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Atletico Madrid stopped the rot, whereas Lionel Messi once more loved himself taking part in towards Sevilla and it has been one other turbulent few days at Schalke and in Marseille, two of Europe’s disaster golf equipment. AFP Sport rounds up a number of the fundamental speaking factors from throughout the continent:
ATLETICO DIG THEMSELVES OUT OF RUT
The wheels threatened to return off for Atletico Madrid in February, with a run of 1 win in 4 in La Liga being adopted by a massively disappointing show in shedding 1-0 to Chelsea within the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Bucharest.
However in true Diego Simeone vogue, Atletico bounced again in adversity, profitable 2-0 at Villarreal on Sunday with an Alvaro Pedraza personal objective after which a strike by Joao Felix, who had been dropped to the bench at kick-off following the Chelsea debacle.
“I like a rebellious participant, one who reveals delight and desires to show issues round,” stated Simeone of Joao Felix.
The win ended a run of eight consecutive video games with out a clear sheet and allowed Atletico to maneuver 5 factors clear on the prime from Barcelona with a recreation in hand, though reigning champions Actual Madrid will near inside three factors in the event that they beat Actual Sociedad on Monday.
Subsequent up it’s the Madrid derby.
MESSI JUST LOVES SEVILLA
It stays unlikely, however Barcelona can not but be dominated out within the Spanish title race after their spectacular 2-0 win at Sevilla, through which Lionel Messi arrange Ousmane Dembele for the opener after which scored the second after a one-two with the Frenchman.
Messi is now La Liga’s prime scorer with 19 targets having netted 12 instances in 9 outings in 2021.
He merely loves taking part in towards Sevilla too. In keeping with famend Spanish sports activities statistician Mister Chip, the Argentine has now scored 38 instances and offered 17 assists in 42 video games towards Sevilla.
Barcelona’s subsequent recreation is the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg towards…Sevilla on Wednesday, when Ronald Koeman’s group should overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit.
SCHALKE SACK FOURTH COACH
Bundesliga disaster membership Schalke 04 have sacked yet another coach, with Christian Gross, the 66-year-old Swiss, relieved of his duties within the wake of the 5-1 loss at VfB Stuttgart which left the Gelsenkirchen aspect nonetheless eight factors adrift on the backside and 9 factors from security.
He gained simply considered one of 10 Bundesliga video games in cost, shedding 5 matches by a margin of no less than three targets.
Gross is the fourth coach to depart Schalke this season, following David Wagner, Huub Stevens and Manuel Baum. His departure got here in a serious clear-out as sporting director Jochen Schneider, group coordinator Sascha Riether, assistant coach Rainer Widmayer and health coach Werner Leuthard had been additionally fired.
The Royal Blues should now begin making ready for all times within the second division.
SAMPAOLI TO BE MARSEILLE’S SAVIOUR?
In the meantime France’s disaster membership, Marseille, appointed a brand new coach as Argentine Jorge Sampaoli was named because the everlasting successor to Andre Villas-Boas, agreeing a deal till 2023 on the former Champions League winners.
Marseille additionally appointed Pablo Longoria, a 34-year-old Spaniard, as their new president in a transfer by American proprietor Frank McCourt seen as an try to placate supporters who had been indignant on the working of the membership by former incumbent Jacques-Henri Eyraud.
On the sphere, Marseille got here from behind to attract 1-1 with Ligue 1 title chasers Lyon, which means they’ve misplaced simply as soon as in seven video games since Villas-Boas was eliminated. Nevertheless they continue to be exterior the European locations in seventh.
SPORTING STILL ON COURSE
Sporting Lisbon stay on the right track for a primary Portuguese league title since 2002 after a goalless draw at rivals Porto in Saturday’s “Classico”.
In a disappointing recreation, Sporting’s younger group — that includes 5 starters aged 22 or underneath — had been held by defending champions Porto for the second time this season.
They continue to be unbeaten, with 17 wins and 4 attracts in 21 league outings, and are 9 factors away from Braga in addition to 10 away from Porto.
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