In Europe, the football leagues go into the decisive phase. There is more excitement, sometimes less. An overview of the situation in the most important countries.
Ajax Amsterdam comes back impressively
Last season, a crisis report was lined up with the next to the record champions from the Netherlands. With fifth place Ajax finally saved the season 2023/24, but the bottom line was the worst placement since the 1998/99 season. At that time this was the last season in which a foreign coach worked in Amsterdam with Morten Olsen – and now an Italian has opened the club again.
Francesco Farioli did not benefit from a upheaval with top transfers, but he managed to make the best of the Eredivisie almost out of the squad that was there. On the last match day, Ajax took a most important step towards the title in the 2-0 with the worst pursuer PSV Eindhoven and has nine points ahead of the end seven game days before the end. “Coexistence was the key in this game. Just as the cooperation has been the key throughout the season. We do it together”said Farioli afterwards.
Gripping duels in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Turkey
In La Liga, the situation at the top has worsened in that Atletico Madrid has now said goodbye to the title race. The two giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid make the championship among themselves again, currently Hansi Flick has a lead with 66 points in his premiere season with 66 points, Real is three points behind. The Clasico could make a decision on the 35th matchday in Barcelona.
It is similarly narrow in Serie A, where Inter Milan and SSC Naples only separate three points – but in Italy there is no direct duel of the two remaining title aspirants. Juventus Turin (currently fifth) is still fighting for the Champions League after the recent change of coach, Robin Gosens wants to go to Europe with AC Florence (currently in eighth place).
However, the two city duels for the championship in Portugal and Turkey are particularly electrifying. Sporting and Benfica Lisbon are at the top of seven games ago – and on the penultimate matchday there is a derby that should not be beaten in explosive. In Turkey there is no longer the direct duel between the Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, but at three points behind “Fener” wants to intercept the big rivals from Istanbul in the remote duel.
First title holder at the weekend? Liverpool could follow soon
In France it is clear that Paris St. Germain will be champions for the fourth time in a row and for the eleventh time since 2013 – and expected to be on Saturday (April 5th, 2025). In view of 21 points ahead of AS Monaco, a point win against Anger’s SCO is enough for the early title win.
It is not so clear in the English Premier League, but the championship will hardly be taken to the Liverpool FC at eleven points ahead of FC Arsenal. It is much more exciting whether the Manchester City champion can still be saved in the Champions League last year.
Due to the results in European competitions, England will probably have five royal class participants in the next season – and exactly to this fifth place, FC Chelsea (49 points) can suppress the “Citizens” (51) with a win against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday evening. Newcastle United (50, but still a catch -up game) could also be overtaken.
Aston Villa (48) and German trainer Fabian Hürzeler with Brighton & Hove Albion (47) are also fighting for Europe.