Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 9, 2024 Bayern Munich's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their seventh goal to complete his hat-trick with Serge Gnabry REUTERS/Michaela Stache
(Reuters) - Talking points from the weekend in European soccer leagues:
GERMANY
MUSIALA FORM
Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala scored twice in their 5-2 win over Darmstadt 98 and set up another goal, earning praise from Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht who said the 21-year-old could lead Germany to the Euro 2024 title on home soil.
The Germany international has 10 league goals along with six assists this season but it is his creative attacking play that is equally important for his team.
"If you are not directly involved as a player or coach then it is an extreme pleasure to watch him play," said Lieberknecht.
"The German national team can count itself lucky to have such a player to lead them to the Euros and even maybe win the title."
Germany, who host the tournament starting on June 14, take on France and Netherlands in friendlies later in March.
ITALY
JUVE COLLAPSING
A lot has happened to Juventus since the start of the year when they were neck and neck with Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
Massimiliano Allegri's side now finds itself in a rut and were booed off the pitch by their fans following a goalless draw with Genoa at home on Sunday, leaving them with only one win in their last eight league matches.
While Juve are comfortably positioned in third, with a five-point lead over Bologna in fourth, Allegri's side cannot afford to prolong their poor run for much longer.
"We have an objective to be achieved, to get back into the Champions League, and we need to get it," Allegri said.
"We are struggling at this moment and must avoid creating further confusion."
SPAIN
BARCA HOPE TO MUSCLE INTO TITLE RACE
Barcelona inflicted a first home defeat since January 2023 on Atletico Madrid and are now on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league.
They seem to have found their best form at a key point in the season and will be looking to cut the eight-point gap on LaLiga leaders Real Madrid and progress further in the Champions League after drawing Paris St Germain in the quarter-finals.
"The last few weeks we have changed our training a bit, with more intensity. We want to take a step forward," said striker Robert Lewandowski.
"The most important thing is where we want to get to. La Liga, Champions League... we will play the same or better than today. That's the objective. We know how we can play, we have great potential, with great players and young players."
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, Tommy Lund and Janina Nuno Rios; Editing by Toby Davis)
