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The Euro Preview: Bayern closing in on another title, Atalanta aims for historic finale

By Clemente Lisi

04 May 2019, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich - Hannover 96, 32nd matchday in the Allianz Arena. Arjen Robben (l-r), Thiago, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, mascot Berni, Sven Ulreich and Niklas Süle from FC Bayern Munich thank their fans after the end of the game. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images)
04 May 2019, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich - Hannover 96, 32nd matchday in the Allianz Arena. Arjen Robben (l-r), Thiago, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, mascot Berni, Sven Ulreich and Niklas Süle from FC Bayern Munich thank their fans after the end of the game. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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Seven points behind BVB in February, Bayern took advantage of a subsequent lack of form from their rivals and could win it all again with two matchdays left.

Bundesliga

No team in Europe has dominated their domestic league quite like Juventus in Italy. Winners of the last eight titles, Juve have set records. Bayern Munich are hoping to get close by attempting to win a seventh consecutive title this spring.

The Bavarian giants have the chance to get a step closer to that goal this weekend when they take on RB Leipzig on the road Saturday. With a four-point lead over Borussia Dortmund with two matchdays left to play, Bayern have the upper hand when it comes to getting first to the finish line.

Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery may no longer be an attacking pair after this season, but both are hoping to power Bayern Munich to the title after a sluggish start.

At the same time, BVB will be at home Saturday against Fortuna. They need a win to maintain a slim hope of maintaining their title hopes alive.

https://twitter.com/Bundesliga_EN/status/1125120225865654272

“We’re never going to give up,” Dortmund striker Christian Pulisic told bundesliga.com. “We know we can do our part now, and it just comes down to Bayern losing a few games, but we’re never gonna give up.”

At the bottom of the table, Hannover, currently six points adrift of outright safety, will be relegated next weekend if 16th-placed Stuttgart can avoid defeat at home to Wolfsburg.

La Liga

It’s now crunch time in Spain for teams aiming to finish fourth and play in next season’s Champions League.

With Barcelona already crowned champion (and thinking what to do next after this past week’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool that resulted in elimination from the Champions League) and Atletico Madrid and Real likely to finish second and third, respectively, the fight for fourth place between Getafe (58 points), Valencia and Sevilla (both at 55) remains hot with two matchdays left.

With all games being played at the same time on Sunday, surprise side Getafe play at Barca after closing in on a Champions League spot, while never-say-die Valencia host Alaves. Sevilla play at Atletico in Madrid.

Meanwhile, five teams are battling to not finish third from the bottom in a bid to avoid the drop after Huesca and Rayo Vallecano were officially relegated last weekend.

In one of the biggest matches on Sunday, 18th-place Girona host 16th-place Levante. Only three points separate the two clubs.

Next. Why nobody cares about Barcelona's dominance. dark

Serie A

Over in Italy, the big story this season has been Atalanta. Not only are they in phenomenal position to play in next season’s Champions League, but are also poised to finish as high as third.

The Bergamo-based club, coming off a 3-1 win against Lazio last weekend, host Genoa on Saturday. Led by striker Duvan Zapata, the team have been compared to Ajax in the way they have played this season. Atalanta have a really good chance over the next few weeks to finish higher than fourth, its best-ever top flight finish coming in 2016-17.

Meanwhile Roma, just three points behind Atalanta, host Juventus on Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico, although it may be too late for the Giallorossi at this point to try and qualify for the Champions League.

In other matchday 36 games: Fiorentina host AC Milan, who’s still in the hunt to finish top four, on Saturday, while inconsistent Inter Milan are at home two days later against last-place Chievo Verona.

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