Hostilities Resumes In Europe, As 2021/2022 Soccer Season Begins

By Akinwale Kasali

For over 17 months, fans were absent from the stands stadia in top European football leagues to cheer and rally round their favourite teams due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

This affected most teams. The revenue dropped drastically, while some teams performed woefully and some beyond expectations.

As the 2021/2022 European Football Season commenced over the weekend, fans were welcomed back to the stands, cheering their teams to glory. The transfer market saw Players jumping ship to different Clubs across the continent, while some bolstered their squad for prospective silverware.

ENGLAND

In England, the defending Champion, Manchester City Football Club suffered a 1-0 loss to North London Club, Tottenham Hotspurs, courtesy of a Son Heung Min Strike to give Coach Pep Guardiola concerns about what the future has in stock this new season.

His £100 Million Acquisition Jack Grealish couldn’t bolster, at least, a draw for the Citizens as they just a shadow of themselves.

Their Manchester neighbour, Manchester United Football Club whitewashed Leeds United 5-1 with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick and Paul Pogba creating four assist in the rout.

Chelsea and Liverpool recorded a 3-0 victories over Crystal Palace and Newcomers, Norwich City respectively to send a signal to their rivals.

Arsenal started the season on a bad note, despite making three signings, including a £50 Million acquisition of Ben White from Brighton Hove and Albion Football Club, with a 2-0 defeat to newcomers and Premier League debutants, Brentford Football Club.

Leicester recorded a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the King Power Stadium, while Iwobi made an assist as Coach Rafael Benitez got a 3-1 victory over Southampton in his new role as Everton Manager.

New comer Watford Football Club that has four Nigerians in his team that include: Emmanuel Dennis, William Troost Ekong, Etebo Oghenekaro and Isaac Success got a 3-2 win over Aston Villa with Super Eagles striker, Dennis scoring the opener for Watford.

SPAIN

In the Spanish La Liga, Barcelona Football Club started on a good note, putting the exit of their legendary player, Lionel Messi behind them, beating Real Sociedad 4-2 at Nou Camp.

A brace from Martin Braithwaite, Gerard Pique header and a fourth from Sergi Roberto salvaged the win for the Catalan giants.

New Real Madrid Coach, Carlo Ancelotti made a winning start for the Los Bloncos, with a 4-1 triumph over Deportivo Alaves football Club.

Karim Benzema scored a brace, with Nacho Fernandez and Vinicius Junior adding a goal each.

Defending Champion, Atletico Madrid, despite seeing two red cards in a fierce match against Celta Vigo, got a hard earned win.

A brace from Angel Correa gave Coach Diego Simeone side their first victory of the season, hoping to defend the title it won last season.

GERMANY

The German Bundesliga started with high expectations for defending Champions, Bayern Munich. But this wasn’t to be, as the Bavarians forced Borussia Monchengladbach to a 1-1 draw.

Andrea Plea gave the Borussia club side the lead, before last season’s highest goal scorer, Roman Lewandowski got the needed equalizer.

Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund have once again shown why he is one of the prolific striker in the world as he grabbed a brace in Dortmund’s 5-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Having scored two goals, he created two assist, Marco Reus, Thorgan Hazard and Reyna all registered their name in the scoring sheet.

Sadly for Leipzig, having sold their two best defender, Upamecano and Konate to Bayern Munich and Liverpool respectively, they lost 1-0 to Mainz in the opening season.

FRANCE

Lionel Messi started life with his Club, Paris Saint Germain, PSG, from the stands, as he was unveil to the fans at the Parc De Princes Stadium.

Kylian Mbappe got a brace, while Mauro Icardi and Julian Draxler scored as PSG defeated Strasbourg 4-2.

French League Champion last season, Lille Metropole suffered a 4-0 demolition at home to Nice, as their misfortune continues in the new season.

Also, Olympic Lyonnais suffered a 3-0 defeat in the hands of Angers, failing to register a win in the two weeks old French league of the new season.

Monaco wants left out of the bad start to the season, as it lost 1-0 to Lorient Football Club. The trio of Monaco, Lille and Lyon have failed to win any match this season in the league.

TURKEY

Nigeria Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa started life with his new Club, Fatih Karagmakuk, with a win, scoring the much needed victory goals in a 3-2 win over Gazientep Football Club in the Turkey Super League.

Fenerbahce and Beskitas recorded wins in their first match, while Istanbul Bakasehkir recorded a home loss, while Hatayspor recorded a 1-1 draw with Alanyaspor.