The Euro Preview: Bayern’s title theirs to lose, AC Milan looking to end slump
Bayern Munich and BVB continue to battle for the German title, while Serie A’s fight to finish top four has only highlighted AC Milan’s recent slump.
Bundesliga
Three matchdays left in the season and two points separate leaders Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. While Bayern are entering this weekend following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Nurnberg, BVB’s shock 4-2 home defeat against Schalke 04 in the Ruhr Valley derby made a major dent in their hopes of snagging the title away from the defending German champions.
Bayern, who will be without the injured James Rodriguez, play at home Saturday against Hanover 96, while Dortmund play the same day away at Werder Bremen. Indeed, the title race remains wide open with nine points up for grabs, but the Bavarian giants have the slim points and psychological edge.
“We had a tough German Cup game in midweek and maybe we were not that fresh,” Bayern manager Niko Kovac told reporters, referring to their 3-2 semifinal win over Werder. “Nuremberg did it well and fought for every ball. They made our life difficult from the first to the last minute. It is frustrating because we could have gone four points clear.”
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Third-placed RB Leipzig, who have secured a Champions League spot for next season, play Friday at Mainz.
There are still several number of permutations that can unfold over the next three weeks. The title race, fourth Champions League spot and Europa League qualification remain up for grabs.
Bayern and BVB could still finish third, for example, while RB Leipzig are technically still in the title hunt and do host Bayern on the penultimate weekend. Bayern also play RB Leipzig on May 25 in the final of the DFB Cup.
Serie A
Juventus may have won the title early, but the fight for the fourth, and final, Champions League spot with four matchdays left to go make the next month a must-watch in Serie A. With Napoli and Inter Milan expected to finish second and third, respectively, the fourth spot is a battle between five teams: Atalanta (59 points), Roma (58), AC Milan (56), Torino (56) and Lazio (55).
The weekend is highlighted by the Turin derby on Friday between Juventus and Torino, who are unbeaten in six games. Sunday’s clash at the Stadio Olimpico between Lazio and Atalanta is the other big match on matchday 35.
AC Milan are in a slump at the wrong time of the season, losing to Torino 2-0 last Sunday, prompting manager Gennaro Gattuso to say at a news conference: “I am tied to results, I am responsible. We are not only having embarrassing results for our team, we’re embarrassing a historic club. We lack calm, a series of results to give us confidence. We’re practically punching ourselves in the face, as we gave away negative situations.”
The Rossoneri, who last won on April 13 against Lazio, enter their game against Bologna on Sunday following an eight-day break in a game they desperately need to win. It truly looks as if Gattuso’s days at AC Milan are numbered. Whether they can qualify for next season’s Champions League truly remains a question mark given the strong form of Atalanta, who are coming off Monday’s 2-0 win against Udinese.
Roma, meanwhile, play at Genoa on Sunday. Roma are also playing very well down the stretch and are unbeaten in their last nine.
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La Liga
With Barcelona wrapping up another league title last week, the remaining three matchdays also see teams battling to finish top four. Barcelona, now focused on winning the Champions League, play on Saturday at Celta Vigo.
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Atletico Madrid and rivals Real will finish two and three, respectively, while four teams are fighting for that fourth and final spot. Currently in fourth is surprise side Getafe with 55 points, followed by Sevilla (55), Valencia (52) and Athletic Bilbao (50).
Getafe play Sunday against Girona, while Sevilla hot Leganes on Friday. Valencia battle Huesca and Athletic Bilbao are at Valladolid, both games taking place on Sunday.