European Paper Review

Cristiano Ronaldo scores four, Bayern have the breaks put on and Juventus keep winning.

Marca are currently publishing a producing a collection of 32 guides to celebrate each of Real Madrid’s titles. It’s one way of saying ‘We know our glorious Madrid are no longer the best team, but they have by far the most decorated history, with more league titles and European Cups than Barça’. Like Liverpool and Manchester United, AC Milan and Madrid have become a club where nostalgia has taken on more importance. Their current team can’t compete in the present, so they seek comfort in the past.

Madrid did put seven past Celta Vigo on Saturday, with Ronaldo scoring an astonishing four in 26 minutes to move ahead of Luis Suarez in the race for the Pichichi – the “fight for the golden boot” reckons Marca - but his side remain 12 points behind Barça with ten games to play. And they still have to play Barça away. The Catalans defeated hard to beat Eibar 4-0 away, with even Marca admitting: ‘Magic from Leo in Ipurua’ - Eibar’s tiny 6,000 seat stadium with the smallest pitch in the league. They also point out that Barça have had a penalty every two games, and it is not hard to work out what they are inferring by that.

Madrid are also four points behind Atletico, who, unlike Barca and Madrid, managed to beat Valencia 3-1 away. “Never give up,” read Monday’s front page in Marca, with a picture of Fernando Torres who got the visitors’ key second goal after 71 minutes to stay right behind the Catalans. ‘Simeone, the trainer of Mestalla’ read the headline in Marca. ‘Atletico too much for Valencia,’ said Super Deporte.

In Germany, there was added excitement in the build-up to Der Klassiker this week as Bayern lost for the first time in the league at home to Mainz in midweek. “Winning run in tatters! - Mainz stun Bayern!” said Sportbild. “The league means something again!” added Süddeutsche Zeitung. FAZ highlighted the fact that former President Uli Hoeneß witnessed a defeat in his first game back following his release from prison, whilst Welt suggested the setback could actually be a positive for Bayern ahead of their trip to Dortmund at the weekend.

As it transpired, the meeting of Germany’s big two proved the exception to a Bundesliga goal fest as the game finished 0-0, thanks in large part to a stunning save from Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Bürki. “Bürki puts breaks on Bayern” said BILD. Kicker added to the praise, saying “Bürki tips Vidal cracker onto the bar” before questioning whether the draw was due to “Dortmund not being courageous enough or Bayern simply being too strong?” Spiegel found the middle ground, concluding that Dortmund were “almost eye to eye” with their opponents, but the Schwarzgelben will still consider this a chance wasted as they remain five points behind the Bavarians.

Third placed Hertha Berlin were unable to make up ground on Dortmund as they lost 2-0 away to Hamburg, who won thanks to two goals from striker Nico Müller. “HSV muller Hertha!” said Sportbild, adding: “HSV no longer shudder before any opponent” as the Northerners look forward to a summer without a relegation battle. “Hamburg halt high-flying Hertha” was Spiegel’s verdict.

Schalke are up to fourth following an exciting 3-1 win away at Cologne. “Stunning tempo, chances galore and spectacular scenes – everything your football heart desires!” enthused Kicker.

The two sides below met in Wolfsburg, with the works team running out 2-1 winners over Borussia Mönchengladbach. “Draxler and Kruse help Wolfsburg on their way” said Kicker. “Wolfsburg finally back in the running for the Champions League” said Sportbild. Focus, however, called the win “lucky.”

Augsburg and Leverkusen played out an “abnormal” (Kicker) 3-3 draw in Bavaria. “Goal fest in Augsburg!” said Sportschau, “Crazy football drama” added the FAZ. The local Bayerische Rundfunk were less pleased, saying: “Augsburg throw away 0-3 lead.”

VfB Stuttgart continued their impressive Rückrunde with a 5-1 thrashing of Hoffenheim, including two goals from defender Georg Niedermeier. “Niedermeier makes Stuttgart revival perfect” said Kicker.

In the battle at the bottom, Werder Bremen condemned Hannover 96 to yet another defeat, beating the Reds 4-1. “It’s getting tight for 96” worried Kicker. “No mercy! Pizarro shoots down Hannover!“ exclaimed BILD. Local paper NDR was gloomy: “Hannover are on the floor.”

In France, PSG followed up their first defeat of the season away at Lyon last week with a 0-0 draw at home to Montpellier. “Paris at a trot” said Le Parisien, whilst L’Équipe said that PSG “left a lot in reserve.” Lyon built on last week’s win by hammering Guingamp 5-1 and moving up to third. “Lyon thoroughly enjoying themselves” observed L’Équipe.

Lyon are now only six points behind Monaco who could only manage a draw away to Caen. “Caen giving nothing away!” said Maxifoot.

Marseille meanwhile are still languishing in the bottom half and drew 1-1 at home to Toulouse. “Marseille and Toulouse cancel each other out” summed up France Football. L’Équipe was more critical: “Marseille getting nowhere.”

In Italy, Juventus won again, with Gazzetta Dello Sport going for another semi-Anglicised headline on a Monday. “La Juve Non-Stop” read the pink one after they beat Atalanta away to stay clear. “They win in Bergamo to keep Napoli -3”. That’s second placed Napoli, who also won, and who stay three points behind. “The scorers change (this time Barzagli and Lemina), but not the substance: Bianconeri solidly on top”. Gianluigi Buffon kept another clean sheet. “Gigi unbeaten in 836 minutes – Zoff and Rossi’s record are within reach.”

Turin based TuttoSport praised Juventus’ strength in depth with the headline: ‘Juve of Iron’ about their local heroes. ‘Barzagli symbol of a truly tough squad’ it added. With ten games to go and third placed Roma eight points off Juventus, the title looks like it’s staying in Turin and the best squad in Italy.