European soccer news: Felix the difference-maker for Barcelona

Ah, one other weekend of soccer throughout Europe’s high leagues is upon us, which implies jubilation, heartbreak and a little bit of schadenfreude — relying on who you assist, in fact.

The weekend began in the Premier League with Arsenal getting a win that was a little bit of a blended bag, whereas Manchester United had been leapfrogged by a superior Newcastle United. In LaLiga, Toni Kroos placed on a splendid turn-back-the-clock efficiency for Real Madrid whereas Girona — the shock No. 2 on the league desk — staged an exciting comeback win. The Bundesliga obtained partially snowed in and, in Serie A, Christian Pulisic scored as AC Milan tallied a snug win.

On Sunday, Barcelona went three factors forward of Atletico Madrid in third place after profitable 1-0, Fulham suffered a dramatic 4-3 loss to Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen performed out a 1-1 draw.

There’s a lot to get to, so how about we cease dilly-dallying and get to it then?

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

SUNDAY REVIEW

The Sunday lead: Félix makes the distinction for Barça in opposition to guardian membership

João Félix stood on the promoting hoardings, arms stretch out. It needed to be him. The Portuguese ahead scored the solely aim of the sport as Barcelona secured an important three factors in opposition to Atlético Madrid — the workforce he’s on mortgage from — at the Olympic Stadium.

Anything however a win would have seen Barça lose floor on joint leaders Real Madrid and Girona, who each received on Saturday. Instead, it was Atlético who fell seven factors behind the high two, though they might transfer stage with Barça, 4 factors again, in the event that they win their sport in hand.

The buildup to Sunday’s sport had been dominated by Félix. The week had been full of mudslinging between him and his ex-teammates following his summer time transfer to Barça. He says they’d be mendacity in the event that they did not admit they’d quite play extra attacking soccer. They say he by no means discovered any consistency in Madrid. It stays to be seen what occurs at the finish of the season, when in idea he is due again at Atlético.

All that issues for now, although, is the current. He scored the solely aim of the sport in the twenty eighth minute, dinking brilliantly over previous sparring companion Jan Oblak in the customer’s aim after being fed by Raphinha. There was by no means any doubt about him celebrating in opposition to his guardian membership. In Atlético colors, he failed to attain in 17 video games in opposition to Barça or Madrid; it took only one to internet in opposition to the Rojiblancos.

Félix’s aim was simply reward for an excellent first half from Barça. Chances got here and went for Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Félix earlier than the opener. There was a penalty shout for a foul on Félix as effectively, a kind of maybe given elsewhere on the pitch however not right here as a result of he had obtained his shot away, Oblak making the save.

Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gündoğan ran sport from base of midfield, Pedri confirmed glimpses of his finest type forward of them and Jules Koundé regarded good at right-back. But with the second aim eluding them, Atlético remained in the sport. Raphinha hit the submit after the break earlier than a late push from the Diego Simeone’s facet.

Memphis Depay, returning to his former membership, noticed his free kick fantastically tipped on to the bar by Iñaki Peña, as soon as once more changing the injured Marc-André ter Stegen. Ángel Correa then shot straight at Peña at the dying. In between, Lewandowski missed an opportunity to clinch the factors after an excellent solo run.

Per week in the past, Xavi Hernández was underneath stress. A win in opposition to FC Porto, reserving Barça’s place in the Champions League knockout levels, and this victory over Atlético will preserve the critics at bay. Only for per week, thoughts, as leaders Girona go to subsequent week and as Xavi says: “Each win only buys me some peace until the next match.” — Sam Marsden

João Félix stated in the summer time that it “was always my dream since I was a child” to play for Barcelona earlier than he joined the membership on mortgage.

Earlier this week, he credited his type this season to being “more happy” by lastly attaining his dream of taking part in for Barcelona and stated he… pic.twitter.com/hJ8hjDGZhe

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 3, 2023

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Sunday speaking factors round the leagues

Alexander-Arnold rescues Liverpool in model

Not many individuals would have predicted a troublesome and laborious afternoon for Liverpool at residence in opposition to Fulham on Sunday. The Reds had received their six Premier League video games at Anfield to this point this season, scoring 17 targets and conceding solely two.

Surely, the west London facet wouldn’t be totally different from some other guests this marketing campaign. Yet, this proved to be Liverpool’s hardest opponent at residence and it is solely by means of the sheer brilliance of Trent Alexander-Arnold that Jurgen Klopp’s males managed to make it an ideal seven with one other win. The England right-back scored the profitable aim in the 4-3 win in the 88th minute with a stunning half-volley in a midfielder function he occupied for the final 25 minutes of the sport.

In his standard right-back place earlier than that, he was a key half in every little thing good and unhealthy his workforce did: he was very inventive and decisive with the ball and sloppy and poor defensively with out the ball like the remainder of the workforce. Liverpool might and may have scored extra however, extra importantly, they must lower these defensive errors in the event that they wish to problem for the title this season. They had been far too open once more and lacked management, particularly in midfield.

For now, they’ve overtaken Manchester City in the desk and that is sufficient to please their supervisor and supporters. — Julien Laurens

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Borussia Dortmund finish Bayer Leverkusen’s profitable streak as Bundesliga conflict ends in draw

With Bayern Munich’s sport in opposition to Union Berlin being postponed resulting from the dramatic climate circumstances in southern Germany, all eyes had been on Sunday’s conflict between Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund. The hole between the two was 10 factors going into matchday 13 of the Bundesliga, as Leverkusen had solely dropped factors as soon as this season, after they drew with Bayern in mid-September. Since then, the Xabi Alonso-led facet had received eight league video games in a row.

Dortmund, regardless of some underwhelming performances this yr, proved to be a tricky take a look at for Leverkusen. The roles grew to become fairly clear from the opening whistle. Dortmund had been attempting to hit Leverkusen with transition assaults whereas the hosts had been decided to have management over the ball and suffocate BVB that means. Dortmund struck with their first attacking play, as Niclas Füllkrug defended the ball very effectively in opposition to Edmond Tapsoba earlier than taking part in it to Julian Ryerson who broke by means of coming from the left wing. While Füllkrug has not scored many targets since his transfer from Werder Bremen in August, he typically finds himself in the Olivier Giroud function, in that he’s a beneficial contributor to Dortmund’s assault by means of his potential to safe the ball and help the fast-paced gamers round him.

Following Dortmund’s aim in the fifth minute, the sport at BayArena grew to become an virtually one-sided affair, as Leverkusen made try after try and progress with the ball downfield and discover gaps in Dortmund’s defence. While Alonso’s gamers as soon as once more confirmed an incredible understanding of positional play and how you can use ball possession successfully, they’d a tough time taking part in that excellent ultimate move. Dortmund’s again line led by Mats Hummels, who has been in stellar type not too long ago, is changing into extra secure by the week. Still, in some unspecified time in the future Leverkusen needed to get by means of the bulwark and get their probability to attain.

The equaliser got here seconds after Alonso had introduced on Patrik Schick in the 79th minute, as Schick obtained the ball from Odilon Kossounou after which used the free area he needed to discover Victor Boniface with an exquisite move in the 6-yard field. Schick was type of forgotten about due to a number of accidents sidelining him for virtually a yr, whereas Boniface arrived throughout the summer time and took the Czech’s spot. But Alonso could keep in mind his days at Liverpool when Rafa Benítez used ahead pairings like Harry Kewell and Milan Baroš efficiently, and the present Leverkusen boss might take into account using each Schick, a technical striker, and Boniface, a dynamic centre-forward, collectively.

Leverkusen at the moment are main the Bundesliga by three factors forward of Bayern, who might overtake Alonso’s workforce by profitable the postponed sport in opposition to Union Berlin. In any case, what Sunday’s sport has proven is that the high groups of the league have distinct types and may supply entertaining video games. — Constantin Eckner

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Americans Abroad: Tough loss for Robinson, Ream whereas Reyna overlooked once more

Despite a stable efficiency from defenders Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson (the latter notched an help), Fulham suffered a dramatic 4-3 loss to Liverpool. Robinson was glorious, making 14 interceptions and profitable eight duels in addition to offering the cross for his facet’s first aim. That’s now aim contributions in 5 straight video games for membership and nation for the left-back. Meanwhile, Ream captained his facet and had a aim disallowed for offside. Fulham now sit 14th in the desk.

Elsewhere, Chris Richards obtained his first begin since September for Crystal Palace in a 1-1 draw vs. West Ham United. The 23-year-old is a defender by commerce, however was deployed in midfield for the Eagles, the place he impressed and held his personal after profitable 11 of his 13 duels. Richards will hope his efficiency earns him extra minutes and a beginning spot as Palace gear up for a jam-packed December schedule.

In the Bundesliga, Gio Reyna was left on the bench in Dortmund’s 1-1 draw in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen. We can guess at the causes, nevertheless it’s clear that the 21-year-old might use a transfer elsewhere this January switch window as the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce prepares for the 2024 Copa America.

Finally, in Ligue 1, Folarin Balogun was taken off in the 74th minute for Monaco after registering just one shot on course. The 22-year-old has registered one aim in the previous eight video games and 4 in complete in the league this marketing campaign. In this run of type, he is a far shout from his glorious numbers final season when he netted 21 targets.

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Sunday’s information

• Man City’s Erling Haaland may very well be charged by the English Football Association after criticising a controversial late determination by referee Simon Hooper throughout Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham with a submit on X saying, “Wtf.” City had been denied a match-winning probability 5 minutes into stoppage time when Hooper stopped play when Jack Grealish raced onto a by means of ball by Haaland. Asked about Haaland’s response, City supervisor Pep Guardiola stated, “It’s normal. His reaction was the same for 10 players. The rules are you cannot talk with the referees or fourth officials, so we should have had 10 players sent off today. He’s a little bit disappointed.”

• Cordoba defender Dragisa Gudelj was in good situation after collapsing in the first half of a Spanish third-division sport in opposition to Melilla on Sunday, eight months after struggling a cardiac arrest throughout one other match. Cordoba stated the 26-year-old Gudelj was doing effectively and present process exams in a hospital in Melilla. In March, the sport between Cordoba and Racing Ferrol was deserted early in the first half after Gudelj collapsed and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

• Inter Milan thrashed defending Serie A champions Napoli 3-0 to go high of the desk, with Juventus two factors behind. Napoli now sit in fifth place after an underwhelming begin to their title protection.

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And lastly …

Fans had been handled to a heartwarming picture of Bayer Leverkusen striker Boniface’s grandmother and Granit Xhaka assembly after the draw in opposition to Dortmund. Boniface scored in the 79th minute to equalize and prolonged his workforce’s 20-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. Grandma Boniface was additionally seen celebrating with the followers after her grandson’s aim.

Boniface has eight targets and 5 assists in 13 league matches this season, and we’ll hope for many extra if it means healthful moments like these.

Xhaka and senior man ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GGFc1n7byC

— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) December 3, 2023

SATURDAY REVIEW

The Saturday lead: Arsenal begin quick lastly, however nonetheless permit nerves in win over Wolves

There has been lots of discuss round Arsenal this week about “game states” — and that may proceed regardless of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday at Emirates Stadium.

Manager Mikel Arteta has defined an absence of fluency in a few of the Gunners’ play this season by a failure to attain early and to alter the state of a match of their favour, creating stress they might in any other case keep away from. After thrashing Lens 6-0 in midweek, it appeared Arsenal had been making additional headway in bettering on their quick begins on Saturday by racing right into a 2-0 lead over Wolves after simply 13 minutes.

To underline the level Arteta has been making, Saturday was the first time this season they’d scored in the opening quarter-hour of a Premier League match — and a few of the soccer Arsenal performed was chic. Bukayo Saka continued his influential type by forcing his means by means of the Wolves defence to attain on six minutes. An exquisite workforce aim featured Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus combining for a pullback, which Martin Odegaard transformed with aplomb.

Yet, regardless of Wolves providing little menace, Arsenal managed to inject some jeopardy right into a sport that was lengthy there for the taking. Zinchenko misplaced the ball cheaply in his personal field, permitting Matheus Cunha to fireside in 4 minutes from time to arrange a needlessly nervy finale. Substitute Eddie Nketiah wasted an excellent probability to complete Wolves off two minutes later, hitting the submit when clear by means of.

Although no harm was accomplished, Arteta will know there may be nonetheless work to be accomplished to show Arsenal into the similar ruthless machine Manchester City have lengthy been in matches like this. That stated, the Gunners spent Saturday night time having fun with a four-point lead at the high of the desk with Luton to return in midweek. — James Olley

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Saturday speaking factors round the leagues

Kroos turns again the clock, leads injury-ridden Real Madrid to a different win

Injuries imply that Real Madrid are presently with out Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric in midfield — however so long as Toni Kroos is at the coronary heart of the workforce, they do not have an excessive amount of to fret about.

Yes, the German’s legs don’t get any faster at 33 — coach Carlo Ancelotti compensates for Kroos’ lack of tempo by taking part in perpetual movement machine Fede Valverde alongside him — however his velocity of thought stays unmatched.

At the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, Kroos offered the second of excellent high quality in Madrid’s 2-0 LaLiga win over Granada with a contribution that showcased his potential to execute faster, and extra precisely, than simply about anyone else. In the twenty sixth minute, Kroos met Brahim Díaz’s move infield with a cushioned, first-time by means of ball which cut up the Granada defence and put Diaz one-on-one with substitute goalkeeper André Ferreira.

Diaz’s end was composed and exact, however the proven fact that so many teammates — David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger and Jude Bellingham amongst them — ran to congratulate Kroos first earlier than turning to have a good time with Diaz spoke volumes. This was as a lot Kroos’ aim as Diaz’s. And it was an indication of why, each time he can, Ancelotti nonetheless finds a spot for Kroos in the midfield.

It wasn’t simply the help. Kroos had extra touches (148) and accomplished extra passes (124 of 132 tried) than some other participant on the Bernabeu pitch.

There had been notable roles too for Bellingham — who can have been disillusioned to not rating — and Rodrygo Goes, too, who adopted up when the Englishman’s second-half shot was saved to seize his seventh aim in 5 video games.

But the star was Kroos. Let’s get pleasure from him whereas we nonetheless can. — Alex Kirkland

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Manchester United’s loss to Newcastle raises a query: Where’s Varane?

Of all the points at Manchester United at the second (and there are a lot) Raphaël Varane’s disappearance from supervisor Erik ten Hag’s plans is a major one.

Against Newcastle on Saturday, Varane was once more left on the bench as Ten Hag picked Harry Maguire and left-back Luke Shaw as his centre-back pairing. In midweek in opposition to Galatasaray, Victor Lindelöf was chosen forward of him and, since the 3-2 defeat to the Turkish champions at Old Trafford on Oct. 3, Varane has began simply one in all United’s final 11 video games.

United have leaked 34 targets in 21 matches in all competitions — together with 14 in 5 video games in the Champions League — and nonetheless the French World Cup-winner cannot get a sport.

It’s attainable that by January, Ten Hag will even have Lisandro Martínez and Jonny Evans match and obtainable — and it would not be a shock if there was important curiosity in Varane in the subsequent switch window. The 30-year-old has been linked with strikes to Bayern Munich and the Saudi Pro League and if different golf equipment come calling, you possibly can perceive the temptation to discover a recent begin someplace else.

Still, Maguire’s resurgence has proven that, even in the impossible instances, there’s a means again for gamers underneath Ten Hag — however Varane would have each proper to be rising stressed on the bench. — Rob Dawson

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Girona’s thrilling comeback the newest clue the joint LaLiga leaders are in for a particular season

Something particular is cooking at Girona — and never simply the ginormous paella served as much as followers exterior the stadium earlier than Saturday’s thrilling late comeback win in opposition to Valencia at Montilivi.

Michel’s facet play on the entrance foot and after going a aim all the way down to Valencia they didn’t abandon their ideas. They pressed and harried till the finish and obtained their reward in the ultimate 10 minutes, substitute Yan Couto establishing Cristhian Stuani for each of the targets.

“They move you around and they play with you,” stated Valencia scorer Hugo Duro at full time. “They are a magnificent side. There’s a reason they are up the top.”

The profitable aim despatched Michel racing down the touchline to have a good time along with his gamers in entrance of a 13,343 sell-out crowd. As Girona sit stage on factors with Real Madrid on the LaLiga desk, the perception that they’ll obtain one thing historic this season is rising. With 38 factors from a attainable 45, it is not exhausting to see why.

They as soon as once more finish the weekend as joint leaders with Real Madrid. Next Sunday? The small matter of a visit to Catalan neighbours Barcelona. — Sam Marsden

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Americans Abroad: Koleosho scores first Premier League aim; Pulisic reaches Serie A targets document for USMNT

U.S. males’s nationwide workforce followers could not have heard of Luca Koleosho, however after this weekend that might change. The American-born winger scored his first Premier League aim on Saturday for Burnley’s win over Sheffield United. It was the fourth aim in a five-goal rout, however nonetheless an enormous milestone for Koleosho.

The 19-year-old was born in Connecticut, however moved to Spain at a younger age to pursue his soccer profession, the place he ended up in Espanyol’s youth system and joined the senior workforce final yr. He joined Burnley in the most up-to-date summer time switch window on a four-year deal.

Koleosho is eligible to characterize the U.S., Canada, Nigeria and Italy. He made just a few appearances for the USMNT at the youth stage, however since then has been representing Italy, debuting for the Under-21 workforce final month.

Burnley put FIVE previous Sheffield United in a dominant exhibiting at Turf Moor! pic.twitter.com/24S2iahRdl

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 2, 2023

Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic scored his fifth league aim for AC Milan since becoming a member of the membership this summer time, scoring the game-winner in Milan’s 3-1 over Frosinone 3-1 on Saturday in Serie A.

Pulisic stands at 5 Serie A targets in 12 appearances, matching Weston McKennie’s 2020-21 season-haul for Juventus, which stays the most any American has scored in the league in a single season. — Caitlin Murray

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News of the day

• The draw for the 2024 version of the European Championship befell Saturday, and Spain and France have each been positioned into powerful teams. All the Euro teams, plus evaluation, are right here.

• The format of UEFA Women’s Champions League will bear a significant overhaul for the group stage from the 2025-26 season whereas a second-tier competitors will probably be launched, UEFA introduced on Saturday. The new UWCL format will consist “of an 18-team league phase with three home and three away matches followed by knock-out rounds,” UEFA stated, with additional particulars about the new competitors forthcoming.

• A annoyed Luis Enrique stated on Saturday that his Paris Saint-Germain workforce doesn’t merely depend on striker Kylian Mbappé for targets. The supervisor was requested about the giant hole in aim manufacturing on the workforce, however dismissed that he had any issues: “There are a lot of players who have scored. We don’t just depend on Kylian,” he stated, partially.

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And lastly …

Bayern Munich’s match in opposition to Union Berlin, scheduled for Saturday at Allianz Arena, needed to be postponed resulting from heavy snowfall, which additionally induced a whole lot of flights to be canceled in Germany.

Look at the images and it is easy to see why, regardless that a Snow Klassiker might’ve been enjoyable.

Squint carefully and you’ll see the staff on the roof of Allianz Arena eradicating snow. Safety first! — Murray