Joshua Kimmich's serious knee injury sustained in the subsequent Bundesliga Klassiker. Borussia Mönchengladbach thrashed Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0, raising questions about whether Shakhtar's earlier win over Real Madrid was more a reflection of Madrid's poor form than Shakhtar's quality. Real Madrid's match against Inter Milan is described as a virtual knockout game, and the host analyzes the team's inconsistent form leading into it. Madrid led 2-0 through Benzema and Ramos before Inter pulled back to 2-1, and Ramos's tendency to push forward left defensive gaps that led to Inter's equalizer. Substitutes Vinícius Jr. and Rodrigo ultimately won the game for Madrid in a counterattack, with the host crediting the Brazilian players for saving the team. The host is critical of Marco Asensio's form as a starter and suggests Rodrigo should be given more opportunities. Liverpool beat Atalanta 5-0 with Diego Jota scoring a hat-trick on his Champions League debut for the club, though the episode is overshadowed by serious injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Joe Gomez. Paris Saint-Germain lost 2-1 to Leipzig, leaving them in a precarious group stage position with only three points after three games. Manchester United also lost 2-1 to Istanbul Başakşehir, a result the host considers a costly slip. Cristiano Ronaldo returned from COVID-19 for Juventus's 4-1 win over Ferencváros, providing assists and lifting the team's mood after poor recent performances. In La Liga, Barcelona beat Betis 4-1 in what the host considers one of their best performances of the season, with Messi coming off the bench to score twice and set up another goal — his first open-play goal of the season. The host notes this was Messi's worst-ever start to a La Liga season in terms of open-play production, attributing it partly to the fallout from his summer transfer request. Ansu Fati's season-ending knee injury is described as a major blow for Barcelona. Atlético de Madrid beat Cádiz 4-0 with Joao Félix scoring a double, and the host praises the Portuguese forward's growing confidence and consistency under Simeone. Real Madrid's loss to Valencia is described with visible frustration, with the host noting Madrid have not won at Mestalla in six consecutive visits. The host criticizes Zidane's decision to start Isco and Marcelo, arguing both players are well past their best and no longer suited to starting roles for a team with Champions League ambitions.

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