For the first time in four seasons Southern European's top flight crowned new league champions as Chris Green's Juventus captured their first trophy ever! But what a way to do it, by taking the most coveted league crown in Europe with a week to spare, as Porto slipped up against Real Madrid, Juve cruised past Panathinaikos to clinch it. There is still loads to play for after this week, including the finishing positions in the top 5.
Real Betis (3) v (0) AS Roma
The Betis fans must be pulling their hair out! Finally they look like the side that at times terrorised Southern Europe last season, but this season, they haven't raised a squeal, until recently. Chris Bickley's side have been in superb form as of late, culminating in this impressive display against a Roma side who, managed by Alistair Rea, have turned heads all season with their gritty, determined performances which have earned them the respect they deserve back in the top flight. In the first half the game was fairly level, but an 18th minute strike from experienced Colombian international winger Julian Vasquez, gave Real Betis the lead and it stayed 1-0 come half time. In the second half Betis doubled their lead on 59 mins when Belgian winger Mbo Mpenza converted from the penalty spot. That wasn't the last penalty of the game either. Mpenza stepped up, just 8 mins after scoring the first, to successfully drive his second penalty into the back of the net to make it a happy day for the Betis fans, as the Spaniards recorded only their second league win of the season. A bit of a set back for Roma though as they look to finish as high as possible by the conclusion of next week's final game.
Internazionale (0) v (0) Benfica
It has been said before, but it's not very often that Southern Europe's top flight witnesses a goal less draw, but this week it occurred between two of the most successful sides in Southern European history. Tony Anderson's Inter & Gary Hargreaves' Benfica have captured a whole host of trophies between them since the inception of the new structure of European football four years ago and therefore, it should come as no surprise to many that this game ended level. However, a crowd of just under a capacity 150,000 were surprised to see no goals scored with such attacking talents as Ivan De La Pena, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Rivaldo & Marcelo Otero, to name a few, on show. On the other hand with defences consisting of Ivan Helguera, Gary Neville, Jorge Costa & Alan Goma, perhaps it's not such a surprise that there were no goals after all. The result means that, to finish second, Benfica must beat newly crowned champions Juventus next week, or draw 3-3 and hope that Porto do not score in their game against Roma. Inter will be desperate for 3 points next week, to cement a 5th place finish, the first time they haven't been top of the pile in four seasons!
Real Madrid (3) v (2) Porto
This was the main reason which saw Porto's title hopes go up in smoke. Before this match, had Porto managed a win, the title would have gone to the wire, with Porto needing a win against Roma in the last week and a Benfica victory over Juventus. However, Real Madrid had other ideas. For a team which played to defend first, attack second, it didn't stop them thumping three goals past a nervous Porto side which cracked under the pressure of the championship race. The Portuguese had a great start in the game and looked like they had settled when Raul bagged his 28th goal of the season after only 8 mins. The score remained the same come half time, but in the second half Rob Perini's Real came back strong. On 56 mins, Fernando Morientes, recently returned to the club where he made a name for himself, scored to make it 1-1. Just four mins later an unlikely goal hero for Madrid surfaced when Paolo Maldini made it 2-1 to all but destroy Porto's title ambitions. As much as Porto tried they couldn't get the equaliser they needed and on 74 mins the counter attacking team were caught on the counter attack by Madrid, when Morientes scored his second and Madrid's third to make it 3-1. Porto didn't give in and substitute Harry Kewell pulled one back with 6 mins remaining, but come the final whistle, Real Madrid had deservedly taken all three points in their push to finish third. The sad reality for Porto is summed up by the fact that they have recorded only seven points from a possible 18 in their last six games.
Panathinaikos (0) v (2) Juventus
This was the decider for Juventus. Their first ever trophy in Southern Europe's history came at the expense of a much improved Panathinaikos side, which most expected to put up a better fight. However, it's a testament to the talent of Juventus which stopped Pana from playing and come the end, comfortably beat the home side. After just 4 mins, Czech international winger Ludek Straceny had given Juventus the lead to settle any pre-championship winning nerves. Panathinaikos, under Jon Harris have become a more solid unit than in the past, and they proceeded to make it difficult for Juve to put the game to bed. With 6 mins to go though Gustavo Lopez made sure of the points when he scored Juve's second of the day ending the game 0-2 and crowning Juventus champions of Southern Europe. Panathinaikos will be looking to climb up the ladder a little in the final week of the season, while Juve have, to them anyway, a "nothing game" against rivals Benfica. Can Chris Green's side go on to make it three title's in a row to equal Inter's record, or will they make it four?! Time will tell, but the new champions certainly have what it takes to win the title again.
Valencia (2) v (1) Lecce
This might have been an almost meaningless game to all outside of the relegation zone, but to Valencia & Lecce, the game was a matter of pride. Most people watching this would probably have expected Lecce to relegate Valencia to their 15th league defeat of the season, but to the surprise of most, it was the Spaniards who recorded only their second league win of the season against the self destructive Lecce, who have now lost 13 teams themselves as they look like finishing bottom of the league. On 20 mins Valencia took the lead to please the majority of a poor 32,000+ crowd when Johan Elmander scored. There was no more scoring until the second half and the first strike then came courtesy of an Alessandro Pellicori goal on 59 mins. However, Valencia stepped up their efforts straight away and restored their lead just 7 mins later thanks to a goal from Saudin Huseinovic, making it 2-1. The game ended with Valencia taking three points which saw them go above Lecce into 11th in the table. A sad day for Lecce indeed.
Barcelona (2) v (2) Milan
As many predicted this match ended level. Both teams have had differing fortunes this season. Milan have improved greatly from the side which struggled to avoid relegation last season and could finish in the top half of the season if things go their way next week. Barcelona started the season poorly, but are now showing the type of form which could make them title contenders once again next season. On the 10 minute mark Claudio Nunez gave the visitors the lead as Milan went up 0-1, but young Spanish winger Sergio Santamaria had his best game in a Barcelona shirt since coming through the youth ranks and being promoted to the first team. On 24 mins he scored to level the game at 1-1 and at half time the teams were locked. In the second period Milan again took the lead. This time Sebastian Rozenthal made it 1-2 with a goal on 63 mins. Again though, Barcelona weren't out of it and they fought back. With just 4 mins remaining, young Santamaria made it 2-2 to end the game, sending the home fans wild and moving Barca one place above Panathinaikos in the table.
Top Scorers
1st. 28 - Raul of Porto
2nd. 27 - Thierry Henry of Bordeaux
3rd. 27 - Rivaldo of Benfica
4th. 24 - Javier Saviola of Bristol City
5th. 24 - Sylvain Wiltord of Chelsea
6th. 23 - Ebbe Sand of AS Monaco
7th. 23 - Davor Suker of Everton
8th. 21 - Marc Overmars of Barcelona
9th. 20 - Francesco Totti of Real Madrid
10th. 20 - Marcelo Salas of IFK Gothenborg
11th. 20 - Marcelo Otero of Benfica
12th. 19 - Edmundo of Lazio
13th. 18 - Ruslan Pimenov of IFK Gothenborg
14th. 18 - Tomislav Maric of Red Star Belgrade
15th. 18 - Fabrizio Ravanelli of Oxford Utd
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2nd. 39 pts, GD +15 - Porto
3rd. 38 pts, GD +14 - Benfica
4th. 36 pts, GD +2 - Real Madrid
5th. 32 pts, GD +7 - Internazionale (Champions)
6th. 29 pts, GD +3 - Milan
7th. 28 pts, GD +2 - AS Roma
8th. 24 pts, GD -2 - Barcelona
9th. 24 pts, GD -4 - Panathinaikos
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10th. 16 pts, GD -9 - Real Betis (R)
11th. 11 pts, GD -24 - Valencia (R)
12th. 10 pts, GD -18 - Lecce (R)
2nd. 42 pts, GD +13 - Ath Madrid
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3rd. 40 pts, GD +11 - Deportivo
4th. 38 pts, GD +11 - Celta Vigo
5th. 35 pts, GD +7 - Lazio
6th. 25 pts, GD -5 - Boavista
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7th. 24 pts, GD -4 - Real Sociedad
8th. 23 pts, GD -6 - Alaves
9th. 20 pts, GD -6 - Galatasaray
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10th. 19 pts, GD -16 - Sampdoria
11th. 16 pts, GD -6 - Bologna (R)
12th. 14 pts, GD -16 - Espanyol (R)
2nd. 42 pts, GD +13 - Perugia (P)
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3rd. 38 pts, GD +11 - Atlanta
4th. 34 pts, GD +2 - Parma
5th. 33 pts, GD +5 - Spt Lisbon
6th. 24 pts, GD +1 - Bari
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7th. 24 pts, GD -5 - Fiorentina
8th. 22 pts, GD -2 - Olympaikos
9th. 20 pts, GD -8 - Athletico Bilboa
10th. 19 pts, GD -12 - Real Zaragoza
11th. 18 pts, GD -8 - Napoli
12th. 13 pts, GD -12 - Torino