European Paper Review

It’s still tight at the top in Spain. Less so in France, Italy and Germany.

‘Until the End’ is the headline on Monday’s Marca in Spain. ’88-87’. That’s Barcelona on 88 points with a game to play and Real Madrid on 87. Atletico, who were level with Barça, lost at relegated Levante on Sunday to knock themselves out of the title race after Giuseppe Rossi got an 89^th minute winner. If Barça win at a Granada side who confirmed their own safety next week then they’ll lift a 24^th league title. If they draw or lose against Granada - who beat Sevilla 4-1 away on Sunday - and Real Madrid win, then Zinedine Zidane’s side will be champions of Spain. Madrid play at Deportivo La Coruna.

Madrid supporting Marca optimistically points out previous precedents where the lead has changed hands on the final day of the season. Indeed Spain’s first league title was going to Real Madrid until they lost at Athletic Bilbao in 1929 and Barça beat Basque side Real Union to become champions. The most recent time was in 1994 when leaders Deportivo drew at home to Valencia, while Barça beat Sevilla to become champions for the third time in succession on the final day of the season. What happened in the two previous years is still staggering. In 1992, Tenerife beat Madrid 3-2 at home, while Barça’s Dream Team won against Athletic to win the league. In 1993, Tenerife again beat leaders Madrid at home in the last game of the season and Barça against beat a Basque side, Real Sociedad, to become champions.

In Germany, Bayern Munich became the first team to win the Bundesliga four times in a row with a 2-1 victory away at Bavarian neighbours Ingolstadt. “Rekord-Rekord-Meister!” shouted BILD. “We’ve got 4!” said an ecstatic Munich Tageszeitung, “Lewy fires Bayern to the title,” as two Robert Lewandowski strikes sealed the decisive three points. For the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung however, the title was a “consolation prize,” and Spiegel also spoke of “a title but no party”. The pain of Tuesday night’s Champions League exit is still very raw in Munich and the issue of Pep Guardiola’s legacy will be debated long and hard.

The German press are nevertheless keen to quash suggestions that Bayern winning the Bundesliga is simply a given. “No, the caretaker couldn’t have done it,” wrote Die Zeit’s Oliver Fritsch in response to a common reference to the strength of the squad. “This is masterful achievement from the club, from the team and from the manager. Yes, Bayern have more money but the club haven’t stolen it. Munich have the best footballing management in the Bundesliga.” Die Welt agreed: “Moaning about Bayern’s historic title is populist. It is a fully deserved title for three reasons: the club’s transfer policy, team spirit and Pep Guardiola.”

Indeed, Borussia Dortmund have the highest points total of any Bundesliga runner-up, but they slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt – a vital three points which lifted the Eagles out of the relegation zone with one game to go. “Just one more point!” urged the Frankfurter Neue Presse, “Eintracht on the brink of spectacular escape!” whilst Spiegel made reference to the “spirit of ‘99” when the club miraculously survived on the final day.

Their fate will be decided next week away to Werder Bremen, who slipped beneath the Frankfurters after a 0-0 draw at Cologne. “Denied goal angers Bremen” said BILD after Santiago Garcia’s 33^rd minute strike was unfairly ruled out after an alleged push on Cologne keeper – and Liverpool target – Timo Horn. “Ref error puts Werder in big trouble,” complained Bremen’s Kreiszeitung which previewed next weekend’s “relegation final” clash with Frankfurt.

VfB Stuttgart must win away at Wolfsburg next week to have any chance of survival after they lost 3-1 at home to Mainz. “VfB relegation almost certain,” said BILD, “Onisiwo pushes Stuttgart towards the drop” added Kicker, after Mainz’s Austrian striker wrapped up the win. Stuttgart’s ultras invaded the pitch at the final whistle to confront their players, although they reserved sympathy for Kevin Großkreutz who sat crying on the pitch. “Apart from Kevin, you all need to go!” they sang. Großkreutz, a former Borussia Dortmund ultra, is “an endangered species in professional football,” said Die Welt. The Swabians’ only chance of survival is likely to be in a relegation play-off against Nuremberg, who are second in Bundesliga 2.

In France, Lyon secured automatic Champions League football with a stunning 6-1 win over closest rivals Monaco. “Game, set and match for OL!” said Orange Sports. “OL bust Monaco” added Le Point.

St Étienne’s Champions League hopes were shattered as they lost 2-0 in a “tense and bitter” (L’Équipe) clash away at Nice, who can still make the qualifying round with a win next week. “Greens lose their footing at the seaside,” said Le Progrès.

In transfer news, France Football report that Barcelona have made contact with Hatem Ben Arfa of Nice, who has also been the subject of interest from Bayern Munich. The former Newcastle man is out of contract at the end of the season and said to want Champions League football.

In Italy, Sunday’s papers led with Claudio Ranieiri’s title win at Leicester and mentioned the incredible performance of Andrea Bocelli before the game. By Monday, attention turned to matters at home. Napoli’s win over Torino saw them make the main headline in Gazzetta Dello Sport : ‘King Higuain and Second place is served’. The Argentinian’s 33^rd league goal of the season not only helped them reach the Champions League, but puts him within two of Nordahl’s record. Relegated Verona beat champions Juventus but the Turin based Tutto Sport is already looking forward to next season. ‘Pjanic, Pjanic, slowly, slowly, he’s getting closer’ they write of Roma’s Bosnian who ‘wants to cut loose’. Another Roma player will be going nowhere. Francesco Totti played his 600^th league game for his club. ‘Roma delirious’ writes Corriere dello Sport lauding Totti’s latest milestone and also Roma ‘almost certainly’ reaching the Champions League.