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European Football Talking Points: PSV, Real Madrid Win Titles, Metz Facing Relegation
Here are some of the main talking points from the weekend in European football:
PSV can have the best-ever league season
On Sunday, PSV Eindhoven secured the Dutch league title with a 4-2 comeback victory against Sparta Rotterdam, with two games remaining in the season. As a result, they can now be considered the most successful team in Eredivisie history based on statistics.
PSV has the potential to equal Ajax Amsterdam’s 1971/72 record of 93 points in a single season. This record has been adjusted upwards because teams back then only received two points for a win. However, PSV must win their last two matches against Fortuna Sittard and RKC Waalwijk to achieve this milestone.
This achievement would also entail surpassing their current goal difference of +88, which already exceeds that of the Ajax team from 52 years ago, who finished with a goal difference of +84.
That Ajax side also lost a single match, the same as PSV this season, with the only team to go through a Dutch league campaign unbeaten the Ajax side of 1994/95, though they finished with 88 points.
Real Madrid secures title while Girona qualifies for Champions League
Saturday was a thrilling day in Spanish football, that ended in two fans rejoicing over historic milestones. Substitute Portu, coming on in the second half, scored twice to lead Girona to a remarkable 4-2 comeback victory against Barcelona, their Catalonia rivals.
With a commanding lead and only four matches remaining, Real Madrid secured their record-extending 36th La Liga title after they triumphed 3-0 against Cadiz earlier in the day.
Girona’s unexpected success this season also guarantees them a spot in the Champions League next season, marking their first-ever qualification for European competition. By surpassing Barcelona and moving into second place in the standings, Girona now holds their fate in their hands to secure a top-two finish, which would earn them a place in the lucrative Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Metz faces relegation battle in Ligue 1
Following a 3-2 home loss to Rennes on Saturday, Met fell to 16th place, putting them in danger of entering a relegation play-off spot despite being promoted just last year.
Despite a strong start, Metz, who initially led in the first half with goals from Georges Mikautadze and Papa Diallo, ultimately succumbed to a 3-2 defeat as Benjamin Bourigeaud’s 74th-minute penalty and a surprising stoppage-time goal from Arnaud Kalimuendo secured the victory for the visiting team.
“I don’t know whether I should scream, cry or laugh. I can’t comment. Am I going to talk to you and tell you what I feel, what’s in my heart? Because if I do, I will immediately buy a ticket to go to the disciplinary committee,” said Metz coach Laszlo Boloni after striker Georges Mikautadze was sent off in the 95th minute for colliding with Kalimuendo.
With just two games left in the season, Metz couldn’t maintain the chase on fellow promoted team Le Havre. Additionally, they missed the opportunity to relegate bottom side Clermont to Ligue 2, as Clermont suffered a 4-1 defeat against AS Monaco.
