A Look Around Europe
Monday, 23 March 09, 08:54 AM · Comments(0)
By Michael Sinnerton
As the season nears its end traditionally several title races are all but wrapped up throughout Europe, we take a look at why this year offers something different.
Spain - Yes Barcelona are six points clear and yes they have the best team in Spain but with Champions League and Copa del Rey commitments and Real Madrid unbeaten in 13 with only the League to focus on only the most ardent of Catalans would be comptant els seus pollastres (counting their chickens). At the other end of the table Espanyol's 1-0 defeat to Osasuna leaves them 8 points from safety and all but relegated. Numancia, who have 3 points from 14 away games, should join them, leaving one from Osasuna in 18th (29 points) to Racing Santander in 10th (33points) to go.
Italy - This one is more or less done and dusted with Mourinho's Inter 7 points clear of Juventus (themselves 7 clear of Milan). The excitement at the top end comes with Genoa in 4th leading Fiorentina by 2 points and a resurgent Roma by 5. At the bottom of the table Reggina have probably left themselves with too much to do, leaving two from Lecce, Torino and Bologna with Chievo and Siena looking nervously over their shoulders.
France - Somewhat surprisingly given Lyon's recent dominance the French domestic championship is perhaps the most exciting in Europe right now. Lyon are top on 56 points but have looked shaky all season, they lead Marseille by a single point with the Yoann Gourcuff inspired Bourdeaux a further 3 back. Toulouse, Lille and PSG all sit on 52 points within touching distance of the top. At the bottom Le Havre have just 18 points and will be joined by two from Caen, St Etienne (European qualifiers last year), Sochaux, Nantes and Nancy.
Germany - Arguing against Ligue 1's claim to have the most exciting title race is the Bundesliga. Wins for Bayern Munich, Hamburg and Wolfsburg moved them all to 48 points, just one behind leaders Hertha Berlin (somewhat strangely inspired by Andriy Voronin). Bayern are the favourites, but with a Champions League campaign to distract them and the UEFA cup to distract Hamburg don't discount steady Hertha or improving Wolfsburg. Surprise package Hoffenheim lie 5th and could have hopes of making up the 4 point gap despite their recent poor form. Karlsruhe are all but gone at the bottom and Cottbus seem likely to join them, but the league is almost as tight at the bottom with none of Borussia M'gladbach, A.Bielefield, Bochum, Hannover or Frankfurt yet totally safe (play-offs pending)
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
-
Freddy said:Also never bet on a match involving your own side. Too messy!
obaino said:i love ibra and i think he's better than eto'o, for now cos eto'o have realy pl...
Freddy said:I'm curious to see if English sides maintain their domination. But some pretty ...
-
studentsofthegame
GB
We really should be getting paid for this.
On The Champions League is boring