Hat Covid-19 eine ausgeglichenere Serie A verursacht?

Seit der 2011-2012 Saison, dominiert Juventus die italienische Fußballliga, jedoch scheint es als hätten die zahlreichen Covid-Fälle, die Mannschaften auf eine Ebene gebracht.

Von Daphne Seberich 

Nach einer von politischen Ereignissen geprägten 2019/2020 Fußballsaison, hätte niemand von einer spannenden Serie A geahnt. Viele Mannschaften befinden sich unter finanziellem Druck: Stadions bleiben zu, Merchandising wird weniger verkauft und die Businessmodelle der Fußballorganisationen zeigen ihre Schwächen. Dies führte zu einer enttäuschenden Transfermarkt-Session einiger Vereine, dennoch kam es bis jetzt zwischen den Teilnehmern zu einem ausgewogeneren und spannenderen Kampf. 

Die langjährige Dominanz der “Juventini’’ verdarb vielen den Spaß an der italienischen Liga. Juve wurde neun Jahre lang, mit mehreren Spieltagen im Voraus, als Sieger des besten italienischen Fußballturniers ernannt. Nie gab es ein Team in Italien das so oft hintereinander die Serie A gewonnen hatte. Doch diese Saison scheint anders zu laufen: Milan befindet sich dank eines ausgezeichneten Zlatan Ibrahimović an erster Stelle der Rangliste, vor Sassuolo und Ex-Milan-Spieler-und-Trainer Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli.

Die Sieger der vergangenen neun Spielzeiten sind nur auf Platz fünf, vier Punkte von den Erstplatzierten getrennt. Gründe dafür gibt es mehrere. Andrea Pirlo übernahm ohne Erfahrung an der Leitung eines großen Fußballvereins Maurizio Sarri’s Trainerposition. Einige Spieler wurden positiv für Covid-19 getestet und mussten deswegen mehrere Wochen aussetzen und in Quarantäne bleiben. Ein negatives Testergebnis des Sportlers war erforderlich um diesen wieder auf dem Fußballfeld sehen zu dürfen. Jedoch ist jede Mannschaft davon betroffen worden, nicht nur die juventinische. Unersetzbare Spieler wurden wochenlang gesperrt, darunter Ibrahimović, CR7 und Immobile.

Dies führte andererseits zu weniger vorhersagbaren Spielergebnissen und wesentlich spannungsreicheren Matches. Ist die 2020/2021 Serie A Saison endlich diejenige, in der man eine neue Siegermannschaft feiern darf?

Glas halb voll oder halb leer? Hängt davon ab, wie man verschiedene Ereignisse betrachtet. In diesem Falle auch passend, denn in der schwierigen und voller Unsicherheit geprägten Zeit, wäre es besser, negativen Gedanken aus dem Weg zu gehen. Sport bietet genau dies, eine Ablenkung von unserem Alltag, weshalb man auch positive Eigenschaften dieser Pandemie erkennen lernen könnte, denn im Leben soll nicht alles als negativ betrachtet werden. Das führe, zu Unrecht, zu Unmut.

Source: as.com

Is the MotoGP championship fight over? Mir’s exquisite win in Valencia would indicate so

An outstanding first win in the highest class of motorbike racing for Suzuki rider Joan Mir, who now has a 37 points lead ahead of teammate Alex Rins before the upcoming last two races of the 2020 MotoGP season. 

By Daphne Seberich

Who would’ve thought before the start of the 2020 MotoGP campaign that a guy, who never won a race in the sport, would be at the top of the drivers’ championship list? 

Joan Mir proved the odds wrong, coming into the European GP, held at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, in first place with a 17 points lead. It turned out to be a magical weekend for the Spaniard: achieving his first win in the elite racing class and consolidating the top spot of the championship. Now it gets tough for the other contenders to bounce back and fight for the trophy.

After a complicated wet qualifying session, everyone was hoping for better conditions ahead of the race. Drivers and teams were concerned about their tire strategy. Most bikers chose the safe bet of the medium compound at the front and the soft at the back, just Franco Morbidelli took a risk mounting hard tires onto his Yamaha. 

What a crazy first lap. Poleman Pol Espargaro has a good start, keeping the lead of the race ahead of Rins. Championship contender Quartararo, who had a disappointing weekend overall, incredibly falls at the race start, together with Aleix Espargaro. There was no contact between the two, but the championship suddenly slipped away from the Frenchman’s hands. 

Alex Rins showed to have great pace right from the get-go and overtakes a struggling Espargaro in the second lap of the race for the lead. His teammate soon followed to surpass the KTM, securing a one-two lead for Suzuki. The gaps between the drivers soon became too substantial for overtakes, leading to an underwhelming race. 

Rossi’s zero-points-streak continued in Valencia too, having to abandon the track due to an engine issue of his Yamaha, after having to miss two races by being tested positive for Covid-19, and crashing at the two previous races in Barcelona and Le Mans. Many drivers had to retire, either for motorbike-related issues or crashes. 

Lap 11 defined the race: Rins incredibly goes wide at turn 11, providing an easy overtake for Mir. The Spaniard immediately showed to have great pace and formed a significant gap between him and his teammate. Lap times were abnormally quick for the race leader, flying over the tarmac to set 1:31.9 at every round. 

Mir, Rins and Espargaro: three Spaniards on the podium at the European GP. Yamahas now have the task to prove their underachieving weekend wrong (Morbidelli 11th, Viñales 14th and Quartararo 15th) for there to be a challenge against the Suzukis next week in Ricardo Tormo. Is the championship already over?

Source: formularapida.net

Pol Espargaro secures pole position at a wet qualifying in Valencia

An incredible fast lap awards the Spaniard Pol Espargaro the pole position of the European GP held in Valencia. Yamahas far off the top.

By Daphne Seberich

A wet Ricardo Tormo circuit defined the polesitter of the 2020 MotoGP European Grand Prix. Difficult conditions challenged the drivers to be brave on the brakes and gentle with the throttle to maximize lap times and squeeze everything out of their motorcycles for one flying lap that would assure them the front grid spot. Many frontrunners were outlined from the previous free practice sessions, in particular Miller, Oliveira and Zarco.

Viñales, due to an engine swap, will start from the pit lane tomorrow, 5 seconds after the last driver crossing the line. Nevertheless, Maverick crashed in FP4 and proved not to be at the peak of his shape, falling far behind the top two drivers and his teammate Valentino Rossi, who’s finally back after testing positive for Covid-19. 

Oliveira proved right away to have a great qualifying pace on the Ricardo Tormo circuit. Lap after lap he would better his time by half a second during his five attempts. Zarco, Bagnaia and Alex Marquez all tried to steal the top spot from the KTM biker, but their attempts couldn’t push the Portuguese off the throne. The battle to second got messy with Bradl securing his place to access the next qualifying round for most of Q1, but crashing on the last attempt, permitting Avintia driver, Johann Zarco, to beat the German’s time, after a brilliant last sector, where he regained one-tenth of a second on his opponent, to enter Q2. 

Morbidelli, Rins and Quartararo challenged each other right away at the start of the second qualifying round, but a surprising Nakagami swept provisional pole. Pramac biker Miller chose to get on track just at the last minutes available, to try and have a drier tarmac for his attempts. His strategy paid off as he secured second place behind the Japanese, even though he almost fell off his Ducati. Unexpectedly, an outstanding lap by KTM driver Pol Espargaro settled the fight for the grid and assured him the front spot for the race. Rins and Nakagami follow in the qualifying ranking to complete the top three. 

Who will win the race? Only time will tell, but Suzuki and KTM drivers, including Johann Zarco to the list with his Avintia, are the favorites to take the crown. Yamahas see a tough race ahead with all their drivers at the back of the grid.

This is a crucial race for the championship contenders Mir, Quartararo and Viñales. 

Will the Suzuki driver further his lead or can the Yamahas catch up with the Spaniard? 

We’ll find out…

Source: Motociclismo

Un Bayern spaventoso batte il coraggioso Dortmund in un accesissimo match di Bundesliga

Al Westfalenstadion di Dortmund si è giocato il “Klassiker’’ della Bundesliga. Le due squadre rivali si sono contese la vittoria a colpi di pura classe calcistica. Due gol annullati a Lewandowski.

Photo credits: CalcioMercato.com

Di Daphne Seberich

La rivalità tra queste due squadre è ormai nota da molteplici decadi. Una, la bavarese, con sei vittorie e solamente una sconfitta in Bundesliga, reduce dalla vittoria della passata stagione in Champions League e Supercoppa europea. L’altra, la giallonera, a parità di punti con la squadra avversaria (prima dell’ avvio di gara) e capolista del girone F della competizione iridata. In passato furono i bavaresi ad avere la meglio sul Dortmund, ma una difesa in chiara difficoltà ( anche a causa delle assenze pesanti di Süle, Pavard e Davies), non ha reso facile la partita per la propria squadra.

Già dal primo minuto il ritmo si è dimostrato essere altissimo, con Lewandowski che centra l’angolo esterno del palo della porta difesa da Bürki. Il Bayern si dimostra essere in forma, pressando costantemente gli avversari.

Al terzo minuto di gara, la difesa del Bayern si impasticcia con Boateng, che offre una grande occasione a Håland, il giovane norvegese prodigio dei gialloneri. Egli manca, di un soffio, lo specchio della porta. Gli estremi bavaresi hanno concesso troppo ad un agguerrito Dortmund nell’avvio di gara, ma un grande Manuel Neuer salva molteplici volte la situazione. 

La squadra di Monaco però si conferma essere la più forte delle due, attaccando senza interruzioni la porta di Bürki, dimostrando di avere un possesso palla notevole e facendo ininterrottamente pressione ai propri avversari. 

Un’azione al 24º minuto di gioco, partita da un rinvio di Jérôme Boateng, regala al polacco Lewandowski l’opportunità di segnare la prima rete della partita, la quale viene incredibilmente dichiarata, per questione di millimetri, in fuorigioco.

Il Dortmund arranca. Occasioni al 26º e 28º per i bavaresi mettono a dura prova il portiere giallonero, che dimostra essere uno dei migliori dei suoi. Ma il Dortmund non ci sta. Una bella giocata da parte della squadra di Favre, riaccende il match.

Marco Reus porta la sua squadra in vantaggio al 45º minuto del primo tempo. Era da tre anni che il Dortmund non era in vantaggio sul Bayern durante un “Klassiker’’.

Ma la festa è durata poco. Un incredibile punizione calciata da Alaba riacciuffa il pareggio per i bavaresi proprio negli ultimi minuti di gioco della prima parte di gara, beffando così gli avversari.

Il primo tempo termina con un’ultima azione di Håland, servito da una grande palla di Sancho al 47º minuto. 

Nell’avvio del secondo tempo di gara, il Bayern torna subito in vantaggio con uno splendido colpo di testa di Robert Lewandowski, servito da uno ottimo assist di Hernández al 48º minuto, la 17ª rete che il polacco segna contro la sua ex-squadra.

Il pressing si fa duro da parte dei bavaresi che, con una cannonata tirata dal francese Coman, hanno l’opportunità di aumentare il loro proprio vantaggio. 

L’ingresso di Leroy Sané fu la mossa decisiva che ha consentito al Bayern di segnare il terzo gol della partita. Su un’azione in contropiede all’80º, il centrocampista centra la porta avversaria da appena dentro l’area di rigore. Un gol ammirevole per il tedesco. 

Pochi minuti dopo, il norvegese Håland fa riacquistare al Dortmund un po’ di fiducia per il finale di gara. All’83º minuto di gioco sigla a porta vuota il gol del 2:3.

Marco Reus si riaccende, ma incredibilmente sbaglia all’87º una grande occasione, che avrebbe consentito il pareggio. 

Il Lewandowski show non finisce qui: al 93º minuto, con un pallonetto fortunato, segna quello che sarebbe potuto essere il goal del due a quattro. Un’altro fuorigioco. Sarebbe stato il suo 12º gol in sei partite in questa stagione di Bundesliga: una statistica spaventosa e difficile da battere, già raggiunta proprio da lui durante la passata stagione.

Il Bayern vince meritatamente il duello. Ora è comodamente in testa alla classifica di Bundesliga davanti al RB Lipsia e allo sconfitto Borussia Dortmund. Sarà l’ennesima stagione di dominanza dei bavaresi?

Photo credits: Mi Bundesliga

Juventus bounces back after Barcelona loss by beating Ferencváros 1:4

Juventus earns three more points to consolidate their second place in Champions League’s Group G qualifying round, after losing against Messi’s Barcellona 2:0 in the last tournament game.

By Daphne Seberich

Accessing the knockout stage of the competition seems what the future has in serve for Andrea Pirlo’s team. The Juventini beat a dull Ferencváros 1:4 which, especially in the second half of the game, made unbelievable mistakes that brought Juve to scoring two inconceivably easy goals. Sergi Rebrov’s team never really had the chance to succeed, but the Hungarian fans at the Puskás Arena were not giving up cheering on their players until the last minute of the match. It was refreshing to see 20.000 spectators on the tribunes during these challenging times. 

Juventus got off to a great start, pressing the Hungarian players constantly into their half of the field. The intensity was high and the Juventini were seeking their first goal of the match without a break.

After only seven minutes Juve player Álvaro Morata, who was served by a brilliant Cuadrado, scored his first out of two goals of the game, his 5th goal in his 2nd Italian campaign.

Soon after, Pirlo’s team was pursuing a goal that could have secured a big enough advantage for them to manage the rest of the match with more confidence. The Rhythm was high, but Ferencváros started to gain pace and kept up with the Italians. They had their first try at the target in the 12th minute of the match, but Sczęszny managed to keep the ball out of the goal.

That occasion helped the Hungarian players to regain trust in their abilities and on the 26th round of the clock Zubkov almost tied for his team. CR7 had his chance at the 35th minute, but Miha Blazic swept the ball off his feet two meters ahead of the goal. The intensity dropped drastically moments after and wouldn’t pick up until the end of the first half.

With the start of the second halftime, Andrea Pirlo was forced, due to health concerns, to make multiple changes to the formation, but that didn’t stop Juventus from being dangerous against their opponents.

Eight minutes after the start Ronaldo unbelievably misses, just by a hair, the right top corner of the Ferencváros goal.

Even though CR7 didn’t score, Morata sealed the deal on minute 60’ with a brilliant kick, demonstrating what an astounding shape the nr. 9 player currently is.

Paulo Dybala entered the field to substitute the Spanish goalie and right away scores an easy goal, encouraged by a horrendous mistake done by goalkeeper Dibusz, trying to pass the ball to Blasic. Not even eight minutes after, the same thing happens again between Dibusz and Dybala, gaining, yet another, easy point for Juve, which was validated as an own goal for Ferencváros.

The last action of the match showed a lucky Boli scoring the final goal of the game for his team. 

Juve now only needs to win the next match against the Hungarians in Turin to automatically pass to the round of 16 of this year’s Champions League tournament.

Photo credits: Corriere dello Sport

Real Madrid-Inter 3-2: Lautaro and Perišić can’t save the day, Inter sees rocky road ahead

Despite not having Lukaku play against the Blancos, Inter fought hard to win against a lucky Real Madrid, but it wasn’t enough. The road to the Champions League knockout stage gets hard, but not impossible for Antonio Conte’s team.

By Daphne Seberich

Missed opportunities? Check. Horrendous mistakes? Check. After a disappointing loss for Inter, coach Antonio Conte has to reflect a lot on what happened in the Champions League round 3 of Group B’s qualifying stage. This was a decisive match for Real Madrid’s 2020/2021 campaign. They needed the win to keep the dream of raising the Champions League trophy alive. Conte’s team could have ended Real’s championship path last night in Madrid. But it didn’t.   

The first minutes of the match would indicate a high-paced, high-intensity game. The Blancos were putting a lot of pressure right from the get-go with multiple threatening attempts in the first seven minutes. Inter fought back with Barella, Lautaro and Vidal, who incredibly missed the target.

The Italians made it way too easy for the Spaniards in the 25th minute of the game by allowing Benzema to stand alone in front of Handanovič, who was well outside of his penalty area, with only Inter’s empty goal ahead. The French player didn’t disappoint and went on to score what would be his 55th goal in the elite tournament with the Blancos. The chance was presented by an unbelievable mistake by Hakimi, who went on to play one of his worst games of the season.

This shook Inter deeply, permitting Sergio Ramos, served from a corner shot by the German Toni Kroos, to score his 100th goal in his Real Madrid career with a brilliant header in the 33rd minute of the match. The advantage didn’t last too long as Inter bounced back with an incredible Lautaro kicking the ball into Thibaut Courtois’s left-bottom corner of his goal. 

The second half of Real Madrid-Inter showed a drop of intensity by the Spanish team, of which Inter took andvatage of to reopen the match with a sensational goal scored by Perišić at the 68th minute of the game. Inter’s hope rekindled and fueled the players with energy. Multiple phenomenal occasions for the Interisti happened subsequently. Lautaro and Perišić put great pressure on the Spaniards.

A tie would have been what both teams deserved, but a clever change by Zidane: to swap out Asensio for the young Brazilian Rodrygo, ended Inter’s chances of winning. Soon after entering the field, Rodrygo sealed the deal for Real at the 80th minute of the match.

Now the road for Inter is full of challenges, but Antonio Conte is confident: “Inter thinks like a big team, there’s hope.”. They need to win the next three games against the other Group B teams to continue their Champions League journey.

Photo credits: Inter.it