Talking points from European soccer

 

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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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