The race for a bonus spot within the Champions League continues and because of the mid-week motion, Italy has been leapfrogged by Spain. As such, the Italian groups want to select themselves up subsequent week, in any other case issues will probably be powerful.
As highlighted by right now’s version of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photograph beneath), Italy has been leapfrogged by Spain within the race for a further Champions League spot. Whereas the race stays tight, it’s clear that the Italian groups have to ship subsequent week to keep away from a sophisticated scenario.
Latest developments for bonus spot
Atalanta had been defeated within the first leg towards Membership Brugge, following a penalty that was invented by the referee, and in Rotterdam. Juventus had been the one ones that managed to win, beating PSV whereas Roma drew towards Porto within the Europa League.
The Spanish groups in motion final week, in the meantime, had a area day with three out of three wins: Actual Madrid towards Manchester Metropolis, Actual Sociedad towards Midtjylland (Europa League) and Actual Betios towards Gent (Convention League).
Two factors are handed out for a win, one for a draw, and this haul is then divided by the variety of nation groups firstly of the season. So in Italy’s case, a mere 0.375 was added (3 divided by 8) due to Juve and Roma.
The significance of subsequent week
Subsequent week will probably be crucial for the Italian groups. With Spain at present at 18.04 and Italy at 17.69, it’s clear that Milan and Atalanta should flip their play-off ties round. Not qualifying for the following spherical would make it troublesome for Italy to gather sufficient factors down the road, basically.
As for the groups which have certified for the spherical of 16 already, Italy are tied with Spain: Inter, Lazio (Europa) and Fiorentina (Convention) in addition to Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao (Europa). Additionally they have the identical variety of groups nonetheless lively: 7.
England sits on the high of the bonus standings at present with nearly 21, that means they’re roughly untouchable for Italy and Spain. This additionally signifies that all the things is about second place, making it a real two-horse race.
