Florian Wirtz’s Breakthrough and the Current Landscape of European Football

omidbasir- Florian Wirtz has not been the reason for Liverpool’s decline in form at the end of September; in fact, he has been performing quite well. However, as head coach Arne Slot has acknowledged, attacking players are often evaluated based on their contributions to goals. Despite his efforts, Wirtz had yet to register any goal contributions leading up to Christmas—a concerning statistic for a player valued at £100 million.

Fortunately, Wirtz has finally broken his scoring drought. He provided his first assist in the 2-1 victory over Tottenham on December 20 with a clever through ball to Alexander Isak. He then marked his Liverpool debut goal during Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Wolves, with his celebration highlighting both his joy and relief.

“The feeling on the pitch with the fans around was incredible,” the versatile attacking midfielder noted in an interview with Sky Sports.

“I was very happy and still am. I was confident that I would score one day. I had hoped to start contributing sooner, but it is what it is, and I have to accept it. I always knew this moment would come, and now I aim to build on this success.”

With this initial hurdle cleared, the 22-year-old Wirtz is expected to notch more goals at Anfield.

In another matter, Mohamed Salah recently stirred controversy by publicly airing his grievances with Arne Slot and unnamed individuals allegedly wishing for his departure from the club. While there may be some validity to his claims, the Egyptian’s outburst seemed selfish and petulant, especially during a challenging period for the team.

However, the backlash has often felt excessive and personal, with some pundits seizing the opportunity to tarnish Salah’s illustrious reputation, even questioning his legacy. Yet, Salah has demonstrated remarkable resilience, silencing critics with two match-winning performances for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations.

He scored a dramatic 91st-minute winner in last week’s 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe, followed by a penalty conversion that secured a 1-0 win over South Africa, ensuring the Pharaohs advanced to the last 16.

The implications of his actions for Salah’s tenure at Anfield remain uncertain, but what is evident is that claims of his decline have been greatly exaggerated; he continues to be one of football’s most decisive players.

Meanwhile, the Serie A title race is heating up. Following Napoli’s victory at Cremonese on Sunday, Antonio Conte attempted to frame it as a three-way battle among Italy’s wealthiest clubs: Inter, Juventus, and AC Milan. However, Inter’s CEO, Beppe Marotta, firmly dismissed this notion, emphasizing Napoli’s status as reigning champions and their strengthened squad from the summer.

Every team in contention presents a strong case. Inter, currently leading the table, exhibited resilience by defeating Atalanta 1-0, courtesy of captain Lautaro Martinez. AC Milan boasts arguably the league’s best player in Christian Pulisic and is unencumbered by European commitments, which could prove advantageous later in the season. Napoli, on the other hand, has rebounded impressively from recent turmoil, winning five of their last six Serie A matches, in addition to securing the Supercoppa Italiana. Juventus, with Luciano Spalletti at the helm, has surged to fourth place after three consecutive victories.

Roma remains a contender as well. Currently positioned fifth, they could leap back into fourth with a win over Genoa on Monday, narrowing the gap to just three points behind Inter.

As it stands, fans can anticipate a thrilling Serie A title race in 2026.

Following a commendable 1-1 draw against Arsenal on November 30, where Chelsea played with ten men for over half the match, the Blues were considered serious Premier League title contenders. Fast forward a month, and Chelsea is now struggling to maintain a top-four position, having won just one of their five December fixtures.

A 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa has seen Chelsea drop to fifth in the standings, currently 13 points behind league leaders Arsenal, intensifying pressure on coach Enzo Maresca. He previously expressed discontent regarding a lack of support, and rumors of a strained relationship with star player Cole Palmer were seemingly confirmed by Palmer’s angry reaction to being substituted against Villa.

While Chelsea should aim to return to winning ways against Bournemouth, it is worth noting they have dropped the most points at home from winning positions this season (11). Another setback on Tuesday could jeopardize Maresca’s position, just six months after guiding the team to Club World Cup glory.

Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as a pivotal figure for Napoli following his departure from Manchester United. After helping his team win the Supercoppa Italiana, he scored twice in a 2-0 victory against Cremonese, now tallying six league goals for Napoli this season—more than he scored during his entire last campaign with United.

Coach Antonio Conte expressed optimism about Hojlund’s potential for further development, emphasizing his growing understanding of the game and his integral role within the team.

In the Premier League, Newcastle United’s manager Eddie Howe defended his team’s performance following a 1-0 loss to Manchester United, acknowledging their possession but lamenting a lack of clear chances. However, Newcastle’s away form remains a concern, having won just once in their last 12 matches on the road. Failure to secure a victory against Burnley on Tuesday could end their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been on a remarkable scoring streak, netting in six consecutive Premier League games, an achievement not even Harry Kane accomplished. After a challenging stint at Everton, Calvert-Lewin has found his form with Leeds, scoring seven goals in six matches, propelling them seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Third-placed Benfica urgently needed a win against Braga to remain in the Liga Portugal title race. José Mourinho’s side seemed poised for victory until a disallowed goal turned the match level. Mourinho, ever the provocateur, humorously claimed they had won 3-2, criticizing the officiating in his signature ironic style, highlighting the inconsistencies in VAR decisions.

Aston Villa continues to defy expectations, recently securing a 2-1 victory against Chelsea despite a lackluster first-half performance. Manager Unai Emery’s tactical acumen shone through as Villa dominated the second half, claiming their eighth consecutive league win.

Amidst uncertainty, Fiorentina’s situation remains precarious following a 1-0 loss to Parma. While they are only five points from safety, the club faces turmoil with a potential managerial change looming and rumors swirling about player movements. Unless new sporting director Fabio Paratici has a plan, Fiorentina risks relegation next season.