Big performances, a superstar Frenchman in Italy, a controversy and more frightening Devils: there was something for everyone on the lawns of the Old Continent. Here’s what not to miss from this weekend of European football.
AC Milan take over the lead in Serie A thanks to Olivier Giroud
New change at the top of the Boot. Napoli had the opportunity to strike hard at home against AC Milan, tied before the match. It was without counting Olivier Giroud. With an opportunistic recovery on the missed strike from Davide Calabria, the tricolor striker of the Rossoneri scored the only goal of the meeting, to make the Neapolitans suffer their first defeat in 2022. Neither the stake of the meeting, nor the recovery of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, back after a month and a half of absence did not seem to have an effect on Giroud, already double scorer against Inter at the beginning of February. With 60 points, AC Milan is two points ahead of its interist neighbor, and three over Napoli. But Inter have one game less.
[⚽️ VIDÉO BUT] #SerieA
Olivier Giroud opens the scoring against Napoli!
A real surface fox goal! https://t.co/digqb8ffnX— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) March 6, 2022
Bayern stagnates
Beaten by Bochum in mid-February, sluggish winner in Frankfurt a week earlier, Bayern Munich decidedly lowered their tone. Julian Nagelsmann’s team dominated overall and even opened the scoring against Bayer Leverkusen. But the Bavarians struggled to get clear chances and saw Thomas Müller offer a new caviar, but this time against his own, by equalizing against his side (1-1). While he seemed to be on his own, the defending champion only has a nine-point lead as Dortmund saw their match in Mainz postponed to March 16. Leipzig are no further ahead, held in check by their closest pursuer, Freiburg (1-1).
Chelsea unfolds, but Tuchel gets annoyed
It was to be a moment of communion. For the first game since owners, Russian Roman Abramovich, close to Vladimir Putin, announced that Chelsea had been put up for sale, the Blues did not appear to be the least bit disturbed, winning 4-0 over the Burnley lawn. But the meeting was tainted by the songs of some supporters who proclaimed the name of Abramovich during a minute of applause in honor of the Ukrainian people. Which did not please coach Thomas Tuchel at all.
“Now was not the time to do thisgot angry the former PSG technician. When an important personality from our club or another club dies unfortunately, we do a minute of tribute. Now was not the time to give another message. It was a time to show respect […] As a club, we needed our supporters to join in this moment of applause.“The third place consolidated by this success goes into the background. In front, Liverpool ensured against West Ham (1-0) thanks to Sadio Mané.
#PremierLeague
Tuchel: “We have to be united, without any ulterior motive” pic.twitter.com/3DcyzARJ1R— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) March 5, 2022
Before the showdown in Paris, the ride of Real
4-1, two goals denied to Karim Benzema, and superb achievements: if PSG disappointed in Nice, Real Madrid, he flamed. Quickly led to the score by Real Sociedad, Carlo Ancelotti’s men were able to quickly turn the game around. Eduardo Camavinga, holder, equalized with a clear shot from 25 meters, before Luka Modric showed his technique just before the break to put his people in charge. Real did not just secure, including the 20th goal in La Liga this season for Benzema. His seventh game without defeat in a row gives him an eight-point lead in the championship. The hole is made, right before the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League against Paris on Wednesday.
The leader @realmadridfra wins and takes off at the head of the classification of #LaLigaSantander !✈
Summary of the meeting #RealMadridRealSociedad 4-1 pic.twitter.com/Yv1jkUfPCH
— LaLiga (@LaLigaFRA) March 5, 2022
The slap and the bad operation: the dark afternoon of the Red Devils
At least the Manchester United players won’t have had time to dwell on the return trip. At their neighbor, City, Ralf Rangnick’s players completely sank (4-1), outclassed by the talent of Pep Guardiola’s squad, perfectly prepared. This setback against the hated neighbor is a big blow to morale, especially since the 28th day of the Premier League was anything but favorable to United. In addition to Chelsea’s victory, Arsenal also won (2-3 at Watford) and recovered fourth place from the residents of Old Trafford. Manchester United are one point behind Arsenal (two games less), six behind Cheslea (two games less). The race for the Champions League seems increasingly compromised.
The Cityzens were above!
Despite a contested first half, United were completely overwhelmed in the second half and lost 4 – 1 in the #ManchesterDerby #MCIMUN ▶️ https://t.co/SvrNRkpXf1 pic.twitter.com/w0xBgnVvgq
– Canal Football Club (@CanalFootClub) March 6, 2022