Footballing action from the domestic league and cup competitions in Europe was in full flow this week as most countries had both Cup and League games this midweek and weekend respectively. With a number of fixtures from around the continent, it was surely a delight for football fans from around the world.
In Spain, Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves reached the finals of the Copa Del Rey while Leicester City knocked out Derby in their FA Cup replay fixture. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, extended their lead over RP Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Chelsea, on the other hand, dropped points for the first time since their loss to Tottenham.
Real Madrid continued their fine form in La Liga while Monaco and Juventus maintained their three and seven points lead in Ligue 1 and Serie A respectively. With loads of action from Europe, here are five of the best moments from this week of football:
#1 Torres turns back the clock
Fernando Torres has been in fine form this week after scoring two last weekend and starting the game against Barcelona mid-week. He was picked by Diego Simeone over Kevin Gameiro yet again on Sunday against Celta Vigo.
The 32-year old looked to be in great touch yet again and produce the best moment of the game came in the 11th minute. The Spaniard scored a stunning goal to equalise after Celta Vigo took the lead in the 5th minute thanks to a header from Gustavo Cabral.
The goal was something that would remind fans of El Nino in his prime, wearing the Red kit of Liverpool. Perhaps there is still some magic left in the striker.
#2 Deportivo Alaves create history
Deportivo Alaves, a small club from the Basque Country region of Spain seem to have rolled back the good old days after reaching the finals of the Copa Del Rey. They beat Celta Vigo 1-0 at home after the first game ended as a goalless draw.
After a hard fought 0-0 draw away, Alaves left it late at home before an 82nd-minute goal from Edgar Mendez gave them a deserving 1-0 victory on aggregate.
After reaching the UEFA Cup final in 2001, the club has seen its days marked by upheaval and debts. However, their recent performances seem to suggest that they have certainly bounced back to the top in style and are flying high at the moment.
They will now face Barcelona in the final of the Copa Del Rey later this year and expect a tough fight from the little club led by Mauricio Pellegrino.
#3 Nine-man Milan win an intense thriller
European giants A.C Milan have been in a crisis lately and the reason for the Rossoneri to smile have been and far between. However, this week’s victory and that too in such dramatic should bring the smiles, even if for a small while back to the San Siro.
Both Gabriel Paletta and Juraj Kucka saw red to reduce Milan’s side to nine men away to Bologna.
And when all seemed down and out for the five-time European Champions, loan signing Gerrard Delofelou proved to be the glimmer of hope for the Rossoneri. The former Barcelona winger made a stunning run down the right wing, beating Maietta and nutmegging Krafth before setting up Mario Pasalic.
The midfielder finished a brilliant move to give Milan a much-needed victory in the Serie A that keeps their European dreams alive.
#4 Controversial goal from Lucas in stoppage time gives PSG the win
Defending Ligue 1 champions PSG have been having a tough time after the departure of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and their game against Lille this week was nothing short of dramatic and intense.
The Parisians had taken the lead in the 70th minute thanks to a header from Edinson Cavani. However, 16 minutes later, Lille equalised through De Preville.
And with only four minutes plus stoppage time remaining, it looked like Monaco would be extending their lead over PSG. However, Lucas Moura had other plans. The Brazilian's goal in stoppage time to gave PSG the much-neede win and helped them close down on Monaco.
However, it looked like Moura was clearly offside by a large margin for his goal and hence the controversy.
#5 Atletico Madrid win a five-goal thriller against Celta Vigo
The 2013-14 winners of La Liga have been having a poor season this time round with the title well out of their reach already. With 42 points from 22 games, they are only a point ahead of Real Sociedad who are their biggest rivals for the fourth Champions League spot this season.
Atletico’s game against Celta Vigo was vital and Gustavo Cabral’s header was the worst start that Atletico could’ve imagined. However, Torres’ stunner gave the Madrid outfit some hope.
However, with John Guidetti finding the back of the net in the 78th minute, it left Simeone’s men with a lot to do to even edge a point out of the game. That's when Yannick Carrasco stepped up to equalise in the 86th minute.
And just two minutes later, Atletico’s hero as always – Antoine Griezmann scored the winner to give Atletico a vital 3-2 victory over Celta Vigo.
