Weekend Watch Recap: Oops

By: Martha | December 24th, 2007

Ah, crap.

Catching up on all the matches in our Weekend Watch — I hear there was a derby, or something?

Saturday

AS Nancy v Olympique Lyon: As Inara predicted on the Lyon blog, this Ligue 1 top of the table clash ended in a 1-1 draw, sending Lyon into the break with a five-point cushion over the surprising Nancy. Nancy were perhaps the better side on the day but left it late, drawing even thanks to a deflected Chris Malonga goal in the 87th minute. (Highlights here.)

Fulham v Wigan Athletic: If you believe the pundits, dumping Lawrie Sanchez may have done Fulham some good. Despite only drawing with fellow strugglers Wigan, their football was, at times, noticeably better than it has been for weeks. Of course, good passing and keeping the ball won’t save them from the drop if it doesn’t mean three points, so they’ve still got some work to do.

Dundee United v Gretna : Unbelievable. Gretna beat Dudee 2-1, recording only their second win of the season, both of them over fourth place Dundee. The home side had all the possession and outshot Gretna 16-3, but they also squandered several fantastic chances and, in the end, the visitors did enough for all three points. (Of course, seeing as how even with that win, Gretna are still seven points from the next-worst team in the SPL, they’ve got a ways to go before any real celebrating can start.)

Sunday

Barcelona v Real Madrid: Not exactly a classic, but the match’s lone goal was a thing of beauty, a one-two between Julio Baptista and Ruud van Nistelrooy that would only work between two people with outrageous athletic ability and even better instincts. Ronaldinho and Deco, expected to be left on the bench by Frank Rijkaard (mostly because he said they would be), both started, but neither was effective, and Barca’s chances were limited. The arrival of Bojan Krkic late in the match keyed the home side’s best moments, but they couldn’t beat Iker Casillas and suffered their first home loss of the season, which leaves Barca seven points back of Real heading into the winter break. (Highlights here.)

Inter Milan v AC Milan: The match was tied 1-1 (Milan’s goal on a gorgeous Andrea Pirlo free kick) when Esteban Cambiasso picked up a loose ball outside the Milan box and hit a slightly swerving shot towards goal. For reasons known only to him, Nelson Dida dove to his left as the ball flew straight down the middle and into the back of the net. If he’s not lynched over the break, Dida will very likely find himself second choice by the time the teams come back in January. Inter, meanwhile, are seven points clear going into the break, and still without a loss in Serie A. (High-quality video of the goals here.)

Standard Liège v Racing Genk: Standard scored two goals within three minutes of the restart and ended up 3-1 winners in their last match before the break. Going into the game, they were three points behind leaders Club Brugge, who were facing Westerlo away, a game they were expected to win. Thanks, however, to a frozen pitch, the match was postponed, and Standard are now joint-winter champions of the Jupiler League.