Bayern Munich 4 Real Madrid 3 (agg 6-4): Luis Diaz, Michael Olise seal Champions League classic Bayern Munich triumphed in an action-packed quarter-final against Real Madrid

A honest attempt at breaking down the absolute chaos of Bayern 4-3 Madrid (aka the game of the UCL season) w/ @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social & @sebsb.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

📍Selhurst Park for Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina in the Conference League QF 1st leg

@theathleticfc.bsky.social

Barcelona 0 Atletico Madrid 2 – Cubarsi’s red leads to Alvarez’s stunner, anti-Muslim chants heard pre-game Dermot Corrigan, James Horncastle and Anantaajith Raghuraman break down the main talking points from Atletico's 2-0 win over Barcelona

Barca 0-2 Atletico FT thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social & @jameshorncastle.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- More anti-Muslim chants
- How Barca adapted with 10
- Cubarsi's red and Alvarez's free-kick
- Atletico's first Camp Nou win in 20 years

www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

Kosovo 0 Turkey 1 — Heartbreak for hosts but how good were Yildiz and Guler? Should the USMNT be worried? Turkey qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 22 years where they will face the United States, Paraguay and Australia.

Kosovo 0-1 Turkey FT thoughts with @gregok.bsky.social & @felipecardenas.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- What the USMNT can expect from Turkey
- How Yildiz-Kokcu-Kadioglu axis unlocked Kosovo
- An incredible atmosphere in Pristina

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Managers on the rise: Carlos Cuesta – hired by Parma at 29 after impressing Atletico and Arteta The Spaniard was a head coach in Serie A before turning 30 - he has clear traits from working at Arsenal, Juventus and more

At 30, Parma's Carlos Cuesta is the youngest coach in the top 5 leagues. But the path to Serie A began when he was just 15, with stopovers in Madrid, Turin and London

Analysis of his Parma side as part of @theathleticfc.bsky.social's 'Managers on the rise' series

www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Manchester City 1 Real Madrid 2 (Madrid 5-1 agg) — Vinicius Jr’s double, where does this leave Pep? Madrid made their first-leg advantage over City count as Vinicius Jr had the last laugh at the Etihad

Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid (agg 1-5). Briefing with @samdlee.bsky.social @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social @anantaajith.bsky.social
#MCFC created a lot of chances, but it was always highly unlikely after that first-leg defeat... & impossible after Bernardo red card
www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

The Athletic's Champions League projections are in flux after a dramatic week of action in the round of 16 first legs — @anantaajith.bsky.social analyses the movement...

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Newcastle 1 Barcelona 1 – Missed Newcastle opportunity? Flick too conservative? Hall vs Yamal? A Lamine Yamal penalty deep into stoppage time denied Newcastle a famous victory over Barcelona

⚫ Cruel late drama 😵
⚪ Barnes finally puts away a big chance ⚽
⚫ Barca strangely sluggish & sloppy 🤯
⚪ Tie still very much alive for next week 👀

📝 #NUFC 1-1 #FCB analysis w/ @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social @anantaajith.bsky.social: #NEWBAR www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Even before his goals, one of the things that has stood out in Benjamin Sesko’s first season at Manchester United is his movement in and around the opposition penalty area.

Piece with @mjcritchley.bsky.social + @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

The Premier League and set pieces: A 34-year relationship that shows no sign of slowing down Setups at corners may have become more chaotic recently, but successful Premier League teams have always used them

We have been here before as Pep mentioned this week

Title winners and minnows alike have benefited from maximizing set-pieces but were often outliers - there is greater parity across the PL in 2025-26

Deep dive into the PL's relationship with set-pieces ⏬

www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Napoli 2 Chelsea 3 – A statement win for Liam Rosenior as Joao Pedro ensures top eight finish The Athletic's writers break down an intense night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli 2-3 Chelsea FT thoughts w/ @reallycerys.bsky.social & @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Chelsea's early fragility
- Napoli's underlaps cause problems
- Another away win
- Joao Pedro at the double

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

The extraordinary story of a soccer coach, a kidnapping and a Saudi job that didn’t exist Adrian Heath was duped into thinking he was on the verge of a new job – only to be held at knifepoint in Morocco. Turns out he's not alone

Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the offer of a coaching job in Saudi Arabia could be a logical next career step.

Instead, it led to the former Everton player being kidnapped in Morocco, held at knifepoint, and left fearing for his life.

@paultenorio.bsky.social

Another Champions League win. Both strikers on the scoresheet. Top two confirmed.

All in all, about as well as a trip to San Siro that could have gone for Arsenal.

@gunnerblog.bsky.social, Stuart James & @anantaajith.bsky.social break down the talking points ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Inter 1 Arsenal 3 – Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres guide Arsenal to top two finish in Champions League The Athletic's writers analyse Tuesday night's heavyweight Champions League clash at San Siro

Post-match thoughts from Inter 1-3 Arsenal w/ Stuart James and @gunnerblog.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Clinical Jesus
- A set-piece special
- What Inter did well
- Gyokeres scores

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Newcastle 0 Man City 2 – Semenyo strikes (and officials take six minutes to disallow his second goal) Guardiola's team take a strong lead into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final — but there was controversy during their win

Post-match thoughts from NEW 0-2 MCI in the Carabao Cup w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social & Sam Lee for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Bernardo crucial again
- The disallowed goal
- Semenyo's impact
- Cup rule change
- City's gameplan
- Where this leaves Newcastle
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Atletico 1 Real Madrid 2: Breaking down Valverde’s stunner, where does this leave Alonso? Xabi Alonso's side scraped through to Sunday's Supercopa de Espana final against Barcelona

Atletico 1-2 Real Madrid: post-match thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Valverde's rocket
- Rodrygo rediscovering his form
- Madrid's shaky defending
- What this means for Alonso

www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Ivory Coast 1 Cameroon 1 – Was Amad strike goal of tournament so far? How vital is Mbeumo? Our writers break down the action from an enthralling AFCON group F encounter.

Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon: immediate thoughts with Carl Anka for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Ivory Coast's midfield
- Amad's stunning finish
- Mbeumo's importance
- Wayward finishing

www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Morocco 2 Comoros 0: El Kaabi’s wonder strike and Diaz delivers in AFCON opener Our writers analyse the key talking points from the opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Instant thoughts from Morocco 2-0 Comoros in the #AFCON2025 opener w/ @eduardotansley.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Hosts struggle but find a way in 2nd half
- How good was El Kaabi's goal? 🚲
- Brahim Diaz's importance
- Is there hope for Comoros?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

The crucial Tonali/Guimaraes switch that helped Newcastle beat Manchester City After a difficult period, Eddie Howe enjoyed a tactically-successful evening on Saturday

Why Eddie Howe switched Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in the 2-1 victory against Manchester City, and how it empowered Newcastle's attacking transitions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

'There was a huge boom and my body shook': The Stade de France terrorist attacks, 10 years on

Nobody who was at the Stade de France on 13 November 2015 will ever be able to forget it. Ten years on from the terror attacks that traumatised a nation, here’s an account of what happened for @theathleticfc.bsky.social seen through the eyes of those who were there www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

Brentford 3 Newcastle 1 – What’s going so wrong on the road? What happened to Burn after the break? Newcastle simply do not like playing away from St James' Park - The Athletic analyses their latest defeat on the road

😱 Brentford 3 Newcastle 1: Briefing ... 😱

⚫️So much for the "period of reflection."
⚪️Abysmal away form - #NUFC are soft.
⚫️Barnes' goal
⚪️Burn's red

w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social @anantaajith.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/6787431/2025/11/09/brentford-3-newcastle-1-howe-away-form-burn-sent-off

📍Gtech Community Stadium for Brentford-Newcastle
@theathleticfc.bsky.social

Liverpool 1 Real Madrid 0: Are Arne Slot’s side back to their best? The big talking points analysed from Tuesday's big Champions League tie at Anfield

FT thoughts on LIV 1-0 RMA with @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social & @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Wirtz impresses, Bradley shines
- Courtois' annual masterclass vs LIV
- PL set-piece magic strikes
- Was that a penalty?
- Corner turned?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

India win maiden cricket World Cup after beating South Africa by 52 runs The hosts had made the final after beating defending champions Australia, ending their run of 15 consecutive match wins in the tournament.

Seismic moment for India at the Women's World Cup - deserved champions after two incredible performances in the semifinals against Australia and South Africa tonight 👏

Brief summary for @theathletic.com @nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

Checking in on the new signings and their contributions early in the season ⏬

Has Emery become Pep’s kryptonite at Villa Park? Sunday was only the third occasion in Guardiola's career that he has lost three consecutive away matches against the same opponent

Unai Emery’s biggest strength has long been his aptitude to coach subtle nuances into his teams. The positions of his midfielders against Manchester City, for a third straight home game, were critical in beating Pep.

Piece out now on @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...

Are Sunderland good? The win away to Chelsea was far from a fluke; it was a culmination of all Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland have built

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... By @cerysjoneswriter.bsky.social and @anantaajith.bsky.social

Is Liverpool's Premier League title defence already over?

Analysis from Brentford 3-2 Liverpool, by @adjones-journo.bsky.social, @anantaajith.bsky.social & Tim Spiers

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: The four tactical issues that could decide El Clasico The Athletic looks at the key areas where the game will be won and lost ahead of their top-of-the-table La Liga clash

With the first Clasico of 2025-26 tomorrow, @thom-harris.bsky.social & I looked at 4 tactical issues that could prove crucial for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Madrid's pace v Barca's high line
- Yamal v Carreras
- Could corners be decisive?
- Out-of-possession flaws
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

The Alternative Premier League: No 9 – Who creates big chances, and who misses them? Here's how your team is getting on when it comes to creating clear cut opportunities, and sticking them in the back of the net

The latest Alternative PL Table for @theathleticfc.bsky.social looks at big chances created and converted for all 20 teams, breaking down which players are creating/receiving the most

- Palace lead the way
- Man City's Haaland reliance
- Wolves' woes

... and more ⏬

www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...