5 competitions, 5 fairy tales? These revelations with Belgians and old acquaintances make one dream of the Champions League

The dream is becoming more and more reality. From Italy, to France to England: in all major competitions there is a revelation close to a Champions League ticket. One team thanks to a Belgian, the other thanks to an old acquaintance. Five fairy tales highlighted.

Thiago Motta’s team is doing well this season thanks to sparkling football. The former midfielder does not opt ​​for one in the striker role ‘bomber’ but for the graceful Joshua Zirkzee (ex-Anderlecht).

The Dutchman has 11 goals and 5 assists in the competition this season. After Zirkzee had a great time in the Lotto Park, he is now also conquering many hearts in Italy.

And a Belgian is also part of a possible fairytale in Bologna. Red Devil Alexis Saelemaekers participated in 25 competition matches. The ex-Anderlecht player managed to score 3 times and gave 3 assists.

And do you remember Jhon Lucumi? The Colombian exchanged KRC Genk for an adventure with Bologna in the summer of 2022. After an injury at the beginning of the season, Lucumi fought back into the starting line-up.

The coming weeks will be decisive for Zirkzee and co. With matches at Napoli and at home against Juventus, Bologna’s schedule is not easy.

* The first five teams play the Champions League

Aston Villa won the European Cup in 1982, but participation in the Champions League has never been possible.

Youri Tielemans has been in charge in midfield in recent weeks. After his good performance with the Red Devils against England in March, Tielemans also confirms his good form in the competition.

The fast winger Leon Bailey, ex-Genk, is crucial in Emery’s system. With 10 goals and 9 assists, the Jamaican is having his best season ever. Spearhead Ollie Watkins is also having a heyday with 19 goals.

With the Argentinian star Emiliano Martinez, Emery also has an excellent goalkeeper. He has to take into account the bizarre twists in the world champion’s head, such as recently in the match against Lille.

It remains to be seen whether Aston Villa will be able to keep a cool head in the battle for the fourth and last direct CL ticket in the Premier League. In the last four matchdays they will encounter Chelsea, Brighton, Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

Tottenham have also played two games fewer than Aston Villa.

* The first four teams play the Champions League

VfB Stuttgart has four matchdays ahead of it in third place in the Bundesliga.

At Stuttgart, Union’s former top scorer, Deniz Undav, is the striker. With 17 goals and 9 assists, he helped his team to a place in the top 3. This did not go unnoticed by German national coach Nagelsmann. He called Undav up for the international matches in March and made his debut against France.

Another notable name at Stuttgart is Undav’s striker brother, Guirassy. The Guinean came from Rennes last summer for just 9 million euros, and has scored no fewer than 25 goals in 24 games this season. A bull’s-eye, then.

Stuttgart still has some difficult matches on the agenda in the coming weeks. Next weekend they will travel to newly crowned champions Leverkusen, after which Bayern Munich awaits. While Leipzig and Dortmund are breathing down their necks.

* The first four teams play the Champions League

Perhaps the most striking name on the list: Stade Brest. That modest team can thank coach Eric Roy for its third place. He has been on the sidelines at Brest since January 2023, after taking a break as a coach of no less than twelve years.

Under coach Eric Roy, the club made enormous strides in terms of sports. He mainly ensured that his team scored more goals. Brest is third in terms of goals scored in Ligue 1, but also concedes few goals.

This is thanks to an old acquaintance for the JPL fans. Dutchman Marco Bizot, who played for KRC Genk for three seasons, has already kept a clean sheet 11 times in 28 competition games.

Striking: Brest made a major clean-up within its core last summer. The club brought in 17 new players and let 15 players leave. Stade Brest’s participation in the Champions League thanks to spring cleaning would mark a first on the European stage for the club.

The question is whether Stade Brest will be able to maintain its third place with four matchdays still to come.

* The first three teams play the Champions League

Girona FC is the revelation in the Spanish league this season. The Catalan club combines attractive football with good results and is in third place 6 match days from the end.

There are also some well-known names among the Catalans. Daley Blind switched from Bayern Munich to Girona last summer. Spanish defender Eric Garcia is rented from Catalan neighbors Barcelona.

The good sporting performances this season were snowed under by the hand of Manchester City that is hidden behind Girona. City Football Group is a 47% shareholder and many players from City and their sister clubs moved to Girona on loan.

However, this should not minimize the charm of the Girona story too much. The club has its own principles and only has the fourteenth largest budget in the Spanish league.

Due to their victory against Cadiz (4-1) last weekend, Girona is already certain of European football next season. That has never worked before.

Six games separate Girona from a historic achievement.

* The first four teams play the Champions League