After a short end-of-year truce, only three European championships re-entered the weekend of January 1 and 2. In England, after the Boxing day fiasco, two shocks brightened up this first day. No shocks in Spain, but an end of series in a poorly classified for Real de Benzema. Finally, in the last hours of 2021, a very special Christmas present was given to the supporters of Salernitana.
Madrid land of contrasts
As good best enemies, when Real cries, it’s Atlético who smile. This weekend, the two Madrid teams have known, once again, opposite destinies. For Real Madrid, the simple game of the recovery on the lawn of Getafe, modest 16th in Liga, turned into a trap. While they were undefeated since October 3, Carlo Ancelotti’s Merengues lost (1-0) to the worst attack in the Spanish league.
On the contrary, Atlético Madrid returned to victory against Rayo Vallecano (2-0). The Colchoneros remained on a sad series of four defeats in a row in La Liga (Mallorca, Real, Sevilla FC and Granada).
El líder pierde in Getafe. #GetafeRealMadrid
– Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) January 2, 2022
If the first named retain their place of leader with eight points and two games ahead of their runner-up, Sevilla FC, Atlético is moving forward. Cholo’s men, Diego Simeone, return to fourth place.
Arsenal-City, the red card that changes everything
A goal in the first period (Saka, 31st) and a clear domination: Arsenal long thought to hold the perfect shot against Manchester City on Saturday. In good form for several weeks, the Gunners showed a very different face from that of the first leg (5-0 loss).
But in a few minutes, the whole edifice created by Londoners collapsed. First by conceding a penalty, caused by Xhaka on Bernardo Silva (57th). Then, playing bad luck when Mancunian Aymeric Laporte almost cheated on his own goalkeeper before his teammate, Nathan Aké, saved the ball a few inches from the empty goal. Finally, while they were outnumbered, Rodri definitely knocked out Arsenal, scoring the winning goal in the 93rd minute.
The Christmas gift of the Salernitana
They had until December 31 to find a buyer and save their skin in Serie A. The leaders of Salernitana, Franck Ribéry’s club, continued the suspense before confirming the resumption of the club by Daniele Iervolino.
“It is with great emotion that I announce that I have acquired the Salernitana 1919”, said the new club owner to The Gazzetta Dello Sport. After this good administrative news, which ensures the club to end the year in the Italian top flight, it is now up to the players to do the work on the pitch. Ribery’s teammates are currently good last in the championship, and are eight points behind La Spezia, the first non-relegation.
Kovacic’s cannonball
What could be better than a good old cannonball in the skylight to wake up your team? While Chelsea were led (0-2) on their lawn against Liverpool, Kovacic took matters into their own hands. With a clear shot without control at the entrance to the penalty area, the number 8 of the Blues came to tickle the opposing window. A few minutes later, in additional time for the first half, Pulisic doubled the bet and allowed his team to equalize (2-2).
The start of Chelsea’s fightback …
Kovacic got their first goal of the match with an absolute stunner! pic.twitter.com/EvhnFEnTHF
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 2, 2022
Much calmer, the second period will not give rise to any additional goals. Status quo between the two teams which remain hung one behind the other in the standings.