Ace Football looks at five things we learned from Zlatan seeing red to the Clasico drama that unfolded over the weekend.
Old master Bielsa shows ‘magical’ Pep how it’s done
For Pep Guardiola, Marcelo Bielsa has always been a role model. So hearing the Argentine label him as a ‘magical man’ for the way his teams play felt ‘weird’ in his own words.
But whatever Pep was feeling on Saturday, it wasn’t pride. The Catalan could only look on as Manchester City’s usual creative spark deserted them in a 2-1 loss to Bielsa’s Leeds. Stuart Dallas bagged a brace with an injury-time winner to hand the 10-man visitors a shock win at the Etihad.
🗣"I am overwhelmed, I feel weird."
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reacts to Marcelo Bielsa calling his teams magical pic.twitter.com/chhz8EEC38
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 9, 2021
Penalty chaos in the Clasico
Ronald Koeman was livid and Gerard Pique was seething as Barcelona crashed to a third consecutive Clasico defeat to Real Madrid.
Martin Braithwaite had a penalty appeal turned down. Ferland Mendy grabbed the Barcelona forward inside the box, causing him to fall late in the match. The referee Gil Manzano, however, gave no spot-kick.
Both Koeman and Pique confronted the ref afterward. The former later walked out of his interview after his interviewer wouldn’t say whether Barcelona had been wrongly denied a penalty.
Ronald Koeman leaves the Post match Interview after the Interviewer/Journalist refuses to say that Mendy commited a penalty on Martin Braithwaite.
Ridiculous & Childish. Such a classless move. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/Sn97QCeAlY
— BlancoReport (@BlancoReport) April 10, 2021
Is Havertz back to his best for Chelsea?
Kai Havertz finally looked something like an €80 million man on Saturday.
The 21-year-old’s Chelsea blues has been one of the biggest mysteries of the season. Thomas Tuchel’s decision to start him as a false nine, however, paid off in the 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace.
One goal and an assist at Selhurst Park was a splendid effort, but can Havertz keep it up? Only time will tell.
What a half of football from Kai Havertz ⚽️🅰️😍#CRYCHE pic.twitter.com/MXgS5c9MTZ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 10, 2021
Zlatan sees red in AC Milan’s 3-1 win
The big Swede went from hero to zero literally.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic assisted Ante Rebic for AC Milan’s opening goal against Parma. Everything seemed set for a routine home victory after Frack Kessie doubled the hosts’ lead until drama struck on the hour-mark.
An argument with referee Fabio Maresca, however, earned Zlatan his first red card in Serie A in 3353 days. He now faces a potential three-match ban, meaning he may not be available again until AC Milan face Benevento on May 5.
With an 11-point gap to Serie A leaders Inter, could this be the final blow to the Rossoneri’s title challenge?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has received his first red card in Serie A in 3353 days.
His fourth overall for Milan. pic.twitter.com/CWfnYaBzQP
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 10, 2021
Lingard continues incredible form at West Ham
Jesse Lingard’s incredible u-turn continued on Sunday with two fine goals in West Ham’s 3-2 win over top-four rivals Leicester City.
From being frozen out at Manchester United earlier in the season, Lingard is back in the England squad and perhaps one of the biggest transfer prospects for the summer.
After all, the midfielder has supplied eight goals and four assists in only nine appearances since joining West Ham on loan.
Jesse Lingard hadn’t played a minute of league football by February 1st. He has scored more goals [8] this season than:
🇸🇳 Manè [7]
🇧🇷 Richarlison [6]
🏴 Grealish [6]
🏴 Foden [6]
🏴 Mount [6]
🇧🇷 Firmino [6]
🇩🇪 Werner [5]
🇧🇪 De Bruyne [5]
🇨🇮 Pépé [5]Get him on the plane. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/e8LPM5LgXq
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 11, 2021
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