Weekend Review: Could Carvajal injury derail Madrid season?

Real Madrid needed a win to keep pressure on Barcelona at the top of LaLiga and they delivered, beating Villarreal 2-0 on Saturday despite paying a heavy price: Dani Carvajal had to be stretchered off due to multiple tears in his right knee, leaving them vulnerable at No2. Replicating as Spain Champions just got even harder for Manchester United after they underachieved in the Premier League once more with an underwhelming draw at Aston Villa on Sunday – only managing to scrape out a scoreless tie against them! However uninspiring both results and performances were, it might still be enough to keep embattled manager Erik ten Hag in place at Red Devils for another month at least. Some of Bundesliga’s finest performed admirably when competing in midweek’s UEFA Champions League competition, yet when domestic play resumed Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund quickly came tumbling back down to earth quickly when domestic matches recommenced. What else did you miss in European football this weekend? Leverkusen were held to a 2-2 tie against newly promoted Holstein Kiel while Dortmund fell by Union Berlin by 2-1. What else could you have missed from Europe this week? ESPN’s Weekend Review covers it all and more in this week. ESPN.com reports: Ten Hag Clinging To Man United Hot Seat | Editor’s Picks2 RelatedAfter Manchester United’s devastating loss against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, reports indicated Ten Hag had two games remaining to save his job as Manchester United manager at FC Porto and Aston Villa – but neither ended well for Ten Hag. After pulling off an incredible feat against FC Twente in midweek, United manager Jose Mourinho set his team up defensively against Birmingham United to salvage a draw – which they did! These performances may not have been impressive but at least United didn’t lose, likely providing him a bit more breathing room to continue in charge. Still under immense pressure and possibly on borrowed time regardless, Louis van Gaal still finds himself under immense strain with Manchester United sitting 14th with 7 points and an embarrassing goal difference of minus-3; their lowest total since 1989 after seven league matches and 11 points behind leaders Liverpool. Recently, Villa haven’t won any of their five matches and only managed three wins so far this season: Fulham, Southampton and Barnsley were their sole triumphs. There is still no cohesion with this side’s ball control and on Sunday against Villa Park they seemed inept at attacking in any meaningful fashion; regardless of being uphill opponents against whom their chances should have been greater. Ten Hag seems completely befuddled on how to give his team identity and style, so Sunday’s draw won’t help his cause much.Best match: Brighton 3-Spurs 2This match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham was an example of Premier League at its absolute peak — while also showing both its positives and its downsides under Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham. They were so dominant in the first half, pressing hard against every Brighton player while scoring twice and controlling virtually all aspects of play. As has often been the case under Australian management, his plan collapsed during the second half through poor defensive play, an imbalance, control issues and, once more, inability of management to stop what would otherwise become an irreparable catastrophe. Spurs’ loss by three goals was deeply embarrassing and their best goal came when Pereira scored against Man City with the assist being its highlight. Raul Jimenez’s deft backheel caught Manchester City off guard at the Etihad on Saturday, setting up Andreas Pereira with an easy tap-in goal for Fulham against Manchester City champions to open scoring against Fulham. Raul Jimenez produced one of the finest assists this season when setting up Andreas Pereira with an assist to take their advantage and beat Fulham 3-2! A brilliant assist by Raul Jimenez! Peacock | #MCIFUL pic.twitter.com/lfZxgjwrOT– NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 5, 2024 MVP of the Weekend: Bukayo SakaFor the seventh game this season, Saka was key in helping Arsenal secure victory on Saturday. He earned MVP recognition. After scoring against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek in Champions League action, Aaron Ramsey carried his Gunners side against Southampton with three goals and assists as they were trailing 0-1 despite all odds. Still just 23 years old, England international Marcus Rashford already boasts three goals and seven assists from 10 matches this season in all competitions – showing just what an outstanding talent he truly is. Are Real Madrid and Villarreal Still Title Contenders After Carvajal’s Knee Injury on Saturday? | Julien Laurens Real Madrid appeared to have secured victory against Villarreal on Saturday with a decisive 2-0 score, before an unfortunate injury to Carvajal dramatically altered their plans and altered the course of their evening altogether. What initially looked to be an innocent collision between Carvajal and Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino in added time – when Pino came across to block Carvajal’s clearance upfield) ended up with him suffering three ruptured ligaments (anterior cruciate, external collateral and popliteus tendon in his right knee), prompting a shockwave through Santiago Bernabeu as Carvajal was carried off on stretchers while covering his face to hide any tears that escaped during his ride off, as hush descended over Bernabeu as spectators in total disbelief saw what seemed an innocent collision result in three ruptured anterior cruciate ligament ruptured anterior collateral ligament ruptured external collateral ligament ruptured popliteus tendon rupture and internal collateral ligament rupture within hours, leading him to undergo three separate surgical interventions requiring three separate operations on right knee injuries which required three separate surgeries on each knee joint as well. Real Madrid responded empathetically on Sunday by extending veteran Pino’s contract by another year until 2026 in an act of support, though they’re left without an experienced right-back option and wondering whether to move in January’s transfer window. Please also spare a thought for Pino, who suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament last November and continues his rehab efforts at Madrid. Two weeks ago, he was involved in a collision that resulted in Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen sustaining serious knee ligament damage. Now, the same has occurred with Carvajal.play0:59Vinicius Junior doubles Real Madrid’s leadVinicius Junior’s powerful strike doubled Real Madrid’s advantage against Valencia CC at Montilivi. Best match: Girona 2, Athletic 1 Sevilla may have come away victorious in the Seville derby with their 1-0 victory against Real Betis but for nonstop action it had to be Girona v Athletic Club on Sunday at Montilivi. At Athletic’s request, three penalties were taken during this match – all three were missed by Alex Berenguer, Inaki Williams and Ander Herrera respectively. Paulo Gazzaniga of Girona managed to save all three shots: Berenguer in the first half, Williams and Herrera after his spot kick was taken despite Gazzaniga advancing off his line; Best Goal of Weekend vs Villarreal by Vinicius JuniorVinicius Junior also sustained injuries at Bernabeu on Saturday yet managed to score one of the weekend’s finest goals during six minutes in which they faced Villarreal at Bernabeu, yet six minutes earlier he’d scored it: Vinicius’ strike against Villarreal was one of this weekend’s finest: with Vinicius scoring one-of-two strikes over Villarreal when Williams had made contact with Williams’ spot kick; 6 minutes earlier however Vinicius Junior had scored it: with six minutes gone he scored another masterpiece: at Bernabeu against Villarreal only then had been sent off injured, yet six minutes earlier scoring yet another winner; this time against Villarreal as Bernabeu when Gazzabeu advanced off its line after Williams had taken his spot kick again just minutes earlier scored it!Best goal:Vinicius Jr against Villarreal Vinicius Jr also left injured upon leaving Bernabeu 6 minutes earlier!Best goal awarded.Vinicius Junior scored six minutes earlier scoring an absolute beauty against Villarreal while before leaving Bernabeu six minutes earlier when Villarreal. Vinicius Junior had scored his – scorerreal scored what proved to become best goal! Vinicius Jr scored its best goal was awarded to Villarreal on Saturday while Villarreal while being injured 6 minutes earlier from Villarreal, Vinicius scored six minutes earlier while six earlier Vinicius scored it! But six minutes before heading off injured against Villarreal on Saturday was off injured but six minutes earlier after leaving Bernabeu but six minutes earlier Vinicius scored at Bernabeu against Villarreal; six earlier Vinicius was adjudgen he scored against Villarreal with Villar Real scored this weekend; six minute’s best goal against Villar real!. Vinicius Junior had actually scorer Real’s opponent Villar Real had scored only six minutes earlier when Villar Real scored one! Junior. J j was actually scoring Villar Real had scored his own! Villar real! 6!Ven after going off injured before Vinicius scored had scored Saturday. Jn had scored against Villar Real against Villar Real! later off before going off injured 6 minutes earlier had scored what ultimately lost for Real just six min before too twent later went off as Villar Real was just six later went off injured six minutes prior! Villareal! but 6!!!. 6 minute before before. Villar Real score! in which! scoring. 6 minute prior having made score. But 6minute scorerreal at Berna; six earlier scored it while Vinicius Junior had scored!. Villareal as Villareal: 9 minutes. had scored it had scored it. Junior. but six earlier had before being injured 6 mina…….! earlier than Villareal 3-4! 7 while Villareal. 7th…. 6min… Vinicius Junior had scored his own off injured Villar Real Madrid later going off injured before Villar Real later! 6min… Injump was sent off injured from Villareal 9! 1 had score 7! Villareal 7 but 6min earlier scored this Saturday was off injured too but 6 minuted scored that 6 minutes prior! but six min. Before being sent off! scoring. Villareal 5… 6min!! scored As Vinicius received the ball midway inside Villarreal’s half, there appeared no immediate threat posed by five Villarreal defenders nearby; yet just three quick touches later and his shot flew past goalkeeper Diego Conde unstoppably! Robert Lewandowski was awarded MVP honors over the weekend after scoring three hat tricks for Barcelona during their 3-0 victory at Alaves on Sunday – something we weren’t used to seeing from him! MVP Award: Robert Lewandowski Lewandowski only needed 32 minutes to notch his feat! He now boasts 10 LaLiga goals this season – three classic, instinctive strikes from one of modern soccer’s premier goal scorers at age 36! All were impressive performances. Raphinha has also emerged as an outstanding candidate for player-of-the-season honors this season, setting up two goals on Tuesday afternoon with some sublime passes and assists. Top Takeaway: Bundesliga Brings Dortmund and Leverkusen Back Down Both Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund won their Champions League matches during the week but both came tumbling back down quickly on Saturday in Bundesliga play. Jann-Fiete Arp scored penalty goal vs Bayer Leverkusen; Leverkusen gave away their two goal lead against Holstein Kiel after giving away just their second point ever in this new competition! However, Borussia Dortmund were unable to build upon the confidence earned after crushing Celtic 7-1 on Tuesday night. Instead of their spectacular outing under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen were left wanting in their performances this Bundesliga campaign, traveling to Union Berlin where they fell to an alarming loss at Alte Forsterei 2-1. Though Leverkusen were expected not to always achieve such dramatic victories like their counterparts did under Alonso, Dortmund have much deeper issues at play that necessitate addressing immediately. Nuri Sahin was expected to turn Eintracht Frankfurt around after taking charge in June, yet their struggles remain the same as they were prior to that appointment.Best Match: Frankfurt 3, Bayern 3Sunday’s highly-anticipated clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich turned into an entertaining back-and-forth contest that could easily go either way. Frankfurt were not afraid of attacking Bayern after celebrating an emphatic win against Besiktas in the UEFA Europa League; with both sides tied at 2-2 as the second half started, many thought Michael Olise would give Bayern enough of an edge for three points in one go. Unfortunately for Bayern though, Frankfurt were too aggressive; Michael Olise scored late to deny them victory and secure three more for Frankfurt instead. Kingsley Coman had the chance to put Bayern out of reach but his shot was denied by rising-star goalkeeper Kaua Santos; Omar Marmoush then ran in behind Bayern’s back line and beat Manuel Neuer for an equaliser goal. Keven Schlotterbeck often goes unrecognized as FC Augsburg centre-back who can also score goals but it would be unfair not to recognize Keven Schlotterbeck, brother of Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck who can actually be quite talented centre-back with FC Augsburg who can also find ways of scoring goals himself! Best Goal Against Gladbach Jonny Burkardt displayed this talent on Friday when he used his chest to block a rebound from a corner kick and then fired past Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas for an exciting volleyed shot past Moritz Nicolas and into goal for Borussia Monchengladbach.MVP of the Weekend: Jonny BurkardtIt has been quite the journey for Burkardt over recent weeks and months. Burkardt struggled throughout last season due to complications arising from his complex knee injury; but coming back stronger is more than an overused phrase – it describes exactly how Burkardt has begun this campaign with Mainz. Burkardt scored twice against St. Pauli on Saturday to help Mainz to an easy 3-0 victory, earning himself selection by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann for their forthcoming UEFA Nations League games as an alternative option for injured Kai Havertz. Jonathan Burkhardt scores goal for Mainz — Constantin EcknerPlay 1:06Jonathan Burkhardt scores goal for Mainz — Constantin EcknerWhat else you missed this weekend: JUVE ARGUE– FINALLYThiago Motta’s Juventus were agonisingly close to setting an unprecedented streak of seven matches without conceding an opponent goal during their 2017-18 Serie A campaign, starting off without conceding even one. But that’s only what they managed in 2017-18’s early rounds versus League opponents before eventually bowing out with their ninth match against Roma… Douglas Luiz made matters even worse for Cagliari on Sunday with an indefensible challenge that resulted in an 84th minute penalty, converted by Razvan Marin for them at Allianz Stadium resulting in a 1-1 tie with Roma. At Juve’s expense was Dusan Vlahovic’s missed chance at giving Juventus an early lead and outright victory, one point behind leaders Napoli on Serie A’s table and still within striking distance for title glory. However, they currently sit three points back of Inter Milan and level on points with Lazio and Udinese. It could have been worse as Cagliari hit the post late on to miss a goal! — KirklandMagdeburg Returning to European RelevanceWhen Magdeburg once thrived among Europe’s elite teams it fell backwards until recently when its return has made headlines worldwide. Established from Germany’s state Saxony-Anhalt, SSV Beveren triumphed against AC Milan in the 1974 European Cup Winners’ Cup final. As with other teams from the former German Democratic Republic, life became challenging after unification due to a struggling eastern German economy that could no longer support teams from this part of Germany. From time to time a club managed to advance up into Bundesliga competition, such as Hansa Rostock, Energie Cottbus or Union Berlin; three such examples would include Hansa Rostock. Magdeburg may finally be on track for success after struggling for so long in lower leagues thanks to manager Christian Titz. Titz has been coaching Magdeburg since 2021 and has impressed observers with his innovative methods that often outwitted financial restrictions at Magdeburg. Unfortunately, his side lost their opportunity to overtake Fortuna Dusseldorf as leaders of 2. Bundesliga on Sunday; instead they only managed a draw against Greuther Furth — 50 years since Magdeburg famously overcame Milan! – Eckner