After the end of the World Cup in Qatar, several European countries resume their national championships, still in this month of December. The Worlds at the end of the year messed up the calendar, with teams having forced vacations, but returning with problems of injury, suspension and even exits.
England, France, Portugal and Spain are the first of the major championships to return, with rounds scheduled until the end of the month.
On Monday, the 26th, the British hold the so-called Boxing Day, the post-Christmas round, a tradition in the country.
One of the explanations for the round would be that, in the past, the day after Christmas, the population donated gifts that came in boxes (‘boxes’, in English) to the most needy. Hence the day was born.
Arsenal leads the league, with 37 points, 5 more than Manchester City, in second place. The London team faces West Ham, at home, with an important absence. Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who scored five league goals, suffered an injury to his right knee, underwent surgery and is unlikely to play again this season.
During the break, Arsenal faced Milan in a friendly in Dubai and won 2-1.
Liverpool, who have been campaigning unevenly this season — they are in sixth place, 15 points behind the leader — no longer had the Portuguese Diogo Jota, who was injured on the eve of the World Cup, and has now lost the Colombian striker. Luiz Díaz, who underwent surgery on his right knee and should only return to play in March.
The return of the Englishman also marks the end of the Cristiano Ronaldo era at Manchester United. The ace terminated with the club during the World Cup in Qatar after friction with Dutch coach Erik Ten Hag.
Spain also resumes its championship this month. On the 29th, the teams return to the field for the 15th round. Barcelona is at the top, with 37 points, 2 more than rival Real Madrid, which is in second place.
Barcelona will be without striker Lewandovski, top scorer in the league with 13 goals. The Pole was expelled in the last match before the Cup, in the 2-1 victory over Osasuna, and was suspended for three games for disrespecting the referee. Barça tries to reverse the punishment.
Real Madrid should have Benzema back. The French striker was ruled out of the World Cup due to injury but has returned to training. On Thursday (15) he was on the field for a few minutes in the 1-1 draw against Leganés, in a friendly.
The French also ended the year with the ball rolling. The 16th round of the national championship is scheduled for the 28th, with the leader PSG facing Strasbourg.
It is unknown which team PSG will put on the pitch, as their main players are in the Cup, and Neymar, who suffered an injury to his right ankle during the World Cup, was given a few days of rest.
PSG has 41 points, 5 more than Lens, who play on the 29th against Nice.
The Portuguese Championship has an isolated game of the 14th round on the 23rd —Rio Ave faces Marítimo—, but the other clubs return on the 28th. However, the teams did not stop, as the calendar had League Cup matches during the Qatar World Cup .
The leader of the championship is Benfica, with 37 points. Rival Porto is behind, with 29. Sporting is in fourth place, with 25, 3 points behind Braga, the surprise of the championship.
Italy returns with the 15th round on January 4, with the classic between the leader, Napoli, and Inter Milan, in fifth place. The team from Naples has a comfortable lead in the standings, with 41 points, 8 more than vice-leader Milan.
The Italian should come back with something new. Lorenzo Casini, president of the Serie A League, said in an interview with TV Rai that the automatic offside used in the World Cup will also be implemented in the country when the championship resumes.
Germany is the last of the big leagues to return. The championship will only resume on January 20. Bayern Munich are at the top with 34 points. Next comes Freiburg, with 30.
Bayern come back with a big loss. Goalkeeper Neuer suffered a broken right leg while skiing on 9 December. He underwent surgery and will only return to play in the second half of 2023.
In addition, French defender Lucas Hernández suffered a serious injury to his right knee in the first minutes of France’s debut in the World Cup in Qatar and should not return to the pitch this season, missing the Munich team.
Situation of the championships in Europe
Germany
Return: 1/20
Classification
- 1st Bayern: 34
- 2nd Freiburg: 30
- 3rd RB Leipzig: 28
Italy
Return: 4/1
Classification
- 1st Napoli: 41
- 2nd Milan: 33
- 3rd Juventus: 31
Spain
Return: 12/29
Classification
- 1st Barcelona: 37
- 2nd Real Madrid: 35
- 3rd Real Sociedad: 26
England
Return: 12/26
Classification
- 1st Arsenal: 37
- 2nd Manchester City: 32
- 3rd Newcastle: 30
France
Return: 12/28
Classification
- 1st PSG: 41
- 2nd Lens: 36
- 3rd Rennes: 31
Portugal
Return: 12/23
Classification
- 1st Benfica: 37
- 2nd Port: 29
- 3rd Braga: 28
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