Napoli’s irrepressible march towards their first Serie A title since 1990 continued unabated when they brushed aside newcomers Cremonese 3-0 on Sunday evening. The victory lifted Luciano Spalletti’s pacesetters to 59 points, 16 clear of Inter Milan who are set to face struggling Sampdoria on Monday night. The Neapolitans points cushion puts them within striking distance of the all time record of 22 set by the Nerrazzuri when they lifted Italy’s top flight title in 2006/7.
European football’s most lethal striking partnership are fueling the drive to land the club’s third ever Scudetto. Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratchkelia have between them already been involved in 38 Serie A goals, with the Nigerian speed demon leading the hunt for the Capocannonieri or Paolo Rossi award given to the division’s leading scorer with 17 goals.Nicknamed Kvaradonna in tribute to the club’s legendary captain Diego Armando Maradona, who guided Partenopei to Serie A crowns in 1987 and 1990, Georgian wing wizard Kvaratchkelia leads the continent’s creative chart with 9 assists and as many goals.
Barcelona opened up an eleven point advantage over the chasing pack by edging hard battling Villarreal 1-0 at the Estadio de la Ceramica with Euro 2020 young footballer of the year Pedro Gonzalez ‘Pedri’ grabbing the lone goal. Reigning Fifa Club World Cup, Champions League and Liga Santander champions Real Madrid can move back within eight points of Xavi Hernandez’s reshaped Blaugrana if they overcome basement club Elche on Wednesday night.
In Germany, Bayern Munich registered their first win since the Bundesliga restart by whipping Bochum 3-0 at the Allianz Arena. Victory over the newcomers kept the Bavarians a point above upstarts Union Berlin, who confounded football’s cognoscenti by upstaging RB Leipzig 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena. Edin Terzic’s resurgent Borussia Dortmund meanwhile won their fifth successive game, 2-0 at Werder Bremen, to move into third place, three points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Across the English channel, Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions Manchester City moved within three points of leaders Arsenal by overcoming Aston Villa 3-1, 24 hours after Mikel Arteta’s Gunners were held to a one all draw by Brentford in a feisty London derby. Record champions Manchester United are five points off title pace after subduing Leeds United 2-0 thanks to goals from man of the moment Marcus Rashford and teenage prodigy Alejandro Garnacho. Arsenal host Manchester City on Wednesday in the mother of all match ups.
And in France, pressure is building on Paris Saint Germain manager Christopher Galtier following his side 1-3 reverse at Monaco. The Parisian moneybags retain a five point cushion atop the Ligue One standings despite their second consecutive loss, following a midweek Coupe de France defeat at Olympique Marseille. Igor Tudor’s 1993 European champions are second thanks to a 2-0 win at Clermont Foot.