28 August 2017
MESSI AT THE DOUBLE
It should be no surprise to anyone to see Lionel Messi pulling the strings for Barcelona. The Argentine scored a brace in Barcelona’s 2-0 win away to Alaves, netting twice in the space of 11 minutes in the second half. The goals came after Messi had earlier missed a first half penalty. Next up for Barcelona will be the prospect of a Catalan derby, when they take on Espanyol at the Camp Nou on 9 September.
FORTOUNIS FAVOURS THE BRAVE
Olympiacos recorded a slender 1-0 victory away to Lamia in the Greece Superleague. The away side took the lead when Konstantinos Fortounis converted from the penalty spot in the 29th minute. The red and whites had to see out the last 20 minutes of the match with 10 men, after Hrvoje Milic was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards. Olympiacos’ next game will be on the road again when they play away to Xanthi on 9 September.
SPORTING SETTLE THINGS EARLY
Two goals in the first 11 minutes effectively killed Sporting Lisbon’s home tie against Estoril, who saw the game out in a fairly comfortable fashion. The away side did find the net in the 85th minute, but it proved to be nothing but a mere consolation, as Sporting won the game 2-1. Much coveted youngster, Gelson Martins opened the scoring in the 4th minute, before ex-Udinese and Sampdoria midfielder, Bruno Fernandes hit a sumptuous free-kick. After the international break Sporting resume with a trip to Feirense on 10 September.
