THE Spanish title was clinched after the final Clasico meeting of the season between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou, a rare occasion if ever there was one. Barca started well and scored twice in the opening stages with marvellous finishes by Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres. Real were unimpressive but were without the injured Kylian Mbappé, who was seen leaving a hotel under close bodyguard and his head shielded under an outsized hoodie. Real have genuine problems and really cannot wait for the season to be over, with rumours of dressing room discord and internal politics. Barca failed to score again in the second half, but their 2-0 win took them to an uncatchable 91 points. Meanwhile, Real are reported to be considering the return of José Mourinho!
Embed from Getty Images
Czech Republic: Problems in Prague
SLAVIA Prague were on the brink of clinching another Czech title as they led rivals Sparta 3-2 with second remaining of the game. But the local derby was abandoned after Slavia fans invaded the pitch and attacked Sparta players. Sparta’s fans were equipped with pyrotechnics at the stadium and their Slavia counterparts also brandished flares as they took the field. Slavia’s president, Jaroslav Tvrdik, was incensed and has responded with threats to ban those responsible for life. The club have since been fined £ 357,000 (10 million Czech crowns) and have had to forfeit the game – Sparta have also been fined but have also been awarded a 3-0 win. Tvrdik has also said he will, if necessary, close the north stand at the stadium. Slavia’s lead at the top has, consequently, been cut to five points with three games to go.
Premier League: The mood changes
A WEEK or so ago, Arsenal sensed they may have lost the inititive in the Premier League title race, but there has another twist when Everton drew 3-3 with Manchester City. Arsenal now have a five point lead at the top after their 1-0 win at West Ham, surviving a last gasp goal that was controversially ruled-out by VAR. City had beaten Brentford 3-0 24 hours earlier. City have three games remaining to Arsenal’s two, but the Gunners are now favourites to win their first title since 2004. It was a good week for Mikel Arteta’s men, they also clinched a place in the Champions League final, winning 1-0 against Atlético Madrid in the semi-final. West Ham’s defeat at the hands of Arsenal was a major blow to their hopes of avoiding relegation, especially as Tottenham gained a point at home to Leeds United. Liverpool’s stuttering displays were evident once more at home to Chelsea. The game ended 1-1 after the Reds had taken an early lead through Ryan Gravenberch but Chelsea were level before half-time when Enzo Fernandéz’s free kick deceived the Liverpool defence.
Serie A: Inter warm-up for Coppa Italia
ITALIAN champions Inter Milan underlined their superiority with a 3-0 win away at Lazio, with goals from Lautaro Martínez, Petar Sučić and Henryk Mkhitaryan. Lazio were reduced to 10 men for the last half hour of the game. The two teams meet again on May 13 in the Coppa Italia final. For Inter’s rivals, the season is petering out; Napoli were beaten 3-2 at home to Bologna, while Milan went 3-0 down at home to Atalanta and despite two late goals, could not save a point. Juventus, now in third place, pulled off a 1-0 win at Lecce with a first minute goal from Dušan Vlahović. Roma were involved in a late flurry of goals as they won 3-2 at Parma. Donyell Malen scored twice for Roma, including the winner deep into added time.
Attendances
1: 81,365 – Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt
2: 73,498 – AC Milan v Atalanta
3: 62,213 – Barcelona v Real Madrid
4: 60,429 – West Ham United v Arsenal
5: 60,429 – Liverpool v Chelsea
Magyar Kupa Final: Fradi sneak home
FERENCVAROS won the Magyar Kupa for the 25th time when they won 1-0 against Zalaegerszegi after extra time. The winning goal was scored by Toon Raemaekers in the 111th minute. Almost 50,000 people saw the final in the Puskas Arena. Robbie Keane’s side could clinch the double in the last weekend of the season, but they are one point behind leaders ETO Györ with one game to go. Fradi finish with another clash with Zalaegerszegi, while Györ travel to Kisvárda.
Ligue 1: PSG as good as champions
THE FRENCH title could be decided in midweek if PSG avoid defeat against second-placed Lens. PSG edged closer to retaining their crown with a 1-0 win against Brest, the winning goal coming from substitute Désiré Doué with eight minutes to go. PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé was voted Ligue 1 player of the year, but their squad could be even stronger next season if they sign Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid. Lens are six points behind with two games remaining. They won 1-0 against Nantes with a goal from 16-year-old Mezian Mesloub, who had just come on as substitute and netted with his first touch. Nantes, as a result of the defeat, were relegated.
Scotland: Will Hearts fail at the final hurdle?
WITH TWO games to go, the Scottish Premiership could be decided on the final day when the contenders, Hearts and Celtic, meet in Glasgow. Hearts are top of the table but Celtic are just one point behind and the leaders have a three-goal advantage. Hearts were held 1-1 at Motherwell, with Lawrence Shankland scoring the equaliser just before half-time. Celtic were 3-1 winners in the Glasgow derby against Rangers with Daizen Maeda grabbing a brace. Hearts have been top virtually all season, but Celtic have refused to go quietly and Hearts have slipped up on occasion. Hearts have not won the league since 1960 and have been champions just four times. Doubtless, Hearts fans are recalling the 1986 campaign in which the “Jam Tarts” lost both the league and Scottish Cup in the space of a few days.
Cup finals
May 13: Serbia – Vojvodina v Red Star
May 13: Croatia – Dinamo Zagreb v Rijeka
May 13: Italy – Lazio v Inter Milan
May 13: Romania – Universitatea Cluj v Universitatea Craiova
May 13: Slovenia – Brinje Grosulpje v Aluminij
May 13: Albania – Dinamo City v Ignatia
May 14: Belgium – Union Saint-Gilloise v Anderlecht
May 14: Denmark – FC Copenhagen v Midtjylland
May 16: England – Chelsea v Manchester City.