Page 7 – The Pulse of Football

Jan

2026

Morocco are on the verge AFCON glory at home

Hosting the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1988, Morocco were almost unanimously regarded as the clear favourites going into the 35th edition of the tournament. That tag has often been a curse in the competition’s storied history, but the Atlas Lions have risen to the occasion and delivered in front of their fans.

By Neel Shelat

A pressure cauldron in Rabat

The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat is the new home of the Atlas Lions, at least for the time being. Built on the site of the old stadium of the same name, the state-of-the-art 69,500-capacity venue is a physical manifestation of the next step of Morocco’s footballing and national ambitions.

For one, it hardly looks anything like the country’s traditional old stadiums, which are far more barebones and functional. Many of them only have one tier in the stands, often in a bowl-like structure that encircles the pitch. They certainly do not look too imposing from the outside and have little by way of a polished facade, but the swathes of supporters standing and singing in unison can create incredible atmospheres on the inside. The Stade Mohammed V — the setting of the iconic Casablanca derbies — is perhaps the archetype of this kind of stadium, a relic of the era when financial investment in football was limited, but comfortably made up for by limitless passion in the stands.

Compared to them, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium seems to be in a different world with its three-tiered stands and unmistakable exterior that almost resembles some sort of steel embroidery. The outside can be lit up with its embedded LED technology, giving it a very modern feel. In some ways, the differences between the two aforementioned venues epitomise the perceived tension between fan culture in Rabat and Casablanca, which we previously touched on during the tournament.

At the end of the day, though, the fans coming into the new Moulay Abdellah Stadium were the same as those that graced the old venue, so their passion was not going to be contained. While the more enclosed structure might split them up into more sections, the reverberations created when they all chant in unison are something quite special. So, the biggest difference was in their expectations.

Although Morocco’s last AFCON title came way back in 1976, their supporters are awaiting nothing short of the trophy this year. Their Round of 16 exit in the previous edition was regarded as a failure, despite it being a record-setting fourth-consecutive knockout appearance for them. The Atlas Lions’ historic 2022 World Cup campaign was a part of the reason behind that, but the bigger factor was an increasing level of demand from the supporters in response to increased investment.

Not everyone in Morocco is best pleased with the government’s decision to spend north of a billion US dollars on infrastructure projects in the lead up to the country’s co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup, but the least they hope to see for it is tangible success on the pitch. The investment in developing top-class domestic academies as well as recruiting from the diaspora has certainly strengthened the team, as is evidenced by their status as the highest-ranked nation on the continent, but that will be of little consolation to the fans if the final does not go their way.

Tactical developments

Head coach Walid Regragui has perhaps felt this high-pressure environment more than anyone else. One might expect that his role as the architect behind their unforgettable World Cup run would cement a legendary status, but he has instead faced quite a bit of discontent from his compatriots in the stands.

This feeling has really grown after the Atlas Lions’ AFCON 2023 elimination, with supporters faulting Regragui’s supposedly defensive style of play, which they believed to be fit against giants on the global stage but less effective on the continent where Morocco are expected to dominate.

In truth, the ex-Wydad coach does deserve some credit for the way he sets his side up to control proceedings with possession in Africa, but it would be fair to say that his tactics tend to be more conservative. The fans may want to see a more free-flowing side, but that may lead to a riskier approach.

Morocco can still boast of the best defensive record in the tournament with just one goal conceded after six games. In the recent knockout rounds, they almost completely nullified an exciting Cameroonian side as well as the tournament’s top scorers in Nigeria. This surely would not have been possible without Regragui’s meticulous cautiousness.

The 50-year-old tactician also deserves credit for the way he has made tweaks to his side. For one, he has been reaping the rewards of accommodating Brahim Díaz into the fold as the Real Madrid star looks primed to win the Golden Boot. Midway through the tournament, he seamlessly introduced the returning Achraf Hakimi into the team, improved the midfield dynamics by deploying young Neil El Aynaoui in a holding role and added a new dimension to the attack by offering a starting spot to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. Much of this might be easy to overlook at a casual glance, but it has all been crucial in the Atlas Lions’ knockout campaign.

Contributions from all over the squad

Although Díaz’s five goals have propelled him into all the headlines, one of the great strengths of this Moroccan side is that they can count on telling contributions from almost anywhere. As many as nine of their players have registered goal contributions throughout the tournament, from bicycle kick specialist striker Ayoub El Kaabi to tall centre-back Nayef Aguerd.

Of course, not everyone who contributes to the team’s victories always has their name up on the scoresheet. The aforementioned El Aynaoui has been solid in midfield, while Bilal El Khannouss has done a decent job of replacing the injured Azzedine Ounahi beside him, and Ismael Saibari has supported the attacks well. Yassine Bounou has not been called into action much, but he made the most of his moment in the spotlight in the penalty shoot-out win over Nigeria. But perhaps the most consistent performer has been Noussair Mazroaui, who started off in a more attacking role at right back before slotting into a platforming position on the left following Hakimi’s return, all without missing a beat.

The seventh match to be held at the new Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium will once again feature the Atlas Lions, this time with the title on the line against 2021 champions Senegal. The stage is set for anyone and everyone to etch their names into the pantheon of Moroccan legends on Sunday night.

(Images via IMAGO)

You can follow the Africa Cup of Nations on FotMob – with deep stats and players ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2026

AFCON 2025 Final Preview: Hosts Morocco set for epic battle with 2021 champions Senegal

The final showdown of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is set. Hosts and pre-tournament favourites Morocco will meet recent champions Senegal, who themselves ended a long wait for a title less than four years ago.

By Neel Shelat

Senegal vs. Morocco

The Lions of Teranga’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations meeting with their Atlasian brothers is indeed an occasion fit for kings. The two sides have almost simultaneously risen in stature over recent years, with success in different major tournaments propelling them to the continent’s top two spots in the FIFA rankings. They both enter this game in incredible form, as the hosts are unbeaten in 23 matches overall while their visitors have not tasted defeat in 27 competitive fixtures!

An epic showdown is in the offing at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the shiny new venue where AFCON 2025 both began and will end. Over 60,000 expectant fans filled the stands on the opening night against Comoros, and a similar number is expected to file in on the moonless Sunday night for what they hope is a dream ending to the tournament.

Indeed, Morocco are being given a very slight edge in the predictions, but there is very little in it. The Atlas Lions can make a strong case for having been the better team this tournament, with just one goal conceded (a penalty at that) in six matches and an impressive win over a formidable Nigerian side in the semi-final.

Senegal, on the other hand. can point to their superior record in recent AFCONs. Besides lifting the coveted title in 2021, they also reached the final in 2019, meaning they have been among the continent’s top two in three of the last four championships.

In contrast, Morocco are entering their first final since their loss to 2004 hosts Tunisia. Their only previous title came all the way back in 1976, when the tournament was decided by two rounds of group stages. Although their last match against Guinea effectively was a decider, they have yet to emerge victorious after a true AFCON final.

The Atlas Lions have felt the pressure of delivering on home soil throughout this tournament, so the role of the crowd cannot be understated. However, the bigger battle will certainly take place on the pitch, where there should be many points of intrigue.

The tactical battle

Senegal and Morocco have both been commanding in their tournament campaigns so far. They have let in just three goals between them in 12 matches, while the Lions of Teranga have scored three more goals than Morocco’s nine.

Both sides like to establish control over their matches, but their approaches have slight differences. Senegal have kept a higher proportion of possession as the experienced duo of Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Gueye have provided a lot of on-ball security and retention. Morocco are not frivolous with the ball either, but they have shown some more willingness to drop into a solid mid block.

The left wing from Senegal’s perspective should be the attacking hotspot. Pape Thiaw’s side can threaten down that flank with Malick Diouf making forward runs to support Sadio Mané, while striker Nicholas Jackson can drift across and support them as well. Morocco have also increasingly focused their attacks on that side, as Brahim Díaz is supported by the advancing Achraf Hakimi.

Senegal suffer two suspension setbacks

Senegal were allowed to almost entirely dictate proceedings in their semi-final against Egypt, but a couple of costly moments will leave them without two starters for the final. Captain and key centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly picked up his second yellow card of the knockouts early on in the match, though he soon went off injured anyway. More frustratingly, midfielder Habib Diarra also got a yellow card suspension after seemingly being booked for dissent before half-time. The pair were replaced by youngsters Mamadou Sarr and Lamine Camara, who may well both be in line to start the final.

Morocco managed to entirely stay out of the referee’s book in their semi-final, so the only absentee for them will be the injured Azzedine Ounahi.

Key players

Mané’s fantastic strike in the semi-final took him to a record-setting tally of 20 AFCON goal involvements over the course of his career. Having already led the Lions of Teranga to AFCON glory in 2022, the Al Nassr forward has little left to prove, but has still been on song with two goals and three assists this time around.

Díaz’s scoring streak might have been snapped in his last game, but he too has already done enough to ensure that his campaign will be treasured for a long time to come. Unlike Mané, though, he is still towards the beginning of his international career; this is the first time he is representing Morocco at a major stage. So, he still needs one more telling contribution to go from being unforgettable to legendary.

On the opposite side to the aforementioned pair, both Iliman Ndiaye and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli can offer a different dynamic to their own team’s attacks. They have only contributed to one goal each so far in the tournament, but they will never find a better occasion to add to their tallies.

In the absence of his more senior partner, Moussa Niakhaté will need to rise to the occasion and produce a commanding display as the leader of the Senegalese back line. Morocco have some strong defenders of their own, but they will need Neil El Aynaoui to continue doing some excellent screening in front of them if they are to keep a sixth clean sheet at this tournament.

With such fine margins at play, both teams will have to be prepared for a penalty shoot-out. Eduoard Mendy and Yassine Bounou both have fine pedigrees in such situations, so either of them could get the chance to be the hero in the late hours of Sunday night.

(Images via IMAGO)

You can follow the Africa Cup of Nations on FotMob – with deep stats and players ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2026

Cesc Fabregas’ Como spell is putting him in the spotlight

Como are flying high in the Serie A table and Cesc Fàbregas is increasingly being spoken about as football’s next great manager-in-waiting.

By Graham Ruthven

Life by the lake is pretty good for Como fans right now. Not only does the club play in one of Europe’s most idyllic settings, the team on the pitch is playing beautiful football. Winning football, too. Indeed, Como have won five of their last eight games with their only losses coming against Inter and Roma.

Seen as a Serie A oddity when they were first promoted to the Italian top flight two seasons ago, Como are now seen as a serious threat. Sitting sixth in the table, Cesc Fàbregas’ side are flying high and the former midfielder is widely seen as the mastermind behind their success.

Of course, money has been even more important to Como’s rise. Bought by Indonesian tobacco billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono in 2019, the club has the richest owners in Italian football. Como’s broader ownership group includes Thierry Henry and Fàbregas himself.

With this backing, Como spent their way out of Serie B and have continued to crack open the chequebook in the top flight, spending over €100m on new signings last summer alone. They spent a similar amount the summer before that too, making Como Italian football’s biggest spenders over the last two years.

Fàbregas has made the most of this advantage, though, forging Como into one of Serie A’s most modern and dynamic teams. Their current position in sixth place is no fluke. Instead, it is proof of the process Fabregas has gone through since his appointment in July 2024. It’s a process that could take them even higher.

Mostly using a 4-2-3-1 shape, Fàbregas’ Como are set up to play with the ball. Their average possession share of 60.8% is the highest in Serie A this season, indicating how comfortable they are at constructing sequences. It could be argued that Como are the most technically adept side in Italy right now.

This focus on possession doesn’t come at the cost of attacking threat, though. Fàbregas encourages his full backs to get forward to provide support in the final third with Nico Paz harnessed in the number 10 role. Since arriving from Real Madrid, Paz has made such an impact that many speculate he could return to the Santiago Bernabéu in the near future.

Como like to create overloads all over the field. Their rotations through the midfield and into the final third are extremely difficult to defend against and this speaks to the work Fàbregas is doing with his players on the training pitch. The Spaniard’s fingerprints are all over the sixth-best team in Serie A. His influence is obvious.

It makes sense that Fàbregas is a good coach. The Spaniard played under such managerial greats as Pep Guardiola, Arsene Wenger, José Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Luis Enrique. He clearly learned something from each of them and is now using those lessons to guide his own managerial career.

Fàbregas’ rise could be well-timed. A number of vacancies at some of Europe’s biggest clubs have opened up recently. There could be even more by the end of the season. Manchester United are in the market for a new manager and Fàbregas would tick a lot of boxes for the Old Trafford outfit.

Manchester City might be a more natural fit. Speculation continues to swirl over Guardiola’s long-term future at the Etihad Stadium and so City might have to come up with a succession plan sooner rather than later. Fàbregas played under Guardiola and would build on the foundations left by the legendary Catalan coach.

Chelsea’s model would be familiar to Fàbregas. Como are also in the business of player development – see Jesús Rodríguez, Máximo Perrone, Jacobo Ramón and Paz – and their Spanish manager has already proven himself as an effective mentor. Fàbregas, of course, also has links to the Stamford Bridge club.

At a time when there is a dearth of big-name managers for the biggest jobs, Fàbregas could be on the radar of several clubs. Como has been the ideal incubator for the 38-year-old as a coach and his decision to reject Inter Milan’s interest last summer suggests he’s willing to wait for the right opportunity to take the next step.

In the meantime, Como still have plenty more to achieve. On their current trajectory, they will qualify for Europe this season. If they can extend their current run of form any longer, the lakeside team will be in the Champions League discussion. Whether it’s with Como or another team, Fàbregas is preparing the managerial groundwork for something special.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Serie A on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2026

Preview: Barcelona head to Santander for Copa Del Rey clash

Pedro Munitis. Sergio Canales. Yossi Benayoun. Vladimir Beschastnykh. For watchers of European football of a certain vintage, the green and white of Racing Santander was for years a guarantee of quality.

By Karl Matchett

After almost a decade and a half in the wilderness, they’re aiming to show they are on the way back up as they test themselves against the very best: LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

To hell and (almost) back

It’s the end of 2007/08. Manchester United and Chelsea have just done battle in the Champions League final, Spain are about to blitz Euro 2008 undefeated the whole way through and a lot of people still liked Russia – or at least their all-out-attack style of football. In LaLiga, Racing Santander had just finished in sixth, qualifying for the UEFA Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey too. It was their best campaign in modern history and the future, for Racing as well as for Spanish football, looked incredibly promising. Those futures did not follow the same path.

Four seasons later, Santander finished bottom and were relegated. Their first year back in the Segunda, they finished 20th again, this time of 22 teams, and were demoted once more, down to the third tier of Spanish football for the first time since 1991. They have been promoted or relegated a further five times since then and now, exactly halfway through the 2025/26 campaign, they are back on top of the second division, potentially four months away from a long-awaited return to LaLiga.

Domestic dominance

Slight speedbump in the road for Santander this week, mind: the small task of hosting the club top of the pile in the league above them. Fresh from winning the Supercopa on foreign soil, Barcelona will now turn their attentions to trying to complete a clean sweep of domestic trophies; leading Real Madrid by four points at the halfway stage of the season, there’s a real chance to win everything in Spain this term, even if European ambitions are on the cards too.

However, after games against Athletic and Real, and with Real Sociedad and the Champions League return to come in the next week, there’s no question that this particular fixture – competition and opposition level alike – might be the lowest priority for those at the Camp Nou.

Recent form

Draws have been frequent for Racing of late, with just one win in the last five in all competitions. Defeat last time out to Zaragoza was a first loss in ten however, which included knocking out Villarreal in the last Copa round. Barcelona’s form is more straightforward: ten wins in a row since late November.

Team news

Asier Villalibre looks the only absent figure for the hosts, while Gavi and Andreas Christensen are long-term injury concerns for Barca.

Key player

Fermín López is playing a regular role these days and has been in tremendous form with five assists and a goal in his last three. He’s top 9% for touches and top 5% for goals among support attackers in Europe this past year.

Prediction

Much might hinge on how strong a team Hansi Flick puts out so we’ll go romantic and back an upset: Santander 2-1 Barcelona!

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Copa Del Rey with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2026

Arsenal’s pursuit of marginal gains means they need Gyokeres to find his best form

Arsenal are top of the Premier League table, but are struggling to get the best out of Viktor Gyökeres following his £64m switch from Sporting.

By Graham Ruthven

Bought to be the final piece of the puzzle, Viktor Gyökeres has looked out of place for Arsenal recently. The £64m striker has scored just once in his last 10 games. If the Gunners are to win their first Premier League title since the Arsene Wenger era, many are losing faith that Gyökeres can provide the firepower to get them there.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the last Arsenal striker to reach the 20-goal mark in a season. While the Gunners have undoubtedly made progress under Mikel Arteta, there has long been a sense that their overall level would be elevated by the addition of a reliable penalty box finisher.

*A summary of Gyökeres’ first season at Arsenal and last season with Sporting*

This is why Gyökeres’ capture in the summer was afforded so much attention. Arsenal assessed a variety of different options including Benjamin Šeško and Ollie Watkins before making their move for the Swede who was fresh from a 54-goal season for Sporting CP. For £64m, the Gunners landed one of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers.

In England, though, Gyökeres has struggled to make the same impact. He is out of sync with the rest of his Arsenal teammates, often making runs that go unrecognised. Other times Gyökeres is slow to get moving when others expect him to be in a scoring position inside the box.

Arteta insists he would rather Arsenal’s goals be shared around the team rather than delivered by one player over the rest. Nonetheless, the Spaniard would surely like more out of Gyökeres if it helped push Arsenal over the finish line. If Arsenal didn’t sign Gyökeres to score goals, what did they sign him for?

Gyökeres now has competition for his starting spot. Gabriel Jesus has recently returned from injury and has received more and more game time in recent matches as Arteta gets the Brazilian forward up to full fitness. Jesus started the FA Cup win over Portsmouth and could start more games over the coming weeks.

Kai Havertz is also back in full training and made his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury on the opening weekend of the season by coming off the bench against Portsmouth in the FA Cup. Many expect the German to replace Gyökeres in the Arsenal lineup. At the very least he will provide competition.

Havertz was a target for criticism from some sections of the Arsenal fanbase. It was claimed that he wasn’t clinical enough in front of goal. This is what pushed Arsenal into the transfer market in the first place to sign Gyökeres. In Havertz’s absence, though, a greater appreciation for his all-round game seems to have grown.

“We’re not going to change Viktor’s desire or his attitude or his work rate or how much he’s willing to score goals because he’s got another player in [competition], because of the circumstances,” said Arteta. “Because sometimes there’s an element of luck to score goals as well or energy that has to go in your way. And it will come. The good thing is that the team is performing really well and winning matches.”

Arteta is right to highlight the high level Arsenal are operating at right now. The Gunners haven’t lost since suffering defeat to Aston Villa in early December. While it appeared they were running out of steam a few weeks ago, now they hold a six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table.

Arsenal are fighting on all fronts. Not only are the Gunners leading the way domestically, they are the only team to still have a perfect record in this season’s Champions League, winning six games out of six so far. This includes statement wins over Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Injuries have cleared up. Martin Ødegaard has rediscovered something close to his best form after enduring a challenging 2025. Declan Rice continues to get better and is now firmly among the best midfielders in the world. Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba remain the strongest centre back pairings in English football.

With the exception of Gyökeres, Arsenal’s summer signings have strengthened them. Martin Zubimendi has slotted into the midfield unit. Noni Madueke has given Arteta another option on the wings. Piero Hincapié and Cristhian Mosquera have proved their worth in adding depth to the defence.

If, however, Arsenal under Arteta are about maximising every marginal gain, there is certainly more to be squeezed from Gyökeres. The Swede has the physical attributes to succeed at the top level. His scoring record in Portugal underlined his eye for goal. To date for the Gunners, though, those qualities have yet to come to the fore.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Arsenal game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2026

Igor Thiago: The Brazilian Premier League record breaker

When you think of Brazilian strikers, a particular profile springs to mind depending on your age.

By Sam McGuire

You’ll either think of Romario, Ronaldo and Adriano, players with pace, power, trickery and ruthless finishing ability, or you’ll think of Roberto Firmino and those who have followed him, like Gabriel Jesus, the false-nine type attackers who offer more than just output.

Despite the differing profiles, they do share particular traits. In their own distinct ways, they bring joy to football.

Seeing Ronaldo burst past opponents and slalom his way out of what looked like a dead end before slowing time down to pick out a finish was incredible to watch. It was remarkable to see a player operate with such power only to then adopt a deftness to his approach in the blink of an eye. Similarly, it was just as remarkable to see Firmino switch from full on pressing machine, fuelled by the desire to regain possession and control, to someone who would nonchalantly execute a flick into the path of a teammate to bypass a defensive line.

Check out the latest Brazil squad and the centre-forwards fall into one of the two categories. Matheus Cunha, João Pedro and, to an extent, Richarlison, fall into the Firmino category. The likes of Endrick and Vítor Roque fall into the Ronaldo category.

There might soon be a third category for Brazilian forwards though and it’ll be named after Igor Thiago.

*Thiago’s traits compared to strikers in Europe’s Big 5 leagues*

The 6’3″ forward has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this term and has 16 goals to his name already. He’s already broken the record for most goals in a single English top-flight campaign by a Brazilian, surpassing the 15 scored by Firmino, Gabriel Martinelli and Cunha.

With 17 matches remaining, Thiago is going to be eyeing up more goals to really cement himself as the most productive Brazilian attacker in Premier League history. Ironic really as the 24-year-old couldn’t be further removed from your traditional Brazilian forward.

He isn’t full of tricks. He’s not necessarily quick. He is powerful but in the same way that most tall attackers are. If you watched him play without knowing his nationality, you’d be forgiven for thinking he was a traditional, old-school British striker. Someone like Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He’s got good feet for a big man, he’s good in the air, and he’s a physical presence.

Thiago isn’t there to put in a show. He isn’t looking to wow fans. He’s there to put the ball into the back of the net. The No. 9 is all business. It might explain his unique rise to the top.

The centre-forward started out at Cruzeiro but was signed by Ludogorets Razgrad in 2022. His goals for the club caught the eye of Belgian side Club Brugge and he moved there in June 2023, with Ludogorets Razgrad selling him for a Bulgarian record.

He was involved in more record deals less than 12 months later when Brentford paid a club record fee for him. It was also a club record sale for the Belgian side.

Eyebrows would’ve been raised when the Bees signed off on a £30million deal for a forward who had scored goals in Bulgaria and Belgium. However, everyone should’ve known what Brentford were doing. They got it right with Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. If they’re moving for a striker, they would’ve done their homework.

A knee injury in his first pre-season game for the club meant his first full campaign for the club was a bit of a write-off. He was supposed to replace Toney as the main man but had to watch on from the sidelines as Wissa and Mbeumo scored a lot of goals for the Bees.

After the sales of Wissa, Mbeumo, club captain Christian Nørgaard and the loss of manager Thomas Frank in the summer, many tipped Brentford for a relegation battle. Yet here we are in January and the Bees are fifth in the table, two points behind reigning champions Liverpool.

Key to their surprise success this season has been Thiago.

The Brazilian forward has scored 46% of the goals for Brentford and he’s been involved in 17 of the 35 they’ve scored. The No. 9 has found the back of the net against Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United this term. He also scored a hat-trick against Everton and followed that up with a double in the win over Sunderland.

Thiago has been ruthless for Keith Andrews’ side. Only Haaland (20) has more goals than the Brentford man and the City forward is the only player in the Premier League to boast more goal involvements too (24 to 17).

*Thiago’s Premier League shot map this season*

What is even more impressive is how sustainable it all looks for Thiago, despite playing in a team that is considered inferior by most.

He’s taken 50 shots, a number only Haaland can better. He’s split his efforts well, too, with 23 via his right foot, 18 via his left and nine headers. The one big takeaway from his shot map this term is how he just seems to be in the right place at the right time. That isn’t luck either, that’s by design.

Of his 50 efforts, just two have come from outside of the penalty area. It goes some way to explaining why his underlying numbers are as incredible as they are. Thiago has an Expected Goals per 90 average of 0.64. His xG on Target per 90 average, a metric that highlights finishing and shot placement, is 0.74. So, in a nutshell, he’s adding value to his shots and that is no doubt why his goal return on a per 90 basis is 0.82. He’s getting high value opportunities and adding value to them. That is a recipe for goals. It’s why, if nothing changes between now and the end of the season, he’s destined to score more goals.

Thiago isn’t flashy. He’s just a hard worker who puts the team first and wants to score goals. He isn’t a Firmino or a Gabriel Jesus, but he’s proving to be just as effective in his own way.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Brentford game with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2026

Preview: The Arbeloa era starts at Albacete for Real Madrid

LaLiga 2 side Albacete host Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, facing each other for the first time since 2005. Albacete have been out of LaLiga ever since that year, and currently sit 17th in Spain’s second tier.

By Matt Smith

Madrid have reached the final of this competition twice in the last three years, winning it once in that period against Osasuna back in 2023. The Spanish giants will play their first game under the tutelage of Álvaro Arbeloa, following Xabi Alonso’s exit this week.

Team news

Albacete should have a strong squad to choose from, with no injury problems occurring after their game against Real Sociedad B last time out. They could name a similar side to the one that defeated LaLiga outfit Celta Vigo in the last round of the competition.

For Real Madrid, Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Brahim Díaz, and Ferland Mendy all remain out for the away side. Antonio Rüdiger and Federico Valverde are doubts after their Super Cup fixture in Saudi Arabia last week, while Madrid could make a host of changes after a busy period.

Albacete struggling in LaLiga 2

Albacete are enduring a difficult season in the second tier, sitting just above the relegation zone. Defensively, Alberto González’s side have had their struggles, conceding 32.6 xG this term, with only two teams conceding more in the league.

Although they managed to get past Celta in the previous round, it took a 93rd-minute equaliser before winning on penalties. Albacete conceded 18 shots that day, totalling an xG of 2.49, meaning they’ll have to tighten up as they face one of the best sides in Europe this week.

Barcelona clash was terminal for Alonso

Real Madrid started to pick up a bit of form in recent weeks, but it was the defeat against Barcelona that saw Alonso relieved of his duties. Madrid have been chasing Barcelona in LaLiga for most of the season, and as they sit four points behind in the race for the title, the loss in Saudi Arabia was the final straw.

Madrid are now entering a new era under Arbeloa, who was previously managing Real Madrid Castilla. It’s unclear how long he’s going to be in charge, but the former Liverpool defender will be in the dugout against Albacete.

The full return of Mbappé?

Kylian Mbappé made his first appearance of 2026 against Barcelona last time out, coming off the bench to play 14 minutes upon his return from injury. To get the French forward up to speed ahead of LaLiga action this weekend, we could see Arbeloa give him a run-out from the start to build up his fitness.

*Mbappé’s shot map in LaLiga this season*

Mbappé is enjoying a phenomenal season in front of goal, scoring a whopping 18 times from 18 starts in LaLiga. Albacete will be hoping he’s not fit enough to start, but if he is, he’s undoubtedly the player to watch ahead of this game.

Prediction

Real Madrid should have too much for the side from LaLiga 2. We’re going for a comfortable 3-0 victory in Arbeloa’s first game in charge.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Copa Del Rey with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2026

Brahim Diaz best exemplifies modern Moroccan football

Moroccan football is on the come up like no other nation. Heavy investment in infrastructure and a large diaspora across Europe mean exciting times are ahead, and no one personifies this new era more than Brahim Díaz.

By Alex Roberts

Hosting this year’s AFCON is just the beginning. Morocco have been given the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, alongside their Mediterranean neighbours Spain and Portugal.

What’s happening off the pitch mirrors what it is happening on it. Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final back in 2022 and are now on course to win AFCON as many expected.

If they do, they’ll have Díaz to thank. A bit part player in a Real Madrid side filled with attacking superstars, the versatile winger has had to bide his time to earn a leading role, and he’s found it with Morocco.

It’s hard to get ahead of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, or even Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital, but Díaz has been severely underutilised at Real Madrid. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he had 18 goals and 14 assists in his 96 games, most of which were off the bench.

That’s a return that most forwards in world football would be happy with, but under the now sacked Xabi Alonso, chances were even harder to come by. Díaz has started just three of his 12 LaLiga games, providing two assists.

Díaz, as his surname may suggest, represented Spain at youth level while coming up through the ranks at Malaga and then Man City. He even made an appearance for the first team back in 2021, scoring in a friendly against Lithuania.

After that though, his phone failed to ring and with the likelihood of a recall minimal, Díaz decided to switch allegiances in 2024. Since, then, he has been an absolute revelation for Morocco, with 13 goals in his 20 appearances.

*Díaz’s tournament shot map, AFCON 2025*

AFCON 2025 is Díaz’s first major international tournament, and it’s fair to say he’s relishing the pressure that comes with being the main attacking force for arguably the continent’s best side right now.

Since the start of the tournament, Díaz has become the first Moroccan to score in four consecutive AFCON game, and even managed to go one better, scoring the opener in their 2-0 quarter final win over Cameroon.

Díaz has been far and away the player of the tournament so far. His five goals make him the current top goal scorer, although Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah aren’t too far behind with four a piece.

He’s been remarkably clinical, with his five goals coming from just 15 shots, eight of which have been on target, and a non-penalty xG of 1.98. Everything Díaz touches at the moment is turning to gold, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t putting in the hard work.

Díaz has been a consistent presser for Walid Regragui, winning 27 duels, making 14 recoveries, winning possession in the final third four times, and being dribbled past just once. He’s also let a nasty side out here and there, committing eight fouls.

What we all really want to talk about though are his goals, so let’s start at the beginning. Under the rain in Rabbat, the hosts got the tournament underway against little Comoros. Díaz was involved right away, winning a penalty after just ten minutes, only for Soufiane Rahimi to shoot right at ‘keeper Yannick Pandor.

The two sides went into the break with the score at 0-0. Morocco were desperate for someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck and avoid a potentially devastating defeat, or even a draw, in front of their own expectant fans.

Díaz did just that, scoring the opener in the 55^th minute following some fantastic work from Man United’s Noussair Mazraoui out on the right wing. Of course, Ayoub El Kaabi’s absurd bicycle kick rightfully got all of the headlines.

Next up were Mali, and this one didn’t quite go as planned for Morocco. Díaz did what he does best to win his side their penalty, beating three defenders, with Nathan Gassama seemingly trying to swat the ball away with his hand, Díaz stepped up, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way to open the scoring.

The game against Mali ended in a 1-1 draw. Frustrated, Morocco went on to absolutely batter Zambia, with Díaz scoring yet again. He was a little fortunate with this one, Abde Ezzalzouli’s cutback was clearly intended for El Kaabi, but he completely missed it. The striker made up for it with ANOTHER bicycle kick in the 50^th minute, though.

Morocco faced Tanzania in their first game of 2026, and it was New year, same Díaz. Regragui’s side dominated, but really struggled to break down the opposition defence, until, you guessed, Díaz was the man of the moment.

Received the ball from Achraf Hakimi, he showed that star quality and close control that have been trademarks of his campaign so far, Díaz struck from a tight angle, catching Hussein Masalanga completely off guard, leaving him with nothing to do other than deflect the ball into the goal.ya Touré. That feels good.”

Díaz was subbed off in that game with a slight knock, but he wasn’t about to miss the quarters against one of Africa’s bonafide big boys, Cameroon. As Morocco’s corner was swung in, Cameroon captain Nouhou Tolo let Díaz get ahead of him, allowing the tiny winger to nudge the ball into the net with his thigh.

Next up are the other favourites, Nigeria. Unlike all of their other games so far, Morocco won’t be able to play on the front foot quite as much and may have to take their chances on the counter. Don’t be surprised if Díaz makes it six from six.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Africa Cup of Nations on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.

Jan

2026

Preview: Chelsea and Arsenal clash in Carabao Cup semifinal, first leg

We’re down to the final four Carabao Cup challengers. Man City and holders Newcastle will have played their first leg, now Chelsea host Arsenal as both sides attempt to lay down a marker and put one foot in the final.

By Alex Roberts

Enzo Maresca’s last win as Chelsea manager was their unconvincing 3-1 victory over Cardiff to get them to the semis. A lot has happened since then, and now Liam Rosenior is the man tasked with taking the Blues one step further.

Arsenal needed an own goal from Maxence Lacroix and then penalties to get past Crystal Palace in their quarter final, with the Frenchman missing the deciding spot kick. Still, Mikel Arteta’s side head into the Chelsea game as favourites.

Who do Arsenal play up top?

In mid-January, we’re starting to run out of reasons regarding why Viktor Gyökeres isn’t banging them in like many Arsenal fans had hoped. There are those that knew it wouldn’t work out, but the last time he scored from open play was against Burnley in early November. That’s not great.

Gabriel Jesus, back from a devastating ACL injury, has come off the bench for Gyökeres in four of their last five games across all competitions, and has contributed much more. Not only has he scored, he just looks up to pace with his fellow Arsenal players, while the Sweden international looks clunky and slow.

To make matters worse for Gyökeres, Kai Havertz is also back from his long-term injury. Arteta certainly has some decisions to make; does he drop the man signed to score goals but isn’t in favour of a potentially regressive move? We’ll see.

A different kind of beast

Chelsea looked really good in Liam Rosenior’s first game in charge, the huge caveat being it was against Championship Charlton. Still, he became the first manager since Antonio Conte back in 2016 to win his first competitive game.

We could already see Rosenior had set his tactical blueprint in motion. Jorrel Hato was playing as a number ten in possession, having his best game in a Chelsea shirt and opening the scoring with a wonderful volley.

There was even a couple of moments in which we saw Filip Jörgensen, Chelsea’s ‘keeper for the night, playing higher up the field, a trademark of Rosenior’s time at Strasbourg. Arsenal are a much better side than Charlton, though, so let’s see how the new manager does here.

Team news

Surprise, surprise, Moisés Caicedo has managed to find a way to get himself suspended for this one. Single yellow cards are usually wiped out at the quarters, but since the midfielder picked one up against Cardiff, he’s out.

Marc Cucurella will serve the second game of his three-game suspension for the red card picked up in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham. It’s been the story of Chelsea’s season so far.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Rosenior admitted that Reece James, Cole Palmer, and Malo Gusto were left out due to fitness concerns. Palmer remains a doubt but the other two could feature.

Dário Essugo returned to the Chelsea squad for the first time since August, but Roméo Lavia (thigh) and Levi Colwill (ACL) are still nowhere to be seen.

As for Arsenal, as we mention Havertz is back and could play against his former club. Although we’d be surprised to see him start so soon after coming back from such a serious injury.

Their defensive injury crisis isn’t as bad as it was this time last month. Riccardo Calafiori (muscle), Piero Hincapié (hamstring), and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) are all on the verge of returning, but this one is likely a little too soon.

Wonderkid Max Dowman (ankle) won’t be seen until early February.

Prediction

Rosenior was somewhat fortunate to have a game against Charlton as his first, it’s almost as if it was planned that way! Arsenal are steps above everyone on else in England at the moment, though, so we’re going with a 2-0 win for the visitors.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2026

AFCON 2025 Semi-Finals Preview: Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria and Morocco are the final four

All four teams that remain in contention for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title will strongly back themselves to go the distance, setting us up for two blockbuster semi-finals.

By Neel Shelat

🇸🇳 Senegal vs Egypt 🇪🇬

A repeat of the 2021 AFCON final sees Senegal take on Egypt, with the record champions out to avenge not only their penalty shoot-out defeat in Cameroon but also their heartbreak in the subsequent World Cup qualification play-off.

Interestingly, the majority of the Egyptian XI that started the second leg of that tie in 2022 also took to the field from the off in their last match — the high-octane quarter-final against the Ivory Coast. Their experience certainly proved valuable as they expertly saw out a lead against the energetic Elephants, but it was the Pharaohs’ clinical finishing that really made the difference.

Omar Marmoush got his side off to a perfect start by converting the first attempt of the match just four minutes in. As expected, Hossam Hassan’s side then prioritised preserving their lead, ceding quite a bit of possession and territory. Crucially, their second shot of the match also went in as centre back Rami Rabia headed home a corner just after the half-hour mark. The Ivorians did pull one back before the break, but an incisive move just after it restored the two-goal margin. An outside-of-the-foot assist from Emam Ashour to Mohamed Salah was the highlight in what would prove to be the decisive third goal.

Egypt’s defensive discipline and ability to hold on to a lead are unquestionable, so the key to their success will be their sharpness at the other end. If Salah, Marmoush and Ashour can once again produce such a high level of cutting-edge attacking play, they will be almost unstoppable.

Senegal will obviously want to challenge that notion, and they will need to show the best of their ability to control matches if they are to progress. The Lions of Teranga have the highest possession average among the teams that remain in contention, while also placing second for both goals scored and conceded.

Their quarter-final against Mali wasn’t quite as entertaining as Egypt’s, as they won by a lone goal against ten men. Pape Thiaw likely would not have been entirely pleased with the way his team managed that game, so his players will need to step up on this big occasion. The 44-year-old coach will certainly hope that his conservative midfield selections help his side keep a lid on proceedings, but perhaps his most interesting decision will come up front since he left Nicolas Jackson on the bench last time around.

The 2021 champions won’t mind a cagey affair either and might even carry a psychological edge into a potential penalty shoot-out, having twice overcome Egypt in such situations recently. A tight and tense contest is to be expected.

🇳🇬 Nigeria vs Morocco 🇲🇦

Nigeria vs. Morocco would have been a fitting final, as the hosts take on the side that is being widely regarded as the best team at the tournament so far.

The Super Eagles made their case effectively indisputable in the quarter-final stage as they utterly dominated against an Algerian side that was the only other team to have won each of the first four matches. Opposition head coach Vladimir Petković was honest in his post-match press conference, admitting, “Nigeria deserved to win this match. They were better than us. It was difficult to get into this match… We were hit left and right.”

*Momentum chart and top stats from Nigeria’s win over Algeria*

Éric Chelle’s side totally bossed proceedings as they didn’t even face a shot for 80 minutes, while the three-pronged threat of Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Victor Osimhen proved too hot to handle. More encouragingly yet, they found vital contributions from other sources too. Algeria particularly looked to close down the spaces in midfield and limit the creative influence of Alex Iwobi, so Nigeria were forced to go down the wings more than they might have preferred. That was no problem, though, as both full-backs put in excellent shifts, with Bruno Onyemachi providing the assist for the opener with a precise cross aimed towards Osimhen.

In Morocco, though, the three-time champions will now face a different sort of opponent — one that will not be afraid to go toe-to-toe. The Atlas Lions already tamed an exciting attacking outfit in their 2-0 win over Cameroon in the quarter-final, but they too will know that this will be a much tougher challenge.

Brahim Díaz opened the scoring yet again in that game, extending his scoring streak to five matches. That means he has already broken his nation’s record for most goals at one AFCON edition on his tournament debut. Another strike in the semi-final will surely start cementing his legendary status.

The absence of Nigerian captain Wilfred Ndidi — who is suspended for this match after being booked in both previous games — may prove beneficial for Díaz, who likes to drift inside from his starting position on the right wing. However, back-up defensive midfielder Raphael Onyedika is a solid player in his own right, so he could play a crucial role for his side as long as he rises to the occasion.

Of course, the atmosphere in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium will be quite something to witness and experience. This will be Morocco’s first AFCON semi-final since 2004, but that is no tangible achievement. Walid Regragui’s side are looking to become the first team to lift the coveted trophy on home soil in almost two decades, and their fans won’t settle for anything less.

The quarter-finals already produced some of the highest-quality action in the Africa Cup of Nations’ storied history, but the tournament could well go to another level yet on Wednesday night.

(Images via IMAGO)

You can follow the Africa Cup of Nations on FotMob – with deep stats and players ratings. Download the free app here.