The Euro Preview: BVB have the chance to make a mockery of Bundesliga race
After years of Bayern Munich dominating in Germany, it really looks like Borussia Dortmund are the team to beat as the Bundesliga enters the winter break.
Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund continue to dominate the title race and it looks like no one can compete with them this season. As the season enters the winter break following this weekend’s matchday 17, BVB hold a big lead over second-place Borussia Monchengladbach. BVB play Monchengladbach in the friendly confines of Signal Iduna Park on Friday in a game that could very well put an end to the title race.
In what is the biggest game of the season (so far), Dortmund could very well extend their lead. In order for that to happen, BVB need to defeat Gladbach while Bayern, also in the top four, need to drop points on Saturday at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Both outcomes are possible as the 2018 portion of the season comes to a close ahead of the winter break. The Bundesliga resumes play on Jan. 18.
BVB features American striker Christian Pulisic, who incoming U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter, in an interview with the Bundesliga’s official website, called “a real quality player, a player that can be the catalyst for our attack, can easily unbalance defenders, has a very good understanding of the game and it’s been really nice watching him progress over the years.”
Pulisic will look to score in what’s been dubbed the “Battle of the Borussia’s” between two clubs on both sides of the Rhine who each have won five German league titles. BVB look to be favorites after having scored an average of just under three goals per match this season.
Another reason are the options available to Dortmund. No other German team boasts as many scorers (16 players have found the back of the net), while Paco Alcacer (11 goals) and Marco Reus (10) account for nearly half of the team’s league goals.
La Liga
It’s certain to be anther exciting weekend in what has become the tightest race in Europe.
League-leaders Barcelona faces ninth-place Celta Vigo on Saturday at Camp Nou, while second-place Sevilla, just three points off the pace, play at 16th-place Leganes the following day.
Lionel Messi has been absolutely on fire for the Catalan giants this season. The Argentine was awarded the Golden Shoe Award earlier this week after scoring 34 goals in 36 La Liga matches last season, making him the highest scorer in Europe ahead of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who had 32.
“The truth is I had no idea this would happen when I started,” said Messi, who has scored 14 goals in 14 league games this season. “I dreamt of playing professional football and enjoying success, I love the game, but I never imagined I would have so much.”
In other league matches to watch for: Atletico Madrid, who are tied for second with Sevilla, host 11th-place Espanyol on Saturday. The Villarreal-Real Madrid match, originally scheduled for this weekend, will instead be played on Jan. 3 due to Los Blancos participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
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Serie A
In a slate of Saturday games, Juve put their eight-point lead against seventh-place Roma on the line when they play Roma at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Juve are coming off last week’s 1-0 derby victory against Torino.
“Those who have ambition don’t have fear,” wrote Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri on his Twitter page in response to the Champions League draw, which will see Serie A champions take on Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 come February.
Napoli, meanwhile, have a more favorable match — they take on Spal, who are 15th and in the relegation zone.
Third-place Inter Milan host last-place Chievo in Verona as they hope to close in on the league leaders. In another battle of stories clubs fighting to go into the top four, AC Milan host Fiorentina at the San Siro as the Rossoneri continue to surge up the table.