While the Premier League saw several top teams in action over the weekend, it was an altogether different scene across Europe’s other major football leagues, with most heavyweights sitting out. Despite this, the continent witnessed some thrilling matches that significantly influenced the chase for Champions League spots. Here’s a rundown of the most exciting encounters.
In the LaLiga clash between Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, Pablo Barrios delivered a dramatic finish with a goal deep into stoppage time, helping Atletico close in on Barcelona and Real Madrid. Although Atletico’s chances of winning the league remain slim, they now trail leaders Barcelona by seven points and are only three behind rivals Real Madrid. Lucien Agoume gave Sevilla an early lead with a sharp finish in the eighth minute. However, a blunder by Sevilla’s Loic Bade, who fouled Conor Gallagher in the box, allowed Julian Alvarez to level the score with a composed penalty. Barrios took advantage of more sloppy defending, driving to the edge of the area and slotting a low shot into the bottom left corner, securing a crucial 2-1 victory for Atletico.
Elsewhere, Villarreal managed to secure a 0-0 draw against fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, despite being reduced to 10 men when Pape Gueye was sent off late in the game. This result propels Villarreal above Real Betis into fifth place, which is likely to be a coveted Champions League spot this season. Athletic, meanwhile, sit comfortably in fourth place, six points ahead.
Over in Serie A, Juventus and Roma faced off in an intense battle for Champions League qualification, ending in a 1-1 stalemate. Manuel Locatelli’s stunning volley into the bottom corner put Juventus ahead at the Stadio Olimpico. However, Eldor Shomurodov’s equalizer, a rebound finish from an Evan Ndicka effort, ensured Roma claimed a share of the spoils. Juventus are now tied with fourth-placed Bologna on points, who are set to face Napoli next. Meanwhile, Lazio edged Atalanta with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of Gustav Isaksen’s second-half strike, narrowing the gap and keeping their Champions League hopes alive.
In Ligue 1, Marseille overcame internal strife to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory against Toulouse. Despite reports of a player mutiny against coach Roberto De Zerbi, his team delivered on the pitch. An unfortunate own goal from Gabriel Suazo handed Marseille the lead, only for Frank Magri to equalize shortly after. Mason Greenwood restored Marseille’s lead with a slick finish, and Adrien Rabiot’s spectacular volley extended the advantage. Though Toulouse fought back, Marseille held firm and remain second in the table, three points clear of fourth-placed Strasbourg, who also claimed a 1-0 victory at Reims.
Finally, in the Bundesliga, Borussia Mönchengladbach missed their chance to pull level with fourth-placed Mainz, ending in a 1-1 draw against St. Pauli. Ko Itakura’s header put Gladbach in front right before halftime, but Dapo Afolayan’s 85th-minute strike from the edge of the area salvaged a vital point for St. Pauli in their fight against relegation, keeping them safely above the drop zone by four points.
