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The Euro Preview: Bundesliga title comes down to the final day

By Clemente Lisi

11 May 2019, Saxony, Leipzig: Soccer: Bundesliga, 33rd matchday, RB Leipzig - FC Bayern Munich in the Red Bull Arena Leipzig. Munich's David Alaba (l) and Arjen Robben react after the game. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB - 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 Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images)
11 May 2019, Saxony, Leipzig: Soccer: Bundesliga, 33rd matchday, RB Leipzig - FC Bayern Munich in the Red Bull Arena Leipzig. Munich's David Alaba (l) and Arjen Robben react after the game. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB - 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 Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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The season-long battle for the Bundesliga crown between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will be decided on the final day of the season.

Bundesliga

Just 90 minutes separates Bayern Munich and another Bundesliga title. After failing to grab a win last week against RB Leipzig, Bayern will aim for one on Saturday at the Allianz Arena against Eintracht Frankfurt.

At the same time, Borussia Dortmund, just two points behind Bayern, need for the Bavarian giants to lose as well as grab three points for themselves on the road against Borussia Monchengladbach.

The German league race heads to the final day for the first time since Wolfsburg outpaced Bayern to the title 10 years ago. The current Bundesliga season — similar to the English Premier League race won last Sunday by Manchester City — featured one of the tightest title contests on the continent.

“It was never so close,” Bayern striker Thomas Muller said of the race. “We really want to get the thing with our fans behind us.”

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With the relegation battle wrapped up (the third and final spot will be decided via a playoff), the race for who will finish fourth (and land in the Champions League next season) remains very much up for grabs. Both Eintracht and ‘Gladbach are in position to finish fourth and will be giving it their all come Saturday.

It will be difficult for Bayern to win their seventh straight title, although the two-point cushion heading into matchday 34 allows them to win it all even with a draw. Bayern currently hold a 17-goal advantage in goal difference over Dortmund.

La Liga

The race in Spain is all about that final Champions League spot. Fifth-place Getafe, the country’s surprise-side this season, and fourth-place Valencia both have 58 points. Sevilla are in sixth with 56 points.

On Saturday, Valladolid host Valencia, Getafe are at home against Villarreal, who are safe from relegation and have nothing to play for, and Sevilla play Athletic Bilbao.

A win against Valladolid will see Los Che consolidate the fourth spot.

“The team has never given up, we have always tried to move forward, we’ve always fought,” Valencia defender Jose Gaya told reporters. “Now we have to finish it off and we’re very happy, these fans deserve it.”

Sevilla, meanwhile, remain two points behind Valencia and Getafe and may have to settle for a Europa League spot even if they overcome Athletic Bilbao at home.

In the relegation zone, Girona face relegation after last Sunday’s defeat to Levante, who are now safe from the drop. Girona need to win at Alaves and also hope Celta Vigo, who are three points ahead, lose at home to Rayo Vallecano.

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Serie A

Matchday 37, the penultimate weekend of the Italian season, features two top-notch clashes on Sunday: Juventus hosting third-place Atalanta and fourth-place Inter Milan at second-place Napoli. Atalanta, who have the most points in Italy if only considering the current calendar year, are the Cinderella story of the season as they look to seal their first-ever Champions League berth.

“The team has been extraordinary in terms of mentality,” Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini told reporters last weekend.

While these games will do little to change the table (Juve are already champions and Napoli locked in second place two weeks ago), they will play a role in who will finish third and fourth. At the same time, AC Milan, Torino and Roma have not given up on a Champions League spot.

Atalanta have 65 points, followed by Inter at 63. AC Milan and Roma are tied at 62, while Torino are at 60. Atalanta are looking to rebound following Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Lazio in the Coppa Italia final.

The matchday starts on Saturday with sixth-place Roma hosting Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico. The following day, seventh-place Torino play at relegation-threatened Empoli and fifth-place AC Milan take on already-relegated Frosinone at the San Siro. Both Torino and AC Milan have to grab three points, while also hoping Roma and Inter are defeated.

At the bottom of the table, Udinese remain in desperate need of points down the stretch. Udinese take on Spal at home on Saturday, while Genoa, also at risk of being relegated, host Cagliari at the same time.

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