Other Leagues Watch – Bundesliga(GW 6), Serie A(GW 6), Ligue 1(GW 7) 2022/23

No Premier League? No problem. The German, Italian, and French leagues produced some absolute crackers during the weekend in the absence of English football to satiate the thirst of football fans worldwide.

We take a look at the most exciting games from gameweeks 6 of the Bundesliga and Serie A, and gameweek 7 of Ligue 1 in our Other Leagues Watch series with matches across Munich, Turin, and Lorient particularly catching the eye.

Also read: The Ultimate xG Resource – What Is xG? Understanding xG, Misconceptions, Variance & Use Of xG

Bundesliga

Bayern Munich 2-2 Vfb Stuttgart

Bayern succumbed to their third consecutive draw of the season after Stuttgart scored in stoppage time to deny the champions 3 points.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side dominated the first half, testing an in-form Stuttgart keeper Florian Müller on several occasions in the opening stages. Despite the Bayern’s efforts, the visitors conceded when Alphonso Davies’s run and subsequent cross was driven home by Mathys Tel, making the 17-year-old the youngest scorer for Bayern in the Bundesliga.

The Bavarians started the second half sloppily with a mistake from Davies seeing half time sub Chris Führich leveling things up for Stuttgart.

But just 3 minutes later, Bayern restored their lead when talented forward Jamal Musiala scored a terrific goal. Creating space for himself in the box with great close control, Musiala slotted past the keeper to score his 6th goal of the season.

Serhou Guirassy then rattled the crossbar in Stuttgart’s pursuit of an equalizer. But a late lunge in stoppage time from Matthijs de Ligt saw Stuttgart win a penalty. Winless so far this season, the away side earned a point as Guirassy scored from the spot.

The match ended 2-2 to leave Bayern winless in 3 games, and 2 points off the top, in what was a closely contested tie in the Bundesliga.

Serie A

Juventus 2-2 Salernitana

In an extraordinary game at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Juventus came from 2 goals down to steal a point in a spicy affair that saw plenty of drama with VAR calls, last-minute goals, and sending-offs. The Bianconeri’s fourth draw of the season sees them stuck at 8th in the league.

Juve started the game brightly in the opening minutes, but Salernitana turned things around with sustained pressure and deservedly took the lead. The side from Salerno had never scored an away goal against Juventus in their history until the 18th minute of this game, when Antonio Candreva guided home a Pasquale Mazzocchi cross.

Later, when Dušan Vlahović thought he had equalized, but his goal was chalked off for offside. Salernitana however extended their lead before half time when Krzysztof Piątek won a handball and scored from the resulting penalty.

Juve halved the deficit after the break when Filipe Kostic’s cross was converted by a Gleison Bremer header. Except for one nervy moment which saw a Vlahović cross ricochet off the defender and then the crossbar, ‘Il Granata’ held on quite well.

But a lazy challenge on Juan Cuadrado in the box gave the home side a penalty in stoppage time. Leonardo Bonucci however missed his spotkick, but converted on the rebound and restored parity. Just 2 minutes later, Juve thought they had won the game when Arkaduisz Milik guided home a Cuadrado corner into the back of the net.

Not only did Milik get sent off for his celebrations, but his goal was also subsequently ruled out by VAR for offside. The fracas from the decision resulted in a staggering 4 red cards towards the end of the match, including one for under-fire Juventus boss Max Allegri.

Ligue 1

Lorient 3-2 Nantes

Stade du Moustoir witnessed a great game of football as Lorient came from a goal down against Nantes to get 3 points at home.

Lorient, winless in their last 11 games against Nantes, started the game in similar fashion as the away side opened the scoring with Ignatius Ganago scoring a header from a corner.

Dango Ouattara however leveled things for the hosts just 6 minutes later with a sumptuously taken free kick. Nantes had a chance of their own, but Evann Guessand’s shot was met with a stunning save from Yvon Mvogo.

Despite a midweek Europa league win against Greek giants Olympiakos, Nantes have struggled domestically this season with just 1 win. Their defense was susceptible once again, as the lead changed hands post the hour mark when substitute Yoann Cathline whipped in a delightful shot to put the hosts in front.

Fellow second half substitute Ibrahima Koné doubled the advantage as manager Régis Le Bris’ second half changes turned the game on its head. Nantes however fought back valiantly as Ludovic Blas hit the upright minutes later, before Moses Simon’s deflected strike reduced the deficit by one goal.

With just 5 minutes of normal time left, Les Canaris hoped for a blockbuster finish. But Lorient held on, as they got their 3rd consecutive win to stay in 4th in Ligue 1’s most exciting game of the weekend.

Also read: Other Leagues Watch – Bundesliga(GW5), Serie A(GW5), Ligue 1(GW6) 2022/23