Endrick Shines as Real Madrid's Rising Star

🌟 European Football Roundup: Endrick’s Heroics, PSG’s Domination, and Juve’s Shock Exit – Key Highlights & Stats**

The past week in European football delivered **drama, upsets, and record-breaking performances**, from **Endrick’s star-making moment for Real Madrid** to **Gonçalo Ramos’ hat-trick for PSG**. Here’s your deep dive into the biggest stories, stats, and talking points.

🔥 Real Madrid 1-0 Real Sociedad: Endrick Steps Up in Mbappé’s Absence**

**Key Stat**: 18-year-old Endrick has now scored **4 goals in his last 6 appearances** for Real Madrid.

With **Kylian Mbappé sidelined after a dental procedure** (yes, you read that right 😬), all eyes were on teenage sensation **Endrick** to lead Los Blancos against Real Sociedad in the **Copa del Rey semi-final first leg**. The Brazilian didn’t disappoint, netting a **62nd-minute winner** on the counterattack after a sublime assist from **Jude Bellingham** 🎯.

**Match Highlights**:

- **Possession**: Real Sociedad 58% – 42% Real Madrid

- **Shots on Target**: 5 – 3 (Sociedad edged chances but lacked precision).

- **Key Performer**: Endrick (1 goal, 3 dribbles completed, 85% pass accuracy).

**Why It Matters**:

Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to rest stars like **Thibaut Courtois** and **Federico Valverde** paid off. Madrid now hold a **crucial away-goal advantage** ahead of April’s second leg. A potential final against **Barcelona or Atlético Madrid** (who drew 4-4 in their first leg 🤯) looms.

💬 Manager Reaction**:

“Endrick plays with the maturity of a 25-year-old. We didn’t miss Mbappé today – that’s the beauty of this squad.” – **Carlo Ancelotti**.

😱 Empoli 1-1 (4-2 pens) Juventus: Coppa Italia Holders Crash Out**

**Key Stat**: Juventus have **failed to score in 3 of their last 5 games** across all competitions.

Serie A strugglers **Empoli** pulled off a **stunning upset**, eliminating Juventus via penalties in the **Coppa Italia quarter-finals**.

**Match Breakdown**:

- **24’**: Youssef Maleh’s thunderbolt from outside the box put Empoli ahead. 🚀

- **63’**: Khephren Thuram equalized with a jaw-dropping solo effort, weaving past three defenders.

- **Penalty Drama**: Dusan Vlahović skied Juve’s first spot-kick, while Empoli’s keeper **Devis Vásquez** saved Kenan Yildiz’s attempt.

**Juventus’ Nightmare**:

- **Shots**: 18 – 6 (Juve dominated but couldn’t convert).

- **xG**: 1.8 – 0.7 (Juve’s finishing woes continue).

**Fallout**:

Massimiliano Allegri’s future is under scrutiny, with Juve **winless in 4 matches**. Empoli advance to face **Bologna** in the semi-finals.

💬 Fan Reaction**:

“Vlahović’s penalty summed up our season – all power, no direction.” – **Juve fan forum**.

⚽ RB Leipzig 1-0 Wolfsburg: Sesko Sends Leipzig to German Cup Semis**

**Key Stat**: Benjamin Šeško has **8 goals in 10 cup appearances** this season.

RB Leipzig grinded out a **1-0 victory** over Wolfsburg to reach the **DFB-Pokal semi-finals**, thanks to Šeško’s ice-cool penalty.

**Match Dynamics**:

- **69’**: Penalty awarded for handball; Šeško sent keeper Marius Müller the wrong way.

- **Defensive Grit**: Leipzig absorbed 14 shots from Wolfsburg but held firm.

**Semi-Final Lineup**:

- Bayer Leverkusen

- Stuttgart

- Arminia Bielefeld (third-tier giant-killers 🔥

- RB Leipzig

**💬 Manager Insight**:

“We’re building a cup mentality. Šeško? He’s a machine under pressure.” – **Marco Rose**.

🔥 PSG 7-0 Stade Briochin: Ramos Runs Riot in Coupe de France**

**Key Stat**: Gonçalo Ramos is the **first PSG player since Zlatan Ibrahimović (2015) to score a hat-trick in the Coupe de France**.

PSG demolished fourth-tier Stade Briochin in a **ruthless display**, with Ramos stealing the show.

**Goal Breakdown**:

- **16’**: João Neves taps in a rebound.

- **36’**: Ramos slots home from close range.

- **48’**: Ramos converts a penalty.

- **55’**: Désiré Doué makes it 4-0.

- **68’**: Ramos completes his hat-trick.

- **72’**: Senny Mayulu adds a sixth.

- **85’**: Ousmane Dembélé blasts in the seventh.

**By the Numbers**:

- **Possession**: 78% – 22%

- **Shots**: 28 – 2

- **Dembélé’s Season**: 25 goals, 12 assists 🚀

💬 Player Spotlight**:

“Scoring three goals is special, but the team’s hunger is what matters.” – **Gonçalo Ramos**.

💥 Dunkerque’s Fairy Tale Continues**

Second-tier **Dunkerque** stunned Ligue 1’s Brest 3-2 to reach the **Coupe de France semi-finals**, their first since 1957!

**Hero of the Hour**:

- Striker **Lilian Brassier** scored twice, including an 89th-minute winner.

**Semi-Final Lineup**:

- PSG

- Lyon

- Strasbourg

- Dunkerque

🚨 Marseille President Pablo Longoria Banned for 15 Matches**

**Key Quote**: “There’s true corruption in French football.” – **Longoria** after Marseille’s 3-0 loss to Auxerre.

**Fallout**:

- Longoria **apologized** but faces a ban from all matchday activities.

- Adviser Fabrizio Ravanelli also banned for 3 matches.

**Fan Reaction**:

“Longoria’s passion is admirable, but his timing? Questionable.” – **Marseille supporter group**.

📊 By the Numbers: Week’s Top Stats**

1. **7** – PSG’s goal tally, their biggest win this season.

2. **15** – Pablo Longoria’s ban length, a record for a club official in Ligue 1.

3. **4-4** – Barcelona and Atlético’s thrilling first-leg draw in Copa del Rey.

4. **3rd-tier** – Arminia Bielefeld’s status as they reach DFB-Pokal semis. 🔮 What to Watch Next**

- **Copa del Rey Semi-Finals**: Will Barcelona or Atlético face Madrid in the final?

- **Coppa Italia**: Can Empoli continue their Cinderella run?

- **Coupe de France**: Dunkerque vs. Strasbourg – the ultimate underdog clash!

👋 Final Whistle**

From **Endrick’s rise** to **Longoria’s fall**, this week had it all. Stay tuned for more updates as Europe’s cup competitions heat up! ⚽🔥

**📢 Let’s Debate**: Will Real Madrid regret relying on a teenager in the Copa del Rey? Share your thoughts below! 👇