The big European teams were back on the lawns, Saturday August 20 and Sunday August 21. If some have already found their marks, like Arsenal, Bayern or Real Madrid, others are still looking for themselves (Chelsea, Dortmund). Round-up of the highlights in the four main continental championships.
Premier League: Arsenal darken, Chelsea worried and City skates
The English supporters may have the easy tribute in songs, it is not common for a player to be greeted on his third outing. At Bournemouth, Arsenal fans only had eyes for William Saliba. Very clean in his first two games, the defender scored his first goal in the Premier League, with a nice shot from the left in the top corner (3-0, final score). Sent on loan to OM, the Frenchman made a resounding return to England. In its wake, Arsenal prances at the top of the championship.
= WHICH WILLIAM WRAP #SALIBA !
The former Marseille cleans the skylight of Bournemouth! #BOUARS https://t.co/SvrNRkpXf1 pic.twitter.com/syelXwSr8c
– Canal Football Club (@CanalFootClub) August 20, 2022
Conversely, the London neighbor, Chelsea, fell high Sunday afternoon. On the Elland Road lawn, Thomas Tuchel’s men were corrected by Leeds (3-0) after a first half where they were suffocated by the Peacocks. The Blues are already five points behind the Gunners.
Finally, the English champions had a spectacular match on the lawn of Newcastle. Led 3-1, Manchester City relied on Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva to come back, without managing to crack the wall of the Magpies further.
Liga: Aurélien Tchouameni, perfect timing
A boon. This is what Casemiro’s departure to Manchester United could represent for Aurélien Tchouameni. The ex-Bordeaux, who arrived to join the Madrid rotation, took the place of the Brazilian as a sentry in Vigo (4-1 victory).
Oh dear ! pic.twitter.com/gOENeeJZTN
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) August 21, 2022
His slaughter was massively hailed by the Spanish press. “He played with personality, with and without the ball, he defended very well“, for his part praised his coach Carlo Ancelotti in a press conference. Alongside Luka Modric, author of a superb goal on Saturday, and Toni Kroos, Tchouameni should still progress.
Serie A: with Lukaku-Lautaro, Inter have found their favorite duo
The two make a pair. Particularly complementary, Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku shone against Spezia Calcio (3-0). Inter’s first goal is the best illustration of this: the Argentinian took advantage of the superb delivery from the Belgian in pivot to place a clear shot from the left. Having left for Chelsea last summer, Lukaku was loaned by the London club to the Nerazzurri. His complicity with Lautaro is such that it is difficult to imagine that the duo was separated.
Bundesliga: Dortmund, three fatal minutes
Admit it, leaving the stadium to avoid traffic jams with your team leading 2-0 in the 89th minute has already crossed your mind. We bet that Dortmund fans, in this case, regretted it. In five minutes, their team completely collapsed against Werder Bremen, a promoted (2-3, final score). This unfortunate setback relegates BVB three points behind Bayern.
DOPPELPACKER ⚽⚽#BOCFCB #MiaSanMia #FCBayern pic.twitter.com/EW6x0clTQV
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) August 21, 2022
Because the Munich people were irresistible in Bochum (7-0). In line with an excellent Kingsley Coman, author of a goal and two assists, and a great Sadio Mané, double scorer, the German champions rolled out to win their third consecutive success.