As we approach the final stretch of the European football season, I thought it would be a good time to assess the state of this season’s premier title races. I have compiled a list, ranking the five traditional powerhouses of European football in terms of the excitement of their respective title races (from least exciting to most exciting). Here goes nothing.
5. Serie A
Inter lead AC Milan by ten points
With Napoli and Milan both losing this weekend, I think we can kiss any chance of a tight Scudetto race goodbye. In truth, it has felt this way for some time. Conte’s Napoli have been ravaged by injury, leaving it to Allegri to try mastermind Inter’s downfall. But Inter cannot be contained and I think this represents a victory for football. Cristian Chivu has revolutionized Inter this campaign, turning them into the type of gegenpressing monsters usually seen in a Gasperini lineup. It would have been slightly heartbreaking if they were outdone by the more stoic, defensively focused Allegri-ball.
4. Bundesliga
Bayern lead Borussia Dortmund by eight points
As a neutral, the Bundesliga has been extremely frustrating. The way the season started, you would have thought Bayern might have it wrapped up by now! They were explosive out the blocks and all the would-be challengers- Leipzig, Leverkusen and Dortmund- struggled to find their rhythm. But Bayern endured a min-hiccup after losing their ‘invincible’ status, dropping silly points that would have seemed inconceivable four months ago. And Dortmund pounced, with a Guirssay-inspired winning streak heaping some legitimate pressure on the reigning champs. But Dortmund’s 2-2 draw at Leipzig (last-gasp heroics aside) felt like a dagger to the heart of their fledging resistance. Sure, they do have the small matter of Der Klassiker next weekend (and it’s being played at Signal Iduna Park). But even if Dortmund win that match, they will still trail BBayenr by five points. This feels as good as done.
3. Ligue A
PSG lead RC Lens by two points
Ouch. Could this be the weekend where RC Lens’ gallant Ligue A title challenge crumbled? They looked well in control against Monaco, leading 2-0 with less than half an hour to go. But Monaco mounted a comeback for the ages, scoring three goals in ten minutes to leave Pierra Sage’s side shellshocked. With PSG winning easily against struggling Metz, it feels like we may be seeing the start of the procession. PSG have struggled to reach the heights of last season, with Ousmane Dembelle’s injury absences leading to a lack of focus in the attacking areas. But he appears to be on the mend and PSG have the momentum. Could PSG’s focus on reclaiming their European crown give RC Lens an advantage down the stretch? Time will tell. But let’s face it; this has already been much more competitive than it had any right to be.
2. La Liga
Barca lead Real Madrid by two points
This year’s La Liga race is turning into something special. Barca managed to navigate a horrific early-season injury crisis, getting to the point that they looked likely champions. Real struggled to find any cohesion under Xabi Alonso, ultimately firing the former Leverkusen manager and replacing him with Alvaro Arbreloa. And they have solidified under Arbeloa’s guidance, adding a bit more defensive rigidity to counterbalance Mbappe’s wild scoring feats. But both sides can throw in the odd shocker, lending this race an added unpredictability. Just this weekend, Real wilted at Osasuna to hand the La Liga initiative back to their hated rivals. I think that every week has the capacity to completely change the complexion of this race. And I’m here for it. Oh, and there’s the small matter of another Clasico on the horizon. Goodie.
1. Premier League
Arsenal lead Manchester City by five points (City have a game in hand)
Why does this get the edge over La Liga? I just think this specific title race has so much riding on it. Regardless of what happens in Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona are still going to be competing for huge titles next season. Where does Arteta go if he can’t deliver this season? You can’t be a perennial bridesmaid with the amount of money they have spent. Two weeks back, the Prem would have been well down this list, with Arsenal cruising to their first league title in over 20 years. But their recent wobble has allowed Guardiola’s City to come right back into the race, giving Arteta some acid flashbacks to the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 campaigns. People genuinely started to wonder if this was going to be another class-A bottle job. But Arsenal cauterized the wound this weekend, thrashing Spurs 4-1 to reenergize their somewhat emotionally volatile fanbase. This title race also has the added Jedi-Padawan dimension, with Arteta intent on finally getting one over his old mentor.
