Many expected yesterday’s League Cup final to be a passing-of-the-baton moment, with Mikel Arteta favoured to finally get one over his old master Pep (the circle of life and all that jazz).
Many expected yesterday’s League Cup final to be a passing-of-the-baton moment, with Mikel Arteta favoured to finally get one over his old master Pep (the circle of life and all that jazz). That was not to be, as the Gunners turned in arguably their most lacklustre performance of the entire campaign. The more optimistic Arsenal supporters will tell you that it’s perhaps a blessing in disguise, that this wasn’t the one they were really chasing. But yesterday’s performance was just the latest in a series of unconvincing outings (their set-piece theatrics just couldn’t bail them out this time). The first half, even by cup-final standards, was dull. Hell, that first half was dull by clothes-drying standards. City took complete control in the 2nd stanza, with Doku and Cherki relentlessly harrying Arsenal’s flanks.
Kepa Arrizabalaga- who has one of the most phonetically challenging names to pronounce in world football- continued his tormented relationship with League Cup finals. The Spaniard courted notoriety in the 2019 final, blatantly refusing to come off ahead of the penalty shootout between Chelsea and City. Maurizio Sarri had a nervous breakdown on the side of the pitch, and Chelsea went on to lose. Kepa created headlines for the wrong reasons again yesterday, spilling a cross in the build-up to Nico O’Reily’s opener. O-Reilly would make it 2-0 just four minutes later, applying the finishing touches to an intricately worked City move. Honestly, that was like Guardiola-ball circa 2009, with overlapping runners causing chaos in the Arsenal ranks. Arsenal just looked completely bereft of ideas and were probably fortunate to lose 2-0. Doku had a field day down that left-hand side, sending a clear signal to any of Arsenal’s prospective Champions League opponents: you can get at these. It will be fascinating to see how Arteta’s men bounce back from their first bit of genuine adversity in some time.
Real comeback to win sensational Madrid derby
Sure, Real Madrid are the undeniable kings of Madrid. But everything tends to go out the window when they square up against city neighbours Atletico. They went into last night’s Madrid derby looking for their first league win since 2022. Arbreloa inexplicably chose to start Carvajal at right-back ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Carvajal was exposed just after the half-hour mark, as Lookman converted a slick move down Real’s right to take a 1-0 lead into the break. Real came out with a sense of purpose in the 2nd stanza, with Vini Jr slotting home a 55th-minute penalty before the inspirational Valverde nudged the Spanish giants ahead. Amazingly, Valverde now has goal involvements this year (the most of any Real player). Molina brought down the temperature a bit, equalizing in the 66th minute with one of the sweetest strikes that I can remember. Enter stage right: Vini Jr. Trent Jr wove some magic just eight minutes after coming on, storming through the Atleti midfield before playing a lovely ball through to Vini Jr. The Brazilian, who still had plenty to do, curled the ball in with unerring precision. Despite Valverde being sent off for a ridiculous straight red, Real held on for three points to keep Barca (somewhat) in striking distance. Oh, and Kylian Mbappe got his first runout since returning from injury. Could he be the variable that swings the pendulum back into Real’s favour? Or is it a little too late?
Barcelona hang tough
Barcelona got the job done in slightly less spectacular fashion, holding off a spirited Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in a rare off-day for their stellar attacking lineup. However, that may have been their scariest performance yet. Let me explain. I have waxed lyrical about the mercurial nature of this Barca side: they will win four games 4-0 before suddenly shipping 3 in one half of football. Prior to this weekend, I wasn’t sure if they had what it takes to win ugly (a Real specialty). They showed a mastery of the dark arts at home to Rayo Vallecano, holding on to the thinnest of margins for 70+ minutes. Rayo Vallecano could- and probably should- have been ahead within a minute, as Joan Garcia thwarted Carlos Martin following an incisive Rayo attack. Barca took the lead through an unlikely source, as Ronald Araujo rose to meet Cancelo’s corner in the 24th minute. The attacking unit of Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski had a vaguely hungover look to it. Still, Barca got to prove they could win without all the attacking pyrotechnics.
Bayern maintain Bundesliga lead in typically swashbuckling fashion
The Bayern Munich juggernaut cannot be stopped. Die Roten hosted Union Berlin this in a somewhat weakened state, with a raft of injuries and suspensions limiting Kompany’s options (the bench was awash with youth talent). It didn’t affect the mood at the Allianz, with Bayern coasting to an emphatic 4-0 win to temporarily extend their Bundesliga lead to 12 points. Unstoppable winger Michael Olise gave the champions-in-waiting a well-deserved 43rd minute lead, chopping inside before blasting the ball past Frederik Ronnow. Union mentally capitulated, with a poor Ronnow punch allowing Gnabry to ghost in and make it 2-0 going into the break. Die Roten continued their dominance in the 2nd stanza, and Kane got his obligatory goal in the 49th minute. Gnabry put Die Eisernen out of their misery in the 69th minute, squeezing one through Ronnow at his near post. It was the ideal outing for a club managing resources ahead of a Real Madrid glamour tie. Dortmund kept the illusion of a title race ‘alive’, producing late heroics to come back and win against Hamburg. It was the type of futile valour that has defined Dortmund’s entire campaign.
It’s alive! Scudetto race resurrected
Inter have been in a state of freefall since that humbling Champions League exit at the hands of minnows Bodo/Glimt, winning just one of their last five games in all competitions. They lost to plucky neighbours AC Milan in the Derby de Madonnina before dropping more points against Atalanta. The Nerazzurri have lost key personnel to injury, with Lautaro Martinez and Mkhitaryan- arguably their two most vital players- currently on the treatment table. Milan did their best to apply more pressure this weekend, beating Torino 3-2 on Saturday evening. Rossoneri defender Strahinja Pavlovic was instrumental for the home side, scoring a long-range opener while putting out several Torino fires. The result temporarily cut Inter’s lead to just five points. Inter appeared unfazed in the early stages of last night’s clash with Fiorentina, going ahead within one minute after Pio Esposito expertly glanced home Barella’s cross. Inter had the best of the first half but sorely missed Martinez’s renowned killer instinct. And they were made to pay dearly, as Cher Ndour pounced on a rebound to equalize in the 77th minute. Chivu- who was serving a touchline suspension for his antics against Atalanta- needs to plug the holes in this ship before it goes all DiCaprio on him. Oh, and defending champs Napoli are just one point behind the Rossoneri!
Player of the Week- Vini Jr
The Brazilian winger was a constant thorn in Atletico’s side, equalizing with a stone-cold penalty before curling in that sumptuous late winner. I admire the way he has knuckled down in the aftermath of that racism debacle, recognizing his importance to the squad in the absence of Rodrygo and Mbappe (who is only now just returning). Curiously, last night marked the first time he has scored against his cross-town rivals (Simeone is adept at neutralizing major threats).
