THAT BANKU

FOOTBALL ROUND UP

By Kafui Adu-Parku

This week’s games were very exciting. Some teams gained very important points whiles as usual some also dropped points. 

Among the big names in the English premiership, it was only Arsenal that gained no points at all as they were thrashed 4 – 0 by an in-form Liverpool. Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all secured wins. Newcastle United also picked up 3 valuable points whereas Tottenham could only manage a point at home to Burnley. Swansea City also secured 3 points away at Crystal Palace which means Palace still struggle to find the net so far this season and are still without a point. The rest of the teams picked up a point each.

In the Spanish La Liga, Barcelona secured 3 points by beating Alaves 2 to nothing. Messi hit the post 3 times. That could have been five goals in one match for the Argentine. Real Madrid had a wonderful game but shared the spoils as they drew 2 – 2 at home against Valencia thanks to Marco Asensio who is in form serious form right now. Atletico Madrid despite their 2-2 draw against newly promoted Girona last week and a 2 match ban meted against their goal talisman Antione Griezmann, visited Las Palmas and trumped then 5 goals to 1.

In Italy the biggest game would be Roma playing at home against Internazionale and the Nerazzurri would come out on top. The game ended 1-3 in favor of Inter. Juventus came from 2 goals down to win 2-4 away at Genoa. A very impressive performance as always. Milan and Napoli also recorded wins at home while Fiorentina were second best at home to Sampdoria.

And then in the German Bundesliga the current top guns won their games. Bayern Munich won 0 – 2 away at Werder Bremen, Dortmund won 2 – 0 at home against Hertha Berlin and the “come-to-stay” team, RB Leipzig won 4 – 1 as they hosted Frieburg.

Transfer Window Juggler 

It is only a few weeks in and too soon to make any defining analysis to the new season but it is quite intriguing how things are going so far. The transfer window is also another factor. This window has been really tight as it is difficult to tell go goes where until the very last minutes before the transfer window closes on Thursday. Certain clubs are unwilling to sell key players – Liverpool FC being one of them. 

Barca have given the club an ultimatum lest the withdraw their offer even though the club is not willing to cash in on Coutihno probably until next season where they would really have no choice if the player still wants to leave. Chamberlain has also rejected a move to Chelsea in favor of a Liverpool move where he hopes to have more playing time in midfield.

Monaco are also stalling on the sales of Thomas Lemar who seems to be the wheel in their midfield so far this season. Both Chelsea and Arsenal as well as Liverpool have shown interest in the young chap but as mentioned earlier, the real deals will most likely happen during the last stages of this very uncertain transfer window.  

Interesting to note that it will be really exciting to see the end of this transfer window. Fans especially would feel betrayed when their favorite players are sold and would as well be happy if some decent signings are made. Keep your fingers crossed.