FA Cup Surprises, Domestic Setbacks, and European Thrills: A Weekend of Football Highlights

The enchantment of the FA Cup may not resonate as strongly today as it did in previous years, and this year’s third round did not yield many unexpected results. However, the tournament still evokes deep emotions, especially when witnessing one of the most significant upsets in its storied history.

Macclesfield and Crystal Palace are separated by 117 places in the English football hierarchy. Although some anticipated the holders might face challenges against the National League North side, few expected Oliver Glasner’s squad to risk elimination in their first match since winning the trophy at Wembley last May. The inclusion of players like Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton, and Yeremy Pino in a relatively strong Palace lineup reinforced this belief.

However, Palace was unexpectedly defeated 2-1 at Moss Rose, with Pino’s last-minute free-kick serving only as a consolation. This moment sparked jubilant celebrations from the part-time club and their devoted supporters, who truly deserved this victory after enduring the hardships that came with Macclesfield Town’s winding up in 2020.

The newly reformed club has gradually ascended the leagues, but this victory marks their crowning achievement. Macclesfield manager John Rooney, brother of Wayne, fought back tears during his post-match analysis for BBC Sport, describing the result as “incredible,” which is a modest characterization. Indeed, the magic of the FA Cup remains vibrant in Cheshire.

Conversely, the FA Cup weekend was not as enchanting for everyone. For Manchester United, this competition represented their last opportunity for silverware this season. However, as seen in the Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign, the Red Devils stumbled at the first hurdle, succumbing 2-1 at home to Brighton.

This defeat, coupled with a humiliating penalty shootout loss to Grimsby Town in August, marks the first time United has failed to win a domestic cup match since the 1981-82 season. With no European football on the horizon either, their total of 40 matches this season is the fewest they’ve played since before World War I.

A buoyant atmosphere was anticipated at Old Trafford as former fan favorite Darren Fletcher managed his first home game following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. Yet, despite a promising start, the Red Devils fell behind to a Brajan Gruda strike. By the time Danny Welbeck scored against his former club for the eighth time in his career, the mood had shifted to one of apathy.

The match ended with new teenage prospect Shea Lacey receiving a red card, likely marking the premature conclusion of Fletcher’s brief tenure amid a downpour and jubilant celebrations from the away fans. United must now focus on finishing the season strong to qualify for the Champions League, but hopes of lifting a trophy to ease the mood at Old Trafford have now vanished.

Meanwhile, La Liga action continued, but most Spanish football fans were captivated by the Supercopa de España final between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barcelona advanced to the final after a resounding victory over Athletic Club, while Real faced a tougher challenge from Atletico Madrid. The final, however, exceeded expectations.

Barcelona claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory, featuring three goals during first-half stoppage time and a late red card for Frenkie de Jong. The standout performer was Raphinha, who returned to form, netting two goals and contributing to his tally of eight goals and three assists in just eight starts since recovering from injury in November. Raphinha’s impressive record against Madrid now stands at seven goals in five Clasico appearances since last season, including two braces in the Supercopa final.

While Madrid faced disappointment, one of their former players, Endrick, celebrated his Lyon debut with a goal, marking his first since joining the French side on loan. After limited opportunities at the Bernabeu, Endrick seized the chance to play regularly in Ligue 1 and made an immediate impact.

Starting in the Coupe de France clash with Lille, he nearly scored early on but eventually found the net with a close-range finish that secured a 2-1 victory for Lyon. Coach Paulo Fonseca praised Endrick’s adaptation, noting the positive signs for his development.

In the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen made a disappointing start to the new year, suffering a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart despite being unbeaten against them in their last 15 matches. This setback pushed Leverkusen down to fourth in the standings, prompting defender Jarell Quansah to express regret over their performance, especially in front of their home fans.

In contrast, Bayern Munich displayed their dominance with an emphatic 8-1 victory over Wolfsburg, showcasing their attacking prowess. Despite a competitive start, the league leaders surged ahead in the second half, with Michael Olise contributing significantly to the scoreline. Manager Vincent Kompany expressed satisfaction with the team’s relentless pursuit of goals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their competitive edge.

In Italy, Serie A leaders Inter faced defending champions Napoli at San Siro, needing a win to solidify their position at the top. Despite leading twice, Inter settled for a 2-2 draw, thanks in part to key goals from Scott McTominay, who has rediscovered his form in a deeper midfield role.

AC Milan, aiming to capitalize on their rivals drawing, faced a challenging encounter against relegation-threatened Fiorentina. They were fortunate to salvage a 1-1 draw through a last-minute equalizer from Christopher Nkunku, with manager Massimiliano Allegri lamenting the need for greater precision in finishing.

Finally, in Turkey, the Super Cup saw Galatasaray face Fenerbahce. Lacking star striker Victor Osimhen, Gala felt vulnerable, and Fenerbahce capitalized on this, thanks to new signing Matteo Guendouzi. In his first match, Guendouzi scored the opener and played a pivotal role in Fenerbahce’s 2-0 victory, securing their second major trophy since 2014. Guendouzi expressed pride in the team’s effort, marking a promising beginning in his new journey.