Futballnews takes a look at what’s happening in European football on Tuesday:
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English Premier League
Liverpool returns to the Premier League championship chase when great rival Manchester United visits Anfield after progressing in the Champions League and FA Cup over the last week in its quest for the quadruple.
Liverpool has dominated what is traditionally the most important match in English soccer in previous years, and the Reds are big favorites to win, putting them top of the league above Manchester City — at least for the time being.
With seven games remaining, Liverpool is a point behind City, who hosts Brighton on Wednesday. It’s also a big game for United, not just because it’s Liverpool, but because Ralf Rangnick’s side is back in contention for a top-four finish following a strong weekend.
Fifth-placed United is three points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place and tied for sixth place with Arsenal. Bruno Fernandes, a United midfielder, was involved in a car accident on Monday but was unharmed and is scheduled to play against Liverpool.
Italian Seria A
Inter Milan and AC Milan, who are locked in a tight struggle for the Serie A title, renew their rivalry in the second leg of the Italian Cup semifinals. The opening leg finished in a stalemate. Milan is two points ahead of Inter in Serie A.
Inter hasn’t advanced past the semifinals since winning the last of its seven trophies in 2011, while Milan hasn’t won the cup in over two decades – since 2003. In November, the two Milan clubs drew 1-1 in their inaugural Serie A derby, and Olivier Giroud scored twice in Milan’s 2-1 victory over Inter.
On Wednesday, defending champion Juventus will face in-form Fiorentina with a 1-0 lead. The final will take place on May 11th.
German Bundesliga
With a win over Freiburg in their semifinal, Hamburger SV, a former Bundesliga heavyweight, can receive some consolation for another poor season in the second tier by reaching the German Cup final.
Hamburg has been vying for a return to Germany’s top flight since it was relegated as the last of the Bundesliga’s founding clubs in 2018. It finished fourth in each of the next three seasons and is currently sixth, putting it on track to miss promotion once more.
The German Cup has provided some relief to Hamburg fans who have been suffering for a long time. Only about 25,000 people showed up for the team’s last league games in the second tier, but all 67,000 tickets for Freiburg’s visit have been sold. The last time Hamburg won the cup was 35 years ago.
It competed against Freiburg twice and won both times, in 1983 and 2007. Freiburg, on the other hand, has had a wonderful season, winning its past two Bundesliga games to rise to fifth place and make a push for European qualifying. Freiburg made it to the German Cup semifinals in 2013 but were unable to advance to the final. Freiburg coach Christian Streich stated, “I’m not there to dream.”
“I have a job to do with my coworkers in order for a dream to come true.” We must travel to Hamburg in a humble manner.” Leipzig, the beaten finalist from last year, will face Union Berlin in the other semifinal on Wednesday.
Spanish La Liga
When Real Betis faces Elche in La Liga, the team aims to stay in contention for a place in the Champions League. Manuel Pellegrini’s club would be level on points with fourth-placed Atlético Madrid and third-placed Sevilla if they won. Since losing to Atlético Madrid at home last month, Betis has gone undefeated in five league games.
Seventh-placed In a match between teams in the relegation zone, Villarreal hosts Valencia, while Mallorca hosts Alavés. Alavés is in last place, four points from safety. Mallorca is in 18th place.
