Scudetto still Juve’s birth right: Three talking points from Europe this weekend

By Israel Igiri

It was indeed, great weekend in Europe as teams continued their quest for glory domestically. While actions went down across various centers in Europe, they left the fans with juicy experiences and lessons to think about. Here are three things we learnt from the various leagues this weekend.

Scudetto still Juve’s birth right    

It was a great weekend for Juventus as they won Fiorentina 3-0 away from home thanks to goals from Rodrigo Bentacur, Giorgio Chiellini and Cristiano Ronaldo. It was a game which saw Maximiliano Allegri’s side extend their unbeaten streak to 14 as they have dropped only two points in their first 14 games, moving to 40 points.

With 11 points ahead of second-placed Napoli, Juve are looking unstoppable as everyone in the team is firing on all cylinders. The team is certainly a team of great champions and great men who have got great character.

So far so good, they have been miles ahead of others in the league and with the way the likes of Ronaldo and co are playing, it will take a miracle for Napoli or any other contender to usurp the first position from them. As things stand, only the team can stop itself from winning an unprecedented eight Serie A title and a record 35th title, stamping their dominance in Italy.

The manner and fashion in which they continue to tear teams apart in the Serie A is simply amazing. Their confidence seems to be growing each passing game and with Allegri on the sidelines, all of the Old Lady’s biggest challengers are bound to melt under their glare and brilliance because the Italian coach has got the Scudetto’s DNA instilled in his players.

Emery’s Arsenal look good to make Champions League spot

Because of a quirky fixture list in which Arsenal came up against two big rivals to start Unai Emery’s reign, it has been a bit difficult to measure how much progress the Gunners have made under the Spanish coach. However, after those defeats to defending champions Manchester City and Chelsea, they have remained unbeaten since then.

Arsenal came from 2-1 down to beat Tottenham with second half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Torreira icing on the cake after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second of the day had levelled things up.

For what has happened so far, Emery deserves praise for his tactical brilliance as the North London club can now be considered a contender for a Champions League place again. It is not just that they have amassed 30 points after 14 games which now places them fourth on the log and seven points behind leaders City, the way they have been able to bounce back from their defeats to City and Chelsea shows that the new gaffer means business and is ready to take the team back to Europe Premier Club competition come the end of the season.

     Bayern Munchen have to play the catch-up game

For the first time in seven years, Bayern Munchen are facing a stern test in their quest for supremacy in the German Bundesliga. Thanks to the great form of Borussia Dortmund which sees the Bavarians trail the league leaders by nine points after 13 games.

Going by the quality of the team, it has been a tough season for Munchen under their new boss Niko Kovac, winning seven, drawing three and losing three after 13 round of matches, and sitting fourth on the log behind, RB Leipzig, Borussia Monchengladbach and Dortmund.

If there is one thing the Die Rotens are known for, it is that they do not struggle in the league. However, this season has been a different one for them as Lucien Favre’s Dortmund side are playing with intent, character and determination and look good to be crowned champions of the league for the first time in seven years.

While there is still a long way to go in the league, Bayern will have to win consistently and hope that their biggest rivals experience a poor run of form in order for them to win a seventh Bundesliga title. But for now, Favre’s men are in the form of their lives and the only thing Kovac’s men can do is to continue chasing because the story for Dortmund is “Catch us if you can.”