European Football Wrap: The Magic of the FA Cup strikes again, Semenyo shines as City crush Exeter

In fact, the 117 league spots separating Palace and Macclesfield at kick-off was the largest gap of any upset in FA Cup history! Who would have thought we would see something that eclipses United’s EFL Cup humiliation against Grimsby this season? The result made it nine successive matches without a win in for a beleaguered Palace. Perhaps Olivier Glasner should have jumped ship when other clubs were sniffing around him at the end of last season. But let’s just focus on the positive for a second. Macclesfield Town went into liquidation in 2020 and have had to work their way back up the footballing pyramid. Tragedy struck a month or so ago, as forward Ethan McLeod was killed in car crash. That fact that this club- made up of part-time players- could grind out a win against the holders is a testament to the working-class ethos that underpins this historic tournament.

Semenyo shines as City crush Exeter

Manchester City- last year’s losing finalists- had no such trouble punching down against lower-league opposition, hammering League One outfit Exeter City 10-1. It was the ideal outing for a City side that looked lethargic during their festive fixtures. Guardiola went strong for this seemingly routine fixture, with Rodri, Haaland, Cherki and new signing Semenyo featuring in the starting lineup. City dominated their clearly overawed opposition, with dynamic new acquisition Antoine Semenyo becoming the first City player to score and provide an assist on debut since Sergio Aguero. Guardiola was also given the freedom to try out new defensive combinations as he prepares for life without the recently injured pair of Gvardiol and Dias. City couldn’t have asked for a simpler opener in their bid to reach a 4th successive cup final.

Bayern don’t miss a beat in awesome Bundesliga return

Bayern’s dominance of German football reached preposterous levels this weekend, as Die Roten routed Champions League-chasing Wolfsburg 8-1! What does it say about the Bundesliga that the 5th placed team can be dealt with in such dismissive fashion? Or is this Bayern team that incredible? Bayern were class throughout, with the attacking trio of Olise, Diaz and Kane showing no signs of midseason fatigue. Kane was at his self-effacing best, dropping deep and linking up play like a virtuoso. But it was Michael Olise who stole the show on that right-hand side, destroying Wolfsburg with a performance that would have made prime Robben envious. Olise had a hand in virtually every goal, scoring twice and assisting another to solidify his status as European football’s most in-form winger. To make things sweeter for Kompany and co, would-be title ‘challengers’ Dortmund and Leverkusen dropped points in their return to action. Bayern currently lead by 11 points with 14 games to play. The current record for greatest winning margin in German football is 25 points (set by Bayern in 12/13).

Barcelona win breathtaking Clasico to retain Spanish Super Cup

At the risk of sounding cynical, that is the way to sportswash. Honestly, if these Gulf states are intent on wowing the West with their amenities, etc; at least make it a worthwhile sporting occasion. Enough of these lame exhibition tennis tournaments. Yesterday’s Spanish Super Cup final was how you do it. Honestly, that match made all the other weekend’s football action look quaint by comparison. Barca ran out 3-2 winners, remarkably becoming the first side to retain the Supercopa since Guardiola’s Barca back in 2011! And the match followed the most predictable of patterns, with Barca dominating possession while Real looked to disrupt and hit on the counterattack. In fact, last night’s clash was that classical playbook on steroids, with Barca ending the game with 71% possession but with only four more total shots than Los Blancos. In the end, Hansi Flick’s substitutes changed the game while Alonso’s stymied Real.

A feast for football fans

Barcelona were in complete control in a majestic first-half performance, with Pedri and De Jong controlling the ball with precision and clarity. It was almost embarrassing how little impact Real had for portions of that half. Barca were finally rewarded for their superiority in the 35th minute, with Raphinha steering Fermin Lopez’s clever pass into the net. That goal sparked mayhem, bringing Real to life for an insane end to the half. Vini Jr equalized with a trademark solo run before Lewandowski reestablished Barca’s lead with a neat toe-poke finish. Spanish wunderkind Gonzalo Garcia continued his recent purple patch in front of goal, squeezing Real level on the cusp of halftime. I must admit, Real looked the more likely as the match progressed. The game became fractured and Vini Jr was tearing Kounde apart down that left-hand side. But the introduction of Dani Olmo enlivened Barca’s engine room. And they would ultimately get the job done, with Raphinha scoring a fortunate 2nd. Real had two gilt-edged chances in the final moments but could only give Joan Garcia catching practice. I wonder how the Real Madrid hierarchy are going to respond to this squandered trophy. Oh, and I didn’t even mention the fact that De Jong got a straight red just before the end (this game had everything).

Napoli show spirit of champions in top-of-the-table clash

Last night, Inter hosted Napoli in the knowledge that Milan had dropped precious points at Fiorentina on Saturday. Chivu’s expansive Inter side got off to an electrifying start, with Federico Dimarco scoring from an acute angle in his 2nd successive match. Napoli struggled to get going but were ruthless when it mattered, as Scott McTominay latched onto an Elmas cross to equalize with their first shot of the match. Both teams had moments on either side of half time, with Thuram and Hojlund nearly giving their respective sides the lead. But it was the home side who would retake the lead, with Calhanglou converting from the spot after Rrahmani was adjudged to have fouled Mkhitaryan in the box. The ever-serene Antonio Conte was given his marching orders for his over-the-top remonstrations with the officials. But cometh the hour, cometh the man, as Scott McTominay volleyed home the equalizer in the 81st minute. Seriously, Napoli may need to set aside a space for a McTominay statue in the future. Despite Napoli’s gritty showing, Inter will probably feel the happier of the two teams after maintaining their four-point lead over the defending champs.

Player of the Week- Michael Olise

This was a simple decision in the end. Olise was mesmerizing on that right-hand side against Stuttgart, playing a part in virtually every aspect of Bayern’s 8-1 triumph. Olise has now assisted 24 goals in his first 50 Bundesliga matches (no other player can match that since they started recording stats in 2004-2005). He has reached 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season, cementing his status as the most in-form right-winger (stats-wise) in the world. Is he better than Lamine Yamal? I still think the Spaniard has an edge in the big moments. But you simply can’t deny Olise’s destructive statistical dominance.