Community Shield

Weekend Football Review

Upsets!

Leicester 1 vs. 0 Man City

The Community Shield took place on Saturday night with fans back at Wembley stadium once again. Leicester had a strong lineup with all first team players on display while Bertrand started at left back. Man City and Pep went with a mixed lineup with the likes of Edozie and Palmer starting while the usual players like Gundogan and Fernandinho also started. It was an even game and both sides had several good chances. Grealish came on in the 2nd half for City while Soumare, and Daka also came on for Leicester among others. Leicester won the game in the 89th minute as Daka was brought down by Ake and Iheanacho converted the penalty to seal the trophy for the Foxes. Another trophy for Leicester after the FA Cup win while Man City lose in another final.

Ligue 1

Monaco drew with Nantes 1-1, Lyon drew with Brest 1-1, PSG beat Troyes 1-2 with new man Hakimi scoring the equaliser, and Lille drew with Metz 3-3 in a crazy game. A slow start for most of the teams in the first week. Out of all of PSG’s new signings only Hakimi and Wijnaldum featured. Of course Paris is obsessed with Messi’s arrival at the moment which should seal the league for PSG anyway. Clermont lead the league on goal difference with Angers, Marseille, and PSG making up the top four. Lille sit 5th while Monaco sit 11th and Lyon sit 13th. It’s just the first game but already teams are playing catch up to PSG and this season bar some miracle I don’t see PSG dropping many points especially once a certain Lionel Messi starts playing.

Weekend Football Preview

We are back with competitive club football!

Community Shield

Leicester vs. Man City

Leicester the FA Cup winners take on Manchester City the Premier League winners in the Community Shield which is the curtain raiser for the Premier League season. It is a glorified friendly but you do win a trophy and it’s at Wembley. Leicester have been busy this summer having brought in Soumare, Bertrand, and Daka. A midfielder a left back and a striker which increases the depth and quality of Leicester’s squad. Manchester City go into this game having only signed one player in Jack Grealish. Grealish just joined the club a day ago for a Premier League record 100 million fee and a record fee for a British player. Leicester have drawn 2 lost 1 and won 1 of their friendlies while City have won all three of their friendlies. An exciting game for sure but Man City should win this game over 90 minutes.

Ligue 1

Ligue 1 kicks off this weekend with champions Lille looking to retain the title while PSG can actually go into the season as challengers. Monaco and Lyon are also looking to maintain their positive progression from last season. Lille have seen Onana join the club as a replacement for the departing Maignan while Soumare has also left the club. PSG have bought Hakimi, and Pereira while bringing in Donnarumma, Wijnaldum, and Ramos on a free. That is a serious injection of quality into an already great squad which many feel is to push for a title and Champions League double. Monaco have brought in Boadu, Jean Lucas, Jakobs and Nubel on loan while Lyon have sold Depay but not managed to bring in anyone yet.

So with that said Monaco take on Nantes, Lyon take on Brest, PSG travel to Troyes, and Lille travel to Metz for their first games of the season. As the season begins there is pressure on PSG to win the title while the rest would do well to cause another upset.

Weekend Football Review

Wembley is Arsenal’s once again!

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Arsenal 1 (5) vs. (4) 1 Liverpool

The curtain raiser for the season came a few weeks before the season starts this year as Arsenal took on Liverpool. Liverpool all but started their strongest XI with TAA the only player missing while Arsenal had some key players out, but Aubameyang started. Arsenal took the lead in the 12th minute as Aubameyang scored to give them the lead. The Gunners then sat back like they do and played on the counter as has become custom under Arteta when they play bigger teams. Minamino came off the bench to scored in the 73rd minute as Liverpool came back into the game. Liverpool though never looked like scoring a winner as Arsenal were probably the better of the two sides towards the end. Penalties then began and Arsenal scored all 5 of theirs while Brewster missed his for Liverpool as Klopp lost yet again at Wembley. Liverpool lost the Shield last year as well so this result shouldn’t be over analysed but maybe it should encourage them to go and buy Thiago. For Arsenal it’s a good win and it will be interesting to see what they do in the season.

Ligue 1 MW 2

Lyon played their first game of the season as they beat Dijon 4-1 thanks to a Depay hattrick. Lille beat Reims 0-1, Monaco beat Metz 0-1, and Marseille beat Brest 2-3 in a high scoring game. PSG are the only team yet to play a game while the top four is made up of Nice, Bordeuax, Rennes, and Lille, though the likes of Marseille, and Lyon have only played 1 game.

Weekend Football Preview

The new season begins!

Community Shield

Arsenal vs. Liverpool

The Community Shield is the curtain raiser for the new season usually played a week before the season begins. It is a glorified friendly of sorts but a trophy is up for grabs and it tends to boost the winning teams confidence. Arsenal won the FA Cup by beating Chelsea and so make the Community Shield while Liverpool won the Premier League of course and are involved via that. Liverpool had no post season involvement and have had a week more of pre season compared to Arsenal who did play the FA Cup after the league ended. Arsenal though are the team that have made signings with Saliba coming into the squad and Willian on a free from Chelsea. Willian probably won’t feature for this game but Saliba should be available. Liverpool have made no signings either but have brought in some academy graduates into the team who have made an impact while Rhian Brewster has been firing in pre-season. Arsenal have played on friendly against MK Dons which they won 1-4 while Liverpool have played two friendlies beating Stuttgart 0-3, and drawing against Red Bull Salzburg 2-2. Liverpool probably have more of their stars available and should win this game although Arteta has shown that he can beat the big teams. An entertaining game ahead.

Ligue 1 MW 2

Ligue 1 started last weekend but it was lost in the fan fair of the Champions League and Europa League finals. Lyon play their first game of the season as they entertain Dijon who lost last weekend. Lille visit Reims as both teams drew their games last weekend. Monaco drew their game last weekend as well as they visit Metz who will be playing their first game of the season. Marseille travel to Brest to play their first game while Brest lost on the opening day of the season.

Weekend Football Review

A good return of football!

Community Shield

Liverpool 1 (4) vs. (5) 1 Man City

The Community Shield was supposed to be a glorified friendlies while Pep and Klopp were supposed to field weakened teams but that was not the case. The managers fielded their strongest lineups with the likes of Salah, Firmino, De Bruyne, Silva, Sane all starting. It took Sterling 12 minutes to give City the lead as the ball was fumbled into the net. Liverpool were extremely poor at the back during the second half as the full backs were getting caught out while Van Dijk and Gomez lacked communication. Liverpool though held on and came out a different side for the second half. Liverpool dominated the second half and their equaliser came in the 77th minute after Matip headed the ball in. Liverpool could easily have won the game in the 2nd half but poor finishing, some brilliant saves by Bravo, balls not crossing the line and hitting the post, and a brilliant goal line clearance form Walker in extra time meant that the game went to penalties. Each team took 5 penalties but Wijnaldum missed his and so City won. It’s clear that we were looking at the teams that would finish 1st or 2nd in either order but City retain their first trophy of the season while Liverpool can take encouragement after a poor pre-season.

DFL Supercup

Borussia Dortmund 2 vs. 0 Bayern Munich

Bayern dominated the game over both halves but lacked the finishing while Dortmund took their chances as Alcacer scored in the 48th minute, and Sancho scored in the 69th minute. Dortmund get their first trophy of the season and seem to be prepared to finish off what they almost accomplished last season. Bayern did really well but face another beast this season in a rejuvenated Dortmund.

Trophee Des Champions

Paris Saint Germain 2 vs. 1 Rennes

Rennes gave PSG a wake up call as Hunou scored in the 13th minute to give them the lead. Rennes stayed strong for the half as they kept PSG at bay for the rest of the half. PSG then stepped it up in the 2nd half as Mbappe scored in the 57th minute and Di Maria scored a brilliant free kick in the 73rd minute to seal the win and the trophy. PSG are looking good without Neymar and while their Ligue 1 title is always almost certain the real aim for the french team is the Champions League. Neymar is still there and whether he leaves will dominate the next month or so of the European transfer window.

Weekend Football Preview

The curtain raiser for the season is upon us!

Community Shield

Liverpool vs. Man City

Last seasons runner up and Champions League winners Liverpool go head to head against Man City Premier League Champions, FA Cup Champions, League Cup Champions, and Community Shield holders on Sunday. Usually the Community Shield is played between the League winners and the FA Cup winners but considering that City won them both last season Liverpool who finished 2nd in the league get the nod. Liverpool have had a shaky pre-season having played 7 friendlies winning 3, drawing 1 and losing 3. Klopp was without his forward line for much of pre-season with Mane and Salah having participated in the Africa Cup of Nations while Firmino took part in the Copa America. City played 4 friendlies in pre-season winning 3 and losing one on penalties to Wolves. Liverpool played against the likes of Napoli, Sevilla, Dortmund in preparation for the season while City’s most notable opponent were Wolves. Liverpool have had a quite summer with Sepp Van De Berg and Harvey Elliot being their only two signings both of whom are youth products. City have also bought two players a right back in Angelino from PSV, and Rodri from Atletico who is a midfielder. This is for all intents and purposes a glorified friendly and the teams should reflect that with several starters on the bench or not playing. Either way it is a good opportunity for the teams to get one over the other at this early stage of the season.

DFL Supercup

Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich

Dortmund and Munich go head to head in the curtain raiser for the Bundesliga on Saturday. Dortmund have played four friendlies winning all four of them while Bayern have played 5 winning 3 and losing 2. The teams have made several improvements to their squads over the summer. Dortmund have bought Hummels back from Bayern, Thorgan Hazard, Julian Brandt, and Nico Schulz. Bayern have bought Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard, Jann-Fiete Arp, and Marco Friedl. The likes of Ribery and Robben left the club in June. Dortmund were rampant until December last season but suffered a burnout in the new year and Bayern who were resurgent edged Dortmund to the title. Dortmund have since added several quality players while Bayern are far more youthful as well. This should be a feisty encounter.

Trophee Des Champions

Paris Saint Germain vs. Rennes

The ever dominant PSG take on Rennes in the prelude to the Ligue 1 season on Saturday. They Neymar saga and whether he leaves for Barca has dominated PSG’s transfer stories but there have been arrivals. Idrissa Gueye, Abdou Diallo, Pablo Sarabia, and Ander Herrera have all been notable players to arrive over the last few months. Rennes most notable arrival has been M’baye Niang. PSG have played 4 friendlies winning 2 drawing 1 and losing 1. Rennes have played 3 friendlies losing 2 and drawing 1. PSG are the dominant force in french football but Rennes did beat them in the Coupe De France final and so it is all to play for.