[February 20, 2023]
(Reuters) - Talking points from the weekend in European
soccer leagues:
NAGELSMANN FURY
Bayern Munich's 3-2 loss at Borussia Moenchengladbach could have
more consequences for coach Julian Nagelsmann following his outburst
over a red card handed to his defender Dayot Upamecano.
The German FA has launched an investigation, saying the Bayern
coach, whose team are now level with Borussia Dortmund and Union
Berlin on 43 points, had made "unsporting" comments after the game
in relation to the match officials.
Nagelsmann had complained over the Upamecano dismissal but has since
apologised for his comments made straight after the game. He will
have to present his case next week before a decision is taken, the
German FA said.
PSG BACK TO WINNING WAYS - FOR NOW
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe bailed Paris St Germain out of
trouble with late goals in a 4-3 comeback win over Lille, but
despite snapping a three-game losing run there are signs that the
French champions' defensive troubles are not yet over.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Feb/20/images/ads/current/longviewbank_lda_020723.png)
PSG, who have kept just two clean sheets in 2023, relinquished their
2-0 first-half lead with little resistance and were carved open on
several occasions by Lille.
"It was important to stop this spiral because we need to get back to
winning," coach Christophe Galtier said.
"Obviously, there is relief, but we have to be much more focused for
the duration of the match. We can't have such a great start against
a great Lille team ... by leading 2-0 and then lose focus so
much..."
ATLETICO MAKE PEACE WITH THEIR HOME FANS
Atletico Madrid have found their mojo after struggling in the first
half of the season and are now two points behind third-placed Real
Sociedad in the battle for European places.
They earned a battling 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao thanks to a
brilliant Antoine Griezmann effort that secured only their fifth
league win at home and it was just the third time this season that
they have won two games in a row.
It was a much-needed victory in front of their fans to help gain
some trust in a difficult season which has also included being
knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage and the Copa
del Rey in the quarter-finals by local rivals Real.
Securing a top-four finish and a place in Europe's elite club
competition next season will be crucial to manager Diego Simeone who
will be entering the final year of his contract.
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![](../images/022023PIX/sports33.jpg)
Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Borussia
Moenchengladbach v Bayern Munich - Borussia-Park, Moenchengladbach,
Germany - February 18, 2023 Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann
before the match REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen.
![](../images/ads/current/graue_lda_4_2021.png)
DI MARIA MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Juventus extended their winning streak in Serie A to three games
with a 2-0 victory at Spezia on Sunday but failed to impress until
Angel Di Maria came off the bench.
Although Juve took the lead just after the half-hour through Moise
Kean, lowly Spezia pushed for an equaliser and Juve looked
vulnerable until winger Di Maria was introduced after the break and
scored in the 66th minute to wrap up the points.
"Di Maria's entry has raised the level," Juventus coach Massimiliano
Allegri said, adding that he wished the 35-year-old was younger so
he could play more minutes.
The Argentine winger poured life into Allegri's side before they
visit Nantes in Thursday's Europa League playoff second leg when
they will hope to play better than in the 1-1 home draw.
AJAX FIND THEIR FORM AGAIN
A change of coach has produced exactly what Ajax Amsterdam were
searching for with an upturn in form that has catapulted the Dutch
champions back into the title race.
Sunday's 4-0 home win over Sparta Rotterdam marked a fourth
successive league win since Johnny Heitinga took over as caretaker
-- a role he will have until the end of the season.
Ajax are now in second place, three points behind Feyenoord, having
been fifth when they fired Alfred Schreuder last month.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Feb/20/images/ads/current/llm_quarter_EDUCATION_2023.png)
With a home game to come against the league leaders in mid-March,
Ajax will be thinking now about winning the title for a fourth
successive season.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, Aadi Nair, Mark Gleeson, Fernando
Kallas and Anita Kobylinska; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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