Although there are several weeks to go in most major leagues in Europe, for some teams their season is effectively over.
Not involved in respective title races and safe from relegation, their work for the season is all but done. Inevitably minds begin to look ahead to summer holidays and, for those with international ambitions, hopes of playing in the World Cup this year.
And that also means that players will be worried about getting injuries that may affect their ability to feature in that tournament, and may be more reluctant than they were a few months ago to go steaming into 50/50 challenges.
Some may also be out of contract and have half an eye on their future.
And that is why some of the matches at the end of the season lack intensity and passion, and even the spectators can seem bored. It is usually because most of those involved have someplace else they had rather be, and cannot wait for the match to be over.
