Napoli have finally lifted their Scudetto, Ilkay Gundogan is untouchable while Robert Lewandowski has won the Pichichi Trophy in his first season with Barca. This and more in today’s European Football Wrap.
City keep treble dreams alive
The gravity of City’s domestic double seems to have gone somewhat under the radar this week (such is the media clamour surrounding European Cup glory). Gone are the days when a double is met with automatic open-top parades. Guardiola’s side essentially have to win in Istanbul in order to be deemed a success.
And I just want to take this moment to embrace the magnitude of their current accomplishment. This is only the 8th time in British footballing history that a team has won the coveted double (Pep also managed the feat in their glorious domestic treble run in 2018/2019).
And to do it against Man United- the darlings of the status quo- adds that extra bit of satisfaction for a side oft-regarded as ‘plastic’. The mass media likes to act as if Manchester United never had free reign in the 90’s transfer market.
Todd Boehly’s calamitous entry into British football shows that money doesn’t always guarantee success in this crazy game. I guess that some people just don’t want their comfy narratives despoiled – Sir Alex is the only true maverick in Premier League history and all that.
As for the game itself, City barely had to enter 2nd gear in a fairly uninspiring Mancunian derby. Gundogan’s record-breaking volley was matched by one of the most contentious VAR decisions in recent memory.
I don’t know how you could possibly say that Grealish’s hand was in a ‘unnatural position’. In any event, that penalty did give the game the illusion of parity for some time. But the winner- once again scored by Gundogan- underscored a pretty dominant display by City. John Stones was absolutely immense, playing this Beckenbauer role with almost nonchalant assurance.
The decision to start Eriksson at the front of the midfield press has got to be one of Erik Ten Hag’s strangest calls. He couldn’t get within shouting distance of Rodri and was basically chasing shadows all game.
And why is nobody talking about Jadon Sancho? It almost feels like Dortmund produced those compilation videos on YouTube, setting United up for one of the biggest flops in recent footballing memory.
Man City midfielder Rodri believes the English champions have learned from their previous mistakes as they aim to win the Champions League for the first time.
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 5, 2023
RB Leipzig win 2nd successive DFB-Pokal
RB Leipzig have firmly established themselves as one of the leading clubs in German football, winning their 2nd successive DFB-Pokal trophy. It’s hard to believe that this is a club that only came into existence in 2009. They rose through the lower tiers of German football and finally achieved Bundesliga status in 2016.
They have twice finished runner-up in the German top-flight and finished 3rd this season. This DFB-Pokal triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt also marks Marco Rose’s maiden trophy at the helm of this grand footballing experiment. Destined to be a Chelsea player next season, Christopher Nkunku was the difference maker on the day. His deflected shot opened the scoring.
He then set up Szoboszlai in the 85th minute, putting the final nail in Frankfurt’s coffin. It will be interesting to see how he fits into this current Chelsea disaster. Mauricio Pochettino will no doubt be glad that this little piece of business is done and dusted.
Christopher Nkunku's 23rd goal of the season gave Leipzig the lead in the 71st minute of the DFB-Pokal final 🎈 pic.twitter.com/XDAipuuI4v
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 3, 2023
Napoli finally lift Scudetto
Napoli have really milked this Scudetto trophy for all it’s worth. Their fans finally got the chance to see their club lift the Scudetto trophy for the first time in 33 years. A 2-0 home victory over relegated Sampdoria was a fitting end to a sensational Serie A campaign.
It was quite an emotional day at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring with a 64th minute penalty. That penalty took his goal tally to 26 this season (a career high for any African player in Italian football). Giovanni Simeone then secured all three points with an absolute screamer in the 85th minute.
He celebrated by holding up a Napoli shirt worn by icon and compatriot Diego Maradona. Victorious manager Luciano Spalletti is taking a year’s wine-making leave, citing fatigue at what has been a hectic campaign. Maybe that wouldn’t be a bad idea for the disgraceful Jose Mourinho.
Sorry, I had to call him out for his shocking post-match rant towards English ref Anthony Taylor. It actually sets a dangerous precedent and no doubt played a role in the horrible scenes at Budapest Airport.
🔵🇮🇹 Napoli lift the Serie A trophy at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium! pic.twitter.com/uZ8H72t0iA
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 4, 2023
Lewandowski wins Pichichi Trophy in first season
I feel like the European capitulations of Barcelona and Real Madrid have negatively affected La Liga in general. This has just felt like a rather flat, deflating season. Perhaps that also has to do with the fact that Barcelona effectively had the season wrapped up at the midway point.
The champions went out with a whimper this weekend, going down 2-1 at Celta Vigo. You almost get the feeling that Barcelona fans would exchange this entire season for the return of Lionel Messi. Joan Laporta and company are frantically working behind the scenes to perhaps structure a move for their former hero.
But it doesn’t really look like a possibility given their recent financial woes. On the positive side, Polish marksman Robert Lewandowski secured the Pichichi in his first season with the Blaugrana. He has netted an impressive 23 goals in 34 league appearances, finishing comfortably ahead of iconic Real striker Karim Benzema.
23 La Liga goals 🥇
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 4, 2023
Robert Lewandowski wins the Pichichi in his first season in Spain 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/nrnzBNzbWi
Player of the Week – Ilkay Gundogan
I think the entire footballing press has run out of superlatives for this little guy. The man for the big occasion, Ilkay Gundogan’s FA Cup brace was yet another reminder of the underrated cog at the heart of this City juggernaut.
Still yet to sign a new contract, the German international showed just how invaluable he has become with another defining performance in midfield. A lot of people are giving De Gea grief about those two goals. I’m inclined to forgive him on that first strike. It was a peach of a volley that was in the net before De Gea realized it was on target.
Sure, the 2nd goal was a bit of a shin-splitter. But it just proves the old adage: force the keeper into a save. They would surely have to make room for a new statue outside the Etihad if Gundo scores the winner next week. It may even prompt an Oasis reunion. Anything seems possible at the moment.
ILKAY GUNDOGAN AGAIN 💥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 3, 2023
He's in the form of his life and the City skipper puts his side back in the lead in the #FACup Final with a brilliant volley!
💻 Stream live on SS Premier Leaguepic.twitter.com/9wXHpXCqYc
