PSG dark, Bayern secures and Barça flies away

PSG in full doubt, OM are getting closer and Lens fall from the podium

Ligue 1 is full of twists and turns in this new year. Undisputed leader before the tied break at the World Cup, PSG is now stuck in a bad spiral. In Monaco, Paris suffered their third defeat of the year 2023 (3-1), three days before the shock against Bayern in the Champions League.

AS Monaco, for its part, climbed on the podium by taking advantage of the misstep of RC Lens in Lyon. On Sunday, OL signed a third victory in four matches thanks to Rayan Cherki, scorer and assist for Alexandre Lacazette, who was injured before the break (2-1).

The World Cup-related truce has cut off the momentum of Rennes, which was previously in contention for the podium and has since found itself on a slippery slope. The Bretons have just lost the fifth of their last eight matches against Toulouse and fifth place in favor of Lille, winner against Strasbourg (2-0).

Barca widen the gap

Barça chained an 11^e success, in all competitions, and is already taking a small step towards the domestic title, which has eluded him since 2019, thanks to his victory against Villareal (1-0). The Catalans only scored once, in the 18th^e minute, with a lightning one-two between Robert Lewandowski and Pedri at the conclusion of a very nice collective movement.

Atlético Madrid, for its part, can thank Memphis Depay. Thanks to a goal at the very end of the match (89^e) of their new Dutch striker, the people of Madrid snatched a narrow 1-0 success at Celta Vigo and are still in fourth place, one point behind Real Sociedad (3^e39 points), who will travel to Barcelona on Monday (9 p.m.) to face Espanyol.

Real Madrid for its part did not play in the Spanish league. And for good reason : Carlo Ancelotti’s men were busy winning the Club World Cup.

Juventus get back on track

Naples left no hope on Sunday to the Cremonese (3-0), the red lantern, and consolidates its supremacy over Serie A. Napoli, with this 19^e victory in 22 days, has a provisional 16 point lead over his runner-up Inter Milan, traveling Monday evening to the field of Sampdoria Genoa (19^e).

Far behind the relentless leader Naples, the battle for the Champions League remains totally open in Serie A after Atalanta Bergamo’s fine victory on Saturday over Lazio Rome (2-0) and the points lost by Roma in Lecce ( 1-1).

At “Dea” (3^e), which has once again become a good offensive mechanism, regains its footing in the Top 4 thanks to this authoritative success at the Olimpico, on equal points with the Giallorossi (4^e) and AC Milan (5^e), Friday winner of Torino (1-0). The trio are provisionally two points behind Inter Milan (2^e), expected at Sampdoria Genoa on Monday at the end of the 22^e daytime.

If it remains far from the qualifying places for the Champions League because of the 15 penalty points received at the end of January for fraudulent transfers, Juventus Turin has risen to the 9th^e place, 12 points from 4^e qualifying place in the Champions League, thanks to a goal from Adrien Rabiot.

Manchester City joins Arsenal

With three goals in the first half, Manchester City easily defeated the Birmingham club, although Erling Haaland had to come off at the break. With 48 points, the defending champion is within reach of the Gunners (51), who they will visit on Tuesday February 14, even if the Londoners have one game less on the clock.

Victim of a refereeing error recognized by the English authorities – the equalizer of Brentford (1-1) should have been canceled by the VAR for offside -, Arsenal let slip two points this weekend and will have to back in the right direction.

Four days after being held in check at home by Leeds (2-2), Manchester United this time took the best by being solid and patient. With 46 points, the Red Devils are five points ahead of Newcastle (4^e41 pts), even if they have one more match.

Bayern Munich sure of their strength

Bayern Munich won against Bochum (3-0) at home at the Allianz Arena, on behalf of the 20^e day of the German championship, three days away from challenging Paris SG in the Champions League.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men secured their twelfth Bundesliga victory, thanks to goals from Thomas Müller (41^e), Kingsley Coman (64^e) and Serge Gnabry (74^e from a penalty), and retain the lead in the Bundesliga. With 43 points, Bayern are one point ahead of Union Berlin, winners of RB Leipzig (5^e with 36 points), and three points ahead of Borussia Dortmund (40), winner on the lawn of Werder Bremen (2-0).

Randal Kolo Muani’s Eintracht Frankfurt lost to Cologne 3-0 at the end of the 20^_e day of the German championship and sees the leading trio of the Bundesliga escape.

With AFP