Dead Ball Digest : Your Backstage Pass to the Weekend Football

Hello everyone,

This season, we're evolving ‘Dead Ball Digest’ into a more fresh and dynamic format. We’ll be diving into the 10 most captivating matches from the weekend’s action, with a special focus on the top 5 European leagues, while still giving attention to other leagues as always. Let's get started!

Hamburg 0 vs St Pauli 2

✦ Backed by +50,000 passionate fans, HSV Hamburg were confident in their Bundesliga return against city rivals St. Pauli. But, the opponent crashed the party and turned the celebration into a bitter reality check.

✦ Andreas Hountondji, the game-breaker: The 23-year-old Benin striker was the most influential player of the game. He had 2 goals in 3 Bundesliga matches, and he’s emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s most intriguing profiles.

✦ Stat snapshot St Pauli’s strength:

• xG: HSV 0.48 vs St. Pauli 1.43

• Box touches: 10 vs 25

• Successful tackles: 10 vs 17

• Shots: HSV 5 (2 on target) vs St. Pauli 17 (6 on target)

✦ Numbers back it up: St. Pauli’s control and Andreas Hountondji’s efficiency defined the derby.

Figure 1: Andreas Hountondji’s attacking stats in the Bundesliga 2025-26 season

Chelsea 2 vs Fulham 0

​​✦ Joao Pedro has made an impressive start at Chelsea, scoring five goals in his first six appearances, including in the Premier League and FIFA Club World Cup. ⚡Electric.

✦ Liam Delap’s hamstring injury does not look good, and following Christopher Nkunku’s departure to Milan, Chelsea froze Jackson Martinez's transfer to Bayern Munich on weekend. However his agent and player pushed a lot and according to recent reports this transfer completed on the Deadline day. Considering the intense demands of the Champions League and Premier League, signing a striker could be a smart move, as long as it’s done before today (19:00) deadline. Otherwise, the club will have to wait until January.

✦ In the meantime, Chelsea have already scored their fourth set-piece goal in just three Premier League games this season, that’s 33% of last season’s total (12). Clearly, Mexican trainer Bernardo Cueva is making a big impact.

Figure 2: Chelsea’s corner statistics (EPL 2025-2026, Gameweeks 1-3)

Manchester United 3 vs Burnley 2

✦ From Grimsby shame to relief: After a shock Carabao Cup loss to League Two side Grimsby on penalties, Manchester United earned a dramatic 3-2 win against newly-promoted Burnley. Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time penalty gave Ruben Amorim’s team some breathing space.

✦ Mbeumo is doing well. United’s £65M record signing was the heartbeat of United’s attack.

Bryan Mbeumo stats against Burnley:

• Goal: First goal at Old Trafford

• Box touches: 9 (most on the pitch)

• xG: 0.60 | xA: 0.69

• Key passes: 5

• Crosses: 4/5 accurate | Long balls: 3/3 accurate

• Shots: 3 (2 on target) | xGOT: 0.38

✦ What’s next? Derby test after the international break, Manchester City away (Sunday, September 14). Momentum restored, but the confidence will be tested at the Etihad.

Lorient 1 vs Lille 7

✦ €85M+ transfer revenue, smart rebuild: Lille cashed in on Lucas Chevalier (€40M to PSG), Bafodé Diakité (€35M to Bournemouth) and Gabriel Gudmundsson (€11.6M to Leeds), while also losing main star striker Jonathan David (free agent) to Juventus. The reinvestment? Strategic, value-driven signings like Berke Özer (€4.5M), Félix Correia (€7M), Marius Broholm (€6M), Hamza Igamane (€1.5M), plus a free-agent Olivier Giroud.

✦ A 7–1 statement win: After upsetting Monaco with Olivier Giroud last-minute goal, Bruno Génésio’s team destroyed Lorient in a rainy game, scoring all seven goals after half-time. Hamza Igamane made a stunning debut with two goals, while fellow Moroccan Osame Sahraoui also got on the scoresheet.

✦ Youth & new signings shine: Academy graduate Mathias Fernandez-Pardo scored two goals, new signing left back Perraud impressed with 1G + 1A, and fresh goalkeeper Berke Özer saved a penalty (before conceding off the rebound). This weekend's performance highlighted Lille’s mix of youth and an ambitious team. The average age of the squad was 24.6 for that game.

✦Hamza Igamane became the first Lille player to score at least two goals in his first Ligue 1 match since Victor Osimhen against Nantes in August 2019 (also two). You’ll hear his name a lot, along with Mathias Fernandez-Pardo, this season.

Figure 3: Matias Fernandez-Pardo Ligue 2025-26 season attacking stats

Toulouse 3 vs Paris Saint Germain 6

✦ 17-goal in two games: Saturday night was pure madness in Ligue 1 as Lorient 1–7 Lille, followed by Toulouse 3–6 PSG. Two games. Seventeen goals. Absolute goal festival!

✦ João Neves hat-trick masterclass:

• Passing class: 85/88 passes (97% accuracy)

• Box touches: 5

• Shots: 4 (3 on target) | xGOT: 1.80

• Goals: 3, including two stunning overhead kicks. The 20-year-old equalled his entire Ligue 1 goal total from last season in one match.

✦ PSG at top speed: Barcola impressed, Fabian Ruiz’s line-breaking assist for PSG’s second goal deserves a tactics lecture of its own. Paris looks untouchable, and right now, they’re playing must-watch football.

Figure 4: Fabian Ruiz's line-breaking assist to Bradley Barcola in the second goal of PSG

Augsburg 2 vs Bayern Munchen 3

✦ After a 3–1 opening win at Freiburg, Augsburg stayed with the same XI (new signing Anton Kade on the bench). Bayern looked comfortable after Michael Olise made it 3–0 at the 48th minute, but Kristijan Jakić and academy gem Mert Kömür almost turned the game around. The 20-year-old caused problems for Bayern’s backline, and you'd better watch him closely after the international break.

✦ “If Harry Kane is defending at left-back at the beginning of the second half, then I think you've done a lot of things right’’ Augsburg boss Sandro Wagner’s post-game quote.

✦ Stat check – Bayern’s lead, but Augsburg’s fight:

• xG: Augsburg 0.50 vs Bayern 3.82

• Shots: 10 (3 on target) vs 20 (10 on target)

• Box touches: 22 vs 38

• Crosses: 18 (5 accurate) vs 12 (3 accurate)

🔥 Form watch: Luis Díaz – 4 games, 3 goals, 2 assists.
🌟 Michael Olise - 9 games (incl. Club WC), 7 goals, 2 assists.

Brighton 2 vs Manchester City 1

✦ Manchester City shocked at the Amex (again), just like last season, Pep’s team left Brighton empty-handed. Despite dominating the first half, James Milner's penalty and Brajan Gruda’s stoppage-time goal gave M.City's second loss in three league games.

✦ Haaland hits 100 Premier League games: The Norwegian marked his milestone appearance, but couldn’t prevent the upset.

✦ James Milner (39) became the second-oldest scorer in Premier League history behind Teddy Sheringham, who was 40 when he broke the record.

✦ Stat snapshot

• xG: Brighton 2.3 vs M.City 1.82

• Shots: 12 vs 12 | On target: 7 vs 3

• Tackle success: 76.5% vs 50%

• Penalty area entries 20 vs 13

• Interception 8 vs 9

• Key Passes 9 vs 8

Figure 5: Number of goals after 100 Premier League games

Liverpool 1 vs Arsenal 0

✦ A tight game at Anfield: Arsenal defended with discipline and frustrated Liverpool in the first half. But as is often the case in big games, a single moment of brilliance decided it, Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick gave Liverpool three points.

✦ Mosquera’s test: Early in the warm-up, William Saliba’s injury forced new signing Cristhian Mosquera into action. While a little nervous on the ball, the Spanish defender impressed with his physicality and tight marking, especially in duels with Hugo Ekitike.

✦ Standouts on both sides: For Arsenal, Madueke showed promise, and there’s optimism he’ll find a better rhythm after the international break. Liverpool’s difference-makers were clear: Alisson, Kerkez’s energy, Van Dijk’s calmness and Szoboszlai’s game-winning quality.

Aston Villa 0 vs Crystal Palace 3

✦ Guéhi's wonder goal, transfer buzz: Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi lit up Villa Park with a stunning strike to make it 2–0, earning a chorus of “Marc Guéhi, I wanna know how you scored that goal” from fans. Liverpool is expected to transfer him on deadline day (today).

✦ Oliver Glasner’s team take their chances: Despite being outshot (13–6), but lead on xG (1.13 vs 2.67), they were ruthless in front of goal, sealing a clinical win that disappointed the home crowd.

✦ Stat snapshot, dominance in key areas:

• Shots on target: 4–4

• Penalty area entries: 42 vs 17

• Final-third entries: 78 vs 51

• Crosses: 31 vs 11

For Palace, Henderson’s sharp saves, Kamada’s creativity, Richards’ composure, and Guéhi’s brilliance combined for a standout team performance.

Figure 6: Daichi Kamada’s attacking statistics against Aston Villa on the 31st of August 2025 (EPL 2025-2026, Gameweek 3)

Lazio 4 vs Verona 0

✦ Lazio recover in style: After a shock opening-day loss to Como, Maurizio Sarri’s team smashed Verona 3–0 by halftime and took a comfortable win. Rovella and Castellanos were key contributors, while keeper Provedel stood out with key saves.

✦ Title race heated up early: Inter slipped up 2-1 against Udinese, Juventus defeated Genoa 1–0 thanks to Vlahović's header, and Roma made it two wins from two behind Soule’s solid performance. Napoli, however, still looks the most balanced and composed side in the league. Their last-minute winner against Cagliari was a very intense and entertaining match.

✦ Stat snapshot – Lazio’s dominance:

• xG: 3.85 vs 0.77

• Shots: 22 vs 12 | On target: 6 vs 4

• Box touches: 31 vs 20

• Lazio’s aggressive play and defensive solidity made this a decisive win of the weekend in Serie A.

The international break is here, transfer deadline day chaos is 🤯, squads are locked, and managers finally get a chance to reset, breathe, and regroup.

We’ll also use this pause to adjust our own plans. Enjoy the break, recharge, and we’ll be back soon!