Bayern Munich has consolidated its leadership position in the Bundesliga by winning its seventh “Klassiker” in a row against Borussia Dortmund (3-2), in a meeting marked by several questionable arbitration decisions. In England, Manchester City have recovered the chair of Premier League leaders in Chelsea while in La Liga, Xavi suffered his first defeat with his Barça. Here’s what not to miss about European football this Saturday, December 4.
Manchester City new Premier League leader
In the afternoon, Chelsea leaders’ surprise setback at West Ham did not go unnoticed. First on the side of Liverpool, leader for two hours after his snatch victory at Wolverhampton (1-0) thanks to a goal in the money time of the former Lille Divock Origi (90th + 4). But especially in Manchester City, new boss of the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s men were quick to steal first place in the English championship from their two rivals. With a brace from Bernardo Silva and an achievement from Raheem Sterling, the Citizens asserted their clear superiority against a team from Watford (3-1) exceeded and never able to compete with the Mancunians. The suspense is total in the Premier League as Boxing Day approaches.
/2021/12/04/phpteGiY0.jpg)
The “Klassiker” for Bayern, Haaland cries out “scandal”!
Passion, drama and goals. The most prestigious match in German football has, as always, kept all its promises. With another double from Robert Lewandowski, the “Rekordmeister” won the “Klassiker” on Saturday in Dortmund for the seventh consecutive time (3-2), to regain a four-point lead in the Bundesliga after 14 days. Above all, the post-match was marked by a lively debate on refereeing, Mr. Félix Zwayer not having whistled in the first period a contentious intervention by Lucas Hernandez on Marco Reus in the box which could have been worth a penalty for Dortmund.
He then whistled a hand from Mats Hummels in the box, which offered the winning goal to Munich (3-2, 77th) on a penalty from the Polish striker. “Scandal“for Erling Haaland. For his part, Borussia winger Jude Bellingham has blasted a referee “already guilty of corruption in the past”. “I would have liked this match to be decided differently”, regretted Borussia boss Marco Rose, who was sent off before the final whistle. “This season I have always controlled myself well, but in this very important match, in view of the unjustified refereeing decisions, I broke down”, he admitted.
Jude Bellingham draws after Dortmund-Bayern!
“A referee who has been guilty of corruption in the past!” pic.twitter.com/6iqM5tOGvc– beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) December 4, 2021
Barça de Xavi struggles, Real flies away
In La Liga, the two great Spanish rivals live very different seasons. On the one hand, Barça, embroiled in a major financial and sporting crisis, is struggling to raise the bar. As proof, the child of the Catalan people, Xavi, who arrived in early November on the FCB bench, conceded his first defeat, which is more at home, against Betis Sevilla (0-1). Only the entry, at the hour of play, of Ousmane Dembélé, applauded by a Camp Nou more and more orphan of spectacle, was not far from waking up the Catalan club. In vain.
More in the center of the Spanish kingdom, Real Madrid lives much happier hours. The Merengues, if they also lost to injury Karim Benzema, apparently affected in the hamstrings, imposed themselves with authority on the lawn of solid Real Sociedad, 3rd in Liga before this third defeat of the season. Once again, salvation came from Vinicius Junior (47th), author of his 10th achievement in the league, before Luka Jovic, who entered in place of Benzema (16th), scored his first goal in La Liga since February 9, 2020. With this 8th consecutive success, Real takes eight points ahead of its runner-up, Sevilla FC.
Patrik Schick, a quadruplet in 27 minutes
Discovered by the general public during the Euro last summer (5 goals on the clock with the Czech Republic), Patrik Schick is far from being an unknown in Germany. Second Bundesliga scorer behind legendary Robert Lewandowski with 12 goals in 11 games, Bayer Leverkusen center-forward scored an express quadruple on Saturday afternoon. In just 27 minutes, he found his way to the lines four times against the red lantern of the German championship, Fürth, curled 7-1. The summer hit definitely plays extra time.
[VIDÉO BUTS] #Bundesliga
OHHHH Patrik Schick signs a summary in 27 minutes!
A totally crazy festival for a 7-1 victory! Https: //t.co/BmRsQQOfLX– beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) December 4, 2021