Man City reenters Premier League competition, Inter triumph in seven-goal match, and additional updates.

The European football weekend has concluded, leaving us with numerous topics to discuss! Let’s start with the Premier League and the title race, where Manchester City’s significant victory over Chelsea on Sunday followed Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth. City and Guardiola now possess the momentum heading into next weekend’s match against Arsenal, who can only hold themselves accountable for their disappointing home loss to the Cherries on Saturday; will we witness more twists and turns as the season progresses?

In Italy’s Serie A, underdogs Como had title contenders Inter on the ropes with a 2-0 advantage, but Cristian Chivu’s team rallied like champions to secure a 4-3 victory in the most thrilling match of the weekend. In Spain, Barcelona triumphed in the derby against Espanyol, while Real Madrid drew with Girona, making it appear that LaLiga is nearly settled. Additionally, there is much to discuss regarding Liverpool (who achieved a significant win), Bayern Munich (who established a new Bundesliga goal record), Tottenham (who have officially entered the relegation zone), and much more.

It’s Monday morning, making it an ideal time for some reflections. Let’s dive in.

– Is it happening again? Analyzing Arsenal’s previous title struggles
– Ogden: Man City’s significant win increases pressure on Arsenal in the title race
– Olley: Tottenham’s relegation seems inevitable following loss to Sunderland

Manchester City thrash Chelsea … have they gained momentum?

It certainly seems that way. On Sunday, they dominated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a commanding second half, winning 3-0. They have lost only one Premier League match since November, and Pep Guardiola appears to have discovered the right formula regarding his starting XI and tactical strategy. Unlike Arsenal, they have the experience of having been in this position before.

Moreover, the numbers are telling. Six points behind with a game in hand, and a crucial head-to-head match (next week) at home means City can dictate their own fate just as much as Arsenal can. Win all remaining matches, and they are champions.

However, it is important to note that while City are performing well (and have been since February), they have also dropped points in their last nine games against both Nottingham Forest and West Ham, in addition to losing to Real Madrid both home and away. This narrative could easily shift next weekend. Guardiola is well aware of this, and it is certain he will remain grounded.

On Sunday, Chelsea set up to counterattack, allowing City to control possession (they had 67% possession in the first half). This strategy worked (to an extent) until an inevitable individual mistake occurred — Andrey Santos was easily brushed aside by Nico O’Reilly — leading to a cascade of goals. Rayan Cherki’s brilliance set up Marc Guehi to make it 2-0, before Moises Caicedo was dispossessed for City’s third goal.

Once City accelerated their play in the second half, Chelsea had no response, but one might question how much of this was due to Chelsea’s shortcomings and how much was attributable to City’s strengths. Without his two top central defenders, his captain, and Enzo Fernandez, manager Liam Rosenior had limited options, while City — as evidenced by their three goals — can defeat opponents in various ways. They have adapted, and the fact that City could secure such a comprehensive victory on a day when Erling Haaland was subdued (with just six touches in the Chelsea box), Rodri was understated, and they only truly came alive after the break (having registered one shot on target in the first half) is quite telling.

play1:53Laurens: Chelsea’s project with Rosenior is failing

Julien Laurens criticizes Chelsea’s performance against Manchester City and believes Liam Rosenior is struggling in his role.

As for Chelsea, the boos echoed once more. This was not a commendable performance — it cannot be when over half of your expected goals come from Marc Cucurella’s header with seven minutes remaining — and Rosenior will face renewed criticism. However, there are only so many decisions for which he can be second-guessed. The squad is what it is: a mix of underdeveloped talent, whether real or perceived.

It is indeed questionable why Jorrel Hato was chosen over Mamadou Sarr, raising concerns about the latter’s midseason return from loan. The self-imposed suspension of Enzo Fernandez seems excessive (unless there are undisclosed reasons), depriving Rosenior of a key tactical option and a significant leadership presence. When the only attacking substitutions available are Liam Delap and Alejandro Garnacho — both promising but still developing at this stage of their careers — the challenges extend far beyond the manager.

Currently, the Champions League spots are four points away, with five teams trailing closely within three points. The situation is unlikely to improve.

A thrilling encounter in Serie A, as Inter bounces back to put Como in their place

With forty-five minutes played in Como, Cesc Fabregas was having a great time. Nico Paz was dismantling Inter’s defense and had just made a precise pass to give Como a 2-0 lead. Inter had not registered a single shot, and Lautaro Martinez was absent.

However, in an instant, Nicolo’ Barella crossed for Marcus Thuram to reduce the deficit. Just after the second half began, Thuram capitalized on Como goalkeeper Jean Butez’s mistake, bringing the score to 2-2. Suddenly, Inter had scored twice from two shots, forcing Como to restart their efforts. Yet it was Inter who netted two more goals — both from Denzel Dumfries, both resulting from set pieces — before Como was awarded a (questionable) late penalty, concluding the match with a 4-3 scoreline in favor of Inter.

It is a common narrative to discuss Inter’s experience and resilience outlasting Como’s attractive passing and enthusiasm, similar to the old adage about “the heart of champions” and “knowing how to win.” However, there is a significant truth to it, as most clichés contain some reality. They remained composed and utilized the margins to their advantage on a night when, in many respects, they were outplayed.

With Napoli drawing against Parma, Inter’s lead at the top of Serie A is now nine points with six matches remaining. The title race is not yet concluded, but it is nearing its end. This is a commendable way for Cristian Chivu — who, interestingly, has less coaching experience than Fabregas, despite being seven years older — to conclude his first full season in charge.

As for Como, they are living up to expectations. It is not solely Fabregas and his tactical approach, or Nico Paz’s impressive blend of skill and work rate. They have demonstrated their ability to adapt their style, play fearlessly, and that this approach can succeed in Serie A. Whether the Como project is sustainable remains to be seen, but it is clear they have provided a refreshing change in a season that has offered little innovation, not just in Italy but across Europe as well.

Arsenal faces consequences, but it’s not merely psychological

Certainly, that is the prevailing narrative, as it fits the situation, right? Anxiety and all that, faltering as the finish line approaches, when challenges arise. Perhaps there is some truth to that — we cannot read the players’ minds after all — but I believe the explanation is more straightforward. When you establish a specific style of play — one that prioritizes safety, intensity, physicality, and set pieces — it becomes challenging to adapt when key players are unavailable or when the opponent’s tactics require a different approach.

Ideally, Bournemouth’s high-energy, pressing style would have been countered with quality passing and patience. However, all Arsenal could muster on Saturday was the latter, which quickly turned into lethargy, as patience without quality can lead to. Arsenal’s “altered” approach this season may have propelled them to the top of the league, but it may not suffice to maintain that position.

play1:49Have Arsenal opened the door for Man City in the title race?

The FC TV crew discusses Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

This was a match where Arsenal needed to “out-football” Bournemouth, not merely “outwork” them. Yet Arsenal has rarely “out-footballed” opponents this season, and with Ben White and an out-of-form Myles Lewis-Skelly starting at fullback, while missing Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, this was a tall order. Additionally, considering this was their ninth match since March 3 (and only Bournemouth’s third in that same timeframe), they were unlikely to outpace them as well.

To be clear: Arsenal could have still won this match, as they certainly had ample opportunities. One could argue that this was one of their better performances in recent times, and that they were unfortunate with the opening goal. But that is football: you strive to position yourself to mitigate the effects of luck and randomness. The distinction, if you will, is that they scored late goals against Sporting, Everton, and Leverkusen away, but this time, they did not.

So how does Arteta proceed now? You cannot simply revert to the previous style of play; at best, you can make minor adjustments. Having Saka return would be a positive step. Not overworking Viktor Gyokeres and sharing his minutes with Kai Havertz could introduce unpredictability, while placing more trust in your skilled players might provide a different dimension. However, City is in the rearview mirror and closing in quickly. Gaining player buy-in alone may not be sufficient, both in the Premier League and in Europe.

Quick hits

10. Bayern Munich breaks goal record with five matches remaining: The previous record was 101 goals. That was matched when Jamal Musiala scored just nine minutes into the match against St. Pauli, and surpassed early in the second half when Leon Goretzka made it 102. By full-time, following a 5-0 away victory, they had reached 105, averaging over 3.6 goals per game. It is safe to say that with five matches left, they will add to this total. In fact, they are on track for 123, which is video game-like.

Unsurprisingly, Vincent Kompany rested several players ahead of their Champions League return leg against Real Madrid midweek. Aside from Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich, and Konrad Laimer (all of whom were substituted at the hour mark), do not expect any other outfield players to start against Madrid. The reality is, it did not matter, even on the road, even against a team fighting relegation. That is the current state of the Bundesliga.

play2:21Are Bayern Munich the best team in Europe?

The FC TV crew discusses Bayern Munich’s 5-0 victory over FC St. Pauli in the Bundesliga.

9. Barcelona wins derby and takes significant step towards the title: Events unfolded favorably for them the night before, with Real Madrid held to a 1-1 draw at home by Girona, but manager Hansi Flick still took no chances, even against an Espanyol side that had not won since before Christmas: he did not heavily rotate the squad despite the upcoming Atleti match. His decision paid off with an early goal from Ferran Torres (and another, beautifully assisted by Lamine Yamal) to set them on their way. The 4-1 scoreline leaves them nine points clear with seven matches remaining, and they could clinch the title in the May 10 Clasico, something they have not accomplished in nearly a century.

Defender Gerard Martin exited due to injury, and if he does not recover by Tuesday, it would mean he would be without his two starting central defenders since Pau Cubarsi is suspended. However, without intending to be overly critical, given Barcelona’s style of play (and regardless of opinions on it, it is effective for them), it almost does not matter as long as there are a couple of fit players available. The psychological boost of the “plus nine,” Yamal’s form, and the ease with which they dispatched Espanyol (despite the usual missed chances, such as the one that fell to Kike Garcia) outweigh any concerns related to Martin’s situation. This is Flick’s team: their success or failure will be determined by his approach.

8. Robert Andrich secures crucial Leverkusen win in Dortmund: And no, Borussia Dortmund weren’t “on vacation.” They pressed hard, maintained the majority of possession, and struck the woodwork late through Serhou Guirassy. In fact, they won the expected goals battle; they may have little left to play for, but pride is significant, especially at home.

This was more about captain Andrich unleashing an unexpected long-range shot to give Leverkusen the lead at the end of the first half, with Kasper Hjulmand’s side demonstrating intelligence and resilience to capitalize on their opportunities the rest of the way (and they were dangerous multiple times on the counter). It is a vital win that keeps Leverkusen’s Champions League aspirations alive… this race is going to the wire.

play2:11Nicol: Rio Ngumoha must start for Liverpool moving forward

ESPN’s Steve Nicol has praised Rio Ngumoha’s performance in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League.

7. Arne Slot turns to youth and experience to cover cracks in win over Fulham: In midweek, against Paris Saint-Germain, Slot deployed an untested back three formation, which backfired significantly (they lost 2-0 and it could have been worse). Against Fulham on Saturday, with next season’s Champions League spot not guaranteed, he mixed things up again, resting Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike, introducing 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha and recalling Mohamed Salah, who had been overlooked against PSG.

Slot secured a 2-0 victory and perhaps just as importantly, he got a strong performance from his new/old wide players, both of whom found the net. Ngumoha provided energy and pace down the left, while Salah reminded everyone that he still possesses moments of brilliance that can benefit any team. Motivating his players (and securing the three points, of course) while giving them the best chance to rebound against PSG is all he can do at this moment. Many other issues — from protests regarding the announced ticket price increase to ongoing squad concerns — are beyond his control. There will be time for evaluation, but for now, the fact that Slot can make mistakes and (partially) rectify them is noteworthy.

6. Juve wins and Boga shines, but it’s a temporary fix, not a solution: Juventus’ victory away to Atalanta was significant, propelling them back into the top four and delivering a serious blow to a Champions League rival. I am particularly pleased for Jeremie Boga — especially after his struggles at Nice — and his game-winning goal on Saturday, which brings his tally to four in six matches, coinciding with their unbeaten streak. However, when Boga starts as a center-forward (not his natural position) ahead of Jonathan David, Lois Openda, and Kenan Yildiz (also not his preferred role, but he is still the Golden Boy), it highlights how Luciano Spalletti views his squad (read: unfavorably).

We can commend Juve’s fighting spirit and praise Spalletti for reinventing Boga as a central striker, but this situation should not exist. And we certainly cannot consider Boga a long-term answer. Juve were never going to match up well with Atalanta stylistically (and they did not), but it is yet another instance where Spalletti managed to find a temporary fix. They may currently occupy Champions League spots, but they should recognize that nothing is guaranteed.

5. Atletico experimenting and losing is acceptable, if they utilize the downtime effectively: That is the pressing question. Diego Simeone made ten changes for the trip to Sevilla on Saturday, and Atletico Madrid subsequently lost 2-1. I have no issue with that: whether they finish third or fourth is inconsequential, and it makes sense to give the regulars a rest ahead of the clash with Barcelona. Sevilla needed the points and, predictably, they secured them.

More crucial is what Atleti focused on during their time off, as delivering what they showed in the second half of the first leg — when they sat back against ten men and managed only one (albeit successful) shot on goal — is risky. A two-goal lead is by no means secure, even at home, especially against this Barcelona team. Too many things can go awry if your strategy is solely to counterattack, and the reality is that this is not your father’s Atleti — they are not comfortable merely defending, nor are they constructed for that.

4. Napoli pays a steep price for an early blunder: Manager Antonio Conte is striving to remain optimistic, but we can only speculate on his thoughts when Juan Jesus collided with Alessandro Buongiorno for no apparent reason, allowing Nesta Elphege to head on Zion Suzuki’s goal kick and set up Gabriel Strefezza’s opener. Just