Kroos’s goal with an ugo and two canceled goals by Barca

The year 2020 was extremely unsuccessful for Barcelona. At first, the blue-garnet unexpectedly lost points in the derby with Espanyol (2: 2) and allowed themselves to catch up in the standings. Examples of Real Madrid, which on the road did not leave Getafe's chances - 3: 0.

Then the wards of Ernesto Valverde lost to Atlético in the semifinal match of the Spanish Super Cup. This year, four teams are participating in the trophy drawing (champion, winner of the country's cup and two other winners, Examples), and a tournament is being held in Saudi Arabia.

“Barcelona” and “Atletico” gave local fans a vivid spectacle. Ten minutes before the end of the match, the Catalans were 2-1, but managed to miss twice. First, Alvaro Morata realized a penalty, and then gave an assist to Angel Correa.

At the same time, in the middle of the second half, the judge, after watching the replays, canceled two goals of blue-garnet. First, he spotted a hand game with Lionel Messi, and then canceled the goal of Gerard Piquet because of the offside position.

In turn, Real Madrid did not experience any problems in the semifinal match with Valencia by Denis Cheryshev. Moreover, Tony Kroos managed to open an account already in the 15th minute with a direct kick from the corner. Moreover, goalkeeper rival Haume Domenech managed to concede such a ball for the second time in 11 months.

Liverpool Championship move and youth team victory in the Cup

In England, Liverpool continues to confidently go to the first championship in 30 years. As part of Boxing Day, the wards of Jürgen Klopp won three wins in three matches in a week with a total score of 7: 0. It was assumed that at home one of his main pursuers Leicester could give the fight to the leader, but in reality the foxes were unable to offer any resistance to the guests and conceded four unanswered goals. In fairness, until the 71st minute, “Liverpool” led with a minimum score, but in the end finished off the opponent.

Thus, after the 21st round of the Premier League, the Reds are 13 points ahead of Leicester and Manchester City by 14. Moreover, they have a match in reserve because they had to postpone the meeting with West Ham because of the club world championship.

If Liverpool left the League Cup at the quarter-finals, as they had to play with Aston Villa as a youth team, then in the FA Cup the team, also playing almost as a reserve, made it to the 1/16 finals. It is especially valuable for the fans that the youth of Liverpool in the derby beat the base of Everton - 1: 0, and the only ball scored by the club's pupil 18-year-old Curtis Jones.

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The game of Leicester and Manchester City on several fronts

Despite the fact that the positions of Liverpool in the Premier League standings look almost unshakable already in early January, Leicester and Manchester City continue to at least indicate the pursuit of the leader. So, Brendan Rogers wards after losing to the Merseysiders won two victories in a row: first they won West Ham (2: 1), and then Newcastle (3: 0). In turn, the current champion at home was stronger than Sheffield United (2: 0) and Everton (2: 1).

At the same time, the two main pursuers of Liverpool in the Premier League continue to fight for trophies in all tournaments in which they participate. “Leicester” in the semifinals of the League Cup confronts “Aston Villa”, and the first match between them ended in a draw - 1: 1. In another pair, Manchester City in the Mancunian derby was stronger than Manchester United - 3: 1.

In the FA Cup, the “foxes” broke the resistance representing the Wigan Championship - 2: 0, and Josep Guardiola's wards defeated the “Port Valais” from the fourth strongest division of the country - 4: 1. At the same time, striker Thomas Pope, who hit the gates of the grandee, sarcastically declared that he could have scored 50 goals per season if John Stones, the defender of City, had always played against him.

Victories of leaders in Italy and doubles of Lukaku with Immobile

There was one round in Serie A during the January holidays, and the first three teams of the national championship won their matches. The most convincing victory was won by the reigning Juventus champion. Turintsy scored four unanswered goals against Cagliari, and Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first hat-trick of the season and at the same time gave the assist. Along the way, the five-time winner of the Golden Ball became the second player in the 21st century to score three goals in one meeting in the championships of England, Italy and Spain. The first managed to do this Alexis Sanchez.

It seems that the Portuguese finally felt completely healthy. This was confirmed by Maurizio Sarri, who noted that the knee no longer bothers the 34-year-old player. Perhaps now Ronaldo even manages to join the race of scorers. So far, Cristiano has 13 goals on his account, and Ciro Immobile, the leader in the list of snipers, has 19.

Forward “Lazio” also noted effective actions in the reporting round. With his double, he helped the Romans win the ninth consecutive victory in the national championship and repeat the club record. Leadership was retained by Inter, who unexpectedly easily beat Napoli away on the road thanks to a double of Romel Lukak - 3: 1. By the way, the Belgian is on the second line of the list of the best scorers of the tournament with 14 goals.

Another honored striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who signed a contract with Milan, also returned to Italy. In a match with Sampdoria fighting for survival, he came on as a substitute at the beginning of the second half, but failed to hit an opponent’s goal. The meeting ended in a draw - 0: 0.

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Successful serve Golovin and Icardi's first hat-trick for PSG

Meanwhile, matches of national cups took place in France. The first meeting under the leadership of Roberto Moreno Gonzalez was held by Monaco Alexander Golovin. In the framework of the 1/32 final of the Cup of the country, Monegasques outplayed Reims - 2: 1.

It is curious that if the majority of the teams representing the elite, the teams from the lower divisions got into rivals, then the “Monaco” brought lots to another team of League 1.

As for Golovin, he spent all 90 minutes on the field and helped the Monegasques snatch victory in the 94th minute. After filing it from the corner, the ball hit the opponent, and then bounced to Balde Keith, who scored a double and led the team to the next round.

In turn, PSG won with a tennis score in both tournaments. If in the French Cup Parisians expectedly did not leave a chance to the modest “Linas-Monlery” - 6: 0, then in the League Cup they unexpectedly easily defeated “Saint-Etienne” - 6: 1. The first hat-trick in the team was designed by Mauro Icardi.

It is curious that a little earlier there was a rumor about the possible return of the Argentine to Italy. Allegedly, he can replenish the composition of Juventus. However, the agent and the wife of the athlete Wanda Nara, in response to questions about the future spouse, said that he had to make the choice himself.