Round the world in 600 words: Rivals turn down Inter's charity

Champions League / Ben Lyttleton / 13 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Ben Lyttleton talks us through the main stories and results from the major football leagues as Inter's self-destruction wasn't taken adavantage of by the likes of Juventus and Wolfsburg once more confirmed they are genuine title contenders.

Unless you're an Inter fan there is a tiresome inevitability about the Italian title race. In fact, even the Nerazzurri seem so bored by how easily they are running away with their fourth straight title that they are trying to lend their rivals a helping hand.

Last week José Mourinho insisted there was no need to persuade AWOL striker Adriano to return from Brazil and face the music because "the important thing is that he's happy". Mourinho's side then proceeded to squander a two-goal lead over Palermo at the weekend, achieved thanks to efforts from Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, by conceding two second-half goals in as many minutes to draw 2-2.

But no sooner had the Scudetto door been teasingly inched ajar than second-placed Juventus contrived to slam it shut on themselves, their chance to reduce the gap with the leaders ruined by a 3-2 loss to Genoa. Juve are now ([28.0]) to pull of the unlikeliest of comebacks and reel in a ten-point deficit.

All the title excitement is taking place in Germany and France. In the Bundesliga surprise leaders Wolfsburg looked destined to falter against Borussia Moenchengladbach after Dante's 79th-minute goal cancelled out Edin Džeko's 16th league goal of the season. But Sascha Riether sealed his side's ninth successive Bundesliga win six minutes from time.

Second-placed Bayern remain three points behind after hammering Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 and Jurgen Klnsmann's men are still ([2.2]) favourites to retain their title as opposed to the Wolves' ([2.9]). Hamburg remain appealing at ([6.4]) despite missing out on the chance to move into a share of top spot after drawing 1-1 with fifth-placed Stuttgart, who are six points back and priced at ([32.0]). Hertha Berlin ([38.0]) may be a point better off but after their third straight defeat, to Hanover, suggests they have shot their bolt.

In Ligue 1 the landscape is in serious danger of transforming after perennial champions Lyon were knocked off their perch for the first time since week four. OL were held to a 2-2 draw by Monaco, while Marseille moved a point clear with a 4-1 win over Grenoble. The seven-time champions are out from ([1.6]) to ([2.2]) to retain their crown but still remain favourites while OM are in to ([2.9]) from 4.1. Third-placed Bordeaux are just a point further back and in to ([4.8]) from ([6.8]) after beating Auxerre 2-0.

In Spain, the only suprising thing about Barcelona's win over Recreativo was the small margin of victory, especially as Andres Iniesta gave them a first-minute lead. Their other goal came courtesy of a Nasief Morris own goal, while Lionel Messi's penalty miss confirmed what Pep Guardiola described as an "ugly victory". Then again, Guardiola did rest Samuel Eto'o, Xavi and Carles Puyol for the 2-0 win.

If only Manuel Pellegrini had done likewise with Marcos Senna on Saturday night. Instead the midfield general played, pulled his hamstring and will now miss Villarreal's Champions League trip to Arsenal, for which the visitors are now ([6.4]). The Yellow Submarine's 2-0 sinking by Malaga was compounded by Valencia's 3-2 win over Sporting Gijon that leapfrogged Los Che into fourth spot.

Real Madrid remain six points behind Barça after goals by Raul and Arjen Robben secured a 2-0 win over Valladolid. Juande Ramos's side are a tempting ([7.2]) for the title with eight games left, Barça are ([1.16]) but Sevilla are out to [350] after losing 1-0 to Getafe to drift 18 points behind the leaders.

It was all change again in Argentina, as Velez this time went top after Rodrigo Lopez's penalty earned his side a 1-0 win over San Lorenzo. Velez replace Lanus, who lost 2-1 to Argentinos Juniors, and share second place with Colon, following their 1-1 draw with Arsenal. River Plate are fourth after they also drew, 2-2 with Gimnasia, but champions Boca Juniors slipped to 11th after losing at second-bottom Estudiantes.