The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 3 (Week of April 24-April 30, 2018)

Note:

The purpose of this section is to summarize the week in question, it is not meant to give a full statistical analysis of the matches.

We live in a viral age and all that information can be accessed.

I welcome all contributions from anyone, even for the Leagues that I did not cover.

I.  England

The week started with Liverpool’s Champions League match vs. AS Roma. Mohamed Salah once again was impressive in scoring two goals against his former club. Liverpool opened a (5-0) lead before Roma pulled two goals back. Liverpool are still favored but they can’t taking anything for granted as Roma were in the same position against Barcelona.

Salah’s performance jump started a debate about whether he should be the next Ballon d’Or.

In the Europa League, Arsenal’s home tie (1-1) with Atletico Madrid gave the edge for the return leg to the Spaniards.

In the League, Manchester City were impressive in their demolition of West Ham (4-1). The Champions are now eyeing to break records.

The highlight of the week was Arsene Wenger’s last trip to Old Trafford. Current Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho and former boss Sir Alex Ferguson welcomed him in a touching scene before the match as they let bygones be bygones.

Photo From: L'Equipe, April 25, 2018

(Mohamed Salah, April 24, 2018, Champions League, Liverpool 5-AS Roma 2)

Photo From: L’Equipe, April 30, 2018

(Arsene Wenger being greeted by Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho)

Diary:

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

-Arsene Wenger suggested that his recent impending resignation was forced upon him by saying that the “timing” was not his decision. (Source BBC Football Online)

-A Liverpool fan is in critical condition after attacks from two Roma supporters (now in custody on suspicion of attempted murder) (Source Daily Telegraph online)

- Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp revealed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury is very serious. His season is over along with his chance to participate in the World Cup with England. (Source Maisfutebol online)

- Leeds United are under pressure due to their impending summer tour of Myanmar, due to that Nation’s poor human rights record. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

-The English FA are considering an offer to sell Wembley for £600,000 Million to Shahid Khan (owner of Fulham and NFL’s Jacksonville Tigers). (Source The Daily Telegraph Online)

-Middlebrough have opened a lawsuit against former Manager Garry Monk’s assistants and their current club Birmingham City for employing them.

Middlesbrough feel that Birmingham City now have an unfair advantage as they possess inside knowledge of their club as a result. Middlesbrough are seeking damages and removal of the staff.  (Source Daily Telegraph online)

-Arsenal are eyeing Luis Enrique, the former Barcelona Manager, as a potential replacement for the departing Arsene Wenger. (Source L’Equipe online)

Friday, April 27, 2018:

-Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho announced that there is ‘no chance’ that goalkeeper David De Gea would leave the club.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Jose Mourinho said that it was ‘injustice’ to blame him for the sale of Mohamed Salah during his Chelsea days. He stated that he was the one who brought him to the club in the first place, but that he needed to be loaned to get playing time.  He blamed the club Chelsea for selling him. (Source Daily Telegraph online)

- Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho expressed regret for his feuds with Arsene Wenger. He expressed that he hopes Manchester United fans will give him a respectful welcome when Arsenal visits on the weekend. He credited Wenger by saying that the rivalry of Manchester United and Arsenal in these two decades had made the teams even better. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

- Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea called former club Manager, the Dutchman Louis van Gaal, as “tiresome, annoying” in an interview with the Daily Mail. Some of the animosity stems from his failed transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2015. At the time, van Gaal did not play him for a few matches telling it was due to the player’s wish because of the possible transfer, but De Gea said that was a lie. (Source vi.nl online)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

-Sunderland, in the Championship, were sold to an International Consortium. Manager Chris Coleman was dismissed. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho has said that he would like to sign his former player, the Brazilian Willian, but Chelsea would never sell him to Man Utd.  (Source footnews.be online)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

-Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool, Zeljko Buvac will take a break from his duties at Liverpool to attend to personal matters. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Sunderland have appointed Robbie Stockdale in temporary charge of the team. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-A complete set of unused Euro 96 tickets were found inside a suitcase. The anonymous owner said they belonged to his grandfather and does not know the reason why they were not used. (Source Daily Telegraph online)

-Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino agreed to a new five year deal with the club. (Source Daily Telegraph online)

European Matches involving English Teams:

Tuesday, April 24, 2018:

Champions League, Semifinals, First Leg:

Liverpool 5-AS Roma 2 (Mohamed Salah 36, 45, Sadio Mane 56, Roberto Firmino 61, 69 / Edin Dzeko 81, Diego Perotti 85 pen)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

Europa League, Semifinals, First Leg:

Arsenal 1-Atletico Madrid 1 (Alexandre Lacazette 61 / Antoine Griezmann 82)

League Matchday (April 28-30, 2018):

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

Liverpool 0-Stoke City 0

Burnley 0-Brighton 0

Crystal Palace 5-Leicester City 0 (Wilfried Zaha 17, James McArthur 38, Ruben Loftus-Cheek 81, Patrick van Aanholt 84, Christian Benteke 90 pen)

Huddersfield 0-Everton 2 (Cenk Tosun 39, Idrissa Gana Gueye 77)

Newcastle United 0-West Bromwich Albion 1 (Matthew Phillips 29)

Southampton 2-Bournemouth 1 (Dusan Tadic 24, 54 / Joshua King 45)

Swansea City 0-Chelsea 1 (Cesc Fabregas 4)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

West Ham United 1–Manchester City 4 (Aaron Cresswell 42 / Leroy Sane 13, Pablo Zabaleta (own goal) 27, Gabriel Jesus 53, Fernandinho 64)

Manchester United 2–Arsenal 1 (Paul Pogba 16, Marouane Fellaini 90 / Henrikh Mkhitaryan 51)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

Tottenham Hotspur 2–Watford 0 (Dele Alli 16, Harry Kane 48)

Top Goalscorer:

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 31 goals

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) 26 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Man City	35	30	3	2	102	26	76	93
2	Man Utd	35	24	5	6	67	27	40	77
3	Liverpool	36	20	12	4	80	37	43	72
4	Tottenham	35	21	8	6	68	31	37	71
5	Chelsea	35	20	6	9	60	34	26	66
6	Arsenal	35	17	6	12	67	48	19	57

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

II.  Italy

The last week had ended with the League race wide open as Napoli had pulled within one point of Juventus.

On Saturday, Juventus had a difficult journey against Inter at San Siro, intent on destroying the hopes of the Juventini.

It would be a match fraught with controversy, where once again the use of VAR would be criticized as well as the performance of the match referee Daniele Orsato.

Using the VAR, Inter’s Vecino was sent off after a bad foul on Mario Mandzukic that left ten stitches. Orsato also ruled out a second Juventus goal after VAR confirmed it was offside.

Juventus’ Miralem Pjanic should have also been sent off for a double yellow card, but Orstao chose not to book him for the second offense.

Juventus had taken the lead (1-0) into halftime; however, a ten-man Inter stormed back in the second half to take a (2-1) lead. The Match appeared to go Inter’s way when the minutes were ticking away. However, against all odds Cuadrado conjured up an unlikely goal in the closing minutes with the help of a deflection.

Just before the end, Higuain headed Juventus’ winner that just minutes before no one would have predicted.

The pressure was on Napoli on the following day on their trip to Firenze.

Once again, VAR would play a role in the match as last week’s hero Koulibaly was sent off after a foul (as the last man) on a breakaway. Once again, at first the referee had pointed to the spot, but after VAR, a free kick was given and Koulibaly was sent off.

Giovanni Simeone (son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego) would go on to score a hat trick and hand victory for the Viola (3-0).

Juventus are once again in the driver’s seat, though nothing is decided, as there are still nine points at play.

The narrative was now that Napoli had perhaps over celebrated the week before acting as if the race was won instead of focusing at the task ahead.

In addition, their lack of depth is questioned as Napoli do not appear to have many alternatives to their starting lineup.

There is still much drama left to the season.

 

Photo From: L'Equipe, April 25, 2018

(Edin Dzeko, April 24, 2018, Champions League, Liverpool 5-AS Roma 2)

Diary:

Tuesday, April 24, 2018:

-Carlo Ancelloti is linked with the Italian National Team post after being seen in Rome with Federation President Roberto Fabriccini and Alessandro Costacurta.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Juventus goalkeeper Ginaluigi Buffon dismissed rumors of a rift with defender Mehdi Benatia as gossip to destabilize Juventus. (Source La Gazetta delo Sport online)

-Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini sustained a hamstring injury during the weekend match with Napoli (that led to his substitution).  His season could be over. (Source La Gazetta delo Sport online)

-Massimo Oddo was sacked as Udinese Manager. The Croatian Igor Tudor will replace him. (Source La Gazetta delo Sport online)

- Prosecutors have recommended a suspension duration of four years for Cagliari’s Portuguese player Joao Pedro. Traces of Hydrochlorothiazide had been found in his system following matches vs. Sassuolo and Chievo on matches on February 11 and 17.  (Source Maisfutebol online)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

-AC Milan unveiled its new jerseys from its new kit designers (Puma) to be used in the following season. (Source Planeta Milan)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

-Bacelona’s French defender Lucas Digne was linked to Juventus as a prospective replacement for Alex Sandro in case he left the club in the summer. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

-AS Roma’s Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan was linked to Arsenal, who according to the Daily Mail are willing to pay 50 Million Euros for him. (Source footnews.be Online)

-The Inter-Juventus match for this weekend has been sold out and set a gate receipt record. 78, 000 tickets have been sold (5 Million Euros in receipts). (Source Corriere dello Sport Online)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

- AS Roma’s Diego Perotti will miss Roma’s match vs. Liverpool in the Champions League due to injury. Roma’s Dutchman Kevin Strootman might also be unavailable for this match.. (Source AS. Com online)

-Empoli were promoted to the Serie A after a (1-1) tie with Novara. (Source Corriere dello Sport Online)

-According to ‘The Guardian’, Juventus are interested in Tottenham’s Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld . Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG are also linked with the player. (Source footnews.be online)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

-Carlos Ancelotti has turned down the chance to be the next Italy Manager. Roberto Mancini is also linked with the job. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Rolando Maran has been dismissed as Chievo manager. Lorenzo D’Anna is the new Manager. (Source maisfutebol Online)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

-Atalanta’s Bryan Cristante is linked with Arsenal and Chelsea. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Napoli’s Belgian player Dries Mertens is linked to Arsenal and Manchester United. (Source footnews.be Online)

-Juventus have reportedly offered Liverpool’s Emre Can a five year contract according to ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Former Inter Great Sandro Mazzola came out and said that the Referee was not to blame for Inter’s loss to Juventus. He did however, question Spaletti’s decision to take off Icardi. (Source Corriere dello Sport Online)

- Sandro Mazzola also revealed that he wanted to acquire Cristiano Ronaldo when he was 16-17 years old , but Massimo Moratti told him to wait. (Source Corriere dello Sport Online)

-After Inter-Juventus match, Juventus Manager Massimilaino Allegri was seen chatting with the fourth referee Tagliavento. Federal Prosecutors after viewing the video concluded that there were no grounds to investigate any improper contact. (Source Corriere dello Sport Online)

-Mario Balotelli, cuurently at OGC Nice, stated that many Italian clubs are in touch with him with the notable exception of AC Milan. (Source Corriere dello Sport Online)

-According to Corriere della Sera, Roma have reached an agreement with Benfica’s Anderson Talisca. (Source vi.nl Online)

European Matches involving Italian Teams:

Tuesday, April 24, 2018:

Champions League, Semifinals, First Leg:

Liverpool 5-AS Roma 2 (Mohamed Salah 36, 45, Sadio Mane 56, Roberto Firmino 61, 69 / Edin Dzeko 81, Diego Perotti 85 pen)

League Matchday (April 28-29, 2018):

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

AS Roma 4-Chieveo Verona 1 (Patrik Schick 9, Edin Dzeko 40, 67, Stephan El Shaarawy 65 / Roberto Inglese 88)

Internazionale Milano 2-Juventus 3  (Mauco Icardi 52, Andrea Barzagli (own goal) 65 / Douglas Costa 13, Milan Skriniar (own goal) 87, Gonzalo Higuain 89)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

Crotone 4-Sassuolo 1 (Marcello Trotta 3, 31, Simy 16, 89 / Domenico Berardi 45 pen)

Atalanta 3-Genoa 1 (?Nusa Barrow 16, Bryan Cristante 22, Josip Ilicic 74 / Miguel Veloso 81)

Benevento 3-Udinese 3 (Nicolas Viola 23, Massimo Coda 76 pen, Bacary Sagna 90 / Silvan Widmer 13, Kevin Lasagna 78, 79)

Bologna 1 –AC Milan 2 (Sebastien De Maio 74 / Hakan Calhanoglu 34, Bonaventura 45)

Verona 1-SPAL 3 (Mattia Valoti 13 / Mohamed Fares (own goal) 45, Felipe 71, Jasmin Kurtic 90)

Sampdoria 4-Cagliari 1 (Dennis Praet 7, Fabio Quagliarella 26, Dawid Kownacki 45, Gaston Ramirez 87 / Leonardo Pavoletti 49)

Fiorentina 3-Napoli 0 (Giovanni Simeone 34, 62, 90)

Torino 0-Lazio 1 (Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 56)

Top Goalscorer:

Ciro Immobile (Lazio) 29 goals

Mauro Icardi (Internazionale Milano) 27 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	35	28	4	3	81	22	59	88
2	Napoli	35	26	6	3	71	26	45	84
3	AS Roma	35	21	7	7	59	28	31	70
4	Lazio	35	21	7	7	84	43	41	70
5	Internazionale	35	18	12	5	58	26	32	66
6	Atalanta	35	16	10	9	56	36	19	58

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

III.  Spain

The week had started with Real Madrid once again confirming its status as likely Champions League winners by defeating Bayern Munich (2-1) in Munich. They are now favorites to qualify for their third straight Final. Atletico Madrid also took a closer step to the Europa League final by holding Arsenal (1-1) at the Emirates. Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone would be sent off for protesting the sending off of Sime Vrstaljko.

On Friday, Andres Iniesta in a tearful press conference officially announced his departure from Barcelona.

On Sunday, Barcelona wrapped up the League title and won the Double by defeating a brave Deportivo La Coruna (4-2) that gave Barcelona a run for its money.

Messi scored a hat trick and Iniesta came on the last few minutes as Barcelona celebrated its Seventh title in the last decade.

Photo From: L’Equipe, April 30, 2018

(Barcelona players celebrating the title)

Photo From: L'Equipe, April 28, 2018

(Andres Iniesta press conference)

Photo From: L'Equipe, April 26, 2018

(April 25, 2018, Champions League, Bayern Munich 1-Real Madrid 2)

Photo From: L'Equipe, April 27, 2018

(April 26, 2018, Europa League League, Arsenal 1-Atletico Madrid 1)

Diary:

Tuesday, April 24, 2018:

-An arrest was issued for Las Palmas Club President Miguel Angel Ramirez after he missed a court date to answer charges of tax evasion. (Source AS. Com online)

-France Football magazine issued an apology for the soon-departing Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta for not awarding him the Ballon d’Or. (Source Marca.com)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

- Real Madrid’s on-loan player Omar Mascarell (now at Eintracht Frankfurt) stated that he is unaware of Real’s plans on him for next season. (Source AS. Com online)

- Real Madrid’s Welshman Gareth Bale was linked to a transfer to Bayern Munich. He said that it was ‘an honor’ to be linked to such a club. (Source Marca.com online)

 - Sevila have sacked their Technical Director Oscar Arias following the 0-5 loss to Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey Final.  (Source Belga News online)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

-Lionel Messi won a lawsuit in the European Union Court in Luxembourg vs. Bicycle Producer Massi. Messi had argued that his brand could be confused with Massi. This legal case had started in 2011. (Source Marca.com online)

-Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos paid homage to Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta by saying that were he a Brazilian and his name was ‘Andresinho’, he would have won at least two Ballon d’Ors. (Source Marca.com Online)

Friday, April 27, 2018:

-Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta officially announced his departure at the end of the season in a press conference. He did not reveal his destination, though he specified it would not be in Europe because he could never play against Barcelona. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal and Isco will miss the second leg of the Champions League Semifinal vs. Bayern Munich after injuries. (Source Marca.com online)

-Former Holland and Barcelona Manager Louis van Gaal wrote an open letter praising Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta.  (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

- Zinedine Zidane rested Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos in Real Madrid’s match vs. Leganes to preserve them for the upcoming Champions League match vs. Bayern Munich. (Source AS. Com online)

- Sevilla have reportedly approached Joaquin Caparros to replace Vincenzo Montella as Manager. (Source AS. Com online)

- Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone could be banned up to five matches after his sending off in the Europa League vs. Arsenal.. (Source AS. Com online)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

-Vincenzo Montella has been dismissed at Sevilla, Joaquin Caparros will be the Manager for the team’s final League matches. (Source AS.com Online)

-Juan Unzue will not continue as Celta Vigo coach for the next season. (Source Marca.com Online)

-Deportivo La Coruna’s loss that gave Barcelona the title, means the club are relegated for the third time in the last seven seaosons. (Source AS.com Online)

-David Villa, now at New York City FC, has now scored 400 goals in his career after scoring twice in NY FC’s (3-1) win over Dallas FC. (Source AS.com Online)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

-Barcelona are thinking about loaning Ousmane Dembele with Atletico Madrid as a possibility. (Source France Football Online)

-Zinedine Zidane stated that his future with the club does not depend on winning the CL. (Source Marca.com Online)

-Real betis are considering a return for Dani Ceballos (rarely used at Real Madrid). (Source AS.com Online)

-Former Barcelona player Gerard Deulofeu (now at Watford) expressed his annoyance for being left of the list of players on a Barcelona shirt commemorating the title win. He played 10 matches this season prior to leaving and felt he should have been mentioned as well.  (Source AS.com Online)

-Barcelona’s Jordi Alba came out criticizing Real Madrid for refusing to give Barcelona the honor guard for the Champions’ next match. Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said the team would follow the instructions of Zinedine Zidane who is opposed to the idea. (Source AS.com Online)

-Celta Vigo defender Jonny is linked with Atletico Madrid. (Source AS.com Online)

-Former Real Madrid defender Ivan Campo has opened up about the fact that he suffered with anxiety during his time with the club. (Source Marca.com Online)

-Former Real Madrid Manager, the Argentinean Jorge Valdano, came out against Zidane’s plan to deploy Lucas Vazquez as a right-back in their upcoming CL match vs. Bayern Munich. Valdano felt the player does not have enough experience to play in the position. (Source Marca.com Online)

European Matches involving Spanish Teams:

Tuesday, April 25, 2018:

Champions League, Semifinals, First Leg:

Bayern Munich 1-Real Madrid 2 (Joshua Kimmich 28 / Marcelo 44, Asensio 57)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

Europa League, Semifinals, First Leg:

Arsenal 1-Atletico Madrid 1 (Alexandre Lacazette 61 / Antoine Griezmann 82)

League Matchday (April 27-30, 2018):

Friday, April 27, 2018:

Levante 2-Sevilla 1 (Roger Marti 11, Jose Luis Morales 74 / Carlos Fernandez 16)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

Espanyol 1-Las Palmas 1 (Gerard Moreno 76 / Jonathan Calleri 29 pen)

Real Sociedad 3-Athletic Bilbao 1 (Mikel San Jose (own goal) 15, Mikel Oyarzabal 36, Mikel San Jose (own goal) 54 / Raul Garcia 59 pen)

Real Madrid 2-Leganes 1 (Gareth Bale 8, Borja Mayoral 45 / Darko Brasanac 66)

Villareal 4-Celta Vigo 1 (Carlos Bacca 13, 35, 38, Samuel Castillejo 90 / Pione Sisto 34)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

Getafe 1-Girona 1 (Amath 18 / Cristian Stuani 45 pen)

Alaves 0-Atletico Madrid 1 (Kevin Gameiro 78 pen)

Valencia 0-Eibar 0

Deportivo La Coruna 2-Barcelona 4 (Lucas Perez 40, Emre Colak 64 / Phillipe Coyinho 7, Lionel Messi 38, 82, 85)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

Real Betis 2-Malaga 1 (Ria Durmisi 24, Fabian 73 / Youssef En-Nesyri 20)

Top Goalscorer:

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 32 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 24 goals

Luis Suarez (Barcelona) 23 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	34	26	8	0	87	21	66	86
2	Atletico Madrid	35	22	9	4	55	18	37	75
3	Real Madrid	34	21	8	5	82	37	45	71
4	Valencia	35	20	7	8	62	36	26	66
5	Real Betis	35	18	5	12	56	54	2	59
6	Villareal	34	16	6	12	49	41	8	54

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

IV.  Germany

Bayern Munich suffered a set back at home as not only they lost to Real Madrid (1-2), but also lost to injury players such as Robben and Boateng.

In the weekend match vs. Frankfurt, Heynckes would rest many of the regulars and hand out debuts to youngsters with the second leg against Real Madrid in mind.

Koln would be relegated from the Bundesliga with Fortuna Dusseldorf earning promotion.

Diary:

Tuesday, April 24, 2018:

- Horst Heldt is set to leave Hannover to take charge at Wolfsburg for next season. The Swiss Martin Andermatt is set to replace him at Hannover. (Source Kicker.de online)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

- Bayern Munich’s David Alaba will miss today’s Champions League match vs. Real Madrid due to injury. (Source Marca.com online)

-RB Leipzig’s Sports Director Ralf Rangnick denied reports linking him to the Arsenal post. (Source Kicker.de online)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

-Bayern Munich were charged by UEFA following a pitch invasion and offensive banners during their Champions League match vs. Real Madrid. The case set to be dealt with on May 31^st. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng was injured in the match vs. Real Madrid and will miss the rest of the season. (Source Marca.com Online)

- Hannover’s Horst Heldt’s appointment to Wolfburg was called off as neither clubs could agree on terms for the transfer. (Source Sport Bild online)

- Bayer Leverkusen have signed 17 year-old Brazilian Paulinho from Vasco da Gama. The player will be able to officially sign on July 15^th when he turns 18. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Koln goalkeeper Timo Horn will remain with the club despite an exit clause in case of relegation. (Source Kicker.de online)

Friday, April 27, 2018:

-Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer stated that he is not certain to be able to make it back in time for the World Cup. The goalkeeper has been injured for most of the season and only recently has started to train. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Dortmund’s Greek defender Sokratis is linked with a transfer to Arsenal. (Source Kicker.de online)

-RB Leipzig Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl rejected rumors linking him to the Eintracht Frankfurt post. (Source Kicker.de online)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

-Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has been linked to Manchester United. (Source Sky Sports online)

- Bayern Munich Manager Jupp Heynckes rested many of his regulars for the league match vs. Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of Bayern’s match vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League. Three debutants were included in the lineup: Niklas Dorsch, Meritan Shabani and Lars Lukas Mai. This was Bayern’s youngest starting eleven in 47 years since 1971. (Source AS. Com online)

-Schalke Manager Domenico Tedesco has extended his contract with the club. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Fortuna Dusseldorf were promoted to the Bundesliga after defeating Dynamo Dresden (2-1). (Source Kicker.de online)

-The season is over for Hoffenheim’s Serge Gnabry after suffering an injury.   (Source Sport Bild online)

-Former German International Heiko Westermann (now in FK Asutria Vienna) has retired from playing. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Bayern Munich have signed Lars Lukas Mai to a professional contract. (Source Sport Bild online)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

-According to Lothar Matthaus, Real Madrid are not interested in Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski. (Source AS.com Online)

-After making his Bayern Munich debut Niklas Dorsch wants to leave the club. (Source AS.com Online)

-The season of Moenchengladbach’s Lars Stindl is over due to injury, as is any chance in playing in the World Cup. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Koln Vice President Harald Schumacher expressed that Koln’s relegation was an accident and different from the other relegations suffered by the club in the recent years. (Source Kicker.de online)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

-Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben is out of the return leg vs. Real Madrid due to injury and is not even named in the squad. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Schalke’s Max Meyer accused the Management of bullying him and named Sporting Director Christian Heidel as one of the culprits. The player had been accused of wanting to leave for more money. As a result of his outburst the club have dismissed him and barred him for the rest of the season. (Source AS.com Online)

-Former Manager Thomas Schaaf is the new Technical Director of Werder Bremen. (Source Sport Bild Online)

European Matches involving German Teams:

Tuesday, April 25, 2018:

Champions League, Semifinals, First Leg:

Bayern Munich 1-Real Madrid 2 (Joshua Kimmich 28 / Marcelo 44, Asensio 57)

League Matchday (April 27-29, 2018):

Friday, April 27, 2018:

Hoffenheim 3-Hannover 1 (Andrej Kramaric 16, 50, 86 / Kenan Karaman 24)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

Bayern Munich 4-Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Niklas Dorsch 43, Sandro Wagner 76, Rafinha 87, Niklas Sule 90 / Sebastien Haller 78)

Freiburg 3-Koln 2 (Nils Petersen 14, 52, Lucas Hoeler 90 / Leonardo Bittencourt 82, 87)

Hertha Berlin 2-Augsburg 2 (Vedad Ibisevic 84 pen, Davie Selke 87 / Michael Gregoritsch 32, Sergio Cordova 61)

Schalke 1-Moenchengladbach 1 (Daniel Caligiuri 45 pen / Raffael 32)

Wolfsburg 1-SV Hamburg 3 (Josip Brekalo 78 / Bobby Shou Wood 43 pen, Lewis Holtby 45, Gian-Luca Waldschmidt 90)

Bayer Leverkusen 0-Stuttgart 1 (Christian Gentner 67)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

Mainz 3–RB Leipzig 0 (Pablo De Blasis 29 pen, Alexandru Maxim 85, Bote Baku 90)

Werder Bremen 1-Dortmund 1 (Thomas Delaney 45 / Marco Reus 19)

Top Goalscorer:

Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) 28 goals

Kevin Volland (Bayer Leverkusen) 14 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Bayern Munich	32	26	3	3	88	23	65	81
2	Schalke	32	16	9	7	50	36	14	57
3	Dortmund	32	15	10	7	62	42	20	55
4	Hoffenheim	32	14	10	8	63	45	18	52
5	Bayer Leverkusen	32	14	9	9	55	42	13	51
6	RB Leipzig	32	13	8	11	47	50	-3	47

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

V.  France

The big news in France concerned the death of former Captain as well as National Team Manager Henri Michel.

Tributes came for all corner for a man considered to be a Gentleman in the game.

As far as the League, Monaco continued its implosion and lost its second spot to Lyon after a scoreless tie with Amiens.

Olympique Marseille took a step closer to the Europa League Final after defeating Salzburg (2-0).

There would be a war of words, between Lyon and Marseille Presidents concerning the incidents during their League encounter that had led to suspensions.

Photo From: L'Equipe, April 25, 2018

(Death of Henri Michel)

Photo From: L'Equipe, April 27, 2018

(April 26, 2018, Europa League League, Olympique Marseille 2-RB Leipzig 0)

Photo From: L'Equipe, April 28, 2018

(Eyraud and Aulas feud)

Diary:

Tuesday, April 24, 2018:

-Former Nantes midfielder and France National Team Manager Henri Michel passed away aged 70. He led France to the 1984 Olympics title and also to a third place finish in the 1986 World Cup. Afterwards he managed Nations such as Cameroon and Ivory Coast among others. (source: BBC Football Online)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

- Former France International and now commentator, Christophe Dugarry demanded Neymar should clarify his intentions with PSG for next season.

He accused the player of not speaking for himself and instead having others do it for him (like his father, etc). Dugarry had in the preceding weeks criticized the Brazilian for remaining in Brazil to nurse his injury and not being in France to celebrate the title win with his club (Source Marca.com online)

-Olympique Lyonnais President Jean-Michel Aulas accepted the League’s  disciplinary rulings (following the incidents in the match vs. OM on March 18^th). Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes was suspended for three matches and defender Marcelo for two matches. Marseille’s Adil Rami was suspended for three matches. Both clubs were also fined 100,000 Euros.

Aulas regretted the “attitude” of the Marseille crowd that created a tense atmosphere.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

-Bordeaux Manager Gustavo Poyet announced that as much as ten players of the current squad will leave over the summer to renew the squad. (Source L’Equipe online)

-PSG’s Belgian player Thomas Meunier ‘liked’ an OM fan on twitter. This started him receiving twitter abuse for the following days from PSG fans. (Source France Football Online)

Friday, April 27, 2018:

-Paris St. Germain Unai Emery officially announced that he would leave the club at the end of the season. (Source BBC Football Online)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

-Following verbal attacks by Olympique Marseille President Jacques-Henri Eyraud on Lyon’s Jean-Michel Aulas, Olympique Lyonnais announced that they might open a lawsuit against him. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

-PSG’s Edisnon Cavani by scoring twice vs. Guingamp became PSG’s all time top goalscorer with 115 goals. He appeared unaware that he had broken Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s record. (Source AS.com Online)

European Matches involving French Teams:

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

Europa League, Semifinals, First Leg:

Olympique Marseille 2-FC Salzburg 0 (Florian Thauvin 15, Clinto Njie 63)

League Matchday (April 25-29, 2018):

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

Caen 0-Toulouse 0

Friday, April 27, 2018:

Montpellier 0-Saint Etienne 1 (Romain Hamouma 10)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

Lyon 2-Nantes 0 (Memphis Depay 40, Betrand Traore 69)

Bordeaux 3-Dijon 1 (Younousse Sankhare 25, Francois Kamano 72 pen, Valentin Rosier (own goal) 80 / Naim Silti 54 pen)

Lille 3-Metz 1 (Luiz Araujo 13, Nicolas Pepe 45, Yves Bissouma 77 / Nolan Roux 49)

Monaco 0-Amiens 0

Strasbourg 1-OGC Nice 1 (Idris Saadi 21 / Mario Balotelli 59 pen)

Troyes 3-Caen 1 (Remy Vercoutre (own goal) 7, Benjamin Nivet 27, Hyun-Jun Suk 84 / Ivan Santini 4)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

Rennes 2-Toulouse 1 (Edward Lea Siliki 39, Bourigeaud 47 / Joris Gnagnon (own gola) 18)

Angers 1-Olympique Marseille 1 (Ismael Traore 79 / Florian Thauvin 3 pn)

Paris St. Germain 2-Guingamp 2 (Edinson Cavani 75 pen, 83/ Ludovic Blas 45, Jimmy Briand 68)

Top Goalscorer:

Edinson Cavani (Paris St. Germain) 27 goals

Neymar (Paris St. Germain) 19 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Paris St. Germain	35	29	4	2	106	25	81	91
2	Lyon	35	21	9	5	79	38	41	72
3	AS Monaco	35	21	8	6	79	44	35	71
4	Marseille	35	20	10	5	73	42	31	70
5	Saint Etienne	35	14	10	11	41	46	-5	52
6	Rennes	35	14	9	12	45	42	3	51

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

VI.  Holland

Ajax Amsterdam were guaranteed at least the Preliminary Round of the Champions League after consolidating second place with a (3-0) win over third place AZ Alkmaar. Ajax’s Nick Viergever and Mitchell Dijks said their  goodbyes to the public before the game, as both are to depart in the summer.

Twente Enschede were relegated from the Eredivisie. They last win the title in 2010.

Diary:

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

-Ajax Amsterdam representatives are in Argentina to sign Argentinean defender Lisandro Magallan from Boca Juniors.  (Source vi.nl online)

-Feyenoord Manager Giovanni van Bronckhurst expressed that he would like Robein van Persie for one more season.  (Source vi.nl online)

-Ajax Amsterdam has extended the contract of three of its younger players: Navajo Bakboord, Azor Matusiwa and Che Nunnely.  (Source vi.nl online)

-Jan Wouters left his position as Assistant Manager at Feyenoord. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

-Former Holland Manager Louis van Gaal is rumored to come out of retirement to manage again.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-PSV Eindhoven have offered a contract to 16 year old Belgian teenager Emmanuel Matuta. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

Friday, April 27, 2018:

-PSV Eindhoven Manager Phillip Cocu stated that Argentinean striker Maximilano Romero would not make his debut for PSV this season. Cocu does not want to risk him after being injured since January. (Source vi.nl online)

-Arie Haan is in a feud with former Anderlecht teammates Gilbert van Binst and Dutch compatriot Robby Rensenbrink following the release of his autobiography ‘Terug Naar Finsterwolde’. In his book he criticized his former teammates and two have hit back accusing him of hypocrisy concerning some of the allegations.  (Source Walfoot.be Online)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

- Ajax Amsterdam have released their new Away Jerseys for next season. The colors will be Black, Gold and White.  (Source vi.nl online)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

-Twente Enschede, last champions in 2010, were relegated after losing (0-5) to Vitesse.  (Source BBC Football online)

- Steven Berghuis was named Feyenoord’s player of the year.  (Source vi.nl online)

- Ajax player Mitchell Dijks will likely join Bologna. Nick Viergever is linked to PSV Eindhoven (Source vi.nl online)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

- English player Mason Mount currently at Vitesse (on loan from Chelsea) is linked with Ajax.  (Source vi.nl online)

- Danish midfielder Mathias Jensen is linked with Ajax, though there has been no contact according to the player.  (Source vi.nl online)

- Australian Craig Goodwin’s contract at Sparta was terminated after he stated that he wanted to leave the club.  (Source vi.nl online)

League Matchday (April 29, 2018):

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

ADO Den Haag 3-PSV Eindhoven 3 (Maars Johnsen 16, 72, El Khayati 27 pen / Hirving Lozano 11, Gaston Pereiro 58, 85)

Ajax 3-AZ Alkmaar 0 (Donny van de Beek 38, Justin Kluivert 49, David Neres 87)

Groningen 4-Excelsior 0 (Tom van Weert 42, 73, Samir Memisevic 45, Ritsu Doan 71)

Feyenoord 3-Sparta 1 (Steven Berghuis 45, 83, Frederik Holst (own goal) 65 / Fred Friday 34)

Heracles 2-Utrecht 2 (Brandley Kuwas 1, Jaroslav Navratil 5 / van de Streek 68, Mark van der Maarel 85)

NAC 3-Heerenveen 0 (Paolo Fernnades 6, Mitchell te Vrede 12, Pablo Mari Villar 47)

PEC Zwolle 0-Willem II 1 (Ismail Azzaoui 66)

VVV 1-Roda JC Kerkrade 4 (Torino Hunte 33 / Vansteenkiste 23, Adil Auassar 48, Dani Schahin 57, Mario Engels 77)

Vitesse 5-Twente 0 (Thulani Sereo 40, Tim Matavz 53, 88, Bryan Linssen 68, 71)

Top Goalscorer:

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (AZ Alkmaar) 18 goals

Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven) 17 goals

Bjorn Johnsen (ADO Den Haag) 17 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSV Eindhoven	33	24	4	3	87	39	48	82
2	Ajax	33	24	4	5	87	32	55	76
3	AZ Alkmaar	33	21	5	7	66	38	28	68
4	Feyenoord	33	19	6	8	73	37	36	63
5	Utrecht	33	13	12	8	57	53	4	51

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

VII.  Scotland

Celtic Glasgow celebrated its seventh successive title with a (5-0) win in the Old Firm Clash vs. Rangers Glasgow.

For Rangers, the rumor is that former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is a shoe-in to be the next manager.

Diary:

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

-Hull City’s Scottish goalkeeper Allan McGregor is set to return to Rangers Glasgow despite Hull keen on holding onto him.  (Source BBC Football Online via Daily Mail)

Hamilton Academical’s Ali Crawford is to sign with Hibernian. (Source BBC Football Online via Daily Record)

Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s Jake Mulraney is set to sign for Hearts, in exchange Angus Beith will move in the opposite direction. (Source Edinburgh Evening News)

- Rangers Glasgow are upset as Hibernian has allocated them only half of their allocation of tickets (as the away team) for the final League match of the season.  (Source Sky Sports online)

- Rangers Glasgow are about to sign Burnley’s Scott Arfield.  (Source Sky Sports online)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

-Former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is on a shortlist to be the next Rangers Glasgow Manager. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Hull City’s Scottish goalkeeper Allan McGregor has agreed to join Rangers Glasgow on a two-year deal. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Friday, April 27, 2018:

-Kilmarnock Manager Steve Clarke stated that he had received no offers to become the next Rangers Glasgow Manager (Source BBC Football Online)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

-Celtic Manager Brendan Rogers feels his counterpart at Rangers Graeme Murty has been treated with disrespect with all the speculation concerning his future. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Celtic Glasgow’s Kieran Tierney is linked with the likes of Tottenham, Manchester United and now Bournemouth. (Source vi.nl Online)

League Matchday (April 27-29, 2018):

Friday, April 27, 2018:

Aberdeen 2-Hearts 0 (Anthony O’Connor 21, Gary Mackay-Steven 37)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

Hamliton 2-Ross 0 (Dogue Imrie 56 pen, David templeton 67)

Hibernian 5-Kilmarnock 3 (Scott Allan 29, Steven Whittaker 54, Jamie Maclaren 64, Florian Kamberi 76, Brandon Barker 90 / Kris Boyd 33, 80, Stuart Findlay 61)

Motherwell 2-Dundee 1 (Ryan Bowman 28, Cedric Kipre 52 / Genseric Kusunga 23)

St Johnstone 1-Patrikc Thistle 1 (Joe Shaughnessy 39 / Connor Sammon 89 pen)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

Celtic 5-Rangers 0 (Odsonne Edouard 14, 41, James Forrest 48, Tom Rogic 46, Callum McGregor 53)

Top Goalscorer:

Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock) 18 goals

Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) 14 goals

Josh Windass (Rangers) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Celtic	35	23	9	3	70	23	47	78
2	Aberdeen	35	21	5	9	54	36	18	68
3	Rangers	35	20	5	10	69	44	25	65
4	Hibernian	35	18	11	6	56	39	17	65
5	Kilmarnock	35	15	10	10	48	46	2	55

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

VIII.  Portugal

Porto are virtual Champions after their win over Maritimo (1-0).  They now need a single win to clinch the title and end Benfica’s four year reign.

Benfica lost at home (2-3) to Tondela. This was the first time in 21 years that they have lost five straight home matches.

The last time was in the 1996/97 season, when they lost six straight home matches.

Diary:

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

- Porto’s Maxi Pereira is reported to be willing to lower his salary in order to stay with the club. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

- The agent of Argentinean player Nicolas Delgadillo (Velez Sarsfield) said that Sporting Lisbon have made an offer to the player (a loan with an option to buy). (Source Maisfutebol online)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

- The season of Porto’s Diogo Dalot is over after an injury in training. He will be undergoing surgery in the coming week. He will return in pre-season.  (Source Maisfutebol online)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

- Sporting Lison have signed Brazilian Midfielder Marco Tulio from Atletico Mineiro.  (Source Maisfutebol online)

League Matchday (April 27-29, 2018):

Friday, April 27, 2018:

Guimaraes 1-Moreirense 0 (Hurtado 90+2)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

Setubal 0-Feirense 2 (Joao Silva 63, 87)

Benfica 2-Tondela 3 (Pizzi 12, Eduardo Salvio 90 / Miguel Cardoso 31, 39, Tomane 81)

Portimonense 1-Sporting 2 (Fabricio 42 / Bruno Fernandes 23, 89)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

Boavista 1-Pacos de Ferreira 0 (Renato santos 83)

Rio Ave 2-Chaves 1 (Pele 66 pen, 80 pen / Matheus Pereira 90)

Maritimo 0-Porto 1 (Moussa Marega 89)

Belenenesses 0-Braga 1 (Paulinho 70)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

Aves 1-Estoril 0 (Nildo Petrolina 81)

Top Goalscorer:

Jonas (Benfica) 33 goals

Bas Dost (Sporting) 26 goals

Moussa Marega (Porto) 22 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Porto	32	26	4	2	79	17	62	82
2	Benfica	32	24	5	3	79	22	57	77
3	Sporting	32	24	5	3	62	22	40	77
4	Braga	32	24	2	6	73	27	46	74
5	Rio Ave	32	14	5	13	39	42	-3	47

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

IX.  Belgium

In Belgium, Club Brugge appear to be headed to win the League title.

Anderlecht are mostly planning for next season by lining up a number of transfers.

A story off the field, involved former National team Manager Marc Wilmots accusing Thibaut Courtois and his father of leaking his lineups to the media for profit when he was in charge of the National Team. Father and son are planning to open a lawsuit.

Diary:

Tuesday, April 24, 2018:

-Former Belgium Manager Marc Wilmots accused Thierry Courtois (the father of Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois) of leaking his National Team lineups to the media for money.  (Source Sport Bild online)

- Thibaut Courtois and his father are to file a lawsuit against Marc Wilmots concerning the allegations.  (Source RTBF.be online)

- Cristian Benavente extended his contract by four more years at Charleroi.  (Source RTBF.be online)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:

-Standard Liege has reportedly refused an offer (7 Million Euros allegedly from AS Roma) for their Romanian player Razvan Marin. AC Milan are also said to be interested in acquiring him.  (Source WALFOOT.be online)

-Anderlecht’s Leander Dendocker is linked with English club Crystal Palace.  (Source footnews.be online)

-Anderlecht have signed Mechelen defender Elias Cobbaut for a contract of five years.

Senna Niangue (currently at loan at Cagliari from Inter) is also linked with Anderlecht. (Source footnews.be online)

-Belgium’s Guillauem Gillet (currently at Olympikos) is linked with Amtwerp.  (Source footnews.be online)

-Gert Verheyn was appointed as the new Manager of Ostend replacing Adnan Custovic.  (Source footnews.be online)

-Chievo’s Belgian U-21 International Samuel Bastien is linked to Standard Liege.  (Source footnews.be online)

Friday, April 27, 2018:

-Romania National Team Manager Cosmin Contra has advised Standard Liege’s Razan Marin (on AS Roma’s radar) to keep as quiet as possible about his future transfer as he has many offers and could profit more from it.  (Source footnews.be online)

-Anderlecht’s Serbian International Ivan Obradovic’s injury could affect his World Cup chances.  (Source footnews.be online via Het Nieuwsblad)

-Arie Haan is in a feud with former Anderlecht teammates Gilbert van Binst and Dutch compatriot Robby Rensenbrink following the release of his autobiography ‘Terug Naar Finsterwolde’. In his book he criticized his former teammates and two have hit back accusing him of hypocrisy concerning some of the allegations.  (Source Walfoot.be Online)

Saturday, April 28, 2018:

-KV Mechelen have signed Belgian goalkeeper Bram Castro from Dutch club Heracles. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

-Former Barcelona B player, the Argentinean striker Sergio Araujo is linked with Club Brugge. He is currenly on loan at AEK Athens from Las Palmas.  (Source footnews.be online)

-Newcastle United’s Congo player Chancel Mbemba is linked to a return to Anderlecht according to ‘Sportwitness’.  (Source footnews.be online)

-Anderlecht are keen to sign Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels, who is on loan at the club from Newcastle United, on a permanent basis according to ‘Het Nieuwsblad’.  In addition, Eupen goalkeeper Hendrik van Crombrugge is also linked to Anderlecht. (Source footnews.be online)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

-Anderlecht’s Leon Dendoncker is linked to Atletico Madrid, in addition to Crystal Palace and Real Betis. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

-Former Anderlecht player Stephane Badji, now at Kayserisport at Turkey, attacked his former club. He said, “I would prefer to go to and play at Mazembe than return to Anderlecht! Never! Never!”.  (Source footnews.be online)

-Anderlecht have signed Albanian striker Kristal Abazaj, who was also linked with both Ajax and PSV Eindhoven.  (Source footnews.be online)

-Eupen goalkeeper Hendrik van Crombrugge has been linked with Anderlecht. He stated he would not join the club as an understudy.  (Source footnews.be online)

Monday, April 30, 2018:

-KV Mechelen have signed Nikola Storm from Club Brugge. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

-Anderlecht on-loan goalkeeper Davy Roef, could sign for Waasland-Beveren on permanent basis, as they have an option to buy.  (Source Walfoot.be Online)

-Frankie Vercautern has left his post as Manager of Cercle Brugge. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

League Matchday (April 27-29, 2018):

First Division A

Friday, April 27, 2018:

Genk 1-Club Brugge 1 (Leandro Trossard 69 / Wesley 65)

Sunday, April 29, 2018:

Anderlecht 3-Charleroi 1 (Pieter Gerkens 44, Ryota Morioka 57, Leander Dendoncker 73 / Kaveh Rezaei 70)

Gent 1-Standard Liege 3 (Rangelo Janga 43 / Gojko Cimirot 53, Edmilson Junior 58, Luis Pedro Cavanda 90)

Top Goalscorer:

Teddy Chevalier (Kortrijk) 21 goals

Hamid Harbaoui (Zulte-Waregem) 19 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Club Brugge	6	2	2	2	12	7	5	42
2	Anderlecht	6	3	0	3	8	8	0	37
3	Standard Liege	6	4	1	1	11	7	4	35
4	Gent	6	2	1	3	5	6	-1	32
5	Genk	6	2	3	1	6	5	1	31

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

Diary (extra):

Thursday, April 26, 2018:

-Swedish Federation Chief Lars Richt announced that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be recalled for the World Cup. (Source BBC Football Online)

Friday, April 27, 2018:

-The head of the Brazilian Federation Marco Polo Del Nero was banned for life by FIFA for any football related activity after opening an ethics investigation on him back on November 2015.  (Source Daily Telegraph online)

-Mexico Legend Hugo Sanchez criticized Mexico’s current National Team Manager Juan Carlos Osorio. According to Sanchez, the team has no clear style of play.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Diego Maradona resigned as Manager of the UAE Second Division club Al Fujairah after failing promotion. (Source BBC Football Online)