Page 106 – The Pulse of Football

Apr

2025

Preview: Barcelona take on Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey Final

Spain’s biggest two clubs are head-to-head for Spain’s biggest two trophies; this weekend the first will be decided as the Copa del Rey final hopes to see another dramatic edition of El Clásico.

By Karl Matchett

The one team you can’t lose to

While the meeting of Barcelona and Real Madrid is neither a new phenomenon nor an infrequent one when it comes to dishing out silverware, it does remain one of the game’s great spectacles. Midweek lineups from both teams attests to such, with some changes in place as each secured a narrow win in LaLiga.

It’s Barcelona who will feel they have comfortably the upper hand when it comes to enjoying the better 2024/25 season, but that may only mean Real go all out here to ensure this cup goes back to the capital. With the Supercopa won, top spot in the league being held and European success still a possibility, it could prove an incredibly memorable campaign for Hansi Flick and his side. For Carlo Ancelotti, then, the next month or so must be about trying to secure a domestic double before a potential exit – starting with this final.

Both sides have elite attacks, yet look precarious in defence at times. Playing to their strengths may just then see Saturday’s 90 minutes be one of the most attractive of the year – if tempers or officiating don’t get in the way.

Recent form

Aside from a second-leg defeat in Europe to Dortmund, Barcelona have been relentless: 27 games since the turn of the year, four draws and just that one loss. Otherwise, it’s wins all the way to put them in the driving seat in league terms and favourites elsewhere. Real Madrid have lost three and won three in the last six, on the other hand. Big games have too often passed them by when in previous years, form meant nothing and they’d raise their game. It won’t have gone unnoticed by Barcelona, who trounced them in the Supercopa final of course.

*Barcelona have won the three competitive and non-competitive Clásicos played this season*

Team news

Barcelona’s big recent miss is Robert Lewandowski, who has a hamstring injury. Alejandro Balde and Marc-André ter Stegen remain out too.

Kylian Mbappé faces a race to be fit after an ankle injury for Real Madrid, with Ferland Mendy also still on the comeback trail but pushing for involvement soon. Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga are all out.

Key player

With Lewandowski out, look to perhaps player of the season Raphinha to take the lead for Barca in a scoring and a creating capacity. The Brazilian has been excellent and in his last nine appearances has six goals and five assists. On a longer-term capacity he ranks higher than 97% of similar players in Europe’s top leagues over the last year for chances created, than 98% for shots taken and than 99% for goals scored. A magnificent campaign regardless of whether he’s playing right, left or centrally behind the No. 9.

Prediction

Barcelona to make it two trophies from two in an event-filled encounter: Barcelona 4-2 Real Madrid.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

The Championship relegation battle is going down to the wire

With two games to go, there’s everything to play for at the bottom of the Championship, with at least eight teams looking to avoid the drop in a line-up that would even leave David Mitchell struggling to keep up.

By Sanny Rudravajhala

It’s 17 years since his iconic ‘watch the football’ Sky Sports parody aired on the BBC as part of That Mitchell and Webb Look’s second season opener. With Mitchell marching around the pitch, bombastically telling us various football fixtures in an increasingly dizzying and maniacal manner. And last week we came full circle as David Prutton, wearing the same suit, shirt and tie parodied the parody whilst promoting Sky’s Easter football coverage. So, let’s delve into what’s going on at the bottom of English football’s second tier, where watching the live league table this weekend will be just as absorbing as watching ALL of the football!

*The relegation battle heading in to the weekend*

Too late for resurgent Argyle?

After their superb victory over Coventry City on Monday, Miron Muslić said Plymouth would have been safe if he’d been in place at the start of the season. His results compared to Wayne Rooney bear that out and it’s unfortunate for the Argyle boss that their rivals have also been picking up points, meaning they are still bottom but crucially, now only three points from safety.

Mustapha Bundu was lucky to be on the pitch after a robust early challenge but the Sierra Leone international put in his best performance in an Argyle shirt in that superb Home Park showing over high-flying Coventry. Setting up Ryan Hardie after an excellent opener, he added a Bundu bundle in heading home for 3-1. The 6’6” January signing of Muhamed Tijani has given an extra option and freed up Bundu and Hardie to wreak havoc. Their defensive fragility under Rooney, however, means their total goals conceded is 85. That’s 16 more than the next worse in Cardiff and Portsmouth and a -37 goal difference makes staying up even more difficult. They will be relegated on Saturday if either Luton or Derby County better their result at Preston.

Bloomfield pulling a rabbit out of the Hat(ters)?

Whatever happens, Luton won’t go down this weekend. I had said that Matt Bloomfield felt like the right man at the wrong time but after a challenging start, he is now working his magic. Luton’s mid-February defeat to bitter rivals Watford felt terminal. They had gone 13 games without a win from Christmas but since then it’s been five victories and only two defeats from those next ten games. At times over the Easter weekend, they were tantalisingly close to having survival in their own hands with the live league table having them escaping the drop altogether.

Thelo Aasgaard has come good (as I predicted, if I can claim that!) with a string of strong showings, capped off with a well-struck opener against, play-off-chasing Bristol City. Bloomfield’s other January signings are all chipping in, particularly Milli Alli. Signed from Exeter, the 25-year-old, like Aasgaard, has stepped up a league and a level, with two goals in his last four games. That included a crucial winner against Derby County last Friday. Only Derby (45%) have scored more goals from set pieces than Luton (39%). Both enter this run-in knowing they will always have a chance.

Cardiff doomed?

Like Plymouth, Cardiff will be down if either Luton or Derby better their result. A goal difference that’s significantly worse than Hull and Derby also make things challenging for caretaker manager Aaron Ramsey. It’s been a diabolical campaign, with Omer Riza’s surly responses after their defeat at Bramall Lane showing just how much it has taken out of him. Having been unable to arrest the slide under Erol Bulut, he left the club following their defeat to Sheffield United. In February, I said Callum Robinson’s goals were the reason they weren’t further down the table. Since then, he has scored one, with January recruit Yousef Salech often given the nod ahead of him. To his credit, having been goalless in six, the Dane headed the first goal of a new era.

Ramsey was accompanied by Chris Gunter and Joe Ralls in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United. They looked transformed in a dominating performance but Cameron Brannagan’s venomous strike with 11 minutes to go hit them hard. Curiously, their final two games will also be against other caretaker managers in West Brom’s James Morrison and Norwich’s Jack Wilshire. All three clubs are playing the ‘new manager bounce’ game, but for Cardiff the stakes are much higher. However, as with Argyle, I feel it’s all too little too late.

Choppy waters for Derby and Oxford, Hull breached, Stoke on the beach and Preston plummeting

Looking at the fixtures, Derby have a crucial final two. Going to Hull on Saturday is huge. They end the season at home to Stoke City, who have been dragged into the mire. Leeds were rampant in what turned out to be a promotion-winning 6-0 victory but Stoke’s defending was appalling and having reached 50 points, they’ve got the beach towels out too soon.

The Rams took their damaging defeat to Luton in their stride to turn over an insipid West Brom and John Eustace has justified his move from Blackburn, winning five from ten, which is just two games fewer than Paul Warne managed all season. It’s all in their hands.

With Oxford facing two teams with little to play for in Sunderland who are already in the play-offs and Swansea, who under Alan Sheehan have been rescued, on paper they should be safe. However, having rested players and been met with defeats, Regis Le Bris is promising to field a stronger XI which means for Oxford, I think it will go down to the wire. They have struggled for goals but with victories over both Sheffield clubs and a stubborn if ultimately fruitless performance against Leeds, they’ve shown they can do enough to stay up.

Hull’s sacking of Liam Rosenior after taking them to 7^th last season is even more ludicrous when you see they are now battling the drop. It’s added to the fact that the Englishman is challenging for Europe with Strasbourg. It was an aberration from owner Acun Ilıcalı, compounded with a mix and match transfer policy without adequate reinvestment after the sales of defender Jacob Greaves and winger Jaden Philogene. Whilst 20-year-old Charlie Hughes has impressed at the back, the loss of Philogene has seen them become the second-lowest scorers in the division. Hull are on the edge.

It’s a big ‘if’, but if Luton can pull off victories over Coventry and West Brom then I can see a nuclear scenario facing Preston North End. They’re not the third worst team in the division and I love my visits to Deepdale but on the pitch, a malaise has set in. The gravity of what’s at stake has seen the club reduce tickets to just £5 for the visit of Plymouth Argyle. A packed park will see a side with a wretched recent record; winless in six, including a damaging defeat to Hull last time out. In fact, they have just two league victories since January. Kaine Kessler-Hayden has been their shining light this season but he’s not even their player and will return to Aston Villa in the summer.

*The author’s POV at Deepdale earlier in the season*

The biggest ‘if’ here is if Miron Muslić’s side can win a second away game of the season. In this PNE crisis scenario I can’t see Paul Heckingbottom’s team getting a victory over Bristol City and by my calculations they could go down on 49 points. There’s a hot take for him to print out and stick up in the PNE dressing room!

It’s the finest of margins and with so little between the bottom eight, we’re in for a chaotic crescendo. So, dig out a pallid yellow shirt, get studying the fixtures and let’s get marching. In the Championship, anything can happen. There’s everything to play for and, for this season at least, only two games left to play it in.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Joan Garcia: The Spanish goalkeeper on the tip of everyone’s tongue

It’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish. And that’s certainly proven the case for RCD Espanyol this season.

By Zach Lowy

Espanyol looked set for an imminent return to the Spanish second tier after losing nine of their first 13 matches of the 2024/25 LaLiga season and occupying the relegation zone between Matchday 16 and Matchday 21. Since then, however, the Pericos have won five matches, drawn four, and lost twice. They’ve only conceded eight goals in that time span – the lowest tally alongside Barcelona and Athletic Club – and they sit seven points clear of the drop with a game in hand. And whilst there have been plenty of individual contributions, no player has had a bigger role in Espanyol’s turnaround than goalkeeper Joan García.

Born in Sallent, Spain, García played for local Catalan sides Manresa and Damm before joining Espanyol in 2016, where he ascended the ranks before eventually making his first-team debut on December 1, 2021. He made four appearances across all competitions in his first two seasons, whilst he would have to wait until March 2 to play his first match of the 2023/24 campaign after getting the nod ahead of Fernando Pacheco, nine years his senior. García quickly eliminated any lingering doubts with a Man of the Match display in a 0-0 draw vs. Huesca, and he hasn’t relinquished his starting spot ever since.

*García player traits – comparison against keepers in Europe’s top five leagues*

Espanyol finished fourth in the table thanks to a penurious backline that conceded just seven goals in their final 14 league matches with García in goal, in addition to one goal in their four promotion playoff matches vs. Sporting Gijón and Real Oviedo. García proved essential in Espanyol’s successful promotion chase, exhibiting poise under pressure, cat-like reflexes, and a willingness to come off his line and claim crosses, prompting him to be voted as the club’s Player of the Month for March 2024, April 2024 and May 2024, as well as their Male Player of the Season.

After serving as a backup in the Summer Olympics to PSG’s Arnau Tenas and winning a gold medal in France, García returned to Spain and continued his meteoric progression in between the sticks. At nearly 24 years of age, García has staked his claim as one of the finest goalkeepers on the continent, leading LaLiga with 8.3 Goals Prevented – nearly twice as much as second-placed David Soria (4.3) – as well as a league-high 3.8 saves per 90. What’s more, only Unai Simón (78.4%) and Thibaut Courtois (75%) have a higher save percentage than him (74.8%).

Standing at 6’3” (1.93m), García has the height and wingspan to impose himself in one-on-one situations, but this doesn’t stop him from zooming off his line to deal with a dangerous counter-attack, challenging the opposing attacker and forcing him to make a decision much earlier than he’d have liked. Whenever Espanyol are leaking opportunities and allowing the opponent to mount pressure (they’ve conceded the fourth-highest xG in LaLiga), García never lets his guard down, putting his quick reactions and acrobatic diving ability to good use and helping his team ride the storm out with his nerves of steel and superb anticipation. He has an adhesiveness to his shot-stopping where, even if he does have to lay out and prevent a shot from reaching the back of the net, he won’t allow the ball to slip out of his grasp and trickle towards an opponent.

“García is a tall, albeit agile goalkeeper who’s assertive in the air and reliable in one-on-one situations, but above all, I’d highlight his great reflexes,” stated Emilio Blanco, a Spanish journalist who covers Espanyol for AS and La Grada. “Although he’s still young and inexperienced, it’s clear that he has everything it takes to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In terms of performances, he has been the best goalkeeper in LaLiga this season, and he’s the main reason why Espanyol haven’t suffered relegation. There are forwards who guarantee you 20 goals, but Espanyol have a goalkeeper who prevents them from conceding 20-30 goals.”

He isn’t just a reliable pair of gloves who finds himself in the right place at the right time more often than not – he’s someone who has the timing, precision, and composure to deliver world-class saves, the likes of which are typically only seen by legendary shot-stoppers like Manuel Neuer, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Oblak and Alisson. We saw this in February when, after leaving a trail of Espanyol players in his dust, Real Sociedad’s Luka Sučić looked set to convert from point-blank range, only to be denied by the outstretched leg of García. The following month, he got a strong palm to Cristhian Stuani’s volley, keeping out a ferocious shot that was traveling at supersonic speed. In doing so, García became the first-ever player to win the LaLiga Save of the Month on consecutive occasions.

In his first-ever season of playing regular minutes at the senior level, García is the highest-rated goalkeeper in FotMob’s LaLiga database (26th overall), whilst only Kylian Mbappé has received as many FotMob Player of the Match awards (8). One of those came in a 0-0 draw at Atlético Madrid, one in a 1-0 win vs. Real Madrid, one in a 1-0 win vs. Alavés, and one in a 2-1 win against Mallorca on March 15, before following that up with a 1-1 draw vs. Atlético Madrid. Since then, he’s been named the Man of the Match in each of his last four matches vs. Rayo Vallecano, Celta de Vigo, Getafe and Valencia, where he has made a total of 21 saves and conceded just one goal in the process. After his heroics against Getafe, Espanyol manager Manolo González declared: “We have a goalkeeper who makes the difference. It’s like when Barcelona had Lionel Messi. He’s going to be a worldwide reference point.”

García’s in-game intelligence enables him to prognosticate potential danger and get himself into the perfect position to prevent an attacker from taking an extra touch and cut off his shooting angle. He’s a modern sweeper keeper who is proactive rather than reactive, and who is always backing himself to come out on top, whether that’s challenging for an aerial duel or making himself big in a 1v1 situation, cutting off his opponent’s shooting angle, or confidently commanding his box and swatting away a ball. But whilst he’s made the highlight reels this season due to his extraordinary reflexes, he’s also more than capable of dribbling out of pressure and instigating a counter-attack with a pinpoint long ball or a measured chipped pass into the wide areas.

*García has four FotMob Player of the Match awards in his last four appearances*

With his contract set to expire in 2028, it’s seemingly only a matter of time before García leaves Estadi Cornellà-El Prat for greener pastures – the only two questions are, when, and where? Arsenal were linked with a move last summer and remain keen to find a genuine competitor for David Raya (29), whilst Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Atlético Madrid also find themselves looking for a younger option to challenge their starting goalkeepers, all of whom are on the wrong side of 30.

Whatever happens, Espanyol will be hoping to delay negotiations until after Spain’s UEFA Nations League Finals, which will take place in Germany from June 4 to June 8. García’s release clause will increase from €30 million to €35 million if he is called to the Spanish national team, and if he continues performing at this rate, Luís de la Fuente may have no other choice but to hand him his international debut this summer. Whilst he faces ample competition from Unai Simón, Raya, and Álex Remiro, Joan García has everything it takes to not only crack the Spain squad, but lock down a starting spot with La Roja before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all the action from LaLiga on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

FPL tips from the reigning champ: GW34

Get ahead of the Group Chat thanks to our new regular column from FPL expert Jonas Sand Låbakk.

By Graham Ruthven, in conversation with Jonas Sand Låbakk

Introducing our expert

Jonas is a 21 year old student who, like FotMob, hails from Norway. He was Fantasy Premier League champion for the 2023/24 season, finishing ahead of 11 million other managers. So who better to provide expert advice?

Read his expert advice every week.

*Don’t forget the FPL deadline for this round – make your transfers and get your team sorted before 11.00 BST on Saturday 26th April*

The Eye Test vs. The Stats

There are only seven fixtures in GW34 being played this weekend meaning some popular players coming off a double gameweek won’t have an opportunity to score big due to this weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals. This could force some FPL managers to use their Free Hit chip.

Matheus Cunha (6.9m) is worth considering in GW34. The Brazilian forward has missed a lot of action through suspension, but was on the pitch for 90 minutes against Manchester United and will start for Wolves against Leicester City.

Cunha registered an assist in the win at Old Trafford, winning the freekick from which Pablo Sarabia found the back of the net from. The 25-year-old played just 20 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur in GW32, but still managed to score in that time.

Having recorded five attacking returns in his last six appearances, Cunha has proven himself as a lovely striker who always causes havoc for opposition defences. He is also a threat from long distance and has an average of 0.49 Expected Goal Involvements per 90 minutes.

Wolves have Leicester at home in GW34 with the Foxes already relegated. Leicester have conceded the second-most goals of any team in the Premier League this season. They have also conceded the third-most Expected Goals Against. This should be a favourable fixture for the hosts.

Bryan Mbeumo (7.9m) should be on your radar for GW34 – and for the rest of the season.

The Brentford forward has registered more points (210) than any other player in FPL besides Mohamed Salah, highlighting the impact he has made for the Bees in the 2024/25 campaign.

Mbeumo added two goals and an assist to his tally against Brighton in GW33, taking him to 18 goals and assists for the season. One of his goals came from a one-on-one with the goalkeeper while the other was a powerful strike from the right-hand side of the box.

Brentford have a tougher match-up in GW34 against Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest, but Mbeumo has demonstrated his ability to make an impact against anyone.

After facing Forest, the Bees have a good run of fixtures to finish the season. Mbeumo, who is also a designated penalty talent, is someone you should certainly consider for your FPL team. We took a deeper look at Mbeumo’s underlying numbers in an article published earlier in the week – you can check that out – here.

*Mbeumo’s shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

Long shot

Ryan Sessegnon (4.1m) has struggled for game time this season, the Fulham wide player has enjoyed better fortunes in recent weeks.

Listed as a defender in FPL, Sessegnon has been playing as a right winger in Harry Wilson’s absence. In his last seven games, Sessegnon has started four times and has only blanked twice. This gives him genuine value.

It’s worth considering that Wilson came on for an 11-minute cameo against Chelsea in GW33, indicating Sessegnon might not be a nailed on starter for GW34. Nonetheless, the 24-year-old is owned by just 1.8% of FPL managers and could deliver a significant haul against Southampton.

Upcoming games to follow

While there are only seven fixtures this weekend, there is plenty to keep an eye on as the 2024/25 season gets closer to a conclusion.

Newcastle United host Ipswich Town in what is likely to be a one-sided encounter. The Magpies might be coming off a heavy 4-1 loss to Aston Villa, but they are firm favourites to get their Champions League challenge back on track this weekend.

Alexander Isak (9.5m), Harvey Barnes (6.0m), Tino Livramento (4.6m), Kieran Trippier (5.6.) and Fabian Schär (5.5m) have all been in strong scoring form of late and could be valuable assets going forward.

Fulham’s trip to face Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium is another match that should be targeted with Sessegnon, Antonee Robinson (4.8m) and Raúl Jimenez (5.3m) all attractive options.

The clash between Leicester and Wolves mentioned above could also hold some worth from a FPL point of view. Cunha, Jørgen Strand Larsen (5.4m) and Rayan Aït-Nouri (4.9m) are all capable of a points haul against the relegated Foxes.

Finally, Liverpool’s home match against Spurs is worth highlighting. The Reds will be looking to seal the Premier League title with Mohamed Salah (13.8m) standing out as the best option. Luis Díaz (7.5m), and Virgil van Dijk (6.6m) are also good assets while Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.2m) is also one to consider after his game-winning moment against Leicester last week.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Did you know that you can track live Fantasy points with FotMob? Simply select any Premier League game, swipe to the Lineup tab, and press the big ‘Fantasy’ button! Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

Premier League Preview, Matchday 34

We could well find out two outcomes this weekend. Firstly, a point for Liverpool at home to Tottenham Hotspur would be enough for them to be named as Premier League champions. Ipswich Town might well have their relegation confirmed too, depending on what West Ham do in their game against Brighton.

By Sam McGuire

But what exactly needs to happen and what can we look forward to this weekend? Here’s your preview for Matchday 34.

Champions League aspirations for Chelsea

The Blues host Everton on Saturday afternoon knowing a win would see them leapfrog Newcastle United in fifth. It would move them to level on points with fourth-place Nottingham Forest too, and just a point behind third-placed Manchester City.

This is a big game for Chelsea. They’re at home too, so there’s even more pressure on Enzo Maresca and his players.

They scored a last minute winner in their last outing against Fulham. Pedro Neto was the hero for the Blues. Chelsea have been decent at home this term and have the joint-fifth best record in the Premier League having taken 32 points from 16 games. Only Aston Villa (34), Manchester City (36), Arsenal (36) and Liverpool (41) have taken more.

Meanwhile, Everton have a poor away record with just 18 points from 16 matches on the road. They have nothing to play for either, so, in all honesty, this should be a routine win for Chelsea if they’re hoping to be playing Champions League football next season. It needs to be a win if Maresca is going to keep his job at Stamford Bridge.

The return of Potter

Brighton and West Ham are two of the worst teams in the Premier League on current form.

Only Leicester City (one) have taken fewer points than Brighton (two), while West Ham have racked up just three points during this run.

In fact, West Ham haven’t won a Premier League game since February. Brighton’s six-match winning streak ended in March and they’re now winless in six. Despite their poor form, the Seagulls find themselves 10th in the English top-flight. They could be as high as 8th or as low as 12th this weekend, depending on results. They’re in mid-table limbo.

The Hammers, now managed by former Brighton boss Graham Potter, are still not mathematically safe. They’re 15 points clear of Ipswich Town with five games to play. A point here guarantees them Premier League football next term. They’re going to be looking for a positive performance under Potter, and he’ll be wanting a positive showing at his former home.

Can the Magpies recover?

Newcastle United had been one of the form teams in the Premier League heading into last weekend’s clash with Aston Villa. They’d gatecrashed the top three and looked a shoo-in for Champions League football.

Villa then dismantled the Magpies at Villa Park, romping to a 4-1 win to bring Newcastle back down to earth with a bump. The Carabao Cup winners are still fifth in the table but things are now looking a lot more difficult for them. If Chelsea win the early kick-off, Newcastle start this game in sixth position.

They need to get to winning ways if St James’ Park is going to host Champions League football next term. They need to get back to winning ways to ensure Alexander Isak remains with the club.

This weekend, they face an Ipswich Town team hanging onto their Premier League status by a thread. Even if the Tractor Boys win, they could still be relegated. They need West Ham to lose to Brighton and maximum points here to prolong their stint in the top-flight by a further week.

20 times for Liverpool

One point. That is all Liverpool need on Sunday to be crowned champions of England for a 20th time. Despite all of the talk that the Reds are stumbling over the line, Arne Slot’s men have taken 12 points from the last 15 on offer. They’re grinding out results, keeping clean sheets and, most importantly, winning games.

They face an out-of-sorts Spurs side who could well finish the season in 17th position. The Reds have scored 10 goals in three outings against Ange Postecoglou’s side this term and Liverpool will be buoyed by a home crowd that will no doubt be in a mood to celebrate.

If the players want to win this title in style, this could be the game to do it against a Tottenham team looking a little worse for wear. They also have eyes on the Europa League semi-final clash.

This should be a formality for Liverpool. To do it in front of home fans is a huge incentive.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Lautaro Martinez: The key to Inter’s title hopes in Serie A and the Champions League

Inter Milan are facing a critical stretch in their season with Lautaro Martínez’s goals firing Simone Inzaghi’s team towards a possible double.

By Graham Ruthven

It wasn’t until full time of a back and forth 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich at San Siro that Inter Milan could be certain of their place in the Champions League semi-finals, but Lautaro Martínez’s goal in the first leg was the moment that announced the Nerazzurri as true European contenders.

From the start of the move to Martínez firing high into the Bayern net, it took Inter a matter of seconds to showcase just how dangerous they can be. It was an attacking sequence which saw the Serie A outfit surge down the left side before Marcus Thuram set up Martínez inside the box with a deft backheel flick.

*Martínez’s shooting stats, Champions League 2024/25*

This was Martinez’s seventh goal in this season’s Champions League, and the Argentine followed it up by scoring his eighth of the season in the second leg against Bayern Munich. Previously maligned for his lack of conviction in front of goal when it mattered most, Martínez is proving his worth as one of the best strikers in the game.

Of course, many in Italy would argue Martínez has been operating at this level for years. The Inter forward has registered 20 goals or more in each of the last three Serie A campaigns. This season, he has found the back of the net 12 times in the league, but 21 goals to his name in all competitions, including the aforementioned eight in the Champions League.

It’s in Europe where Martínez has made himself the symbol of Inzaghi’s double-chasing outfit. After scoring against Bayern Munich, the 27-year-old stood atop the advertising hoardings at San Siro, arms outstretched with a jubilant Curva Nord as his backdrop. This was the image of a player at the peak of his powers.

Martínez’s best season to date came in 2022/23 when he forged a partnership with Romelu Lukaku. However, Lukaku doesn’t have the technical subtlety of Thuram while Martínez has added different dimensions to his own game over the last few seasons. His all-round contribution is now better than ever.

Not only is Martínez producing game-winning goals, he is averaging 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes. Only Nicolo Barella is averaging more through balls per match than the Argentine forward. Martínez is also up there when it comes to his dribbling numbers – once again, only Barella is ahead of him for this metric.

When Inter get moving in quick transition, they are a force of nature. Everyone in Inzaghi’s team knows their role. There’s a familiarity between the players on the pitch because they have been moulded over several seasons. Martínez and Thuram are the most formidable front two in European football because they know each other’s every movement.

While this might come together as the most special season in Inter’s history since the days of José Mourinho, it could also fall apart for Inzaghi’s team. Sunday’s defeat to Bologna handed the advantage in the Scudetto race to Antonio Conte’s Napoli who now have a more favourable run-in.

*Inter and Napoli are tied at the top of Serie A*

Tactically, Barcelona could be a good match-up for Inter who will look to exploit the space in behind the Catalans’ high defensive line. Bayern Munich gave the Nerazzurri a similar weakness to target and were made to pay for it as Inter scored four goals over two legs. Barca might suffer in the same way.

On the flip side, Barca have the attacking firepower to blow away any opponent. Lamine Yamal is the best young attacker in the world while Robert Lewandowski is enjoying one of the best goalscoring campaigns of his entire career. Inter won’t be able to relax at any moment of their semi-final tie.

For Martínez, though, this could be the defining stretch of his career to date. Despite putting up consistent numbers for much of the last decade, the Argentine has been overlooked as an elite level forward. Martinez deserves to be mentioned alongside the likes of Lewandowski, Harry Kane, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.

*Martínez’s season summary at Inter, stats shown for all competitions*

Martínez has scored in five of Inter’s last six matches in the Champions League. Ever since narrowly losing to Manchester City in the competition’s final two seasons ago, the Nerazzurri have placed an emphasis on Europe in the belief that Inzaghi has set them up for another triumph on the continent.

Inter have trailed for just 11 minutes in this season’s Champions League. They have the lowest goals conceded per match ratio (0.4) of any team in the competition and are generally the strongest defensive unit in Europe. Martínez, however, is the player who has repeatedly delivered the decisive moments to get Inter over the line. European glory would be his individual triumph.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is uncertain – his legacy shouldn’t be

When Trent Alexander-Arnold rifled home a late goal and ran toward the crowd last weekend, there was a different kind of energy in the celebration, charged, emotional, and deeply personal. It didn’t feel like a player going through the motions. It felt like a reminder.

By David Skilling

A reminder of how much he still cares. And maybe, just maybe, a reminder to everyone else not to forget what he’s already given.

Because right now, with rumours swirling around his future and uncertainty growing louder by the week, some fans question his love for the club. And as is often the case in football, speculation can start to rewrite a player’s legacy into a negative one. But it shouldn’t.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has never been just another player. From the Champions League to the Premier League, from iconic assists and deciding moments, he’s been central to Liverpool’s biggest nights in recent memory.

The quick corner against Barcelona? That wasn’t just clever, it was unforgettable. A flash of brilliance that helped turn a 3-0 deficit into one of the greatest comebacks in football history. That moment alone earns him a place in club folklore. But it’s far from the only one.

He’s redefined the right-back role, blending the craft of a playmaker with the engine of a defender. He’s lifted the biggest trophies, pulled the club through difficult times, and delivered time and time again when it mattered most. His football IQ, his range of passing, his composure under pressure, these aren’t things that come and go. They’ve been consistent pillars in Liverpool’s rise.

*Alexander-Arnold’s player traits – comparison against fullbacks in top five leagues*

Naturally, talk of a move to Real Madrid has fuelled frustration. Fans don’t like uncertainty. And silence, especially from someone who’s long been viewed as “one of our own,” can feel like distance.
But football isn’t always black and white. Trent is reportedly weighing up his future, and the lack of clarity has made it easy for tension to build. Some supporters feel let down just by the idea that he might leave. Others worry it signals a lack of commitment.

Yet this is a player who’s given everything on the pitch week in, week out, for the better part of a decade. If he’s considering a new challenge, that doesn’t erase his legacy or mean he doesn’t still have the same love for Liverpool. It doesn’t diminish the years he’s poured into this club. And it certainly doesn’t mean he’s stopped caring.

Just look at last weekend. That Celebration Meant Something.

*Alexander-Arnold career honours won at Liverpool*

Trent’s celebration was powerful. It wasn’t over-the-top, but it was loaded. You could see it in his face, in the roar he let out, in the way he turned to the fans. There was passion in it, yes, but also pride. Connection. Maybe even gratitude.

This wasn’t someone counting down the games. It was someone still living every moment. And maybe, in that split second, it reminded people: this is a player who still feels everything they feel, and maybe more.
It’s easy to get caught up in transfer talk. But moments like that should pull people back to what really matters: the memories. The contributions. The joy.

Trent’s story at Liverpool is already full of them. He’s been a part of title wins and those incredible European glory nights. He’s led by example. He’s shown resilience in difficult spells, including when his defending is picked apart in public discourse. And every time, he’s responded with class and performances.

In a team of stars, he’s been a constant. And if this turns out to be his final stretch in red, it’s only right that he gets the respect he’s earned. No bitterness. No rewriting the narrative. I understand if you’re a Liverpool fan, it would feel like a rejection if he left, but it’s not.

Whether Trent stays and signs a new deal or heads to Madrid in search of something new, it doesn’t change what he’s already given.

Virgil van Dijk said recently that Trent would be remembered fondly if he moved on. That’s exactly the tone fans should take. Because no matter what happens, he’ll always be part of Liverpool’s modern identity. One of the faces of an era defined by belief and bravery. And those kinds of players don’t come around often.

In ten or twenty years, fans will still be talking about Trent Alexander-Arnold. Whether it’s a debate on the best right-back of the era, or a throwback clip of that assist, or a chant echoing around Anfield when he returns as a visitor, his name will carry weight.

Other clubs already talk about him with admiration. Pundits speak highly of what he’s done at such a young age. Opposing fans wish they had someone like him, even if they won’t admit it.

So, instead of getting caught in what might be, or potentially angry at what some might perceive as a betrayal if he decides to leave, I think fans should take a moment to remember what’s already happened.

The goals. The assists. The moments that made your voice crack when you sang his name.
Whatever comes next, the memories he helped create that supporters still hold close won’t fade. And I don’t think the respect for him should either.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Messi and co. meet Vancouver, the best in the west

The best teams from Major League Soccer’s eastern and western conferences in 2025 are set to meet in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. After a Lionel Messi-inspired Inter Miami knocked out Los Angeles FC in the quarters, they’ll be hoping he can help them overcome an impressive Vancouver Whitecaps outfit to reach the final.

By James Nalton

Though it’s important to have stayed in touch with the top of the table in MLS, progressing in the Champions Cup will have been the main focus for new head coach Javier Mascherano and his Inter Miami team during this early stage of the season.

Having lost the first leg of the quarterfinal against LAFC 1-0, and having gone a goal down at the beginning of the second leg, Messi stepped up to help his team back into the game, contributing to goals that eventually saw them win 3-1 and book a place in the semis.

His goal to get Miami back in the tie involved a nice bit of linkup play with Luis Suárez and an emphatic finish, before he assisted the equaliser for Noah Allen and went on to win the tie for Miami from the penalty spot.

Messi’s impact in league play this season has not been as headline-grabbing as his first season and a bit for the club, but there have been some steady contributions. His underlying numbers remain very good despite a slightly lower profile of performance so far this year, and he still boasts the highest average FotMob rating of any player in the league.

*Top three best rated players in MLS, 2025*

Suárez has not been as eye-catching this season, either, but it was his expansive cross-field pass that created the opening for Inter Miami to score the goal to win an important game against the Columbus Crew last weekend, and he’s second in the assist charts.

These players can still change games.

It could also be said that Inter Miami’s play on the whole under Mascherano has not been the most spectacular, but they have still managed to pick up wins. They are currently the only unbeaten team in MLS and also have a game in hand on the teams around them in the Supporters’ Shield standings. An additional three points, supposing they won that game in hand, would put them top.

In the league so far this season Miami have only won one game by more than a single goal (a 4-1 win at Houston Dynamo in which Messi didn’t play), but the manner of these hard-fought wins has been encouraging for a team whose aim is to win the MLS Cup — something they failed to do last year.

Inter Miami topped the overall MLS standings to claim the Supporters’ Shield in record-breaking fashion in 2024, but were knocked out in round one of the MLS Cup playoffs in a shock defeat to Atlanta United.

The winner of the MLS Cup, not the Supporters’ Shield, is considered the champions in MLS, so this is undoubtedly the goal for Miami during their Messi era. A team getting over the winning line despite not firing on all cylinders is an encouraging sign when it comes to cup competitions.

A cup competition that is just as important, if not more so than the MLS Cup is the Champions Cup. MLS sides have only won this continental tournament three times in its varied history, and only once in the current format. Inter Miami will have their eye on becoming the next club to do so.

So will their opponents, Vancouver Whitecaps, who would be looking to become the first Canadian winner of the tournament, and are the team currently sitting at the top of MLS’ Supporters’ Shield standings.

*MLS Supporter’s Shield 2025 – as it stands*

While Inter Miami have faced two MLS teams and a Jamaican side (Cavalier) in the Champions Cup so far, the Whitecaps have impressively eliminated two notable Mexican clubs, Monterrey and Pumas UNAM. It’s the first time the Whitecaps have defeated Mexican opposition in this tournament, and they’ve managed to do so twice.

Such an impressive start to the season was not predicted. Having sacked popular head coach Vanni Sartini at the end of 2024, there was some uncertainty going into 2025. This was made even more perilous by the franchise being put up for sale in December.

Despite pre-season worries, new head coach Jesper Sørensen has come in and made the team more difficult to beat while switching to a 4-3-3 formation which also seems to have re-energised their attack.

This is shown by the fact that striker Brian White is just one behind the league’s top scorer Tai Baribo on six, and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka has the joint-most clean sheets in MLS so far this season. The Whitecaps have conceded the joint-fewest goals in the league (alongside St. Louis and Miami themselves on six) and are the second-highest scorers behind San Jose. There is an ideal combination of things happening at one end of the pitch and things not being allowed to happen at the other.

Inter Miami and Messi will be Vancouver’s biggest test yet. These sides are not due to face each other in the league during the regular season due to being in separate conferences and the way the cross-conference fixtures have panned out this year, but facing each other in such a big competition as arguably the best teams in MLS at this moment in time, is fitting.

Sørensen spoke about Messi shortly after joining the Whitecaps, while also revealing some things about the style of play that would be so successful early in 2025.

“[Possession] is important,” Sørensen, whose team now have the third highest average possession in the league, told The Province. “When you have the ball, you can control the game. When you don’t have the ball, you can affect the game, but you cannot control what’s going to happen.

“In this league, there’s a guy called Messi. You cannot control him when he has the ball, but you can try to affect him.”

Faced with the prospect of coming up against Messi and co, perhaps unexpectedly so, Sørensen stated that his team are here to defeat Miami, not celebrate Messi.

“It’s not Vancouver against Messi, it’s Vancouver against Miami,” he said. “We’re not here to celebrate Messi, we’re here to do whatever we can to see if we can move on, and that should be our task.”

It promises to be the biggest MLS matchup of the season so far, in the region’s biggest tournament.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Concacaf Champions Cup live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including player ratings. Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

Sergio’s Mexican Odyssey as Monterrey’s No. 93

Sergio Ramos won’t be playing football for much longer, he’s due a little fun after years of playing and winning at the highest level with Real Madrid. After a season with boyhood club, Sevilla, he’s living it up in Mexico with Monterrey.

By Alex Roberts

It took a little while for him to land on Monterrey, around eight months after his contract with Sevilla expired at the end of the 2023-24 season. As one of the greatest defenders of all time, he had plenty of options.

The usual suspects approached him. Clubs in MLS and Saudi Arabia vied for his signature, but Sergio Ramos wasn’t interested. He’s never been one to go with the grain, a footballing rebel through and through.

He had hoped to re-join Real Madrid, pleading with Florentino Pérez and Carlo Ancelotti to let him fill the void left by Éder Militão after his second ACL tear in as many seasons. Unfortunately for Ramos, that door closed almost as quickly as it very slightly cracked open.

2025 rolled around and he was still without a club. Ramos had every right to be picky but with rumours of retirement starting to circulate, the centre-back needed to make a decision pretty quickly.

Finally, he ended up in Mexico with Monterrey. Managed by former Man City defender Martin Demichelis, they were sitting in down in 10^th in Liga MX when Ramos joined. Now, things are starting to look up.

The Estadio BBVA was packed out for the World Cup winner’s presentation. He walked out onto the pitch like he already owned it. A big fish in a relatively small pond, Ramos insisted he wasn’t there to mess about.

“I’m not here for a vacation. I’m someone who never gets tired of winning and doesn’t live in the past. I’m not here to show off what I’ve won but to chase new trophies and opportunities,” he said to the jubilant crowd.

In typical Ramos style, he had to stir the pot a little. Atlético Madrid fans will see it as a dig, while the Bernabéu faithful honour it as a loving tribute to one of the most memorable moments in the club’s already illustrious history.

He decided to go with 93 as his shirt number, marking the minute he scored the equaliser against Atéltico in the 2014 Champions League final. Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo went on to score in extra time to win ‘La Decima’, Real Madrid’s tenth Champions League title.

Ramos made his long-awaited debut in the 3-1 Liga MX win over strugglers Atletico de San Luis on February 23^rd as captain, with Demichelis stating his “leadership, respect, and commanding presence make him the ideal choice.”

The Spaniard initially said it would take him a few weeks to get up to speed, he was wrong. Ramos took to Mexican football like he’d been playing there for the past decade. Quality is permenant after all.

He scored in the three consecutive games after his debut. First in the 4-2 league win over Santos Laguna, then a 12^th minute opener in the 1-1 draw with Cruz Azul, and finally a 97^th minute penalty in the 2-2 CONCACAF Champions Cup draw with Vancouver Whitecaps. Unfortunately, they were still eliminated from the tournament.

*Ramos’ first league campaign in Mexico*

Now, for those of us who haven’t lived under a rock for the past 15 years, it’s known that Ramos has that dog in him. Three goals in as many games meant one thing, he was due a red card pretty soon.

That’s exactly what happened. He gave the referee no other option but to flash a straight red card having lashed out at Pumas striker Guillermo Martínez but of course he protested profusely. Thankfully for his side it was in the 93^rd minute and the game was already won.

After his one game suspension, a 2-1 defeat to Tijuana, he returned for the 3-1 win over Chivas. It was the quietest game of his career in Mexico so far. He didn’t score, didn’t get sent off, simply put in a solid defensive display that helped his side win a much-needed three points.

The game after that was a little different. Three red cards and just as many goals, Ramos had to be involved in some way or another. He put his side 1-0 up in the 50^th minute after one of the weirdest penalty situations we’ve ever seen.

Tigres goalkeeper, Nahuel Guzmán, supremely confident in his own abilities, turned his back to Ramos while standing on the line, taunting one of the most successful players in the sport’s history.

The fans jeered, trying to apply as much pressure as possible on Ramos, but he just stood there, he’s been here before. After all was said and done, it took around two minutes before Ramos actually took the spot-kick, which he, of course, scored.

Two added time goals from Tigres saved Guzman from looking more daft than he already did and won the Clásico Regio, one of, if not the, biggest rilvalry in Mexico for the home side.

Ramos had a little altercation with some frustrated Monterrey fans at the club’s hotel after the game. He didn’t back down from those venting their frustration at losing in such a huge game, later releasing a statement to help ease tensions and let the fans know his side will learn from this latest setback.

Monterrey have since won their last two games against two of Mexico’s biggest sides, a 1-0 win over Club America and a 2-0 victory over former Real Madrid teammate James Rodríguez and León.

It’s been a pretty mental start to life in Mexico for our Sergio, and the drama is unlikely to end anytime soon – with Monterrey doing enough to earn a place in the play-in round for the upcoming league playoffs, starting on Sunday night. The man is box-office wherever he goes, it may be his last journey as a player, so make sure to stay tuned.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Apr

2025

Federico Chiesa’s latest Liverpool omission and why Julian Alvarez can be Reds’ new No.9

Federico Chiesa’s omission from the latest Liverpool squad, at Leicester City on Sunday, shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise, but to most supporters it was a little disappointing.

By Matt Ladson, ThisIsAnfield.com

Arne Slot opted to leave the Italian, who has played just 33 minutes in the Premier League this season, at home in favour of bringing Trent Alexander-Arnold back into the matchday squad. It meant the two forwards chosen for the bench were the goal-shy Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota.

Jota now has one goal in his last 14 appearances, while Núñez has one in his last 15. A winger, Luis Díaz, was chosen to lead the attack from kick off. Jota came on for the last half an hour and missed three big chances and put all four of his shots wide.

Slot has insisted that Chiesa is in competition with Mohamed Salah, always stating that the 27-year-old is the backup to the 32-goal Egyptian. But surely Chiesa could have been given an opportunity in a central role, given the chances Díaz, Jota and Núñez have been afforded and failed to take throughout the season.

It will, it seems, remain a mystery why Slot doesn’t fancy the former Juventus man, who is now widely expected to depart Anfield within 12 months of his £12 million arrival last summer. Supporters may liken his time similarly to that of Jari Litmanen, a talented player that Gerard Houllier didn’t seem to fancy. Sometimes that happens.

Liverpool’s attacking rebuild – four out, two stay?

It’s quite bizarre that Liverpool – a team that have scored 112 goals in all competitions – are on the verge of sealing their 20th title and yet of their five forward options only two – Salah and Cody Gakpo – look sure to be at the club next season.

Chiesa will surely depart, Núñez certainly will, Jota and Díaz are likely to be offloaded if the right price arrives for them. Both Díaz and Jota are 28 and with two years left on their current contracts, now would be the time to sell to maximise value and bring in younger replacements.

Liverpool looked at Anthony Gordon last summer, while links to forwards and wide players have been plentiful in recent weeks. Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Julián Alvarez, Liam Delap, Jonathan David, Benjamin Šeško and Matheus Cunha are among those linked either strongly or more tenuously.

Of those, Isak, with 21 goals and six assists for Newcastle in the Premier League this season, would no doubt be the ideal new No.9 for Liverpool – but the price would be extremely prohibitive, even if Newcastle were willing to sell, which they are hardly likely to be.

Isak ranks highly in all attacking percentiles, with his 0.64 expected goals on target (89 percentile) significantly higher than Jota’s 0.46 (52 percentile). Núñez’s is down at 0.34 (28 percentile).

*Premier League stat comparison, 2024/25*

Ekitike, three years younger than Isak, matches up similarly to the Newcastle man in several metrics, but the price tag being reported seems extremely high. Liverpool will be keen not to get stung as they did with Núñez. Ekitike is underperforming his expected goals, too.

One player who is outperforming their expected goals is Alvarez, and the former Man City man’s agent Fernando Hidalgo said this earlier this year: “I confirm that Liverpool were interested in Julián last summer.”

The 25-year-old has several qualities that Liverpool would like. He’s proven in the Premier League, he’s at a prime age (25) but with more room for development, has played in the Champions League under Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone, is somewhat versatile able to play centrally or from the left, and is a player whose style would suit Slot’s.

Alvarez has an impressive 26 goals and five assists in all competitions this season. He also ranks well for chance creation, dribbles, and in his defensive side of the game with a high tackle rate, recoveries and possession won in the final third.

The former River Plate youngster joined Atlético from City for a reported £82 million and signed a six-year deal, so any such move wouldn’t be simple, but with similar prices now claimed for Ekitike it would arguably be a smarter use of the money to opt for the Argentine.

A summer of change beckons at Anfield, especially in the Reds’ attack; it will be interesting to see how they perform once Slot has new players that he has had an input in signing.

(Images from IMAGO)

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