The Pulse of Football

May

2026

Mohamed Salah set for final farewell at Anfield

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool career comes to an end on Sunday.

Things move quickly in football. Just over a year ago, he penned a new, two-year deal with the club after a record breaking season. Salah scored 29 goals and assisted 18 times as he helped the Reds claim their 20th league title. The signs looked ominous for Liverpool’s rivals.

Yet here we are, one year later, and the four-time Golden Boot winner is, perhaps prematurely, calling time on his stay on Merseyside after the worst career of his season with the club.

With just seven goals and six assists to his name, it’s been a bit of a barren campaign for the usually free-scoring forward. Unfairly sacrificed earlier in the season by Arne Slot when the Dutchman wanted to shore things up, Salah’s war of words with the club expedited his inevitable departure.

The 33-year-old claimed he was “thrown under the bus” by the club during that spell on the sidelines and was left out of the squad for a trip to the San Siro as punishment. Injuries have impacted his farewell tour and what he’s said over recent weeks has dominated the conversation. So much so that instead of there being a media celebration heading into his final game for the Reds, he’s been painted as a villain who, fuelled by bitterness, is taking swipes at the club.

In reality, all he’s done is shed some light on the fact that standards have slipped within the club. He’s pointed out the obvious. If standards hadn’t slipped, Slot wouldn’t be talking about scoring two goals at Villa Park as a big positive in a game the Reds lost 4-2. If standards hadn’t slipped, there’d be a greater focus on why the 2024/25 champions of England are needing a positive result on the final day of the season to claim a fifth place finish.

The maximum points Liverpool can finish on is 62. Last season, that total would’ve secured eighth place. As Salah said in a recent statement: “Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games.”

He’s been vilified for wanting the Reds to do better. And while this is a cloud over his departure, it should detract from what he’s done for the club.

Perception and opinion is skewed right now. With Salah leaving Anfield, the Reds are losing one of the best ever. Pep Guardiola put it nicely in a recent interview: “One of the greatest; the numbers, the consistency – what a player! An incredible human being, goals and assists, absolutely a legend for Liverpool Football Club, but for the Premier League for all he has done.”

Given he’s been performing at such a high level for his entire stint with Liverpool, a lot of what he does is taken for granted. Before his arrival, wide forwards not named Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi weren’t posting these types of numbers. And nobody was doing it in the Premier League.

It isn’t an exaggeration to say he changed the game.

*Salah’s player traits compared against similar players in Europe’s top five leagues*

At the time of writing, he’s on 191 Premier League goals in 314 appearances. In eight of his nine seasons at Liverpool, he’s scored a minimum of 18 in the English top-flight and in five of these campaigns, he’s scored a minimum of 22. He was a goal machine for one of the best teams in world football.

He wasn’t just a goalscorer though. He’s ranked joint top for Premier League assists for the Reds with Steven Gerrard on 92.

Salah spearheaded two different Liverpool teams to Premier League success, almost singlehandedly carrying Slot’s side last season with 47 goal involvements. He’s also played his part in the Reds reaching three Champions League finals, winning one, as well as domestic success.

The No. 11 is, and will always be, a Liverpool legend. His struggles this season don’t take anything away from his time on Merseyside. And his struggles have been blown out of proportion.

The Reds are a team in the middle of an identity crisis. No attacker has been platformed well by those in charge, the balance seems off and that is a big reason as to why they find themselves in fifth position rather than in a title challenge. Despite this, and despite the narratives, Salah still ranks second for goal involvement behind Hugo Ekitike. He’s joint second for goals and assists. He’s second for big chances created and second for chances created per 90. In truth, he’s performed as expected in this set-up with seven goals from an xG of 7.91 and six assists from an xA of 4.9.

Obviously, he would’ve liked to go out on a high. If he can help the club secure Champions League football, he’s done his job. But this is about more than just one season. Salah leaves a Liverpool legend.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

FotMob Opinion: Hearts’ title challenge was the shot in the arm Scottish football needed

It wasn’t to be for Hearts as they fell at the final hurdle last weekend, but their unexpected title challenge might have stirred something in Scottish football.

By Graham Ruthven

As in 14 of the last 15 seasons, Celtic lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy on Saturday. For a long time, it was uncertain Martin O’Neill’s side would even take the title fight to the final day of a tumultuous, and at times calamitous, campaign. That the Hoops were able to find their best form when it mattered most was admirable. The mark of champions.

And yet the sense of deflation for anyone of a non-Celtic (or Hibernian) disposition after Saturday’s final day showdown was impossible to avoid. The 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season won’t be remembered for what Celtic did. Instead the most profound memories were made by Hearts.

Hearts’ title challenge was the storyline that made Saturday’s match at Celtic a must-watch event for fans of the sport around the world. It was Scottish football’s very own Leicester City-esque fairytale and while Derek McInnes and his players didn’t get their Cinderella ending, they might have changed the sport’s landscape in the country forever.

As the bitter disappointment of Saturday’s result dissipated, a message of defiance started to come from Tynecastle. This need not be the end of something. Instead, this season could prove to be the start of a new era for Hearts and the Scottish game at large. Scottish football needed a shot in the arm and this could be it.

“The intention now is to dust ourselves down and try and enjoy our break but be ready for the challenges ahead,” said McInnes, already looking ahead to next season. “I fully believe that those challenges are going to be met, with the enthusiasm from everybody at the club and the desire to improve and make it the norm for us to be challenging for trophies.

“I firmly believe that those expectations will be met as we go on. I think this season has given us so much encouragement. For us to reach 80 points, a new club record, and be involved in the Champions League qualifiers in July, there are so many positives from the campaign.”

McInnes is entitled to feel bullish about his club’s long-term vision. Tony Bloom has already transformed Hearts’ fortunes through his Jamestown Analytics company since arriving as a minority owner 12 months ago, implementing a data-driven approach that has worked wonders for Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise under his stewardship.

With a cheque from European qualification to be cashed this summer, Hearts will have more money to spend in the transfer window. The data will continue to guide their recruitment strategy and Jamestown’s record in unearthing diamonds in unexpected places is unmatched. There is scope for further growth.

It’s not just Hearts who should be energised by what unfolded in the Scottish Premiership this season. Motherwell also enjoyed an excellent campaign, registering their highest league finish (fourth) for 12 years. Not only this, The Steelmen earned a reputation for being the best footballing side in the country. They were a joy to watch.

Only Celtic and Rangers averaged a higher share of possession per match than Motherwell this season. Even more impressive than this, Motherwell averaged the second-most passes per match in the division. They play the sort of football that should be beyond a club of their modest resources.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou will probably move on from Fir Park over the summer, possibly to Celtic if reporting is to be believed, but a precedent has been set. With good coaching and clear thinking, the gulf to Scotland’s biggest and richest clubs can be bridged. How many others will take inspiration from what Hearts and Motherwell have done?

While Scotland’s national team is preparing for its first World Cup since 1998, the domestic game in the country has stagnated. No Scottish team qualified for this season’s Champions League while Aberdeen and Rangers both failed to make a meaningful impact on the Europa League and Conference League.

UEFA’s coefficient rankings places the Scottish Premiership as only the 18th-best league in Europe, putting it behind top flights in Czechia, Greece, Poland, Denmark, Norway and Cyprus. Financially, tactically and culturally, Scottish football has needed something to reinvigorate it.

Hearts might not be that something on their own. Celtic and Rangers still have the resources to crush the Edinburgh side in the seasons to come even if Bloom has an army of data nerds scouring their spreadsheets for marginal gains. There is no advantage in football like a financial one.

As part of a broader movement, though, Hearts’ success this season could be the start of a genuine shift. Celtic and Rangers aren’t untouchable. The established order of Scottish football can be disrupted. It was this season and for the first time in a generation nothing north of the border is guaranteed.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

FotMob Profile: Nice out to rescue season as INEOS relationship sours

Things aren’t so nice in Nice this season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have a new toy, fans want to fight the players, and now they’re in serious danger of losing their Ligue 1 status after their worst season in over a decade.

By Alex Roberts

Their season started in the Champions League qualifiers against Benfica after they managed to secure a fourth-place finish in 2024/25, but ultimately, they failed to reach the tournament proper. This season, they were expected to do the same if not better.

Now, they’re a two-legged play-off against Saint-Etienne away from being relegated. Which would be disastrous for Sir Jim and INEOS, who are looking to sell up seven years after buying the club.

The ownership have gone from promising to topple PSG’s monopoly to completely losing interest as they put all of their attention into Man United. Investment has all but dried up – last summer, Nice spent €35.18m on transfers and brought in €108.00m.

*Nice have three games in which to save their season*

Among those sold were three of their best. Jean-Clair Todibo made his move to West Ham permanent, Evann Guessand went to Aston Villa, had little impact and was shipped out to Crystal Palace, and long-serving goalkeeper Marcin Bulka secured a no doubt lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

It was going to be an uphill battle from the start. The board had left them out to dry and had no intention of bringing in the quality needed to replace the key players they had lost. Kevin Carlos, signed to replace Guessand, has failed to score a league goal.

Manager Franck Haise could see the writing on the wall last autumn, complaining that he didn’t have the players to be challenging for Europe, then going even further to say he couldn’t “create a group” from the squad.

As they struggled for results, the fans really go on their backs. Their anger was largely directed at the players, which feels a little unfair, but sporting director Florian Maurice and President Fabrice Bocquet weren’t spared their ire.

In November, striker Terim Moffi and winger Jeremie Boga were attacked by fans as they climbed off of the team bus at the club’s training ground after arriving back from a defeat at Lorient. A few months later, they were both gone.

Bocquet departed shortly after, then, and probably most importantly, Haise left in December, before joining Rennes in February. The 55-year-old has been a revelation since heading to Roazhon Park, securing European football for the side from Brittany. It’s amazing what a calm working environment can do!

So, what Nice went and did was re-hire former manager Claude Puel, who has been a contentious figure in football for a while now, having tarnished his reputation with some terrible spells in the Premier League with Southampton and then Leicester.

And it’s been a disaster back at Nice. Puel had a lot of credit in the bank following his impressive four-year spell between 2012-16, but that’s all gone now. The veteran coach has won just two of his 18 league games, and his tactics and team selections have been widely criticised.

Puel isn’t to blame though. He walked into a burning building with nothing but an oxygen tank and with the foundations pretty much gone. He played the cards he was dealt poorly, but the issue is deeper than the manager.

The current crisis could have been averted on the last day of Ligue 1. Nice faced the already relegated Metz, a side who had only won three games all season. Survival was in their own hands.

All they needed to do was something they hadn’t done since last October: win a football game at home. But Nice couldn’t pull it off, their game against Metz ended 0-0, and the fans invaded the pitch at the Allianz Riviera almost as soon as the whistle touched the referee’s lips.

The vibe inside the ground was off from the get-go, and not for the first time. Anxiety, anger, and desperation all packed into the arena. As time went on, the overarching feeling became anger.

At least the Nice ultras waited until after the game to storm the pitch, things were worse at Nantes in their final game of the season, where the game had to be abandoned after just 22 minutes as their fans took things into their own hands.

Puel said their “disappointment is legitimate” and he’s right. No one at the club seems capable of fixing it, or even really cares. INEOS want out and if they do sell the club this summer the buyer will inherit a completely broken institution. Which is perhaps a red flag for United fans.

Remarkably though, after all of this, they still have silverware to play for. Nice will face RC Lens, French football’s story of the season, in the Coupe de France final a few days before their relegation play-off.

“Everyone to Paris,” read one banner held up by the fans in their final day draw with Metz in reference to the final as a chant of “Get your arses into gear,” rang around the stadium. It’s not over yet, no matter how bleak things look.

The Coupe de France has been a bit of an escape for Nice. The once highly rated striker Elye Wahi, on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt has loved it, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his three games.

Club captain and legend Dante will also want to leave the club on a less sour note. Now 42-years-old, the oldest and wisest player in top flight French football, he’s retiring at the end of the season. Signing off with a trophy and NOT being relegated is the least he deserves.

The worst part about all of this is that it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel for Nice. It all depends on who comes in and buys the club, hopefully they care at least a little bit. The relationship with INEOS is completely fractured at this point.

We wish we could sign off with a positive note for any Nice fans reading this piece. At least you (probably) live in a beautiful city in one of the best parts of the world.

(Images via IMAGO)

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May

2026

FotMob Profile: Nice aim to rescue their season as INEOS relationship sours

By Alex Roberts

Now, they’re a two-legged play-off against Saint-Etienne away from being relegated. Which would be disastrous for Sir Jim and INEOS, who are looking to sell up seven years after buying the club.

The current crisis could have been averted on the last day of Ligue 1. Nice faced the already relegated Metz, a side who had only won three games all season. Survival was in their own hands.

The vibe inside the ground was off from the get-go, and not for the first time. Anxiety, anger, and desperation all packed into the arena. As time went on, the overarching feeling became anger.

We wish we could sign off with a positive note for any Nice fans reading this piece. At least you (probably) live in a beautiful city in one of the best parts of the world.

(Images via IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

FotMob Profile: Manuel Pellegrini’s patient regeneration project at Real Betis

From leading Villarreal to the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League semifinals to masterminding Málaga’s improbable run to the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, Manuel Pellegrini has already steered two Spanish teams to Europe’s premier competition for the first time in their respective histories. Now, he’s guided Real Betis back to the Champions League for just their second ever qualification.

By Zach Lowy

When Pellegrini took charge, Real Betis were coming off a dismal run of form that had seen them finish 10th and 15th – a mere five points above the relegation zone in 2019/20. But despite not spending a dime in the transfer market, Pellegrini immediately breathed new life into the Andalusian outfit, spearheading Betis to a sixth-place finish in LaLiga before leading them to a fifth-place finish in 2021/22. The cherry on top came in the Copa del Rey Final, with Betis edging Valencia on penalties to secure their first trophy in 17 years.

“The Betis that Pellegrini took over bears no resemblance to the Betis of today – it was a team that hadn’t consistently qualified for Europe for quite some time,” stated AS’ Chief Editor of International Football Aritz Gabilondo. “Pellegrini brought a sense of stability and normalcy to the project, qualities that have ultimately ushered in one of the finest eras in the club’s history.”

*Betis have secured a top five finish in LaLiga*

“He has always championed talented players: signings such as Giovani Lo Celso, Isco, and Antony were made specifically to address that, even the signing of Marc Bartra in defence. It was this commitment to playing attractive football that gave rise to the visually appealing and victorious Betis side we see today. While other clubs were constantly shifting their philosophies and rotating managers, Betis remained steadfastly loyal to Pellegrini and his vision. They never wavered in their support for the Chilean manager; they placed their complete trust in him.”

Betis have lived in a perpetual cycle of rebuilding their squad, cashing in on starters such as Chadi Riad and Luiz Felipe for top dollar, and phasing out veteran leaders like Joaquín and Andrés Guardado. But they have nevertheless remained in LaLiga’s upper echelon thanks to Pellegrini’s stable hand, with the Verdiblancos finishing sixth, seventh, and sixth, as well as reaching their maiden European final.

After relinquishing an early lead and losing 4-1 to Chelsea in the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League Final, Betis have churned that disappointment into motivation, challenging on all fronts and reaching the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey and Europa League. They’ve hit their stride in LaLiga as well, embarking on a seven-match unbeaten run before finally losing at champions Barcelona at the weekend – a defeat that was ultimately meaningless given that Betis had already secured their fifth-place finish.

As someone who has won major silverware in Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, England, and Spain, it’s easy to boil down Pellegrini’s coaching feats to his trophy cabinet. But he’s achieved so much more than that – he’s instilled his tactical DNA in every single place he’s landed, including world-renowned clubs like Real Madrid, River Plate, and Manchester City. A qualified civil engineer, Pellegrini bridged his playing and coaching careers by aiding the rebuilding effort in his native Chile after the 1985 Algarrobo earthquake killed 177 people and left around a million homeless. Throughout his 37 years in management, ‘El Ingeniero’ has been able to pick up the pieces and regenerate teams from the ground up, giving them a foundation that’s built to last the test of time.

*Betis’ league finishes in the first five seasons of Pellegrini’s spell*

This means finding players who fit the requirements to execute his style of football, and it also means tweaking his system around his squad’s strengths. Whereas Betis had previously enjoyed success under Pellegrini by packing the midfield with technically gifted attacking midfielders such as Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales, they’ve pivoted to a more transition-oriented approach this season, one that is predicated upon their winger duo, Antony and Abde Ezzalzoui. Whilst they’re no longer dictating possession as frequently, they’ve reaped the benefits in defence, going from seven clean sheets and 51.6 xG conceded in 2024/25 to 10 clean sheets and 51.6 xG conceded in 2025/26.

“Up until now, Betis wasn’t quite the flank-oriented team that it has become this season; previously, they controlled matches more effectively through possession, passing combinations, and a more cohesive build-up,” stated Betis fan Joel Sierra. “However, this season has become the Abde and Antony show. While this has yielded far greater attacking punch in transition, the team has struggled to manage the flow of matches and dominate play.”

*Betis’ best rated players in LaLiga this season*

“This is the major shift in Pellegrini’s approach since his early days at Betis: they have evolved into a team that relies heavily on the flanks and depends on two transition specialists who possess a somewhat individualistic streak and who exploit open spaces magnificently. The team has lost much of its ability to play through the middle, and key concepts such as defending with the ball, building play from the back, or simply being able to establish themselves in the opposition’s half and retain possession for extended periods.”

Whereas teams like Valencia, Girona, and Sevilla have oscillated from Champions League nights to relegation fights over the past decade, Betis have stayed the course under Pellegrini, proving that slow and steady wins the race. Having previously played in Europe on just 10 occasions in their entire history, Betis have since qualified for Europe in six successive seasons. In contrast to their upcoming opponents, Levante, who are vying to stave off relegation, Betis will be using the final day of the league season as an opportunity to celebrate their momentous achievement in front of their home support. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll be bidding farewell to the man who delivered them to the promised land.

When Pellegrini extended his Betis contract through 2028 in November, he made sure to include an exit clause that allows him to leave to manage the Chilean national team. Whilst he has coached 15 clubs in three different continents, his sole international adventure came in 1991 as the manager of Chile’s U20s. At nearly 73 years old, Pellegrini is well aware that time is not on his side, and after watching La Roja finish bottom of their qualifying group and miss out on a third-straight World Cup, he may be compelled to return to his homeland.

It remains to be seen whether Pellegrini will oversee Betis’ first Champions League match since 2005 or decide to take the reins at Chile, but one thing’s for sure: when he does leave, he will do so as Betis’ greatest-ever manager.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

New Cadbury competition: Win the chance for you and your friends to hang out with Virgil van Dijk!

FotMob has teamed up with Cadbury to promote the ‘Win For Your Squad’ competition that offers prize winners a unique experience with footballing icons that they can share with up to ten of their nearest and dearest.

By Bill Biss

Ahead of an epic summer of football, Cadbury’s Win For Your Squad promotion gives chocolate lovers the chance to hang out with Premier League icon Virgil van Dijk.

Commenting on the promotion, Cadbury Ambassador and captain of Liverpool FC and Netherlands, Virgil van Dijk, said:

“It’s great to be part of Cadbury’s ‘Win For Your Squad’ competition. Football is nothing without the fans and so having the opportunity to meet the winners and to give something back is something that I’m looking forward to.”

Simply buy and scan the QR code on the pack, or visit winforyoursquad.cadbury.co.uk, for your chance to win with Cadbury products – including, but not limited to, individual and multipack Dairy Milk, Chocolate Buttons, Oreo Bites, Bitsa Wispa, Sour Patch Kids and Maynards Bassetts – available from all major retailers.

(All images and content courtesy of Cadbury)

With matchday tickets, daily prizes, and hundreds of instant rewards also up for grabs, enter Win For Your Squad at winforyoursquad.cadbury.co.uk before 16:59 on July 20, 2026.

Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.

May

2026

Super John McGinn sets his sights on the Europa League final

John McGinn is in the form of his life and could be the difference for Aston Villa in their Europa League final against Freiburg.

By Graham Ruthven

Even before John McGinn bagged a brace to make sure of Aston Villa’s win over Nottingham Forest to reach the Europa League final, he’d been the best player on the pitch. The driving force behind Unai Emery’s team and the beating heart of a club on the brink of European glory for the first time since 1982.

McGinn followed up that Man of the Match performance by sticking a finish over Giorgi Mamardashvili and into the top corner of the Liverpool net as Villa secured a top five finish, and Champions League qualification, against last season’s Premier League champions. It was the perfect way to prepare for Wednesday’s showpiece in Istanbul.

Aston Villa have come a long way under Emery. When the Spaniard arrived at Villa Park nearly four years ago, he took over a team merely attempting to stay in the Premier League. Villa were still aiming to establish themselves at the top level of the English game having finished in the bottom half in each of the previous three campaigns.

Under Emery, though, Aston Villa have reached heights they never thought would be possible and nobody embodies this rise better than McGinn. The Scot was already at the club when Emery arrived. He’d already proved his worth at Premier League level, but the former Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal boss has managed to get even more out of him.

“I can’t speak highly enough of what he’s done here,” said McGinn when asked about Emery’s contribution. “He’s changed the belief of the place, the ambitions, almost single-handedly. His desire, work ethic, determination to succeed and the way he pushes us every single day. We’re very fortunate to have him here and hopefully, we can keep him here for as long as possible.

“Me and him have got a great relationship. He knows he can push me to the limits. He knows that he can trust me in any position that he decides. I think it’s important to have someone that’s got your best interests at heart. And like he always says: the best of me is the best of him.”

*Villa’s league finishes since Emery’s arrival in the 2022/23 season*

As a player, McGinn’s numbers speak for themselves. Only Morgan Rogers has created more Big Chances and chances in general than the Scotland international who is also averaging more possessions won in the final third per 90 minutes than any other Aston Villa player. On both sides of the ball, McGinn is relentless.

McGinn has registered 13 goal contributions in all contributions in a season which was disrupted by a knee injury that sidelined him for two months. Positionally, it can be difficult to pin down the 31-year-old’s role in the Aston Villa team, but he is simply Emery’s man for all jobs and all occasions.

As a character, McGinn might be even more valuable. By all accounts, he is the life and soul of the Villa Park dressing room. His captain’s armband is more than a symbol and instead accurately signifies the position he holds within the Aston Villa team. Without McGinn, Villa wouldn’t have the same drive.

*McGinn’s defensive stats in the Premier League this season*

While McGinn is certainly respected as a key figure for Aston Villa, he still doesn’t get the credit he deserves as one of the best, and most consistent, midfielders in the Premier League. At a time when central operators are in high-demand at the elite level of the game, McGinn still manages to fly under the radar.

Another big performance in this season’s Europa League on Wednesday would further entrench McGinn’s status as a modern Aston Villa legend. The way he’s been playing of late, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Scotland international ended up providing the defining contribution of the final against Freiburg.

*McGinn’s passing stats in the Premier League this season*

McGinn also has a World Cup to look forward to with Scotland preparing for their first match in the competition since 1998. Steve Clarke will need the 31-year-old to be in top form if Scotland are to stand any chance of making it out of a World Cup group for the first time in their history. McGinn could make it happen.

Of course, Aston Villa have several players who could decide Wednesday’s match in Istanbul. Ollie Watkins is in fine goalscoring form while Morgan Rogers has created more chances than any other player in this season’s Europa League. Villa might have too much for Freiburg on the night.

In McGinn, though, Villa have someone who could take the match by the scruff of the neck and ensure the club’s greatest night for over four decades. He has made a habit of that over the course of his Aston Villa career and Wednesday’s Europa League final could be his crowning moment.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

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May

2026

Freiburg: The German underdogs aiming for European immortality

On May 7, after beating Braga 3-1 in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final to claim a 4-3 aggregate victory, Freiburg entered uncharted territory. For the first time in their 121-year history, the club booked its place in a European final.

By Alex Connor

It wasn’t easy for Julian Schuster’s side, who lost 2-1 in the semi-final first leg in Portugal. A comeback was needed, and the Germans delivered in front of their fans.

An early red card for Braga’s Mario Dorgeles in the sixth minute for a professional foul on Jan-Niklas Beste opened the door for Freiburg to create history. Lukas Kübler bundled the hosts into the lead before Johan Manzambi’s long-range beauty put Freiburg two goals ahead. Kübler netted his second after the break to make it three, but Víctor Gómez’s consolation for the visitors set up a nervy finish.

Freiburg survived Braga’s late pressure to secure their passage into the Europa League final, where they face Aston Villa tonight in Istanbul (May 20). After the match, defender Matthias Ginter described the final as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” that the club is “determined” to win.

*Freiburg’s final league position in the Bundesliga*

Since then, momentum has continued in the Black Forest, and after a 3-2 loss against Hamburg in their penultimate Bundesliga outing of the season, Freiburg sealed seventh place and Conference League qualification for next season courtesy of a resounding 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig at Europa-Park Stadion.

A winless three-match Bundesliga run for Freiburg took the race for European football to the final day, with Schuster’s men tussling with Eintracht Frankfurt for the last remaining spot.

They faced a difficult assignment against third-place Leipzig, who would achieve a club-record points tally in the German top-flight with a victory. Beste and Igor Matanović powered Freiburg into a two-goal lead, before Leipzig pulled one back through Assan Ouédraogo’s rasping drive. Ginter and Derry Scherhant added goals in the second half to round off an eye-catching scoreline for the Breisgau-Brasilianer, who will eagerly head to the banks of the Bosporus to tackle Villa in a buoyant mood.

Schuster was hoisted into the air by Matanović and Maximilian Eggestein to soak up the appreciation of the adoring support, as was the departing Nicolas Höfler, a midfielder who has spent almost the entirety of his career at the club. It was the perfect preparation ahead of today’s final.

Let’s be clear: Unai Emery’s side head into the European showpiece as the overwhelming favourites. The Spaniard is the Europa League master, having won the competition four times with Sevilla and Villarreal.

Villa’s emphatic 4-2 victory over Liverpool means they’ll be playing Champions League football next season, regardless of Wednesday’s result. It lifts a weight off their shoulders of a team already glistening with attacking sparkle. The likes of Ollie Watkins and John McGinn are currently in scintillating form, while Morgan Rogers, though inconsistent, is always capable of magic moments.

The English giants are enduring their own drought for silverware. Villa haven’t won a major trophy since they won 3-0 against Leeds United in the 1996 League Cup final, and they’re aiming to do so in their first European final for 44 years.

Freiburg’s patience dwarfs Villa’s wait. The German club’s most notable achievements are its four 2. Bundesliga titles in 1993, 2003, 2009 and 2016, while it heartbreakingly lost the 2022 DFB-Pokal final on penalties to Leipzig following a 1-1 draw, after extra time.

Their European pedigree is almost non-existent. Two round of 16 appearances in consecutive Europa League campaigns in 2023 and 2024 are Freiburg’s strongest offerings on the continent.

While a couple of generations of Villa supporters are yet to see their club lift a major trophy, the entirety of Freiburg’s fanbase – past and present – are dreaming of unprecedented success.

Freiburg possess plenty of talented players and willing runners who will give everything to the cause. Manzambi is enjoying an exceptional breakout campaign, recording 46 appearances and 13 goals in all competitions. The box-to-box midfielder’s energy, tenacity and attacking influence ensure he’s one of Freiburg’s most exciting forces. In the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, he ranks within the top 11% for goals (5), successful dribbles (33) and duels won (179).

Freiburg-born centre-back Ginter is an experienced head at the back, with over 50 caps for the German national team. He’s started every Europa League game this campaign and featured in 32 Bundesliga matches. Eggestein is a similarly reliable presence, playing 13 European outings and starting every Bundesliga fixture.

Vincenzo Grifo has 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions this season, and is Freiburg’s top scorer in the Europa League, having netted five times. Striker Matanović will be brimming with confidence after bagging three goals in Freiburg’s previous two league games.

Manager Schuster spent a decade at Freiburg between 2008 and 2018 as a player. Appointed in March 2024 to replace the legendary Christian Streich, Freiburg was his first senior managerial role, having acquired his coaching licence the year before. In Schuster’s first season at the helm, the 41-year-old guided the club to a fifth-place finish and narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.

This season, Schuster has led Freiburg to another admirable domestic finish and given fans a priceless European adventure that has allowed them to dream. The German underdogs are planning to write their own script in Istanbul and are just one game away from immortality.

(Images via IMAGO)

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May

2026

Preview: Aston Villa out to relive European glory against first-time finalists Freiburg

Freiburg are the underdogs in their first-ever European final as they take on English side Aston Villa, who were last crowned champions of Europe back in 1982.

By Neel Shelat

Freiburg fighting for a first major title

Freiburg have firmly established themselves as a Bundesliga club in recent years, having spent all but one of the last 17 seasons in the German top-flight. The Baden-Württemberg-based club will celebrate their 122nd birthday at the end of this month, but are still searching for their first major honour.

The closest Freiburg came to lifting a trophy was in 2022, when they played their only major final to date. They took on RB Leipzig in Berlin with the DFB Pokal at stake, going all the way to penalties before falling short. There would be no fairytale end to Christian Streich’s long tenure at the club, as he left at the end of the subsequent season after completing 12 years in charge of the senior team and 29 years at the club altogether.

*Freiburg finished seventh in the Bundesliga this season*

Assistant coach Julian Schuster took on the challenge of succeeding the legend and very nearly led the team to a first-ever Champions League qualification in his debut season. Now, he has earned a second shot at making history at the end of a very impressive Europa League campaign.

Aston Villa keen for a coronation in a period of success

Aston Villa will come into this match in high spirits having sealed Champions League qualification in the Premier League with a dominant win over Liverpool on the weekend. So, regardless of how this match goes, they will enjoy a fourth-successive European campaign next term.

Four is not an entirely lucky number for Villa, though, as they have lost each of their last four major finals. They did win their only continental final in the European Cup in 1982, which remains their last major honour discounting League Cups (which they also haven’t won in three decades).

Team news

Freiburg will be without dynamic attacker Yuito Suzuki due to his collarbone fracture. Defensive midfielder Patrick Osterhage is expected to be back fit, while Max Rosenfelder and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh recently featured for the second team upon returning from injury.

Midfield is the area of concern for Aston Villa, since Boubacar Kamara is out and Amadou Onana’s status is uncertain.

Key players

Freiburg’s all-time top-scorer Vincenzo Grifo is a creative threat too, so the 33-year-old Italian will be a key figure in his side’s attacking play. Young starlet Johan Manzambi will be keen to support him from midfield, especially given Villa’s absences. Centre back Mathias Ginter could also chip in from a set-piece, though his defensive work will be much more necessary.

*H2H Europa League top scorers comparison*

Ollie Watkins has found a rich vein of form at just the right time, with four goals and two assists in the last three games. Morgan Rogers is Aston Villa’s main attacking threat besides him, so the two will hope to combine on the biggest of nights. At the back, Emiliano Martínez shot-stopping — and potentially penalty-killing — could make the difference.

Prediction

Freiburg are a well-drilled and cohesive side and certainly know how to put up a tough fight on the big stage. Four-time Europa League winner Unai Emery will have to bring out his side’s best, but a penalty shoot-out may well be on the cards.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2026

Andoni Iraola: Bournemouth’s quiet and efficient mastermind

The Premier League Manager of the Season nominees for 2025/26 were announced on May 14, with Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola deservedly breaking into the shortlist. The Spanish coach has masterminded a brilliant campaign, with the Cherries on the verge of playing European football for the first time next season.

By Alex Connor

Ahead of the fixture against Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday evening, Bournemouth sit sixth, four points in front of ninth-place Sunderland, with a top-eight finish currently guaranteeing a European spot.

Bournemouth are only four points behind Liverpool in fifth, having played a game less, meaning a win against Man City keeps them in the hunt for Champions League football. If Villa finish outside the top four and win the Europa League, sixth place would be enough to qualify for Europe’s premier competition.

But for Bournemouth, any form of European football is an exceptional achievement, with the club only needing a point from the last six available to book a spot in the top eight.

*The Premier League top six prior to Tuesday’s games*

On May 9, Bournemouth claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage thanks to Rayan’s second-half strike. This ensured that the high-flying Cherries extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches, the current longest undefeated streak in Europe’s top five leagues.

Imagine explaining this scenario to a Bournemouth fan at the start of the season. Their heads must be spinning. The team’s current position under Iraola is simply outstanding.

Many feared for Bournemouth after losing key players such as Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi and Dango Ouattara in the summer. Initially, these outgoings seemed inconsequential, and the club started the season excellently. Following an opening day loss to Liverpool, Iraola’s men embarked on an eight-game unbeaten run, which lifted them to second in the table by the end of October.

However, between November and January, Bournemouth endured a challenging spell and went 11 games without a win, their worst run in a top-flight season. Nevertheless, despite floundering in 15th place in the table and teetering nine points above the relegation zone following a 3-2 defeat against Arsenal on Janaury 3, Bournemouth emphatically defied the odds, with Iraola navigating an excellent recovery when the season looked to be hurtling towards disaster.

Antoine Semenyo’s much-anticipated departure in January provided another hurdle for the Spaniard to jump. How did he respond? Well, Bournemouth haven’t lost in the league since the dazzling winger joined Man City.

Bournemouth can also be praised for their shrewd recruitment. Djordje Petrovic, Adrien Truffert and Rayan have all seamlessly slotted into the squad, while Eli Junior Kroupi, who originally joined the club at the start of 2025 but is enjoying a breakout campaign this season, has also been brilliant.

The only negative for Bournemouth fans is that Iraola won’t be there to reap the rewards of his impressive work. In April, the club announced that Iraola would leave at the end of the season after he opted not to sign a new deal, with former Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose confirmed as the incoming manager.

“It has been an honour to manage AFC Bournemouth, and I am proud of what we have achieved together,” Iraola told the club’s website. “I feel this is the right moment for me to step away, but I will always carry fantastic memories of this club.”

Chairman Bill Foley also heaped praise on Iraola, adding: “Andoni has been instrumental in shaping the direction of this football club over the past three seasons. He brought intensity, innovation, and a clear philosophy that elevated AFC Bournemouth both on and off the pitch.”

Despite Iraola’s decision, there appears to be no bad blood. The 43-year-old has kept his focus and maintained the squad’s motivation, with Bournemouth’s form reaching dizzying heights. It’s a testament to Iraola’s eye-catching coaching qualities.

*Bournemouth’s impressive attacking numbers*

It’s not been a simple journey to this point. Iraola’s first managerial role at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus didn’t even last a full season, and he was sacked in January 2019. There was scepticism when he arrived at Bournemouth in June 2023. Some felt that Gary O’Neil’s dismissal was harsh and unjustified, with the Englishman having just commendably steered Bournemouth to Premier League safety.

Iraola’s tricky start on the south coast, which yielded zero wins in his first nine league games, cast further doubt over Foley’s call to remove O’Neil. Iraola overcame these testing times and Bournemouth battled hard to finish 12th. A ninth-place finish followed that, and the club is now sixth, punching well above its weight. Iraola’s appointment has been fully vindicated.

Bournemouth have been yearning for fresh history since Eddie Howe’s tenure. The current Newcastle boss guided the Cherries from the brink of extinction in the fourth tier in 2009 to Premier League promotion in 2015 across two stints. Iraola is the next Bournemouth manager to achieve the unthinkable. His brand of expansive and brave football has charmed and excited, but most importantly, has delivered significant results and progress.

Bournemouth could also break their previous record points tally for a single Premier League campaign (56), which was set under Iraola last season. With two games remaining, Bournemouth sit on 55. A draw would equal the record, while a win would eclipse it.

*Bournemouth are set for their best ever league finish*

Three points against Man City would also take the race for Champions League to the final day, but Iraola’s burgeoning coaching reputation has already skyrocketed, and a manager of the season nomination is the least he deserves.

(Images via IMAGO)

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