European roundup: Inter gets closer to winning Serie A, and Atlético breaks into the top four – La Liga European roundup: Inter gets closer to winning Serie A, and Atlético breaks into the top four – La Liga
European roundup: Inter gets closer to winning Serie A, and Atlético breaks into the top four – La Liga

April 1, 2024

European roundup: Inter gets closer to winning Serie A, and Atlético breaks into the top four – La Liga

After a fierce 2-1 victory over Villareal, Saúl Ñíguez scored a late winner to propel Diego Simeone’s team back into the top four of La Liga with eight games remaining.

Atlético desperately needed the victory because they feared missing out on a Champions League berth the following season after two straight losses. The visitors started well and were in control when Axel Witsel headed in from a corner to give Atlético the lead in the ninth minute. 

But five minutes after the half, Alexander Sørloth equalized by taking advantage of an error made by Antoine Griezmann. The forward for France trod on the ball. Following the France forward’s stepping on the ball and subsequent loss of possession, Villarreal found Sørloth, who finished cleanly past Jan Oblak.

But in the 87th minute, a resolute Atlético found the winner when Saúl, cutting inside the area, calmly sidefooted the ball home after César Azpilicueta’s pass. With 58 points, Atlético is now two points ahead of Athletic Bilbao, who fell 2-0 away to Real Madrid on Sunday.

With goals from Federico Dimarco and Alexis Sánchez, Internazionale defeated struggling Empoli 2-0 at home to go 14 points clear at the top of Serie A. Simone Inzaghi’s team was led by both players. Five minutes in, Dimarco, having been set up by Alessandro Bastoni, volleyed in from the edge of the box. Shortly after replacing one of the starters, Sánchez scored a late goal to send Empoli into the relegation zone by tapping a low cross from Denzel Dumfries.

This implies that if Inter wins the Milan derby on April 22, they will have an opportunity to clinch the championship with wins in their next two games.

With their 3-0 victory over lowly Salernitana in Serie A, Bologna advanced closer to playing in the Champions League. Thiago Motta’s team’s eighth victory in nine games moved them to within two points of Juventus, who are currently in third place. If they finished in fourth place, Bologna would play Champions League football for the first time.

After 14 minutes, Alexis Saelemaekers doubled Bologna’s lead with a well-placed left-footed effort from outside the box. After 30 minutes, Riccardo Orsolini opened the score. Following a deft one-two with Saelemaekers, left-back Charalampos Lykogiannis completed the scoring in stoppage time.

For Stefano Colantuono, the team’s fourth head coach this year, the outcome was a disappointing start to his career. Salernitana appears destined to play in the lower divisions next season. They are currently 11 points from safety with eight games left.

Roma’s attempt to break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw at Lecce hurt their chances of finishing in the top four. With 52 points, Roma is five points behind Bologna in fifth place.

Real Madrid’s eight-point cushion at the top of La Liga is restored by Rodrygo’s double

Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at home on Sunday, solidifying their lead in the La Liga standings with goals from Rodrygo in each of the two halves.

After a composed run to the edge of the box, the Brazilian broke the deadlock after eight minutes, curling the ball into the far corner as the Bilbao defense could not close down the winger.

The home team attempted to score again, with Aurelien Tchouameni’s corner kick going just wide and Toni Kroos’s deflected effort being claimed by Julen Agirrezabala.

Early in the second half, the visitors had a fantastic chance to tie the game. Still, Andriy Lunin palmed away an effort from Inaki Williams.

Jude Bellingham counterattacked in the 73rd minute, setting Rodrygo free on the wing and giving him the time and space to sprint into the box and finish the pass into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

More opportunities fell to Athletic, but Madrid held firm and had the added benefit of defender Eder Militao, who came off the bench during stoppage time to make his first appearance in seven months.

Actual leads second-place Barcelona by eight points and third-place Girona by ten points with 75 points. Bilbao, with 56 points, is in fourth place. 

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Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.