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Europe’s UCL Rumble

By Shreyas Rai

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europes top 5 league ucl spots

The current season was a roller-coaster ride for most of the teams all over Europe. With the introduction of the European Super League and it getting banned in just 48 hours, fans have witnessed it all. Just a handful of games are left before the season comes to an end, so we take a look at who might secure a ticket to Champions League for the next season.

Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Inter have already been crowned champions of their respective leagues but the Spanish and French title race is still wide open. The spectators all over the world would be hoping that their favourite teams get a chance to play in Europe’s biggest competition.

Many clubs might not be crowned champions of their land but they still have a Champions League spot to fight for. and as the top- 4 race heats it’s important to understand which all teams have a  chance at Champion’s League qualification.

 

2 SPOTS LEFT FROM PREMIER LEAGUE

After Manchester United’s loss to Leicester City at the Theatre of Dreams, neighbours Manchester City were crowned champions of England. They bagged their 3rd title in 4 years and Pep’s squad were announced the Kings of the Land once again.

 

 

The Reds despite their loss to the Foxes are four points clear of them with a game in hand. They could easily finish runners-up and have already booked their place in the Champions League next season. But the 3rd and 4th spots are still up for grabs.

 

 

Tomas Tuchel’s rejuvenated Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp’s out of place Liverpool and David Moyes’ West Ham along with Leicester City are all in contention to go to Europe. After brushing aside a young Manchester United side, Leicester City wouldn’t want to replicate their performance from last season. The 2015/16 Champions could only win one match out of their last five and failed to finish in the top four in 2019/20.

Leicester City faces Chelsea next and then finish their campaign playing against Spurs. Tuchel’s Chelsea might be a challenge for the Foxes. Chelsea has removed every thorn in their way and will look to finish this season on a high. They are also in the Champions League and FA Cup finals. Victories in those games combined with a secured Champions League spot could make the Stamford Bridge faithful very happy.

Things don’t look so good at Anfield for Klopp’s men. They were knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid and currently sit in 6th position 7 points behind Chelsea. Injury to star defender Virgil Van Dijk had depleted the Reds and they haven’t recovered since then.

Turkish defender Ozan Kabak was signed by Klopp but he hasn’t been able to fill Van Dijk’s shoes. They have conceded 39 goals compared to last season’s 33 and have scored just 57 compared to 85 last season. Though the task is difficult for Liverpool, a trophyless season and a finish outside top-4 might put him and a few players under fire.

 

 

West Ham could also sneak a position up. Jesse Lingard has turned around the fortunes of the Hammers and their fans would want them to be a part of the Champions League next term. They are a point above Liverpool having played a game more than them. The one good thing for them is that they’ll face relegated West Brom and lower-ranked Brighton and Southampton in their last few matches. They are knocking on the door and could easily enter inside if Chelsea or Leicester drop points.

 

 

Tottenham and Everton might have an outside chance of making it to Europe. Spurs will have to win their remaining three matches and would want the teams above them to drop points. The story is the same for Everton. Ancelotti’s team has 4 matches to play before their season comes to a close and they’ll look to get 12 points out of their remaining matches and would that other results go in their favour. With the title already secured by City, the remaining two positions are already attracting a lot of attention. 

 Will it be the Blues or will the Foxes leap over everyone to finish in the top-4. The Reds could also find some form in the business end of the tournament or will new manager Ryan Mason lead his team to new highs. The last three matches could see teams shuffle like cards up and down the table.

 

ANOTHER SURPRISE LEFT IN SERIE-A?

Another league where the Champions have been crowned but the Champions League race is still on is Serie A. Inter were crowned champions of Serie-A after approximately a decade last week. But what makes the Serie-A captivating is the fact that other than champions, Inter none of the remaining 3 teams are guaranteed a top-4 finish. Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan, and Atalanta are all in the hunt for the Champions League spot with Lazio also having a slight chance to finish the season on a good note.

Juventus have had one of the worst seasons of their entire history. Porto’s commitment and energy were too much as they were sent home packing by the Portuguese side.

With 69 points out of 35 games, the job for Pirlo is tough as the season draws to an end. Pirlo’s job at Juventus has come under the scanner many times this season and if they finish out of the top-4 the Italian could be easily shown the door. After a devastating loss against AC Milan, Juventus will have to outshine every opponent they face next to be in the hunt for top-4. But the biggest challenge is they still have to face the champions of Italy once and if they drop points, Ronaldo and Juventus might have to play Europa League football next season.

 

 

Sassuolo and Bologna should also not be taken lightly by the Old Lady otherwise they could be out of contention before, paving the path for the likes of Milan and Atalanta.

The state of football has changed in Milan after the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish legend has 15 goals in Serie A season and could easily guide his team to European football. With a 3-0 win at Juventus Stadium, the ‘Rossoneri’ went above Juventus to sit in 4th position. They face lower-ranked Torino and Cagliari next but go up against Atalanta in the last match of the season. If they drop points, they could be brushed aside by the Old Lady considering they also win all their matches. 

 

 

Atalanta who has scored 100 goals in all competitions for the second time-running will look to play the Champions League once again. Their fairytale season ended after they were knocked out by eventual runners-up PSG but they could prove to be dark horses next year once again.

They are above Milan only on goal difference otherwise both teams sit on equal points. Once again if Juventus manage to get nine points out of their remaining games and if Atalanta fails to collect three points from their remaining fixtures their Champions League dreams might come to an end.

Napoli also has a huge task in front of them. Though they are a point above Milan and Atalanta they have also played a game extra than the two teams. ‘Gli Azzurri’ finished 7th last season but they have been far better this season. They face teams from the second half of the table in their remaining fixtures and could easily finish runners-up this season, securing European football next season.

Lazio might be 5 points behind Juventus, they still have a game in hand. And if any of the teams spill too many points they could crawl into the top-4. They still have 4 games to play and if they get maximum points out of their matches they could get a surprise ticket spoiling someone else’s party at the same time.

 

MORE TWISTS TO COME IN LIGUE 1?

The Champions League spots in France have always been limited with just two available for the fighting 20 teams. There is also a qualifier spot available for the team that finishes 3rd after the season which makes the title race enthralling.

Ligue 1 has always been dominated by Paris Saint Germain but this season has been different. After a humiliating defeat against Manchester City, the childish side of the team came in front of the world. With Kylian Mbappe still left to put pen to paper, fans at Parc Des Princes would at least want their team to lift the Ligue 1 trophy once again.

 

 

The reigning champions of France are in second position 3 points behind current leaders Lille with just two games left. Neymar did sign a new contract with PSG and would look to guide his team to the title. Though they face lower-ranked teams they have failed to capitalize on many chances and if the situation stays the same they could be replaced by third-placed Monaco or fourth-placed Lyon.

 

 

Lille who is the leader of the pack could easily make it to Europe next season with just draws in their remaining matches. But that would put the title in PSG’s bag.

Therefore they’ll also be looking to win both their matches and be crowned champions as soon as possible. Monaco could spring a surprise if PSG drop points and Monaco win their last two games. ‘Les Monégasques’ are just two points behind ‘Les Parisiens’ and if results go in their favour they could easily finish second. Another team who has a chance in Memphis Depay lead Lyon. They are also in the mix as they are just a point behind Lyon and 3 points behind Paris. The title race will surely go down to the wire and the same can be said about Champions League qualification

 

A NEW CHAMPION OF SPAIN?

LaLiga is witnessing one of the most furious title races in years. Though the Champions League positions have already been bagged by Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla who’ll take home the title are yet to be decided. Barca dropped crucial points against Levante and with just 2 games remaining they might have been knocked out of the race already.

Los Blancos occupy the third position but with a game, in hand, they might knock Barca off the second position. The title race could still take a turn if Atletico fails to win their remaining three fixtures. Sevilla who sits in 4th position is also guaranteed to play in the Champions League next season and their draw against Madrid last week dented Real’s chances of going top of the table.

 

WHO WILL JOIN BAYERN AND LEIPZIG IN

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FLIGHT?

Before coming into the season, Bayern Munich had won the most titles in the Bundesliga. And this year was no different as they conquered Germany once again to be crowned winners.

 

 

But like the past seasons, it’s always fascinating to figure out who’ll book a seat at the Champions League table. Leipzig and Bayern are confirmed of their entry tickets to Europe’s biggest football carnival but Dortmund and Wolfsburg could have their party spoiled by Frankfurt and Leverkusen. Dortmund finishes off the season playing Leverkusen and a loss here or there could prove very costly for them.

 

 

Wolfsburg faces Leipzig next season and the story is the same for them. If any of Wolfsburg or Dortmund drop points Frankfurt could easily climb up the table. Leverkusen could only finish in the top four if Frankfurt and Dortmund don’t win any of their matches. The season could therefore end with a few shocks.

 

Shreyas Rai

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