TouchlineFootball

  TALKING POINTS FROM VALENCIA 1-4 BARCELONA -Mitansh Kagalwala Photo Via: barcablaugranes.com The Blaugrana visited the Mestalla to take on Valencia, looking to bounce back from last week’s setback against Espanyol in the Barcelona Derby. Barcelona started off on the front foot, going 3-0 up in the first half through an Aubameyang double either side of a Frenkie De Jong goal, but Valencia were far from out, having two goals of their own disallowed, for offside and the ball going out of play. The home side did strike back in the second half through Carlos Soler, but Pedri restored Barca’s three goal advantage just minutes after coming on with an excellent strike from range (which was later given to Aubameyang). The result sees Barca remain in 4 th place, 4 points behind Real Betis in 3 rd but with a game in hand, while Valencia languish in 12 th with just 30 points from 25 games. Here’s what we made of it: 1.       THE FIRST FLIPS: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s January move to Barca

  MANCHESTER CITY 2-3 SPURS TALKING POINTS -Mihir Mehta -Editor: Mitansh Kagalwala Photo Via: telegraph.co.uk   Spurs ended Man City’s 15-game unbeaten run in a thrilling contest at the Etihad on Saturday that finished 3-2 to the Lilywhites, courtesy of a late Harry Kane winner. City had a majority of the possession (over 2/3 rd ), but were pegged back again and again by the brilliant Kane and Heung Min Son on the counter attack, in what is a surprise triumph for the North Londoners. City had 21 shots, but managed to get only 4 on target, in an unusually wasteful game for the Sky Blues. Here’s what we made of it: 1.       City’s Kryptonite: Spurs have seemingly become the antithesis to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. No matter how badly they may be playing, or how well the Cityzens might be performing, the Lilywhites almost always seem to fight their way to three points against the Sky Blues. Key to that is City’s Kryptonite, Heung Min Son, who had another brilliant night, tro

  PLAYER RATINGS FROM PSG 1-0 REAL MADRID -Shiven Roy -Editor: Mitansh Kagalwala Photo Via: www.marca.com Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid faced PSG in the Round Of 16 in the UCL in a blockbuster clash at the Parc Des Princes. Carlo Ancelotti set up the men in white to play for a draw; to contain the dangerous Parisiens. Los Blancos almost succeeded, but a late winner from the dangerous Kylian Mbappe gave PSG the lead going into the second leg. The majority of the game was played in Madrid’s defensive half, where a number of blue shirts tried time and time again to convert, only to be denied by a brilliant Thibaut Courtois. Ancelotti’s men played a contained game with barely any bright moments, and an overall passive tone to their play. PLAYER RATINGS: Thibaut Cortouis (9/10): If not for the Belgian, Madrid would’ve conceded several more goals. Cortouis was outstanding throughout the game making a few fine saves and then stopping a Lionel Messi penalty. He was Madrid’s best performer for

  TALKING POINTS FROM ESPANYOL 2-2 FC BARCELONA -Mitansh Kagalwala Photo Via: en.as.com   Barca travelled to the RCDE Stadium to take on their cross-city rivals Espanyol in a fierce Derbi Barceloní. Barca scored just a minute and a few seconds in, but failed to truly establish dominance after. Espanyol equalized through a good Sergi Darder strike that deflected off Pedri’s foot, and then took the lead through former Real Madrid player Raul De Tomas. Tensions rose as Barca pushed for an equalizer, and both teams were shown red cards, 2 for Espanyol and 1 for Barca. The Blaugrana required Luuk De Jong to rescue a point for them at the death, ending a hotly contested Barcelona Derby in a fitting manner.   1.       Not There Yet: After last weekend’s domination of Atletico Madrid, fans began to wonder if Barca had finally returned to their old days. It is not the case just yet, as shown by Barca’s performance against Espanyol. The absence of Dani Alves was evident, while Frenkie De

  PLAYER RATINGS AS BARCA BEAT ATLETICO 4-2 -Mitansh Kagalwala Photo Via: www.dailymail.co.uk Barca Player Ratings as they beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 to climb into the Champions League spots:   GK: MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN (6/10): Could have done better for the first goal, however was helpless for the second. Distributed the ball well. Solid game for the German. RB: DANI ALVES (5/10): Was excellent with a goal and an assist, but undid all his work with a silly red card that made life incredibly difficult for the Catalans. CB: RONALD ARAUJO (7/10): Was a step behind Yannick Carrasco for the opener, but made up for it with a well-taken goal from close range. Was solid defensively. CB: GERARD PIQUE (7/10): Continued his good form with another good display in the center of defense. Shut down the Los Rojiblancos attack well, and broke lines with his passes several times as well. LB: JORDI ALBA (8/10): The left back was excellent, scoring an unbelievable volley for the equalizer and

  TALKING POINTS FROM BARCA 4-2 ATLETICO - Mitansh Kagalwala Photo Via: www.barcauniversal.com Barca took on Atleti at home in a pulsating encounter, eventually emerging 4-2 victors after a determined performance. Yannick Carrasco gave Atleti the lead with a superb shot past Ter Stegen, before Alba equalized just moments later with a ridiculous volley from the edge of the box. Excellent work from new signing Adama Traore down the wing allowed Gavi to head Barca into the lead, before Araujo and Dani Alves volleyed in for Barca either side of half time. In the second half though, Atleti piled on the pressure, resulting in Luis Suarez pulling a goal back for the Los Rojiblancos on his return to Barca territory, before Dani Alves was sent off, reducing Barca to 10-men. Barca held out, however, meaning they leapfrog the Madrid side into a Champions League spot. This is what we made of it: 1.      Barca’s New Signings: Fans of the Blaugrana were hopeful for this game, hoping to get a glimp

  TRANSFER WINDOW ROUND-UP AND RATINGS: HOW EUROPE'S BIG TEAMS FARED -Mitansh Kagalwala Photo Via: www.skysports.com -ARSENAL Arsenal and making nearly-signings, name a more iconic duo. This time around, again, Arsenal botched up several transfers, including Dusan Vlahovic, Alexander Isak, and Arthur. This coupled with the exit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaves Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as their only strikers. There has been a mass exit as the Gunners look to trim their wage bill, with several fringe players departing the club. Arsenal have made only one signing: Austin Trusty, who will spend the remainder of the season back on loan at Colorado Rapids. Transfer Window Rating: D- Ins: Austin Trusty (undisclosed fee from Colorado Rapids) Outs: Austin Trusty (Loan, to Colorado Rapids), Harry Clarke (Loan to Hibernian), Ainsley Maitland Niles (Loan to Roma), Folarin Balogun (Loan to Middlesbrough), Dejan Iliev (Released), Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Loan to Lincoln City), Sead K