European football matchday: Lewandowski a goal away from Muller's record

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

GERMANY

Bayern Munich are already assured of finishing the first half of the Bundesliga season as “autumn champion” but a record is beckoning for top scorer Robert Lewandowski when Wolfsburg visit. Lewandowski needs just one more goal in the last game before the winter break to eclipse Gerd Müller’s tally of 42 in a calendar year from 1972.

Wolfsburg have lost their last six games across all competitions and the Volkswagen-backed club are a favourite opponent for Lewandowski. The Poland star has already scored 23 goals in 20 Bundesliga games against Wolfsburg — more than against any other opponent in the league.

ITALY

Defending champions Inter Milan visit last-place Salernitana, who risk being removed from Serie A due to a conflict of interest.

Originally owned by Lazio president Claudio Lotito, the Italian Football Association ordered a change in ownership for Salernitana due to regulations that prevent multiple teams in the top division from having the same owner.

In June, control of Salernitana was handed over to a trust that was ordered to find a new owner by the end of the year. But the “Trust Salernitana 2021” announced on Thursday that none of the offers received were acceptable.

Also, Lotito’s Lazio host Genoa.

SPAIN

Celta Vigo host Espanyol hoping to improve on their home record in the Spanish league after only winning once in nine games at their Balaídos Stadium. Eduardo Coudet’s side are four points above the relegation zone in the 14th place after losing two straight. Top scorer Iago Aspas will be back after missing the last two games for Celta. Captain and defender Hugo Mallo will also return from injury.

Espanyol are enjoying their return to the topflight after a season in the second division thanks to its strong home record, while they are yet to win on the road in eight tries. A win for ninth-place Espanyol would lift them above crosstown rivals Barcelona.

FRANCE

Lyon opens their French Cup campaign with a tricky trip to Paris FC. The second-division side have won their past four matches in a run that included a 14-0 thrashing of Cayenne in the Cup’s previous round. Lyon have been inconsistent in the French league this season, winning only six of its 17 games.