European soccer’s top teams fight for league titles
As we begin to prepare for summer, Europe’s biggest soccer leagues are preparing to crown their newest champions. Europe’s, and subsequently the world’s top five leagues, are in England, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. They range from having 34 to 38 games per season with a point system of zero points for a loss, one point for a tie and three points for a win.
With only three matches remaining in the English Premier League, German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1; four remaining in the Italian Serie A; and five remaining in the Spanish La Liga, here are the current top-of-the-table standings:
***MP = Matches Played GD = Goal Differential Pts = Points
Premier League:
This Premier League title race has been the most competitive of Europe’s top flights and is shaping to have a thrilling conclusion. Since the English top flight’s inception in 1888, the final game has decided the league’s victor on 39 occasions. Manchester City (Man City) has dominated in this aspect in recent times, becoming the champion the last four times that this has occurred. Man City beat Liverpool by one point in the ‘21-’22 and ‘18-’19 seasons, by two points in ‘13-’14 and beat Manchester United (Man Utd) on goal differential in the ‘11-’12 season. The majority of this campaign has consisted of an everchanging first place, with Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool all occupying that position for many match weeks. However, a recent poor run of form for Liverpool has now knocked them out of contention, and the final weeks will be a two-horse race between Arsenal and Man City.
Drew Sievers (’25), a defender for the Samo girls’ varsity soccer team, is an avid Man City supporter.
“It’s been exciting watching them compete to win the Premier League for the fourth year in a row,” Sievers said. “I’ve enjoyed watching their games a lot, especially Erling Haaland.”
Bundesliga:
On match week 29 of 34, Bayer Leverkusen secured their first league title in the club’s history, mathematically eliminating second-place Bayern Munich from the equation. For the first time since Dortmund won the league in the ‘11-’12 season, a team other than Bayern has won the Bundesliga.
Not only have Leverkusen won the league, but they are also the only remaining undefeated team across Europe’s top leagues. They are currently in the final of the DFB Pokal, which is the German domestic cup, and the semi-final of the Europa League, the second-tier continental league across Europe. Bayer Leverkusen are on track to win a historic treble like no other.
Jalen Woo (’26), a midfielder for the Samo boys’ JV soccer team, actively supports Bayer Leverkusen and has been proud to watch his team thrive.
“It’s been an incredible season for our team,” Woo said. “We started from the bottom, then Xabi Alonso came in and helped our team get to the top. We have a lot to look forward to right now and hopefully, there are more trophies to come.”
Ligue 1:
Eight out of the last ten Ligue 1 champions have been Paris Saint Germain (PSG). This year isn’t any different. With only three matches left, PSG has run away with the title, 12 points ahead of second-place Monaco.
PSG are also performing well in Europe. They are set to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-finals, Europe’s first-tier continental cup, after defeating FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
Emmitt Driggs (’26), a defender for the Samo boys’ JV soccer team, is happy with the club’s quality display this season.
“We’re top of the league and we’ve got Champions League semi-finals against Borussia Dortmund… I think we’ve got that in the bag,” Driggs said. “I’m proud of the team. We’re doing really well and [Kylian] Mbappé is almost impossible to defend right now too, so that’s great.”
Serie A:
Strong seasons from both AC Milan and Juventus haven’t been enough to hold back Inter Milan from claiming the title. During match week 33 of 38, Inter Milan defeated AC Milan in a heated Milan derby, mathematically securing their second title of the decade. Inter has only lost one league game this season and are having a better campaign than the last time they won the Scudetto (Serie A) in the ‘20/’21 season.
Although AC Milan and Juventus have lost hopes of winning their domestic league, both teams have had their silver linings. After defeating Lazio on April 23, Juventus qualified for the final of the Coppa Italia, the Italian domestic cup. AC Milan made it to the Europa League quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by fellow Italian side Roma.
American players have been shining in Italy this season. Christain Pulisic has been AC Milan’s second-highest goal scorer and has had the third-highest amount of assists thus far, with an impressive 10 goals and six assists. His teammate, Yunus Musah, has had two assists from midfield. Juventus has a strong pair of Americans as well. Juventus midfielder Weston Mckennie has had 10 assists and two man-of-the-match performances this year. Mckennie’s Juventus teammate, fullback Timothy Weah, has registered two assists in all competitions and scored a wonder goal in the Coppa Italia.
Rowan Chasen (’27) plays as a defender and midfielder for the Samo boys’ frosh soccer team. Although he mainly supports Man Utd, Chasen has been closely following Inter Milan this season.
“I just think that what Inter’s been able to do this season has been nothing short of incredible,” Chasen said. “One loss in 34 league matches is unreal. They’re one of the most impressive squads I’ve ever watched.”
La Liga:
It’s looking like Real Madrid are going to be crowned La Liga champions for the 36th time. Even if second-place Barcelona were to win out their remaining games, Real Madrid would only require four more points to take home the title. Real Madrid have defeated Barcelona in both league matchups this season, with wins on Oct. 28 and April 21, which has likely been the deciding factor in the table’s final standings. Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has played a key role in the team’s success this season. Bellingham boasts an impressive 21 goals and 10 assists so far this campaign, and he’s scored a winner in injury time against Barcelona in both La Liga matchups.
Three of La Liga’s top four include the usuals in Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but a new name has appeared in third. Girona are set to complete their best season in club history, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time ever.
Anton Suvak (’27), Co-Captain and midfielder for the Samo boys’ frosh soccer team, has supported Real Madrid for as long as he can remember.
“This season has been a dream,” Suvak said. “We’re dominating La Liga and [Luka] Modrić, my beautiful Croatian king, has been playing so well. Bayern don’t know what’s coming for them [in the Champions League semi-finals].”