FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick will be without forwards Raphinha and Marcus Rashford for the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atlético Madrid on Thursday.
The Blaugrana face one of their toughest tests of the campaign as they travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Flick’s side enter the contest brimming with confidence after securing a place in the final four with a victory over Albacete.
However, the German coach must navigate significant absences for this high-stakes encounter.
Flick forced into forward reshuffle
The La Liga leaders have been dealt a blow with confirmation that both Raphinha and Rashford are unavailable for the trip to the capital.
Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo are expected to step into the starting XI to fill the void.
Olmo is likely to operate in a wider role than usual to accommodate the tactical shift.
In a bold move, Ferran Torres is tipped to lead the line ahead of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.
Midfield options also remain limited for the Catalans.
With Pedri still sidelined, teenage sensation Marc Bernal could be handed a rare start in the engine room.
He is expected to partner Frenkie de Jong, who has successfully recovered from a minor groin issue just in time for the semi-final.
Simeone navigates midfield crisis
Atlético Madrid have their own selection headaches to resolve following a mixed week of results.
Diego Simeone is grappling with an injury crisis in the centre of the park.
The Argentine tactician is without Pablo Barrios, Johnny Cardoso, and Nico Gonzalez.
This shortage could open the door for youngster Rodrigo Mendoza to start alongside club captain Koke.
There is better news in the attacking third for the Rojiblancos.
New arrival Ademola Lookman looks set to retain his place after opening his account for the club in the quarter-final stage.
Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez are expected to form a potent strike partnership.
The inclusion of Alvarez adds intrigue, with reports suggesting Barcelona hold a strong interest in signing the Argentine this summer.
Contrasting form ahead of first leg
Barcelona arrive in Madrid sitting at the summit of La Liga, holding a slender one-point advantage over rivals Real Madrid.
The Catalans warmed up for this tie with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mallorca, featuring goals from Lamine Yamal and Bernal.
Conversely, Atlético find themselves 13 points off the pace in third.
Simeone’s men are looking for an immediate response after suffering a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis on Sunday.
History favours the visitors, with Barcelona claiming a 3-1 win in the previous meeting between these sides in December.
Nick Woltemade has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Bayern Munich, with Newcastle United reportedly prepared to sanction a £40m exit just one year after his big-money arrival.
The Magpies are understood to be willing to cut their losses on the 22-year-old forward following a dramatic dip in form on Tyneside.
Despite arriving from Stuttgart for a substantial £69m fee last summer, the striker has struggled to consistently deliver at the highest level expected in the Premier League.
Howe’s patience wears thin
Eddie Howe’s diminishing faith in the summer recruit became evident during recent high-profile clashes against Tottenham and Liverpool.
The Newcastle boss opted to deploy winger Anthony Gordon in a central role rather than trust his recognised centre-forwards to lead the line.
This tactical shift suggests the German international has fallen significantly down the pecking order at St James’ Park.
Even the arrival of Yoane Wissa has failed to spark the necessary competition to revive the former Stuttgart man’s fortunes.
Bayern reignite long-term interest
The Bundesliga champions are understood to be monitoring the situation closely, having originally missed out on the forward during the previous transfer window.
The Bavarian giants could now capitalise on Newcastle’s willingness to sell, albeit at a significantly reduced price point.
A fee in the region of £40m is being touted, representing a stark £29m loss for the Premier League club within a single calendar year.
A struggling frontline
While the attacker was once dubbed "unstoppable" by European scouts, his output in England has stalled alarmingly since the festive period.
He has found the net seven times in the Premier League but has endured a barren spell in front of goal stretching back to 20 December.
The failure to adequately replace the prolific output of Alexander Isak has left the club’s hierarchy contemplating a swift and ruthless summer reshuffle.
Jurgen Klopp has reportedly told Real Madrid he will only accept the vacant managerial role if they agree to sell Jude Bellingham as part of a radical squad overhaul.
The German tactician has emerged as the primary target to take over at the Bernabeu following the departure of Xabi Alonso earlier in 2026.
While Alvaro Arbeloa continues to steady the ship in a caretaker capacity, the Spanish giants are desperate to secure a high-profile permanent successor.
However, the current Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull is not prepared to return to the dugout without significant control over transfer policy.
Ruthless five-point plan
Klopp is believed to have issued a strict ultimatum involving five key stipulations before entering negotiations.
These conditions reportedly include the immediate signing of two new centre-backs to shore up a leaky defence.
The 58-year-old also requires two fresh midfielders to inject energy into the engine room.
Furthermore, he has insisted that Brazilian forward Endrick must be reintegrated into the first-team squad following his loan spell at Lyon.
It marks a potential return to management for a figure who previously cited exhaustion when leaving Liverpool after nine trophy-laden years.
Bellingham future in doubt
In a development that will stun supporters, the sale of England international Bellingham is understood to be a non-negotiable condition for the coach.
Reports suggest the Stourbridge-born midfielder simply “doesn’t fit” the high-intensity vision proposed for the new era.
“From the German manager’s perspective, Bellingham’s bubble seems to have burst. Klopp doesn’t doubt his talent, but believes his actual impact doesn’t justify his central role in the team or the leniency with which his poor performances are being treated.”
This ruthless assessment implies that the Galactico era of guaranteed starters would end immediately under the former Dortmund boss.
Another key player, widely reported to be Eduardo Camavinga, is also believed to be on the chopping block as part of the demands.
Fresh talent targeted
Should President Florentino Perez sanction these high-profile exits, a list of replacements has already been drawn up.
Defensa Central claims that midfielders Kees Smit and Adam Wharton are being monitored closely.
Defensively, German international Nico Schlotterbeck and Jacobo Ramon have been identified as the ideal profiles to rebuild the backline.
It remains to be seen if the Champions League holders are willing to dismantle their current core to secure the services of the two-time FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year.
Only two players remain from the starting XI that suffered humiliation at Brentford in 2021 as Mikel Arteta’s title-chasers prepare to face the Bees on Thursday.
It has been 1,643 days since the self-proclaimed ‘bus stop from Hounslow’ announced their Premier League arrival by stunning the giants of English football.
August 13, 2021, remains a date etched in the memories of the Gtech Community Stadium faithful, but one the North Londoners have worked tirelessly to erase.
Thomas Frank’s side, then favourites for immediate relegation, tore up the script against a fragile opponent.
From crisis to contenders
The aftermath of that opening night defeat piled immense pressure on Arteta, whose position was already precarious following an eighth-placed finish the previous campaign.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher offered a withering assessment at the time that seemed to capture the mood of the nation.
“New season, same old story.”
Those words feel like a lifetime ago for a manager who is no longer fighting for his job, but fighting for Premier League and Champions League supremacy.
Back then, Arteta lamented a lack of attacking threat and a vulnerability at set-pieces.
The transformation has been total; the Gunners are now the division’s second-highest scorers and boast one of the most formidable set-piece records in Europe.
A ruthless squad evolution
Nothing illustrates the scale of this overhaul quite like the team sheet from that fateful Friday night.
Of the 11 players who started the game for the visitors, the vast majority have been moved on.
Only Ben White, who was making his debut that evening, and Gabriel Martinelli remain in the current squad.
Crucially, neither of those survivors are even guaranteed starters in Arteta’s current ruthless machine.
Bukayo Saka, now the talisman of the club, appeared only as a second-half substitute to a sympathetic ovation.
The rest of that lineup included players like Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari, and Albert Sambi Lokonga, highlighting a disparity in quality compared to today’s roster.
While the Bees remain in the hunt for European football, they face a very different animal on Thursday night.
The controversial European Super League project has been definitively consigned to history after Real Madrid struck a landmark peace deal with Uefa.
This agreement brings an end to a bitter five-year dispute that threatened to fundamentally reshape the landscape of elite club football.
The end of the rebellion
Real Madrid, led by president Florentino Perez, were the primary architects of the breakaway competition which sensationally launched in April 2021.
The initial proposal included the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’, though those clubs swiftly withdrew following immense backlash from supporters and government officials.
Despite widespread condemnation, the Spanish giants remained steadfast in their commitment to the project.
Los Blancos engaged in protracted legal battles against European football’s governing body, seeking billions in compensation for attempts to block the formation of the league.
However, the resistance has finally crumbled following Barcelona’s announcement that they were withdrawing from the contentious plan over the weekend.
Peace brokered in Paris
The sudden resolution is understood to have been facilitated by high-level discussions between Perez and Nasser Al Khelaifi.
Al Khelaifi, the president of Paris St-Germain, acted in his capacity as chairman of the European Club Association to bridge the divide.
A statement from the 15-time European champions confirmed the new direction.
“Following months of discussions held for the benefit of European football, Uefa, European Football Clubs and Real Madrid CF announce that they have reached an agreement in principle for the good of European club football, respecting the principle of sporting merit and emphasising the long-term sustainability of clubs and improving the fan experience through the use of technology.”
The club added that this principle agreement will resolve all outstanding legal disputes once fully implemented.
Focus returns to the pitch
With the boardroom conflict resolved, Carlo Ancelotti’s side must now turn their full attention to domestic and continental matters.
They currently trail bitter rivals Barcelona by just one point in the La Liga title race.
Pressure is also mounting in Europe, where they face a tricky Champions League play-off against Benfica after finishing outside the top eight in the new league phase.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has admitted he initially believed Jurgen Klopp’s resignation was a "joke" during the shock meeting that preceded the defender’s own eventual move to Real Madrid.
The England international is currently navigating a high-profile chapter in La Liga following his departure from his boyhood club in 2025.
While speculation mounts regarding his future in Spain, the full-back has opened up about the emotional volatility that defined his final years on Merseyside.
Before ending his long association with the Reds, the academy graduate had to process the departure of the manager who handed him his senior debut.
A morning of disbelief
Recalling the pivotal moment in 2024, the 26-year-old confessed that the squad was completely blindsided by the German tactician’s announcement.
He described an unusual schedule change that immediately raised suspicions within the dressing room.
"It started like a normal day. Then the manager called a meeting at 10:30am, which we had never had before, so everyone was like, ‘What’s going on?’"
The former Liverpool vice-captain explained that Klopp delivered the news personally just as it was breaking to the global media.
"He said that this had to be his last season, that he needed a break to spend time with his family. I didn’t know what to do. You think, ‘Is this a joke?’"
Silence in the dressing room
The shock was so profound that the players struggled to process the information before having to immediately return to training duties.
Klopp later acknowledged this stunned silence, noting that his squad asked very few questions at the time due to the unique strength of their bond.
"None of us were expecting it. After he left the room, everyone was just sat there thinking, ‘Has that just happened?’"
Following that emotional farewell, Arne Slot arrived at Anfield and successfully guided the club to a Premier League title in his debut campaign.
However, for the marauding right-back, that period marked the beginning of a significant transition that would eventually see him trade the red of Liverpool for the white of the Bernabeu.
Ademola Lookman has emerged as the wildcard signing who could reignite Atlético Madrid’s season and exploit Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities in the upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final.
The arrival of the London-born Nigeria international represents a significant opportunity for a club starved of silverware for five long years.
Diego Simeone’s side has faced criticism for an increasingly stale and risk-averse style of play in recent campaigns.
However, their new acquisition acts as the complete antithesis to that rigid predictability.
Exploiting the high line
The timing of this transfer could not be more pivotal for Los Colchoneros.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have earned plaudits for their aggressive high press, but that system leaves tantalising space behind the defence.
Lookman possesses the ebullient athleticism required to time runs perfectly beyond that high line.
The former Atalanta forward has the vision to race into the 35 to 40 metres of empty grass often left exposed ahead of the sweeper-keeper.
It is a tactical setup that seems tailor-made for a player with his specific bag of tricks and direct running.
Targeting the weak link
While the Catalan giants are formidable, their right flank has shown signs of fragility.
Jules Koundé, despite his quality, has looked overplayed recently and prone to defensive lapses.
With Barcelona star Lamine Yamal often staying high up the pitch, the defensive workload on Koundé is immense.
This creates a perfect storm for the 28-year-old winger, who operates primarily down the left channel.
His ability to isolate a fatigued full-back could prove to be the decisive factor over two legs.
A proven big-game player
The “jack-in-the-box” attacker is no stranger to upsetting the odds on the European stage.
He famously netted a devastating hat-trick in the Europa League final to end Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run last season.
He also arrives with built-in chemistry, reuniting with former teammates Matteo Ruggeri and goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Barcelona may know his name, but his chaotic energy is difficult to prepare for instinctively.
If he can replicate his European heroics, Simeone may finally have the weapon needed to end the club’s trophy drought.
James Milner is set to equal the all-time Premier League appearance record of 653 games, matching Gareth Barry’s tally if he features for Brighton against Aston Villa tonight.
The versatile midfielder made his debut in the competition at just 16 years of age.
Now 40, his career has spanned distinct eras of the English top flight.
The ultimate professional
Jurgen Klopp famously renamed Liverpool’s pre-season fitness assessment "The James Milner Award".
The former England international won the gruelling lactate test every single year during his time at Anfield.
Even Joe Gomez, 11 years his junior, could not keep pace with the relentless engine of the veteran.
"And the James Milner award goes to…"
Jurgen Klopp, former Liverpool manager
While teammates collapsed in exhaustion, the relentless runner simply kept going.
Spanning the generations
The Brighton utility man has played for managers born as far apart as 1933 and 1993.
His first senior appearance came closer to the 1970s than the present day.
He once sat on the bench alongside Nigel Martyn and now plays alongside teammates born after he had already made over 200 appearances.
Current boss Fabian Hurzeler was only nine years old when Milner faced West Ham under Terry Venables.
Silencing the doubters
Graeme Souness famously claimed you could not win the league with a team of Milners.
The Leeds academy graduate responded by lifting the Premier League trophy with both Manchester City and Liverpool.
He also added a Champions League title to a glittering trophy cabinet.
Tonight at Villa Park, another historic chapter awaits the division’s most enduring athlete.