Connect with us
Sign up with Hollywoodbets for 50 free spins and R25 bonus=

Soccer

EURO WRAP: Spurs Beaten After Stirring Comeback, Bayern Back In Pound Seat And More

Damien Kayat looks back at the weekend’s European football action as Spurs slumped to another defeat, Bayern were handed the initiative in the Bundesliga race and more!

Diogo Jota of Liverpool scores against Tottenham

Damien Kayat looks back at the weekend’s European football action as Spurs slumped to another defeat, Bayern were handed the initiative in the Bundesliga race and more!

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Reds Win Absolute Thriller

City followed up their blockbuster win over Arsenal with the grimiest away victory you could possibly imagine at Fulham. That’s perhaps the biggest point of difference between Guardiola’s killers and Arteta’s wannabees. City are perfectly prepared to win ugly when the occasion calls for it. But enough about that, let’s turn our attention to the craziest match of the entire season.

It’s rather strange when you consider that this was a Champions League final just four years ago. Now it looks like both sides are going to be coming out to the slightly less majestic orchestral arrangement of the Europa League next season.

But the two sides are far from being on the same trajectory. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have struggled with consistency all season, with a raft of injuries exacerbated by frankly comic defensive frailties. But the ultra-stubborn German has finally bought into the universally held theory that Trent is perhaps best served further up the field. And that decision has helped unlock some of the dormant attacking potential of this side.

Sunday’s last-gasp 4-3 victory showcased many of Liverpool’s shortcomings (in particular their midfield lethargy). But Trent’s more advanced position has helped them rediscover their most important collective attribute: a fear factor. They have now won four consecutive Premier League matches and will feel they can outscore anyone on their day.

As Gary Neville put it on Sunday, that was likely the most ‘Spursy’ thing he has ever seen. How do you come back from 3-0 down in injury time and concede in the very next breath? Spurs are really beginning to feel like extended CNN coverage of the Harry Kane hostage situation. The wantaway Spurs goalscoring behemoth added his 24th league goal of the season in yesterday’s desperate last-minute loss.

It really begs the question: where would Spurs be without his goals? I know it may be tempting for Spurs enthusiasts to take some positives from yesterday’s match. What other team could come back down from 3-0 at Anfield? But you just can’t help but feel that Spurs were always destined to lose that match.

I know that Conte was hailed as a hero by some for publicly lambasting the club. But I really feel as if his tenure did far more damage than good. The players all look coached within an inch of their life, lacking the capacity to act instinctively. Spurs almost seem to be inventing new ways to lose every week.

Dortmund Hand Initiative To Bayern

Speaking of Spurs, Dortmund have once again shown why they are one of European football’s most elite ‘chokers’. Will they ever have a better chance to win that much-awaited Bundesliga title than this year?

Bayern have struggled all season, beset by a plague of injuries and an ill-judged managerial shakeup. And Edin Terzic’s side have played some scintillating football at times this season. But when push comes to shove: Dortmund look simply too afraid to step on big brother’s shoes in order to win the Bundesliga title.

They drew 1-1 at local rivals Bochum, spurning a number of glorious chances to stay atop the league standings. They opened the door for Bayern and Die Roten duly obliged, seeing off Hertha Berlin 2-0 in arguably the most assured performance of the tenuous Tuchel reign.

Sure, it took them 69 minutes to break the deadlock. But they utterly bossed proceedings and there was always a lingering feeling that Bayern would get the job done. Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman were electric throughout and handed the Bavarians some much needed positivity.

Napoli Made To Wait For Third Scudetto

At the risk of sounding insensitive; wouldn’t it have been amazing if Diego Maradona had lived an extra three years? He would have seen Argentina finally win their third World Cup and he also would have witnessed his beloved Napoli win their first Scudetto since his halcyon era.

The club from Southern Italy has oft been looked down upon by their more illustrious northern counterparts. Sure, they failed to secure the title this weekend with a pretty meek 1-1 home draw against Salernitana. But Naples is basically at a standstill with the inevitable exhalation of victory at hand.

The most interesting aspect of this Serie A weekend was the absolutely breathless fight for European football. There are currently six points separating Second-placed Lazio and seventh-placed Atalanta. Only three of those teams can secure Champions League football and this could be one of the more thrilling sub-plots of the European season.

Inter roared back into contention with a stunning 3-1 comeback win at second-placed Lazio. Inter played some amazing football, with Mkhitaryan and Co playing Guardiola-ball at times.

Laurtaro Martinez scored a brace but it was strike-partner Romelu Lukaku who stunned me this weekend. Often castigated for his moonboot first-touch, Lukaku actually delivered two delicious assists in a brilliant display ahead of his return to Chelsea next season.

Barcelona Regain Their Groove

Xavi’s men needed a performance following their dismal midweek defeat to Rayo Vallecano. And they delivered, thoroughly outclassing their opponents and bringing back a bit of that swashbuckling Barca flair.

Their 4-0 win against Real Betis helped maintain a nearly unassailable 11-point lead. They have been slightly stuttering in their pursuit of a first LaLiga title since 2019. More crucially, they have lost their flair in recent weeks and have left the insatiable Nou Camp crowd wanting for more.

This performance typified the best of this Xavi side, with Pedri and Gavi giving them a solid basis in midfield. Raphinha was back to his marauding best while Lewandowski scored a much-needed goal.

For their part, Real Madrid recovered from a midweek loss to Girona with a clinical 4-2 win over Almeria. Karim Benzema netted a first-half hat-trick as Ancelotti’s men were in exhibition mode ahead of their crunch European tie with City. He won’t want to incur any more injury issues after Modric’s left-leg strain leaves him doubtful for that clash with Guardiola’s men.

Player of the Week- Karim Benzema

Who would have thought six years ago that Karim Benzema would scale these heights? His first-half hat-trick against Almeria saw him pass Hugo Sanchez to become the fourth-highest scorer in LaLiga history. He is benefitting tremendously from the dynamic wing play of Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr and he will prove vital should Real wish to get past the current Man City juggernaut.

Register Now with Hollywoodbets Mobile
Register Now with Hollywoodbets Mobile

More in Soccer