The European club football season is now in full swing, delivering thrilling action across the continent. A busy weekend of league matches has set the stage for crucial midweek action, particularly as the UEFA Champions League qualifiers reach their climax.
Football Schedule (All times U.S./Eastern)
Monday, August 25
- Serie A: Inter vs. Torino, 2:35 p.m.
- EPL: Newcastle United vs. Liverpool, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, August 26
- UCL qualifying: Kairat vs. Celtic, 12:45 p.m.
- EFL Cup: Preston North End vs. Wrexham, 2:45 p.m.
- UCL qualifying: Paphos vs. Crvena Zvezda, 3 p.m.
- UCL qualifying: Sturm Graz vs. Bodo/Glimt, 3 p.m.
Upsets Shake Up Weekend Leagues
The new Serie A season largely began as expected for Italy`s top clubs, with reigning champions Napoli and Juventus both securing comfortable 2-0 victories. However, the opening weekend wasn`t entirely predictable, as AC Milan suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to newly promoted Cremonese. This loss for Milan, under new manager Massimiliano Allegri and featuring new talents like Christian Pulisic, Santiago Gimenez, and veteran Luka Modric, has already cast doubt on their prospects for a top-four finish, highlighting early tactical and squad integration challenges.
Meanwhile, the second weekend of Premier League action also provided its share of drama. Tottenham Hotspur secured a notable 2-0 win over Manchester City, marking Pep Guardiola`s tenth loss against Spurs in his career and raising early concerns about City`s defensive resilience during their rebuilding phase. Elsewhere, Manchester United continued their inconsistent form, drawing 1-1 with Fulham. Manager Ruben Amorim expressed frustration with his team`s lack of focus, noting their tendency to “forget to do the normal things” despite significant summer spending, suggesting their performances still leave much to be desired.
Champions League Spots on the Line
The qualification phase for the UEFA Champions League concludes this week, with the highly anticipated league phase draw scheduled for Thursday. Several ties remain incredibly finely balanced, hinting at potential upsets before the group stage is set. Four of the seven fixtures are separated by just one goal or less as teams head into their crucial second legs. Only one team currently holds a significant three-goal advantage, providing a comfortable cushion.
Current Aggregate Scores (Second Legs)
- Kairat 0-0 Celtic
- Pafos 2-1 Crvena Zvezda
- Sturm Graz 0-5 Bodo/Glimt
- Qarabag 3-1 Ferencvaros
- Club Brugge 3-1 Rangers
- Benfica 0-0 Fenerbahce
- Copenhagen 1-1 Basel
Tuesday`s matches will prominently feature three teams aspiring for their first-ever Champions League group stage appearance: Kazakhstan`s Kairat, Cyprus` Pafos, and Norway`s Bodo/Glimt. Bodo/Glimt look poised to advance after a commanding 5-0 home victory against Sturm Graz last week. Pafos FC, the Cypriot champions, hold a narrow 2-1 lead over the more experienced Crvena Zvezda as they return to home turf. However, the most significant potential upset of the round could unfold in Almaty, where Kairat welcomes Celtic.
A goalless draw in the first leg at Celtic Park means this tie is wide open and could swing in either direction very suddenly, placing immense pressure on both sides to perform. While Celtic are the clear favorites, their inability to score at home raises the stakes for the Scottish champions. Kairat`s manager has even suggested that Celtic might have underestimated their opponents, adding intrigue to the decisive match.
Other Key Football News
- Juventus condemned racism: USMNT star Weston McKennie was targeted with racial abuse following Juventus` victory over Parma.
- Real Madrid`s attack: Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is working to build attacking chemistry, and on Sunday, the team showcased its late-game potential.
- NWSL`s attendance record: The National Women`s Soccer League set a new attendance record this weekend, with 40,091 fans attending the match between Bay FC and Washington Spirit at an MLB stadium.
- Barcelona`s big comeback: Barcelona staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 2-0 deficit against Levante on Saturday, led by Lamine Yamal and his teammates.
- Reyna on the move: Gio Reyna`s transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Borussia Monchengladbach is seen as a crucial move for his prospects of making next summer`s World Cup squad.
