The top European football leagues had a weekend that was not ordinary by accounts. Giants have fallen in England and minnows are a few steps from paradise in Italy and Spain. And Bayern Munchen… are doing what Bayern Munich usually does….
Winners
Atalanta
The Orobici are exceeding expectations more and more. Already in contention for the Coppa Italia – they play Lazio in next week’s final, Atalanta are now on the verge of securing a spot in next year’s Champions League.
This is Unreal stuff by Gian Piero Gasperini and his men, who came fourth two years ago, a position that at the time only secured Europa League football. They have a three-point cushion at fourth place and are fresh from beating Lazio in Rome on the weekend.
Maurizio Sarri
One of the most criticized managers ever in the history of Chelsea, Sarri was very close from being sacked in February. He has never really been loved by fans unhappy with the teams up and downs and the manager’s squad tactics.
Well, Sarri has now taken Chelsea back to the Champions League and the South London team has a realistic chance to play this year’s Europa League final. Not bad, huh?
Bayern Munich
After trailing Borussia Dortmund for most of the season and being unable to extend their lead last week, the Bavarians finally have managed to really create a gap between them and the Black and Yellows.
Beating Hannover 3-1 secured the three points, and with Dortmund managing just a draw at Werder Bremen, it means Bayern will be crowned champions for the seventh consecutive season next week with a win.
Vincent Kompany
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City is full of attacking players, but it was the Belgian center-back who stepped up to break the deadlock in City’s nervy game against Leicester City on Monday night.
Kompany smashed in a thunderous strike on the 70th minute to give his men all three points and a crucial breather in the title race against Liverpool. It was Kompany’s first goal of the season and his first ever from outside the box.
Losers
Manchester United
The Red Devils are now mathematically out of next year’s Champions League.
They have crumbled since the beginning of the year, putting together just two points in their last four games and squandering the chances of a top-four finish. Was it really all just José Mourinho’s fault?
Arsenal
Having hit top form in the Europa League, more was expected from the Gunners in the Premier League, especially considering how much Tottenham and Manchester United have struggled.
None of the above for Unai Emery’s gang, who are now essentially out of a top-four finish. The draw against Brighton on the weekend was the nail in the coffin for Arsenal.
Borussia Dortmund
Top of the Bundesliga for most of the season, but now doomed to come second. Unbelievable.
Nobody could have predicted this fall from grace by Dortmund, which combined with the rise of Bayern means the Black and Yellows will most likely not win the title.
Sevilla
Home to Leganes on the weekend, Sevilla lost the opportunity to stay fourth alongside Getafe in La Liga.
Sevilla lost 3-0 and conceded ground in the battle for a Champions League spot. Getafe beat Girona 2-0 and are now fourth on their own.
