Two weeks without any Fantasy Football action seems like an eternity for the most ardent Fantasy manager out there. Those competing in the UEFA Fantasy Champions League have even longer to wait until the next kick-off, though; Tuesday 18th October to be exact.
Here’s an update on all of the pertinent details from the weekend just gone to help tide European Fantasy managers over until Matchday Three kicks off…
La Liga
An injury to Karim Benzema lessened the striking options at Real Madrid but when you’ve Gonzalo Higuain to call upon, it hardly makes a difference. The Argentine grabbed his chance of a rare start this season by scoring a hat-trick for Jose Mourinho’s side in a 4-0 win away at Espanyol, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro Arbeloa and Marcelo the respective suppliers. Substitute Jose Callejon’s bursting run saw Ronaldo produce an unfamiliar moment of unselfishness to assist his first goal back at Madrid.
Barcelona hold the top spot in La Liga after a slimline 1-0 victory away at Sporting Gijon. Pep Guardiola continued his new 3-4-3 formation as Cesc Fabregas sat out with his first hamstring injury (those which blighted his final years at Arsenal) since joining his boyhood club, while Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique continued their slow journey back to fitness with places on the bench. Adriano scored the only goal of the game, netting from a rebound after Xavi’s thunderous shot had struck the woodwork.
Valencia struggled to a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Granada. Roberto Soldado and his forwards were profligate in front of goal but came away victorious thanks to a twenty-five yarder from Sergio Canales after just three minutes of play.
Continuing their disappointing start to the season, Villarreal had to come from behind twice at home to Real Zaragoza to secure a 2-2 draw. Guiseppe Rossi was on hand to convert a penalty late in the first half and Hernan Perez rose highest to head home a Marcos Senna corner close to the final whistle.
Bundesliga
Reigning champions Dortmund recovered from their disappointing midweek defeat at Marseille by cruising past FC Augsburg 4-0. Robert Lewandowski bagged a timely hat-trick just as lead striker Lucas Barrios returns from injury and Mario Gotze had the pick of the goals with a well executed lob over the keeper.
Bayern Munich experienced something of a European hangover, managing just a goalless draw at Hoffenheim. On the plus side, Jupp Heynckes’ side continued the amazing defensive record that has seen them last over 11 games and 1018 minutes without conceding a goal.
Bayer Leverkusen let the reins go loose as they powered to a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg with some wonderful goals. Gonzalo Castro opened the scoring when he rounded the goalkeeper inside 15 minutes but despite a Wolfsburg reply, the home side prevailed. Eren Derdiyok scored one of the best goals of the season to date, (well worth checking out) before Stefan Kiessling sealed it five minutes from time.
Serie A
Two Champions League sides squared up to one another and despite playing away from home without their lead striker, Napoli easily beat Inter Milan 3-0 at the San Siro. The home side impressed in the first 40 minutes but a questionable penalty decision and resultant red card for John Obi turned the game on its head.
Marek Hamsik missed said penalty but Hugo Campagnaro was on hand to slot home the rebound, then Christian Maggio doubled the lead early in the second half when hesitant defending from Yuto Nagatomo and Julio Cesar allowed him to sneak through and prod the ball home. Ezequiel Lavezzi then found Hamsik in acres of space to rectify for his earlier penalty miss, as he calmly slotted past the keeper.
AC Milan are faring just as badly as their Milanese rivals right now and any plans they had to climb the table last weekend were scuppered by Juventus. The rejuvenated ‘Old Lady’ won 2-0 with Claudio Marchisio grabbing both goals for the home side – the first a wonderful combination of two concurrent one-two movements and the second a howler from Christian Abbiati in goal allowed a long drive through his hands.
The rotation of full-backs continued with Gianluca Zambrotta and Daniele Bonera coming in for Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonini. Kevin-Prince Boateng was also dismissed between the two goals, having picked up two yellow cards in the game.
Ligue 1
Continuing their renaissance up the Ligue 1 table, reigning champions Lille moved into fifth place and jumped ahead of opponents Rennes with a 2-0 victory. Moussa Sow scored the first when the ball fell kindly to him from Joe Cole, then Florent Balmont neatly flicked an Eden Hazard free kick just out of reach of the Rennes keeper and into the far corner.
After a midweek European victory over Dortmund, Marseille returned to their poor league form, drawing 1-1 at home to Brest. Steve Mandanda covered himself in anything but glory just a few minutes into the game when the goalkeeper made an almightly flub and gave the visitors the lead. Loic Remy and Andre Ayew combined to grab the equalising goal.
Lyon fell foul to the great French pretenders to the throne, as Paris Saint Germain’s expensively assembled squad knocked them off the top of the table. Javier Pastore was the main architect of the home side’s 2-0 victory over Remi Garde’s side.
The Rest of Europe
Ajax: Losing their first game of the season 1-0 at Groningen wasn’t exactly on the to-do list. Gregory Van Der Wiel’s sending off and an injury for Kolbeinn Sigthorsson only compounded measures for Frank de Boer’s side.
Benfica head into the international break with confidence, after cruising past Pacos Ferreira 4-1. A brace from Javier Saviola and a goal a piece from Luisao and Nolito notched a comfortable win.
Zenit: A hum-dinger of a 2-2 draw away at the ten men of Spartak Moscow takes the Russian Premier League leaders into the break. Aleksander Kerzhakov and Danny got the goals for the St. Petersburg based outfit.
CSKA: Failing to capitalise on Zenit’s draw, CSKA could only produce a goalless draw away at Krasnodor.
Porto: The Portuguese champions signed off for their break by coasting to a 3-0 victory away at Academica. Walter (filling in for the injured Kleber), James Rodriguez and Fredy Guarin all got on the scoresheet.
FC Basel: Alexander Frei scored his second brace in four days as the home side beat Servette 3-0, with Aleksander Dragovic grabbing the first goal of the game.
