Midweek Football Review

Premier League back with a bang!

Premier League (Games in hand)

Aston Villa 0 vs. 0 Sheffield United

The first game back from the lockdown for the Premier League was a slightly timid affair as Sheffield were held to a draw by Aston Villa. Sheffield did have the ball in the back of the Villa net but the goal was not given as goal line technology failed to see the ball had fallen into the net with the goalkeeper himself in the net. VAR also failed to review the decision and it felt like the Premier League was back in typical fashion. Aston Villa remain 19th, 1 point from safety while Sheffield miss a chance to go 5th as they remain 6th 1 point behind Manchester United.

Man City 3 vs. 0 Arsenal

The 2nd game of the day was a brilliant one as City comfortably beat Arsenal 3-0. Pep named a strong lineup while Arteta named three youngsters behind Aubameyang and question marks were raised. Arsenal were still decent until around the 8th minute when Xhaka went off injured. Around the 20 minute mark Pablo Mari was then injured as it seems that he will now be out for the season and Luiz came on to replace him. It was then that City’s dominance began. It still looked like Arsenal would enter half time at 0-0 but Luiz mistimed a clearance which fell into Sterling’s path who volleyed the ball in to give a lead. Luiz then started the 2nd half by pulling back Mahrez who was through on goal to concede a penalty and receive a red card. 20 shambolic minutes from Luiz and Arsenal were left with a mountain to climb. Eric Garcia City’s young centre back was rugby tackled by Ederson in a mix up and was stretchered off but it seems that he is fine which is all well and good. Foden then made 3-0 late on as City won the game. City remain 2nd 22 points behind Liverpool while Arsenal’s Champions League hopes seem to be over as they remain 9th in the table. 

Bundesliga MW 32

Monchengladbach 3 vs. 0 Wolfsburg

Monchengladbach got a big win for their Champions League hopes as Hofmann scored two goals in the 1st half to give the home team a comfortable lead. Stindl made it 3 in the 2nd half as Wolfsburg had no response. Monchengladbach remain 5th and a point behind Leverkusen while Wolfsburg remain 6th but only on goal difference. 

Union Berlin 1 vs. 0 Paderborn

Zolinski scored an own goal in the 27th minute to give Union their lead and Berlin were able to hold on to it for the rest of the game. Paderborn were already heading for relegation before the game while Union move up to 12th with the win. 

Werder Bremen 0 vs. 1 Bayern Munich

Lewandowski scored in the 43rd minute as it was enough to see Bayern get 3 points from the game. Davies was sent off for Bayern in the 79th minute but it made no real difference to the game. Werder are now 6 points from safety as it looks like the club might be heading for relegation with a miracle needed to survive. Bayern having already won the title move 10 points clear with Dortmund having lost. 

Freiburg 2 vs. 1 Hertha Berlin

All the goals in this game came within 10 minutes as Freiburg took the lead in the 61st minute with Grifo giving the home team the lead. Ibisevic scored a penalty in the 66th minute to equalise for Hertha Berlin but Petersen restored the lead in the 71st minute to seal the 3 points. Freiburg remain 8th a point from 6th while Hertha remain 11th in the table.

Frankfurt 2 vs. 1 Schalke

Frankfurt continued their good run of form as Silva gave the home team the lead in the 28th minute while they doubled their lead in the 50th minute via Abraham. Mckennie gave Schalke some hope in the 59th minute but it was not enough. Frankfurt move up to 9th in the table while Schalke continue their dismal form as they drop down to 10th. 

Dortmund 0 vs. 2 Mainz

Burkardt gave Mainz the lead in the 33rd minute and Mateta scored a penalty in the 49th minute to seal the win. A surprising defeat for Dortmund as they remain 2nd only 3 points ahead of Leipzig with the game this weekend a big one. Mainz extend their lead to 5 points from the relegation zone with a massive result as a point would ensure them safety this season. 

RB Leipzig 2 vs. 2 Dusseldorf

There were 60 close minutes but Kampl scored a brilliant long range goal to give Leipzig the lead in the 60th minute. Werner then made it 2 in the 63rd minute with a brilliant goal as well. Dusseldorf posted a late comeback though with Skrzybski scored in the 87th minute and Hoffmann equalised in the 92nd minute. Leipzig remain 3rd 3 points behind Dortmund while Dusseldorf are 5 points from safety and need a miracle to go their way to stay safe. 

Augsburg 1 vs. 3 Hoffenheim

Dabour gave Hoffenheim the lead in the 59th minute and then doubled the lead in the 62nd minute. Vargas got one back for Augsburg but Bebou made it 1-3 again in the 89th minute. Augsburg drop down to 14th while Hoffenheim remain 7th but only behind Wolfsburg on goal difference. 

Leverkusen 3 vs. 1 Koln

Bender scored in the 7th minute, Havertz scored in the 39th minute to give Leverkusen a 2-0 lead. Bornauw got one back for Koln in the 59th minute but Diaby scored a brilliant goal in the 83rd minute to restore the 2 goal deficit. Leverkusen remain 4th a point above 5th while Koln are 13th. 

La Liga MW 29

Levante 1 vs. 1 Sevilla

Luuk de Jong scored in the 46th minute but Carlos scored an own goal in the 87th minute to give Levante a point. Sevilla remain 3rd in the table while Levante move one place into 11th. 

Real Betis 2 vs. 2 Granada

Fernandez scored in the 29th minute to give Granada the lead and held on to it until the final 5 minutes. Canales equalised in the 85th minute via the penalty spot and Tello gave Betis the lead in the 88th minute. Soldado though equalised for Granada in the 91st minute. Betis drop into 14th while Granada remain 9th in the table. 

Getafe 0 vs. 0 Espanyol

This game was a goalless draw as Espinosa was sent off for Espanyol in the 16th minute. Getafe remain 5th in the table while move one up into 19th 3 points from safety. 

Villarreal 1 vs. 0 Mallorca

Bacca scored in the 16th minute as Villarreal got a big 3 points while Mallorca had no reply. Villarreal move up to 7th in the table while Mallorca remain 18th in the table. 

Barcelona 2 vs. 0 Leganes

Fati scored in the 42nd minute and Messi scored in the 69th minute via the penalty spot after a typical Messi run. Barcelona remain top of the table 2 points clear of Real while Leganes drop down to the bottom of the table. 

Valladolid 0 vs. 0 Celta Vigo

A goalless draw in this game for two sides trying to survive relegation. Valladolid drop down to 15th while Celta remain 17th in the table 2 points from the relegation zone. 

Eibar 2 vs. 2 Bilbao

Garcia scored a penalty in the 8th minute to give Bilbao the lead while Kike equalised for Eibar in the 19th minute. Orellana gave Eibar the lead in the 78th minute via the penalty spot while Bilbao equalised in the 81st minute via Villalibre. Bilbao remain 10th in the table while Eibar remain 16th in the table. 

Osasuna 0 vs. 5 Atletico Madrid

Felix scored two, while Llorente, Morata and Carrasco added the rest as Atletico ran rampant against Osasuna. Atletico jump up into 4th with the win 2 points ahead of Getafe while Osasuna drop down into 13th. 

Alaves 2 vs. 0 Real Sociedad

Sainz gave Alaves the lead in the 56th minute as Zaldua was sent off for Real Sociedad in the 81st minute. Pina was sent off for Alaves in the 87th minute but Alaves doubled their lead in the 96th minute thanks to Aguirregabiria. Alaves rise up to 12th while Sociedad drop out of the top four into 6th. 

Real Madrid 3 vs. 0 Valencia

It took some time but Real managed to get going late on as Benzema gave Real the lead in the 61st minute. Asensio then came off the bench to score with his first touch in the 74th minute and Benzema made it 3 in the 86th minute. Kang-in was sent off in the 89th minute for Valencia. Real stay 2nd and 2 points points behind Barcelona while Valencia drop down to 8th in the table. 

Coppa Italia Final

Napoli 0 (4) vs. (2) 0 Juventus

Napoli won their first trophy in several years as Gattuso and co beat Sarri’s Juventus on penalties after Buffon had been peppered throughout the game. There was irony as Sarri was on the losing side but Juventus have an old squad and Sarri has much to do to mould the team in his way. Napoli win a trophy and Mertens signs an extension.