GERMANY:
Crushing victory and clean sheet for Casteels
After a defeat last week against Hoffenheim (2-0), Wolfsburg and Koen Casteels resumed their march forward by defeating Schalke 04 on Saturday during the 25th day of the Bundesliga (5-0).
A goal against his camp by Shkodran Mustafi had launched the Wolves in the first half (32nd) before Wout Weghorst (51st), Bote Baku (58th), Josip Brekalo (64th) and Maximilian Philipp increased the score. Benito Raman came out in the 72nd minute while Koen Casteels played the entire game.
Wolfsburg is still 3rd in the Bundesliga with 48 points, 10 less than the leaders, Bayern Munich who won 1-3 in Bremen. Schalke 04 is more than ever last after Mainz’s 1-0 victory over Freiburg. Raman and his teammates have 10 points, 9 less than Arminia Bielefeld and 11 less than play-off Mainz.
Victory for Meunier and Thorgan Hazard
With Thorgan Hazard and Thomas Meunier, Borussia Dortmund disposed of Hertha Berlin on Saturday during the 25th day of the Bundesliga (2-0). Goals from Julian Brandt and Youssoufa Moukoko allowed Borussia to return to victory after losing to Bayern Munich last week (4-2). Thorgan Hazard came out in the 71st minute, while Thomas Meunier entered the game at the same time. Dodi Lukebakio made his appearance in the 59th minute. In the standings, Dortmund are 5th with 42 points while Hertha are still 15th and first non-relegation with 21 points, as much as 16th, Mainz, who won 1-0 against Freiburg earlier in the day.
SPAIN:
Return to competition and victory in extremis for Eden Hazard
Real Madrid won in the last moments of Saturday’s meeting against Elche on the 27th day of La Liga (2-1). Eden Hazard, injured since the end of January, made his return to the pitch. Led to the game following the goal of Dani Calvo (61st), the Madrilenians ended up winning thanks to Karim Benzema (73rd and 90th + 1). Eden Hazard made his return to the Peslouses, entering the game in the 75th minute in place of Junior Vinicius.
ENGLAND:
In England, Crystal Palace won 1-0 against West Bromwich Albion thanks to a goal from former Anderlecht player Luka Milivojevic (37th from the penalty spot). Christian Benteke played the entire game while Michy Batshuayi remained on the bench for the Eagles. Crystal Palace is 11th with 37 points, West Bromwich remains 19th with 18 units.
NETHERLANDS:
Willem II scored an important victory in the fight for maintenance by beating Heerenveen 3-1. Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye gave the first goal assist to Sebastian Holmen (28th) before Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (55th) and Che Nunnely (58th) increased the score. Joey Veerman’s goal was not enough for Heerenveen (73rd). Ndayishimiye was out on the hour mark while Jorn Brondeel did not leave the bench. Willem II is still 16th and play-off but now has 21 points, 6 more than The Hague and 1 less than VVV Venlo which has one game less. Heerenveen is 10th with 33 points.
Heracles Almelo won 1-2 in The Hague thanks to goals from Sinan Bakis (72nd) on an assist from Ismail Azzaoui and Rai Vloet (83rd). The Hague opened the scoring with a goal against his camp Noah Fadiga (68th) who also scored a goal canceled for offside (53rd). Azzaoui was warned and was substituted in the 81st minute. Fadiga and Lucas Schoofs played the entire meeting. In the standings, Heracles is 9th with 35 points while The Hague is 17th and first relegation with 15 points.
ITALY:
In Italy, Daam Foulon entered in the 85th minute in Benevento’s 1-4 loss to Fiorentina. A hat-trick from Dusan Vlahovic (8th, 26th and 45th + 1) in the first period and a goal from Valentin Eysseric (75th) gave the victory to Cesare Prandelli’s men while Artur Ionita saved the honor for Benevento (56th). Fiorentina are now 12th in the Serie A standings with 29 points. Benevento has 26 units and is 16th.
JAPAN:
First league defeat for Thomas Vermaelen’s Vissel Kobe
Thomas Vermaelen played the whole game in the center of the defense of Vissel Kobe on Saturday during the 4th day of the J1 League, the Japanese D1. Despite the presence of the Red Devil, the Kobe club recorded its first defeat of the season in the league, beaten at home by Nagoya (0-1). The only goal of the game came from the feet of Japan’s Sho Inagaki in the 19th minute. The Vermaelen club, which started its year with two wins and a draw, is 5th with 7 units. The head is occupied by Kawasaki, author of an immaculate record of 15 points out of 15.
The arrival of Vermaelen in Belgium in a few days, for the next international break, is surrounded by a question mark. As of November 2020, he had been unable to reach Belgium due to travel restrictions imposed on Japanese residents.
At the end of March, the Devils will begin their qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup and will challenge Wales (03/24) and Belarus (30/3) in Leuven as well as the Czech Republic in Prague (03/27).