Well, well, well, spring is finally here, and it’s brought with it a host of goals and storylines. The matches are coming fast and furious now, and while the Champions and Europa Leagues took a break this week, the top flights across Europe gave us a double dose with a full round of midweek fixtures in addition to all of the weekend action. Liverpool, who haven’t lost a game this year, are now back atop of the Premier League table for the first time since Christmas, and control their own destiny with six matches to go. Bayern, who were crowned champs in record time, finally dropped points at the Allianz, thanks to a goal of the season contender from Sejad Salihovic. There was title drama in Spain-as there will be every week until the last match day-as Atleti, Barca, and Real battle to be crowned Liga champions, and we simply cannot wait to see who wins it. From Simone Scuffet's acrobatic display in Milan to Bebe’s thumper in Lisbon, check out the Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the Week.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
18. Iker Muniain Strikes at the San Mames
Date: 3/29/2014
Match: Athletic Bilbao v. Atletico Madrid
Competition: La Liga
Ground: San Mames, Bilbao, Spain
It's looking more and more like Iker Muniain will be on his way to a bigger club after this season, and it's bursting runs and finishes like this that will take him there. Such composure on the ball, and in front of goal, from the Spaniard. Unfortunately for Athletic this goal wasn't enough, Atelti struck twice to nab three crucial away points.
17. Simone Scuffet's Acrobatic Saves
Date: 3/27/2014
Match: Inter Milan v. Udinese
Competition: Serie A
Ground: San Siro, Milan
Okay, okay, so we don't normally give a shout for a great save, but this double save from the 17-year-old Udinese keeper is a bit special. How he goes from making a diving save on one side of the goal, to racing across to throw himself at the follow up really is beyond us. Did we mention he's only 17?
16. Carlos Vela's Composed Finish
Date: 3/27/2014
Match: Real Sociedad v. Villareal
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Anoeta, San Sebastian, Spain
The Mexican has been in fine goalscoring form for Sociedad this season, and Vela continued his good run with this delightful chest down and chip over the keeper. Just a neat finish from a striker growing in confidence game in and game out.
15. Ivan Rakitic Unlocks Real's Defense
Date: 3/26/2014
Match: Sevilla v. Real Madrid
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, Seville, Spain
It was a day to remember for Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, as they brilliantly halted Real Madrid in their title pursuit. This brilliant take and subsequent assist from Ivan Rakitic was worthy of the winner.
14. Steven Gerrard Plays Hero Once Again
Date: 3/26/2014
Match: Liverpool v. Sunderland
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Thank you very much, Luis Suarez, but I still know how to strike a free kick like few can even dream of. The captain was up to his old tricks midweek, as this great free kick got the Reds rolling en route to another three points at Anfield.
13. Ashley Westwood Breeches the United Defense
Date: 3/29/2014
Match: Manchester United v. Aston Villa
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
It was looking like another one of those days this season for Moyes and United, thanks to this stunning free kick to open the scoring from Ashley Westwood. United responded with three goals of their own to grab the victory at Old Trafford, but this top shelf effort was certainly the goal of the game.
12. Morgan Amalfitano's Accidental Golazo?
Date: 3/29/2014
Match: West Brom v. Cardiff City
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England
Did Morgan Amalfitano mean this? Well, he certainly looks in the direction of goal as soon as the ball leaves his boot, so we'll give him the benefit of the doubt. The keeper's reaction says it all, really.
11. Leon Osman Finishes Off the Magpies
Date: 3/25/2014
Match: Newcastle v. Everton
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Yes, Leon, take a bow. This fantastic strike from the Toffees captain was Everton's third on the night in a proper thumping of the Magpies at St. James'. Is fourth place beckoning?
10. Alvaro Morata's Perfectly Placed Curler
Date: 3/29/2014
Match: Real Madrid v. Rayo Vallacano
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Real Madrid thumped Rayo 5-0 in a David vs. Goliath Madrid derby on Saturday, and while Bale and Ronaldo got their names on the scoresheet as you might expect, this goal from Alvaro Morata was the pick of the bunch. From the inside of the foot to the top corner in the blink of an eye.
9. Bjorn Sigurdarson Finishes Off the Molde Counter in Style
Date: 3/28/2014
Match: Molde v. Valerenga
Competition: Norwegian Eliteserien
Ground: Aker Stadion, Molde, Norway
Brilliant counter from Molde as they break in the attacking half, and Sigurdardon keeps his cool to cut inside and pick his spot past the keeper.
8. Lasse Schone Finds the Top Corner
Date: 3/27/2014
Match: AZ Alkmaar v. Ajax
Competition: Dutch KNVB Cup
Ground: AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar, Netherlands
This is a textbook free kick from the Danish international to put Ajax ahead at Alkmaar. The midfielder gets the ball up and over the wall, and it's flying into the back of the net before the keeper can even react. This would prove the match winner too, as the Amsterdam club saw out the 1-0 victory.
7. Ashkan Dejagah Scores Fulham's Goal of the Season
Date: 3/30/2014
Match: Fulham v. Everton
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: Craven Cottage, London
It's looking increasingly likely that Fulham are heading down to the championship after this season, as they once again were brushed aside at the Cottage by Premier League opposition. This goal from Dejagah was the lone bright spot on the day for the London side, and this finish might just be their goal of the season.
6. Marcelo Estigarribia's Lashes One Past Bologna
Date: 3/29/2014
Match: Bologna v. Atalanta
Competition: Serie A
Ground: Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy
Atalanta struck twice within a span of four minutes on Saturday to claim all three points on their travels. Estigarribia gets his laces under this one and lashes it into the top corner, wonderful technique to let the ball run across him to set himself for\ the shot, too.
5. Bojan Krkic's Wonderful Hit in Amsterdam
Date: 3/30/2014
Match: Ajax v. Twente
Competition: Dutch Eredivisie
Ground: Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam
Just to remind us he's still alive, Bojan popped up this weekend with a brilliant finish in Amsterdam. Ajax dispatched Twente 3-0, completing the double over them for the week. Hup, Holland!
4. Maximilian Arnold's Match Winner at the Weserstadion
Date: 3/25/2014
Match: Werder Bremen v. VFL Wolfsburg
Competition: Bundesliga
Ground: Weserstadion, Bremen, Germany
This thunderbolt from Maximilian Arnold has to be one of the goals of the Bundesliga season. Add into the mix that this sealed all three points for Wolfsburg on their travels, and Arnold's goal is that much sweeter.
3. Bebe Keeps Thumping Them in From Range
Date: 3/28/2014
Match: Beleneses v. Pacos de Ferreira
Competition: Portuguese Liga
Ground: Estadio do Restelo, Lisbon, Portugal
Maybe Manchester United may want to give loanee Bebe a serious look after this season, because he's been thumping them in for Pacos this campaign. What a pile driver this is from the Portuguese forward.
2. Sejad Salihovic Helps Holds Bayern to a Draw
Date: 3/29/2014
Match: Bayern Munich v. Hoffenheim
Competition: Bundesliga
Ground: Allianz Arena, Munich
For the first time in what really does seem like ages, Bayern finally dropped points at home. Although, this absolute worldly of a finish from Salihovic was necessary in order to hold the champs to a draw. He wraps his entire body around this one and leave Neuer with no chance at making the save.
1. Naldo's Worthy Winner at the VW
Date: 3/29/2014
Match: VFL Wolfsburg v. Frankfurt
Competition: Bundesliga
Ground: Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany
Naldoooooo. What a finish from the Brazilian. Did we mention this was the match winner in the 89th minute? Ya, that type of rich.
