PSG show what could have happened, Madrid march, Chelsea find form, Serie A tightens: Weekend review
While the big game weekend witnessed Premier League hope title City of Manchester and Liverpool play a thrilling drawthere’s a lot going on elsewhere: Paris Saint-Germainform find three big, Real Madrid and Barcelona win, Series AOur title race has more twists and turns, and Arsenal and Tottenham endure contrasting fortunes.
Here’s Bill Connelly, Rob Dawson, Alex Kirkland and Sam Marsden with what you need to know from across Europe.
Go: Communication skill | Top target | Team in trouble | Weekend MVP
Four talking points
Hat trick for PSG’s three stars
When Lionel Messi joined Kylian Mbappe and Neymar In PSG’s attack, it’s easy to dream of “2014-15 Barcelona, but even better” combinations and sometimes flamboyant scoring lines, but trauma, chemistry. Slow development and occasional hiccups kept the fussiness to a minimum … until Saturday when Well, that was a big click for PSG.
There was basically a hat trick: Mbappe scored three (with one assist), Neymar scored three (with an assist) and Messi assisted three (one for Neymar, two for Mbappe). The French champion won 6-1 at Clermont which means Les Parisiens have 12 points with only seven matches left.
Mbappe has scored 20 goals and 14 assists in the league game – he’s in the lead Ligue 1 in both categories – and an incredible 31 goals and 18 assists in all competitions. (Just imagine what he could have done with a few more Champions League games.) Meanwhile, Messi has registered 13 league assists.
With Mbappe seriously considering leaving Real Madrid, this could be the only year the trio collaborates in Paris. But even though Champions League Failure will forever stain the memory of this season, it didn’t total There are no good moments. – Connelly
Support MESSI and end MBAPPÉ … 😍# CF63PSG 🇫🇷 # Ligue1 pic.twitter.com/sUAePMX3V5
– beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 9, 2022
Vinicius plays Madrid travel service provider
Vinicius Junior was revealed this season – his collaboration with Karim Benzema brought 38 LaLiga goals and 18 assists – but one thing that wasn’t expected was the winger who turned into Luka Modric. That’s what happened against Getafe on Saturday, when Vinicius ‘delivery outside-launch found Casemiro to open the score.
It’s the kind of game that can be tough, sandwiched between two Champions League games, but Vinicius has made sure it goes without difficulty. When Lucas Vazquez an extra second, the upset rate fell from thin to zero as Madrid moved closer to three-point title glory.
Even the deafening sirens welcome Gareth BaleThe arrival of a substitute, marking his first appearance at the Bernabeu in more than two years and the latest part in Carlo Ancelotti’s relentless efforts to fit in Wales Captain as a backup 9 – can’t ruin the night. Next: Chelsea. – Kirkland
HIGHLIGHTS | @Casemiro and @ Lucasvazquez91 score like @realmadriden extend their lead at the top #LaLigaSantander! 🤍🔝🤍#RealMadridGetafe pic.twitter.com/WzuWBBJh7m
– LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) April 9, 2022
Small six-time defeat ends Chelsea’s last game
After Chelsea’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, Thomas Tuchel thinks the game is over before the second leg of the quarter-final in Spain. After watching his team put six pasts Southampton on Saturday, he might be ready to rethink.
It is still a huge requirement to get to the Bernabeu and win with at least two clear goals, but Chelsea will feel there is hope after the performance at St Mary’s. Southampton have performed well against some good teams this season – with home and away draws against Manchester City – but were overtaken by Tuchel’s side, 4-0 after 31 minutes.
After poor results against Brentford and Madrid, a third defeat in a row could see the end of Chelsea’s season begin, but if they can score from Southampton to Madrid and score early on Tuesday night, anything is possible. – Dawson
1:31
Luis Garcia and Shaka Hislop explain how Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea can turn the tide against Real Madrid.
Inter advantage when the opponent slips
It was a fantastic weekend for Inter, who are at the top of one of Europe’s most exciting title races. Simone Inzaghi’s side beat Verona 2-0, then met title competition AC Milan and Napoli slide up; Although Milan are still at the top of Serie A, defending champions Inter will take the lead with victory in their hands.
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A great ending from Nicolo Barella and a goal from Edin Dzeko earn Inter three points on Saturday to increase the pressure. Napoli took the lead but were 3-2 down first Fiorentina at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
That gives Milan, chasing their first Scudetto since 2011, the chance to take four points clear at the summit, but they are unbreakable. Turin and draw 0-0. That means the title is now in Inter’s hands, but it’s more than likely there will be a lot of twists and turns in the race. – Marsden
Three must-see goals
Luuk de Jong won late for Barcelona
Luuk de Jong has emerged as something of a cult hero at Barcelona, and his legacy has grown with the impressive late winner in Levante as Barca won 3-2 to claim seven consecutive wins in LaLiga. The Dutchman was only brought on when he made a brilliant connection with the goal in the 93rd minute Jordi Alba pass to put Barca back in second place.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘sand PedalMy goal is also worth watching mondayalthough much support from Ousmane Dembele and Gavi. Barca’s attack was almost destroyed when they were awarded three penalties. Levante scored two of them, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved the other. – Marsden
LUUK DE JONG ENDS 3-2 AT DEATH FOR BARCA!! pic.twitter.com/PhbjxDogqv
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 10, 2022
Nkunku’s great form continues
With a turn and a low shot and some help from VAR, Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring in just five minutes like RB Leipzig rolling over the Hoffenheim. The 24-year-old has scored 28 goals in all competitions this season, with 13 since the start of 2022. Nkunku also has 15 assists, including one on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a 3-0 win puts Leipzig seven points ahead of Hoffenheim in the race for fourth place Bundesliga. Domenico Tedesco’s side have picked up 29 points from their past 12 matches and kept control of their own destiny, even as Freiburg scored a crucial victory against Eintracht Frankfurt to stay three points in debt. – Connelly
Jota pulls Liverpool back to Man City
Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool may not decide the race to the Premier League title, but it does have some quality moments, and Diogo JotaAttempts, aborted Kevin De Bruyneopening person, is choose targets from a great game.
The goal in the 13th minute was made by Andy Robertsonof the exact intersection point and Trent Alexander-ArnoldJota’s lovely save created the chance for Jota to have a shot on the ball after he displayed a smart moment to drop back into space. – Dawson
What a start to the game!
It took less than 10 minutes, Liverpool found the equalizer thanks to Jota!
: @USA_Network & @Telemundo #MCILIV | #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/TTQLEjiazw
– NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 10, 2022
Both teams should be worried
A week to forget for Arsenal
On the last international holiday, FiveThirtyEight SPI Rating gives Arsenal 67% chance to shoot in Englandbroke into the top four and scored his first Champions League goal since the 2016-17 season. They have won 31 points from the past 13 matches, losing only to Liverpool and Manchester City. Then came a pair of serious losses.
After the previous 0-3 defeat Crystal Palace On Monday, the Gunners didn’t really find a spark against Brighton on Saturday until it was too late. The 2-1 loss means they are three points ahead of Tottenham; The Gunners have a game on their hands, plus a chance to face their north London rivals in May, but that Champions League odds have plummeted to 33%.
There are bad weeks, and there are really bad week. Now Arsenal must march away from home: Five of their last eight matches have been away from the Emirates, including away trips to Chelsea, West Ham and Tottenham. – Connelly
1:27
Janusz Michallik spoke about Arsenal’s pursuit of the top four after the 2-1 loss to Brighton.
Atletico’s season is in danger of disbanding
Atlético Madrid suffered a 1-0 defeat in a row and it was certainly not good form today. If the midweek Champions League loss to Manchester City – with a 5-5-0 formation that produced no shots – is reason to fend off opposition, Saturday’s defeat to Real is under threat. class Mallorca harder to justify.
The arrival of Javier Aguirre as manager inspired Mallorca, but Atletico only had one shot on target against the fourth worst defence in La Liga. Diego Simeone refuses to use the second leg against Man City as an excuse – “It’s always easy when a game is over to blame the previous one” – but a top-four finish is in jeopardy , with Real Betis after only one point. – Kirkland
Vedat Muriqi’s goal is worth all three points as @RCD_Mallorca Back to the winning ways in #LaLigaSantander! ❤️#RCDMallorcaAtleti pic.twitter.com/2z8RrTmAUJ
– LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) April 9, 2022
Weekend MVP
Conte put Tottenham in the top 4 of the competition
When Antonio Conte arrived in November, Tottenham were ninth. With seven matches remaining, they are three points clear in fourth place and of course qualify for next season’s Champions League. Like Arsenal and Manchester United stuttering, Spurs have won four games in a row – against Brighton, West Ham, Newcastle and on Saturday, Aston Villa – with a total score of 14-2.
2:02
Janusz Michallik hails Tottenham’s trio after their 4-0 win over Aston Villa.
It took time for Conte to apply his methods and tough games continued against Arsenal and Liverpool, but Tottenham have hit the ground running at just the right time. Notably, when MU sought to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they missed the opportunity to appoint the Italian player. Leading Spurs to the Champions League will be some feedback. – Dawson
