Damien Kayat looks back at what was a massive weekend of football on the European front!
VAR in tatters
There is nowhere else to start this week other than the increasingly calamitous use of VAR in the Premier League. Last week saw a whole raft of soft penalties being awarded that directly affected the title race. Yet Diego Jota was clearly impeded inside the penalty box yesterday with nary a consideration of going upstairs. And you tell me how Harry Kane’s airborne lunge was less dangerous that Andy Robertson’s admittedly reckless karate kick.
It’s actually shambolic. Jurgen Klopp summed it up really diplomatically in the post-match interview. He said he didn’t have a problem with Robertson being sent off for his challenge. But surely Kane’s studs-up first-half challenge deserved the same punishment.
VAR is currently going through an extremely sticky patch, with Dermot Gallagher being wheeled out from whatever cupboard they keep him in just to act as these referees’ attorney. VAR seems more intent on chalking off fractionally offside goals than actually policing the games. This needs to be addressed before fans become disillusioned with this increasingly vexing system.
Having said that, Spurs should have been three goals clear at half-time after an exceptional display of counterattacking football. Dele Alli looked like prime Zidane yesterday as he looks to make himself a valuable asset ahead of the January transfer window.
Arteta’s time?
I have to admit: Arsenal aren’t as fun when they are winning. That’s not because I have anything against the Gunners. It’s just that Arsenal fan TV isn’t half as entertaining when things are going well. Although there is a kind of perverse enjoyment in watching the most ardent Arteta-out guys coming to terms with their obvious improvements.
For the record: I have consistently been in the Arteta-out camp. I think he has displayed a glaring lack of tactical nous on countless occasions. But I think that the ballsy move to axe fan favourite Aubameyang has actually helped shore up his leadership. Furthermore, you cannot deny the frightening amount of explosive young talent in that squad.
It remains a mystery to me why Martinelli hasn’t been given this opportunity earlier. He looks a generational talent- whatever that means- and Arteta obstinately refused to play him for a year. Saka and Smith Rowe are constantly improving while White and Gabriel look the ideal long-term centre-half combination for the Gunners.
Real stalemate
Real Madrid’s winning streak was halted at ten in a row as they were held to a frustrating goalless home draw with Cadiz. They absolutely dominated possession with 82% of the ball. This shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise when you consider that Cadiz’s overall possession stats for the season sits at 36%.
They just looked incapable of breaking down the staunchest low block in recent memory. They still sit 16 points clear of huge rivals Barcelona. Xavi’s men showed a lot of character to pinch all three points in the closing stages of their match against Elche.
Teenage sensation Gavi was sensational in midfield and will clearly be instrumental in the future of the club (he looks to me to be a contemporary updating of Xavi himself).
La Liga surprise package Sevilla laid bare the frailties of Diego Simone’s Atletico. Defending champions Atletico are now 13 points behind leaders Real after Simeone lost his 3rd consecutive match for the first time since taking over in 2011. Out-of-form striker Luis Suarez reportedly hurled expletives at embattled coach Simeone when he was substituted in the 57th minute. This Atletico situation feels close to a tipping point.
Inter looking imperious
Inter’s routine demolition of Salernitana saw them crowned the Winter Champions of Serie A for the season. It’s a cool symbolic title that certainly goes a long way to determining the eventual Italian champions (67% of the winter champs go on to claim the Scudetto).
Inter’s cause was helped by Milan’s surprise home defeat to the previously flailing Napoli. Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli have been ravaged by injury and have been spiralling down the table in recent weeks.
But they looked back to their best against a decidedly sub-par Milan side. Not to be outdone in the controversy stakes, Milan had what they thought was a late equaliser chalked off due to a dubious offside decision involving Olivier Giroud. This sparked wild scenes in the stands as Milan fans took exception to the decision. All in all, it would seem that Simone Inzaghi’s Inter are well poised to make it back-to-back Italian top flight titles.
Should Liverpool be concerned about this resurgent giant of European football?
Player of the Week- Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski’s goal scoring exploits just continue to astound, leaving most spectators doubly confounded as to why he never picked up this year’s Ballon d’or. He scored his 43rd Bundesliga goal of 2021, beating the previous record of 42 held by ‘Der Bomber’ himself: the late Gerd Muller. He also scored his 69th goal of 2021, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record set in 2013.
Messi obviously still holds the record with that remarkable 2012 campaign that saw him net an astonishing 91 goals.
Lewandowski’s performance was made all the sweeter by Dortmund’s devastating loss to Hertha. The Polish striker looks set for yet more titles in his trophy-laden spell at the Bavarian giants. Bayern were devastating against a hapless Wolfsburg and they will be impossible to stop at this point. Sidenote: Lewandowski has now scored 18 Bundesliga goals this season- one more than the entire Wolfsburg side.
