It isn’t fairly spring but, however Europe’s prime leagues have been heating up because the title races stay tight and the video games are getting that rather more intense.
Saturday noticed Arsenal actual revenge on Newcastle after dropping to them earlier within the season and Manchester United misplaced to Fulham, elevating recent questions on Erik ten Hag’s management. In different Premier League motion, Manchester Metropolis beat Bournemouth with a defense-first strategy, and U.S. males’s nationwide crew defender Chris Richards scored his first Premier League objective in Crystal Palace’s win over Burnley.
In the remainder of Europe, Barcelona regarded like their former selves in a thrashing of Getafe whereas Bayern Munich nonetheless did not appear to be their former selves in a win over RB Leipzig.
On Sunday, Liverpool have been topped Carabao Cup champions after defeating Chelsea with a last-minute winner from Virgil van Dijk, whereas LaLiga leaders Actual Madrid snatched a winner towards Sevilla and it was a historic day for USMNT gamers within the prime 5 European leagues.
There’s lots to get to speak about, so let’s get to it.
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SUNDAY REVIEW
The lead: Modric steals highlight from Ramos in Madrid’s 1-0 win over Sevilla
All of the discuss forward of Actual Madrid’s sport with Sevilla on Sunday was about Sergio Ramos, however ultimately, it was one other veteran, Luka Modric, who stole the present.
Ramos was again on the Santiago Bernabeu as Sevilla’s captain, the primary time in 19 years that he had performed at this stadium as a customer. He had been cheered and whistled, concerned in crunching challenges and heated disputes, by the point Modric’s curling shot hit the again of the web within the 81st minute to offer Madrid a 1-0 win and lengthen their lead on the prime of the LaLiga desk to eight factors.
Modric is 38, six months older than the 37-year-old Ramos. Two pillars of Madrid’s success within the final decade, the 2 gamers have taken completely different paths since. Ramos left Madrid in 2021, unable to agree a brand new contract. Modric has opted to remain, though he won’t be right here for much longer. The Croatian has been sad along with his restricted sport time this season, making simply 11 league begins, and will look to maneuver on this summer time.
Even with seven Madrid gamers lacking right here via damage or suspension — Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Jude Bellingham, Joselu, Dani Carvajal, and Eduardo Camavinga — Modric might solely discover a place on the bench, coach Carlo Ancelotti preferring Aurélien Tchouaméni, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde in midfield.
With quarter-hour left, and Madrid on the lookout for a breakthrough, Ancelotti took off a defender, Nacho, and launched Modric, dropping Tchouaméni into the again 4. Six minutes after that, Modric had his objective. There was a ferocity in regards to the shot, letting rip after stepping inside Sevilla midfielder Boubakary Soumaré in addition to the celebration, roaring on the Bernabeu crowd, that steered a sense of vindication, a reminder of simply what a participant Modric may be.
Even Ramos regarded shaken by the objective. His first involvement after that was to move the ball immediately out of play, throwing his arms within the air in frustration. Ramos has performed towards Actual Madrid 4 instances, going again to 2004, in his first stint at Sevilla. This was his first loss.
On the closing whistle, after hugs with Lucas Vázquez and Kroos, Ramos sought out Modric to swap shirts, two shut mates who’ve fought many battles collectively, now on opposing sides. — Alex Kirkland
Sunday speaking factors across the leagues
Klopp retains quadruple dream alive on farewell tour
Step one among Jurgen Klopp’s good exit from Liverpool is full. The Reds edged previous Chelsea in Sunday’s Carabao Cup closing at Wembley as Virgil van Dijk‘s glancing header within the 118th minute gave Klopp a 1-0 win and his eighth main trophy in England.
It could possibly be just the start of a wonderful finish. Liverpool are prime of the Premier League, host Southampton at Anfield in Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round conflict and face a UEFA Europa League round-of-16 conflict with Slavia Prague subsequent month.
Liverpool pursued one other quadruple in 2021-22 solely to return up quick within the UEFA Champions League and Premier League. The fallout of that exhausting season prompted questions over whether or not Klopp might construct one other nice facet however “‘Liverpool 2.0” as he rebranded them, have come roaring again to problem on 4 fronts as soon as extra.
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Virgil van Dijk scores to place Liverpool forward in additional time
Liverpool lastly take the lead over Chelsea because of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
And anybody frightened about life after Klopp leaves Merseyside on the finish of the season shall be enthused by how Liverpool beat Chelsea in London, given they have been lacking 11 first-team gamers and relied on three youngsters — James McConnell, Bobby Clark, and Jayden Danns — to assist see the sport out, the very best quantity fielded in a League Cup Last since 2007.
Add in Harvey Elliott (20), Conor Bradley (20), and Jarell Quansah (21) — the latter coming off the bench — and Liverpool seem effectively set to thrive in a post-Klopp period. Earlier than that, nevertheless, comes the finale of his 9 years in cost. And it might but be essentially the most magnificent denouement possible. — James Olley
Atalanta frustrate Milan and Leão
It was the conflict of the weekend in Serie A: AC Milan, third within the desk welcoming fifth place Atalanta who’re solely seven factors behind. Regardless of a fairly underwhelming 1-1 draw, we acquired affirmation of two issues on this sport. The primary one is that Rafael Leão is certainly world class when he needs to be. The second is that Atalanta are for actual this season, like within the good outdated days.
Let’s begin with Leão. The Portuguese worldwide scored one of many objectives of the season after simply three minutes. A double nutmeg on the left-hand facet in between two defenders, coming inside and inserting the ball within the reverse prime nook in a loopy tight angle. Merely a factor of absolute magnificence. Not many gamers are able to doing issues like this in video games of this calibre. Leão is one among them. He additionally created 4 possibilities and two large possibilities.
Will we see his genius sufficient although? Most likely not. Is he able to extra? For positive. Rather more even. We pay to look at him play, anticipating this type of brilliance on a regular basis. He isn’t there but. There are good indicators, at instances, that he shall be persistently decisive and hardworking for the crew. And different instances, he does not appear too bothered and positively solely cares about himself. At 24, he’s nonetheless younger however nights like Sunday remind us of how particular a participant he’s.
Milan are fortunate to have him and Atalanta are fortunate to have Teun Koopmeiners. The Dutch midfielder is barely 25 however he is without doubt one of the gamers of the season. He has been carrying this facet, scoring 9 objectives already and offering 4 assists up to now this season. In his finest season in Italy, he recorded 10 objectives and 4 assists.
It is solely February and Koopmeiners has already just about surpassed that mark. His penalty was sufficient to get some extent away at San Siro and to proceed to dream a couple of return to the Champions League. For now, they’ll have fun an enormous attract Milan and they’re going to even be excited about their subsequent Serie A sport on Wednesday. And guess what, they are going to be again in Milan, this time to play Inter. — Julien Laurens
People overseas: McKennie the standout on a historic day for USMNT gamers
On a Sunday that noticed many USMNT gamers flourish for his or her golf equipment throughout the continent, the principle star was in Italy and particularly for Juventus as Weston McKennie‘s two assists helped his crew defeat Frosinone 3-2 to proceed their push for the Serie A title.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t completely satisfied information for the American midfielder as he could not end all the match and needed to be subbed out within the 87th minute attributable to a dislocated shoulder, thus lacking the last-minute winner from Daniele Rugani. His supervisor Massimiliano Allegri later confirmed the damage however could not present an replace on how critical it was.
General, it was nonetheless a memorable and historic day for the People overseas within the prime 5 leagues as for the primary time for the reason that 2006-07 season, 5 USMNT gamers contributed to a objective within the prime 5 European leagues in a single day.
2:14
Actual Betis vs. Athletic Bilbao – Recreation Highlights
Watch the Recreation Highlights from Actual Betis vs. Athletic Bilbao, 02/25/2024
We had Folarin Balogun scoring the opening objective in Monaco’s 3-2 win over Lens, Johnny Cardoso scoring the third and closing objective in Actual Betis’ 3-1 win over Athletic Membership, Luca de la Torre offering an help for Iago Aspas‘ opening objective for Celta Vigo of their 2-2 draw towards Cádiz and Timothy Chandler present an help to Omar Marmoush‘s last-minute equalizer to assist Eintracht Frankfurt earn some extent in a 2-2 draw towards Wolfsburg.
An eventful day for the People overseas! — Roberto Rojas
Information of the day
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Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos got here off the bench to exchange Kylian Mbappé and rating the last-minute equalizer to offer his facet some extent in a 1-1 draw towards Rennes. PSG proceed to prepared the ground in Ligue 1, unbeaten now of their 18 league matches and maintain an 11-point lead over second-placed Brest.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has stated Chris Kavanagh did not “have the extent” of the Carabao Cup closing after criticizing the referee for failing to take any motion towards Moisés Caicedo for his sort out on Ryan Gravenberch in his facet’s 1-0 win on Sunday. “There have been two groups combating very laborious, and the referee did not have the extent of the sport,” Klopp stated. “It [Caicedo’s challenge] was not even a foul? Then the fourth official explaining we can’t give a card… good thought.
And at last, on Sunday …
The objectives carry on coming for Lautaro Martínez as league leaders Inter ran away with a 4-0 win over Lecce to proceed prime of the Serie A, 9 factors above second-placed Juventus. The Argentine scored twice on the day nevertheless it was a historic second for the striker as he scored his one hundredth and one hundred and first league objectives respectively, whereas additionally changing into the fifth participant within the final 65 years to attain greater than 20 objectives in three consecutive Serie A seasons.
✅ 101 objectives in Serie A
✅ 22 objectives in 23 league appearances in 23/24Fairly merely, El Toro 🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/96UEwttEAA
— Inter (@Inter_en) February 25, 2024
“El Toro” continues to prepared the ground within the Capocannoniere race because the league’s prime goalscorer with 22 objectives, seven greater than Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović, who’s in second place. Whereas he was unfortunate to not rating in Inter’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid within the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League tie, Martinez will look to be again in full kind earlier than the return leg in Spain the place he hopes he can avenge his loss final yr by the hands of Manchester Metropolis the place he can assist Inter win a league and continental cup double. — Rojas
SATURDAY REVIEW
The Saturday lead: Defensive-first win helps Man Metropolis slender hole with Liverpool
After solely two clear sheets in 14 Premier League video games, Manchester Metropolis have now gone two matches in a row with out conceding a objective, and their 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday introduced them again only a level behind Liverpool having performed the identical variety of video games now.
For Man Metropolis to win Premier League once more for the fourth time in a row, amid an exciting title race with Liverpool and Arsenal, it might come all the way down to defence. Targets will at all times come for Metropolis, however defences are what win trophies. So for supervisor Pep Guardiola, getting defensive solidity out of his males would be the key.
To that finish, the presence and health of John Stones has been necessary. This was solely his ninth begin of the season in league play, and he confirmed how indispensable he’s for this crew, taking part in as a centre again and a central midfielder, like he did within the second half of final season on the way in which to the treble.
On the opposite finish, Phil Foden scored the one objective of the sport and can rightly get a lot of the plaudits. The 23-year-old was excellent once more in a central place for Metropolis, within the absence of Kevin De Bruyne who was left on the bench by Guardiola. Whether or not KDB isn’t totally match or Foden merely retains him out of the crew does not matter a lot — the actual fact is that Foden is clearly taking one other dimension this season.
Saturday’s objective was Foden’s sixteenth of the season in all competitions (9 within the Premier League), already equalling his finest scoring tally season from 2020-2021, and we’re solely in February. Until one thing dramatic occurs, he’ll smash his document. Foden additionally has 10 assists in all competitions up to now on this marketing campaign, only one wanting his season better of 11 from 2021-2022.
When Stones is obtainable and at his finest, when Foden is in this type of kind — like we noticed on Saturday — then the present champions are even more durable to play towards. And so they maintain the keys to their success, as a lot as anybody else, like Erling Haaland, Éderson or De Bruyne. — Julien Laurens
1:44
Why Man Metropolis have struggled just lately
Steve Nicol and Craig Burley react to Manchester Metropolis’s slender win over Bournemouth.
Saturday speaking factors round Europe’s leagues
Final-gasp Kane winner over Leipzig retains Bayern title hopes alive
4 days after the announcement that supervisor Thomas Tuchel will depart Bayern Munich on the finish of this season, the document German champions discovered themselves with their backs towards the wall. Bayer Leverkusen edged previous Mainz on Friday, which means Bayern trailed the league leaders by 11 factors on the desk going into their conflict with RB Leipzig.
Bayern Munich discovered the much-needed 2-1 win on Saturday over Leipzig, which closes the hole between them and first-placed Leverkusen to eight factors.
Tuchel’s facet took the lead after Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager didn’t clear the ball towards Jamal Musiala and as an alternative the ball was directed in direction of Harry Kane, who opened the scoring. Leipzig, nevertheless, began to be extra proactive and levelled within the seventieth minute because of skipper Willi Orbán making an look within the closing third and aiding Dani Olmo and Benjamin Šeško. The Slovenian striker’s shot would most likely haven’t examined Manuel Neuer, however Leon Goretzka deflected the try previous his goalkeeper.
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Kane urges Bayern to ‘maintain combating’ after late win vs. Leipzig
Harry Kane speaks after scoring a brace in Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over RB Leipzig within the Bundesliga.
As soon as once more, following a nice help by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, it was the prolific Kane who fired into the again of the web within the first minute of added time.
Despite the fact that Bayern have been going through the fifth-placed crew, the sport proved one-way visitors for lengthy durations as Leipzig sat deep inside their very own half, defending with admirable self-discipline. The guests have been apparently striving to take the air out of Munich’s Allianz Area — and have been fairly profitable in doing so.
After halftime, Tuchel took out a metallic tools field and positioned it in entrance of his dugout to take a seat nearer to the motion. The 50-year-old coach had determined to make use of Joshua Kimmich at right-back due to ongoing damage woes which have considerably weakened Bayern’s choices. Whereas Kimmich dislikes taking part in on the proper facet as an alternative of central midfield, Tuchel is not afraid to harm anybody’s emotions, as he indicated throughout his first press convention following the revelation of his departure.
Though they appear far off the tempo in the intervening time, Bayern do stay in rivalry for the title they usually might handle a comeback much like final season — it is simply that they not often safe victories as convincingly as they used to. — Constantin Eckner
Barça lastly look the a part of LaLiga contenders — however is it too late?
Barcelona cruised previous Getafe on the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, profitable 4-0 to maneuver inside 5 factors of LaLiga leaders Actual Madrid and maintain their faint title hopes alive. Raphinha opened the scoring earlier than the break, with João Félix, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López all on track within the second half as Barça delivered their finest efficiency of 2024.
Barça have been far too good for a cussed Getafe facet, who’ve prompted them issues in recent times, together with within the first week of the season when the assembly between the 2 groups ended goalless. Raphinha was despatched off in that match, however he gained some revenge right here, ending brilliantly to open the scoring after latching on to Jules Koundé‘s lengthy ball.
Xavi Hernández’s facet continued to seek out pleasure with lengthy passes, discovering Raphinha repeatedly in behind Getafe’s excessive line. The Brazilian blazed one likelihood over the bar and undercooked a move for Felix on one other event. These misses might have made for a nervy second half, however Barça have been far more scientific after the break.
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Barcelona maintain strain on Actual Madrid with 4-0 win vs. Getafe
Barcelona ease previous Getafe to shut the hole to Actual Madrid on the prime of LaLiga.
Felix struck the second from a nice cross from Andreas Christensen, as soon as once more taking part in in midfield, and De Jong added the third. Substitute López accomplished the scoring after Vitor Roque‘s shot was saved.
It was a show that would foster a lot wanted confidence for the remainder of the season. Barça are nonetheless alive within the Champions League after drawing 1-1 at Napoli within the first leg of their round-of-16 tie in midweek, whereas in LaLiga, having performed a sport extra, they’re now second, forward of Girona and simply 5 behind Madrid, who play Sevilla on Sunday.
“We nonetheless have time,” Xavi stated when requested if this efficiency arrived too late to resuscitate Barça’s up-and-down marketing campaign. “The Champions League is open. We’re within the battle for LaLiga. We’ve time — not within the [Spanish] Supercopa or the Copa del Rey — however within the different competitions.
“I’ve stated we cannot throw within the towel. That is 13 factors from 15 in LaLiga now, we’re in good kind. Till it is mathematically unattainable, we are going to maintain attempting to place strain on Girona and Madrid. To try this, we’ve to do our job, which is to win like we’ve accomplished immediately. We would have liked an enormous efficiency like this.” — Sam Marsden
People Overseas: Richards’ scores first Premier League objective; Reyna watch continues
An American scored has scored his first objective within the Premier League — sound the USMNT klaxon!
Chris Richards, the 23-year-old centerback from Alabama, nodded the ball into the again of the web for Crystal Palace, scoring what is going to technically go down because the game-winner towards Burnley.
It was a 3-0 rout for Palace after Burnley suffered an early pink card earlier than the objectives began. Burnley’s Josh Brownhill noticed straight pink within the thirty fifth minute for a takedown on an apparent goal-scoring alternative off a poor back-pass in entrance of objective, earlier than Richards discovered a breakthrough within the 68th minute.
AMERICAN CHRIS RICHARDS COMES UP BIG FOR CRYSTAL PALACE. 🇺🇸
The Alabama native heads residence on the again publish to offer the Eagles a vital lead! pic.twitter.com/lWaMQW8mY1
— NBC Sports activities Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 24, 2024
This objective comes at a reasonably nice time for Richards — it was the primary match for brand spanking new supervisor Oliver Glasner, and Richards’ objective undoubtedly made a powerful first impression. Richards has but to determine himself as a lock for the nationwide crew — he featured in simply six of the USMNT’s 18 matches in 2023, however is broadly seen as an necessary prospect for the long run.
Richards wasn’t the one USMNT participant who had an excellent Saturday:
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Jordan Pefok finds the again of the web for Borussia Monchengladbach
Jordan Pefok finds the again of the web for Borussia Monchengladbach
In the meantime, “Gio Reyna watch” continues — as in, let’s watch and see if he truly performs for brand spanking new his membership, Nottingham Forest. He did play on Saturday, however solely as an 81st-minute substitute who did not impression the sport in any respect.
Reyna may have one other likelihood to make his first Forest begin within the FA Cup on Wednesday when Forest host Manchester United (stream it live on ESPN+, U.S. only). — Caitlin Murray
Information of the day
And at last …
Queens Park Rangers confirmed late on Saturday that membership icon and former England worldwide Stan Bowles has handed away, aged 75.
Often known as “Stan the Man,” Bowles turned a cult determine within the Seventies for his maverick tendencies each on and off the pitch. A Manchester Metropolis graduate, Bowles joined QPR in 1972 and went on to make 315 league appearances for the membership, scoring 97 objectives, and narrowly lacking out on profitable the outdated First Division in 1975-76, ending runners-up to Liverpool.
As soon as implored by then QPR supervisor Tommy Docherty to “Belief me, Stan!” Bowles famously quipped: “I might slightly belief my chickens with Colonel Sanders.”
At all times an individualist, Bowles as soon as signed sponsorship offers with two completely different boot firms for a similar match and proceeded to put on one among every.
Capped 5 instances by England, Bowles’ well being deteriorated in his later years after being recognized Alzheimer’s illness in 2015. QPR have stated they’re planning a “becoming tribute” to “a darling of the Loftus Street terraces [and] undoubtedly one of many biggest gamers to have ever pulled on the well-known blue and white hoops.” — Mike Sensible
Stan Bowles.
Gone however by no means, ever to be forgotten.
The last word Loft legend 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/knhPJI6K1A
— QPR FC (@QPR) February 24, 2024