Damien Kayat looks back at the weekend’s European football action as Arsenal go back to the top of the Premier League, Napoli march on, Graham Potter’s woes at Chelsea and more!
Arsenal regain ascendancy in seesaw title race
What a difference three days can make. Following their midweek defeat to City, the media had essentially called a moratorium on Arsenal’s title chances.
The psychological impact would be too much, they said. Their midfield would not hold up without Thomas Partey, they said. A trip to former manager Unai Emery’s Aston Villa didn’t auger well for a side that hadn’t won in four matches.
And they certainly showed signs of insecurity at Villa Park, twice going behind to the rapidly counterattacking Midlands unit. But Mikel Arteta’s side came back with a resilience that few could have envisaged, imposing their will on the match and running out 4-2 winners.
The much-maligned Jorginho was instrumental in guiding the Gunners to victory. He struck an absolute rocket that ricocheted off the post, crashing into the head of hapless former Gunner Emi Martinez and into the net.
Arteta was crucified by certain segments of the Arsenal famdom for putting so much faith in what was essentially a Chelsea castoff. This result was sweetened by the fact that a wasteful City side couldn’t convert an embarrassing amount of possession against Forest.
They had a staggering 84% of the possession in the first half! But Haaland once again showed that picking his way through low-blocks isn’t his forte. Advantage: Gunners.
What. A. Moment. pic.twitter.com/Pux7LZD2w4
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 19, 2023
Potter on the Brink
Todd Boehly’s frankly cavalier approach to the transfer market isn’t exactly going to plan for Chelsea. And it’s alienating under-siege manager Graham Potter more and more each day.
He comes from Brighton, a club that prides itself on selling big and investing small. And now he is trying to mix and match this bunch of wayward Galacticos.
Say what you will about Roman Abramovich; he wouldn’t have stood for this. His mercenary approach to managerial turnover did ensure one thing: success.
Chelsea’s insipid 1-0 home defeat to Southampton did little to quell the growing calls for Potter’s dismissal. They have won only two games in eleven and the American surely can’t afford to keep his head in the ground much longer. But who do they turn to next?
Thomas Tuchel holds a special place in the hearts of Chelsea supporters due to that glorious Champions League victory. Could the tactically sound German be lured back in this current climate?
When James Ward-Prowse steps over a dead ball, what usually follows is nothing but brilliance! 🔝
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 18, 2023
Specialist ⭐
📺 Stream #CHESOU live: https://t.co/Tg69y0EeUL | #PL pic.twitter.com/lmRbLpFLgu
Bundesliga title race thrown open
Champions Bayern Munich couldn’t replicate their midweek heroics against PSG, stuttering to a surprise 3-2 away defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach.
The somewhat erratic Dayot Upamecano saw red after eight minutes (meaning he will miss next week’s clash against high-flying Union Berlin). The result meant that Bayern are now only ahead by goal difference over a soaring Dortmund and a dogged Union Berlin.
It is obviously Dortmund who pose the greatest threat to Bayern’s recent hegemony of the league. They ran out 4-1 winners against Hertha Berlin in another towering performance at Signal-Iduna-Park.
Their frontline was simply inspired throughout, with Adeyemi scoring a magnificent backheel to open the scoring. Further goals from Malen, Reus and Brandt showcased their free-flowing style to aplomb.
They look like the form unit in this current three-sided title race. But there will be some concern after the electrifying Adeyemi was forced to leave the fieled through injury.
Of all the title races in Europe, Germany’s currently looks the most open (with RB Leipzig still threatening in the wings).
Up top 🙌 pic.twitter.com/0r8Rbd2Cqd
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) February 19, 2023
As you were in Spain
Barcelona maintained their eight-point La Liga advantage as both Spanish giants registered 2-0 victories. Los Blancos played first, faced with a tricky away trip to Osasuna.
Ancelotti’s men recorded a fairly comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Fede Valverde and Marco Asensio. Vinicius Jr was back to his rampaging best, completing 7 of 12 dribbles in another scintillating display.
It was the perfect performance ahead of their crunch Champions League tie against old foe Liverpool.
Barcelona had the comparatively simple task of tackling Cadiz at home. They were forced to ring the changes with their Europa League tie against Manchester United teetering on a knife’s edge.
And they were dominant in the first-half, with Sergi Roberto and Robert Lewandowski giving them a solid 2-0 lead at the break. But they struggled to recapture that momentum in a second period that hung in the balance.
Ter Stegen was actually called upon to make a few crucial saves as the Blaugrana laboured to a 2-0 victory. I think that Xavi had one eye firmly fixed on that trip to Old Trafford later this week (a trip he will have to make without the suspended Gavi).
But he will be encouraged by the performance of Ferran Torres. The nomadic Spaniard completed an insane 10 dribbles and was the architect of Lewandowski’s strike. He may prove pivotal if they wish to overturn that Europa League deficit.
Ferran Torres with an inspired performance 😍
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 19, 2023
Barcelona lead 2-0 against Cadiz! pic.twitter.com/TGgArUpaH0
Napoli deja-vu
It sometimes feels like I’m in a Groundhog Day scenario when speaking about Serie A. Napoli were exceptional, with Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia crucial in the victory.
That’s been the basic chorus of the last few months. And this weekend proved no different, as Napoli conquered Sassuolo 2-0 at the Mapei Stadium.
The Georgian scored a stunning solo strike that had shades of prime Messi. Osimhen scored from what seemed an impossible angle to extend his lead in the Capocannonniere race.
They currently hold a 15-point lead in Serie A and can probably afford to rest players if they go deep in this year’s Champions League. Could Napoli be the best club currently operating in European football?
It's Victor Osimhen's world and we're just here to appreciate him!
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 17, 2023
Another brilliant goal to add to the Nigerian's collection🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/Pyx1wfWUNv
Player of the week: Marcus Rashford
On current form, Marcus Rashford can make a strong claim to being the hottest striker currently operating in European football (though Victor Osimhen may disagree).
The Manchester United forward scored a terrific brace against Leicester that took his goal tally to 24 in all competitions this season. He has scored an incredible 16 goals in 17 matches following his stellar World Cup performances in Qatar.
But sometimes moments can be more illuminating than regurgitated stats. There was a play on the left where Rashford aggressively ran at two opponents, cutting inside adroitly only to mistime the shot.
In that instance he reminded me of Kylian Mbappe. The combination of speed and power was a wonder to behold. Rashford seems to have found a new form of confidence that borders on arrogance.
It’s exactly the type of confidence that is needed to be the main man at Man United. And you have to think that Erik Ten Hag has been instrumental in unlocking it.
Who else but Rashford?!? 👉👨
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 19, 2023
📺 Stream #MUNLEI live: https://t.co/Tg69y0EeUL pic.twitter.com/FGlLUZxW7h
