Barcelona discovered a brand new hero this weekend in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, simply as Manchester Metropolis have been reminded of the one which bought away as Harry Kane impressed Tottenham Hotspur. In the meantime, AC Milan’s huge two dropped factors of their Serie A title pushes, whereas Luis Suarez went all spectacular once more.
Listed here are Sam Marsden, Mark Ogden, Julien Laurens and James Tyler with what you could know from round Europe.
Go to: Speaking factors | Prime targets | Troubled groups | Weekend MVP
4 speaking factors
Aubameyang proclaims himself at Barcelona
The third might need been contentious, however the (up to date) document books present that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened his Barcelona account with a hat trick because the Catalan facet continued their upturn in kind underneath Xavi Hernandez with a formidable 4-1 LaLiga win at Valencia.
In simply his second begin since a free switch from Arsenal, Aubameyang netted both facet of a Frenkie de Jong strike as Barca raced right into a three-goal lead by half-time. Carlos Soler pulled one again after which fired simply huge as Valencia made a comeback try, however the hosts’ hopes ended when Pedri scored with a strong strike from 25 yards.
Or so it appeared. Solely later, after replays confirmed the ball had taken the slightest deflection off his again, was Aubameyang awarded the objective. Barca later posted a video on social media, with the smiling Gabonese striker clutching the match ball, which was signed by his teammates.
Pedri might not have gotten the objective, however he did get reward aplenty from Xavi — “There isn’t any participant on the earth with as a lot expertise as him, and he’s solely 19!” — after coming off the bench for the ultimate half-hour to assist wrestle again management.
Barca are unbeaten in 9 LaLiga video games and stay within the fourth and remaining Champions League spot. They’ve taken 69% of the factors accessible underneath Xavi, with that haul of 25 factors from 36 accessible displaying marked enchancment on Ronald Koeman’s document of 15 from 30. — Marsden
HIGHLIGHTS | @Auba and @Pedri shine in convincing @FCBarcelona triumph at Mestalla! ⚡️
🎬 #ValenciaBarça pic.twitter.com/Q8SH4T0Gna
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) February 20, 2022
Smith Rowe, Saka are symbols of Arsenal optimism
One thing good is starting to occur at Arsenal. Whether or not Mikel Arteta’s facet can clinch Champions League this season stays to be seen, however the fashion of their 2-1 victory in opposition to Brentford pointed towards a vibrant future, and two causes for the thrill stem from scorers Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.
Between them, the children have scored 16 league targets this season — Smith Rowe leads 9-7 — and their aptitude and journey have seen them turn out to be figureheads of a facet that lastly seems to be on the right track after years of drift.
Arsenal caught by Arteta as he cleared out under-performing excessive earners reminiscent of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Now, although extra ups and downs will come, the power on the supervisor’s disposal means Gunners followers have purpose to imagine their staff could be a true power to be reckoned with. — Ogden
Milan golf equipment slip, Serie A race tightens
Whereas some European leagues already seem to have champions-elect, Italy’s prime flight continues to serve up twists and turns, with this weekend’s motion seeing leaders AC Milan and Inter, in second, dropping factors to spice up the hopes of third-place Napoli, who journey to Cagliari on Monday figuring out they’ll go prime with a win.
Milan opened the scoring inside 5 minutes at bottom-side Salernitana, solely to be glad about an Ante Rebic objective to assert some extent from a 2-2 draw, whereas Inter have been shocked at dwelling by Sassuolo, who scored twice within the opening half hour and by no means appeared again.
The stress of a title race is taking a toll: Milan have received solely two of their final 5 league video games and Inter are winless in three, which opens the door for Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli, who’ve taken 17 of a doable 21 factors for the reason that begin of 2022 after a troublesome spell of their very own in December. — Laurens
Liverpool keep Premier League title stress
You possibly can perceive why issues felt just a little “second gear” for Liverpool in opposition to Norwich at Anfield. The Canaries’ struggles make them simple prey — with 4 wins in 25 video games, they’re probably getting ready for an additional season within the Championship — but it took greater than an hour for Jurgen Klopp’s facet to search out their stride.
After the spectacular Milot Rashica scored in opposition to the run of play, Liverpool roused themselves. Sadio Mane’s acrobatic scissor kick pulled them degree, earlier than Mohamed Salah’s a hundred and fiftieth objective for the membership — through an help from goalkeeper Alisson that induced panic in goalkeeper Angus Gunn and his defence — made it 2-1 three minutes later. Luis Diaz then capped a dizzying final half hour along with his first in pink.
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All of which drew Klopp’s males nearer to the previously-thought-untouchable Man Metropolis, though it did depart you questioning why attacking panache took so lengthy. Regardless, this Liverpool squad has weathered accidents and Africa Cup of Nations absences, rotated steadily and bolstered in January.
And now, they lie simply six factors again of Man Metropolis, with a sport in hand and an Etihad Stadium journey to return. Buckle up! — Tyler
2:53
The ESPN FC crew reacts to Manchester Metropolis’s 3-2 loss to Tottenham.
Three must-see targets
Merlin magic helps Nantes beat PSG
Three days after the likes of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior did not muster a shot on track, not to mention a objective, in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League, Nantes left-back Quentin Merlin scored his first objective as an expert in a shocking Ligue 1 win in opposition to the French champions.
From the sting of the penalty space, 19-year-old Merlin hit the purest, most perfect left-foot strike you will notice this season to lodge the ball within the top-right nook, rooting Keylor Navas to the spot. Whereas Alban Lafont was participant of the match for great saves to disclaim Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Co., this sport will likely be remembered for Merlin’s second of magic. — Laurens
Goooooolaaazoooo, el Nantes no cree en nadie, Merlin sacó magia para ponerla en el ángulo y ampliar la ventaja native ante el PSG #FCNPSG pic.twitter.com/nfga1FBGxR
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) February 19, 2022
Larsen will get on his bike for Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim left it fairly late to get a win at Wolfsburg, however Jacob Bruun Larsen started the comeback from a objective down in fashion when he managed to swing his leg up and over to fulfill a Pavel Kaderabek header, slicing a shot past the helpless goalkeeper Koen Casteels from shut vary.
Bruun Larsen has had a troublesome time since struggling to reside as much as expectations at Borussia Dortmund, however the 23-year-old winger made the mandatory impression on this event and set the stage for Andrej Kramaric to thump dwelling Christoph Baumgartner’s low cross, sealing victory for top-four-chasing Hoffenheim. — Tyler
0:52
Hoffenheim’s Jacob Bruun Larsen brings them equal with an outstanding scissor kick.
Suarez caps much-needed Atletico win
Luis Suarez had scored simply as soon as in his final 15 membership video games, resulting in questions on his place within the staff, in addition to his long-term future on the prime degree, however he silenced his critics with a shocking 40-yard lob in a 3-0 win at Osasuna that boosted Atletico’s top-four hopes.
The previous Barcelona striker, who turned 35 final month, noticed goalkeeper Sergio Herrera off his line as Atletico countered and executed the finish perfectly. The objective drew comparisons with one scored by the Uruguayan striker against Norwich in 2012, whereas taking part in for Liverpool within the Premier League. — Marsden
WHAT A FINISH FROM LUIS SUAREZ 😲🔥 pic.twitter.com/nve9B28IaX
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 19, 2022
Two groups that must be anxious
Indicators don’t augur properly for Augsburg
Ricardo Pepi’s Bundesliga transfer in January was the most recent accomplishment in a outstanding rise for the U.S. nationwide staff striker, however his new membership goes to search out it laborious to stay within the German prime flight given an ongoing wrestle to gather factors, the most recent of which got here in a 2-1 dwelling defeat to Freiburg.
It was Augsburg’s fourth reverse in six video games and it supplied contemporary frustration: A chic counter-attack objective by Michael Gregoritsch cancelled out Nils Pedersen’s early header for Wolfsburg, however goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz gifted the guests a second, after which Augsburg created little — the xG for the sport was a one-sided 0.96-2.49 — even after Pepi got here on as an Eightieth-minute substitute.
It sounds bizarre to say their place within the backside three is a optimistic level, however it’s true: Mendacity sixteenth, they’re above a Greuther Furth facet that appear sunk and a Stuttgart staff which have amassed simply two factors since early December. Augsburg can be favourites to remain up through a relegation playoff, however time is working out. — Tyler
2:06
Targets from Nils Petersen and Nico Schlotterbeck sees Freiburg transfer to fifth within the Bundesliga.
Sevilla struggling on the unsuitable time
Sevilla did not beat Espanyol and their probabilities of reeling in LaLiga leaders Actual Madrid are going to vanish if they can not flip attracts into wins. Julen Lopetegui’s facet led via Papu Gomez on the RCDE Stadium, however went on to attract 1-1 to slide six factors behind Madrid, who beat Alaves.
Ending second, and subsequently forward of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, would signify an enormous step ahead for Sevilla, who haven’t ended a season within the prime two since 1957, however there can even be a tinge of disappointment if title hopes fade due to attracts in opposition to groups within the backside half.
Since dropping to Madrid in November, Sevilla are unbeaten in 11 league video games, however have been held in 4 of their final 5 and have received simply three of their final eight. Subsequent weekend is the derby in opposition to Actual Betis, who’re third and, with a win, would minimize the hole on their native rivals to 2 factors. –– Marsden
HIGHLIGHTS | @SergiDarder earned @RCDEspanyol some extent in opposition to Sevilla FC earlier right this moment. 🐦
📺 #EspanyolSevillaFC pic.twitter.com/rnyNLxqyQe
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) February 20, 2022
Weekend MVP
Kane hurts Man Metropolis in additional methods than one
2:04
ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop praises Harry Kane and Antonio Conte following Tottenham’s 3-2 victory over Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League.
No person had a greater weekend than Harry Kane, nevertheless it was all concerning the timing for the Tottenham striker, whose two targets in a 3-2 win at Man Metropolis not solely blew the Premier League title race huge open, but additionally confirmed the champions precisely what they missed by failing to signal him final summer season.
The 28-year-old displayed all the things that made him a precedence goal for Pep Guardiola, making Tottenham’s first objective with a pinpoint move to Son Heung-Min — who teed up Dejan Kulusevski — then placing on a centre-forward masterclass within the second half to dominate centre-halves Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte.
Kane conjured a first-time end to make it 2-1 after which, moments after Riyad Mahrez appeared to have saved some extent for the hosts with a penalty, headed a fantastic winner. Certainly, and not using a VAR reversal early within the second half, when Kulusevski strayed offside at the beginning of a transfer that led to a objective, the England captain would have had a hat trick.
Because it was, two was sufficient to spice up Spurs’ top-four hopes and full a home-and-away league double over Metropolis. Guardiola’s facet have accomplished fairly properly with out Kane, however the participant, whose £160m valuation was deemed too excessive, confirmed they missed out on a world-class striker. — Ogden
