The Euro Preview: Bayern-Dortmund and Barca-Atleti could decide title races
The Bundesliga title could come down to who wins the Bayern Munich-Borussia Dortmund match, while Barcelona look to clinch it with a win against Atletico.
Bundesliga
The league title could all come down to Saturday’s big game. It’s the day Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund in the Klassiker, a game at the Allianz Arena that could give either team the edge in what has become a marathon race toward the title this season.
While Dortmund got off to a strong start and maintained that form throughout most of the first half of the season, Bayern struggled early but have impressively recovered to find themselves back in the title race. At the same time, BVB, plagued by injuries, saw a sag in their form. The result? Two teams with an equal chance at winning this thing.
The tight title race is an anomaly in a tournament dominated by Bayern for most of the decade. While BVB are trying to break that Bayern hegemony, the Bavarian giants will be looking to win the title again after crashing out of the Champions League last month.
After last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Freiburg, Bayern have fallen two points behind BVB in the table. They desperately need a win to stay in this race, although even a draw could suffice.
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As for Dortmund, coming off a 2-0 home victory against Wolfsburg, a win would put them five points clear. It’s that type of a lead, with seven matchdays left in the season, that could give Dortmund their first league championship since 2012.
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Bayern, on the other hand, are vying for their seventh straight title. BVB have finished second three times during that amazing run. While the Freiburg draw, as well as the international break, cut down on Bayern’s momentum, anything can happen in this race. It’s worth noting that BVB defeated Bayern 3-2 when the sides met earlier in the season.
“We have to go there with the ambition to take three points. It’s dangerous there and you can lose so we have to give everything we can,” BVB striker Axel Witsel told the league’s official website. “I think we’ll have the same motivation, maybe even more. Every game now is a final now and we have to do everything to try to win every game step by step.”
La Liga
Barcelona maintain their healthy eight-point lead over Atletico Madrid at the top of the table entering this weekend’s matchday 31. With eight games left in the season, Barca host Atleti at the Camp Nou in another game with title hopes on the line.
A midweek matchday means little rest for teams looking to finish strong this season. Among them are Barcelona as they get closer to clinching the title. Standing in their way is an always-tough Atleti side coached by Diego Simeone. The game ended 1-1 the last time the sides met in the league.
Lionel Messi, however, remains the one to watch given the sensational season he’s having once again. He appears to be winning the league on his own given that the Argentine tops the charts in both goals and assists. Even with those numbers, he’s not God. That bit of analysis coming from Pope Francis, one of his countrymen, before Messi unleashed an impressive free-kick against Villarreal on Tuesday in a game that ended 4-4.
At the same time, Real Madrid play at home Saturday at the Bernabeu against mid-table side Eibar. Los Blancos need the points in order to finish in the top four.
In other games to watch: Getafe host Atletico Bilbao on Sunday, while Sevilla are at Valladolid the same day.
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Serie A
After a midweek matchday, Juventus still look to be headed for another league title given their 18-point lead over second-place Napoli entering matchday 31.
While Juve, without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, host AC Milan on Saturday in what has traditionally been a big game, Napoli host Genoa the following day. The Rossoneri will be looking for revenge after Juventus defeated them 1-0 in January, on a Ronaldo goal, to capture the Italian SuperCup. All eyes will also be on this match after a racist incident marred Juve’s 2-0 win on Tuesday against Cagliari.
While both games matter for the title race (Juve can clinch the title with a win coupled by a Napoli defeat), the relegation battle is also heating up with eight games left in the season.
Empoli, who defeated Napoli 2-1 on Wednesday, travel to Udinese on Sunday, while Bologna host Chievo Verona the following day. Both these matches could help determine which three teams drop to Serie B this season.
In other games worth watching: Atalanta travel to the San Siro on Sunday to take on Inter Milan. A road win and the Bergamo-based club could very well be looking at a top four finish and a spot in the Champions League. Two games on Saturday could also help determine who goes to Europe next season when Sampdoria host Roma and Torino are away at Parma.