Guirassy, Moffi, Fofana, Banza, Ndiaye among the weekend's stars
Some regulars in this column were in the headlines again over the final weekend before the international break.
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In Germany (matchday 26), VfB Stuttgart (3rd) moved a little closer to qualifying for the 2024-2025 Champions League. They owe that in part to Guinean Serhou Guirassy, who scored his 22nd league goal in their 3-0 win at Hoffenheim. Malian Amadou Haïdara, meanwhile, was part of RB Leipzig's (5th) attacking show at FC Cologne (5-1).
In England (matchday 29), Burnley (19th) beat Brentford (2-1), thanks in part to a goal from Ivorian David Fofana.
In Spain (matchday 29), Sevilla (15th) slipped further into crisis, losing at home to Celta Vigo (1-2) despite Moroccan Youssef En-Nesyri putting them ahead.
In France (matchday 26), Nice (4th) won in style at Lens (3-1), thanks in part to a brace from Nigerian Terem Moffi. Le Havre (13th) were beaten at Clermont (1-2) despite a goal from Ghanaian André Ayew.
In Italy (matchday 29), AC Milan (2nd) won comfortably at Verona (3-1) with a goal from Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze, while Moroccan Walid Cheddira scored for Frosinone (18th), who lost at home to Lazio (2-3).
Kanga joins Standard's goal rush
In Belgium (matchday 30), Standard Liège (10th) thrashed Eupen (4-0) with a goal from Ivorian Wilfried Kanga. Mauritanian Aboubakary Koita scored one of Sint-Truiden's (9th) two goals against Club Brugge. Unstoppable, Togolese Kevin Denkey scored again for Cercle Brugge (5th) in their 4-0 win over RWD Molenbeek.
In the Netherlands (matchday 26), a late equaliser from Algerian Anis Hadj Moussa earned Vitesse Arnhem (17th) a draw against Almere City (1-1).
In Portugal (matchday 26), Braga (4th) won late on against Gil Vicente thanks to Congolese (DR Congo) Simon Banza, while Rio Ave (15th) took a point at Farense (1-1) thanks to Ghanaian Emmanuel Boateng.
In Switzerland (matchday 28), Lausanne Sport (9th) beat Young Boys Berne (2-0), with a penalty from Senegalese Mamadou Kaly Sène. FC Zurich were held by Lausanne Ouchy (2-2) despite Congolese (DR Congo) Jonathan Okita giving them the lead. His compatriot Chadrac Akolo earned FC St. Gallen (5th) a draw (1-1) at Grasshopper Zurich (1-1). FC Lugano (3rd) saw off Yverdon-les-Bains (2-0) with a goal from Tunisian Hadj Mahmoud.
Okita and Akolo on target in Switzerland
In Turkey (matchday 30), Adana Demirspor (13th) comfortably beat Sivasspor (4-1) with a goal from Algerian Youcef Atal. Nigerian Ibrahim Olawoyin scored one of Rizespor's (7th) three goals against Gaziantep (3-1). His compatriot Fisago Delo-Bashiru also scored in Hatayspor's (15th) big win over Samsunspor (3-0). Kasimpasa (5th) lost at home to Galatasaray despite a goal from Cape Verdean Nuno Da Costa.
In Luxembourg (matchday 21), Kaerjeng (13th) beat Marisca Marsch (1-0) thanks to Algerian Idir Boutrif. Union Titus Pétange (6th) beat Fola Esch (3-0) with a goal from Congolese (DR Congo) Wilson Kamavuaka and another from Gambian Marian Sarr.
In Serbia (matchday 26), Red Star Belgrade (1st) thrashed Radnik 1923 (5-0) with a brace from Senegalese Chérif Ndiaye.
Alexis BILLEBAULT