The footballing world is buzzing right now with many of the world’s top leagues getting underway this past weekend. Today, we’ll be taking a brief look at a few of the big leagues and players around the world to keep you updated with all you need to know.
If you’d be interested in us covering one league, in particular, let us know, and we can make that happen!
One thing we won’t be covering in this blog is any news from the Premier League. However, that’s because we have a full comprehensive review here on Win Column Sports; find the link at the bottom of this article!
France
Ligue 1 kicked off this weekend without many surprises.
The French Champions PSG had a comfortable start to their title defence campaign with a 3-0 victory over Caen. Gianluigi Buffon got his PSG career off to a great start with a clean sheet, while Timothy Weah - son of soccer legend George Weah - opened up his goalscoring account in the 89th minute to close out the win.
One Ligue 1 career that didn’t get off to the greatest of starts was the managerial one of former Arsenal and Inter Milan man Patrick Vieira. In his first appearance with Nice, his new club, his squad went up against the newly promoted Reims. After finishing 8th last season, Nice was definitely billed as the favourite in this one; however, a goal just two minutes in from Moussa Doumbia was enough to get the Ligue 2 champions off to a winning start. It should also be noted that star striker Mario Balotelli wasn’t in the lineup on Saturday. He’s had a lot of transfer rumours around him recently. In addition, Vieira also came out and said that the club would try to do whatever is possible to move him.
Elsewhere in France, Marseille, Monaco, and Lyon picked up three points, while Bordeaux fell 2-0 at home to Strasbourg.
Germany
While the Bundesliga doesn’t get going until the 24th of this month, there was one important match played in Germany.
The latest Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich and DFB-Pokal winners Eintracht Frankfurt collided in the German Super Cup Sunday afternoon.
The match was dominated by Bayern and for the most part, Robert Lewandowski. The Polish forward had three goals - two in the first half - and became the leading goalscorer in German Super Cup history with nine goals. Prior to his second, a Frankfurt defender gave him a little slap on the cheek. He followed that up with his own slap to the face by heading the ball passed Frederik Ronnow into the back of the net. Also on the scoresheet were Kingsley Coman and Thiago as Bayern went on to win their seventh Super Cup trophy 5-0.
Italy
Tiemoue Bakayoko is set to join AC Milan on loan with a medical set for Monday. Bakayoko hadn’t lived up to his full potential since joining Chelsea from Monaco a year ago, and a move away from Stamford Bridge could be the best move for his career right now.
The other Milan in town, Inter, have also got themselves a loan deal. Keita Balde is joining them until the end of the season from Monaco.
Spain
Much like the Bundesliga, La Liga hasn’t kicked off yet, but we did have the Spanish Super Cup be played on Sunday between Barcelona and Sevilla.
The game finished dramatically with Wissam Ben Yedder missing a penalty in the 91st minute. Before that, Barcelona fought their way back from a 1-0 deficit, with goals coming from Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele. Dembele’s goal was an absolute rocket that went bar down, a phenomenal strike from the 21-year old French striker.
With this win, Leo Messi became the most decorated Barcelona player in team history with his 33rd trophy.
Also in Spain, World Cup winner Gerard Pique announced his retirement from international football to focus on his club career with Barcelona. Pique was capped 102 times for his country and won the European champions twice and the world cup once back in 2010. Manchester City midfielder, David Silva has also retired from the international game.
Moving away from Barcelona, Valencia reached an agreement to sign Atletico Madrid striker Kevin Gameiro. No official fee has been announced yet.
Scotland
The mighty Glasgow Celtic surprisingly fell to 1-0 to Hearts which sent Edinburgh team to the top of the SPL.
While Celtic lost on Saturday, the following day saw their fierce rivals in the Rangers get a 2-0 win over St Mirren with goals coming from Alfredo Morelos and Connor Goldson. The victory came despite playing the last 60 minutes with ten men.
At the bottom half of the table, both Dundee FC and Motherwell are still looking for their first win of the season after losing again this weekend to Aberdeen and Hamilton.
Japan
Andres Iniesta scored his first goal with his new club over in Japan: Vissel Kobe. It was a stunning first goal which I highly recommend you check out. The goal was also assisted by no other than former German international Lukas Podolski.
INIESTA’S FIRST GOAL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LR_1J6JhHA