European soccer beware, Manchester City have begun to collect championships.
This weekend’s edition of the Top Five recaps quite an eventful weekend in the wide world of soccer, including City’s Carabao Cup victory, Manchester United delivering against Chelsea, Neymar causing panic in Paris, and a salute to Gennaro Gattuso and the reviving AC Milan.
Now at your doorstep is the final February edition of 90 Minutes’ Top Five.
1. One down, two to go
As we advertised just three days ago, Manchester City fans had no reason to despair after the FA Cup upset loss to Wigan.
Sunday provided the reason why.
The Citizens returned to their dominating ways to beat Arsenal, 3-0, in the final of the Carabao Cup, winning their first piece of silverware since 2016, and the first title since Pep Guardiola arrived two years ago.
It was absolutely important for City to win this first title, not only after the disappointment of the Wigan loss, but for the pressure stemming from going empty-handed last season, and for the expectations built so far in this season of utter domination.
And dominate is exactly what they did at Wembley. Granted, Arsenal didn’t help themselves on defense, especially on the first goal by Sergio Aguero (Shkodran Mustafi, anyone?), but City played to its best potential from Claudio Bravo making key saves, to Vincent Kompany having a stout performance along with the defense, to the midfield controlling the ball and field position, and the forwards moving about and creating havoc.
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Looking forward, this is just step one in the quest for the more important titles. The Premier League is all but wrapped up, which means the focus will be on conquering the elusive Champions League.
2. Big-time game, big-time win
If there was any game this season that felt as a must-win for Manchester United, this was it.
After winning two of their previous five, and with second place in danger, Jose Mourinho’s side entered Sunday’s clash with Chelsea needing the victory.
And they delivered.
More specifically, 90-million-euro investment Romelu Lukaku delivered against a “big-six” opponent, breaking a six-match goalless run against the top English sides.
The Belgian had been outshined in his first encounter with his former team at Stanford Bridge by fellow big-money striker Alvaro Morata. This time, it was the United number 9 who shined, finishing a remarkable three-way sequence with Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez, and providing the assist for Jesse Lingard’s winner in the second half.
United was able to overcome an early goal by the red-hot Willian (aided by a rare mistake by David De Gea), who seemed well on his way to have encore from the Barcelona match.
After the goal, it was back to the Chelsea that slid down the standings a few weeks ago: punchless, lacking confidence, and with cracks on defense. They remain outside the top four, and visit to Manchester City now looms on the horizon.
3. Sound the alarms
What should have been an otherwise joyous night at Parc des Princes is now permeated by concern and doubt.
The best PSG showed up again on Sunday, as Unai Emery’s team handely beat rivals Marseille, 3-0, in Le Classique in home territory.
But the victory is almost secondary to the big story coming out the game. During the second half, Neymar rolled his ankle on his own, falling to the ground in evident pain, turning the home crowd’s joy into real worry.
The Brazilian superstar was stretchered off the pitch, both his hands covering his grimacing face, in what is the last thing this team needed in such a crucial time of their season.
Obviously, the immediate concern centers around the return match against Real Madrid in eight days. If Neymar’s body language was any indication, his availability the match is is great doubt.
With PSG aiming to make a comeback from a 3-1 deficit, the last thing they could afford is to lose their best player for it. Say what you will about Neymar and his real impact in Paris this season, his absence would take away the biggest threat for Real Madrid.
Yes, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe are still there, but missing one of the best in the world would be a devastating blow to PSG”s quest for European glory.
4. Reclamation project
Oh, how times have changed at AC Milan.
Rewind to November 26, after the Rossoneri was held to a scoreless draw by Torino at the San Siro. As the team toiled in mid-table purgatory, the club decided to part ways with then-manager Vincenzo Montella.
Enter Gennaro Gattuso.
Gattuso, a revered figure from Milan’s most-recent glory days during the 2000s, transitioned from the pitch to the bench in 2013, having a less-than-stellar 31 percent win percentage across for stints at Swiss side Sion, Palermo, Greek club OFI Crete, and Pisa.
His statistics didn’t inspire much confidence he would be the solution to turn the sinking ship that was Milan, mired in mediocrity and with the permanent dark cloud of expectations following a 200-million-euro investment over the summer.
But since taking over, Gattuso has led Milan to 11 victories and four draws in matches (including their current 12-match unbeaten streak), taking the multi-time Italian and European champions to the doorstep of a Europa League place and a spot in the Coppa Italia final.
Gattuso may not bring the most vast and complex tactical prowess, but the players have bought in to his leadership, just like in his playing days, and it is showing.
Milan is now a reflection of the aggressiveness and heart of their manager, and it’s paying off big time.
5. Goal of the Weekend
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Give Atletico Madrid made props for keeping their La Liga title hopes alive week after week, win after win.
Diego Simeone’s side has now won six in a row since losing to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
On Sunday, Atletico avenged that loss in a big way, winning 5-2 with an Antoine Griezmann hat-trick leading the way, including this impressive individual display of skill and awareness towards the end of the first half.