Paris (AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo who gets annoyed, Erling Haaland who impresses, Lionel Messi who scores ... European football has regained some normality this weekend with the restart of competitions in Italy, Spain and elsewhere, after three months of interruption because of the coronavirus.

- Ronaldo, missed penalty but record audience -

Delay in ignition for Ronaldo: returned to competition with Juventus Turin Friday in the semi-final return from the Italian Cup, the Portuguese superstar did not shine against AC Milan (0-0).

This cold-blooded finisher split an unusual failure for him by sending on the post a penalty that could have allowed him to score his first goal after three months of forced inactivity (15th).

Raging for the fivefold Ballon d'Or, which took the face with two hands, but without consequence for Juventus: the "Old Lady" held the score in numerical superiority and she qualified for the final in the favor of the away goal in the first leg (1-1) by ... Ronaldo. The trophy will be played Wednesday against Naples.

In any case, "CR7" and others had missed the Italians: more than eight million viewers watched this resumption meeting Friday on the Rai, the best audience of the season for a football match!

- Haaland, providential impulse -

Bayern sacred from this Saturday? It was possible until the last moments of the match of Dortmund, dolphin of Munich. But that was without counting on the Erling Braut Haaland phenomenon.

The Norwegian, back in competition after a glitch in one knee, entered the hour on the lawn of Düsseldorf. And he drew Dortmund from a bad step by placing a splendid uncrossed head in the last second of the match, offering the victory to BVB (1-0).

Hilare, the young striker (19) touched his forehead before celebrating his goal with his partners.

It is the 11th accomplishment in 12 Bundesliga matches for Haaland, who arrived in January from RB Salzburg and became one of the attractions of European football in a few months.

- Pavard and Bayern share the title -

Funny weekend for Benjamin Pavard, who went through all the states on Saturday with Bayern Munich against Mönchengladbach.

On a cross from the right, the French defender tackled to try to dismiss the ball but he unfortunately propelled it into the back of his own nets (37th), allowing Borussia to return to 1-1.

A draw would not have worked for Bayern, which was close to winning an eighth consecutive championship title. But Pavard did not give up and it was he who, after a nice call behind the defense, offered the goal of 2-1 to Leon Goretzka (85th).

The latter then rushed to embrace Pavard and comfort him, accompanied by Serge Gnabry. Munich can exult: with this success, they are only one victory away, which they could win Tuesday in Bremen.

- Messi resumes without beard and with a goal -

Football has resumed and Lionel Messi is no longer quite the same: bearded in March when competitions were interrupted, the Argentinian returned from hairless confinement as in his young years.

But even without a beard, the Barcelona captain shone during Barça's large victory in Mallorca (4-0). The little left-hander sealed the score at the end of the meeting with a straight shot from the right foot (90th + 3), completing a rather successful performance after three months of inactivity: dribbling, acceleration, bright openings ...

Note that the closed camera decreed in all the stadiums of Spain did not prevent a supporter of the sixfold Ballon d'Or from trying to approach his idol: the intruder, wearing a jersey of the Argentine selection flocked with N. 10 of Messi, found a way to defy security and enter the lawn during the match to try to take a picture with the players (53rd) ...

- Turkish football is back, so are the smoke bombs -

Known for its fervor and fiery atmospheres, Turkish football also restarted this weekend after three months of interruption, an event celebrated by Besiktas supporters with a great deal of smoke before the reception of Antalyaspor on Saturday (2 -1 for Antalyaspor).

For the time being, the resumption has taken place behind closed doors. But the Turkish federation has not ruled out allowing fans to return to the stadium in the coming weeks, "if the situation improves".

© 2020 AFP