Another weekend of headlines, golazos and unpredictable endings in Europe’s major leagues. From Dortmund’s collapse to Leeds United’s dominant performance against Chelsea, there was no shortage of drama.
ESPN reporters Rob Dawson, Alex Kirkland, Julian Laurens, Sam Marsden, James Tyler and James Olley break down the weekend you Great things to know.
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Jump to: Talking Points | Best Goals | Troubled Teams | Weekend MVP
TALKING POINTS
City ready for a wild title defense?
Can this Premier League season continue to be so unpredictable, ending in a surprise? It’s too early to say, but it’s interesting to think about it when we can. Manchester United and Liverpool face off on Monday as both sides seek their first win, while Chelsea struggled at Leeds on Sunday as Manchester City had to fight back from a two-goal loss to clinch a 3-3 draw with Newcastle United.
Manchester City will remain favourites despite dropping points at St James’ Park, but the result at least shows Guardiola’s reigning champions look fragile. Arsenal, meanwhile, are starting their first three-game winning streak since 2004, with Tottenham taking seven points from a possible nine.
This season is going to be a strange one with a break for the World Cup in November and December, maybe it could produce a surprise winner. Who knew after such a roller coaster started? — Dawson
– The best and worst shirts of the last 30 years in the Premier League
Dortmund’s familiar nightmare
The resurgence of the season, eh? Haaland’s long goodbye has contributed a lot to Dortmund’s smart acquisitions in the summer, especially moves to address the chaotic defence that has hindered their proper title challenge in recent years. Nico Schlotterbeck is a shrewd signing, and Niklas Sule wouldn’t be so bad after winning so many trophies at Bayern Munich, would it?
Closing the game proved to be the real hallmark champions, and Saturday’s humbling defeat against Werder Bremen showed just how far they had to go.
It took Dortmund almost 75 minutes to go 2-0 at home before returning to the Bundesliga this season after spending a year in the Bundesliga. Julian Brandt’s long shot sneaked into another low-percent shot before halftime, this time by Rafael Guerrero’s world-class player to double the lead.
From there, slaughter, as Emre Can, Sule and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel seemed to forget how to mark, suppress or close the shot angle as the visitors scored after the 89th minute Three woefully easy goals to score.
– Watch it again: Dortmund 2-3 Werder Bremen, ESPN+
Bremen substitute Oliver Burke is at the heart of most of it, but despite thanks to the counter-attack, Dortmund fans must fear yet another long season of self-inflicted mistakes doomed any chance of success. If the season starts with two clean career wins, beating Bayern Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin, it will be a wake-up call for Erin Terzic and his team-mates. — Taylor
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Jamie Bynoe-Gittens’ interview was interrupted by Werder Bremen’s loud celebrations following their comeback win over Borussia Dortmund.
In ‘PENAL GOAL’
Last week we saw a grumpy and disgruntled Kylian Mbappe Mbappe) in controversy over what was deemed a “penalty goal” for his attitude towards Montpellier. On Sunday, we were overjoyed again after he scored nine seconds in Paris Saint-Germain’s rout of Lille, one of the fastest goals in French football history. What’s most impressive is not just how quickly the goal was scored (nor the 7-1 final score) – the goal itself was excellent, from what you saw on the training ground!
Neymar passes to Verratti, then to Neymar, who passes the ball for Lionel Messi in the middle circle and sends a perfect through ball for Mbappe The ball, Mbappe’s perfect movement and the perfect touch of Lille goalkeeper Leo Jardim.
The Paris Saint-Germain player’s reaction is very telling. They almost over-celebrated because they did that game in training and were happy to recreate it in the actual game. It ended all the tension of last weekend and brought a smile back to the face of Mbappe, who finished with a hat-trick. If you add in the performances of Neymar (2 goals, 3 assists) and Messi (1 goal, 2 assists), it was a perfect night for Paris Saint-Germain. –Lawrence
‘Yellow Submarine’ Cruise
Villa Real set the stage for the season with an impressive 2-0 win at Atletico Madrid on Sunday to take six points from six in La Liga. Jeremiah Pino opened the scoring in the 73rd minute of a fierce clash as Gerard Moreno was sent off after summer signing Navel Molina was sent off on his home debut at Atletico Madrid. The score was locked in stoppage time.
This victory will fuel belief that Unai Emery’s side can return to the Champions League. After reaching the semi-finals of the European Classic last season and losing to Liverpool, Villarreal will only participate in the Europa League this round after ranking seventh in La Liga.
Still, the top four should be within reach this year. Pino is an exciting winger whose debut has already benefited behind him, while Jose Luis Morales has added depth to their attack. Emery’s teams are usually well-trained and hard to break down. The key, though, is keeping striker Moreno healthy.
It’s early days, but this win over Atletico, combined with a slow start for Sevilla, puts Villarreal in a good position . — Marsden
Target
Saliba sends the Gunners flying
William Saliba at Arsenal on Saturday after scoring an own goal against Leicester City last week For the first time in his career, he scored on the right end. What a good goal this is. The 21-year-old decided to accept Granit Xhaka’s suspension for the first time, completing a fine finish on Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers’ left-footed float to seal 3-0 for the Gunners victory.
Higher follow-up proved it wasn’t a fluke: the flight was well thought out, precise and worthy of a center. Oleksandr Zinchenko, standing behind Saliba, fell to his knees with his head in his hands, struck down by the majesty of it all.
— American Premier League (@PLinUSA) August 20, 2022
Emotional Arsenal fans on the south coast, who serenaded Saliba throughout the game, celebrated by running to the wrong corner and kneeling in front of the home supporters. Don’t worry – those Gunners fans are only going to love him more now. –Oli
Modrich Magic Set Vinicius Beauty
Luka Modric’s first-half goal may have been the most dramatic moment in Real’s 4-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday, but Modric’s first-half goal at Real Madrid The role played in Game 3 both defined the game and summed up Carlo Ancelotti’s efficient counter-attacking machine.
There is probably no more dangerous team than anywhere right now. Celta weren’t bad at Varados, but they were torn apart relentlessly as the second half began. The move that led to Vinicius Jr. calmly bypassing goalkeeper Agustín Malcesine and finishing from an angle started with Aurelian Chuameni’s block in the Madrid penalty area. In his own half, the danger was obvious: Celta had players on the pitch and Vinicius was ready to run behind. Modric’s pass still required skillful timing and perfect weighting, so split defenders Hugo Maro and Unai Nunes in half at the centre line, allowing Vinicius to score.
3-1, it looked like it was game over; another break from Federico Valverde confirmed it 10 minutes later. — Alex Kirkland
Pefok playing for Union Berlin again
The US Men’s National Team is still waiting – forwards will be making their mark ahead of the World Cup and several have tried in the past 12 months But failed, they claimed to start in Qatar. Will Jordan Pefok end up being that guy?
The striker has wasted little time settling at Union Berlin since leaving Switzerland’s Young Boys team this summer, scoring his third in four games a goal. The team beat RB Leipzig 2-1 on Saturday. He wrapped up a clever counter-attack after Janic Haberle and Sherardo Becker combined to allow the striker to score, and Pefok swept the ball past a helpless Janis Boulevard. Raswich, for the opener.
Becker added one more before half-time as the Bundesliga underdogs remained despite Willy Orban’s goal for Leipzig with less than half an hour left Hold on to an impressive victory. Three games later, the league standings are looking fun and trendy, with the league in second place with 5 points, thanks in large part to Pefok. Is his next goal the World Cup? On this form, it’s hard to deny him.
Troubled Team
Sevilla are already struggling
Sevilla won just three of their last 12 games last season, going from being Real Madrid’s closest title challenger to finally securing a fourth and final Champions League spot. This form has accompanied them into the new season after a difficult summer in which they were forced to sell two centre-backs, Diego Carlos to Aston Villa and Jules Kund to Barcelona .
After starting the season with a loss to Osasuna, they were fortunate to draw with Valladolid at home this weekend. Anuar Tuhami gave Valladolid a surprise lead on 10 minutes, only for Karim Rekic to equalise in the closing moments after a huge error from goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo. Requique’s goal saved a point, but Sevilla lost winger Jesus “Tecatito” Corona to a leg injury last week, who will need a big deal with coach Julen Lopetegui already under pressure. improve. — Marsden
West Ham are weak
3 losses, 0 goals and 5 losses in 3 league games: West Ham United are at the bottom of the Premier League, Neither was accidental nor accidental. Worryingly, they are already in a lot of trouble. Against Brighton and Hove Albion at home (0-2) on Sunday, they were beaten again and, like Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, they probably didn’t deserve a victory.
David Moyes can argue he has some injuries and clubs are finding it really difficult to recruit the players they want this summer. However, all of his stars from last season are still there, and the momentum last season was really strong Wu. Things could get worse with a trip to fellow strugglers Aston Villa next, ahead of games against Chelsea and Tottenham. — Lawrence
Weekend MVP
Marsch Jean Leeds Goofy
When Leeds United named Jesse Marsch on relegation rescue mission, there was a lot Doubtful, but he does a good job of keeping the doubters silent. There were some tense moments at the end of last season, but Leeds United performed well enough to stay in the Premier League and now they are making the most of their lifeline.
Marsch, who has led the team to an unbeaten start to the new season after he had to deal with the transfers of key players Calvin Phillips (Manchester City) and Rafinha (Barcelona). Against Chelsea, the American proved he can match Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world.
Leeds dominated Tuchel’s side with a 3-0 win over Aaronson, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison thanks to a Brendon goal. If anything, Chelsea were flattered by the results after Marsh’s tactical plans worked like clockwork. Whether it’s being in the spotlight as an American manager or tough times for Red Bull RB Leipzig have heightened the scrutiny of Marsh, the former MLS midfielder seems to revel in it – Dawson
Dortmund’s familiar nightmare
