Football Recap
An End Of Season Review Of Top Leagues
T. G. George
ANOTHER SCINTILLATING SEASON comes to a close. The title issue has been settled in all of Europe’s top five leagues, while one last prize is left on the table.
Germany
One of the most remarkable football storylines this season has been the dominance of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
Historically, Leverkusen had finished second best. Most notably in 2001-02, when they lost two of their last three games in the league, handing the Bundesliga title to Borussia Dortmund. A week later, they lost 4-2 in the DFB-Pokal Final, and a week after that, they were beaten in the Champions League Final to Real Madrid. A potential treble that slipped away, leaving them with nothing but the nickname “Neverkusen”.
Neverkusen 2001-02
This year, Leverkusen dethroned Bayern Munich as the kings of German football, ending their 11 consecutive years of winning the Bundesliga. They did so in emphatic fashion, becoming only the third unbeaten team in German top-flight history, finishing on 90 points. The now “Neverlusen” had the chance to claim their prized treble, given they won the DFB-Pokal too. However they lost their only game of the season in the Europa League final to Atalanta.
Neverlusen 2023-24
Spain
If you are a regular Shore Weekly Record reader, you would know this is now my third article mentioning Girona. While they haven’t achieved any trophies to accompany the highly optimistic rhetoric, their third-place finish on 81 points is still a seriously impressive feat. At the turn of the century, Girona was in the fifth level of Spanish football, and yet, in a few months, will be playing in the Champions League.
Real Madrid eventually cruised to their 36th LaLiga title, finishing on 95 points with only one loss. In the Liga F, Barcelona have already won the league, with 27 wins, and only one draw. They were also victorious in the Women’s Champions League Final, with stars Bonmati and Putellas leading the way.
Barcelona lifting the Champions League Trophy
Italy
Inter Milan have won the Serie A, with 93 points (as of 26/05/24). Shockingly, the defending champions, Napoli, fell all the way to 10th.
France
No surprises, really. PSG have won the league again. Kylian Mbappe lead the charge with 27 goals.
Lyon won the Division 1 Feminine, beating PSG 2-1.
England
It was another tense affair in the Premier League, however, Manchester City pulled through on the final day, claiming their 4th consecutive title, seeing Arsenal fall agonisingly short once again. Aston Villa slipped into a Champions League spot for the first time since 1983. At the other end of the league, Sheffield United had one of the worst seasons in Premier League history, finishing on a measly 16 points, victorious only three times throughout the season. Next season, Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United will be replaced by Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and the winner of Leeds vs Southampton.
Europe
The most coveted trophy in club football is on the line this Sunday. Favourites Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund, who look to complete their fairy tale run with silverware.
Real Madrid have beaten Napoli, Leipzig, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich on their road to the final, which is undoubtedly the most difficult draw. Borussia Dortmund have not been without their fair share of challenging opponents, topping one of the strongest groups in Champions League history, including PSG, Milan, and Newcastle. In the knockout stages, they have overcome PSV, Atletico Madrid, and PSG.
The two semi-final fixtures were highly dramatic, with Real Madrid beating Bayern at the death with two late goals from Joselu. Dortmund clawed their way past a strong PSG side to claim a 1-0 draw in both home and away fixtures.
Joselu after winner vs Bayern Munich
Notably, Marco Reus will be playing his final game for Dortmund this Sunday, after 12 years at the club for the senior level and 10 years in the academy. His career has been a paragon of loyalty, choosing to stay with his boyhood club, despite numerous offers from the top teams across Europe. In his first season for the club, he lost 2-1 to rivals Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final. This year, he has the chance to conclude his stellar Dortmund career with European glory.
Marco Reus