On the sidelines of the African Cup of Nations and Ligue 1, the European championships continued on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 January, except in Spain where the round of 16 of the National Cup and the Supercup final were played. . Several French people have distinguished themselves, including Corentin Tolisso, Christopher Nkunku, Nabil Fekir and Karim Benzema.
England: Kevin De Bruyne and City bend Chelsea and soar to the top of the Premier League
Thirteen points ahead. It is the more than comfortable mattress that Manchester City has on the Blues at the end of this 22nd day of the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s men, without being brilliant against Chelsea (1-0), were able to be decisive, thanks to a fine strike from Kevin De Bruyne in the 70th minute. Enough to ensure a little more their place as leader.
The action of the game?
The goal of @DeBruyneKev, obviously ! ⚽️ #ManCity | @Safe pic.twitter.com/zVaTyaBnW3
— Manchester City (@ManCityFra) January 16, 2022
If the North London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal was postponed, Manchester United could not put pressure on the two rivals, conceding a draw at the end of the match against Aston Villa (2-2) after the first goal of Philippe Coutinho in his new colors. The Red Devils are still seventh within three points of fifth-placed Gunners. West Ham, just ahead (4th), was surprised at home by Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa (2-3).
Yet deprived of their offensive gems Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah who are competing in the CAN, Liverpool signed a big success at Anfield against Brentford (3-0). This one could even have been heavier (27 shots including 13 on target). But the main thing is elsewhere for the Reds: they are back in the position of runner-up to City, 11 lengths away.
Germany: the milestone of 300 for Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland at the party
A hat-trick for the first, a double for the second. The star race continued this weekend in the Bundesliga between Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland. Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or dolphin carried Bayern against Cologne (0-4) and reached the 300 mark in the Bundesliga, while Haaland and former PSG right-back Thomas Meunier (two goals) made short work of Freiburg at home with Borussia Dortmund (5-1). The Bavarians are still six points ahead of the Ruhr club after 19 days.
Yesterday, Robert Lewandowski reached the 300 goal mark in #Bundesliga !
369 games
⚽ 300 goals pic.twitter.com/JOmUkvjvbA— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) January 16, 2022
On the French side, Corentin Tolisso also went there with his goal with Bayern, his first this season in the league. Against Stuttgart, Christopher Nkunku came to score the break goal with Leipzig (0-2) and continued his very good season (27 games in all competitions, 17 goals and 12 assists).
Spain: the Sevillian derby stopped after a jewel of Nabil Fekir, Benzema and Real raise their first trophy of the season
New incidents occurred on Saturday inside a football stadium. Not in France this time, but in Spain during the Seville derby between Sevilla FC and Betis in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. In the 40th minute, Joan Jordan received a projectile on the head, leading to the final stoppage of the match several minutes later.
Just before, Nabil Fekir had just scored a fantastic goal from an inbound corner to bring the Greens and Whites up to speed. The match finally resumed on Sunday – a decision contested by Sevilla FC after the injury of its player – and it was finally Betis who snatched their ticket for the quarterfinals (2-1).
What an equalizer from Nabil Fekir on a direct corner!#lequipeFOOT pic.twitter.com/2sJB16iiFV
— the chain L’Équipe (@lachainelequipe) January 15, 2022
In Riyadh, Real Madrid did not miss the opportunity to win their first trophy of the season. Against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final, Carlo Ancelotti’s men logically won (2-0), with a new goal from Karim Benzema from the penalty spot. The leader of La Liga thus dethrones the former defending champion and stores confidence a month before the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League against PSG on February 15.
Italy: Dybala carries Juve against Udinese, no winner in the clash between Inter and Atalanta
The Old Lady continues its rise in the league. After his success snatched at the Stadio Olimpico (3-4) against Rome on the last day of Serie A, Massimiliano Allegri’s players relied on Paulo Dybala, scorer in the 18th minute then involved at the start of the action on the second goal, to win at home against Udinese (2-0).
The Turinese (5th) are now on the heels of Atalanta, fourth, held in check against the leader (0-0), Inter Milan, in the shock of this 22nd day. The Nerazzurri remain top of the standings but are under threat from rival Milan, who play against La Spezia on Monday.
At the bottom of the standings, Genoa, 19th and which has not won a league match since September, has decided to part ways with its coach Andriy Shevchenko. Arrived last November to replace Davide Ballardini, the Ukrainian legend is already taking the exit door.