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It was an eventful week in the football world, as the EUROs had its final 16 spar off against each other along with transfer talk.

FRANCE STUNNED, SPAIN SCORE 5– EURO R16 ROUNDUP

The most memorable moment this week came in the form of France imploding in the EUROs.

The favorites to win the competition, France found themselves a goal behind after 13 minutes when Haris Seferovic headed in to give Switzerland the lead.

Ricardo Rodriguez could have doubled the Swiss’s lead but missed a crucial penalty, allowing France to turn the tie on its head after Benzema scored two in four minutes.

Paul Pogba looked to have sealed the tie after he scored a screamer from 25 yards out but the Swiss had other ideas.

Seferovic scored his second with 9 minutes left on the clock to make it 3-2 to the French before Gavranovic equalised in the final minute of normal time, breaaking French hearts and kickstarting jubilant scenes among the Switzerland fans.

There was still time for Kingsley Coman to hit the bar four-minutes into stoppage time. Both teams went into extra time and still couldn’t be separated, so the match went into a nail-biting penalty shootout.

With the Penalty Shootout score at 5-4 to Switzerland, wonderkid Kylian Mbappe stepped up to take the 5th penalty to equalise the Penalty Shootout score but ultimately failed as Sommer dived to his right and managed to save Mbappe’s penalty as France imploded.

Things have only gotten more sour after the match as there have been rumours over a lack of unision in the French squad and egos clashing with each other, and even the parents of the French players have clashed as Rabiot’s mother was bickering over Mbappe’s penalty miss to Mbappe’s father.

It will be interesting to see whether Deschamps can bring back the unity in the French squad, or they implode in the 2022 WC and get knocked out in the group stage (Champions curse).

While Croatia also managed to come back from 3-1 down to equalise courtesy of a Mario Pasilic goal in stoppage time, it proved to null and void as Alvaro Morata, who has received abuse recently for being unable to score the easiest of chances, scored Spain’s fourth and Real Sociedad star Mikel Oyarzabal made it 5 before half time of extra time, as Spain ran out 5-3 winners.

Ukraine stunned Sweden who topped their group after a last minute 121st winner in stoppage time, while England managed to navigate through Germany and win 2-0, as Muller and Werner missed big chances for the Germans. Portugal were also hard done by after a 1-0 loss to Belgium despite the Portuguese being the better outfit throughout the match. Czechia stunned 10-men Netherlands, and Italy squeezed past a resilient Austria side, winning 2-1 after extra-time. Finally, Denmark humiliated Wales 4-0 as Harry Wilson, the Liverpool youngster, got sent off for Wales.

JADON SANCHO SAGA COMES TO AN END

Jadon Sancho is officially a Manchester United player.

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽.

We have agreed a deal in principle for the transfer of Jadon Sancho to United! 🔴⚪⚫#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 1, 2021

An 18-month saga has finally come to an end, as Man Utd have bought Jadon Sancho for 73 Million Pouds, which is a bargain comparing Dortmund’s initial fee of 120 million pounds.

Him a Rashford could be a deadly duo down the flanks, and with a good CB and a CDM, there is the scary possibility that United might win the league again.

KANE’S 20/21 SEASON WITH TOTTENHAM

Harry Kane ended the 20/21 season as the top scorer and top assister in the Premier League. In an average Tottenham team that finished 7th despite mounting a title challenge at the start of the season, he has been one of the few positives in Tottenham’s chaotic season.

He scored from almost all of the chances he was presented with. In Mourinho’s defensive system, he and Son-Heung Min were a dyanmic duo and the two were the main scorers for Tottenham Hotspur.

THE CLUB KANE WAS DESTINED FOR

However, Kane wanted more. He didn’t like the way his career and the direction that Spurs were going. In the latter weeks of the Premier League season, Sky Sports reported that Harry Kane wanted to leave Tottenham, and had informed Chairman Daniel Levy of his intentions. While there were a plethora of clubs linked with him, the one club he was always destined to play for was Manchester City. Fitting well in Pep’s 4-3-3 system, he would be City’s First-choice Striker and his role would be cemented knowing that Sergio Aguero recently left the club- scoring goals and linking up the play, which is what Harry Kane does.

LESS COMPETITION; MAN CITY’S ADVANTAGE IN THE PL

While Kane moving to City would be a match made in heaven, it would spell disaster for the competitiveness of the Premier League. With the quality not only in City’s first team, but on their bench and reserve team, the likes of Liverpool and even Chelsea will be unable to match Manchester City’s incredible squad depth. Even without a proper striker last season, they managed to utilize a 4-3-3 False 9 formation and win the Premier League and even reach their first UCL final. In their 2-0 Semi-Final win over PSG (Second Leg), the value of City’s bench was an expensive 449 Million Euros. To have Harry Kane, Jesus, Torres, Sterling, Mahrez, Foden and Bernado Silva consisting as their attack proves that they have increadible squad depth, allowing them to constantly rotate and reducing their fitness issues, along with the quality of their second team.

As Jose Mourinho put it (Before the 19/20 season): “Only 4 teams can win the EPL. Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Man City’s B team”.

However, something positive has to be paired up with something negative. And that negative is the transfer saga affecting Harry Kane

HARRY KANE BEING AFFECTED?

Before the EUROs, many people were expecting Harry Kane to have a good Campaign. English fans put him as the golden boot winner for the EUROs while most others put him as one of the top 10 goalscorers in the competition at the very minimum.

While England had an easier group compared to the one they were presented with in WC 2018, they have only scored twice, and Kane has not had any goal involvements so far.

Comparing that to WC 2018, Kane scored 5 goals in 3 matches, including a hat trick against Panama. While there is still the knockout rounds in EURO 2021 for Kane to score in, he has not had a good campaign at all.

While it could be due to the heavily criticized Gareth Southgate’s negative tactics, it could also be a mentality shift within Kane. With all the rumous circulating about him he may not be able to focus on the EUROs. According to journalists such as Fabrizio Romano, Daniel Levy has blocked Kane’s move to Man City.

Manchester City made an official proposal to Tottenham for Harry Kane. £100M guaranteed + availability to include players in the deal.#THFC have NO intention to accept. Harry wants to go, but Levy will try to keep him. ❌

Harry now focused on the Euros, then it’ll be decided.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2021

However, this could also be due to Tottenham’s difficulty in finding a manger, with talks with Fonseca, Gattuso and Antonio Conte being broken down.

CONCLUSION

City fans would be delighted to see Kane join them, and we as football fans could possibly see his scariest form in a City shirt. However, this could spell disaster for the Premier League as the possibility of a title race could completely be eradicated. The transfer saga could also be affecting Kane which is why he has been underwhelming for the EUROs.

Informal feelings is just me talking from the top of my mind. A bit more informal as the title says it.

Leicester City beat us 3-1 thanks to goals from Maddison, Vardy and Harvey Barnes. Salah however scored a sumptuous goal, equaling the amount of goals he scored in the previous season.

In a fast-paced game, I felt we were the better team. Liverpool constantly created chances but were slow in the final third. Our defense was pathetic however, with Leicester finding it easy to score on the counter, with 2 of 3 goals coming from the counter.

Alisson was actually ok, before he karate kicked debutant Ozan Kabak, who had a decent debut before the Vardy goal. However, the first goal was offside, and the drew the line from the shoulder. VAR having another masterclass

But honestly, I dont see the side of 19/20. That side which used to grind out results on an off day. Van dijk has affected us massively. Well, just hope we can replicate 2005 where we were bad in the PL and stun everyone in the CL.

Player ratings:

• Alisson: 3
• Trent: 7
• Kabak: 5
• Hendo: 6
• Robbo: 6
• Milly: N/A
• Gini: 4
• Curtis: 7
• Mo: 6
• Mane: 5
• Bobby: 8 (MOTM)

Subs Used

• Thiago: 4
• Ox: 4
• Shaqiri: N/A

Gameweek 24 Starts out with the league table looking like this:

City are starting to run away with the title, with United 5 points behind. Leicester (43) and Liverpool (40) follow, the Premier League Champions struggling to defend their crown.

It seems there may not be a relegation battle this year, as Fulham and Burnley are seperated by 8 points. Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United look to be heading to the championship.

This gameweek, there are many exciting matches, so let’s get on with Gameweek 24.

Match of the Gameweek

Leicester City vs Liverpool

With Liverpool being the reigning Champions, you would expect them to give some sort of fight in the title race. That isn’t happening as Man City all but demolished any sort of Title hope by Liverpool fans.

Leicester start the match 3 points clear of a struggling and below-par Liverpool side, but should Liverpool win they will go ahead of Leicester on both head-to-head points and Goal Difference. Should it go vice versa, however, Liverpool’s top-4 place may be in scrutiny, especially if Chelsea win.

Leicester come into this match with the better form, while the visitors come into the match with their confidence low after the humiliation against City. Do not undestimate anything from Liverpool however.

Leicester 1-1 Liverpool

Easiest Win: Man Utd vs West Brom

Man Utd have had some season.

Humiliated 3-1 to Palace, to losing 6-1 to Tottenham, they have sensationally turned their season around.

Wins against Southampton (12-2 on aggregate), Fulham, Burnley, Villa, Wolves, and a demolition of Leeds have pushed them to 2nd place.

Despite Big Sam saving clubs from relegation, his tenure at West Brom may put a stain on his managerial career, with Relegation looking a real possibility.

Despite scraping a draw at Anfield, they have been humiliated by City, Arsenal and even lost to a struggling Sheffield United.

West Brom 0-3 Man Utd

Other Predictions

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

Man City 3-0 Tottenham

Southampton 0-0 Wolves

Everton 2-1 Fulham

In one of the most Bizarre starts to a Premier League Season ever, where United and Liverpool were humbled just two weeks ago, we look forward to Matchday 5 of England’s Top Flight.

When are they? (British Standard Time)

Everton vs Liverpool (12.30 pm, 17 October)

Chelsea vs Southampton (3.00 pm, 17 October)

Man City vs Arsenal (5.30 pm, 17 October)

Newcastle vs Man United (8.00 pm, 17 October)

Sheffield United vs Fulham (12.00 pm, 18 October)

Crystal Palace vs Brighton (2.00 pm, 18 October)

Tottenham vs West Ham United (4.30pm, 18 October)

Leicester City vs Aston Villa (7.15 pm, 18 October)

West Brom vs Burnley (5.30 pm, 19 October)

Leeds United vs Wolves (8.00 pm, 19 October)

Top Match of the week

Everton vs Liverpool

It will be exactly 10 years on Saturday from when Everton last beat Liverpool (17 October 2010) and they have a highest possible chance to replicate that win.

Liverpool, who are lacking in confidence after their shock 7-2 loss to Villa, may find it difficult to contain Everton’s blistering attack and dominating midfield.

They have already conceded 11 goals in 4 matches, a third of their total goals conceded for the entirety of last season.

Everton have had a flying start, and are Top of the table with 12 points, and their star striker Calvert Lewin scoring 6 goals in 3 matches, along with Son Heung Min.

However, anything can be possible for the ‘mentality monsters’, who have Thiago, Mane and Salah available although Adrian will still have to play in net.

Everton 1-1 Liverpool

Shock Result

Newcastle vs Man Utd

What more can I say. After losing 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace, Man United snatched one of the luckiest wins in EPL history by getting a penalty after the full time whistle at Brighton. Brighton hit the woodwork FIVE times.

Then comes the 6-1 nightmare to Tottenham, and everyone was absolutely dreadful. Jadon Sancho did not sign on deadline day, and its been a nightmare for United fans.

Newcastle brought a convincing 2-0 away win to West Ham, but lost 3-0 to Brighton. They then won 7-0 in the EFL cup and won 3-1 to Burnley at the previous matchday.

The signings of Callum Wilson, Jamal Lewis and Ryan Fraser were excellent ones for Newcastle, Wilson finding the net 4 times in three Premier League games.

Newcastle 2-1 Man United

Can Liverpool restore their form? Can Man City get a win over Arsenal? Who will finish in the top four of the Premier League?

Bayern Munich are the winners of the Champions League in 2020.

The German Outfit won their first treble and UCL since 2013 as former PSG player headed home into the far post after 59 minutes.

PSG had plenty of chances but poor finishing as well as good goalkeeping from Manuel Neuer allowed Bayern to have a cleen sheet.

Bayern have won their 6th Champions League in the history of this competition.

Flick deseves all credit

When Hansi Flick was given the job as Interim Manager, Bayern were sitting in a mediocre 7th position, 7 points from the top of the table.

The German manager had a huge challenge right from that start, having to encounter Borussia Dortmund, who were in 3rd position.

However, Flick brushed aside all pressure, dominating Dortmund and Bayern deservedly won 4-0.

However, not all changes happened overnight, as he had to encounter a 2-1 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen and another 2-1 away loss to Borussia M’gladbach.

What followed was a 19 game winning streak, including a 1-0 win away at Dortmund in Der Klassiker. Bayern (82) would eventually win the Bundesliga with a 13 point lead over rivals Borrusia Dortmund (69).

In that space, the resurgence of Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer was a huge one, especially after both had mediocre 2018/19 seasons, with Neuer making errors ever so often, and Muller a former shadow of himself.

Neuer would go on to get the golden glove and Muller broke a record for the most assists in a Bundesliga season: A whopping 21.

Moreover, Bayern would win Chelsea 3-0 away, 4-1 at home, then dismantling Barcelona by a one-legged score of 8-2.

They brushed aside Lyon 3-0 while eventually winning the final.

A teenager from Vancouver

An Unknown player when he first replaced an injured Lucas Hernandez, Alphonso Davies has proved to the world that you can be an amazing football regardless wherever you are born in the world.

He has set a record for the fastest clocked time in the Bundesliga, at 36.53 km/h, beating wing-back Achraf Hakimi.

He has made sensational runs. An example of his sensational runs came in the 8-2 obliterration of Barcelona.

His run included going past Messi and 5 other players, and humilliating Nelson Semedo after effortlessly dribbling past him.

He needed a simple cross to give Bayern a 5-2 lead and he did so, letting Joshua Kimmich score one of the easiest goals of his life.

Sevilla won the Europa league for a 6th time as they defeated Inter Milan 3-2 in Frankfurt.

Favourites Inter Milan needed went into an early lead after Lukaku calmly slotted in a penlaty into the bottom corner after a foul by Diego Carlos on the Belgian number 9.

It didn’t take Sevilla long to equalise, however, as Luuk de Jong headed home from 6 yards after a pinpoint cross from Jesús Navas.

Luuk de Jong added another goal to his tally to give Sevilla the lead after he headed in to the far post.

Inter Milan responded after just 2 minutes with Diego Godin heading home a cheeky cross by fellow Croatian Marcelo Brozović.

Lukaku could have given Inter the lead just after the hour mark but Sevilla shot-stopper Yassine Bounou managed an excellent save.

He would eventually be the villain for the Serie A side as he scored a comical own goal.

Diego Carlos attempted an ambitious bicycle kick which seemed to be heading wide but struck Lukaku to give Sevilla the lead, and would eventually be the winner.

Inter Milan had a successful season under Antonio Conte, finishing second by a point (82) behind Juventus (83).

Sevilla also had a stellar 19/20 season under 18/19 manager Julen Lopetegui, finishing level on points (70) with Atletico Madrid, but finished 4th due to the goal difference rule.

Round of 16 (Last 4 ties)

Juventus 3-0 Lyon (Agg: 3-1)

Man City 2-2 Real Madrid (Agg: 4-3)

Bayern 3-1 Chelsea (Agg: 6-1)

Barcelona 2-1 Napoli (Agg: 3-2)

Quarter Finals (Note that they will only be one match)

Juventus 1-2 Man City

Bayern 4-2 Barcelona (Yes, that is a bold prediction)

Atalanta 2-1 PSG

Leipzig 0-1 Atletico Madrid

Semi Finals (One-legged ties)

(QF1) Man City 1-1 (QF3) Bayern (Man City win on Penalties)

(QF2)Atalanta 1- 1 Atletico Madrid (QF4)- (Atletico win on Penalties)

Final

Bayern 1-0 Atletico Madrid

Winners

Bayern Munich

The UCL draws are confirmed.

Manchester City or Real Madrid will clash heads with the winner of Juventus or Lyon.

The second quarter final will be RB Lepizig vs Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, making for an intersting tie.

Barcelona vs Napoli will face against the winner of Bayern vs Chelsea (which is technically settled unless a miracle happens).

Underachievers PSG will face against Underdogs Atalanta.

ANALYSIS

1. Man City vs Real Madrid (R16)

Manchester City and Real Madrid have both been on fire since the restart of the EPL and Laliga respectively.

Man City have thrashed Champions Liverpool 4-0 while Real Madrid have a 4 point lead against Barcelona.

Both teams will draw in the second leg, and Man City will go through.

2. Juventus vs Lyon (R16)

Lyon might have a 1-0 aggregate lead but the cancellation of Ligue 1 and the fact that they haven’t qualified for the Champions League next season would be a major blow for them.

Juventus and Ronaldo would almost cetainly win, but Lyon will put a fight in order to gain some respect after being unable to qualify for the UCL, but they will definitely be rusted after 5 months without football.

3. Bayern vs Chelsea (R16)

This has to be the most obvious one.

With a 3-0 lead after demolishing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Bayern look unstoppable.

Winning the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal have sweetened their season, and the Bavarians are the favourites to win Eurpoe’s biggest trophy.

Chelsea will put a fight but Bayern will ease through eventually.

4. Barcelona vs Napoli (R16)

Oh, Barcelona.

Surrendering a lead aginst Real Madrid, Quique Setien’s men are not in good shape, but his new system at Barcelona as shown after their 4-1 win at Villarreal may change things.

Napoli have been quite the opposite, winning Juventus, Inter Milan (on aggregate), Roma, and have been much better.

Napoli will make it difficult but the quality of Barcelona’s squad will allow them to squeeze through in the second leg.

5. RB Lepizig vs Atletico Madrid (QF)

An interesting tie indeed.

RB Leipzig have been topsy-turvy since the restart, while Atletico have been better than average since the restart.

RB Lepizig’s attacking football will be neautralised by Atletico’s defending. In addition, their star man Timo Werner has left the club for Chelsea.

Atletico will go through.

6. Atalanta vs PSG

The underdogs versus the underachievers.

Atalanta are the best side to watch in Europe, and have been stunning this season.

PSG will be rusty although they have a fully fit squad.

Atalanta will stun PSG and will win the hearts of football fans (that is if there is not VAR controversey).

Predictions will be later.