Real Madrid’s Poor Performance, Amorim Is Not the Main Concern for Man United, and More

What an exciting weekend for European football! With the Premier League teams taking a breather, the FA Cup became the main attraction in England. The standout moment of the fifth round was holders Manchester United being eliminated by Fulham in a penalty shootout. On another front, LaLiga saw Real Madrid falter again, as significant lineup changes were made with the Champions League on the horizon, granting both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid a crucial advantage in a tightly contested title race.

In Italy, Napoli and Inter Milan played to a draw in a top-tier showdown, leaving fans divided in their sentiments. There were countless talking points surrounding Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Paris Saint-Germain, and many more.

Here are some thoughts and reactions to the weekend’s most memorable moments.

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Manchester United’s FA Cup exit isn’t the main concern—it’s the overall drift of the club

Indeed, losing at home on penalties to Fulham means the Europa League is now the sole trophy left on United’s radar, which certainly stings. However, this isn’t a full-blown disaster, and its long-lasting repercussions are still uncertain, in contrast to the prevailing feeling of stagnation surrounding the club. This extends beyond manager Ruben Amorim to a wider context involving Sir Jim Ratcliffe, various operational issues, the Glazer family, and other frustrations.

Amorim has suggested that things might get worse before they improve and has asked for patience. It seems he still enjoys a degree of trust from supporters, perhaps because they are weary of coaches receiving extensions without base (like his predecessor, Erik ten Hag) and executives being hired at a high cost only to be dismissed shortly thereafter when Ratcliffe finds they misalign with his vision.

Fulham currently sit five positions and nine points above Manchester United in the Premier League, and there’s a rationale behind that. They exhibit better organization, aided by a capable Portuguese coach in Marco Silva. They didn’t necessarily outplay United; rather, they capitalized on a defensive lapse following a corner kick to take an early lead and managed to create decent chances during extra time before sealing the penultimate victory in a tense penalty shootout—one that could have swung in United’s favor as it did against Arsenal in earlier rounds.

I’m not positing that Amorim is a miraculous figure for keeping the team competitive until penalties; instead, it seems he’s limited in how much further he could push his squad. When the final whistle blew, the only backup options remaining on the bench were Hubert Graczyk and Will Murdock, goalkeepers known only to their families. Besides Alejandro Garnacho, the substitutes he used were either players poised to leave the club (like Victor Lindelöf and Casemiro) or teenagers, with Ayden Heaven making his first-team debut and 17-year-old Chido Obi having a mere 22 minutes of experience.

What can he even be criticized for? Changing the 3-4-2-1 system that secured him the job to something more pragmatic?

The debate about whether Garnacho should have started over Christian Eriksen could arise, but ultimately, it’s understandable why Eriksen was selected. Considering Garnacho’s disciplinary issues, Amorim presumably expected Fulham to concede possession to United; Garnacho usually thrives in scenarios where there’s space to exploit.

Amorim may not warrant an indefinite pass, and yet right now, he is the least of United’s concerns, showing progress relative to previous displays. What’s more alarming is what’s happening within the club’s upper management.

The intentions of Ratcliffe are becoming increasingly opaque, with cost-cutting measures being implemented through egregious layoffs and vague plans like creating a “Wembley of the North.” This ambiguity is what erodes confidence. Fans have enough awareness to scrutinize the team and understand Amorim cannot yet be judged adequately.

I’m uncertain if the same can be said for Ratcliffe and his associate, Dave Brailsford. Did they make the right executive appointments in Omar Berrada, Jean-Claude Blanc, Jason Wilcox, and Christopher Vivell? Time will tell. If they don’t intervene effectively, Amorim’s challenge intensifies, making it less probable for him to achieve success.

Real Madrid’s defeat isn’t solely about the eight changes but the performance itself

It’s easy to attribute Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to injuries and looming Champions League concerns. After winning against Real Sociedad midweek, only Vinícius, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Antonio Rüdiger retained their starting roles in the subsequent match (note that Tchouameni transitioned from defense to midfield). This certainly affects the team’s dynamics.

Nevertheless, this framing is somewhat misleading since the midweek squad—including Arda Güler, Fran García, Endrick, and Eduardo Camavinga—wasn’t Madrid’s top choice either. Moreover, Madrid didn’t dominate against Real Sociedad. The absence of Jude Bellingham (suspended for league play) was felt heavily, but Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappé, and Ferland Mendy returned to the squad.

A more straightforward explanation is that Betis are currently performing well, while Real Madrid seemed to retreat into a defensive shell after roughly 20 minutes. Initially, the outlook was optimistic, with Brahim Díaz netting the opening goal following some terrific build-up from Mbappé and Vinicius. However, from the 17th to the 52nd minute, Real Madrid failed to register a single shot on goal, whether it was on target or not.

Perhaps due to dental work, Mbappé had one of his weakest performances since joining the club, failing to register even a shot, while Vinicius wasn’t much better; David Alaba struggled defensively, Rudiger gave away a penalty to Jesús Rodriguez, and Luka Modric appeared to show his age.

Kudos to Betis for forcing Real Madrid into committing an astonishing 27 turnovers during the first half alone, a statistic so staggering that Carlo Ancelotti highlighted it in his post-match comments. He labeled it a “bad game,” and rightfully so. Should Madrid deliver such a performance against Atletico, they’ll likely find themselves eliminated from the Champions League before the quarterfinals—absolute control can’t be shifted onto the eight changes.

Napoli drops points at home against Inter, who may not be as deep as Inzaghi thinks

With Napoli atop Serie A and facing off against the second-placed Inter, you might think Inter would be satisfied with an away 1-1 draw, particularly as they led until just three minutes from the end. However, they would be mistaken, as Napoli dominated proceedings, showcasing one of Inter’s poorest showings of the season.

The statistics speak volumes. Inter went ahead thanks to a stunning Federico Dimarco free kick in the 22nd minute but contributed little afterwards, culminating in a disastrous second half during which they managed zero shots. Credit must go to Napoli, who displayed a high intensity reminiscent of what Antonio Conte demands and could have scored even more had Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori been more efficient in front of goal. Conte made a surprising choice to replace the absent André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (one of his key players this season) with Billy Gilmour, which raised eyebrows due to Gilmour’s contrasting playing style. Nonetheless, it paid off, allowing Napoli to implement two deep playmakers alongside Stanislav Lobotka.

However, multiple truths can coexist. It’s also fair to say that Inter appeared fatigued and drained. Whether they chose to sit back and counterattack after taking the lead based on Inzaghi’s (possibly misguided) strategy or if it developed spontaneously, it mattered little. The outcome was disastrous. In modern football, inviting pressure in such a manner, particularly away from home against a Conte team, is devoid of sense.

Injuries compounded the situation. With three wide options (Carlos Augusto, Matteo Darmian, and Nicola Zalewski) unavailable, losing Dimarco in the 51st minute necessitated a tactical shift that saw Denzel Dumfries moved to the left. Hakan Calhanoglu, clearly unfit, also only lasted until the 51st minute, and it remains a mystery why Joaquín Correa (who again had minimal impact) was introduced for the injured Marcus Thuram instead of Mehdi Taremi or Marko Arnautovic.

Suddenly, the depth of Inter seems questionable. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to state that Inzaghi excels at making impactful substitutions when he decides the timing. When those decisions are thrust upon him, it tells a different story.

The points gap is now just a single point, and the race for the Scudetto is very much on.

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QUICK HITS

10. Luis Enrique’s vision is taking shape at Paris Saint-Germain: Yes, his methods are unconventional, and when things go awry, they can appear quite disastrous. Nevertheless, Luis Enrique is a tactical guru (albeit flawed) and he’s gradually imprinting his philosophy on Paris Saint-Germain. He acquired the players he wanted, removed those he deemed surplus (like Randal Kolo Muani), and was firm with his squad when necessary (just ask Ousmane Dembélé). Currently, PSG are on a roll with ten consecutive wins and remain undefeated since November. (They’ve only fallen to Arsenal and Bayern on the road this year.) The real test awaits them in the Champions League, beginning with Liverpool this week, but they are in a solid position at the moment.

9. Bayer Leverkusen strikes the right chord despite Buendia-Boniface scuffle: It was a second vs. third scenario (albeit, Eintracht had won just one of their last six games and appeared to be on a downward trend), and Bayer Leverkusen delivered a commanding performance, securing a 4-1 victory on the road. Even while keeping an eye on the upcoming Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich, Leverkusen maintained control throughout, racing to a 3-0 lead in just 33 minutes. Everything synced perfectly, and I don’t mind the late fracas involving Buendia and Boniface—resulting in a full-on brawl—after they tripped over each other. Some might interpret it as indiscipline; I see it as passion and determination between two substitutes eager to contribute. It’s likely that Xabi Alonso views it similarly.

8. A stroke of luck lifts Barcelona to the top spot: This doesn’t diminish their achievement, but Aritz Elustondo’s red card just 17 minutes in significantly favored Barcelona, as did the two deflected strikes off Marc Casadó and Robert Lewandowski in their commanding victory over Real Sociedad. (Did he intentionally guide it past Álex Remiro? Given it’s Lewa, you might say yes, but it’s essentially a case of a player getting a boot on a teammate’s shot.) Elustondo’s dismissal forced Imanol Alguacil to withdraw Jon Ander Olasagasti, essentially conceding midfield control. Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal took full advantage, leading to a 4-0 victory. Hansi Flick even enjoyed the luxury of rotating some players, making for an ideal weekend ahead of the Champions League matches.

7. Plymouth Argyle’s magical run against Manchester City meets its end as Pep Guardiola raises ball concerns: After knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup already, would lightning strike twice when Maksym Talovierov placed Plymouth (second-to-last in the EFL Championship) ahead against City? Ultimately, it was just a momentary blip. City had controlled the game until that point and then dominated for the rest of the match, with Nico O’Reilly scoring twice. I’m all for footballing romance, but better teams deserve to win, and that’s precisely what unfolded. On a side note, Guardiola voiced complaints about the FA Cup ball post-match, echoing Mikel Arteta’s comments about the League Cup ball when Arsenal faced elimination in January. I tend to side with the coaches here, but the FA’s response was quite absurd, claiming “more than 350 goals” have been netted with this year’s ball. This statistic is ambiguous—does it signify success? If they were to utilize a tennis ball and net 1,000 goals, would that then be acceptable?

6. Atletico survives a potential trap game for a crucial win against Athletic Club: Fourth in the table and sandwiched between Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and Real Madrid for the Champions League, Athletic Club was a classic “trap game.” Even without their key player, Oihan Sancet, they managed to keep Atletico under pressure, hitting the woodwork thrice and compelling Jan Oblak to perform heroics. But few managers are as adept at utilizing substitutions as Diego Simeone. The introduction of Conor Gallagher, Marcos Llorente, Julián Álvarez, and later Ángel Correa disrupted Athletic’s rhythm. Llorente and Álvarez collaborated on the lone goal, reinforcing Simeone’s reputation as a mastermind, although Athletic did come close multiple times thereafter. Luck certainly plays a role, but it also reflects Atletico’s earned prowess.

5. Borussia Dortmund achieves back-to-back league wins for the first time in almost a year: I don’t wish to be unkind, but this statistic underscores the inconsistency, mismanagement, and chaos surrounding this club. Although the 2-0 win over St. Pauli came against a team that had dropped three straight, the improvement in performance is notable. Nonetheless, it still feels like manager Nico Kovac is conducting auditions (as evidenced by Gio Reyna’s role as a No. 10), and significant questions remain. At least they appeared solid, with Karim Adeyemi showcasing why some still believe in his potential, and Serhou Guirassy continuing to score (11 goals in his last 11 appearances). Even though they’re currently lingering in the bottom half of the table, they are just six points shy of a Champions League spot, making it a viable target.

4. Two points lost for Atalanta doesn’t signify an inability to be part of a three-horse race: The math is straightforward. If Atalanta had triumphed over second-bottom Venezia on Saturday, they would have been joint second in the table alongside Napoli and just one point behind Inter. It’s awkward: they’ve not earned victory in any of their last five home matches and might have been on the brink of defeat if Alessio Zerbin had made better decisions late in the game. However, Atalanta did dominate proceedings, hitting the woodwork twice and achieving an xG nearing 2.0. Their lack of European commitments (contrary to Inter) and their capacity to rotate the squad (unlike Napoli) could be advantageous as the season progresses. Don’t count them out.

3. Lyon’s Paulo Fonseca loses his composure at the worst moment: There’s no good time for a manager to confront a referee or nearly head-butt someone, but this instance was particularly ill-timed. It happened deep in injury time while Lyon was 2-1 up against Brest, and the previous week had been marked by widespread sympathy for referees after a significant sanction against Marseille executive Pablo Longoria for his outburst regarding referee decisions. What provoked Fonseca was his belief that referee Benoit Millot was about to call a penalty against Lyon, which he in fact had no intention of doing. Fonseca is generally a respectable figure and has apologized. However, considering the current environment following Longoria’s suspension, it’s likely he faces a hefty consequence.

2. AC Milan finds itself in turmoil while fans voice discontent: The atmosphere wasn’t great pre-game, as the club’s Ultras only showed up in the 15th minute as a form of protest, and it worsened during the match, with owner Gerry Cardinale facing loud calls to sell the club. The 2-1 defeat to Lazio may have felt late following Mike Maignan’s puzzling decision to rush off his line against Gustav Isaksen, resulting in Pedro converting a penalty in the eighth minute of extra time, yet it was a comprehensive and rightful loss.

Blame can be spread around, and perhaps fans would have been less furious if the defeat had been a straightforward 3-0 instead of languishing from the possibility of a late comeback. Milan’s manager, Sérgio Conceição—the cigar-smoking, dressing-room-dancing, motivational leader—now appears to be throwing tactics against the wall to see what sticks. He reverted to a 4-3-3 formation, dropped João Félix, then reinstated him to replace Yunus Musah after a mere 37 minutes (a humiliating move). He opted for the attacking Álex Jiménez on the right flank but substituted him for the defensive Kyle Walker during halftime after going a goal down. A late appearance by Luka Jovic instead of Tammy Abraham further confounds matters. Talk of an internal solution, like promoting club legend Mauro Tassotti (currently an assistant with the youth squad), is now in play. Though Conceição is not the sole issue, he appears to be the easiest to replace. While that may not rectify everything, it might ease tensions, appease the fanbase, and provide a mental cushion to address issues for the upcoming season. The fact that we’re discussing these matters just two months post-appointment indicates that Cardinale has been consulting with (and trusting) the wrong people.

1. RB Leipzig remains lost… Is Jurgen Klopp stepping in? Leipzig seized the lead at home against Mainz within a minute (who are enjoying a solid season, but nonetheless, they’re still Mainz) but succumbed to an absurd defensive collapse. This is a familiar narrative; Leipzig looks distinctly disorganized right now, with only two league wins in 2025, leaving them perilously close to the bottom half of the table while also still contending for a Champions League spot. The lack of clarity about manager Marco Rose’s role is evident, but there’s a growing realization that something is awry for a squad of this caliber. Rumors swirl regarding Klopp’s role within the Red Bull organization as “Global Head of Soccer,” with some suggesting it’s merely a glorified ambassadorial position. If this is the case, some introspection is warranted. He needs to diagnose and rectify these problems. If that doesn’t fall under his duties, he ought to reconsider accepting remuneration from Red Bull.