Analysis

By: Isak Möller After the failed 4-3-3 experiment against Udinese, Massimiliano Allegri will revert to the usual formation on Saturday evening, which means Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic start up front. It’s been said by many since, including us, but the formation experiment was indeed a massive failure for the Rossoneri. The scoreline said it all and now […] The post GdS: Back to unsuccessful basics for Verona-Milan as star duo will start together appeared first on SempreMilan.

L'ennesima annunciata rivoluzione rossonera ripartirebbe da basi molto precarie

Manchester City and Arsenal managers were both schooled in the expansive Barça tradition but the latter opting for caution could be his team’s undoing When Pep Guardiola was preparing for the challenge of taking on Jürgen Klopp’s peak Liverpool team at Anfield in February 2021, training that week at Manchester City was a little different, according to Oleksandr Zinchenko. Guardiola’s instructions seemed counterintuitive. “Guys, let’s start from the goal-kick, I want you to make at least three or four touches on the ball,” the manager told them. “Most of the teams come to Anfield and shit themselves. They want to play one touch, two touch. ‘Oh, don’t give me the ball! Oh you take it!’ But you have to play with big balls at Anfield! Big balls! ‘Give me the ball!’ Demand it! If you need to dribble past two or three players, do it. But play football. I want you to play football.” Zinchenko recalls that Guardiola made the same speech before they walked out at Anfield. “Teams coming here are scared. They play one or two touches, and that’s what Liverpool like, because they get the ball back so quickly. I want you to be brave. Play your football!” as Zinchenko puts it in his autobiography, Believe. Admittedly that game came in the midst of City’s record-breaking 21-game winning run that season but was also Guardiola’s first win at Anfield, so not dissimilar to the title showdown at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday with Arsenal.

He has to convince a team that has not won in 14 matches that they have what it takes to stay in the Premier League By WhoScored Spurs won a European trophy 10 months ago, are the ninth richest club in the world and play in a billion-pound stadium. They are also in relegation scrap with six games to play in the Premier League season. Tottenham are 18th in the league, having picked up just 30 points from 32 games. Fourteen games without a win. Five points from the last 42 available. No victories in 2026. The numbers alone would normally confirm relegation as a formality. Roberto De Zerbi has become their fourth manager in the last 12 months in a move that feels less like a rescue mission and more like a last roll of the dice.

Is the end nigh?

L'ex allenatore analizza la crisi del calcio italiano, sia a livello di Nazionale che di club

Conor Gallagher's start to life at Spurs has gone from one disaster to another.

Dodici giocatori nuovi arrivati tra la scorsa estate e l'ultimo mercato di gennaio: qual è stato il loro rendimento?

After Champions League elimination and a second consecutive season with no major titles, Real Madrid's squad could see big changes

What initially seemed like a temporary dip in form now carries wider implications, both for the team and for players like Pulisic who once looked untouchable in the lineup. The mood around Christian Pulisic has shifted dramatically in recent months, with uncertainty beginning to cloud what once looked like a defining season at Milan. As the club enters a crucial stretch, questions are growing about how the American forward could be impacted by what lies ahead. What initially seemed like a temporary dip in form now carries wider implications, both for the team and for players like Pulisic who once looked untouchable in the lineup. The American’s campaign has unfolded in two completely different chapters, each telling its own story. Between August and December, he scored eight goals and provided two assists, establishing himself as one of the club’s most reliable attacking threats. Since the start of 2026, however, the numbers have taken a sharp downturn. He has failed to score a single goal this year, registering just one assist in 14 appearances, a drought that has mirrored Milan’s own struggles. His last goal came in late December against Hellas Verona, a moment that now feels distant. What followed was a combination of reduced efficiency and a brief injury setback that disrupted his rhythm at a critical time. Milan’s broader situation has intensified the spotlight on Pulisic. Just weeks ago, the club appeared on track for a strong finish, but a series of poor results has left the Rossoneri’s position increasingly fragile. Serie A standings after Matchday 32 A heavy defeat to Udinese exposed deeper issues, and the race for a top-four finish has tightened significantly. With only six matches remaining, every point carries enormous weight for the club’s future. “The Champions League quota is around 73 points,” Allegri warned, underlining the challenge ahead. Milan now finds itself chasing that target under mounting pressure, with little room for further mistakes. What would happen if Milan misses out? Missing the top four would trigger wider consequences across the squad. As per Calciomercato, contract renewal talks across the squad have already been put on hold, affecting several key players. More importantly for Pulisic, there is a growing possibility that players could be put on the market if the club misses out on the Champions League. Financial consequences play a major role in this scenario, as participation in the competition brings in significant revenue. Milan already felt the impact of missing out on approximately $65 million to $75 million in Champions League income this season, which contributed to key departures in the squad, including Theo Hernandez, Malick Thiaw, and Tijjani Reijnders. Without that financial boost again, difficult decisions could follow. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates How it directly affects Pulisic For Pulisic, the stakes could hardly be higher, the report goes on to add. His form, combined with the club’s results, may determine whether he remains a central figure or becomes part of a wider reshuffle. Interest from abroad and his reputation as a high-profile international player make him a valuable asset in the transfer market. If Milan is forced to balance finances, players in his position could attract attention from clubs willing to invest. At the same time, a strong finish to the season could completely change the narrative. A return to form, especially in the final six decisive matches, would reinforce his importance and potentially secure his long-term place in the project.

It is now official that Serie A will have four Champions League teams next season,...

Ten Premier League teams in Europe? It sounds preposterous, but it is not as far fetched as it seems.

While Arsenal look like a team shackled by the weight of the world on their shoulders, Manchester City are leaning into the pressure of the title race. Nobody reflects that more clearly than Rayan Cherki.

It may sound counterintuitive, but Mikel Arteta might, before what is arguably the biggest Arsenal match in 20 years, need to adopt some things from a team that just lost 4-0 to our opponents. There’s often a tactical tweak or a surprise selection when Pep Guardiola heads into a big game. Last month’s League Cup […] The post Tactics Column: Lessons for Arsenal against Man City’s 4-2-4 appeared first on Arseblog ... an Arsenal blog.

Is Kylian Mbappe a curse for Real Madrid? Following their aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich, Los Blancos face a managerial crisis and a squad regression that Florentino Perez must answer for. The fallout from Real Madrid’s 6-4 aggregate defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final will inevitably rumble on for several weeks. The competition was Madrid’s last realistic route to major silverware in a season which promised a lot, but will ultimately deliver nothing. Barring a monumental collapse by Barcelona in La Liga, the 15-time European champions will end a second consecutive campaign without a trophy. With that in mind, read on as we assess the repercussions for Real Madrid, starting with an issue which has been entirely of their own making. Mbappe has proved to be a curse rather than a blessing Kylian Mbappe is one of the best forwards in the world. That point is evidenced by his tally of 84 goals in 98 appearances for Los Blancos. However, his desire to be the ‘main man’ is not only a problem Madrid didn’t need, but one which they could have avoided. Mbappe scored 256 goals in 308 for Paris Saint-Germain. However, his efforts in front of goal failed to deliver the desired results in the Champions League. In their first season without the French international in their team, PSG were crowned kings of Europe. They have reached the semi-finals again this season. By contrast, Mbappe has made Madrid worse. They won La Liga and the Champions League in 20234/24 – since then, they have suffered a series of disappointments. The 27-year-old’s ego was problematic when he was at PSG, and has continued to upset the equilibrium in Madrid’s dressing room. Players such as Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior are no shrinking violets, yet are expected to play second fiddle to the ‘Mbappe Show’. Intriguingly, Madrid looked far more coherent as a team when Mbappe was recently sidelined with a knee injury. With Vinicius and Brahim Diaz leading the line, they were more balanced. It may seem churlish to question a player who has scored goals for fun in Madrid colours, but it cannot be ignored that they have regressed since signing him. Arbeloa on shaky ground after Champions League exit Madrid’s decision to appoint Xabi Alonso as manager last summer appeared to be a sensible decision with SportsView and other major football publications all predicting success for Los Blancos, but he lasted just seven months. At a club packed with egos and led by president Florentino Perez, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss was always likely to be on a hiding to nothing. Alonso quickly lost the dressing room, with Vinicius and Federico Valverde amongst the players who publicly expressed disapproval at his methods. Appointing Alvaro Arbeloa as Alonso’s replacement was no real surprise. He had done well with the club’s youth and ‘B’ teams, so was viewed as a steady pair of hands. Arbeloa responded to Flick’s comments However, the club’s failure to specify the length of his contract when he was placed in charge suggested that they were unsure whether he was the right man for the job. A record of 13 wins and one draw in 21 matches highlights why Madrid may have been reluctant to confirm whether he was a long-term appointment. Arbeloa will reportedly be replaced this summer, with Perez seemingly eager to bring in someone with a proven track record of success. That may be easier said than done given the dearth of viable options currently available. Madrid’s managerial options are thin on the ground Alonso seemed to be the ideal fit for Madrid. He was a former player who subsequently enjoyed success as a manager with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Sacking him after just seven months in charge did not seem like the brightest idea anyone had ever had, and developments this summer may hammer home that point. Several managers have been linked with the Madrid managerial job including Zinedine Zidane, Jurgen Klopp and Maurico Pochettino. Perez rates Zidane highly, but he seems destined to replace Didier Deschamps as the French national team manager at the end of the World Cup. Klopp would be welcomed with open arms at the Santiago Bernabeu, but has demonstrated no desire to leave his position as head of Red Bull’s football operations. Pochettino could be available after the World Cup, although nothing he has done with the United States national team suggests he is the right option for Madrid. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been touted as a possibility after the club recently confirmed he will be leaving at the end of the season. Several pundits believe the 43-year-old is an ‘elite-level’ manager, but whether he is ready to step into the Madrid hot-seat is hugely debatable. Madrid’s eagerness to pander to egotistical players and dispense with Alonso’s services has created a problem that may find extremely difficult to fix this summer.

Paul Merson has delivered a scathing verdict on Arsenal and their attack as they look to hold off Manchester City in the title race with their grip loosening on top spot

We saw some thrilling football in the Champions League this week and it was mostly from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG and Barcelona so why do the English teams look so sluggish by comparison? Or does Arsenal's safe passage to the semi-finals and six-point lead at the top of the Premier League prove that Arteta's conservative approach is still paying off? Liverpool are out of the Champions League and looking at a season of relative failure, what now for Arne Slot and will they have to spend big in the summer again? And what about the big game on Sunday - will a victory for Manchester City prove fatal to the Gunners' title hopes? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football Join The Players Lounge for FREE for access to our FPL, tips from Fantasy Football Hub, AI-powered team ratings and our private Slack community. Sign up today at: therestisfootball.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ✅ Subscribe Here: https://www.youtube.com/@therestisfootball?sub_confirmation=1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎙️ Listen To The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/therestisfootball ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🗞️ Sign Up To The Newsletter Here: https://mailchi.mp/therestisfootball/trif ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 📱 Follow Us On Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRestIsFootball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therestisfootball/ Snapchat: https://story.snapchat.com/p/8c729650-9d54-407d-8c62-c658546eee44 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@restisfootball Twitter: https://twitter.com/RestIsFootball ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If Arsenal play with such little attacking threat against Manchester City as they did against Sporting then Pep Guardiola will relish the chance to pick their title rivals apart.

Starting fast was always going to be a tough task for the Boston Legacy. Not only are they a new team within the National Women’s Soccer League, but they are a relatively unproven one featuring very few players with NWSL experience. And they are led by Filipa Patão, who is embarking on her first head […]

Simon Jordan has been talking about Newcastle United. The 2025/26 season shortly coming to an end and an ‘interesting’ summer ahead. Simon Jordan declaring: “I am not entirely sure why... You can click here to read the full article.

Alexander Isak has only just returned himself, but after Hugo Ekitike's injury blow, he'll need to hit the ground running if Liverpool are to reach the Champions League after a dismal Premier League title defense.

Tottenham’s relegation risk is a tactical mismatch — De Zerbi’s principles vs a squad built for something else, under extreme pressure. Tottenham’s position in the relegation zone has been explained through form, injuries, and confidence. All of that is visible. None of it feels sufficient. Because this does not look like a team simply… The post Tottenham Aren’t Just Struggling — They’re Caught Between Two Ideas first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Harry Maguire's FA charge means that he'll banned for Manchester United's trip to Chelsea, joining the suspended Lisandro Martinez and injured Matthijs de Ligt on the sidelines

It promises to be tight but who do we fancy to finish on top: Arsenal or Manchester City?

Chelsea 'running out of time' to secure Champions League spot - Liam Rosenior espn.in

Tim Howard and Landon Donovan debated whether or not Tottenham Hotspur will survive relegation in the Premier League.

Using WhoScored’s ratings, we reveal the worst player at every Premier League club this season, including Man Utd defender Leny Yoro.

By: Oliver Fisher AC Milan’s preparations for the trip to Verona resumed today, following a Wednesday off granted by Massimiliano Allegri. After speculation in the media in the days prior suggested that he would, the starting line-ups confirmed Allegri’s decision to switch to a 4-3-3 against Udinese. It featured an attacking trio of Alexis Saelemaekers and Christian Pulisic […] The post GdS: Gabbia, Tomori, Fofana, 3-5-2 – Allegri returns to tested formula in Verona appeared first on SempreMilan.

A Champions League knockout classic, that Real Madrid for once lost out in! Elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich, they’re staring at a second successive trophyless season for the first time in 16 years. So just how broken are Real Madrid? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan and Guillermo Rai Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Madrid were level in their Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich before they lost Camavinga. They then lost their heads

MIKEL ARTETA may be “on fire” - but it feels like Arsenal’s Prem title charge could go up in smoke on Sunday. That might sound strange given the Gunners have just made the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second year in a row. Such an achievement should be the perfect prep for a...

Arsenal beat Sporting CP 1-0 on aggregate to reach the Champions League semi-final and Jamie Carragher has had his say

After Liverpool's exit in the quarter-finals, Arsenal are now the only English team left in this season's Champions League, despite six of them entering the tournament

Liverpool performance earns respect despite PSG defeat Liverpool’s Champions League exit at the hands of PSG will sting, yet beneath the harsh glare of a 4-0 aggregate defeat lies a more nuanced reality. This was not a capitulation but a contest defined by fine margins, tactical discipline and elite-level ruthlessness. At Anfield, Liverpool generated pressure, […] The post Luis Enrique shares his thoughts on Liverpool’s performance against PSG appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has voiced his despair over his former side's recent run of form, which has seen the league leaders leave the door ajar for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

We can always rely on L’Equipe to deliver the most brutal assessments and they didn’t disappoint in their analysis of Arsenal’s “toothless and boring” display.

While Arsenal may have reached a second consecutive semi-final for the first time in their history, it has not come without scepticism from across Europe.

Portuguese media have responded to Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres' performance against Sporting CP

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Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has suggested Manchester City have the edge in the Premier League title race at the moment. The Frenchman, who won four Premier League titles during his time at Manchester United, and who also spent two seasons at Arsenal, admits he’d rather be in the Man City dressing room right now. […] The post Ex-Arsenal star admits Man City have “massive advantage” and makes claim about Arteta’s future appeared first on CaughtOffside.

With Andoni Iraola a man in-demand, Crystal Palace should turn their focus towards an impressive alternative.

Liverpool’s Champions League hopes boosted by Chelsea struggles Liverpool remain firmly in the race for a top five finish and UEFA Champions League qualification, with the latest Anfield Index Media Matters discussion highlighting how external factors could play a decisive role. Featuring Dave Davis and David Lynch, the conversation centred on Liverpool’s inconsistent form, while […] The post David Lynch rates Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

The Newcastle United fans who want to blame Eddie Howe for anything and everything, completely ignore the fact of how badly let down he was last summer. By Alexander Isak... You can click here to read the full article.

A previous Liverpool manager was sacked after a disappointing result at Everton and Arne Slot knows he needs a fighting performance and a win at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Confidence in the Liverpool camp will be low after recent disappointing results. The Reds were sent crashing out of the FA Cup after a 4-0 drubbing by Manchester City earlier this month. Liverpool were then knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain for the second season in a row. The Merseyside titans were […]

Carragher no longer believes Arsenal can win the Champions League having named their biggest weakness, while a high-profile journalist believes more trophy failures will cost Arteta his job

Disastrous form has seen Spurs drop into in the relegation zone. Our writers analyse each team's chances dropping into the Championship

None of Spurs' players want to play second-tier football. They will think they are elite players with international careers, image rights and sponsor deals to protect. Agents will be in overdrive.