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 choose themselves up subsequent week, in any other case issues will probably be robust.
As highlighted by in the present day’s version of Gazzetta dello Sport (see picture under), Italy has been leapfrogged by Spain within the race for an extra Champions League spot. Whereas the race stays tight, it’s clear that the Italian groups must ship subsequent week to keep away from an advanced 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 subject 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 at first of the season. So in Italy’s case, a mere 0.375 was added (3 divided by 8) because of Juve and Roma.
The significance of subsequent week
Subsequent week will probably be essential for the Italian groups. With Spain presently 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 subsequent spherical would make it troublesome for Italy to gather sufficient factors down the road, primarily.
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). In addition they have the identical variety of groups nonetheless energetic: 7.
England sits on the prime of the bonus standings presently with nearly 21, that means they’re roughly untouchable for Italy and Spain. This additionally implies that every thing is about second place, making it a real two-horse race.
