One week into 2017, we have already had plenty of football from Europe to enjoy with this week being a particularly action-packed one. The English Premier League’s traditional New Year’s game week was followed by some entertaining cup football this weekend.
In Spain, the Copa Del Rey’s first leg of fixtures for the Round of 16 kicked off which were followed by the first week of La Liga action this year.
While the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 haven’t yet resumed, French football fans had a lot of action from the French Cup. Italy’s premier football league, the Serie A kicked off 2017 with some classic entertaining football.
With so much happening around Europe, it is difficult to soak in all of it at once. So we bring you some of the most memorable moments from last week:
#1 A spirited Plymouth Argyle hold Liverpool to a 0-0 draw
On paper, Liverpool's first cup fixture of 2016 seemed relatively easy. The Reds hosted League Two side Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup third round but came out of the game with a goalless draw. The Reds will now have to travel to Devon for the replay.
The game at Anfield was a relatively boring one to watch but what was special about the fixture was the fact that Liverpool lined-up with a young squad and their oldest player was Lucas, at 29.
Despite Liverpool coming into the game with a weaker squad, Plymouth Argyle’s performance was commendable as they put in one of the best defensive performances that Anfield has seen in recent past as described by their manager Derek Adams.
Despite the introduction of Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firminio in the second half, Klopp’s men only managed four shots on target. Plymouth Argyle, a small club from the South of England have surely earned the respect of many football fans around the world with this performance.
#2 Lionel Messi bails out Barcelona yet again
What would Barcelona do without the little maestro from Rosario this season? Lionel Messi has certainly been at the top of his game recently with some scintillating football and he kicked off 2017 in style with two free-kicks in two games. His first free-kick was in the game against Bilbao to keep the fixture alive after the Catalans went down 2-0 while the second free-kick came against Villarreal in the 89th minute with the team trailing 1-0.
For over a decade, Messi has been showering us with his magic but the importance behind some of his goals this season is worth considering. The Argentine has now scored or assisted 82% of Barcelona’s goals this season. In other words, his magic makes Barcelona’s worst performing squad in many years look world class.
His free kick against Villarreal was the definition of perfection as he picked out the top left corner and was brave enough to challenge the keeper on his stronger side. All in all, we are lucky to watch Leo!
#3 Arsenal comeback from 3-0 down to make it 3-3
In what was probably their worst first half this season, Arsenal conceded two goals to Bournemouth and looked completely disorganised and shabby at the back. The second half looked no different as Bournemouth extended their lead in the 58th minute. Even the ever dependable Petr Cech looked clueless as Ryan Fraser sent a shot through his legs to make it 3-0.
However, it only took 20 minutes for Arsenal to make up for those horrible 70 minutes. Alexis Sanchez’s header was followed by a classic Lucas Perez goal to make it 3-2 and change the momentum. A red card for Francis in the 82nd minute helped Arsenal pile on the pressure.
Oliver Giroud, who was at the heart of both the other goals, scored one himself to make it 3-3.
The Gunners completed a stunning comeback but twenty good minutes does not make up for their shortcomings. Arsenal must be hungry for more and the first seventy minutes must not be repeated again this season if the Premier League trophy is their target.
#4 A Dele Alli double stops Chelsea’s streak
Two of the Premier League’s great tacticians faced each other in an interesting clash. Both teams came in with similar 3-4-3 lineups, but one team clearly had the better of the other. Tottenham Hotspur won the game 2-0 with two brilliantly executed goals, both coming off Dele Alli's head from the left side of the pitch.
Christian Eriksen was the instigator on both occasions with crosses from the right side of the pitch towards the left. The idea behind this was probably the lack of height on the left side of the Chelsea defence in Cesar Azpilicuaeta and Victor Moses and it worked to perfection for Tottenham.
This loss sees the Blues miss out on Arsenal’s win streak by just one game, but it is a commendable achievement nonetheless.
#5 Real Madrid equal Barcelona’s 39-game unbeaten run
Real Madrid’s 2016 was fantastic but they have already started 2017 in style. With a 3-0 victory over Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey followed by a 5-0 thrashing of Granada, they have now equalled Barcelona’s 39-game unbeaten record. Zinedine Zidane has lost only two games as Madrid coach, and the last one came in April 2016 after Wolfsburg beat Los Blancos 2-0.
What is more remarkable about this achievement is that Real Madrid were the team to end Barcelona’s winning run with a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou while they began their unbeaten run only a week later. The victory over Granada now sends them five points clear of Barcelona with a game in hand.
However, as Zidane pointed out, these streaks mean nothing if Real Madrid cannot win trophies this season.
