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European football leagues (La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A, etc.) 2022-23 Discussion Thread
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January 14 scores
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AC Milan showed spirit by coming from two goals down to draw at Lecce but lost ground on Serie A leaders Napoli this weekend.
Theo Hernandez put through his own net after three minutes and then Federico Baschirotto doubled the hosts' lead.
Portuguese forward Rafael Leao halved the deficit just before the hour and Davide Calabria levelled with 20 minutes remaining.
The Rossoneri have won only once since the World Cup.
Stefano Pioli's side are now nine points adrift of Napoli, who thumped Juventus 5-1 on Friday to strengthen their push for a first league title in 33 years.
Their city rivals Inter stay fourth but sit just a point behind after they squeezed past Hellas Verona at the San Siro.
Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal inside three minutes with an excellent low finish for his ninth league of the season.
With half-time looming, Inter wanted a penalty when Henrikh Mkhitaryan's shot appeared to strike Isak Hien's elbow in the area.
It was checked, but the video assistant referee didn't budge, much to Nerazzuri boss Simone Inzaghi's annoyance.
Martinez thought he had doubled the lead with a delicate chip just past the hour, but his joy was cut short as he was penalised for a foul on Pawel Dawidowicz.
But Inter's dominance and composure saw them over the line despite a late rally from Verona.
Theo Hernandez put through his own net after three minutes and then Federico Baschirotto doubled the hosts' lead.
Portuguese forward Rafael Leao halved the deficit just before the hour and Davide Calabria levelled with 20 minutes remaining.
The Rossoneri have won only once since the World Cup.
Stefano Pioli's side are now nine points adrift of Napoli, who thumped Juventus 5-1 on Friday to strengthen their push for a first league title in 33 years.
Their city rivals Inter stay fourth but sit just a point behind after they squeezed past Hellas Verona at the San Siro.
Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal inside three minutes with an excellent low finish for his ninth league of the season.
With half-time looming, Inter wanted a penalty when Henrikh Mkhitaryan's shot appeared to strike Isak Hien's elbow in the area.
It was checked, but the video assistant referee didn't budge, much to Nerazzuri boss Simone Inzaghi's annoyance.
Martinez thought he had doubled the lead with a delicate chip just past the hour, but his joy was cut short as he was penalised for a foul on Pawel Dawidowicz.
But Inter's dominance and composure saw them over the line despite a late rally from Verona.
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Leaders Paris St-Germain suffered a second successive away defeat in Ligue 1 as Rennes claimed a deserved 1-0 victory.
Atalanta became the first team to score eight goals in a Serie A game since 1996 as they demolished Salernitana 8-2.
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Barcelona comfortably made it through to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey by thrashing third-tier side Ceuta.
Raphinha curled home in the first half, while Robert Lewandowski scored twice in the second period, converting from close range and stroking in for 5-0.
In between, 20-year-old Ansu Fati added a superb solo effort and midfielder Franck Kessie powerfully headed home.
Real Madrid also progressed to the last eight, staging a stunning second-half comeback to win 3-2 at Villarreal.
Carlo Ancelotti's men had fallen 2-0 behind in the first half courtesy of goals from Etienne Capoue and Samuel Chukwueze.
But the visitors responded in superb fashion, as Vinicius Jr and Eder Militao drew them level before Dani Ceballos netted the winner four minutes from time.
Real are in the last 16 of the Champions League and travel to Liverpool in the first leg on 21 February.
Meanwhile, Barca are aiming for a league and cup double and are three points clear of Real at the top of La Liga.
Managed by their former star midfielder Xavi, Barcelona are also in the play-off round of the Europa League, hosting Manchester United in the first leg on 16 February.
Raphinha curled home in the first half, while Robert Lewandowski scored twice in the second period, converting from close range and stroking in for 5-0.
In between, 20-year-old Ansu Fati added a superb solo effort and midfielder Franck Kessie powerfully headed home.
Real Madrid also progressed to the last eight, staging a stunning second-half comeback to win 3-2 at Villarreal.
Carlo Ancelotti's men had fallen 2-0 behind in the first half courtesy of goals from Etienne Capoue and Samuel Chukwueze.
But the visitors responded in superb fashion, as Vinicius Jr and Eder Militao drew them level before Dani Ceballos netted the winner four minutes from time.
Real are in the last 16 of the Champions League and travel to Liverpool in the first leg on 21 February.
Meanwhile, Barca are aiming for a league and cup double and are three points clear of Real at the top of La Liga.
Managed by their former star midfielder Xavi, Barcelona are also in the play-off round of the Europa League, hosting Manchester United in the first leg on 16 February.
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Brazil defender Dani Alves has been detained by police in Barcelona on suspicion of sexual assault.
The former Barcelona full-back, 39, allegedly assaulted a woman by inappropriately touching her in a nightclub in Barcelona in December.
Alves, who has denied the allegation, has been taken into custody and will be questioned by a judge on Friday.
He played 408 times for Barcelona across two spells and was also part of Brazil's 2022 World Cup squad.
The defender currently plays for Pumas UNAM in Mexico.
Local police Mossos d'Esquadra confirmed the details to Reuters and AFP news agencies.
The former Barcelona full-back, 39, allegedly assaulted a woman by inappropriately touching her in a nightclub in Barcelona in December.
Alves, who has denied the allegation, has been taken into custody and will be questioned by a judge on Friday.
He played 408 times for Barcelona across two spells and was also part of Brazil's 2022 World Cup squad.
The defender currently plays for Pumas UNAM in Mexico.
Local police Mossos d'Esquadra confirmed the details to Reuters and AFP news agencies.
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Juventus: Serie A giants docked 15 points for transfer dealings
Juventus have been docked 15 points following an investigation into the club's past transfer dealings, Italy's football federation (FIGC) says.
The Serie A giants were accused of fixing their balance sheets by artificial gains from club transfers.
Juventus had been in third place but the penalty will drop them to 10th.
The club's board of directors, including former president Andrea Agnelli and vice-president Pavel Nedved, resigned in November.
Juventus have denied any wrongdoing and confirmed they will appeal the decision.
In a statement, the club said they "await the publication of the reasons of the decision" but have started bringing an appeal to the Sport Guarantee Board of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).
The FIGC's sanction is tougher than the nine-point deduction prosecutors had requested.
Juve's former sports director Fabio Paratici, now Tottenham's managing director of football, has been banned for 30 months.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64355497
Juventus have been docked 15 points following an investigation into the club's past transfer dealings, Italy's football federation (FIGC) says.
The Serie A giants were accused of fixing their balance sheets by artificial gains from club transfers.
Juventus had been in third place but the penalty will drop them to 10th.
The club's board of directors, including former president Andrea Agnelli and vice-president Pavel Nedved, resigned in November.
Juventus have denied any wrongdoing and confirmed they will appeal the decision.
In a statement, the club said they "await the publication of the reasons of the decision" but have started bringing an appeal to the Sport Guarantee Board of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).
The FIGC's sanction is tougher than the nine-point deduction prosecutors had requested.
Juve's former sports director Fabio Paratici, now Tottenham's managing director of football, has been banned for 30 months.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64355497
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Napoli went 12 points above second-placed AC Milan at the top of Serie A after beating Salernitana 2-0.
High-flying Freiburg were thrashed 6-0 at Wolfsburg as they failed to close the gap on leaders Bayern Munich.
A first-half flurry helped Atletico Madrid thrash Real Valladolid 3-0 and stay in the top four in the La Liga table.
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Goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos helped Real Madrid win at Athletic Bilbao to move back to within three points of league leaders Barcelona.
Ballon d'Or holder Benzema extended his run to six goals in five league matches with a sublime contorted volley.
It helped Carlo Ancelotti's side bounce back after defeats in their last league match at Villarreal and against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.
Barca had moved six points clear with a win against Getafe earlier on Sunday.
==
Barcelona maintained their lead at the top of La Liga after a goal from Spain international Pedri proved enough to seal victory at home to Getafe.
Xavi's side were without suspended forwards Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
But Pedri's well-worked fifth goal of the season sealed a 14th league win.
The Catalan side briefly opened up a six-point gap over second-placed Real Madrid, before their rivals responded with a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.
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Kylian Mbappe scored five goals as Paris St-Germain ran riot against sixth-tier Pays de Cassel to reach the last 16 of the French Cup.
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Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal as Barcelona beat in-form Real Sociedad 1-0 to book their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
The visitors, who had won their previous nine games, had Brais Mendez sent off in the first half for a dangerous tackle on Sergio Busquets.
Dembele settled the tie when he ran onto Jules Kounde's ball down the right wing before hammering in from an angle.
Gavi almost put the game beyond doubt but hit the bar.
The visitors, who had won their previous nine games, had Brais Mendez sent off in the first half for a dangerous tackle on Sergio Busquets.
Dembele settled the tie when he ran onto Jules Kounde's ball down the right wing before hammering in from an angle.
Gavi almost put the game beyond doubt but hit the bar.
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Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico Madrid after extra time to advance to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
Atletico took the lead with Alvaro Morata scoring from close range following Nahuel Molina's low cross.
Real were 11 minutes from going out but equalised when Rodrygo beat three players and scored a wonderful goal.
Atletico's Stefan Savic was sent off for two bookable offences, before Karim Benzema put Real ahead in the 104th minute with Vinicius Jr adding a third.
Benzema steered a low shot past Jan Oblak after the visitors had failed to deal with Marco Asensio's low cross and Vinicius Jr sealed the victory as he passed the ball into the bottom corner after a fine run.
Atletico took the lead with Alvaro Morata scoring from close range following Nahuel Molina's low cross.
Real were 11 minutes from going out but equalised when Rodrygo beat three players and scored a wonderful goal.
Atletico's Stefan Savic was sent off for two bookable offences, before Karim Benzema put Real ahead in the 104th minute with Vinicius Jr adding a third.
Benzema steered a low shot past Jan Oblak after the visitors had failed to deal with Marco Asensio's low cross and Vinicius Jr sealed the victory as he passed the ball into the bottom corner after a fine run.
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Pedri came off the bench to score the winner as Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to six points with a slender 1-0 win over Girona.
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Real Madrid lost ground in the La Liga title race as they were held to a goalless draw at home to Real Sociedad.
Giovanni Simeone's late goal helped Napoli to a narrow 2-1 win over Roma and saw them open up a 13-point gap at the top of Serie A.
On-loan Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser for Reims against 10-man Paris St-Germain.
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Team news
Real Madrid v Valencia (20:00 GMT)
Real Madrid make one change from their goalless draw with Real Sociedad as Luka Modric returns to the starting line-up in place of Federico Valverde.
There are four changes to Valencia's team from their 1-0 defeat against Real Valladolid as Mouctar Diakhaby, Gabriel Paulista, Dimitri Foulquier and Hugo Guillamó come in.
Real Madrid v Valencia (20:00 GMT)
Real Madrid make one change from their goalless draw with Real Sociedad as Luka Modric returns to the starting line-up in place of Federico Valverde.
There are four changes to Valencia's team from their 1-0 defeat against Real Valladolid as Mouctar Diakhaby, Gabriel Paulista, Dimitri Foulquier and Hugo Guillamó come in.
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Real Madrid beat 10-man Valencia to cut Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga to five points.
Los Blancos took the lead through a stunning left-footed strike from Marco Asensio in the 52nd minute.
Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr celebrated his 200th Real appearance with his side's second goal two minutes later.
Gabriel Paulista was shown a straight red card for the visitors in the 72nd minute for kicking out at Vinicius.
Antonio Rudiger thought he had opened the scoring for the hosts in first-half stoppage time when he headed home from Luka Modric's cross.
However, the goal was ruled out after a video assistant referee intervention for a Karim Benzema foul on Yunus Musah in the box.
France forward Benzema, 35, was substituted on the hour mark and walked off the pitch holding the back of his thigh.
Real travel to Liverpool on 21 February for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, but manager Carlo Ancelotti said Benzema's injury was "very light".
Ancelotti told DAZN: "This is what happens when you play every three days and there is no time to recover."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64500528
Los Blancos took the lead through a stunning left-footed strike from Marco Asensio in the 52nd minute.
Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr celebrated his 200th Real appearance with his side's second goal two minutes later.
Gabriel Paulista was shown a straight red card for the visitors in the 72nd minute for kicking out at Vinicius.
Antonio Rudiger thought he had opened the scoring for the hosts in first-half stoppage time when he headed home from Luka Modric's cross.
However, the goal was ruled out after a video assistant referee intervention for a Karim Benzema foul on Yunus Musah in the box.
France forward Benzema, 35, was substituted on the hour mark and walked off the pitch holding the back of his thigh.
Real travel to Liverpool on 21 February for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, but manager Carlo Ancelotti said Benzema's injury was "very light".
Ancelotti told DAZN: "This is what happens when you play every three days and there is no time to recover."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64500528
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Sebastien Haller scored his first goal since recovering from testicular cancer as Borussia Dortmund thrashed Freiburg.
The former West Ham striker, who returned to action three weeks ago, scored the third goal with a 51st-minute header in front of the Westfalenstadion's 'Yellow Wall'.
Haller was diagnosed days after signing for Dortmund as Erling Haaland's replacement, and needed two operations.
The 28-year-old has had four rounds of chemotherapy, and surgery in November.
Haller returned to the pitch on January 22 in a 4-3 home league win over Augsburg, before making his first Dortmund start against Bayer Leverkusen a week later.
Dortmund cruised to victory over Freiburg, who had Kiliann Sidillia sent off after 17 minutes.
Nico Schlotterbeck, Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt and Gio Reyna got on the scoresheet for Dortmund, as well as Haller, as they moved up to third in the Bundesliga, two points off leaders Union Berlin.
==
The former West Ham striker, who returned to action three weeks ago, scored the third goal with a 51st-minute header in front of the Westfalenstadion's 'Yellow Wall'.
Haller was diagnosed days after signing for Dortmund as Erling Haaland's replacement, and needed two operations.
The 28-year-old has had four rounds of chemotherapy, and surgery in November.
Haller returned to the pitch on January 22 in a 4-3 home league win over Augsburg, before making his first Dortmund start against Bayer Leverkusen a week later.
Dortmund cruised to victory over Freiburg, who had Kiliann Sidillia sent off after 17 minutes.
Nico Schlotterbeck, Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt and Gio Reyna got on the scoresheet for Dortmund, as well as Haller, as they moved up to third in the Bundesliga, two points off leaders Union Berlin.
==
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Saturday 4th Feb Results
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Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga table with a comfortable win at Wolfsburg despite playing for more than 30 minutes with 10 men.
Kingsley Coman scored twice inside the first 14 minutes and Thomas Muller headed in a third five minutes later.
Jakub Kaminski pulled a goal back just before half-time and Joshua Kimmich was then sent off in the 54th minute.
But Jamal Musiala added a fourth for Bayern before Mattias Svanberg netted a late second for Wolfsburg.
Kimmich was shown a red for catching Maximilian Arnold but the champions shrugged off his dismissal as they rallied to end a run of three league matches without a win.
Wolfsburg thought they had added a third in the 84th minute through Yannick Gerhardt but Ridle Baku was adjudged to have fouled Leon Goretzka in the build up.
Victory moves Bayern a point ahead of second-place
Kingsley Coman scored twice inside the first 14 minutes and Thomas Muller headed in a third five minutes later.
Jakub Kaminski pulled a goal back just before half-time and Joshua Kimmich was then sent off in the 54th minute.
But Jamal Musiala added a fourth for Bayern before Mattias Svanberg netted a late second for Wolfsburg.
Kimmich was shown a red for catching Maximilian Arnold but the champions shrugged off his dismissal as they rallied to end a run of three league matches without a win.
Wolfsburg thought they had added a third in the 84th minute through Yannick Gerhardt but Ridle Baku was adjudged to have fouled Leon Goretzka in the build up.
Victory moves Bayern a point ahead of second-place
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5th Feb:
Real Madrid were stunned 1-0 at Mallorca in La Liga with midfielder Marco Asensio missing a penalty against his former club.
Barcelona moved eight points clear at the top of La Liga as a clinical second-half performance helped them to a routine 3-0 victory against Sevilla.
Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal as Inter Milan beat city rivals AC Milan 1-0 at the San Siro.
Real Madrid were stunned 1-0 at Mallorca in La Liga with midfielder Marco Asensio missing a penalty against his former club.
Barcelona moved eight points clear at the top of La Liga as a clinical second-half performance helped them to a routine 3-0 victory against Sevilla.
Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal as Inter Milan beat city rivals AC Milan 1-0 at the San Siro.
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It started with a hero's welcome.
When he arrived as Valencia's new owner in October 2014, Peter Lim was greeted with glee by fans who hoped the Singaporean businessman would rescue their club from a perilous financial position caused by years of over-ambitious spending.
Fans were optimistic Lim's takeover, through his Hong Kong-based Meriton Holdings company, would propel Valencia back to the summit of European football - the lofty heights they occupied at the turn of the century with consecutive Champions League final appearances in 2000 and 2001 and two La Liga titles in 2002 and 2004.
But the initial goodwill towards Lim soon started to dissipate following a series of strange managerial appointments and a close relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes.
Valencia-based journalist Paco Polit is clear about why the tide started to turn against Lim, who also co-owns English League Two club Salford City alongside a group of former Manchester United players including his most unsuccessful coaching appointment, Gary Neville.
"The change in attitude towards Lim started in the summer of 2015," Polit told BBC Sport.
"Having been his biggest advocate and helping him buy the club for peanuts, president Amadeo Salvo left after a power struggle with Jorge Mendes and [then-manager and Mendes client] Nuno Espirito Santo. The subsequent cascade of mistakes seriously damaged Lim's public image."
Any lingering feelings of support towards Lim among Valencia fans were destroyed for good in 2019.
The team won the Copa del Rey, defeating Barcelona in a thrilling final, and finished fourth in La Liga - but Lim reacted by parting company with manager Marcelino and director of football Mateu Alemany following disagreements over transfer policy.
"That was crucial towards the perception that Lim doesn't really care about the club's fate," says Polit. "Especially when you also consider his open conflict with the Valencian government and city hall, no investment in signings, repeatedly selling the team's best players for relatively low fees, a careless attitude towards the club's history, disrespecting the fans… the list could go on and on."
The managerial revolving door has continued to spin since Marcelino's departure, with his successors Javi Gracia, Albert Celades and Jose Bordalas all heading out after one season.
The latest hapless incumbent was Gennaro Gattuso, who made a bright start to the new campaign but departed last week after just half a season in charge, following a dip in results and reported disagreements with Lim over the failure to sign any players in the January transfer window.
So now, long-serving coach Voro is again managing the team on a caretaker basis - for the eighth time - while Lim searches for a 10th permanent manager in less than nine years.
Voro is overseeing the youngest squad in La Liga, one which had no mid-season reinforcements. They are on a four-game losing run and are just one point clear of the relegation zone.
Whoever is appointed, Polit does not hold any optimism for the future.
"No manager in the world will be able to succeed while Peter Lim and the current management model are in place. Absolutely nobody," he said.
"They're doomed before even starting. All of the recent managers have made the same assessment of the main problems: Valencia isn't run as a proper club and Peter Lim isn't invested in the success of the team.
"The squad is getting weaker every season, and taking everything into account… relegation is inevitable. It will happen eventually, even if not this season."
With that prospect looming large, the club's supporters have had enough. Under the name Libertad VCF -Freedom for Valencia FC - different fan groups have come together to plan massive protests for Saturday's home meeting with Athletic Bilbao.
Whether he pays any attention to the dissent is another matter though, because maintaining a good relationship with the club's supporters has never appeared to feature highly on the reclusive Lim's list of priorities.
So what exactly does he want to achieve? Lim's reluctance to address the media or appear in public - he has not attended a game in Valencia since December 2018 - means it is difficult to ascertain what his ambitions for the club might be.
He did however tell the Financial Times in a rare 2021 interview that he regards Valencia as a "trophy asset" which has been "incredibly good for networking".
Those comments clearly didn't do much to appease Valencia fans, leading COPE Radio and Marca reporter Pedro Morata to a dark conclusion.
"This man is sitting on his sofa in Singapore and playing with Valencia like a toy," Morata told BBC Sport. "It's incredible, but that's how it is. Nobody understands why he bought the club. Fans are ashamed of their club because of him.
"Valencia will continue to sink as long as Lim stays, because he has abandoned the club to people who don't know about football. The only future is a change in ownership, and to pray the next one is better."
Although it is impossible to accurately judge his intentions, so far Lim has shown no inclination of selling up. But unless something changes, Valencia's dramatic decline looks set to continue
BBC
When he arrived as Valencia's new owner in October 2014, Peter Lim was greeted with glee by fans who hoped the Singaporean businessman would rescue their club from a perilous financial position caused by years of over-ambitious spending.
Fans were optimistic Lim's takeover, through his Hong Kong-based Meriton Holdings company, would propel Valencia back to the summit of European football - the lofty heights they occupied at the turn of the century with consecutive Champions League final appearances in 2000 and 2001 and two La Liga titles in 2002 and 2004.
But the initial goodwill towards Lim soon started to dissipate following a series of strange managerial appointments and a close relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes.
Valencia-based journalist Paco Polit is clear about why the tide started to turn against Lim, who also co-owns English League Two club Salford City alongside a group of former Manchester United players including his most unsuccessful coaching appointment, Gary Neville.
"The change in attitude towards Lim started in the summer of 2015," Polit told BBC Sport.
"Having been his biggest advocate and helping him buy the club for peanuts, president Amadeo Salvo left after a power struggle with Jorge Mendes and [then-manager and Mendes client] Nuno Espirito Santo. The subsequent cascade of mistakes seriously damaged Lim's public image."
Any lingering feelings of support towards Lim among Valencia fans were destroyed for good in 2019.
The team won the Copa del Rey, defeating Barcelona in a thrilling final, and finished fourth in La Liga - but Lim reacted by parting company with manager Marcelino and director of football Mateu Alemany following disagreements over transfer policy.
"That was crucial towards the perception that Lim doesn't really care about the club's fate," says Polit. "Especially when you also consider his open conflict with the Valencian government and city hall, no investment in signings, repeatedly selling the team's best players for relatively low fees, a careless attitude towards the club's history, disrespecting the fans… the list could go on and on."
The managerial revolving door has continued to spin since Marcelino's departure, with his successors Javi Gracia, Albert Celades and Jose Bordalas all heading out after one season.
The latest hapless incumbent was Gennaro Gattuso, who made a bright start to the new campaign but departed last week after just half a season in charge, following a dip in results and reported disagreements with Lim over the failure to sign any players in the January transfer window.
So now, long-serving coach Voro is again managing the team on a caretaker basis - for the eighth time - while Lim searches for a 10th permanent manager in less than nine years.
Voro is overseeing the youngest squad in La Liga, one which had no mid-season reinforcements. They are on a four-game losing run and are just one point clear of the relegation zone.
Whoever is appointed, Polit does not hold any optimism for the future.
"No manager in the world will be able to succeed while Peter Lim and the current management model are in place. Absolutely nobody," he said.
"They're doomed before even starting. All of the recent managers have made the same assessment of the main problems: Valencia isn't run as a proper club and Peter Lim isn't invested in the success of the team.
"The squad is getting weaker every season, and taking everything into account… relegation is inevitable. It will happen eventually, even if not this season."
With that prospect looming large, the club's supporters have had enough. Under the name Libertad VCF -Freedom for Valencia FC - different fan groups have come together to plan massive protests for Saturday's home meeting with Athletic Bilbao.
Whether he pays any attention to the dissent is another matter though, because maintaining a good relationship with the club's supporters has never appeared to feature highly on the reclusive Lim's list of priorities.
So what exactly does he want to achieve? Lim's reluctance to address the media or appear in public - he has not attended a game in Valencia since December 2018 - means it is difficult to ascertain what his ambitions for the club might be.
He did however tell the Financial Times in a rare 2021 interview that he regards Valencia as a "trophy asset" which has been "incredibly good for networking".
Those comments clearly didn't do much to appease Valencia fans, leading COPE Radio and Marca reporter Pedro Morata to a dark conclusion.
"This man is sitting on his sofa in Singapore and playing with Valencia like a toy," Morata told BBC Sport. "It's incredible, but that's how it is. Nobody understands why he bought the club. Fans are ashamed of their club because of him.
"Valencia will continue to sink as long as Lim stays, because he has abandoned the club to people who don't know about football. The only future is a change in ownership, and to pray the next one is better."
Although it is impossible to accurately judge his intentions, so far Lim has shown no inclination of selling up. But unless something changes, Valencia's dramatic decline looks set to continue
BBC
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Paris St-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe apologised to the team's away fans through a megaphone following their 3-1 defeat at Monaco in Ligue 1.
Bayern Munich "need to improve" for Tuesday's Champions League trip to Paris St-Germain despite a third straight win, says Julian Nagelsmann.
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Bayern Munich could be overtaken by Union Berlin at the top of the Bundesliga on Sunday after the champions' losing streak against Borussia Monchengladbach continued.
After Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano was sent off early on, Gladbach quickly took the lead through Lars Stindl.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting equalised before half-time, but Jonas Hofmann and Marcus Thuram put the hosts in command.
Mathys Tel scored late but the 3-2 loss leaves Bayern a point clear of Union.
Bayern, who are aiming for record 11th consecutive Bundesliga title, have now lost their past five matches against Gladbach.
Union Berlin are the German top-flight's surprise package this season and will go above Bayern if they beat bottom club Schalke on Sunday.
Borussia Dortmund, who are third, can move level with Bayern when they host second-bottom Union Berlin on Sunday.
"We started really well in the first seven minutes and we had two, three chances and should have been 2-0 up," said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann.
"It was undoubtedly our best start of the year, but then came the red card and the goal but we still equalised.
"In the second half we had the game under control and we were the better side despite being a man down. But then we conceded again and then it was difficult to come back again."
After Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano was sent off early on, Gladbach quickly took the lead through Lars Stindl.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting equalised before half-time, but Jonas Hofmann and Marcus Thuram put the hosts in command.
Mathys Tel scored late but the 3-2 loss leaves Bayern a point clear of Union.
Bayern, who are aiming for record 11th consecutive Bundesliga title, have now lost their past five matches against Gladbach.
Union Berlin are the German top-flight's surprise package this season and will go above Bayern if they beat bottom club Schalke on Sunday.
Borussia Dortmund, who are third, can move level with Bayern when they host second-bottom Union Berlin on Sunday.
"We started really well in the first seven minutes and we had two, three chances and should have been 2-0 up," said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann.
"It was undoubtedly our best start of the year, but then came the red card and the goal but we still equalised.
"In the second half we had the game under control and we were the better side despite being a man down. But then we conceded again and then it was difficult to come back again."
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Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as his Reims side played out a goalless draw with Nice.
Real Madrid moved five points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after battling past Osasuna 2-0.
Bayern Munich could be overtaken by Union Berlin at the top of the Bundesliga on Sunday after the champions' losing streak against Borussia Monchengladbach continued.
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Barcelona re-established their eight-point lead at the top of La Liga thanks to a routine 2-0 win over struggling Cadiz.
Neymar was carried off on a stretcher before Lionel Messi scored a 95th-minute winner as Paris St-Germain gained an incredible 4-3 win over Lille.
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Brazil's Dani Alves has had a request to be released from jail on bail rejected by a Spanish court as an investigation into an alleged sexual assault continues.
Alves, 39, has been held since January over an allegation he assaulted a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December. He denies any wrongdoing.
His lawyer had asked for him to be released if he surrendered his passport and wore an electronic tag.
The court rejected the request, saying it considered him to be a flight risk.
"There is a high risk of fleeing as... the severe punishment he faces in the present case and his economic [resources] might would make it possible for him... to leave Spain at any time," the Barcelona court said in a statement.
Mexican club Pumas UNAM terminated Alves' contract in January when he was remanded in custody.
Alves, 39, has been held since January over an allegation he assaulted a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December. He denies any wrongdoing.
His lawyer had asked for him to be released if he surrendered his passport and wore an electronic tag.
The court rejected the request, saying it considered him to be a flight risk.
"There is a high risk of fleeing as... the severe punishment he faces in the present case and his economic [resources] might would make it possible for him... to leave Spain at any time," the Barcelona court said in a statement.
Mexican club Pumas UNAM terminated Alves' contract in January when he was remanded in custody.
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A severed pig's head was delivered to the headquarters of Italian club Sampdoria on Saturday with a note warning "the next heads will be yours".
The package was addressed to former club president Massimo Ferrero and current vice-president Antonio Romei, the Serie A club said.
Sampdoria called it a "serious act of intimidation" and said police had been called over the incident.
Last month a bullet was delivered to the club's offices with more threats.
The Genoa-based club are second-bottom of the table on 11 points after 23 games.
Fans have expressed their anger at club owner Ferrero, who resigned as president following his arrest on financial charges in 2021.
Sampdoria's next match is at Lazio in Serie A on Monday.
The package was addressed to former club president Massimo Ferrero and current vice-president Antonio Romei, the Serie A club said.
Sampdoria called it a "serious act of intimidation" and said police had been called over the incident.
Last month a bullet was delivered to the club's offices with more threats.
The Genoa-based club are second-bottom of the table on 11 points after 23 games.
Fans have expressed their anger at club owner Ferrero, who resigned as president following his arrest on financial charges in 2021.
Sampdoria's next match is at Lazio in Serie A on Monday.
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Lionel Messi scored his 700th club goal to help Paris St-Germain extend their lead at the top of Ligue 1 with a convincing 3-0 win over title-rivals Marseille.
La Liga leaders Barcelona wasted a huge chance to extend their lead at the top as they were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by lowly Almeria.
Sadio Mane returned from the leg injury that kept him out of the World Cup to help Bayern Munich reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga by beating Union Berlin 3-0.
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French Football Federation president Noel le Graet has resigned following a damning report into the organisation and accusations of sexual harassment.
The 81-year-old stood down in January while the French government carried out an audit into the federation.
"Considering his conduct towards women, his public comments and the governance failings of the FFF, Mr Le Graet no longer has the necessary legitimacy to run and represent French football," the report concluded when it was published earlier this month.
The 81-year-old stood down in January while the French government carried out an audit into the federation.
"Considering his conduct towards women, his public comments and the governance failings of the FFF, Mr Le Graet no longer has the necessary legitimacy to run and represent French football," the report concluded when it was published earlier this month.
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Paul Pogba made his first Juventus appearance since rejoining the club last summer in a 4-2 derby win over Torino.
Cremonese stunned Roma 2-1 for their first Serie A victory this season to leave Welsh side Airbus UK as Europe's only top-flight team yet to win in 2022-23.
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Barca beat Madrid in Copa del Rey semi-final first leg
Barcelona bounced back from back-to-back defeats to beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.
An Eder Militao own goal separated the sides at the Bernabeu despite the hosts having more possession and chances.
It is a welcome result for Barca after they lost to Manchester United in the Europa League and Almeria in La Liga.
Xavi's side defended deep after taking the lead and their discipline earned a narrow advantage to take into the second leg at the Nou Camp on April 5.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64829271
Barcelona bounced back from back-to-back defeats to beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.
An Eder Militao own goal separated the sides at the Bernabeu despite the hosts having more possession and chances.
It is a welcome result for Barca after they lost to Manchester United in the Europa League and Almeria in La Liga.
Xavi's side defended deep after taking the lead and their discipline earned a narrow advantage to take into the second leg at the Nou Camp on April 5.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64829271
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Borussia Dortmund beat RB Leipzig 2-1 to move top of the German Bundesliga.
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Kylian Mbappe scored a club-record 201st goal for Paris St-Germain in an entertaining 4-2 win over Nantes.
Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga with a 2-1 victory at Stuttgart.
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Real Madrid secured their first La Liga win in three matches as they came from behind to beat Espanyol 3-1.
Paris St-Germain left it late to beat relegation-threatened Brest 2-1 and extend their advantage at the top of Ligue 1.
Bayern Munich beat Augsburg 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller and are now two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga over Borussia Dortmund, who drew 2-2 with rivals Schalke.
Napoli bounced back from last weekend's loss to Lazio to continue their apparent cruise towards the Serie A title with a 2-0 victory over Atalanta.
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Barcelona restored their nine-point lead at the top of La Liga with a narrow 1-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao.
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AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest scorer in Serie A history, although his side lost 3-1 to Udinese.
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Napoli stretched their lead at the top of Serie A as Victor Osimhen scored twice in a 4-0 win at Torino.
Exequiel Palacios scored two penalties as Bayer Leverkusen beat Bayern Munich who missed the chance to return to the top of the Bundesliga.
Paris St-Germain fell to their first Ligue 1 home defeat since April 2021 as Rennes completed a league double over the runaway leaders.
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Barcelona snatch dramatic El Clasico win over Real Madrid
Franck Kessie scored a dramatic late winner as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 to move 12 points clear in La Liga.
Real went ahead in El Clasico against the run of play as Vinicius Jr's cross was headed into his own net by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
Barca equalised just before half-time through Sergi Roberto's shot after Raphinha's effort had been blocked.
Marco Asensio saw a late strike for Real ruled out for offside, before Kessie scored the injury-time winner.
Both sides have 12 league matches remaining and Barca are in a dominant position as they look to win the title for the first time since 2018-19.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65007299
Franck Kessie scored a dramatic late winner as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 to move 12 points clear in La Liga.
Real went ahead in El Clasico against the run of play as Vinicius Jr's cross was headed into his own net by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
Barca equalised just before half-time through Sergi Roberto's shot after Raphinha's effort had been blocked.
Marco Asensio saw a late strike for Real ruled out for offside, before Kessie scored the injury-time winner.
Both sides have 12 league matches remaining and Barca are in a dominant position as they look to win the title for the first time since 2018-19.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65007299
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Bayern Munich started Thomas Tuchel's reign with a resounding 4-2 win over his old club Borussia Dortmund that took them above their Der Klassiker rivals to the top of the Bundesliga.
Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona edged closer to a first La Liga title since 2019 with a thumping 4-0 win at Elche.
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Lionel Messi's name was met by whistles from some Paris St-Germain fans before they fell to a seventh defeat of 2023 at home to Lyon.
Karim Benzema scored a first-half hat-trick in the space of seven minutes as Real Madrid hammered Real Valladolid 6-0.
Champions elect Napoli suffered just a third Serie A defeat of the season as they were demolished 4-0 by reigning champions AC Milan.
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Romelu Lukaku scored a 95th-minute penalty and was then sent off in Inter Milan's dramatic 1-1 Coppa Italia draw against Juventus in Turin.
Lucas Hoeler scored a 95th-minute penalty as Freiburg came from behind to knock Bayern Munich out of the German Cup in the quarter-finals.
Osasuna reached the Copa del Rey final for only the second time in their history thanks to a dramatic extra-time winner at Athletic Bilbao.
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Real Madrid rout Barca to reach Copa del Rey final
Karim Benzema scored a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid routed Barcelona 4-0 to reach the Copa del Rey final.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Madrid levelled the tie through Vinicius Jr in first-half stoppage time.
Benzema added two goals early in the second half - the second from the penalty spot - to put the visitors in control and completed his hat-trick to seal the win in the 80th minute.
Carlo Ancelotti's side will face Osasuna in the final on 6 May.
Barcelona had the better of a feisty first half at the Nou Camp, but their best chance led directly to Madrid's opener in first-half injury time.
After keeper Thibaut Courtois got down smartly to stop Robert Lewandowski's effort, the away side broke quickly and, after exchanging passes with Benzema, Vinicius squeezed his effort into the bottom corner.
Five minutes after the break, Madrid were in front on aggregate as Luka Modric drove forward and rolled the ball into the path of Benzema, who swept the ball home from the edge of the area.
Xavi's side were reeling and when Franck Kessie needlessly brought Vinicius down in the box, Benzema sent Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way from the spot to extend the lead.
The France striker got his third with 10 minutes remaining after a devastating Madrid counter, again led by Vinicius, with Barcelona having committed men forward searching for a way back into the tie.
It was Benzema's second hat-trick in successive games after achieving the feat last Sunday against Real Valladolid.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65196145
Karim Benzema scored a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid routed Barcelona 4-0 to reach the Copa del Rey final.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Madrid levelled the tie through Vinicius Jr in first-half stoppage time.
Benzema added two goals early in the second half - the second from the penalty spot - to put the visitors in control and completed his hat-trick to seal the win in the 80th minute.
Carlo Ancelotti's side will face Osasuna in the final on 6 May.
Barcelona had the better of a feisty first half at the Nou Camp, but their best chance led directly to Madrid's opener in first-half injury time.
After keeper Thibaut Courtois got down smartly to stop Robert Lewandowski's effort, the away side broke quickly and, after exchanging passes with Benzema, Vinicius squeezed his effort into the bottom corner.
Five minutes after the break, Madrid were in front on aggregate as Luka Modric drove forward and rolled the ball into the path of Benzema, who swept the ball home from the edge of the area.
Xavi's side were reeling and when Franck Kessie needlessly brought Vinicius down in the box, Benzema sent Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way from the spot to extend the lead.
The France striker got his third with 10 minutes remaining after a devastating Madrid counter, again led by Vinicius, with Barcelona having committed men forward searching for a way back into the tie.
It was Benzema's second hat-trick in successive games after achieving the feat last Sunday against Real Valladolid.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65196145
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Juventus have been handed a one-match partial stadium closure after fans racially abused Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku was subjected to racist chanting before being sent off in Inter's 1-1 Coppa Italia draw with Juve on Tuesday.
Serie A have ruled that the lower tier of Allianz Stadium's South Stand will be closed for Juventus's league game against Napoli on 23 April, following racist chanting from "the majority of fans" sat in that section before and during Lukaku's stoppage-time penalty.
The 29-year-old was shown a second yellow card for putting his finger to his lips in front of the home fans after his late equaliser in the semi-final first leg.
Lukaku will serve a one-match ban for his red card, while Juventus midfielder Juan Cuadrado and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic have also been handed bans after a row broke out after the final whistle.
Cuadrado, Juve's goalscorer, has been given a three-match suspension for grabbing Handanovic by the neck and punching him, while the Inter captain has been banned for one match for his role in the fight.
Earlier on Thursday, Lukaku's representatives - sports agency Roc Nation - said sport should "hold bigots accountable", adding "hatred equals racism equals ignorance".
Taking out a full-page advert in Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, it wrote: "Dear Italy, do better, want better, be better."
Lukaku said on Instagram after the game in Turin that "history repeats itself", adding that he also faced racist abuse in 2019.
Roc Nation said: "In professional football, Black players have been subjected to hatred during professional football games.
"The hatred has displayed itself in the form of monkey chants, racial slurs and banana peels tossed at the best players in the world, as the world watches, as the children watch, as the players' families watch.
"No-one has faced any consequences for this heinous behaviour. Nothing has changed. No action has been taken.
"In fact, the only person that could be held accountable is a player, if they react to this disgusting behaviour during the game. Enough is enough.
"We call on the worldwide community of sports - players, team owners, artists, brands, and all fans - to denounce the racist behaviour and hold bigots accountable to a human standard. One which upholds decency, respect and compassion for others."
Italy's football federation, the FIGC, will mark its anti-discrimination campaign #UnitiDagliStessiColori (#Unitedbythesamecolours) at all levels of the game this weekend.
Inter play at Salernitana in Serie A on Friday at 16:00 BST.
Lukaku was subjected to racist chanting before being sent off in Inter's 1-1 Coppa Italia draw with Juve on Tuesday.
Serie A have ruled that the lower tier of Allianz Stadium's South Stand will be closed for Juventus's league game against Napoli on 23 April, following racist chanting from "the majority of fans" sat in that section before and during Lukaku's stoppage-time penalty.
The 29-year-old was shown a second yellow card for putting his finger to his lips in front of the home fans after his late equaliser in the semi-final first leg.
Lukaku will serve a one-match ban for his red card, while Juventus midfielder Juan Cuadrado and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic have also been handed bans after a row broke out after the final whistle.
Cuadrado, Juve's goalscorer, has been given a three-match suspension for grabbing Handanovic by the neck and punching him, while the Inter captain has been banned for one match for his role in the fight.
Earlier on Thursday, Lukaku's representatives - sports agency Roc Nation - said sport should "hold bigots accountable", adding "hatred equals racism equals ignorance".
Taking out a full-page advert in Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, it wrote: "Dear Italy, do better, want better, be better."
Lukaku said on Instagram after the game in Turin that "history repeats itself", adding that he also faced racist abuse in 2019.
Roc Nation said: "In professional football, Black players have been subjected to hatred during professional football games.
"The hatred has displayed itself in the form of monkey chants, racial slurs and banana peels tossed at the best players in the world, as the world watches, as the children watch, as the players' families watch.
"No-one has faced any consequences for this heinous behaviour. Nothing has changed. No action has been taken.
"In fact, the only person that could be held accountable is a player, if they react to this disgusting behaviour during the game. Enough is enough.
"We call on the worldwide community of sports - players, team owners, artists, brands, and all fans - to denounce the racist behaviour and hold bigots accountable to a human standard. One which upholds decency, respect and compassion for others."
Italy's football federation, the FIGC, will mark its anti-discrimination campaign #UnitiDagliStessiColori (#Unitedbythesamecolours) at all levels of the game this weekend.
Inter play at Salernitana in Serie A on Friday at 16:00 BST.
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Napoli are one step closer to claiming their first Serie A title in 33 years after a 2-1 win over Lecce gave them a 19-point lead over second-placed Lazio.
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Real Madrid's faint La Liga title hopes were dealt a huge blow as Samuel Chukwueze's stunning strike secured a 3-2 victory for Villarreal at the Bernabeu.
Goals from Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos gave Paris St-Germain a 2-0 victory at Nice as they moved six points clear of Lens at the top of Ligue 1.
Matthijs de Ligt's brilliant strike gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 victory at Freiburg and kept them top of the Bundesliga.
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Barcelona missed the chance to go 15 points clear at the top of La Liga as they were frustrated by a 0-0 draw at home to Girona.
Robert Lewandowski had a golden chance to open the scoring after four minutes, but put his effort onto the roof of the net.
Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga, on loan from Fulham, made a number of good saves, including one to deny Raphinha at his near post.
Taty Castellanos also shot wide when through on goal for the visitors.
It is only the third time this season that Barcelona have dropped points at home.
But despite the disappointment of failing to win, Xavi's side increased their advantage over Real Madrid to 13 points after their title rivals were beaten by Villarreal on Sunday.
Robert Lewandowski had a golden chance to open the scoring after four minutes, but put his effort onto the roof of the net.
Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga, on loan from Fulham, made a number of good saves, including one to deny Raphinha at his near post.
Taty Castellanos also shot wide when through on goal for the visitors.
It is only the third time this season that Barcelona have dropped points at home.
But despite the disappointment of failing to win, Xavi's side increased their advantage over Real Madrid to 13 points after their title rivals were beaten by Villarreal on Sunday.
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Kylian Mbappe became Paris St-Germain's all-time leading goalscorer in Ligue 1 as they beat 10-man Lens 3-1 to move five points clear at the top of the table.
Real Madrid warmed up for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Chelsea with a 2-0 victory at lowly Cadiz in La Liga.
Napoli's indifferent form continued as they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Hellas Verona at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Bayern Munich's poor form under Thomas Tuchel continued with a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim, although they remain two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after Borussia Dortmund conceded a 97th-minute equaliser against Stuttgart.
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Barcelona failed to score for a third consecutive game as they were held to a goalless La Liga draw at Getafe.
Raphinha and Alejandro Balde both hit the post in quick succession in the first half and Barca were unable to find a breakthrough.
Sunday's draw follows a stalemate against Girona on Monday, and a 4-0 Copa del Rey loss to Real Madrid.
Despite their goalscoring struggles, Barca hold an 11-point lead over Madrid with nine league games remaining.
The visitors hit the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds on 25 minutes - Raphinha went through one-on-one straight from a Marc-Andre ter Stegen goal-kick but his shot struck the inside of the post, falling to Balde whose mis-hit effort cannoned back off the same upright.
Raphinha also came closest after the break for the visitors, but his shot from the edge of the area was palmed away by Getafe keeper David Soria with 15 minutes remaining.
Barca manager Xavi also saw Sergi Roberto forced off with a hamstring injury midway through the first half.
They host Atletico Madrid next week, with Diego Simeone's side earning a sixth straight league win on Sunday with a 2-1 victory at home over Almeria.
Antoine Griezmann scored twice as third-placed Atletico moved two points behind Real, and 12 points clear of fifth in the Champions League qualification race.
Elsewhere, Sevilla warmed up for their Europa League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United with a 2-0 victory at Valencia.
Second-half goals from Loic Bade and Suso moved Sevilla eight points clear of the bottom three in 12th, while Valencia remain in the relegation zone, three points from safety.
Raphinha and Alejandro Balde both hit the post in quick succession in the first half and Barca were unable to find a breakthrough.
Sunday's draw follows a stalemate against Girona on Monday, and a 4-0 Copa del Rey loss to Real Madrid.
Despite their goalscoring struggles, Barca hold an 11-point lead over Madrid with nine league games remaining.
The visitors hit the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds on 25 minutes - Raphinha went through one-on-one straight from a Marc-Andre ter Stegen goal-kick but his shot struck the inside of the post, falling to Balde whose mis-hit effort cannoned back off the same upright.
Raphinha also came closest after the break for the visitors, but his shot from the edge of the area was palmed away by Getafe keeper David Soria with 15 minutes remaining.
Barca manager Xavi also saw Sergi Roberto forced off with a hamstring injury midway through the first half.
They host Atletico Madrid next week, with Diego Simeone's side earning a sixth straight league win on Sunday with a 2-1 victory at home over Almeria.
Antoine Griezmann scored twice as third-placed Atletico moved two points behind Real, and 12 points clear of fifth in the Champions League qualification race.
Elsewhere, Sevilla warmed up for their Europa League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United with a 2-0 victory at Valencia.
Second-half goals from Loic Bade and Suso moved Sevilla eight points clear of the bottom three in 12th, while Valencia remain in the relegation zone, three points from safety.
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Gregoire Defrel scored a second-half winner as Sassuolo dented Juventus' chances of European qualification in Serie A.
Defrel reacted fastest to an attempted clearance by the visitors before pivoting and firing past Mattia Perin.
Perin was standing in for regular goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who reported chest pains in midweek.
The defeat leaves Juve, who were docked 15 points for illicit transfer activity in January, outside the European spots.
Massimiliano Allegri's side are seventh in the Serie A table, four points behind sixth-placed Atalanta, who have played one game fewer.
Victory for Sassuolo moves them up to 11th.
Meanwhile, Roma beat Udinese 3-0 to stretch their winning run in the league to three games.
Edoardo Bove opened the scoring in the first half before Lorenzo Pellegrini doubled their advantage after the break.
Englishman Tammy Abraham came off the bench to add a third in injury time to ensure Jose Mourinho's side remain third in the table.
Defrel reacted fastest to an attempted clearance by the visitors before pivoting and firing past Mattia Perin.
Perin was standing in for regular goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who reported chest pains in midweek.
The defeat leaves Juve, who were docked 15 points for illicit transfer activity in January, outside the European spots.
Massimiliano Allegri's side are seventh in the Serie A table, four points behind sixth-placed Atalanta, who have played one game fewer.
Victory for Sassuolo moves them up to 11th.
Meanwhile, Roma beat Udinese 3-0 to stretch their winning run in the league to three games.
Edoardo Bove opened the scoring in the first half before Lorenzo Pellegrini doubled their advantage after the break.
Englishman Tammy Abraham came off the bench to add a third in injury time to ensure Jose Mourinho's side remain third in the table.
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Juventus' 15-point penalty over transfer dealings has been reversed.
Italy's highest sporting court says the case should be re-examined after Juve were accused of fixing balance sheets by artificial gains from transfers.
The lifting of the points deduction means Juventus move up from seventh to third in the Serie A table.
Rather than Juve being cleared, the case will now return to the Italian Football Federation appeals court, the body which gave the initial punishment.
As a result of the decision, with eight games to go in the season, AC Milan are knocked out of the Champions League places while Roma drop to fourth.
Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici lost his appeal against a 30-month ban as part of the same proceedings.
The former Juve sporting director was one of 11 directors at the club, either former or still in place at the time of the ruling, who were sanctioned.
Paratici, former president Andrea Agnelli, former chief executive Maurizio Arrivabene and sports director Federico Cherubini had their appeals rejected.
Former player and director Pavel Nedved, Paolo Garimberti and Enrico Vellano were successful with their appeals.
Italy's highest sporting court says the case should be re-examined after Juve were accused of fixing balance sheets by artificial gains from transfers.
The lifting of the points deduction means Juventus move up from seventh to third in the Serie A table.
Rather than Juve being cleared, the case will now return to the Italian Football Federation appeals court, the body which gave the initial punishment.
As a result of the decision, with eight games to go in the season, AC Milan are knocked out of the Champions League places while Roma drop to fourth.
Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici lost his appeal against a 30-month ban as part of the same proceedings.
The former Juve sporting director was one of 11 directors at the club, either former or still in place at the time of the ruling, who were sanctioned.
Paratici, former president Andrea Agnelli, former chief executive Maurizio Arrivabene and sports director Federico Cherubini had their appeals rejected.
Former player and director Pavel Nedved, Paolo Garimberti and Enrico Vellano were successful with their appeals.
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Mbappe scores twice as PSG moves closer to title
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris St-Germain beat bottom side Angers to move a step closer to a record 11th Ligue 1 title.
France international Mbappe slotted in an early opener after initially missing his volley.
He then doubled the lead midway through the first half when he was superbly put through by Lionel Messi and produced a clinical finish.
Sada Thioub scored a late consolation for the hosts.
The victory means PSG move onto 75 points and lead Marseille - who play Lyon on Sunday - by 11 points with six games remaining.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65356169
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris St-Germain beat bottom side Angers to move a step closer to a record 11th Ligue 1 title.
France international Mbappe slotted in an early opener after initially missing his volley.
He then doubled the lead midway through the first half when he was superbly put through by Lionel Messi and produced a clinical finish.
Sada Thioub scored a late consolation for the hosts.
The victory means PSG move onto 75 points and lead Marseille - who play Lyon on Sunday - by 11 points with six games remaining.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65356169
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Jude Bellingham was among the scorers as Borussia Dortmund thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 to go top of the Bundesliga.
Leaders Bayern Munich suffered only their fourth Bundesliga defeat of the season at Mainz.
Marco Asensio scored one and made another as Real Madrid comfortably beat Celta Vigo 2-0 in La Liga.
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Leaders Barcelona suffered only their third La Liga defeat of the season as Rayo Vallecano secured a memorable 2-1 win.
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Inter Milan are through to the Coppa Italia final after a narrow win over Juventus at the San Siro.
With the semi-final level at 1-1 after the first leg, Federico Dimarco scored the decisive goal for holders Inter after 15 minutes.
The left wing-back stabbed home after being picked out by Nicolo Barella's pinpoint through ball.
Simone Inzaghi's Inter will now play Fiorentina or Cremonese in the final on 24 May.
Following a fiery and highly controversial first leg in Turin, Inzaghi chose to leave Romelu Lukaku on the bench.
The Chelsea loanee was sent off for celebrating in front of the Juve fans after scoring a 95th-minute penalty in the first leg, a response to being racially abused by the home supporters.
However, Lukaku had his ban overturned by the Italian Football Federation as a measure to fight racism.
The Belgium striker was brought on in the 68th minute as Inter comfortably held on against a Juventus side offering very little attacking threat.
Fiorentina lead 2-0 on aggregate going into the second leg of the other semi-final on Thursday.
With the semi-final level at 1-1 after the first leg, Federico Dimarco scored the decisive goal for holders Inter after 15 minutes.
The left wing-back stabbed home after being picked out by Nicolo Barella's pinpoint through ball.
Simone Inzaghi's Inter will now play Fiorentina or Cremonese in the final on 24 May.
Following a fiery and highly controversial first leg in Turin, Inzaghi chose to leave Romelu Lukaku on the bench.
The Chelsea loanee was sent off for celebrating in front of the Juve fans after scoring a 95th-minute penalty in the first leg, a response to being racially abused by the home supporters.
However, Lukaku had his ban overturned by the Italian Football Federation as a measure to fight racism.
The Belgium striker was brought on in the 68th minute as Inter comfortably held on against a Juventus side offering very little attacking threat.
Fiorentina lead 2-0 on aggregate going into the second leg of the other semi-final on Thursday.
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Fifteen-year-old winger Lamine Yamal became Barcelona's youngest-ever player as they beat 10-man Real Betis 4-0 to move 11 points clear at the top of La Liga.
Karim Benzema's hat-trick for Real Madrid against Almeria saw him pass Hugo Sanchez as the fourth-highest goalscorer in La Liga history with 236.
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Lorient stunned 10-man Paris St-Germain 3-1 as the Ligue 1 leaders fell to their ninth defeat in all competitions in 2023.
Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman scored as Bayern Munich beat Hertha Berlin 2-0 to reclaim the top spot in the Bundesliga.
Napoli will have to wait for their first Serie A title in 33 years after being held to a 1-1 draw by Salernitana at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
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Leaders Barcelona could wrap up the La Liga title in their next game - at neighbours Espanyol - after substitute Jordi Alba struck an 85th-minute winner against 10-man Osasuna at the Nou Camp.
Real Madrid's slim hopes of regaining the Spanish La Liga title were all but extinguished by a 2-0 defeat at Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad.
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Napoli win Italian title for first time in 33 years
Napoli won their first Serie A title for 33 years as they drew 1-1 with Udinese at Dacia Arena to spark jubilant celebrations back in Naples.
They last won the league in 1990 with a Diego Maradona-inspired side adding to their first title three years earlier.
Victor Osimhen smashed in a 52nd-minute equaliser after Sandi Lovric had given Udinese a shock lead.
And Napoli held on to the point they needed to win their third Serie A title with five games to spare.
"Seeing Neapolitans happy is enough to give you a sense of that joy they are feeling," Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti told DAZN.
"These people will look to this moment when life gets hard, they have every right to celebrate like this.
"You feel a bit more relaxed knowing that you've given them this moment of happiness."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65488842
Napoli won their first Serie A title for 33 years as they drew 1-1 with Udinese at Dacia Arena to spark jubilant celebrations back in Naples.
They last won the league in 1990 with a Diego Maradona-inspired side adding to their first title three years earlier.
Victor Osimhen smashed in a 52nd-minute equaliser after Sandi Lovric had given Udinese a shock lead.
And Napoli held on to the point they needed to win their third Serie A title with five games to spare.
"Seeing Neapolitans happy is enough to give you a sense of that joy they are feeling," Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti told DAZN.
"These people will look to this moment when life gets hard, they have every right to celebrate like this.
"You feel a bit more relaxed knowing that you've given them this moment of happiness."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65488842
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Real Madrid win first Copa del Rey since 2014
Rodrygo scored twice as Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2014 after beating Osasuna in the final in Seville.
The Brazilian was on hand to fire the winner from close range after Toni Kroos' shot deflected into his path.
Osasuna, playing in only their second Copa del Rey final, had threatened an upset when Lucas Torro levelled.
Rodrygo handed Real an early lead with the fastest goal in a Spanish cup final for 17 years after 106 seconds.
Osasuna, backed by nearly 25,000 fans inside the Estadio de La Cartuja, had their chances as they chased a first major trophy in their 103-year history.
They were denied a stoppage-time equaliser when Dani Carvajal produced a last-ditch block to keep out Kike Barja's side-footed effort.
Los Rojillos, which translates as The Little Reds, had more shots on target (5) than Real (3), but Carlo Ancelotti's side were ultimately more clinical in front of goal.
Victory for Real delivers a 20th Copa del Rey title as they now turn their attention to Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65500297
Rodrygo scored twice as Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2014 after beating Osasuna in the final in Seville.
The Brazilian was on hand to fire the winner from close range after Toni Kroos' shot deflected into his path.
Osasuna, playing in only their second Copa del Rey final, had threatened an upset when Lucas Torro levelled.
Rodrygo handed Real an early lead with the fastest goal in a Spanish cup final for 17 years after 106 seconds.
Osasuna, backed by nearly 25,000 fans inside the Estadio de La Cartuja, had their chances as they chased a first major trophy in their 103-year history.
They were denied a stoppage-time equaliser when Dani Carvajal produced a last-ditch block to keep out Kike Barja's side-footed effort.
Los Rojillos, which translates as The Little Reds, had more shots on target (5) than Real (3), but Carlo Ancelotti's side were ultimately more clinical in front of goal.
Victory for Real delivers a 20th Copa del Rey title as they now turn their attention to Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65500297
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Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane scored as Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 2-1 to move four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
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Victor Osimhen missed one penalty but scored another to give Napoli a narrow 1-0 win over Fiorentina in their first home match since winning the Serie A title.
Jude Bellingham scored twice as Borussia Dortmund thrashed Wolfsburg 6-0 to narrow the gap on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to one point.
Paris St-Germain moved to within three wins of the Ligue 1 title with a routine 3-1 victory at Troyes.
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Lionel Messi was booed by some Paris St-Germain fans in his first match since being suspended for his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia as the Ligue 1 leaders beat Ajaccio 5-0.
Bayern Munich moved a step closer to the Bundesliga title by cruising past Schalke 6-0 at Allianz Arena, but Borussia Dortmund beat Borussia Monchengladbach 5-2 to keep up the pressure on the leaders.
AC Milan's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League were dented by a shock 2-0 defeat at 18th-placed Spezia in Serie A.
Marco Asensio kept Real Madrid's faint hope of retaining their La Liga title alive with the winner against Getafe.
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This is some celebration!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Borussia Dortmund celebrate topping the Bundesliga, and what a way to do it with a Sébastien Haller brace. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BVB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BVB</a> <a href="https://t.co/NbdIDEmShd">pic.twitter.com/NbdIDEmShd</a></p>— Daniel Pinder (@DanielJPinder) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanielJPinder/status/1660338026956877825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Borussia Dortmund celebrate topping the Bundesliga, and what a way to do it with a Sébastien Haller brace. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BVB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BVB</a> <a href="https://t.co/NbdIDEmShd">pic.twitter.com/NbdIDEmShd</a></p>— Daniel Pinder (@DanielJPinder) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanielJPinder/status/1660338026956877825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Borussia Dortmund are one win away from the Bundesliga title after beating 10-man Augsburg to move top of the table.
Victory takes them two points clear of Bayern Munich, who lost 3-1 to RB Leipzig on Saturday.
Felix Uduokhai was sent off in the first half for a foul on Donyell Malen before Sebastian Haller opened the scoring with a low strike in the 58th minute.
Haller then finished from close range before Julian Brandt got a late third.
Victory means Dortmund are in a strong position to win the Bundesliga for the first time since 2011-12 and deny Bayern Munich an 11th-successive title.
Thomas Tuchel takes his Bayern side to Koln on the final day of the season next Saturday but Dortmund know a win at home to Mainz at the same time will secure the trophy.
Bayern sacked Julian Nagelsmann in March with the side sitting second in the table.
They swiftly brought in ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel in the hope he could claim the title but they will now need to win and hope Dortmund slip up to retain the Bundesliga trophy.
Victory takes them two points clear of Bayern Munich, who lost 3-1 to RB Leipzig on Saturday.
Felix Uduokhai was sent off in the first half for a foul on Donyell Malen before Sebastian Haller opened the scoring with a low strike in the 58th minute.
Haller then finished from close range before Julian Brandt got a late third.
Victory means Dortmund are in a strong position to win the Bundesliga for the first time since 2011-12 and deny Bayern Munich an 11th-successive title.
Thomas Tuchel takes his Bayern side to Koln on the final day of the season next Saturday but Dortmund know a win at home to Mainz at the same time will secure the trophy.
Bayern sacked Julian Nagelsmann in March with the side sitting second in the table.
They swiftly brought in ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel in the hope he could claim the title but they will now need to win and hope Dortmund slip up to retain the Bundesliga trophy.
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Paris St-Germain are on the verge of a record 11th Ligue 1 title after Kylian Mbappe's double secured victory over struggling Auxerre on Sunday.
Defending champions PSG are six points clear of second-placed Lens - who also have an inferior goal difference - and require just one point from their last two games to guarantee the title.
Top scorer Mbappe netted twice in the opening eight minutes for the visitors.
Lassine Sinayoko responded for Auxerre, who remain in relegation trouble.
The victory means Christophe Galtier's PSG will clinch the title if they avoid defeat at Racing Strasbourg next Saturday.
Mbappe, 24, has scored 40 goals and contributed nine assists in 41 games this season - including 33 goal involvements in 32 Ligue 1 matches.
The France international displayed great footwork as he twisted and turned in the box to create space for the opener, before bending in a sublime first-time strike two minutes later.
PSG, who have won eight of the past 10 Ligue 1 titles, equalled Marseille and Saint-Etienne's all-time record of 10 French titles last season.
Defending champions PSG are six points clear of second-placed Lens - who also have an inferior goal difference - and require just one point from their last two games to guarantee the title.
Top scorer Mbappe netted twice in the opening eight minutes for the visitors.
Lassine Sinayoko responded for Auxerre, who remain in relegation trouble.
The victory means Christophe Galtier's PSG will clinch the title if they avoid defeat at Racing Strasbourg next Saturday.
Mbappe, 24, has scored 40 goals and contributed nine assists in 41 games this season - including 33 goal involvements in 32 Ligue 1 matches.
The France international displayed great footwork as he twisted and turned in the box to create space for the opener, before bending in a sublime first-time strike two minutes later.
PSG, who have won eight of the past 10 Ligue 1 titles, equalled Marseille and Saint-Etienne's all-time record of 10 French titles last season.
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21 May scores
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Juventus have been docked 10 points following a new investigation into the club's past transfer dealings.
Juve were initially handed a 15-point penalty in January but Italy's highest sporting court overturned that decision in April and ordered the case to be re-examined.
The new ruling was announced on Monday, before the team's game away to Empoli.
The penalty drops Juve to seventh place in Serie A, outside the European qualification spots.
Napoli have already secured the Serie A title and, before Monday's ruling, were 17 points ahead of second-placed Juve.
==
Juventus reply:
Juventus Football Club takes note of what was decided by the FIGC Court of Appeal and reserves the right to read the reasons to evaluate a possible appeal to the Guarantee Board at CONI. What was established by the fifth instance of judgment in this matter, which began more than a year ago, arouses great bitterness in the club and in its millions of supporters who, in the absence of clear rules, find themselves extremely penalised with the application of sanctions that do not seem to take into account the principle of proportionality. While not ignoring the need for urgency, which Juventus has never shied away from during the proceedings, it is emphasised that these are facts that still have to be evaluated by a judge.
Juve were initially handed a 15-point penalty in January but Italy's highest sporting court overturned that decision in April and ordered the case to be re-examined.
The new ruling was announced on Monday, before the team's game away to Empoli.
The penalty drops Juve to seventh place in Serie A, outside the European qualification spots.
Napoli have already secured the Serie A title and, before Monday's ruling, were 17 points ahead of second-placed Juve.
==
Juventus reply:
Juventus Football Club takes note of what was decided by the FIGC Court of Appeal and reserves the right to read the reasons to evaluate a possible appeal to the Guarantee Board at CONI. What was established by the fifth instance of judgment in this matter, which began more than a year ago, arouses great bitterness in the club and in its millions of supporters who, in the absence of clear rules, find themselves extremely penalised with the application of sanctions that do not seem to take into account the principle of proportionality. While not ignoring the need for urgency, which Juventus has never shied away from during the proceedings, it is emphasised that these are facts that still have to be evaluated by a judge.
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Bayern munich are champions
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Bayern Munich won an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title as they beat Cologne to overtake Borussia Dortmund on a thrilling final day.
Dortmund would have won their first title since 2011-12 had they beaten Mainz, but a 2-2 draw opened the door for Bayern.
And they took advantage thank to Jamal Musiala's 89th-minute winner.
A Cologne penalty had cancelled out Kingsley Coman's earlier strike, but Musiala sent the away fans wild.
It marked a successful end to the season for boss Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Julian Nagelsmann in March.
The last time the Bundesliga title was won by the team who started the final day second was 1999-2000, when Bayern beat Bayer Leverkusen to the crown.
Dortmund would have won their first title since 2011-12 had they beaten Mainz, but a 2-2 draw opened the door for Bayern.
And they took advantage thank to Jamal Musiala's 89th-minute winner.
A Cologne penalty had cancelled out Kingsley Coman's earlier strike, but Musiala sent the away fans wild.
It marked a successful end to the season for boss Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Julian Nagelsmann in March.
The last time the Bundesliga title was won by the team who started the final day second was 1999-2000, when Bayern beat Bayer Leverkusen to the crown.
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PSG wins historic Ligue 1 title as Messi breaks Ronaldo record
Lionel Messi scored another record-breaking goal as Paris St-Germain won an unprecedented 11th Ligue 1 title with a draw at Strasbourg.
Messi's strike, a fine finish from Kylian Mbappe's pass, is his 496th in Europe's top five leagues - taking him past Cristiano Ronaldo's mark of 495.
It is his 32nd for PSG, and could be his last as he is expected to leave this summer.
Kevin Gameiro bundled in an equaliser but PSG only needed a point.
The full-time celebrations were muted with PSG's superior goal difference over second-placed Lens meaning they had the title practically secure last week.
The final minutes were played at a slow pace with both sides happy with a point - Strasbourg are safe from relegation now.
Christophe Galtier's future remains in doubt despite helping PSG win a ninth title in the past 11 years.
He took charge at the start of the season, having led Lille to the 2020-21 title, but their Champions League last-16 exit to Bayern Munich was a major blow.
He said: "This afternoon I watched the last day of the season in the Bundesliga and you can see that it is very difficult to win the league, any league.
"The reigning champions in all European leagues have often had problems this season, so we appreciate what this means.
"It is a title and we must not believe it is normal to win, even if we are Paris Saint-Germain."
PSG move past Saint-Etienne and Marseille's previous record of 10 French titles.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65735472
Lionel Messi scored another record-breaking goal as Paris St-Germain won an unprecedented 11th Ligue 1 title with a draw at Strasbourg.
Messi's strike, a fine finish from Kylian Mbappe's pass, is his 496th in Europe's top five leagues - taking him past Cristiano Ronaldo's mark of 495.
It is his 32nd for PSG, and could be his last as he is expected to leave this summer.
Kevin Gameiro bundled in an equaliser but PSG only needed a point.
The full-time celebrations were muted with PSG's superior goal difference over second-placed Lens meaning they had the title practically secure last week.
The final minutes were played at a slow pace with both sides happy with a point - Strasbourg are safe from relegation now.
Christophe Galtier's future remains in doubt despite helping PSG win a ninth title in the past 11 years.
He took charge at the start of the season, having led Lille to the 2020-21 title, but their Champions League last-16 exit to Bayern Munich was a major blow.
He said: "This afternoon I watched the last day of the season in the Bundesliga and you can see that it is very difficult to win the league, any league.
"The reigning champions in all European leagues have often had problems this season, so we appreciate what this means.
"It is a title and we must not believe it is normal to win, even if we are Paris Saint-Germain."
PSG move past Saint-Etienne and Marseille's previous record of 10 French titles.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65735472
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