the well-launched PSG, the Real Sociedad sensation, total suspense in Italy … Update on the five major championships before the winter sprint

0

Duel at the top in Italy, surprise leader in Spain … LTo The first part of the season of the five major championships presages a series full of twists and turns. Franceinfo: sport offers you a small tour of Europe.

Return to normal in Ligue 1 … apparently

Let’s start within our borders. Lille’s formidable 2020-2021 season will at first glance have been, like that of Monaco in 2017, only a passing fad. Because as after the title of Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain decided to take out the heavy artillery. Or rather to complete his arsenal by adding high quality players, like the Moroccan side Achraf Hakimi or the six-fold Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi. The Parisians took the lead in the standings on the third day and have not let go since, despite several victories acquired in suffering. With 34 points, PSG has 10 lengths ahead of its closest pursuer, Lens.

But this return to a clear Parisian domination (at least in the standings) is the tree that hides the forest of a particularly strong Ligue 1. Lens (24 pts), Nice, Marseille (23 pts) and Rennes (22 pts) are engaged in a fight for the top of the table and the European places. And only six points separate the 2nd, Lens, from the 11th, Monaco. While displaying a level of play to which the “League of Talents” had not necessarily accustomed its spectators. If PSG seems difficult to find, very smart who can say which French clubs will go to the Champions League and the Europa League.

Real Sociedad play the roles of Spanish troublemaker

On the other side ofIn the Pyrenees, one “Real” can hide another. Real Sociedad culminate in the standings with 28 points in 13 days, ahead of the usual leaders of La Liga. The Basque coach Imanol Alguacil has been able to set up a versatile but attractive organization which has allowed his team to achieve this great start to the season. It remains to be seen if the San Sebastian club are able to maintain such a pace until the end of the year.

Because just behind, Real, Sevilla (27 pts) and Atletico (23 pts) remain in ambush with one game less. Without forgetting a deserving formation of Real Betis and for the moment fifth. In sporting difficulty with a ninth place in the standings, FC Barcelona is counting on the arrival of legend Xavi as coach to attack the second part of the season in better shape.

The start of the season is blue in England

Across the Channel, the competition is still hotly contested, but it is for the moment Chelsea who dominate the debates. After their success in the Champions League last season, Thomas Tuchel’s men seem determined to establish their dominance on the domestic championship. But behind the Blues, there are the Skyblues. Defending champion Manchester City is only three lengths (23 points against 26) behind the leader, and his ability to perform over the long term is a real cause for hope for his supporters.

Surprised guest in third place, West Ham continues on its way. After a good sixth place last season, David Moyes’ charges confirm that they are capable of playing the leading roles in England, ahead of teams like Liverpool (4th) or Arsenal (5th). Despite a difficult start to the season, the Gunners also seem to have found the formula and remain on a series of ten games without defeat.

In Italy, a face to face Milan-Neapolitan

Beyond the Alps, there is total uncertainty. Since the start of the championship, Napoli and AC Milan have engaged in a merciless distance duel every week while waiting for one of the two teams to crack. And no one seems willing to do it, as both Napoli and Milan have 32 points, obtained after ten wins and two draws. Only a better goal difference (+20 against +15) allows the Neapolitan club to take the lead today, with the hope of securing a Scudetto long awaited by the supporters.

Napoli have an impressive start to the season, well helped by players like Zambo Anguissa, here in the match between Napoli and Hellas Verona on November 7, 2021, at the Dgiego Armando Maradona stadium in Napoli. (ANTONIO BALASCO / CONTROLUCE VIA AFP)

Defending champions, Inter are content for the moment with a third place, seven points behind the rival rossonero. The players by Simone Inzaghi only have a short lead over Atalanta and Lazio. Victim of its failed start to the season, Juventus is in 8th place and, extremely rare, is not one of the current contenders for the title.

Cruising pace for Bayern in the Bundesliga

Direction the other side of the Rhine. Bayern is currently flying over the debates with 28 points and is on the road to a new title, as every year since the 2012-2013 season. The Bavarians were not in the lace, recording nine wins in eleven games.

Their only defeat in the league, against Eintracht Frankfurt (1-2), and their 5-0 humiliation on the lawn of Mönchengladbach in the German Cup, nevertheless recall that even the most solid colossi can sometimes discover feet of clay. Dortmund, four points behind the formation coached by Julian Nagelsmann, will not fail to try to take advantage of it.

In third place in the German championship, an outsider follows BVB closely. With only one defeat, Friborg continues to surprise. But the neighbors of the Black Forest remain within the reach of more experienced teams like Wolfsburg (4th) and RB Leipzig (5th).


source site