European Football Review (December 18): A whirlwind of emotions. Thrills and spills. Nail-biting tension and breathtaking drama. It was an action-packed weekend of football in Europe, with plenty of storylines to savor. From Manchester United’s draw savage to Real Madrid’s latest title challenge, there was plenty to talk about. We’ve rounded up the top 10 Football Review and talking points from the weekend’s action, so you won’t miss a thing. It was a rollercoaster ride, and we’re here to break it all down.
The Big 5 leagues all had mind-blowing and highly anticipated encounters to excite their fans. While France, Italy, and Germany have the same teams retaining top spots, England and Spain have seen the teams in second place climb up top, with Girona having a game to play. How did your team do?
“How did your team do” provides just the same answer in the world of football as “How do you do?” The answer is “We did great!” (or something similar).
Here’s a football review of the most eye-catching moments, from amazing moments to shocking upsets. First up, we’ll start with the English Premier League. Then, we’ll move on to Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga and French Ligue 1. Ready? Here we go!
ALSO READ: Osimhen Defends Napoli At The CAF Awards – ‘It’a a Mistake’
Football Review for ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
It was a thrilling Premier League weekend, where the best was reserved for the last. The anticipation was unreal, the Anfield atmosphere was buzzing, and every other factor was right, but the outcome was such that even Paul the Octopus would have found it unpredictable.
It was a match that featured the two greatest teams in England, with one of the fiercest rivalries you’ll find anywhere in the world. No better tale of the animosity between both clubs than ex-Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard’s comments in an interview years ago, “I have a big collection of shirts I’ve swapped with other players — but not one from United.” It’s one fixture that would always bring a wrestling match to the football pitch.
All hopes were placed on a league-leading Liverpool side to repeat something similar to their 7-0 victory over United at Anfield in the previous season. Coupling United’s woes was the amount of key injuries and suspensions they had heading into this game. More notable was the absence of United captain, Bruno Fernandes, after his suspension for getting his 5th yellow of the season. Despite all these, the game ended in a goalless draw and the team to celebrate was United, alongside Arsenal, who climbed to the top of the table as a result of Liverpool’s draw.
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Arsenal were back to the Emirates after a 1-1 draw against PSV in the Champions League, having sealed their qualification as group leaders with a game in hand. But for the poor home form of Arsenal against Brighton, predicting the result would have been way easier. However, Arsenal’s persistence in front of goal earned them a second-half win over the Seagulls after a wasteful first-half.
Gabriel Jesus headed home a deflected corner kick from Saka, before Havertz’s low finish sealed the game for the Gunners, ending Brighton’s 32-game scoring streak.
Football Review for SPANISH LA LIGA
Real Madrid 4-1 Villareal
News filled the air about David Alaba being the third Real Madrid player to tear his ACL, however, that was the only downside of Madrid’s big win at Santiago Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham, the usual culprit, netted the opener before Rodrygo doubled their lead. Villareal threatened a comeback through Jose Luis Morales. But before the visitors could do anymore, Madrid responded with a quick-fire double. A solo effort from Brahim Diaz extended the lead. Finally, a goal from Luka Modric, to seal what’s been an epic evening for him, completed Madrid’s victory, temporarily taking them to the top of the table.
Valencia 1-1 Barcelona
Following two successive defeats in the league and Champions League, the woeful run of Barcelona continues after being held to a draw away to Valencia. Mamadarshivili was Valencia’s hero of the day, as he was a thorn in the flesh of Barcelona’s attackers.
Eventually, Joao Felix was able to finish a squared ball from Raphinha to give the visitors the long-awaited opener. Nonetheless, Valencia’s Hugo Guillamon dashed Barca’s hope of a victory after curling in a brilliant strike past the Barcelona goalie. The draw kept Barcelona 3rd of the Laliga table, leading 4th placed Athletico with a point, with Simeone’s men having a game in hand.
Football Review ITALIAN SERIE A
Napoli 2-1 Cagliari
Thanks to Cagliari’s stubborn defense, the first half ended goalless despite several knocks from Napoli attackers. The second half kicked off and it wasn’t looking any better until the 69th minute, when the league’s top scorer for the previous season, Victor Osimhen, showed up to do what he does best and netted the opener. Unfortunately, Cagliari wasn’t joking on the day.
Three minutes after the opener, the visitors equalized, sending shock waves down the spine of the home supporters. However, after another three minutes and an impressive show of skill and hold-up play from Osimhen, he squared a low cross to Kvaratskhelia, whose strike sealed the winner for the defending champions. It was deemed an easy fixture for Napoli, considering that they were at home and there were over 10 positions between both sides of the table. Regardless, it’s football and we know it’s a game of shockers.
Lazio 0-2 Inter Milan
The league leaders took on Lazio in a fixture they’ve struggled to grab an away win in recent times. Simone Inzaghi was returning to a club he previously coached and was facing his successor in the tie.
It turned out a fairly even game initially, with no side having complete dominance. Just before the first half came to an end, Lautaro Martinez broke the deadlock and kept Inter ahead. About 20 minutes into the secondhand, Marcus Thuram struck in the ball after a fine assist from Nicolo Barella. Two goals were more than enough to seal the game and just enough to keep Inter as league leaders and keep them 4 points above Juventus, who sit in second place.
Football Review for GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Bayern Munich 3-0 Stuttgart
In a hot chase to claim their usual top spot, Bayern thumped VFB Stuttgart 3-0. Goals rained everywhere from attack to defense, though two of them were sadly canceled. Two of Bayern’s three goals were from corners, as Harry Kane netted an early goal and another later on before Kim Min Jae sealed the win for the defending champions. Serhou Guirassy was the man to watch for VFB Stuttgart, however, Bayern’s defense wasn’t going to let anything slide on the day.
Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Frankfurt
Leverkusen were guaranteed the top spot till Christmas after defeating Frankfurt 3-nil at home. The winner of all Bundesliga Rookie awards this season, Victor Boniface, was on the score sheet again, scoring the first goal and assisting the third. Boniface was accompanied on the score sheet by Frimpomg and Wirtz. This win was surely a sigh of relief for Xabi Alonso’s men after back-to-back league 1-1 draws against Dortmund and Stuttgart.
Football Review for FRENCH LIGUE 1
PSG 1-1 Lille
In a somewhat unimpressive passive display from PSG, they were gifted a goal after Hernandez was needlessly fouled in the penalty box. Mbappe took the spot kick and expectedly scored. It then looked like PSG was running home with a slim win, until extra time when Asensio’s error led to a rebound from Jonathan David, deservedly bringing the home team level. Still, PSG extended their lead at the top of the table by a point, as second-placed team, Nice, lost their match over the weekend.
Monaco – Lyon
Matches between the 3rd and 16th position, especially at the home of the former, almost always turn out similarly. But not that of Monaco vs Lyon. Going into the game, Lyon was the underdogs, sitting in 16th position. But a late drama that saw substitute and former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland Nile assist Pereira Dos Santos stole the win for the visitors. This surprising win gave Lyon just their third win of the season and their first back-to-back victory.
“by Tomiwa Aderinoye”.
