Damien Kayat looks back at the European football weekend which saw Liverpool pip Chelsea to the Carabao Cup, Marcelo Bielsa sacked, Napoli lead Serie A and more!
Reds win first silverware of season
What a game! This was certainly not your grandfather’s 0-0 draw. Liverpool and Chelsea matched each other stride for stride in a pulsating final that approached European Cup final quality (minus the finishing).
Liverpool were dangerous throughout, with Alexander Arnold and Robertson enjoying the freedom of Wembley on the flanks. But Chelsea actually dominated the midfield area, with Kante and Kovacic anchoring a brilliant counterattacking performance.
Though Liverpool had the dominance in possession, it was Chelsea who created the more gilt-edged chances throughout. Chelsea actually had the ball in the net three times only to be denied by VAR.
Lukaku’s disallowed goal blurred the lines between onside and offside. I can imagine Tuchel feeling slightly peeved about that one being chalked off. Liverpool were actually hanging on in extra time, with Lukaku’s physical presence altering the dynamic of the match.
But I always had the feeling that Liverpool would persevere in a shootout. It was ironic that the penalties became a procession in a match littered with missed sitters. Kepa was the villain of the piece as Liverpool nicked the match 11-10 to lift their first trophy of the season.
This just adds more fuel to a Liverpool fire that is showing little signs of abating.
Chelsea: ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅❌
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 27, 2022
Liverpool: ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
The defining moment in the #CarabaoCupFinal at Wembley pic.twitter.com/Hx7NjvE1HG
Bielsa sacked
Leeds have parted ways with the enigmatic Marco Bielsa after losing their fourth consecutive match at home to Spurs. This had an air of inevitability about it. The 66-year-old Argentine just doesn’t seem to have a plan B.
They play a high-octane, ultra-aggressive brand of football that seems to have the same philosophical underpinnings as Liverpool. But they aren’t Liverpool. He has stubbornly refused to alter his formation despite the mounting evidence that sides have figured Leeds out.
You simply can’t afford to be as open as they are in this league. They have conceded a crazy 17 goals in their last four matches. I have to admit, I have personally never been on the ‘Bielsa is a genius’ bandwagon.
His whole sitting on his haunches shtick always vaguely annoyed me, like he wanted us to believe that he had access to a realm of football understanding that we couldn’t fathom.
He also could never fully break down the language barrier, resulting in very bizarre post-match press conferences sans eye contact. It further exacerbated this image of an aloof figure completely out of his depth in this league.
Leeds United can confirm the club have parted company with head coach Marcelo Bielsa
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 27, 2022
Napoli lead Serie A
This was a potentially momentous weekend for the fate of this year’s Serie A title. Both Inter and Milan dropped unexpected points, allowing Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli to take top spot in the Scudetto race.
Sure, Inter do still have a game in hand. But something seems to have gone awry with Simone Inzaghi’s side. I think their chastening 1st-leg European Cup defeat to Liverpool has metastasised into a broader confidence issue that they need to eradicate.
Napoli never made it easy for themselves this weekend, with Lazio dominating for long spells of their game. And it looked like they had truly blown their chance to go top after Pedro equalized for Lazio in the 88th minute. Enter late drama, with Fabain Ruiz snatching victory in the dying embers of the match.
Juventus’ 3-2 away victory at Empoli helped them solidify their top 4 status. Dusan Vlahovic has been in exceptional form since arriving from Fiorentina, looking perfectly at home as Juventus’ talismanic striker.
It makes you wonder: could they have a backdoor shot of stealing the title? This would have seemed like a crazy notion just a month ago. But none of the current protagonists look too convincing and Vlahovic has brought make some razzmatazz to this Juventus side. Watch this space.
1-1, 30 seconds to go, Napoli win and they go top of the table, winner takes all... up steps Fabian Ruiz pic.twitter.com/L1uGYPagTr
— 💭 (@Gideoomatic) February 27, 2022
Spanish giants prosper
All three of Spain’s premier clubs were victorious this weekend. That’s the second consecutive week that all the top dogs have won (this has been a fairly rare phenomenon in this erratic season).
Atletico sealed back-to-back LaLiga wins for the first time since November, with Renan Lodi’s brace helping Atletico to a comfy 2-0 home win. Real Madrid had slightly more trouble, with Thibaus Courtois making a series of important saves away at Rayo Vallecano.
They left it late, with Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr combining to steal all three points in the 83rd minute. Benzema and Vinicius Jr have now combined for an outrageous 32 of Madrid’s 52 league goals this season.
Xavi’s Barcelona are really starting to churn out some amazing football. They thrashed Bilbao 4-0, with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang once again finding the back of the net for Barca. Ousmane Dembelle also scored an absolute screamer as Xavi’s men look to return to the swaggering Barcelona of yore.
Ousmane Dembele reminding us of his quality ✨
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 27, 2022
A superb goal from an excellent player 👏
📺 Stream live: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 pic.twitter.com/IGvnDyoAto
Bayern take title initiative
Dortmund really had to be perfect if they wanted to close the gap on this Bayern outfit. And they have been given room for optimism in recent weeks, with Nagelsmann’s side looking slightly underwhelming of late.
But a first-half Thorgan Hazard stunner was cancelled out by a 78th minute Bazee equalizer as they dropped more points at Augsburg. They just look a different beast without Erling Haaland.
It’s easy with Haaland to forget how much he offers apart from his goals. He links midfield to offence and holds the ball up brilliantly.
Bayern were far from convincing away at Eintracht Frankfurt. They reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation that seemed to give them greater stability whilst simultaneously dulling their attacking potency.
But they always have that one moment of magic up their sleeves. Joshua Kimmich hit a wonderful pass that was seized on by Leroy Sane. The former City winger finished adroitly to settle the match and maybe give them an unassailable Bundesliga lead.
🎥 See how @Leroy_Sane's composed effort earned @FCBayernEN maximum #Bundesliga points in #SGEFCB. pic.twitter.com/50kLBkNFM1
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) February 26, 2022
Players of the Week- Harry Kane and Son Heung-min
I have mixed it up this week, opting for a duo that routinely get overlooked due to their club’s lack of success: Kane and Son. The pair each scored a goal in Spur’s 4-0 away victory at Leeds.
But it was Son’s 2nd half goal that turned out to be of extra significance. Kane hit a wonderful defence spitting punt that Son latched onto. This moment saw them break the all-time Premier League goal combination record, going one clear of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba with 37 goals.
The dangerous alchemy of Kane’s footballing nous and Son’s pure pace make them a nightmare duo for any opponent. If only they could win a trophy.
Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are now officially the most prolific partnership in Premier League history 🤝 pic.twitter.com/nrAiXDZ63H
— GOAL (@goal) February 26, 2022
