Posted at 8:00 a.m.
ITALY
Mid-May, this period when the will becomes practically the only fuel of the players involved in European races.
The football soldiers have been hard at work since August. They chain the matches weekly, some on several continents. Often even more than once a week. What energy do they have left when titles and places in the Champions League are still at stake?
The one that pushes you to win championships, maybe.
The two Milanese clubs – who are vying for the lead in Serie A – had to draw on this reservoir last weekend.
Inter Milan trailed by two goals against Empoli in the 29thand minute at his San Siro home on Friday. But pushed by their public, the Nerazzurri found a way to equalize before half-time, courtesy of an own goal and Lautaro Martínez’s right foot into the box.
The hosts ended up winning 4-2, in favor of a double from the Argentine and the net of the confirmation of Alexis Sánchez in stoppage time. Work accomplished, not without difficulty, and pressure put on the other Milanese.
These performed on Sunday, at Verona. And had to win to regain the lead and two points ahead.
Yes, AC Milan won 3-1. But he too saw his opponent dramatically take the lead first.
His saving comeback, Milan owes it to the Sandro Tonali-Rafael Leão combination.
The Portuguese winger found the young Tonali in the area on a nice climb to the left for the equalizer in stoppage time in the first half (1-1, 45and + 3). Then performed a similar feat on the return from the break (2-1, 49and) to come back in front, in the match as in the championship. Like a dunk in basketball, Alessandro Florenzi dashed all Veronese (and Inter) hopes by scoring the 3-1 with a superb shot at the edge of the area.
AC Milan is first, with 80 points. Inter follow with 78 points. Who will lose their footing first in Italy? The answer within two weeks.
ENGLAND
There was a match with implications as different as it was major, over the weekend, in the Premier League.
Tottenham faced Liverpool at Anfield. The hosts had to win to continue putting pressure on Manchester City in the title race. The visitors had the imperative of victory to keep any real hopes of overcoming Arsenal in the hunt for a Champions League place.
The two had to settle for a draw, disappointing for both sides.
Spurs played with realism. Their more defensive than offensive will even irritated Jürgen Klopp, coach of the Reds, who did not fail to point it out after the meeting.
But it was this pragmatism that allowed them to hold on and open the scoring first in the 56and minute. Ryan Sessegnon, who had just obtained the leather from Harry Kane, handed Son Heung-min into the box for the all-important 1-0 goal.
Liverpool would equalize in the 74thandon a strike from the excellent Luis Diaz deflected by Rodrigo Betancur at the edge of the box.
The following day, in north London, Arsenal won 2-1 against Leeds, consolidating their fourth place with four points clear of Tottenham. Manchester City took care of their little job by making short work of Newcastle (5-0) at home, to regain the lead with four units more than the Reds.
In the middle of all these beautiful people, there is Chelsea, who were surprised at the very end of the match by Wolves. The Londoners led 2-0 in the 78and ; the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Will the Blues (66 points) be overtaken by Arsenal (65 points) by May 22?
SPAIN
PHOTO CRISTINA QUICLER, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jordi Alba, center
In the Spanish Liga, after the coronation of Real Madrid, all that remains is to determine the participants of European competitions next season.
FC Barcelona won in extremis against Real Betis, thanks to a fabulous success by Jordi Alba in stoppage time. It hurt the chances of Betis, who had the claim on Saturday to pick up two points from Atlético in fourth place with a draw.
Small consolation, you will say: anyway, Diego Simeone’s Colchoneros were going to win 1-0 in the Madrid derby the next day. Which means that with three days to go in Spain, the top 4 seems well and truly sealed: after Real Madrid, Barça (69 points), Sevilla (65 points) and Atlético (64 points) should find the biggest stage on the Old Continent in 2022-2023.