Germany keeper Marc-André ter Stegen’s Barcelona’s side are Spanish champions for the 23rd time. The Champions League finalists secured the title before the end of the season with a 1-0 against last year’s winners Atletico Madrid. Ter Stegen’s part in the championship was minimal as the 23-year-old finds himself behind journey man Claudio Bravo in the pecking order. The game’s only goal was scored by superstar Lionel Messi.
Runners-up Real Madrid, and World Cup winners Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira, who won 4-1 against Espanyol, won’t be able to catch up to Barcelona on matchday 38. Shkodran Mustafi’s Valencia CF played out a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo and are hoping for a fourth-place finish, and a qualification spot in the Champions League.
Hany Mukhtar is Portuguese Champion with Benfica
Germany U20 international Hany Mukhtar has clinched the Portuguese championship with Benfica. The midfielder transferred from Bundesliga club Hertha BSC to the Portuguese capital in January and celebrates major honours just four months after his move. Benfica captured their 34th title as the record champions drew 0-0 with Vitoria Guimaraes on the second to last day of the league, which was enough to guarantee them the title.
27-time champions and runners up FC Porto cannot over take the European Cup winners from 1961 and 1962. FC Bayern München’s Champions League quarterfinal opponents have 79 points, while Benfica have 82. Sporting Lisbon currently sit in third place of the Portuguese Liga Zon Sagres with 73 points.
Arsenal pick up a point in “third-place play-off”
Arsenal celebrated a vital point in the race for a direct qualification spot in the Champions League, one matchday before the Premier League concludes. World Champions Per Mertesacker and Mesut Özil were in the starting eleven on Sunday against fourth-placed Manchester United as a late equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw was good enough to remain in third.
Spain’s Ander Herrera gave United the lead in the match at Old Trafford, while an own goal from Tyler Blackett was enough to secure a point for the Gunners. With 71 points, Arsenal have a two-point lead over former Bayern coach Louis van Gaal’s team. On Wednesday (20:45 CEST), the Londoners have the chance to secure third place in a rearranged match against Sunderland before they take on Aston Villa in the FA Cup Final on 30th May at Wembley Stadium.