A very expensive blunder
We have seen some cruel scenarios in football, but this one is among the top of the basket. The championship title will wait for Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr. While they had their coronation within reach thanks to Simakan’s opener, Jorge Jesus’ men were caught out by a monumental blunder by their goalkeeper Bento in the 98th minute on a touch from Al-Hilal. This unexpected equalization for Al-Hilal, which occurred on a fatal hand error, leaves the Al-Nassr players with a bitter taste despite their overall domination. If this 1-1 draw does not call into question their position of strength in the title race, the scene of distress of “CR7” at the final whistle testifies to the frustration of having let slip a trophy which was holding out their arms to them.
Fabregas and no one else
After the dismal failure of Liam Rosenior and rumors linking Xabi Alonso to the position, the club urgently needs a leader with a strong ego and a clear vision. While Alonso seems too tender to tame this locker room and the interference from management, the profile of Cesc Fàbregas is obvious. Building on his tactical and human success in Como, the Spaniard has proven that he has the character and authority necessary to not be ruled by anyone. Fàbregas seems to be the only one capable of redressing the situation by imposing his ideas, far from the compromises which brought the Blues to the brink of the abyss.
A regularity pointed out
While the Racing Club de Lens hosts PSG this evening in a late match which no longer has the same flavor, The Teamalso discusses the various reasons for Lens’ dropout in the race for the title in Ligue 1. Heroic candidate for the title for a major part of the season, RC Lens saw its dreams of winning the title evaporate during a sluggish spring. If the postponement of the clash against PSG marked this loss of hope, the shift took place in February with an unusual defensive feverishness and a drop in efficiency on set pieces. The sudden poor form of goalkeeper Robin Risser, once imperial, also weighed heavily in this loss of crucial points away. Physically and mentally worn out by their own demands, Pierre Sage’s players ended up letting a more regular PSG slip away. A frustrating epilogue, which should not, however, overshadow the exceptional campaign of a dolphin who made the Parisian giant tremble until the end.
