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The spectators return to the English stadium for the FA Cup SF

A look at what’s happening in European football on Sunday:

ENGLAND

Spectators return to an English football stadium for the first time since last year, when 4,000 spectators are allowed to attend the FA Cup semi-final match between Leicester and Southampton. Instead of fans of the clubs, only locals from the Wembley area have access. It is part of an attempt to return viewers that requires all attendees to present a negative coronavirus test result. Leicester, the 2016 Premier League champions, aim to reach their first FA Cup final since 1969. Southampton won the cup in 1976. In Sunday’s two Premier League games, Manchester United aim to consolidate second place when they face Burnley at Old Trafford. Fulham are seven points clear as they are in the middle of the Arsenal.

SPAIN

After failing to win the last two games Atlético Madrid will have to beat Eibar in last place at home to stay at the top of the Spanish league. Atlético have to do without Luis Suárez and João Félix, the team’s leading attackers, due to injuries. The versatile midfielder Marcos Llorente is back from suspension. Second-placed Real Madrid, who follows Atlético by one point, crosses the Spanish capital and meets Getafe. Madrid’s already exhausted defense was hit again when left-back Ferland Mendy was dismissed with a left leg injury. Midfielder Nacho Fernández and midfielder Casemiro have been suspended. This means that Zinedine Zidane has to fix a preliminary backline with reserve team player Víctor Chust. Fourth place Sevilla can improve their already dominant influence on last place in the Champions League by beating fifth Real Sociedad. Also: Real Betis host Valencia; Alavés faces Huesca; Osasuna welcomes moose; and Celta Vigo are in Cadiz.

ITALY

Juventus miss out on Cristiano Ronaldo in a key game in Atalanta. The star tip has a “flexor problem”, said coach Andrea Pirlo. Juventus did not disclose which flexor muscle Ronaldo injured. Third place Juventus are one point ahead of Atalanta and one point behind AC Milan in the midst of a tight race for Champions League spots. Milan host Genoa at lunchtime, while Italian leaders Inter Milan face a difficult visit to Naples in the late game. Roma want to continue qualifying for the Europa League semi-finals with a win at relegation-threatened Turin and Lazio welcome Benevento. Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi might miss meeting his brother and fellow coach Filippo Inzaghi as he recovers from the coronavirus. Spezia also plays Bologna.

GERMANY

Borussia Mönchengladbach did the future team of their coach Borussia Dortmund a favor by defeating Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. That gives Dortmund the chance on Sunday to close the gap in Frankfurt at the end for the Champions League qualification. Frankfurt have a seven point lead but Dortmund can reduce it to four points with five games left if it beats Werder Bremen’s visitors. Gladbach’s coach Marco Rose will take over Dortmund next season and give current coach Edin Terzić the task of qualifying for the best European club competition on his behalf. The second game on Sunday between Mainz and Hertha Berlin was postponed due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the main club. Hertha’s next three games have been canceled as the team has been in isolation for two weeks, making it difficult for the clubs to try to avoid relegation.

FRANCE

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain don’t need to visit any other key players to improve Saint-Etienne, while title rivals Monaco and Lyon are not at home against the fighting teams. With just five games left after this round, PSG can afford a ninth defeat, but a win puts it just one point behind leaders Lille. PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino, however, has to choose from a team without a star, striker Neymar, as well as central midfielders Leandro Paredes and Idrissa Gueye. All three are suspended. Center-backs Marquinhos and Abdou Diallo are injured while goalkeeper Keylor Navas is rested to recover from a sore shoulder. Third place in Monaco plays in struggling Bordeaux, and fourth place in Lyon finishes the 33rd round in 19th place in Nantes. Lyon are one point behind Monaco and two points behind PSG in one of the closest title races in many years. None of the top 4 can afford to lose points with so few games left.

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