The international break and the draw for the 2022 World Cup over, the European championships resumed their rights this weekend. And there was something for everyone between Barça which is gradually regaining its rank, Bayern which is unfolding but derailing, or even the transfer of power in Scotland. A look back at two days of European football as we like them.
Germany: Bayern Munich’s huge blunder
Renowned for its reliability and professionalism – as evidenced by the tenth consecutive title to which it is heading in the league – Bayern Munich is not infallible for all that. The proof this weekend. On the move on the lawn of Freiburg, sensation of the season across the Rhine, Bayern unfolded. Victory 4-1, with a goal from Kingsley Coman as a bonus: all is well.
Or rather: everything was fine. Because Bayern could finally lose this match on green carpet. Or play it again. Julian Nagelsmann’s men found themselves at 12 on the ground for about twenty seconds. Five minutes from the end, Niklas Süle entered the lawn in place of Kingsley Coman, who did not come out, not understanding that it was about him (the Frenchman changed his number in the off-season ).
10 – RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku scored 15 goals in the #Bundesliga this season and assisted a further 10. He is the only player to score 10+ goals and provide 10+ assists in the competition in 2021-22. Multitasking. #BVBRBL @RBLeipzig_EN pic.twitter.com/suqnN0EZSf
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) April 2, 2022
Result: Friborg could lodge a complaint, even if coach Christian Streich does not want it: “I don’t think we’re going and should ask for this meeting to be replayed.” However, everything is not black for Bayern, who saw their runner-up Dortmund walk away after the slap received at home against RB Leipzig (1-4) by Christopher Nkunku (1 goal, 2 assists). Also a French international, Moussa Diaby delivered two assists in Bayer Leverkusen’s victory against Hertha Berlin (2-1).
Spain: Royal Benzema, Barça dolphin
Absent during the rout against Barça before the break (0-4), Karim Benzema was back in the ranks of Madrid for the trip to the lawn of Celta Vigo. And fortunately. Author of a double from the penalty spot in a match where he had three to shoot, the French striker carried his team to a narrow success (2-1) but capital in the fight for the title, before the shock FC Barcelona – FC Sevilla.
Sunday evening, it is therefore on the Camp Nou side that we had to look. The reborn Barça of Xavi received Sevilla FC, dolphin of Real Madrid. But in the Catalan lair, the Andalusians did not exist. Led by the Dembélé-Pedri duo, FC Barcelona won thanks to a nice goal from the latter at the start of the last twenty minutes. A small goal that is enough for FC Barcelona, the new dolphin of Real Madrid.
3 – @FCBarcelona have kept a clean sheet in three consecutive @LaLigaEN games at Camp Nou (W3) for the first time since a run of 4 between February and June in 2020 (W4). Effect. pic.twitter.com/9TYlf5ZOkG
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 3, 2022
England: the crossover continues
Smart Bison saw red mid-afternoon on Saturday in England, before Sky Blue regained control. At 4 p.m., the Liverpool Reds had settled into the lead of the championship, after their success without shaking against Watford at Anfield (2-0). But in the process, Manchester City did the same on the Burnley field thanks to De Bruyne and Gündogan, who folded the deal in 25 minutes. Result of the races: City keep the lead for a small point.
Behind these two fast-paced cars, the other teams stalled. Deprived of the pilot Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United has been treading water at home against Leicester. What remains better than the spectacular road exit of Chelsea, surprised at Stamford Bridge by the Brentford of Christian Eriksen, scorer (1-4). Put under pressure by Tottenham’s victory against Newcastle, Arsenal can for its part regain its place in the Big 4 on Monday in the event of a success or a draw at Crystal Palace.
1939 – Brentford have beaten Chelsea for the first time in nine meetings in all competitions, since a 3-1 away win in the top-flight in February 1939. Buzzing. pic.twitter.com/W7pgfQBCZ0
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 2, 2022
Scotland: transfer of power in Glasgow
Two years. It has been two seasons since Glasgow Rangers lost at home in the Scottish league. But the unbeaten streak came to an end for the residents of Ibrox Park. And in the worst possible way since Rangers lost at the Old Firm against hated neighbors Celtic Glasgow (1-2).
This defeat puts Rangers six points behind Celtic, who take the lead in the championship with six games remaining. Winner of the two derbies of the season, Celtic will aim for the pass of three in two weeks for a semi-final of the Scottish Cup which promises to be boiling.