Euro weekend round-up: Milan win derby, Ivan Toney hits hat-trick

Plenty happened this weekend across Europe and we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.

From Ivan Toney smashing in a hat-trick against Leeds to AC Milan coming out on top in the Milan derby, this weekend didn’t disappoint.  

 

AC Milan win derby 

With the Milan derby taking place on gameweek five, it was interesting to gather where these two sides are at. 

AC Milan were able to take full advantage of the home crowd as they walked away with all three points, with a 3-2 victory. 

Rafael Leao played a starring role in Milan’s victory as he scored twice and assisted the other goal which was scored by Olivier Giroud. 

There was some speculation surrounding Leao’s future as he was linked with a move to Chelsea throughout the summer, but Milan will be more than happy he’s stuck around. 

The Portuguese forward has been the focal point of most of Milan’s attacks as he has taken 4.6 shots per game, which is more than any other player at Milan. 

His shots per game have shot up from the 2.9 he was taking last season as he has already hit the back of the net three times. 

Milan remain unbeaten at the start of the season and currently sit second in the league table, behind Napoli on goal difference. 

Inter have had a little bit more of an inconsistent start to the season as they have now lost their opening two away matches this season. 

 

Messi the assist man 

Lionel Messi may no longer be the unrelenting force in front of goal which he once was, but his playmaking skills are as sharp as ever. 

No player in Europe’s top five leagues has more assists than Messi in this calendar year and he added a couple more to his tally this weekend. 

PSG breezed past Nantes 3-0 and Messi popped up with a couple of assists. 

In total, Messi produced four key passes and set up both of Kylian Mbappe’s goals. 

He rolled back the years when it came to darting past defenders too as he completed 10 successful dribbles, meaning he has made the most successful dribbles in Ligue 1 this season. 

In six league appearances this season, Messi now has three goals and five assists. 

 

Ivan Toney hat-trick 

Brentford currently rank amongst the Premier League top scorers and they put away Leeds this weekend in emphatic style. 

Ivan Toney had a superb campaign with Brentford last season in the Premier League as he scored 12 goals and got five assists. 

So far this season, Toney has already hit the back of the net five times, with three of those strikes coming against Leeds this weekend. 

His freekick was the pick of the goals as he left Illan Meslier rooted to his spot in goal for Leeds. 

Toney is now the second biggest xG overperformer in the Premier League with an overperformance of 2.4 goals, which only puts him behind Erling Haaland. 

 

Marcus Rashford is back 

Manchester United have been on quite the run after being humiliated by Brentford and their form stretched to this weekend as they dispatched Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford. 

Antony wasted no time in getting to grips with his new surroundings as he opened the scoring, but it was Marcus Rashford who really stole the headlines. 

The 24-year-old scored a brace and this game served as a reminder of just what he is capable of. 

In just six appearances this season, Rashford has already scored 75% of the goals he managed last season. 

He also assisted Antony’s goal and was a constant threat to Arsenal’s back line. 

Erik ten Hag has done a good job with turning the tide for Manchester United with four wins from their last four Premier League matches. 

They now find themselves fifth in the table and just three points behind Arsenal at the top.