The Brazilian chipped in the first of two penalties in the ninth minute after Joao Cancelo had been fouled by Djibril Sow.

Raphinha’s second spot-kick, awarded by the video assistant referee (VAR) following Jose Angel Carmona’s handball to stop Cancelo, was slotted into the bottom corner 12 minutes later.

Dani Olmo looked to have made the game safe at Spotify Camp Nou with a tidy first-time finish from 16 yards.

But Oso’s cushioned volley, his first goal in senior football, gave Sevilla hope just before the break.

However, Hansi Flick’s side continued their dominance to wrap things up in the second half.

First, Raphinha’s shot was heavily deflected by Nemanja Gudelj and looped into the top corner six minutes after the restart.

Cancelo then ran from the halfway line before firing in their fifth on the hour mark.

Seconds before the end, Sow headed in a consolation from Oso’s cross.

Barcelona are four points ahead of Real Madrid with 10 games to go, while Sevilla are 14th, only five points above the relegation zone.

Raphinha was replaced in the 82nd minute, to a standing ovation, by Gavi – making his first appearance since August after a serious knee injury.

The Catalans, in between their two Champions League last-16 ties with Newcastle, also brought on Lamine Yamal as a second-half substitute.

Barca are at home to Eddie Howe’s men in the second leg on Wednesday (17:45 GMT), having drawn 1-1 on Tyneside last week.

Satriano scored the winner before half-time when his breathtaking volley nestled into Thibaut Courtois’ top corner, condemning the hosts to a second successive league defeat.

It means Real remain four points behind Barca having both now played 26 games.

Madrid were again without Kylian Mbappe as the 27-year-old has struggled with an injury to the external ligament of his left knee since the end of 2025.

Getafe’s stubborn defence frustrated Madrid throughout the game as the home side were unable to score past David Soria.

Vinicius Jr missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock before Satriano’s strike, denied by keeper Soria when through on goal.

Alvaro Arbeloa made three substitutions inside the first 10 minutes of the second half, with Trent Alexander-Arnold one of those to make way.

His side upped the tempo after the break, with the visitors looking most vulnerable from crosses into the box.

Antonio Rudiger sent a near-post header just wide, while substitute Rodrygo nodded an effort across goal and Dani Carvajal was unable to turn it in at the far post.

Real Madrid’s night turned from bad to worse when Franco Mastantuono received a red card for abusive language towards referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz in stoppage time.

Moments later, Getafe’s Adrian Liso was also sent off after picking up a second yellow card for time wasting.

Arbeloa has now lost four out of his 12 games in charge, although he has had to make do without both Mbappe and England midfielder Jude Bellingham through injury.

Madrid next face Celta Vigo on Friday (20:00 GMT) as they look to avoid a third straight league defeat.

Referee Iosu Galech Apezteguia wrote that he halted the game after Espanyol’s Omar El Hilali said Elche’s Rafa Mir had made a racist comment to him, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

The incident occurred in the 78th minute.

Under Uefa’s protocol, the referee will stop a game if a player reports alleged racism, and give details to the fourth official.

Espanyol later posted a picture of 22-year-old Spain-born Morocco international El Hilali on social media with the message “with you”.

La Liga said: “We condemn any racist act. On the field and off it, there is no place for those who hate.”

Elche said that they condemn any discriminatory act but asked for caution in the “absence of evidence”.

Mir scored a 90th-minute penalty as the match was drawn 2-2.

The racism protocol was recently used in a Champions League game when Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr told the match referee he had been racially abused by Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg of the play-off tie between the clubs.

The Argentina international has denied the allegation but missed the second leg after being given a one-match ban by Uefa pending the result of a full investigation by an ethics and disciplinary inspector.

He could be punished further once that is complete.

Vinicius has also suffered a number of incidents of racist abuse during games in Spain.

He was targeted Real Madrid’s match against Real Valladolid in September 2022. As a result, five people were handed suspended prison sentences in May 2025 for racially abusing the Brazil international in an “unprecedented” ruling in Spain.

The 18-year-old put the home side in control at half-time by scoring twice in nine minutes, both from Fermin Lopez assists.

Villarreal then pulled a goal back through Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye and the visitors spurned a great chance to equalise.

But Lamine Yamal struck again before substitute Robert Lewandowski made it 4-1 in stoppage time to send Barcelona four points clear of Real Madrid, who host Getafe on Monday.

Lamine Yamal’s feat, at the age of 18 years and 230 days, made him the youngest player to hit a first treble in La Liga this century, according to statisticians Opta.

Fermin was one of four players to come into Barcelona’s starting line-up, promoted after scoring the final goal as a substitute in the 3-0 home win over Levante.

The 22-year-old midfielder pulled the strings, creating the game’s first clear-cut chance for right-back Jules Kounde, who dragged his shot horribly wide of the far post.

Lamine Yamal had a speculative effort held by Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior but made no mistake from his next chance, and created a superb second goal from nothing.

Fermin pounced on a loose ball in midfield before playing in Lamine Yamal, who took a touch before slotting in the opener.

The teenage Spain international then received the ball out on the right wing and beat two defenders before firing high past Junior and inside the far post.

Junior made a point-blank save from Dani Olmo right after half-time and Villarreal halved the deficit moments later, with Gueye converting from close range after a corner fell into his path.

The visitors had won three of their past four games to climb above Atletico Madrid into third place, nine points behind Real, and Ayoze Perez should have drawn them level after 54 minutes.

Barcelona keeper Joan Garcia failed to clear after rushing out to halt a Villarreal counter-attack, leaving two covering defenders between Perez and the goal, but the ex-Newcastle and Leicester forward shot wide from outside the box.

Tempers flared on the sideline, with each team’s head coach booked, before Barcelona’s Hansi Flick brought on Pedri for Olmo.

The 23-year-old Spain midfielder helped the hosts regain control before threading a fine pass through to Lamine Yamal, who beat Junior from a wide angle to reach 13 La Liga goals this season and a combined 101 goals and assists for club and country.

Pedri and French defender Kounde then combined for the latter to square for Lewandowski to tap in his 11th La Liga goal of the season.

European football takes centre stage with a blockbuster weekend across Ligue 1, the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga, featuring title implications, historic rivalries and crucial points at stake as the season edges closer to its decisive phase.

In France, attention quickly turns to Paris Saint-Germain’s visit to Le Havre. PSG’s superior depth and attacking firepower make them favourites, but away fixtures in Ligue 1 can be deceptively tricky, especially against a disciplined side eager to frustrate and counter. The headline clash, however, sees Marseille host Lyon in one of French football’s fiercest rivalries. Expect a high-intensity encounter shaped by atmosphere, physical battles in midfield and moments of individual brilliance.

The Premier League schedule is stacked with defining fixtures. Liverpool against West Ham promises an energetic contest, with the Reds looking to maintain pressure in the race for Europe, while West Ham aim to disrupt with organisation and set-piece threat. Leeds United face a daunting test against Manchester City, whose control in possession and clinical finishing often prove decisive against high-pressing opponents.

Manchester United’s meeting with Crystal Palace carries importance in the race for European places, while the standout game sees league leaders and title favourites Arsenal host Chelsea in a heavyweight London derby that could significantly influence the championship narrative.

In Italy, Inter Milan welcome Genoa in a match they will view as a key opportunity to assert dominance near the summit, particularly with their strong home form. AC Milan’s trip to face Cremonese is another test of patience against a compact defensive side, while Roma versus Juventus is the marquee fixture of the round. This historic rivalry is rarely short on drama, with tactical discipline, defensive organisation and decisive moments in the final third likely to define the outcome.

La Liga offers its own share of drama, beginning with Barcelona’s clash against Villarreal, a fixture that often delivers open, attacking football. Atletico Madrid’s visit to Real Oviedo demands focus and efficiency against motivated opposition. The Seville derby between Real Betis and Sevilla adds fierce local pride to the mix, while Real Madrid hosting Getafe rounds off the action, with Los Blancos expected to push for maximum points as they keep pace in the title race.

Ligue 1, Matchday 24

Friday 27 February

21:45: Strasbourg v Lens – LIVE on SuperSport Variety, SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 1

Saturday 28 February

22:05: Le Havre v PSG – LIVE on SuperSport Variety, SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 1

Sunday 1 March

21:45: Marseille v Lyon – LIVE on SuperSport Variety, SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 1

Premier League, Matchday 28

Friday 27 February

22:00: Wolves v Aston Villa – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Saturday 28 February

14:30: Bournemouth v Sunderland – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

17:00: Liverpool v West Ham – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

17:00: Newcastle v Everton – LIVE on SuperSport Variety, SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 1

17:00: Burnley v Brentford – LIVE on SuperSport Action and SuperSport Action Africa

19:30: Leeds United v Manchester City – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Sunday 1 March

16:00: Fulham v Tottenham – LIVE on SuperSport Variety, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 1

16:00: Brighton v Nottingham Forest – LIVE on SuperSport Action and SuperSport GOtv Football

16:00: Manchester United v Crystal Palace – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

18:30: Arsenal v Chelsea – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Serie A, Matchday 27

Friday 27 February

21:45: Parma v Cagliari – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Saturday 28 February

16:00: Como v Lecce – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Africa 2

19:00: Verona v Napoli – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

21:45: Inter Milan v Genoa – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Sunday 1 March

13:30: Cremonese v AC Milan – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

16:00: Sassuolo v Atalanta – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

19:00: Torino v Lazio – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

21:45: Roma v Juventus – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Monday 2 March

19:30: Pisa v Bologna – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

21:45: Udinese v Fiorentina – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

La Liga, Matchday 26

Friday 27 February

22:00: Levante v Alaves – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Saturday 28 February

15:00: Rayo Vallecano v Athletic Bilbao – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

17:15: Barcelona v Villarreal – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

19:30: Mallorca v Real Sociedad – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

22:00: Real Oviedo v Atletico Madrid – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Sunday 1 March

15:00: Elche v Espanyol – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

17:15: Valencia v Osasuna – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

19:30: Real Betis v Sevilla – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

22:00: Girona v Celta Vigo – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Monday 2 March

22:00: Real Madrid v Getafe – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Hansi Flick’s side, who had lost their previous two games, would have been buoyed by Real Madrid’s shock loss to Osasuna on Saturday night.

And they were in front after four minutes against sorry Levante when a short corner eventually led to Eric Garcia’s pass finding Marc Bernal to score with a low finish, his second in two home games after netting against Mallorca.

They created a hatful of chances before the break with Raphinha’s glancing header going wide and Lamine Yamal firing a long-range effort over.

Levante’s best chance of the half fell to Jon Ander Olasagasti whose shot inside the box was saved.

The hosts made it 2-0 before the break when a sublime Joao Cancelo cross found Frenkie de Jong to score with a volley at the near post, his first goal for the club since January 2025.

The second half was a similar story with Barca dominating and Matthew Ryan making good saves from Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo.

Barca brought on Pedri, Ferran Torres and Lopez for the closing stages.

And it was the latter who scored the goal of the game with a long-range strike which flew into the top corner following a corner.

The result sees Flick’s side go one point clear of Los Blancos while Levante remain in 19th position, seven points from safety.

Real were looking to go five points clear, but a first-half Ante Budimir penalty and a late Raul Garcia strike condemned Alvaro Arbeloa to a first league defeat in six games as manager.

Vinicius drew Real level in the 73rd minute, days after he alleged he was racially abused during the Champions League victory over Benfica.

The Brazil forward had a quiet first half during which his side were fortunate not to concede more than once.

Thibaut Courtois produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Budimir from close range, before the Croatia forward hit the post with a header.

Referee Alejandro Quintero Gonzalez booked Budimir for simulation late in the first half, but replays showed Courtois stood on the striker’s foot as he rounded him.

The referee awarded a penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor and Budimir sent Courtois the wrong way.

The introduction of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 64th minute seemed to turn the second half in Real’s favour.

The England defender immediately created an opportunity for Vinicius with a cross-field pass, but the forward’s goalbound effort was blocked.

Vinicius – whose every touch was whistled by the home fans – made amends minutes later when he converted from Federico Valverde’s low cross into the penalty area, his first away league goal in almost five months.

Kylian Mbappe found the top corner from close range but was denied by the offside flag.

Osasuna substitute Garcia suffered the same fate in the 90th minute when he skipped past a challenge and finished brilliantly past Courtois from an acute angle, but the video assistant referee (VAR) concluded he was onside and the goal was given.

Osasuna’s first league victory against Real since 2011 moves the Pamplona club up to ninth in the table.

Madrid remain two points clear of Barcelona having played one game more. Hansi Flick’s side would go top with a home win against Levante on Sunday (15:15 GMT).

Hansi Flick’s side now trail arch rivals Real Madrid by two points in the title race after substitute Fran Beltran struck in the 86th minute at Estadio Montilivi to snatch all three points and ease relegation fears for the home side.

The visitors thought defender Jules Kounde had been fouled in the build-up to the winner, but after a brief video assistant referee (VAR) check the goal was given.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men midway through stoppage time, with substitute Joel Roca bringing down Lamine Yamal with a lunging challenge.

Yet Barcelona were unable to force an equaliser as they succumbed to just a third league defeat against their regional rivals.

The result marks a second loss in succession for Barcelona, who suffered a 4-0 hammering by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday.

It was a fiercely fought contest from the off as the hosts took the game to the league leaders, forcing keeper Joan Garcia into a save inside the first minute.

By contrast Barcelona were lethargic, spurning several gilt-edged chances to take the lead. Lamine Yamal was the main culprit, twice missing from close range before crashing a penalty off the base of the upright in first-half stoppage time.

In the end two defenders combined to break the deadlock on 59 minutes. Centre-back Pau Cubarsi looped a header into the top corner from right-back Kounde’s cross for his first league goal in Barcelona colours.

The visitors’ joy was short-lived though, as Girona hit back two minutes later when midfielder Thomas Lemar tapped home Vladyslav Vanat’s centre for his second goal in as many games.

The hosts scored again 10 minutes later as Garcia failed to claim Viktor Tsygankov’s speculative header, though the goalkeeper was awarded a foul for a shove from Roca on the goalline.

The victory ends a three-game winless run for Girona, who move up to 12th, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Barcelona’s league winning run ends at three games, and they face a possible five-point gap at the summit come their next fixture – Real Madrid head to Osasuna on Saturday (17:30 GMT), before Barca host Levante on Sunday (15:15).

Dani Olmo slotted into the bottom corner for the opener in the 52nd minute.

Raphinha increased Barca’s lead five minutes later with a dinked finish over Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell, pouncing on a mistake from David Costas.

Teenage Spain forward Lamine Yamal made sure of the success in the 73rd minute with a sublime bicycle kick from Olmo’s looped ball into the box.

It was a 10th La Liga home win under boss Hansi Flick – last doing so in December 2019 under Ernesto Valverde (W14).

Flick’s side were below par in the first half and their best chance came moments before the break when Raphinha was denied at the near post by Escandell.

But Barca stepped up their performance in the second period to maintain their slender advantage over Real, while Oviedo remain rooted to the bottom and eight points from safety.

Attention for Flick’s men now turns to Wednesday when they host Copenhagen (20:00 GMT) in the final game of the Champions League league phase as they aim to finish in the top eight and avoid the play-offs.

Let’s take a look at how we got here.

When La Liga restarted in January, Barcelona were top with 46 points, four clear of Real Madrid.

The Catalans’ return to form was impressive: two wins from two including a comfortable league victory over Espanyol and a place secured in the Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.

Real Madrid had also started the second half of the season strongly, opening with a convincing 5–1 win over Real Betis and earning their place in the Super Cup final against Barcelona.

It was that match that would prove to be a turning point.

Los Blancos were defeated 3–2 by their arch-rivals. This was to be Xabi Alonso’s last match in charge of Real Madrid, as he stepped down the following day.

Arbeloa comes in at Real

In response, Real Madrid turned to Alvaro Arbeloa, the reserve-team coach. An outstanding former player with a deep understanding of the club, he stepped into the managerial role determined to restore confidence and stability following their Super Cup defeat.

He couldn’t have had a worse start. His team travelled to Albacete, 17th in Spain’s second division, in the Copa del Rey last 16. It should have been an easy victory.

But Real lost 3–2. Captain Dani Carvajal admitted the squad had hit “rock bottom”.

The Madridistas questioned Arbeloa’s appointment. Barcelona’s fans celebrated. Their great rivals were in disarray.

Barcelona, themselves, came through a tricky tie against Racing Santander to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, maintaining their perfect start to the second half of the season – four wins from four, scoring 12 goals.

Barcelona’s shock defeat

However, yet another twist was to come in Barcelona’s next league game against ninth-placed Real Sociedad.

Before the fixture, manager Hansi Flick said he wanted to “continue our run and show our fans the same spirit as last season”.

But Barca’s 11-match winning streak in all competitions came to an end, when the hosts beat them 2-1 for the second consecutive season.

“I’m disappointed because we played a very good game,” Flick said. “There are days when you put a lot of energy and in the end you are not lucky. We deserved to win, but that’s football.”

The day before, Real Madrid had beaten bottom-of-the-table Levante 2–0.

Victory came amid an ugly reception at the Bernabeu, with supporters not afraid to voice their disapproval of recent performances, as Real cut Barcelona’s lead at the top to just one point.

What’s the feeling in both camps?

Let’s start with Real Madrid.

Arbeloa described Tuesday’s 6-1 Champions League victory over Monaco as a “turning point”.

“It’s a night where the Bernabeu has shown that when it’s behind its team, when the Bernabeu is on our side, we are a truly great team,” he said.

“I’m delighted with the players’ desire to help the team. They’ve shown me that from day one.”

The performance will have undoubtedly boosted the confidence of the manager, the players and the supporters. And as Real Madrid prepare for a Saturday trip to third-placed Villarreal, Arbeloa knows how significant every game is.

“Tomorrow’s match is very important because of what it means, because of the opposition and because of three points that would give us a lot of confidence,” Arbeloa said.

“It’s one of the toughest games we have in the league. We know that we’ll have to be at our best and play at a very high level if we want to get the three points.”

Barcelona also head into the weekend on the back of a Champions League victory, beating Slavia Prague 4–2. They face bottom-of-the-table Oviedo.

It won’t be until May that Real Madrid and Barcelona meet again: And that match could yet prove decisive in the title race.

Real won the first Clasico of the season 2–1 in Madrid in October.

If last season is anything to go by, the title race will remain far from predictable.

At this stage last year, Real Madrid sat six points ahead of Barcelona, only for the Catalans to overturn the deficit and win the league.

Once again, there is all to play for.

Madrid supporters waved white handkerchiefs before kick-off and then aimed boos and whistles at players – in particular Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde – as well as the club’s hierarchy.

Alvaro Arbeloa – who replaced Xabi Alonso as manager on Monday – was also targeted during the game, before goals from Kylian Mbappe and Raul Asencio in the second half helped the 15-time European Cup winners to victory at the end of a tumultuous week.

After a humiliating defeat in the Copa del Rey to second division side Albacete on Wednesday, Arbeloa restored Mbappe and Bellingham to the starting XI for his first La Liga match in charge.

The unrest among supporters became clear in the opening 10 minutes when Bellingham was the subject of jeers from the stands despite driving his side towards goal.

After managing only one shot on target in the first half, Arbeloa shuffled his pack at the break and called upon Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono for the second half.

In the 58th minute, Mbappe broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after drawing a foul from Adrian de la Fuente.

The Frenchman – who is the top scorer in La Liga this season with 19 goals – was one of a few players, along with 21-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia, not to be jeered by Real fans on Saturday.

Defender Asencio added a second for the hosts seven minutes later when he climbed highest to head home Guler’s corner.

Real are next in action on Tuesday when they host Monaco in the Champions League.

A blockbuster weekend of European league football arrives at a pivotal point in the season, with title races sharpening and pressure mounting on contenders across France, England, Italy and Spain.

In Ligue 1, the headline act is PSG v Lille, a fixture that often carries more edge than the league table might suggest. PSG’s star-studded squad is expected to dominate domestically, but Lille remain one of the few sides capable of disrupting their rhythm through organisation, intensity and swift transitions. This match is as much a psychological test as a tactical one: a strong PSG performance reinforces authority, while any slip invites renewed belief among the chasing pack. Elsewhere in France, Marseille and Lyon will also be eager to build momentum, underlining the competitiveness beneath the Parisian summit.

The Premier League offers one of its defining spectacles with the Manchester derby. Manchester United v Manchester City rarely needs extra context, but with league positions and pride intertwined, this edition promises familiar drama. City’s control and depth face a United side desperate to assert identity and resilience on the biggest stage.

Later in the weekend, Nottingham Forest v Arsenal carries major title significance. Arsenal enter as favourites, yet trips to the City Ground are notoriously uncomfortable. Forest’s physicality and home atmosphere will test Arsenal’s composure, squad depth and championship credentials.

Serie A’s focus falls on the established powers navigating potentially awkward assignments. Inter’s visit to Udinese has all the hallmarks of a classic Italian test: disciplined hosts, limited space, and the need for patience. Napoli v Sassuolo brings a different challenge, as Sassuolo’s technical quality and fearlessness can trouble even the best-organised sides. Milan v Lecce, meanwhile, is about professionalism and control; champions-in-waiting are expected to dominate such fixtures, but Serie A history is littered with reminders that complacency is costly. With Juventus, Roma and others also in action, the Italian title race remains finely balanced.

In La Liga, the narrative is equally compelling. Real Madrid host Levante knowing that home fixtures against lower-ranked opposition must be converted into routine victories if a title push is to be sustained. Atletico Madrid v Alaves is another examination of efficiency over flair, with Diego Simeone’s side typically thriving on control and defensive discipline. The standout Spanish fixture, however, is Real Sociedad v Barcelona. Sociedad’s tactical intelligence and intensity at home make this one of the most demanding trips on the calendar, while Barcelona arrive seeking consistency and authority in a season of evolution.

Across all four leagues, the theme is clear: favourites must deliver, challengers sense opportunity, and every result carries weight. It’s a weekend where titles are not won, but they can certainly be jeopardised.

Ligue 1, Matchday 18

Friday 16 January

• 22:00: PSG v Lille  – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport GOtv Football

Saturday 17 January

• 22:05: Angers v Marseille – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport GOtv Football

Sunday 18 January

• 21:45: Lyon v Brest – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport GOtv Football

Premier League, Matchday 22

Saturday 17 January

• 14:30: Manchester United v Manchester City – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

• 17:00: Sunderland v Crystal Palace – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport OTT6

• 17:00: Chelsea v Brentford – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport Action Africa

• 17:00: Liverpool v Burnley – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Blitz, SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 2

• 17:00: Tottenham v West Ham – LIVE on SuperSport Action and SuperSport OTT2

• 17:00: Leeds United v Fulham – LIVE on SuperSport OTT3

• 19:30: Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Sunday 18 January

• 16:00: Wolves v Newcastle – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 2

• 18:30: Aston Villa v Everton – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Monday 19 January

• 22:00: Brighton v Bournemouth – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 2

Serie A, Matchday 21

Friday 16 January

• 21:45: Pisa v Atalanta – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 2

Saturday 17 January

• 16:00: Udinese v Inter Milan – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 1

• 19:00: Napoli v Sassuolo – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 1

• 21:45: Cagliari v Juventus – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 1

Sunday 18 January

• 13:30 Parma v Genoa – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 2

• 16:00: Bologna v Fiorentina – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 1

• 19:00: Torino v Roma – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 1

• 21:45: Milan v Lecce – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 2

Monday 19 January

• 19:30: Cremonese v Verona – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

• 21:45: Lazio v Como – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

La Liga, Matchday 20

Friday 16 January

• 22:00: Espanyol v Girona – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Saturday 17 January

• 15:00: Real Madrid v Levante – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 17:15: Mallorca v Athletic Bilbao – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 19:30: Osasuna v Real Oviedo – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 22:00: Real Betis v Villarreal – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Sunday 18 January

• 15:00: Getafe v Valencia – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 17:15: Atletico Madrid v Alaves – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 19:30: Celta Vigo v Rayo Vallecano – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 22:00: Real Sociedad v Barcelona – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Monday 19 January

• 22:00: Elche v Sevilla – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Reports from Spain indicate that head coach Marcelino García Toral has confirmed the midfielder is not part of his plans for the upcoming season.

The 32-year-old joined the La Liga side on a two-year deal ahead of the current campaign after five seasons at Arsenal. Since his arrival, he has struggled for regular playing time, featuring in just 18 matches across all competitions.

According to Transferfeed, Marcelino has already informed the club’s management that Partey will not be retained beyond the expiration of his contract.

The former Atletico Madrid midfielder is therefore expected to depart when his deal concludes on June 30, 2026.

Transfermarkt currently values Partey at around €5 million.

Former Liverpool full-back Arbeloa will take charge, being promoted from his role as head coach of development side Real Madrid Castilla.

The club released a statement on Monday, which reads: “Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as first team coach.

“Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values ​​of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.

“Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”

Real face Albacete in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, but defeat by Barcelona in the final of the Supercopa de Espana in Jeddah on Sunday proved to be Alonso’s final appearance in the dug-out.

Speaking in his final press conference before his dismissal, Alonso said in the aftermath of the damaging and ultimately defining 3-2 loss to Barcelona: “We have to move on as soon as possible. It’s the least important of the competitions we play. We have to look forward, try to get players back [from injury], get our morale back and keep going.”

But Real’s direction of travel will no longer include Alonso at the helm.

The 44-year-old had previously been strongly linked with succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool before Arne Slot was appointed, but is now unemployed having failed to collect any silverware from his seven months in charge, but a win percentage of 70% having lost six of his 34 games in charge.

Why Real have promoted Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa has been appointed as Alonso’s successor

Image credit: Getty Images

Following the mutual agreement to relieve Alonso of his duties, Arbeloa will now assume the role on a permanent basis with the club moving swiftly to appoint an internal successor.

Arbeloa has been Castilla coach since June 2025, having spent his entire coaching career at Real Madrid’s academy since 2020. He has worked his way gradually through the youth team set-up, coaching the Infantil A in 2020/21, Cadete A in 2021/22 and Juvenil A from 2022 to 2025, winning the treble in 2022/23 – league, Copa del Rey and Champions Cup – and the league title again in 2024/25.

As a player, Arbeloa was part of one of the most successful periods in Madrid’s history, making 238 appearances between 2009 and 2016 and winning eight major trophies, including two Champions Leagues. He was also a key member of Spain’s golden generation, earning 56 caps and lifting the 2010 World Cup and European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

During his time as a player at Liverpool, the 42-year-old moved to Merseyside on deadline day in January 2007, signed by Rafa Benitez and offloaded back to Madrid two years later in the summer of 2009 having collected just a Champions League runners-up medal from his time at Anfield.

While Madrid are four points behind rivals Barcelona in La Liga, their Champions League campaign to date has seen two of their six league fixtures end in defeat.

Real currently sit seventh in the standings, just inside the automatic spots for a last-16 berth, with a home tie with Monaco and a trip to Lisbon to face Benfica will to play in the league phase.

The 2026 edition reinforces both organizations’ commitment to creating real opportunities for the next generation, expanding its global reach and consolidating its position as one of the most significant initiatives within EA SPORTS FC FUTURES.

In this second edition, Next Gen Draft is structured around a comprehensive developmental journey that integrates professional methodology, sporting assessment and an educational approach focused on values.

A program designed to identify and nurture talent

LALIGA FC FUTURES Next Gen Draft will consist of four phases aimed at evaluating and strengthening both the footballing skills and personal values of the participants:

1. FC Rush Tournament: Inspired by the EA SPORTS FC video game, registered players will compete in 5v5 matches, each played over two 7-minute halves. With over 80 matches in a single day, official LALIGA scouts travelling from Spain will evaluate technical ability, vision, attitude and overall performance to select 50 players (25 girls and 25 boys).
2. FC FUTURES Academy Training: The 50 selected players will receive personalized training inspired by FC FUTURES best practices, delivered by UEFA PRO coaches from LALIGA and using LALIGA’s official methodology. The top 32 players (16 girls and 16 boys) will progress to the next stage.
3. Final Match: At this stage, the young talents will play a full 11-a-side match against a local team. After the game, the 4 best-performing girls and 4 boys will be selected to represent their country in a unique LALIGA experience in Spain. Selection will be based not only on sporting performance but also on psycho-emotional factors, with values such as commitment, teamwork and perseverance playing a key role.
4. LALIGA Experience in Spain (June–July): In the final phase of the programme, the finalists will travel to Spain, with all expenses covered, to join an international group of 40 young talents (8 from each stage). During this experience, the players will receive professional training sessions from UEFA PRO coaches from LALIGA, play friendly matches against youth teams from LALIGA EA SPORTS clubs, and enjoy exclusive visits and activities that will immerse them in the environment of elite European football.

EA SPORTS FC FUTURES: looking to the future

EA SPORTS FC FUTURES is EA SPORTS™’ long-term global initiative to invest in community football. In addition to supporting more than 15 partner programs and donating equipment in over 10 countries, the project also offers a free online library of training drills for coaches to use in their daily sessions. These exercises combine visual elements from the game with expert coaching guidance, blending the physical and digital sides of the sport to create innovative learning experiences for young players.

The project also invests in the rehabilitation of football pitches in underserved areas, promoting the sport and providing safe spaces for local youth. Previous refurbishments have taken place in Málaga (Spain), Valencia (Spain), Cape Town (South Africa), Cheng San-Seletar (Singapore), São Paulo (Brazil), Medellín (Colombia) and Guadalajara (Mexico), contributing to community revitalization and expanding access to the game.

About LALIGA 

LALIGA is the largest football ecosystem in the world. It is a private sports association composed of the 20 public limited sports companies (SADs) and clubs of LALIGA EA SPORTS and the 22 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION and is responsible for organizing professional football competitions in Spain. LALIGA has over 258 million followers globally across social networks, on 16 platforms and in 20 different languages. With its headquarters in Madrid (Spain) it has the most extensive international network of any sports property and is present in 35 countries through 8 offices. The organization carries out its social work through its foundation FUNDACIÓN LALIGA and was the world’s first professional football league to establish a league for intellectually challenged footballers: LALIGA GENUINE Move.

The 21-year-old forward, playing in the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappe, opened the scoring with a header after 20 minutes, and doubled the lead with a superb volley early in the second half.

Raul Asencio headed in from a corner to make it 3-0, but Betis pulled a goal back when Cucho Hernandez rounded Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois.

But after Betis had hit the woodwork and caused worries for the hosts, Garcia capped his successful afternoon with a sublime backheel from close range.

Fran Garcia added Madrid’s fifth in stoppage time for a win that reduced the gap between second-placed Madrid and leaders Barcelona to four points while Betis stay in sixth place.

Mbappe sat out the home side’s first game of 2026 with a twisted knee, but Gonzalo Garcia’s display meant that Xabi Alonso’s side did not miss the prolific French striker too much.

Gonzalo Garcia, who scored four times in the Fifa Club World Cup in 2025, was left unmarked at the back post to head back beyond Betis keeper Alvaro Valles for his first goal in La Liga.

But his second, displaying fine control with his chest before volleying beyond Valles into the bottom corner, settled the nerves of the home fans after Madrid had looked sluggish before half-time.

Asencio was also left unmarked at a set-piece to head in for his first senior goal as the home side threatened to embarrass Betis, managed by former Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini.

But Betis dug deep and after Lo Selso’s free-kick hit a post, Hernandez steadied himself for a cool finish from a tight angle after going around Courtois.

Riquelme was unlucky to see his curling shot rebound off a post, but with Madrid’s fans becoming restless Gonzalo Garcia settled the result with a sublime flick from Arda Guler’s low cross from the left.

Substitute Fran Garcia, who had replaced Gonzalo late on, converted Federico Valverde’s cross from close range deep into stoppage time.

Madrid will not play in next weekend’s round of La Liga matches because of their Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, 8 January.

Hansi Flick’s side were frustrated until four minutes from time when Fermin Lopez set up his fellow substitutes to score the crucial goals.

First he played in Olmo to curl a superb strike into the top corner, before more good work by Lopez on the right teed up Lewandowski for a delightful close-range finish in the 90th minute.

Barcelona have scored 12 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in La Liga this season.

In a lively Catalan derby, the hosts made a fast start with former Blackburn Rovers forward Tyrhys Dolan having a shot blocked after four minutes.

And it was visiting keeper Joan Garcia who returned to haunt his former club, with the 24-year-old, who left Espanyol last summer after nine years – making a string of vital saves.

His replacement Marko Dmitrovic made a crucial stop in the 72nd minute to deny Eric Garcia from close range and a draw looked likely until Barca’s late pressure paid off.

Second-placed Real Madrid could reduce the gap at the top to four points if they beat Real Betis at home on Sunday (15:15 GMT).

Espanyol, whose last win over their neighbours in the league was back in 2009, remain in fifth place.

In a breathless opening, Hansi Flick’s side took a 12th-minute lead against the run of play when Raphinha converted from the penalty spot after being brought down in the penalty area by Santi Comesana.

Villarreal, who had won their last six La Liga games, were reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute when former Chelsea youngster Renato Veiga was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge from behind on Lamine Yamal.

The Barcelona teenager all but ended the game as a contest in the 63rd minute, poking home calmly from close range after a scramble in the penalty area.

Fourth-placed Villarreal will have been frustrated not to have taken an early lead at the Estadio de la Ceramica after creating several early opportunities prior to Raphinha’s opener.

Former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe headed wide from close range, while ex-Newcastle frontman Ayoze Perez had a goal-bound strike deflected off target before sending a tame shot into Joan Garcia’s arms from the edge of the box.

Raphinha was unfortunate not to double his – and Barcelona’s – tally in the first half when he rattled the crossbar with a venomous effort from the edge of the penalty area.

However, the home side thought they had restored parity before half-time when Jules Kounde turned Sergi Cardona’s low cross into his own net – only for the goal to be ruled out for offside against the Villarreal full-back.

Pepe also struck the bar in a one-on-one with Barcelona goalkeeper Garcia, but that goal too would have been disallowed after the Ivorian mistimed his run from Dani Parejo’s pass.

The second period was a less frantic affair as Barcelona looked to press home their numerical advantage, and Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior needed to be at full stretch to prevent Fermin Lopez from finding the bottom corner not long after the restart.

Yamal settled the outcome, however, poking the ball into the far corner for his ninth goal of the season in all competitions.

Georges Mikautadze was then denied in a one-on-one with Garcia with 13 minutes remaining, but Barca comfortably saw out the final stages to stretch their winning La Liga run to eight games.

They return to action after the winter break against city rivals Espanyol on Saturday, 3 January (20:00 GMT), while Villarreal travel to Elche earlier that day (17:30 GMT).

Real took the lead seven minutes before the break when Jude Bellingham leaped above Lucien Agoume and glanced a header from a Rodrygo free-kick into the top corner of the net.

Sevilla had opportunities to equalise, although Real’s task was made easier after the break when Marcao was shown a second yellow card for a rash foul on Bellingham.

Mbappe, celebrating his 27th birthday, then converted from the penalty spot in the 86th minute after Rodrygo was clumsily fouled by Juanlu Sanchez to equal Ronaldo’s record from 2013.

It looked set to be a frustrating evening for the defending champions, who had 21 shots to three for Osasuna until the Brazilian forward struck the opening blow in the 70th minute.

Raphinha found the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area before converting at the back post in the 86th minute when a cross deflected into his path.

Ferran Torres thought he had broken the deadlock in the 23rd minute when he beat the offside trap and headed in a Marcus Rashford cross.

However, the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled out the goal because Raphinha’s heel was offside during a short-corner routine in the build-up.

Torres then went close when he met Lamine Yamal’s dangerous inswinging cross, but the former Manchester City forward lifted his first-time effort over the crossbar.

As defensive as Osasuna were, they did pose a threat on the counter-attack. Minutes into the second half Victor Munoz powered past Alejandro Balde only to fire wide with just home goalkeeper Joan Garcia to beat.

Barcelona’s dominance was finally rewarded when Pedri drove forward from midfield, found Raphinha and he finished past Sergio Herrera.

Having ended the visitors’ resistance, the 28-year-old made sure of the success in the final moments with a simple tap-in.

Seven weeks ago Barcelona trailed Real Madrid by five points after a 2-1 defeat in El Clasico, but now find themselves seven points clear after winning seven consecutive league games.

Real can reduce the deficit to four points if they win at Alaves on Sunday.

The England forward, 28, joined the Spanish club on loan in the summer following a difficult period at Old Trafford, spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.

His move to La Liga has so far been a success, scoring six goals and making eight assists in 21 appearances.

“I don’t see anything here as like a pressure. It’s just, I’m here to play football,” Rashford told BBC Sport.

“It’s been amazing. I feel welcome, I feel at home. I’ve just been enjoying every step of the way.”

Rashford, who revealed Barcelona were his “favourite club outside of England” as a child, said he is taking time to immerse himself fully in the lifestyle while living in the Spanish city.

Speaking to BBC Sport after his first Barcelona community event at a local school, he said: “It’s different, but it’s a great learning curve for me.

“And even little things, I’ve not done it completely yet, but learning the language and stuff like that, learning the culture, it’s all enjoyable for me.”

Rashford scored 138 goals in 426 matches for United since making his debut for the club in 2016 and won five major trophies.

However, he fell out of favour at his boyhood club after being dropped by manager Ruben Amorim, leading to a short-term move to Premier League rivals Villa, before joining Barca on an initial 12-month loan in July.

His impressive loan spell at Villa Park caught the eye of England manager Thomas Tuchel earlier this year, and now Rashford has found himself back in the squad after losing his place under former boss Gareth Southgate following his drop in form at United.

Barcelona, who have won La Liga 28 times, have the option of signing Rashford on a permanent basis for £30.3m (35m euros) in 2026. For his part, Rashford has said he would like to stay.

“It’s a new language of football,” said Rashford. “I’ve always been, like many people in the world, an admirer of Spanish football.

“To play for the biggest club in Spain is a huge honour. I’m looking forward to playing more games here, just doing my best and try to help the team to win.”

Rashford’s performance in Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt, in which he came off the bench and provided an assist for Jules Kounde, brought praise from the Spanish media.

And with Barca four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga after securing five league wins in a row, Rashford’s aim for the rest of the season is “simply just to win”.

“It’s a club that demands this,” he said.

“The environment is always pushing us to be the best players we can be so it’s perfect to be in a place like this as a player.”

Now in its fifth consecutive season, the SPORTY LALIGA MVP recognises the deep wealth of African talent across LALIGA, which has a long and storied connection to African football dating back to the 1940s and beyond. Past winners of the award include global stars such as Iñaki Williams (2024, 2025), Samuel Chukwueze (2023) and Yassine Bounou (2022).

Building on this proud legacy, this season’s edition of the SPORTY LALIGA MVP once again partners with official sponsor SPORTY GROUP, one of Africa’s leading sports entertainment and technology brands.

Miguel Puche, Brand Director of Sporty Group, said: “At Sporty Group we are proud to be part of the fifth edition of the SPORTY LALIGA MVP. This award is a celebration of African excellence in one of the world’s most competitive leagues, and a reflection of Sporty Group’s commitment to elevating African talent on the global stage. Through initiatives like this, we aim to inspire the next generation of players and fans who see football not just as a game but as a bridge between continents, cultures, and communities.”

Tresor Penku, Managing Director of LALIGA Africa, said: “The SPORTY LALIGA MVP is more than just an award for us. It embodies LALIGA’s vision to celebrate the deep-rooted and long-lasting connections that football has fostered between Africa and Spain. For decades, African stars have made LALIGA their home, shaping the identity of our league. We’re delighted to be back with the fifth edition of this award, an opportunity to continue recognising the remarkable contribution of these players and engage even more with millions of Spanish football fans across Africa.”

The campaign kicks off this week and will run from December to May 2026. In this initial phase, LALIGA will publish regular special content showcasing the standout performances of African stars and stories of African players past and present, while Sporty TV will feature regular coverage during each of its Monday night shows.

The 20 nominees will be announced in March, after which a two-fold voting process will open between 13 March and 10 May to determine the winner. The first will involve an expert jury of 25 leading sports journalists from across the continent, while the second will give fans across Sub-Saharan Africa the chance to cast their votes on the MILIGA FAN ZONE, LALIGA’s online fan zone. This season, the campaign will culminate in a live event in Nigeria, celebrating the MVP winner with fans, influencers and football legends from across Africa.

The winner will be announced on May 13, coinciding with Matchday 36 of the LALIGA EA SPORTS season.

About LALIGA

LALIGA is the largest football ecosystem in the world. It is a private sporting association comprising the 20 football clubs/associations of LALIGA EA SPORTS and the 22 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION, responsible for organising professional football competitions at a national level. It has over 258 million followers worldwide on social media, across 16 platforms and 20 different languages. With headquarters in Madrid (Spain), it has the largest international network of all sporting properties, with which it is present in 35 countries through 8 offices. The association undertakes its social action through the LALIGA FOUNDATION and is the first professional football league in the world to have a competition for footballers with mental disability: LALIGA GENUINE Moeve.  

Fans are losing patience and Madrid were booed off after Sunday’s 2-0 La Liga defeat by Celta Vigo, prompting an emergency meeting for the club’s hierarchy to discuss Alonso’s future.

Real remain four points behind leaders Barcelona having won just one of their last five La Liga matches and, after a dramatic slump since beating Barcelona in October, it seems now his chances of survival are very slim.

Alonso arrived at Real in the summer offering a modern approach but the club has to accept that this step is necessary. And it still resists.

President Florentino Perez has never fully believed in this kind of change, even though people inside the club convinced him to appoint Rafa Benitez, Julien Lopetegui and Xabi Alonso – steps in a new direction.

But the moment they falter, show doubt or the players stop buying in, Perez turns his thumb down, given that in the past the club has been more successful with less interventionist coaches like Carlo Ancelotti or Zinedine Zidane.

When he arrived at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso asked to be released if any of the clubs he had played for came calling, provided he felt like taking the job.

He added one more team to that list – Manchester City, as Pep’s eventual replacement. Now it could be Pep who leaves him without a job.

Madrid’s return to the Bernabeu after six games away reflected everything that has gone wrong across their run of just three wins in seven. Some good moments were there but what stood out most was the lack of connection between the manager’s idea and the players’ execution. They don’t seem to fully believe in the plan.

The scenes in the dressing room after Sunday’s defeat were pure frustration – objects thrown, raised voices. Any time someone tried to blame the referee, the response was immediate: “That’s a bad excuse.”

Alonso had shouted a swear word towards Fran Garcia when he had been sent off and the manager said in the press conference that he did not like the referee’s performance – but it was no excuse.

The most worrying moment in his press conference after the Celta defeat was when he said certain things had been prepared – a higher tempo, pressing upfield – but the team didn’t apply any of it. Echos of what previous boss Ancelotti had warned him about.

The second most worrying moment was finding out the decision-makers at the club stayed behind closed doors at the Bernabeu for a few hours after the match analysing what had happened. That is never good.

‘If Mbappe doesn’t score, nobody does’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Kylian Mbappe has scored 25 goals in 21 games for Real Madrid this season

Alonso perhaps set himself up by announcing the return of “rock and roll” when he first arrived. He meant a side with a clear identity, that would press with aggression, attack with the impact of adrumbeat, and have players stepping up with the personality and sharpness of an electric guitar riff.

Despite all the signs and previous warnings, Alonso didn’t realise just how hard it would be to achieve the most difficult thing in football – getting everyone to think as one.

He knew things would be complicated. Ancelotti had already warned him, privately and publicly, that certain ideas were prepared during the week but never applied on the pitch.

Ancelotti went even further in conversations with those close to him – this was the most difficult dressing room of his career. Not because players are bad people, but because there are so many conflicting interests. Kylian Mbappe thinks about his records. Vinicius worries about not losing his authority in the team. Federico Valverde wants to play in midfield and doesn’t yet have the maturity expected from a captain.

On the day of the match at Liverpool, those who make the decisions at Real Madrid were openly expressing full support and admiration for what Alonso was doing – modernising the team, making it dynamic and versatile.

He had just beaten Barcelona and was on a run of 13 wins in 14 matches. But after the defeat at Anfield, followed by draws away to Rayo and Elche, the pressure became relentless.

Stories began to leak out that there were too many videos, that the demands were too high, that the players were expected to be robots. The typical clash between a coach with a clear methodology and players who want to rely on instinct.

Problems had been accumulated.

Alonso was convinced Jude Bellingham would help him as he knew English players tend to submit to the general idea. The problem has been his position. Jude is a second forward, a finisher. If used as a midfielder, he is not comfortable but will work hard to adapt. That transitional period makes for a player that doesn’t give as much as he would like to. That creates frustration and doubts.

Alonso would have liked Martin Zubimendi because he believes Madrid lack a midfielder who can give them rhythm and organisation. But he didn’t get him and had to work with physical, dynamic midfielders who are far more comfortable with quick transitions than with positional football and short, patient passing that he also wanted to implement. Arda Guler is trying to direct the team’s play but he is more of a forward than a midfielder.

If Mbappe doesn’t score, nobody does: Vini has now gone 11 games without a goal, Rodrygo 33.

Injuries – mostly in defence – have forced Alonso to field 20 different line-ups in 21 matches.

Eder Militao is Real Madrid’s latest casualty and the Brazil defender is expected to be out for three to four months with a torn hamstring suffered against Vigo.

‘Xabi believes he is capable of finding solutions’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Xabi Alonso has a 69% win rate in La Liga this season

Perhaps everything had already fallen apart in the reaction of Vini when he was replaced at the Clasico.

It was a challenge to the authority of the manager that has not been resolved. That time the club did not protect Alonso and in the apologies Vini “forgot” to mention him. It was going to be very hard to come back from that.

When the entire press corps turns up with the same message – Alonso’s future is uncertain – it usually means that message comes from the very top and that sources from the changing room back it up. Conversations then followed those disappointing results – between the coach and the players, and between the coach and the president.

The manager began making decisions partly designed to please the players, hoping they would also compromise and allow him to keep adding layers to the team’s understanding — to press more, to improve their attacks against deep blocks, to control games better.

The defeat by Celta on Sunday effectively ended the fans’ honeymoon with Alonso, although polls show that supporters also blame the players, who they felt didn’t run nearly enough. “When they’re intense and press well, it’s very hard to get out,” said Celta’s coach, Claudio Giraldez, after the match. But Madrid simply aren’t doing that work with conviction or consistency, a clear sign of a team that doesn’t think they are going the right way.

Earlier, Giraldez had also said that Real Madrid were evolving, but nobody wants to listen. Alonso believes he is capable of finding solutions. But the media are now portraying him as a coach who has been overtaken by events. Again, when that happens, it usually means the club shares that view even if it isn’t actually true.

At Real Madrid, you go from crisis to paradise and back to hell in one or two matches. Which is why Wednesday’s is not just another game.

If Alonso were to go in the next few days, don’t be surprised if Real try again to bring Zidane back to the club, while former Madrid full-back and current B team manager Alvaro Arbeloa is also a contender.

The defeat means second-placed Real, who host Man City in the Champions League on Wednesday, remain four points behind leaders Barcelona having won just one of their last five La Liga matches.

“We are all angry, evidently this was not the game we wanted, it was not the result we wanted,” Alonso said.

“We have to try and turn the page as quickly as possible. It’s only three points.

“We have the Champions League game against City to react in, and get this bad taste out of our mouths.”

Seven minutes after the break, substitute Williot Swedberg flicked a clever finish into the bottom corner with his first league goal of the season giving Celta an unlikely lead.

In the 64th minute, things went from bad to worse for Real when they were reduced to 10 men after Fran Garcia was shown two yellow cards in the space of a minute.

Real were reduced to nine men in the 92nd minute after Alvaro Carreras was shown two quick-fire yellow cards, one for dissent and the other for foul and abusive language.

Swedberg added a second after Carreras’ dismissal as the hosts imploded.

It is Celta’s first win over Real in La Liga since May 2014, a run of 22 games without victory.

Earlier in the week, Alonso said he had held talks with club president Florentino Perez about the club’s dip in form and he was shown a yellow card as tensions continued to rise inside the Bernabeu.

Real spurned chances with Arda Guler firing narrowly wide from close range and Kylian Mbappe chipping a shot just over the bar.

This is Real’s first match since Trent Alexander-Arnold was ruled out for two months with a thigh injury as his disrupted debut season continues and defender Éder Militao went off in the 23rd minute after injuring his hamstring in a further blow to Real’s defensive ranks.

Focus turns to a huge clash in the Champions League on Wednesday when Alonso’s side host Manchester City (20:00 GMT).

Barcelona continue to attract criticism for their high-line approach, and it was their undoing for the opening goal, which was scored by Alex Baena. A wonderful ball in behind from Nahuel Molina was collected by the Atleti midfielder, who deftly finished beyond Joan Garcia – offside was initially given, but he was confirmed to have been in line with last defender Pau Cubarsi following a VAR check.

However, the visitors were only ahead for six minutes, with Barcelona hitting back. Pedri slipped the ball through to Raphinha, and he rounded Jan Oblak before tapping the empty net for his second goal in two matches. The Catalans then had a glorious chance to take the lead soon after, but Robert Lewandowski ballooned his penalty way over the crossbar.

However, Barcelona did hit the front on 65 minutes, with Dani Olmo slotting home for his third goal in two matches. He received the ball from Robert Lewandowski, and deftly found the far corner, although it came at a cost as he injured his shoulder in the process of finding the back of the net, which led to him being substituted.

In stoppage time, Barcelona made the points safe, courtesy of Ferran Torres. The substitute was played in by Alejandro Balde, and he made no mistake from a few yards out to seal another important victory for the Catalans.

Barcelona stretch La Liga advantage

It is a result that sees Barcelona go four points clear of Real Madrid, who are in action on Wednesday against Athletic Club. Hansi Flick hadn’t beaten Atleti at home since taking over as manager, but he has now, which will be a relief.

Alaves midfielder Pablo Ibanez shocked the home side with a first-minute opener, poking home from close range on his 100th appearance in the division.

Lamine Yamal equalised soon after, firing into the roof of the net from Robert Lewandowski’s ball across the box.

Spain forward Olmo put Barca in front with 26 minutes played when he slotted into the bottom corner from Raphinha’s cutback.

In second-half added time, Olmo sealed the victory with a low finish past Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera.

The result means Hansi Flick’s side are two points clear at the top but rivals Real Madrid could return to the summit if they beat Girona on Sunday (20:00 GMT).

Barca have scored in each of their past 34 matches in La Liga (91 goals), which is their best scoring streak in the competition since February 2019 under Ernesto Valverde (37 matches, 99 goals).

They host Atletico Madrid in their next league match on Tuesday December 2 (20:00 GMT).

Robert Lewandowski scored their first goal back in their iconic home, which had been closed for extensive renovations, in the fourth minute.

Ferran Torres then netted twice in the second half, each assisted by wonderful skill from Lamine Yamal, who was aged just 15 in his only previous Nou Camp appearance.

Fermin Lopez also struck in the 48th minute, while visiting midfielder Oihan Sancet was sent off for a crude challenge on Lopez just six minutes later.

Large sections of the Nou Camp remained closed for the game, which was played in front of a 45,157 crowd.

The rebuilding work, which was originally scheduled to be finished in November 2024, will eventually increase the stadium’s capacity to 105,000.

Barca moved to 31 points from 13 games and top on goal difference, but Real Madrid will replace them, if they win at Elche in their game in hand, on Sunday, 23 November (20:00 GMT).

Poland striker Lewandowski got his side off to the perfect start when he drove his low shot in off the arm of Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simon for an eighth league goal of the season.

The home side extended their lead in first-half added time as Yamal’s superb pass off the outside of his foot set up Torres for a good finish.

Lopez made it 3-0 three minutes after the restart, drilling a shot past Simon from near the penalty spot.

Sancet’s tackle from behind on Lopez was initially deemed a yellow card, but upgraded to red after the referee consulted with the video assistant referee (VAR).

And just before full-time, Yamal twisted and turned before sending Torres away to claim his second goal, which was originally disallowed for offside but overturned following a VAR check.

It was a dream return to their ground, with the reigning Spanish champions having mostly played at the 55,000 capacity Olympic Stadium on the city’s Montjuic hill since renovations on the Nou Camp began in June 2023.

They were forced to play two matches at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium, home to their women’s team, this season after failing to get a permit for the Nou Camp through safety reasons.

One point. That is the razor-thin margin separating Valencia and city rivals Levante in the perilous depths of the LaLiga table.

As the El Derbi Valenciano looms this Friday, this isn’t just a clash for bragging rights; it’s a frantic, desperate battle for survival where every tackle, pass, and goal carries the crushing weight of relegation risk. 

With Valencia winless in five league games and sitting in 17th place, all eyes turn to forward Arnaut Danjuma, who insists the derby is the perfect opportunity for the club to ignite their season.

In an interview with SuperSport ahead of the pivotal match, Danjuma emphasised the immense pressure and importance of securing all three points. 

“We are really looking forward to the game. I think it is a very important match for us, and not just for us, but also for the city, the fans, and the entire team,” Danjuma told SuperSport.

“To be honest, it’s a game that carries a lot of weight for everyone involved. We have approached this game just like any other game this season, with the same focus, preparation, and commitment.”

“For us, it is very important to concentrate on what we can do right and how we can challenge ourselves to perform at our best.”

“We’ve been preparing for this match with everything we have, focusing on the details, and making sure that we are ready to give our best performance.”

“All I can say is that this is an important game for us regardless of the opponent. Yes, playing against a team from the same city might bring an extra challenge or pressure, but apart from that, our main focus is on ourselves, on making sure that we do our jobs properly, execute our responsibilities on the pitch, and play the way we know we can.”

Moving beyond the rivalry, Danjuma views this match not just as an opportunity for points, but as a potential catalyst to kickstart a much-needed run of form. 

“Looking back at our recent games, there are a few matches where we feel we could have performed better.”

“One example is our last game against Real Betis at home. We ended up drawing that game, but I think we could have won. It was an important match for us, and compared to other games we’ve played, it felt completely different.”

“We were much more competitive, more focused, and we had to deal with a team that wasn’t easy to play against,” he says. 

Danjuma believes that high-intensity match was the necessary preparation for the high-stakes derby.

“I think that particular game pushed us toward where we want to be. It tested us, it challenged us, and it reminded us of what we need to do to keep moving forward.”

“The upcoming game is another one that can push us in the right direction. It is a match that gives us a chance to improve, to build on what we have done, and to continue striving toward the level we want to reach.”

“We have been looking for opportunities like this for a while, and I think this game is one that we can really use to improve ourselves and grow as a team.”

Despite the testing run of results, the forward confirmed that the spirit and morale within the Valencia camp remains fiercely optimistic, fuelled by their dedicated fanbase.

 “The spirit in Valencia is always high. We are very lucky, and I would even say privileged, because we have a huge fan base that stays with us no matter what the results are. That is something very special.”

“Their support is constant, and it motivates us to keep pushing, to keep working hard, and to always try to do better.”

“Knowing that our fans are behind us makes a big difference. It gives us extra energy and helps us maintain a high level of focus and commitment,” Danjuma adds. 

“Apart from the fans, we also have a very good manager, someone who is always willing to push us toward our goals and make sure we don’t give up, no matter the situation.”

“And we haven’t given up. In our last home game against Real Betis, we showed that we can compete at a high level.”

“That match was a reminder that in football, things can change very quickly. A good result in the right moment can push us further and give us the confidence we have been looking for.”

The El Derbi Valenciano kicks off this Friday, 21 November at 8pm. Catch all the drama, intensity, and crucial LaLiga action live on SuperSport available on DStv and GOtv.

The 36-time league winners were seeking to restore their seven-point lead at the top of the table after Villarreal moved into second with a 2-0 win away at Espanyol on Saturday.

But Vallecano, who had won three of their last five going into the match, proved stubborn opposition.

Defender Raul Asencio came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half, but the Spaniard could not direct his header goalwards having been left unmarked in the box.

Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold came on for the final stages, but Madrid struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham squandering the side’s best sights at goal.

Barcelona can cut Madrid’s lead at the top to three points later on Sunday when they travel to Celta Vigo (20:00 GMT).

After Mbappe’s double inside 31 minutes, Vinicius Jr had a penalty saved by Valencia goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala before Jude Bellingham’s brilliant curling effort sent the hosts further clear before the break.

Alvaro Carreras then sealed Real’s fourth successive win in the Spanish top flight with a majestic left-footed strike into the top corner from a tight angle.

There was bound to be plenty of attention on Vinicius Jr in this contest after he publicly expressed his displeasure at being substituted during last week’s El Clasico, storming past Xabi Alonso and straight down the tunnel.

The Brazil winger started alongside Mbappe and Bellingham – both of who were also on the scoresheet in the win over Barcelona last Sunday.

It was Mbappe who broke the deadlock again, from the penalty spot in the 19th minute, after Franco Mastantuono’s corner hit the arm of Valencia centre-back Cesar Tarrega.

England midfielder Bellingham then released Arda Guler on the left and the Turkish attacker crossed for Mbappe to volley home his second.

The visitors conceded another penalty when Thierry Correia fouled Carreras but the spot-kick from Vinicius down the middle was easily saved by Agirrezabala.

But Real got their third a minute later when Bellingham made space at the edge of the box and found the bottom corner past a diving Agirrezabala to end a whirlwind first half.

The second period, however, proved much less exciting. Real only had one shot on target before left-back Carreras sealed the victory with a stunning goal in the 82nd minute to seal a 10th win in 11 matches.

Villarreal are second in La Liga after their 4-0 win against Rayo Vallecano earlier in the day, while third-placed Barcelona can move five points behind the leaders if they overcome eighth-placed Elche on Sunday.

After being swept aside in all four encounters last season, Los Blancos enter this El Clásico with more than just points on the line. Pride, revenge, and top spot in La Liga are all at stake.

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona dominated the fixture in 2024–25, dismantling Madrid in every competition. The tone was set early with a stunning 4–0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu in October 2024. That was followed by a thrilling 5–2 victory in the Supercopa semifinal in Jeddah, then a dramatic 3–2 triumph after extra time in the Copa del Rey final in Seville. Barça completed the sweep with a 4–3 home win in May, sealing their control over the rivalry.

Central to Barcelona’s dominance was the emergence of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Unplayable in transition and ice-cold in the final third, Yamal tore into Madrid’s backline repeatedly, contributing goals and assists while raising eyebrows across Europe. His connection with Pedri and Gavi has formed a fluid, fearless midfield-attacking axis that Flick has leaned on in big moments.

But this season, Real Madrid may finally be ready to fight back. Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Madrid have regained their identity: tactically disciplined, confident in possession, and harder to break down. Alonso’s arrival has coincided with Kylian Mbappé reaching peak form, and the French forward has made an impressive impact thus far in 2025/26, delivering key goals in tight games and showing signs of real chemistry with Vinícius Jr.

Unlike last season, where Real often looked tactically reactive, Alonso’s Madrid side have clear principles: pressing high, dominating possession, and playing with calculated control. Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni have added steel and mobility to the midfield, while Jude Bellingham, still thriving in a free role and recovering to his best from injury, remains a goal threat from deeper positions.

The table adds extra spice: Madrid lead La Liga, and a win would push them five points clear of their rivals. A loss, though, would see them cede top spot — and reopen questions about their ability to win when it matters most.

Flick, for his part, knows the psychological edge remains with Barcelona. His team will look to impose their vertical game again, pressing Madrid’s backline and using Yamal’s pace to exploit any space behind. But Alonso will have learned from last season’s defeats. Expect a more cautious approach, especially early on, with a focus on controlling tempo and reducing Barça’s transition chances.

So, can Madrid finally break the spell? With home advantage, a more settled tactical identity, and Mbappé in form, this may be their best opportunity yet. But Barcelona’s confidence in this fixture — and Yamal’s continued brilliance — mean nothing will come easy. One thing’s certain: on Sunday night, Spain — and the footballing world — will be watching.

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Broadcast details

Sunday 26 October

17:15: Real Madrid v Barcelona – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

In August, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) approved plans to move Villarreal’s fixture against Barcelona to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December.

However, the decision was reversed on Tuesday after the move sparked a backlash, with top-flight players refusing to move for the first 15 seconds of La Liga matches last weekend in protest.

“Today, Spanish football has lost an opportunity to advance, project itself globally, and strengthen its future,” Tebas wrote on X.

“The defence of ‘tradition’ is invoked from a narrow-minded and provincial perspective, while the true traditions of European football are threatened by decisions by the governing institutions, which year after year destroy national leagues.

“La Liga will continue working, with rigour and conviction, to keep Spanish football competitive, standing up to those who seek to destroy it, but always respecting its roots and ensuring its sustainability.”

Tebas added that Spanish football “deserved to look to the future with ambition, not fear” and that the league will continue attempt to play matches overseas.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said his players were “not happy” with the initial decision, while Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal said an overseas game would be a “stain” on the competition.

The decision to cancel the match in Miami was announced during Villarreal’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at home by Manchester City.

It would have been the first time a European top-flight league match had taken place in the United States, although the Spanish Super Cup has been held in Saudi Arabia in four of the past five seasons.

The Italian football federation followed La Liga in announcing an overseas game, with the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como set to be played in Perth, Australia, in February.

In August, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) approved plans to move Villarreal’s fixture against Barcelona to Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December – a decision that sparked discontent in Spain.

The plans to hold a top-flight game outside Spain for the first time faced a huge backlash, with players refusing to move for the first 15 seconds of matches in La Liga at the weekend.

Promoters of the match, Relevent, state the reason for the cancellation is because of “insufficient time” to organise the event, with La Liga also citing the “uncertainty in Spain”.

The match will now be held at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica home as originally scheduled.

The decision to cancel the match in Miami was announced during Villarreal’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at home by Manchester City.

Afterwards, Villarreal boss Marcelino said it showed “absolute disrespect” to communicate this decision while his side were playing.

He added: “It is absolutely disrespectful to the club, professionals and board of directors and fans. From here onwards, the club will send an official communication but this is just what I think.”

La Liga said it “deeply regrets” the postponement and described it as a blow to the “international profile of the entire football ecosystem”.

La Liga also believed staging an official match outside Spain would have been a “decisive step in the global expansion” of its competition, and that “passing up such opportunities makes it difficult to generate new revenue”.

It would have been the first time a European top-flight league match had taken place in the United States, although the Spanish Super Cup has been held in Saudi Arabia in four of the past five seasons.

After the Miami game was originally confirmed, the Italian football federation (FIGC) decided to sanction a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como to be played in Perth, Australia, in February.

Barcelona said it “respects and accepts” the decision to cancel the match and “regrets the missed opportunity to expand the competition’s image” in a market that has a “great capactiy for growth and generation of resources for everyone”.

The club added it “regrets deeply” that its fans in the USA “are denied the opportunity to see an official game in their country”.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick had previously said his “players are not happy” and he was “not happy” but “La Liga decided that we will play this game”.

‘Not the end of the story’ – Balague

Despite the match being cancelled, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague does not think this is the end of the story.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Whilst Javier Tebas is the head of La Liga, he will try to get one game away.

“He thinks that it’s a project, as the statement says, aimed at enhancing the visibility of Spanish football.

“It complied fully with federation regulations. The position on the project was just for reasons unrelated to regulatory or sporting integrity.”

Balague believes finances were the main reason behind the cancellation of the match.

“Perhaps there wasn’t enough money, perhaps the money wasn’t clear where it was going, but certainly it’s been a lot of confusion,” he added.

“Villarreal were saying, ‘We’re not getting any money for it’, but Barcelona were saying, ‘As soon as we get into the plane, we will get money’.

“It wasn’t clear how Villarreal had promised about 5,000 of their fans would go to Miami, or how that was going to happen.”

The hosts had substitute Allan Nyom sent off for violent conduct only 44 seconds after he came on as the former Watford and West Brom full-back was judged to have elbowed Vinicius Jr.

Real instantly made their numerical advantage count as Mbappe collected Arda Guler’s pass through the heart of the Getafe defence and slotted the ball past keeper David Soria in the 80th minute.

The home side’s task to get back into the game then became even harder as striker Alex Sancris was dismissed for a second bookable offence with six minutes left.

However, Getafe almost snatched an unlikely draw in the sixth minute of injury time, only for Real keeper Thibaut Courtois to make a vital save to block Hull City loanee Abu Kamara’s effort.

When the match started, players from both sides refused to move for the opening 15 seconds to continue the protests that have been seen throughout La Liga games.

The protests follow the Spanish league’s decision to stage a game in the United States, with Villarreal’s fixture against Barcelona set to take place at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December.

Real knew only a victory would take them back above Barcelona, who beat Girona 2-1 on Saturday.

Home goalkeeper Soria made two early stops to deny Mbappe and then produced an excellent double save just before half-time to keep out David Alaba’s free-kick and Federico Valverde’s follow-up attempt.

Frenchman Mbappe also fired wide from a tight angle after being released by Jude Bellingham.

The England midfielder, who was left out of the Three Lions squad for last week’s matches against Wales and Latvia, made only his second start of the season for Real following shoulder surgery in July.

It was a frustrating evening for the Madrid outfit, before the 37-year-old Nyom’s dismissal left gaps in the home defence, which Xabi Alonso’s side punished to get the victory.

England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was again absent as he recovers from the hamstring injury suffered in September’s Champions League game against Marseille.

Real are next in action on Wednesday, 22 October, when they entertain Juventus in the Champions League and bid for a third win in as many group phase matches.

La Liga clubs Villarreal and Barcelona are now set to face each other in Miami in December in what would be the first European league fixture to be played abroad.

Then in February, AC Milan’s Italian Serie A match against Como will be played in Perth, Australia.

Uefa, European football’s governing body, has stressed its “clear opposition” to the plans, but “reluctantly” approved them because there is no legal framework to stop it.

“League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” said Ceferin.

“Our consultation confirmed the breadth of these concerns. I would like to thank the 55 national associations for their constructive and responsible engagement on such a sensitive issue.

“While it is regrettable to have to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and shall not be seen as setting a precedent. Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.”

Fans’ group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) says the decision to play the two games abroad could inflict “long-lasting harm” on the sport, and wants tougher rules to prevent it happening again in the future.

“FSE will continue to stand firmly with fans in Spain and Italy in resisting these damaging proposals,” it said.

“Together with our members in these countries, we are looking into every possible option to counter these plans.

“By forcing through these matches, La Liga and Serie A risk undermining their own history and long-term success while inflicting long-lasting harm to football in Europe – and beyond.

“Now is the time for a solid regulatory framework that protects domestic competition.”

Uefa says it consulted stakeholders and found “widespread lack of support” for league matches to be played abroad, echoing concerns raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions.

But it said world governing body Fifa’s regulatory framework is “not clear and detailed enough” for it to block the plans.

Fifa set up a working group last year to look at the impact of playing competitive domestic matches overseas.

Last year, La Liga said it wanted to hold Barcelona v Atletico Madrid in Miami before dropping the idea because of time constraints.

In 2019, Barcelona also planned to stage a league match against Girona in Miami, but the idea was scrapped after opposition from Spain’s football association and its players’ union.

Other one-off matches, such as the Italian Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup, have been held abroad in recent years.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said in August there are no plans to play an English top-flight match abroad.

The idea of the Premier League playing an extra round outside England – the so-called ’39th game’ – was raised in 2008 but shelved after criticism from fans and media.

The hosts dominated the opening stages of the game and deserved more reward than Alexis Sanchez’s 13th minute penalty, with Isaac Romero particularly guilty of failing to convert chances.

The striker finally did double his side’s lead nine minutes before the break, but a fantastic Marcus Rashford volley from Pedri’s cross on the stroke of half time flattered the Catalan side at the interval.

The game was far more even after the break and when Rashford was brought down just after the hour mark it looked like the score would be levelled, only for Robert Lewandowski to hit his penalty wide.

As Barcelona pushed for an equaliser they were twice punished on the break as Jose Angel Carmona and Akor Adams finished with aplomb to send most of the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan into delirium.

Barcelona are now a point behind Real Madrid at the summit of the table, while Sevilla move up to fourth.

The Madrid derby usually has big implications on the LaLiga title race, but even at this early stage, Los Blancos were looking to put 12 points between themselves and Atletico with victory here.

The form book is often said to go out of the window in derbies, and nowhere was that more evident than in the Spanish capital in the early stages as Diego Simeone’s men swarmed all over an out-of-sorts Real outfit.

Their dominance was rewarded in the 14th minute when they deservedly hit the front, as Robin Le Normand rose above Eder Militao to head home from Giuliano Simeone’s cross for just his second league goal in Atleti colours.

Xabi Alonso’s men were all over the place defensively and were on the ropes for much of the opening 20 minutes, but they showed exactly why they are at the summit of LaLiga with a ruthless equaliser.

Arda Guler’s inch-perfect through ball found Kylian Mbappe on the inside right, and the Frenchman made no mistake in slamming home his 12th goal in 10 matches for club and country this season.

Momentum was firmly with the visitors, and they made it count with another brilliant strike to take the lead. Provider of the first, Guler was on hand to score the second as he turned home on the half-volley from Vinicius Junior’s inch-perfect cross.

An extremely animated Simeone was jubilant on the sidelines again before half-time, however, when Koke’s searching cross from the left found Alexander Sorloth, who darted between Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras to head home an Atleti equaliser in stoppage time.

A drop in tempo may have been expected after the restart following such a frantic first period, but Atleti had other ideas and restored their lead within six minutes of kick-off.

Guler went from hero to zero for Los Blancos, conceding a penalty for a high foot on Nicolas Gonzalez, which was duly converted by Julian Alvarez, beating Thibaut Courtois even though the big Belgian dived the right way.

Just as they had done in the first half, Real were being torn apart at will here, with Courtois denying Sorloth before Alvarez curled home a gorgeous free-kick to put the hosts two goals ahead.

Alonso’s men had no answer this time, however, and were ultimately unable to muster any kind of response in a low-key final third of a blockbuster derby that saw Antoine Griezmann slide home a fifth for the rampant hosts.

It’s a result that could serve as the perfect launching pad for Atleti’s stuttering campaign, and while visitors Real remain at the summit, they could be usurped by Barcelona after just a second defeat in nine LaLiga away games.

Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski scored two goals each for the Spanish champions.

Half-time substitute Raphinha’s first goal – to make it 2-0 – came from a brilliant left-wing cross from England forward Rashford.

The Manchester United loanee, making his second start for Barca, played 67 minutes and had two efforts off target in a lively outing.

Lopez had run onto Ferran Torres’ ball to net their opener and smashed in a fantastic strike from outside the box to make it 3-0. Raphinha then rifled in their fourth.

Lewandowski, also a substitute, finished off Dani Olmo’s pass and then dinked in a sixth – a goal given by the video assistant referee after initially being ruled offside.

Barca could easily have won by more goals, with Torres also hitting the post after a Rashford cross was flicked into his path.

The game was played at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium, where Barca’s B team usually play, because the Nou Camp is not ready yet after being redeveloped.

Mbappe capitalised on a defensive error to notch his fourth league goal of the season, but Madrid’s task was made harder when defender Dean Huijsen was shown a red card.

France striker Mbappe then turned provider for Arda Guler to give Madrid a 2-0 lead.

Socieded reduced the deficit when Mikel Oyarzaba converted from the penalty spot.

Madrid are top of the table with 12 points from four games – five ahead of defending champions Barcelona, who are fifth and face Valencia at 20:00 BST on Sunday.

Xabi Alonso’s side took the lead when Sociedad winger Mikel Goti’s casual backpass caught his defence flat-footed. Mbappe comfortably outpaced Igor Zubeldia then shrugged off Duje Caleta-Car before he crisply fired home from the edge of the penalty area.

Madrid were reduced to 10 men in the 32nd minute when Oyarzaba broke clear and was hauled down by Huijsen.

Mbappe had a major hand in Madrid’s second when he outfoxed Aritz Elustondo and cut the ball back from the byline through a crowded box for Guler to stylishly poke home.

Sociedad were awarded a penalty shortly after half-time when Ander Barrenetxea’s cross struck Dani Carvajal on the arm, and Oyarzaba calmly sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way from the spot.

Madrid showed their defensive fortitude – Trent Alexander-Arnold came on for Carvajal in the 82nd minute – to see out the game, which gave Basque-born Alonso a win over a club where he has strong ties.

Alonso climbed through the ranks at Sociedad, played 126 games for their first team and began his senior coaching career in charge of the B side.

The La Liga spotlight turns to San Sebastián, where Real Sociedad welcome Real Madrid in what could be a pivotal match as the title race warms up. Sociedad remain hampered by key absences, most notably captain Mikel Oyarzabal, sidelined with a knee injury, plus the long-term losses of Hamari Traoré, Brais Méndez, and Arsen Zakharyan. In contrast, Real Madrid arrive buoyed by the return to full training of Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni, even if they’re not likely to start, while Eder Militao’s recovery from injury strengthens their backline alongside Antonio Rüdiger.

Though lesser fixtures like Sevilla v Elche, Getafe hosting Oviedo, and Atletico Madrid versus Villarreal will stir local passions, the Basque capital promises top-tier drama. Further south, the Camp Nou stage is set for a classic clash: Barcelona against Valencia. While not yet ignited with the ferocity of a title decider, this fixture brings rich history and is a prime battleground for both sides to bounce back – or, if you like, to avoid falling behind teams like Celta Vigo versus Girona and Levante taking on Real Betis.

SuperSport’s pre-match analysis, range of camera angles, post-match banter, talk shows, and world-class commentary means you will squeeze every drop of enjoyment out of your football viewing!

Over in England, attention shifts to the Emirates, where Arsenal face Nottingham Forest in a test of hunger versus resilience. The Gunners continue to manage without the injured Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Bukayo Saka, thrusting Viktor Gyökeres, Leandro Trossard, and Eberechi Eze into leading roles. Forest, under Nuno Espírito Santo, remain a surprising force, though worrying issues are cropping up. While other Premier League fixtures – like West Ham vs. Spurs or the heavyweight Manchester derby – carry their own weight, this London fixture pulses with youthful energy and strategic intrigue.

Speaking of that derby, Manchester City versus United promises its usual alchemy of rivalries and ambition. Yet, it’s Juventus hosting Inter Milan that dominates headlines in Serie A. The Derby d’Italia is steeped in history, with this being the 184th league meeting – Juventus oppressing the head-to-head record historically yet Inter unbeaten in their last three face-offs.

It is a clash heavy with narrative, though overshadowed by the sensational Fiorentina v Napoli fixture, where the reigning champions look to continue their pace and Florence looks to disrupt the balance.

Of course, this weekend also includes other Serie A battles: Roma vs Torino, Atalanta’s trip to Lecce, and AC Milan’s response to their shocking recent home defeat as they aim to reset momentum. Each adds color to the broader story of leagues finding their rhythm early in the season.

In summary, this weekend offers some of the most tantalising fixtures across Europe: Real Sociedad seeking resistance at home against a returning Real Madrid, Barcelona chasing rhythm against Valencia, Arsenal navigating absences to contain a battle-hardened Forest, the eternal magnetism of the Manchester derby, and Italy’s own season-defining matchups with Derby d’Italia and Fiorentina’s high-stakes encounter with Napoli – all threaded through with the usual supporting fixtures that ensure drama unfolds across every table.

African Stars To Watch

Here are three top African Stars To Watch in another great week of football on SuperSport, available on DStv and GOtv.

Akor Adams (Sevilla / Nigeria)

• Born: 29 January 2000 in Benue State, Nigeria
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Position: Forward
• Senior club career: Sogndal (Norway, 2018 – 2021); Lillestrom SK (Norway, 2022 – 2023); Montpellier (France, 2023 – 2025); Sevilla (Spain, 2025 – present)
• Career stats: 160 appearance, 57 goals

Akor Adams is poised to lead the line for Sevilla for their clash against Elche. Now fully fit and back in the squad, he’ll likely start as centre-forward, partnering with support attackers like Peque or Lukebakio. His style – smart movement into space and physical hold-up play – should offer a different attacking dimension. While not expected to shine instantly, he’ll embody Sevilla’s long-term offensive vision, aiming to regain form and help drive the team toward European contention.

Catch Adams in the following match on Friday 12 September, 21:00: Sevilla v Elche – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Manuel Benson (Burnley / Angola)

• Born: 28 March 1997 in Lokeren, Belgium
• Nationality: Angolan
• Position: Winger
• Senior club career: Lierse SK (Belgium, 2014 – 2017); KRC Genk (Belgium, 2017 – 2019); Royal Mouscron (Belgium, 2018 – 2019, loan); Royal Antwerp (Belgium, 2019 – 2022); PEC Zwolle (Netherlands, 2021, loan); Burnley (England, 2022 – present)
• Career stats: 248 appearances, 38 goals

Manuel Benson, a pacey and direct right-winger, may feature as a dynamic outlet for Burnley in this fixture. Despite recent struggles with injuries and limited top-flight minutes, he brings a threat in one-on-one situations and goal-scoring instincts developed during his time with the Clarets. Likely starting from the bench, he could be used as an impact substitute, stretching Liverpool’s defence with his pace and dribbling when Burnley push for momentum.

Catch Benson in the following match on Sunday 14 September, 15:00: Burnley v Liverpool – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Amir Richardson (Fiorentina / Morocco)

• Born: 24 January 2002 in Nice, France
• Nationality: Moroccan
• Position: Midfielder
• Senior club career: Le Havre (France, 2021 – 2023); Stade de Reims (France, 2023 – 2024); Fiorentina (Italy, 2024 – present)
• Career stats: 142 appearances, 11 goals

Amir Richardson is poised to step into a crucial defensive midfield role for Fiorentina, anchoring the engine room amid a packed schedule. His blend of towering athleticism and technical finesse allows him to shield the defence, recover possession, and initiate attacks with measured control. After earning the trust of the Fiorentina faithful, he looks set to provide stability and energy – especially vital against Napoli’s dynamic midfield.

Catch Richardson in the following match on Saturday 13 September, 20:45: Fiorentina v Napoli – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

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Broadcast Details

All times CAT

La Liga, Matchday 4

Friday 12 September

• 21:00: Sevilla v Elche – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Saturday 13 September

• 14:00 Getafe v Oviedo – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
• 16:15: Real Sociedad v Real Madrid – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
• 18:30: Athletic Bilboa v Alaves – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
• 21:00: Atletico Madrid v Villareal – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Sunday 14 September

• 14:00: Celta Vigo v Girona – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
• 16:15: Levante v Real Betis – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
• 18:30: Osasuna v Rayo Vallecano – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
• 21:00: Barcelona v Valencia – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Monday 15 September

• 21:00: Espanyol v Mallorca – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Premier League, Matchday 4

Saturday 13 September

• 13:30: Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
• 16:00: Bournemouth v Brighton & Hove Albion – LIVE on SuperSport Action
• 16:00: Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wandererst– LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Action Africa

• 16:00: Everton v Aston Villa – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Blitz, SuperSport GOtv Football, SuperSport Maximo 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 16:00: Crystal Palace v Sunderland – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 2 and SuperSport Maximo 1
• 16:00: Fulham v Leeds United – LIVE on SuperSport OTT2
• 18:30: West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
• 21:00: Brentford v Chelsea – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Sunday 14 September

• 15:00: Burnley v Liverpool – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
• 17:30: Manchester City v Manchester United – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Serie A, Matchday 3

Saturday 13 September

• 15:00: Cagliari v Parma – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 18:00: Juventus v Inter Milan – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 20:45: Fiorentina v Napoli – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Sunday 14 September

• 12:30: Roma v Torino – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 15:00: Atalanta v Lecce – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 15:00: Pisa v Udinese – LIVE on SuperSport Events
• 18:00: Sassuolo v Lazio – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 20:45: AC Milan v Bologna – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Monday 15 September

• 18:30: Verona v Cremonese  – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 20:45: Como v Genoa – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Mbappe – who scored the only goal against Osasuna – made it three from two games as he first struck eight minutes before half time with a finish from the edge of the box, before sidefooting home a second late on.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, was among the substitutes for this game after starting in the previous fixture, with boss Xabi Alonso instead picking Dani Carvajal at right back.

The England international came on for the final three minutes of the game when Real were 2-0 up.

Vinicius Jr, who also started on the bench, added a third in stoppage time with a clinical strike.

Alonso started 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono in attack and the teenager impressed with a lively display.

Oviedo’s best chance came in the 81st minute when Kwasi Sibo’s long-range effort struck the outside of the post just before Mbappe got his second to make the win safe.

The win means Real join rivals Barcelona and Villarreal on six points after two games.

It was a tale of two wingers as Lamine Yamal assisted the injury-time own goal while Marcus Rashford started his first game for the club but was substituted at half time as the visitors sputtered in the first half.

In a game between the La Liga and Segunda Division champions, it was the newly promoted side who got out of the blocks faster.

Roger Brugue, Ivan Romero and 38-year-old stalwart Jose Luis Morales appeared to have cracked the code to Hansi Flick’s high defensive line, and though they were caught offside four times in the first half they also created several gilt-edged chances when they timed their runs perfectly.

That pressure paid off after a quarter of an hour when all three combined to give Romero a shooting opportunity from close range, the striker dancing around Pau Cubarsi and firing under Joan Garcia to open the scoring.

And Levante were even further into dreamland in added time at the end of the first half when Morales’ shot cannoned into Alejandro Balde’s arm following another counter-attack and the veteran made no mistake from the penalty spot.

But it was a different story after Dani Olmo and Gavi replaced Rashford and Marc Casado, as a swerving Pedri shot from distance beat Pablo Campos and Ferran Torres then turned the ball home from a corner to square the contest up just seven minutes into the second half before Unai Elgezabal redirected Yamal’s cross into his own net at the death.

It’s a heartbreaking loss for Levante, the second time in two weeks that they’ve conceded a winner in the 91st minute, while Barcelona look to continue their winning start against Rayo Vallecano next weekend.

The summer signing from Liverpool had played five times for his new club at the Fifa Club World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals, under new boss Xabi Alonso.

But this was his Bernabeu bow and he received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Dani Carvajal in the 68th minute.

Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal from the penalty spot as Real won their opening league game of the season in Alonso’s first domestic match in charge.

The France international sent goalkeeper Sergio Herrera the wrong way after he had been fouled in the box.

Madrid, who finished second last season under Carlo Ancelotti, were dominant and could have scored more.

Defenders Dean Huijsen – also making his La Liga bow after a summer move from Bournemouth – and Eder Militao forced saves from Sergio Herrera from long range.

There were also debuts for £43m former Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras and teenage midfielder Franco Mastantuono, a £38.5m recruit from River Plate.

Osasuna had Abel Bretones sent off in injury time for catching Goncalo Garcia.

The 4–0 thrashing by Paris St-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals has reset the counter to zero. Manager Xabi Alonso insisted that was the end of last season. From here, everything is judged on how quickly the team improves and how urgently it adapts to its new coach’s ideas.

Seven years after he began coaching pre-teens, Alonso takes charge at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Basque, who played under managers as different as Javier Clemente, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, has absorbed lessons from every school of thought.

His career plan was carefully drawn. If things went wrong at Bayer Leverkusen, he would return to Real Sociedad’s first team. If not, then Bayern Munich, Liverpool – a job he still dreams of – or Real Madrid. Now he arrives at the Bernabeu with the chance of a lifetime.

Those who worked with him say that when Alonso speaks, you listen: “He makes you see the game more clearly, as if it slows down.”

Tactically, the Club World Cup offered a preview. Last week’s 4-0 friendly win against Tirol in Austria confirmed it: Madrid will play a more positional game, in line with modern trends, where individuals must sacrifice ego for the collective.

The high press is designed not only to win the ball back but also to shield Vinicius Jr and Mbappe from constant defensive duties. But here lies the big question: for a club that has always glorified individual talent, will the stars accept that the team comes first? And if they don’t, will Alonso dare to bench them?

Vinicius and Mbappe: The balancing act

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Vinicius (left) and Kylian Mbappe scored 66 goals between them for Real Madrid in all competitions in 2024-25

Vinicius dominated Madrid’s summer narrative. The Brazilian, under contract until 2027, has yet to sign the renewal expected by the club after a verbal agreement in April. “This is the club of my life,” he insisted during the Club World Cup. Yet Madrid, citing his dip in form, have offered terms below his expectations. Vinicius is betting that his performances will force the club’s hand.

On the pitch, his freedom will be different. Alongside Mbappe, and with Bellingham just behind, he will be asked to defend more than under Ancelotti. Inside the dressing room, the chemistry between Vinicius and Mbappe has not always clicked – neither on nor off the field. Last season’s squad was described as the most difficult Ancelotti had ever managed. Now Alonso must make sure competing egos pull together rather than apart.

Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold

Last season Jude Bellingham played through pain, and with too much tactical freedom. The result was inconsistency. Alonso wants to narrow his role, keeping him closer to the penalty area and the two strikers, a return to the devastating version of his debut season.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a duel with Dani Carvajal, who is returning from a serious knee surgery. Alexander-Arnold’s passing range, line-breaking balls and pinpoint crosses could redefine Madrid’s right flank – but La Liga sides are tactically astute and will exploit any defensive lapses during his adaptation period.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Jude Bellingham (left) has 44 England caps and Trent Alexander-Arnold has 34

The RFEF will now seek permission from Fifa and Uefa to move the game to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which is scheduled to host seven matches at the 2026 World Cup.

The game is currently scheduled to be played at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica on 21 December.

“At its meeting on 11 August 2025, the RFEF board of directors received a request from Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona to play their match on matchday 17 of the first division in the United States,” the RFEF said.

“The Royal Spanish Football Federation will submit the request to Uefa to begin the process for subsequent authorisation by Fifa for the match to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 20 December 2025.”

The Spanish football supporters’ association FASFE has joined with Barcelona and Villarreal fan groups to express their “absolute, total and firm opposition” to the plans.

In a joint statement, they urged the RFEF and the national sports council to “stop this madness”, warning they would “take appropriate legal action” if it went ahead.

Other one-off matches, such as the Italian Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup, have been held abroad in recent years.

AC Milan are hoping to play their Serie A match against Como in Perth, Australia in February, as the fixture clashes with their San Siro stadium hosting the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

However, the plans have yet to receive approval from Fifa, Uefa, Football Australia and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Fifa’s rules currently do not allow domestic league matches to be played abroad, but last year it set up a working group to look into the matter.

Last year, La Liga said it wanted to hold Barcelona v Atletico Madrid in Miami before dropping the idea because of time constraints.

In 2019, Barcelona also planned to stage a league match against Girona in Miami, but the idea was scrapped after opposition from the RFEF and its players’ union.

The Premier League has previously said it has no plans to play games overseas.

In 2008, then Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore proposed playing an extra round of fixtures abroad, but the plans were shelved after criticism from fans and the media.

The 22-year-old is expected to miss the whole of Real’s pre-season and at least the first six weeks of the campaign, which would include England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September.

Bellingham has struggled with the problem since 2023, when he dislocated his shoulder in a game against Rayo Vallecano.

Real said he will now undergo a period of rehabilitation before returning to training.

The Spanish club, under new manager Xabi Alonso, start their La Liga season at home to Osasuna on 19 August.

Bellingham has worn strapping on his shoulder, but told reporters in June he was “tired of playing with the sling”.

Real scheduled his surgery for after the Club World Cup in the United States, where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Paris St-Germain last week.

Bellingham joined Real from Borussia Dortmund for £115m two years ago and won the La Liga title and Champions League in his first season, scoring 23 goals in 43 appearances.

He scored 15 goals in 58 games last season, with Real losing the league title to Barcelona and knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Arsenal.

In a statement released on Tuesday, July 15, the Basque club announced: “Nico Williams strengthens his bond with Athletic.”

The exciting winger has penned a deal that will keep him at San Mamés until June 30, 2035, with the club highlighting his ambition to “continue making history with the club of my life.”

The extension adds eight more years to his previous agreement. The signing ceremony took place at San Mamés and was attended by club president Jon Uriarte, General Director of Football Mikel González, his older brother and team captain Iñaki Williams, and their mother, María Arthuer.

Despite receiving significant interest from Spanish giants FC Barcelona, Nico Williams has opted to remain loyal to Athletic Club.

The 22-year-old looks set to follow in the footsteps of his brother Iñaki, who has spent his entire professional career at Athletic, rising through the ranks to become the club’s leader both on and off the pitch.

Tebas said last week the tournament is “completely absurd” and went one step further on Tuesday after watching 25 minutes of Chelsea’s 2-0 win over LAFC, which he compared to a friendly.

“By eliminating it,” Tebas said at an event at the ESADE Business School in Madrid when asked how FIFA could do a better job of structuring the Club World Cup in the future.

“My objective is that there will be no more Club World Cups, I’m very clear about that,” he said.

“There is no room for it. There is no need for another competition that moves money towards the [same] clubs and players. The model affects the entire ecosystem of national leagues, especially in Europe, and there’s no more money in the world of audiovisual rights.

“We have to maintain the ecosystem we have already and eliminate it. Keep [the Club World Cup] as it was before, when it was played basically over one weekend and that was that. There are no available dates.”

Asked if had watched any matches, he added: “I saw a bit of the Chelsea game and it looked like a preseason friendly. I didn’t see any intensity, at least for the 25 minutes I watched.”

The Club World Cup, which is taking place across the United States, kicked off on June 14 with Inter Miami’s goalless draw against Al Ahly and runs until July 13, when the final will take place.

There are 32 teams taking part in this expanded version, including two from Spain in Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, and it is scheduled to take place every four years.

Barcelona, meanwhile, who are not involved in the competition, are pressing ahead with plans to strengthen their squad this summer.

ESPN revealed last week they have activated Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García’s €25 million ($28.9m) release clause, while they have been heavily linked with Athletic Club and Spain winger Nico Williams in recent days.

Tebas said Barça are still not able to register players freely, though, and they remain subjected to LaLiga rules which only allow them to spend a fraction of what they save or raise in the transfer market on new signings.

“One thing is making [García’s signing] official, another is being able to register players,” Tebas said.

“We will see. Barça still need to do some things to be able to register signings. Not a lot in this case, but they will have to make room, for sure. Barça know what they must do already.

“All I hear is Nico Williams, someone else and then another… I don’t know. First, it has to be true what is reported, which I don’t know if it is or not. But they’re still not in the 1:1 rule. There still need to be movements.”

The 30-year-old forward earned the prestigious Best African Player in Spain accolade for the 2024/25 season, beating out Villarreal’s Pape Gueye and Osasuna’s Enzo Boyomo.

Williams made a significant impact for Athletic Bilbao during the campaign, scoring six goals and providing eight assists in 35 league appearances.

A one-club man, Williams has spent his entire professional career at Athletic Bilbao. He switched his international allegiance to Ghana in 2022 and has since scored two goals in 22 appearances for the Black Stars.

Despite his stellar form in Spain, Williams was a notable omission from Ghana’s 23-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Unity Cup in London. Head coach Otto Addo explained that the tournament will focus on evaluating new players.

]]> https://www.adomonline.com/la-liga-real-madrid-host-real-sociedad-as-las-palmas-head-to-espanyol/ Fri, 23 May 2025 04:49:04 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2537607 A thrilling 2024-25 La Liga campaign draws to a close this weekend, with Barcelona celebrating their title triumph at Athletic Bilbao, while Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will wrap up their campaigns against Real Sociedad and Girona respectively.

There is no better place to get your season-long ticket to the best football the world has to offer than DStv!

Barca, having successfully dethroned Real Madrid as champions of the Spanish top flight, will close out their league season away to Athletic at San Mames Stadium. The Blaugrana will be in a celebratory mood and looking to embrace their title triumph, having enjoyed a fantastic season under manager Hansi Flick.

“It’s what I’ve said before. They [the Barcelona players] have to enjoy themselves,” said Flick. “I don’t want to put pressure on my players; they have to enjoy themselves. I want them to be well connected, to complement each other well, and to play with a fantastic style.”

Indeed, that attacking style has been a hallmark of Barca this season, underpinned by players such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.

Real Madrid will conclude their season at home to Real Sociedad. Los Blancos will be licking their wounds, as although they won both the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the failure to defend their La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles is a major disappointment.

Nonetheless, Real’s players will be hungry to put on a good show in what is set to be manager Carlo Ancelotti’s last match in charge, as he prepares to take up the reins of Brazil’s national team.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid will be away to Girona at the Montilivi Municipal Stadium. Los Rojiblancos have once again fallen into the shadows cast by Real Madrid and Barcelona, though manager Diego Simeone believes his team will have the chance to shine in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

“We’ve earned on our own merits competing with Barca and Madrid, which is the Club World Cup, no small feat for all this work over 14 years,” said the long-serving Argentine tactician.

“[The Club World Cup] will be new and will generate real enthusiasm in all the teams that participate.”

Other matches to watch out for in this final round include Real Betis hosting Valencia at the Benito Villamarin Stadium, and Sevilla visiting Villarreal at the Ceramica Stadium.

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Broadcast details

Sunday 25 May

All matches kick off at 19:00 CAT

LIVE on SuperSport (no further details on SuperSport Media Schedules tool)

Multi Goal – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga

Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona

Real Betis v Valencia

Real Madrid v Real Sociedad

Alaves v Osasuna

Leganes v Real Valladolid

Espanyol v Las Palmas

Girona v Atletico Madrid

Getafe v Celta Vigo

Rayo Vallecano v Mallorca

Villarreal v Sevilla