Every week we will be reviewing the top games, events, and stories of the weekend, making sure you don't miss a beat. Come here every Tuesday to catch up on what you might have missed around the football world!
Familiar Faces Deliver for Bayern
The German Giants kicked off their 2018 campaign with a bout against Hoffenheim at a fiery Allianz Arena. Bayern exits a summer featuring a questionable managerial appointment in Niko Kovac, and a decision to spend less in the transfer market - creating a sense of uncertainty around the club. Caught in a close match with Hoffenheim late in the second half, club veterans Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery proved to be the difference. Ribery baited a defender into a poor challenge to win a penalty, which Robert Lewandowski converted to give the champions the lead. Substitute Robben came on to give the team a late spark, and blasted a shot past the keeper in the 90th minute to cap off the victory.
Robben (34) and Ribery (35) each have over 200 appearances for the club, and were expected to see reduced roles this season. Winger Kingsley Coman appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury in the first half, increasing the likelihood that Robben and Ribery will see more time in the starting eleven.
Wolves Take Bite Out of Citizens
Well, maybe not a full bite. Manchester City was held to a draw at Wolves' Molineux Stadium on Saturday morning, putting any bets that they would win every game to bed. Wolves constantly put pressure on City while they had the ball, making the 71% possession that City experienced much less comfortable.
Wolverhampton did achieve their draw with a stroke of luck - and controversy. Off of a short-corner routine, Willy Boly headed Joao Moutinho's cross past Ederson, giving Wolves the advantage. Yet upon further review, it was clear that the ball had actually struck the diving Boly's hand. Without VAR and with the referee none the wiser, the goal stood.
Goalkeeping heroics and controversial referring decisions indicated that it was just one of those days for the champions. Aymeric Laporte headed home the equalizer, but Pep would have left hoping for a bit more.
"Respect"
On the opposite side of Manchester, the mood is only getting gloomier. Manchester United was hammered by Tottenham on Monday night at Old Trafford, digging Mourinho's grave deeper. The Red Devils started the game sporting a back-3 and looked a bit more aggressive offensively, but were just simply not good enough to break Pochettino's Spurs. Two goals from Lucas Moura and a header from talisman Harry Kane resulted in a 3-0 win for Tottenham, propelling them to second in the Premier League table.
Jose Mourinho was not very cheery on the sideline during the match, and that carried over into the post-game interview. Known for using the media to his advantage at his leisure, while also throwing them under his own parked bus, Mourinho's word must always be taken with a grain of salt. He was particularly defensive during his interview Monday, defending his tactics and the overall play of his team. However, he ended it with a bang, claiming that he has more Premier League titles than all of the other managers combined, and then walked out of the room chanting "respect." Time will tell how much respect Chief Executive Ed Woodward continues to show ol' Jose.
Genoa Open Season Amidst Tragedy
Two weeks ago, tragedy struck the Italian city after a bridge collapsed, killing 43 people and sending the city in a state of disbelief. Genoa opened their Serie A season Sunday versus Empoli, with the wounds of the bridge collapse still very much fresh. In honor of those lost, the Genoa fans remained silent for the first 43 minutes of the match, which they would go on to win 2-1. Before the game, Genoa fans released a statement, asking for "a deafening silence of 43 minutes, one for each child, worker, student, father or mother who are no longer with us today." Sunday was the first step in what will be a long season for the city of Genoa.
Son Playing for His Future
South Korean and Tottenham star Son Heung-Min has been missing for the first part of the Premier League season. That is because he is currently in Indonesia representing South Korea in the Asian Games, and playing for his future. In South Korea, every able-bodied male under 28 is forced to serve at least 21 months of military service, unless they qualify for any exemptions. Son does not, but winning the Asian Games for his South Korean team would grant him that exemption, meaning that his future is on the line in Indonesia. South Korea defeated Uzbekistan this weekend to reach the semi-finals, meaning that Son can still avoid military service. If unsuccessful, Tottenham faces the possibility of losing one of their top players by no fault of their own.
For more information on Son's involvement in the Asian Games, check out this article from SBNation: https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2018/8/27/17773508/son-heung-min-korea-asian-games-tottenham-hotspur
You're all caught up! Here is a look ahead to marquee games this week and weekend:
AC Milan vs. Roma: 8/31, 2:30 pm
Lyon vs. Nice: 8/31, 2:45
Leicester City vs. Liverpool: 9/1, 7:30 am
West Ham vs. Wolves: 9/1, 10 am
Celtic vs. Rangers: 9/2, 7 am
Real Betis vs. Sevilla: 9/2, 2:45 pm