What to watch in Europe
PARIS: Lille can dial up the pressure on the Ligue 1 chasing pack and Bayern Munich face a thorny test following their Champions League exit.
AFP Sport selects some of the standout action in Europe this weekend:
Lille in game of cat and mouse Lille v Montpellier, Friday 1900 GMT
Hunting a first French title since winning a league and cup double in 2011, Lille can provisionally go six points clear with victory against Montpellier as they have the advantage of kicking off this weekend’s Ligue 1 fixtures.
Another boost is the return of Jonathan David, who has made a quick recovery from an ankle injury that sidelined him against Metz, having scored the winner away to Paris Saint-Germain at the start of April.
However, Montpellier are unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions and making a late push for Europe. Next week they also face Canet-en-Roussillon in the French Cup quarter-finals, the fourth-tier amateurs who embarrassed Marseille last month.
No time to mourn for Bayern Wolfsburg v Bayern Munich, Saturday 1330 GMT
After seeing their Champions League defence ended in Paris, Bayern Munich return to domestic action with RB Leipzig ready to pounce on any slip-up in a title race that appeared over earlier this month.
The absence of Robert Lewandowski has left Bayern with a huge hole in attack, compounded by the unavailability of Serge Gnabry, who is isolating after contracting Covid-19.
Wolfsburg are undefeated at home this campaign and have won nine of their past 12 games despite losing a seven-goal thriller at Eintracht Frankfurt last week, presenting a tough proposition for a Bayern side who could say goodbye to coach Hansi Flick at season’s end.
Champions League musical chairs in Italy Atalanta v Juventus, Sunday 1300 GMT
While a 10th successive Serie A crown looks beyond reach for Juventus, the prospect of missing out on the Champions League is not beyond the realm of possibility either for Andrea Pirlo’s team.
Juventus occupy third place in Italy but defeat at Atalanta, winners of eight of their past nine, could allow Napoli to replace the Turin club in the top four. The match in Bergamo is a dress rehearsal of sorts for next month’s Italian Cup final, although Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini risks missing the May 19 showpiece following a row over an out-of-competition doping test.