The Euro Preview: Juventus can wrap up title, Barcelona play for Copa glory and more

Napoli need a win at Juventus in order to keep their title hopes alive, while Barcelona take on Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final.

Serie A

Napoli’s scoreless draw last Sunday against AC Milan could have very well sealed the league for Juventus, but a 4-2 midweek win at home against Udinese coupled with Juve’s lackluster 1-1 draw at Crotone have made this a title race once again. Nonetheless, the Bianconeri will look to virtually put a lock on a seventh straight title this Sunday when they host Napoli at the Allianz Stadium in Serie A’s biggest match of the season.

Juve’s four-point lead on Napoli still has them in the driver’s seat with five games remaining in the season. Although a Juve win would still not officially clinch them the title, a seven-point lead would all but end the race. Maurizio Sarri’s men have little choice but get a win, which would put them just a point behind Juve, in what has been a great season for them. Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri agrees the onus is on Napoli, saying there’s more pressure on Napoli to win the league than his side because “it’s the only objective they have.”

“They’re still there fighting for the title and they have every chance. It’s normal that, as it’s the only objective they have, there’s more pressure on them but we have to be ready,” he said on Tuesday, referring to his side still having a shot at winning the Coppa Italia.

The matchday’s other big game takes place at the other end of the table when Udinese host Crotone on Sunday in a contest whose outcome could have massive ramifications when it comes to which three teams will be relegated by the end of the season. If Crotone can snatch a victory, Udinese, losers of their last 10 games, could very well find themselves in Serie B by the end of the season.

La Liga

While the Liga season continues this weekend, all eyes will be on the Copa del Rey final. After crashing out of the Champions League quarterfinals to Roma, Barcelona will look to win their first trophy of the season Saturday when they take on Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final. Barcelona, all but assured of winning the league, could grab the double should Ernesto Valverde’s men pull off a victory.

Sevilla, who also reached the Champions League quarterfinals, have had a strong season under coach Vincenzo Montella. For Sevilla, the game is a chance at winning a first trophy since the Europa League in 2016. That was the last of three straight titles for Los Rojiblancos. Sevilla last won the Copa del Rey in 2010. Barcelona, who have more league cup titles than any team in Spain, with 29, last captured the trophy a year ago.

For Barcelona, this game is a consolation prize of sorts after their shock upset in the Champions League. That stinging comeback, which exposed some of Barca’s defensive weaknesses, may give Lionel Messi and his teammates the extra motivation needed to pull off a win.

Sevilla, battling for a Europa League spot, see the Copa del Rey as a chance to show they remain relevant at a time when Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Valencia all failed to challenge Barca for the league this season. While Barcelona enter the match as favorites, Sevilla, who feature Mexico defender Miguel Layun, Argentina midfielder Ever Banega and striker Sandro Ramirez on loan from Everton, have the talent to pull off an upset.

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Bundesliga

Bayern Munich may have wrapped up the league, but the race for second is as heated as ever.  Pride and a Champions League spot remains on the line as Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund remain in the hunt.

Dortmund, currently tied for third place in the table, have disappointed this season. They gave Bayern a feeble challenge for the title and now find themselves without striker Michy Batshuayi, who will miss the remainder of the season and is in doubt to represent Belgium at the World Cup after injuring ankle ligaments during last Sunday’s 2-0 Revierderby defeat against Schalke.

BVB face another big contest Saturday when they host Bayer, who also have 51 points. Any chance manager Peter Stoger has to salvage the season rests on whether they can grab all three points at the Westfalenstadion.

Schalke will have an easier time grabbing points and potentially padding their lead, as they hit the road Sunday to play last-place Koln. The matchday’s other tasty encounter will see Hamburg play Freiburg on Sunday, as both teams look to avoid relegation.