THE TV SERIES. Lille impresses, Paris falls, Monaco shines and Lyon revives
Cfive days after the humiliation inflicted on FC Barcelona at Camp Nou (1-4), Paris Saint-Germain (3e) fell at home (0-2) against AS Monaco (4e). Led from the outset by a goal from Sofiane Diop, the Parisians were never really able to equalize before conceding a second goal shortly after half-time, signed Guillermo Maripan. Mauricio Pochettino’s troops thus sign a second defeat in 2021, while the Monegasques are dangerously close to the podium.
However at the top of the ranking, the Losc (1is) does not give up. Large winners (1-4) on the lawn of Lorient (18e), the Mastiffs reacted perfectly three days after their defeat against Ajax Amsterdam (1-2) in the Europa League. Christophe Galtier’s men thus retain their leadership position ahead of Olympique Lyonnais and Paris. Victorious (2-3) at Brest (12e), Lyon (2e) relaunched and took advantage of the Parisian misstep to take the place of runner-up.
In the other matches of the championship, Lens (5e) did not weaken (2-1) against Dijon (20e), Metz (6e) pressed (1-2) Nice (16e), Montpellier (9e) overwhelmed (2-1) Rennes (7e), Marseille (8e) was again slowed down (1-1) in Nantes (17e), Angers (10e) and Strasbourg (15e) neutralized each other (0-0) just like Saint-Étienne (14e) against Reims (13e, 1-1), while Nîmes (19e) chained a second consecutive success (2-0) against Bordeaux (11e) and regains hope.
THE TOUR OF EUROPE. City unstoppable, Atlético and Bayern fall, Inter tames Milan
On the occasion of the 25e Premier League matchday, Manchester City (1is) chained an 18e consecutive success after his narrow but logical victory (0-1) on the lawn of Arsenal (10e). The Citizens thus consolidate their status as leader, ten points behind the Manchester United dolphins (2e) and Leicester (3e). The Red Devils easily dominated (3-1) Newcastle (17e), while Leicester won (1-2) at Aston Villa (8e). Behind, West Ham (4e) continues to climb the standings after his precious victory (2-1) against Tottenham (9e) and take advantage of the draw (1-1) from Chelsea (5e) at Southampton (13e) and the defeat (0-2) of Liverpool (6e) at home against Everton (7e). The Reds have completely lost their footing in recent weeks and remain on four straight league losses.
In Spain, Atlético Madrid (1is) fell (0-2) at home against Levante (8e), his first defeat in La Liga in 2021. The Colchoneros are losing ground in the title race while Real Madrid (2e) maintains the pressure after his complicated success (0-1) on the lawn of Valladolid (19e). After the correction received in the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, Barça (3e) was slowed down (1-1) at home by Cadiz (14e). The Blaugrana still temporarily retain third place on the podium, pending the move of Sevilla FC (4e) to Health (13e), Monday.
[��️RESUME] #LaLiga
Barça stumbles against Cadiz at home!
The fault of a penalty conceded at the end of the match by Clément Lenglet …https://t.co/iqgG0RNkVl
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) February 21, 2021
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In Serie A, Inter Milan (1is) assumed his place as leader of the championship by correcting (0-3) AC Milan (2e) in the Madonnina derby. The Nerazzurri made short work of the Rossoneri thanks in particular to a double from Lautaro Martinez and a goal from Romelu Lukaku. They thus take a four-point lead over their Milanese cousins. On the third step of the podium AS Rome (3e) skates after his draw (0-0) in Benevento (15e). Victorious (4-2) against Napoli (7e) after a crazy match, Atalanta Bergamo (4e) revived, as did Lazio Rome (5e) facing Sampdoria (10e, 1-0). Finally, Juventus Turin (6e) will receive Crotone (20e) Monday.
En Bundesliga, le Bayern Munich (1is) lost (2-1) on the lawn of Eintracht Frankfurt (4e). A setback, after a draw last week, which allows RB Leipzig (2e) come back strong. Author of a fourth success in as many meetings, the runner-up of the Bavarians crushed (0-3) Hertha Berlin (15e) and is now just two short lengths from the leader. Finally, Wolfsburg (3e) climbed to the third step of the podium after her large victory (0-3) on the lawn of Arminia Bielefeld (16e).
THE OTHER SHEET. La Rochelle takes the lead, Toulouse unscrews and Lyon revives
Toulouse falls from its throne. Saturday in the closing match of the 17e day, the men of Ugo Mola (3is) bowed (31-23) on the LOU lawn (7e). In difficulty since the end of December (2 victories in their last eight matches), the Lyonnais are relaunching and thus come back four lengths from Toulon (6e). Conversely, Toulouse concedes its first loss in the top 14 since nine meetings (8 wins, 1 draw) and cedes the lead in the standings to La Rochelle (1is) and Racing (2e). In Charente precisely, the Rochelais dominated without shining (16-11) the Stade Français (8e) – their 20e consecutive victory at home, and the Racingmen did well (23-20) against Castres (10e). Behind, Clermont (4e) humiliated (73-3) Aviron Bayonnais (13e), while Bordeaux-Bègles (5e) fell (23-25) against CA Brive (9e). Finally, Toulon sank (29-33) Pau (12e) and Montpellier (11e) a battu (19-39) Agen (14e). With sixteen consecutive defeats, the championship red lantern records the worst start to the season in the history of the Top 14.
ON THE COURTS. Djokovic offers himself a 9e Australian Open, sacred Osaka
Imperial Djoko. Opposed to Daniil Medvedev (4e world player) on Sunday in Melbourne, Novak Djokovic won his 9e title at the Australian Open – a record. In less than two hours, the world number 1 outclassed his Russian opponent in three sets (7-5, 6-2, 6-2) to afford an 18e Grand Slam title. The Serb is thus getting closer to the 20 crowns of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
For the ladies, the experienced Naomi Osaka (3e world player) held on to American Jennifer Brady (24e world), winning in the final of the Australian Open (6-4, 6-3). The Japanese thus lifted the seventh title of her young career, her fourth Grand Slam. Is women’s tennis holding its new star?
BEHIND THE HANDLEBAR. Gianluca Brambilla triumphs in PACA, Van der Poel shines on the UAE Tour
For the 53e Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var cyclist (19-21 February), the Italian Gianluca Brambilla (Trek-Segafredo), dominated the general thanks in particular to his solo victory on the third and last stage (134.7 km) in Blausasc (Alpes-Maritimes). The transalpine rider wins ahead of the two other stage winners: the Canadian Michael Woods (2e, Israel Start-Up Nation) and the Dutchman Bauke Mollema (3e, Trek-Segafredo).
Double blow for Brambilla who wins the stage and the general classification of the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var. The Italian wins solo in Blausasc while Rudy Molard and Valentin Madouas finish in the top 5 of the day # TDHV21 pic.twitter.com/mhbl2CRPN7
– France tv sport (@francetvsport) February 21, 2021
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Finally, for his first day of road racing in 2021, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) won the first stage of the UAE Tour on Sunday (February 21-27), winning the sprint ahead of David Dekker ( Jumbo-Visma). In the general classification, the cyclo-cross world champion is notably eight seconds ahead of Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates).
ON THE RING. Oscar Valdez wins WBC belt
Maybe it’s the K.-O. of the year. On the night of Saturday to Sunday in Las Vegas, Oscar Valdez (30) won the WBC super-feather belt by sending Miguel Berchelt (29) to the mat. After a sumptuous dodge and a devastating counter, the Mexican boxer pulverized his compatriot – remained unconscious and swollen by 103 blows received. An impressive sequence that puts the noble art back at the center of the stage. Still undefeated, Valdez, who was already WBO featherweight champion between 2016 and 2019, won his second title in a different category, after this 29e consecutive victory. Berchelt, of which it was the 8e defense of his WBC title, concedes his 2e defeat in 40 fights.
IN THE OCTOGONE. Derrick Lewis blasts Curtis Blaydes
The UFC clash between two big names in the heavyweight category has kept all its promises. Also in Las Vegas, Derrick Lewis (36, 5e world) defeated Curtis Blaydes (30, 3e world) with a terrible uppercut in the second round. “The Black Beast” thus won its 25e career victory, even securing a UFC record with twelve KO wins.
MONSTROUS!
With a huge uppercut Derrick Lewis strikes down Curtis Blaydes and sends him to the mat! What a spectacular knockout from the American …#RMCUFC pic.twitter.com/iHuOTBoJxT
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) February 21, 2021
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ON TRACKS. Norway in gold
In biathlon, the Norwegian Sturla Holm Laegreid became world champion of the mass start in Pokljuka (Slovenia), ahead of his compatriot Johannes Dale and the French Quentin Fillon Maillet, who finally snatched his first medal by winning third place (+12, 8 seconds)
In slalom, it was another Norwegian who excelled. Sebastian Foss-Solevaag was crowned world champion at Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy) ahead of Austrian Adrian Pertl and compatriot Henrik Kristoffersen. Alexis Pinturault, the first Frenchman, finished 7the.
UNDER THE BASKETS. France overthrows Montenegro and qualifies for Euro
Saturday in Podgorica (Montenegro) on the occasion of the fifth qualifying match for Euro basketball, the France team won in the last quarter (71-73) against Montenegro. A precious success despite a muddled performance that allows Vincent Collet’s players to qualify for Euro 2022, organized from 1is until September 18.
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