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PARIS (AP) — The future looks much brighter for Kylian Mbappe than it does for Paris Saint-Germain.
With Mbappe leaving PSG at the end of the season, following former star teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi out of the door, the Qatari-owned club’s project to dominate European soccer has taken another severe blow.
For while Mbappe will have Europe’s biggest clubs chasing him — Real Madrid seems in pole position — PSG faces uncertainty.
The cash-rich club’s next steps will be heavily scrutinized.
Who will replace the 25-year-old Mbappe? How will PSG cope without Mbappe given that his goals have helped paper over so many cracks? How does coach Luis Enrique prepare for the rest of this season and the next?
An exasperated Enrique tried his best not to answer at his pre-match news conference on Friday, on the eve of his team’s French league game at Nantes. He flatly delivered one-line responses such as “I won’t comment until the parties concerned have commented” and “No player is bigger than the club.”
When a reporter tried one last time in Spanish, he told her: “I don’t have any information to give you on this subject.”
Mbappe’s exit is also not good news for the French league as it negotiates the next set of TV rights with broadcasters up until 2029.
Mbappe’s departure will close the chapter on a local boy who ended up at his hometown club and helped repair its battered image.
Mbappe was 12 years old, playing for his local club AS Bondy in the Paris suburbs, when Qatari owners QSI bought PSG in June 2011. The club was reeling from years of soccer violence, resulting in the death of two PSG fans in the streets around Parc des Princes stadium, and results on the field were poor with no league title won since 1994.
After QSI’s arrival, the stadium’s hostile atmosphere gave way to cushioned seats and major celebrities like Jay-Z, Michael Jordan and Beyonce. Nine more league titles followed, giving PSG a national record of 11.
Mbappe joined in 2017 along with Neymar for a combined 402 million euros ($433 million). They helped PSG become the biggest club in France.
But QSI really craved a Champions League trophy and a raft of big-name players — including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Angel Di Maria — plus a carousel of coaching changes have not delivered it. The club’s motto “Dream Bigger” was splashed on the team bus but PSG reached only one final, losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the pandemic-shortened 2020 edition.
So if they couldn’t win the competition with all these stars over the years, what can PSG do without any now? Will Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, lose patience and pull the plug on the whole project? Will the disgruntled fans, already frustrated at leaving Parc des Princes in the future, have enough of the current leadership and turn on club president Nasser al-Khelaifi?
For the time being, matters remain under control and PSG has a Plan “B” in place.
Perhaps anticipating Mbappe’s departure, PSG already started shifting focus somewhat by bringing in more French players like Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, while fast-tracking academy talents like 17-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery. Mbappe’s younger brother, 17-year-old Ethan, has also broken into the squad.
This represents a considerable shift from chasing star names, and gives local youth players more opportunities than before, but performances may get worse.
Mbappe’s goals — 41 last season, 31 already this campaign, a club-record 243 overall — have masked glaring deficiencies in midfield and defense. So many times, he has bailed his teammates out. A look at the statistics of the other forwards does not suggest the same will happen.
Kolo Muani’s season-best tally is 15 league goals, Dembele’s is 12 and the 21-year-old Barcola is unproven. Striker Goncalo Ramos managed 19 goals for Benfica in Portugal last season but he is a backup forward.
Once again, PSG will likely have to import a leading striker to stay competitive.
Here’s a look at some of PSG’s possible targets:
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
The Nigeria striker is the same age as Mbappe and appears the best option. Osimhen is excellent with his back to goal, strong in the air, quick and a good finisher. His 26 league goals helped Napoli win the Serie A title last season. He has a contract until 2026 and knows the French league, playing one season for Lille before joining Napoli in 2020.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The livewire Egypt forward is under contract until 2025 and would be 32 if he joins next season. He likely does not have many prime years left but his scoring and passing remain sharp. He has passed the 200-goal mark for Liverpool, but Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the season could coincide with his own. However, if Salah goes it could be to the Saudi Arabian league rather than PSG.
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
The 26-year-old England forward might want to leave Old Trafford after being overlooked by coach Erik ten Haag. Rashford’s form has dipped with only five goals in 29 games compared to a career-best 30 in 59 last season. A move to PSG could prove good for both Rashford and United.
Now that the 2023 NFL season is behind us and the 2024 offseason has begun, every team has a big question to face.
Can the Bengals find a way to keep Tee Higgins? How will the Broncos, Bears, Commanders, Falcons, Giants and Vikings address their quarterback conundrums? And which teams could surprise the league and release veterans to help get under the salary cap?
We asked our NFL Nation reporters to take a closer look at the biggest question each team will face this offseason and give their insight on what could happen over the next few months.
Jump to: ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
How will the Bills keep their roster competitive and try to compete with the Chiefs despite a tough cap situation?
The challenge for the Bills this offseason is continuing to build a roster that can compete in a tough division and conference, while not pushing too much money down the road or creating future issues. While the official cap number for 2024 hasn’t come out yet, the Bills are estimated to be $51.8 million over, according to Roster Management System, with big contracts that could be restructured and some tough decisions to be made.
There are currently a variety of key contributors set to leave in free agency, including defensive end Leonard Floyd and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones. This is a team that is going to be trying yet again to get past the Chiefs in the postseason, and building the roster amid their cap concerns will be quite the task. — Alaina Getzenberg
Will the Dolphins extend quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract?
The NFL’s 2023 passing yards leader says he expects a deal to get done, and general manager Chris Grier said the goal is to have Tagovailoa playing with the Dolphins at a high level for a long time. But the Dolphins are currently $56.7 million over the projected salary cap entering the final year of his rookie contract and have several critical players set to be free agents.
Tagovailoa’s performance against Miami’s better opponents this season was suboptimal, and his physical limitations were apparent late in the season. But he is capable of running the Dolphins’ offense with machine-like precision, and his accuracy and anticipation are among the best in the league. We will see exactly how much the Dolphins value those qualities. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
What position will the Patriots target with the No. 3 pick?
In a letter to season-ticket holders, owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft called 2024 the “most anticipated NFL draft of our [31-year] tenure” — mainly because they have never had a pick
Can the Jets repair their broken offense enough to save coach Robert Saleh’s job?
A healthy quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a big step in the right direction, but the offensive line needs an overhaul. They likely need two tackles and a guard, so look for them to sign at least one starter in free agency. They can draft a tackle with the No. 10 pick, perhaps Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu or Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga.
The Jets also need a WR2, who could come in free agency or via trade. They have two young stars in running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. If they fail to build around them and take a major leap from last season — they ranked 31st in total yards — Saleh will likely be out of a job. — Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
How much more change will the Ravens’ defense undergo?
The Ravens, who led the NFL in fewest points allowed, have a new defensive coordinator in Zachary Orr after Mike Macdonald became the Seahawks’ coach. Baltimore also lost defensive line coach Anthony Weaver (new Dolphins defensive coordinator) and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson (new Titans D-coordinator). Now, the Ravens have to figure out how much of their defensive personnel they can retain. There are 13 unrestricted free agents on the Baltimore defense, including two Pro Bowl players (defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and linebacker Patrick Queen) and their two most productive edge rushers (Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy). — Jamison Hensley
What’s going to happen with wide receiver Tee Higgins?
Since drafting Ja’Marr Chase in 2021, the Bengals have boasted one of the league’s best receiver tandems. That future is in jeopardy, however, with Higgins set to enter free agency. How the Bengals approach his employment status — franchise tag, long-term deal, no action — will shape the future of a Cincinnati franchise that has one of the few quarterbacks (Joe Burrow) who can go toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City. Several other teams should be keeping tabs on this situation. If Higgins is available via free agency or trade, he could become a team’s No. 1 option in 2024 and beyond. — Ben Baby
Can the Browns land another big-time playmaker?
Last offseason, the Browns focused on bolstering what was the league’s worst run defense in 2022. They accomplished just that, signing free agent defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who played a huge role in their defensive turnaround. This offseason, they could focus on adding a prominent receiver. The Browns already have two Pro Bowl pass-catchers in Amari Cooper and David Njoku. Cooper, however, will turn 30 this summer. Getting one more proven receiver could be what helps quarterback Deshaun Watson regain his form and elevate the Cleveland offense to another level. — Jake Trotter
Who will be Kenny Pickett’s competition for QB1?
Coach Mike Tomlin and owner and president Art Rooney II expressed a desire to bring in competition for their 2022 first-round pick to elevate the team’s overall quarterback play. Though Tomlin said Pickett would resume his status as QB1 in the offseason, he was also quick to say that no one is “anointed” the starter — that means new O-coordinator Arthur Smith should have the opportunity to fill out the quarterback room.
The team already mutually parted ways with Mitch Trubisky, and late-season hero Mason Rudolph is scheduled to be a free agent. Expect new players to be added through the draft and/or free agency at a position that has been largely unchanged the past two seasons. — Brooke Pryor
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1:36
Justin Fields or Russell Wilson: Who’s a better fit for the Steelers?
The “Get Up” crew examines the potential quarterback options for the Pittsburgh Steelers next season.
AFC SOUTH
Will the Texans pay Jonathan Greenard?
The edge rusher led the team in sacks (12.5), and coach DeMeco Ryans loves him. It’s more about the price, however. Teams covet pass-rushers, and those who can get double-digit sacks and are in their mid-20s could demand contracts in the range of $20 million annually.
For example, Carl Lawson received a three-year, $45 million deal with the Jets in 2020 despite never having a 10-plus-sack season. Last offseason, the Seahawks signed Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year, $51 million contract, and he has never had more than 6.5 sacks in a season. Will the Texans pay up for Greenard? — DJ Bien-Aime
How will negotiations with Michael Pittman Jr. play out?
The Colts have several free agents, including defensive tackle Grover Stewart and cornerback Kenny Moore II. But with nearly $57 million in salary cap space projected to be at their disposal, they can certainly retain Pittman, their top wide receiver. The question, however, is what a potential new deal will look like. General manager Chris Ballard has rarely invested heavily at receiver. Meanwhile, Pittman is cognizant of his value and is looking to maximize his deal. Can the two sides find common ground? — Stephen Holder
How do the Jaguars handle free agents Josh Allen and Calvin Ridley?
Allen had a franchise-record 17.5 sacks last season, and Ridley caught the second-most passes (76) for the second-most yards (1,016) in his career. There’s only one franchise tag, so which player is general manager Trent Baalke willing to let hit free agency? If he gets a long-term contract done with either player before the tag window expires March 5, he could use the tag on the other, but that’s unlikely. He’s going to have to risk losing one. With pass-rushers at a premium, it’s likely to be Ridley, but how would being tagged impact negotiations with Allen’s camp? — Michael DiRocco
Has Derrick Henry played his last game for the Titans?
Henry’s 9,502 career rushing yards are 507 behind Eddie George for the most in Titans/Oilers franchise history. At 30 years old, he is set to hit free agency for the first time. The Titans have a new staff with a new offensive philosophy that will focus on passing the ball more. New coach Brian Callahan said Henry could absolutely fit into the scheme, though. Henry’s quest for a Super Bowl ring is something he has talked about frequently when asked about free agency. He added that he would love to win with the Titans. Will the two parties be able to come to an agreement? — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
What is the plan at quarterback?
The Broncos have said multiple times, most recently at the Super Bowl, that a formal decision on quarterback Russell Wilson will come “sooner rather than later.” And while almost no one in the league believes that will mean anything other than the Broncos releasing Wilson, doing so would leave plenty of salary cap damage — $85 million in dead money, according to Roster Management System — and an enormous question mark at quarterback.
In the short term, the big issue would be whether the Broncos can find an upgrade over Wilson’s 26 touchdown passes in 15 games in ’23. The long-term question is whether a squeezed salary cap and just six picks in April’s draft will allow them to find a permanent solution. — Jeff Legwold
Can the Chiefs keep their defense together?
Kansas City ranked second in scoring defense this season but could be losing several key players. Defensive tackle Chris Jones, end Mike Danna, linebackers Willie Gay and Drue Tranquill and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed are free agents, and the Chiefs won’t be able to retain them all. They wouldn’t give Jones the contract extension he sought last year when he was holding out, so there’s no reason to believe they would do it in March, meaning Jones — who will turn 30 in July — could be moving on. — Adam Teicher
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2:19
How will the Chiefs approach free agency this offseason?
The “Get Up” crew wonders how the Kansas City Chiefs can find the money to keep their team among the NFL’s elite next season.
How will general manager Tom Telesco and coach Antonio Pierce vibe in Las Vegas?
Raiders owner Mark Davis told ESPN that the general manager will have final say on all personnel decisions, and the biggest one is at quarterback, where rookie Aidan O’Connell was inconsistent after taking over for Jimmy Garoppolo midseason. Pierce wants a franchise signal-caller, and he has a relationship with Heisman winner Jayden Daniels (LSU) from when they were both at Arizona State. But jumping from the No. 13 pick in the draft to No. 2 or No. 3 might be too rich for Telesco’s taste. — Paul Gutierrez
How will the Chargers navigate their salary cap constraints?
The Chargers are projected to be $55 million over the salary cap, according to Roster Management System, with edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams projected to have cap hits upward of $30 million next season.
These four are among the Chargers’ best players and would be essential to turning this team around quickly under new coach Jim Harbaugh, but bringing all of them back isn’t financially feasible. How the Chargers navigate the cap and what they do with these players will be the focus of this offseason. — Kris Rhim
NFC EAST
How will team owner Jerry Jones define ‘all-in’ in 2024?
Jones told reporters at the Senior Bowl in January that the Cowboys will be all-in and thinking less about the future when they’re putting together their 2024 roster. Does that mean taking a larger interest in key players in free agency rather than filling holes with low-cost fixes? Does that mean being more proactive in giving extensions to their own players early, such as wideout CeeDee Lamb, quarterback Dak Prescott and edge rusher Micah Parsons?
With coach Mike McCarthy in the final year of his contract, Prescott set to become a free agent after the 2024 season and the inability to use the franchise tag on their quarterback, Jones could view this as the last best chance to get a Super Bowl he so craves. — Todd Archer
What to know for the 2024 NFL draft
• Mocks:
What will the Giants do at quarterback?
Daniel Jones isn’t going anywhere this season, but the Giants set up his contract so they can get out after 2024. It’s hard to build a team around a quarterback who has had three relatively serious injuries in three years. With the No. 6 pick, will the Giants pass on a signal-caller in what is considered a strong quarterback draft? Or will they use their two second-round picks to move into the back end of the first round for a QB? The position is, at the very least, on the table for the Giants in this draft. — Jordan Raanan
Can the Eagles retool on the fly under coach Nick Sirianni?
Sirianni’s staff has been overhauled, most notably with offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinator Sean Desai being replaced by Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio. It can take up to a full season for players to adjust to new schemes, yet time is of the essence for the Eagles and Sirianni, whose seat has warmed up following a 1-6 finish.
It is particularly important that quarterback Jalen Hurts and Moore sync up after a year in which Hurts, Sirianni and Johnson were not in complete lockstep, which negatively impacted the offense. — Tim McManus
Which quarterback will they target to be their new starter?
Washington hired a new general manager (Adam Peters) and coach (Dan Quinn) but now needs its quarterback. The Commanders hold the No. 2 pick, which means they could stay put and likely choose between Jayden Daniels (LSU) and Drake Maye (North Carolina). Or they could explore moving into the top spot to take Caleb Williams (USC) — if the pick is even for sale and if they feel like parting with the necessary draft capital to move up a spot.
A seemingly less likely option — if they don’t like these quarterbacks — would be to sign a free agent, let him compete with incumbent Sam Howell, then trade back and acquire more draft picks so they can try again in 2025. But with a decades-long need for a stable quarterback situation, it’s hard to imagine the Commanders passing on a QB. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
What would it take for the Bears not todraft a quarterback at No. 1?
The Bears are the first team of the common draft era to land the No. 1 pick one year after trading it away. In 2023, Chicago passed on drafting quarterback C.J. Stroud, who went on to become the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Can the Bears afford to not take a QB at No. 1, especially with USC’s Caleb Williams headlining a strong class?
If the Bears are dead set on drafting a QB, the asking price for the No. 1 pick will inevitably be higher than what they got from Carolina in 2023 (four picks and wide receiver DJ Moore). If another team is audacious enough to mortgage its future for the top pick, how far is Chicago willing to move back in the first round, and could that present a path for the franchise to still draft a QB on Day 1? — Courtney Cronin
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McAfee: ‘There’s a lot of smoke’ with Caleb Williams, Bears
Pat McAfee and A.J. Hawk discuss recent rumors regarding Caleb Williams and his team preferences ahead of the NFL draft.
Will the Lions extend Jared Goff’s contract?
Coming off one of the best seasons of his career, Goff will be a free agent in 2025. General manager Brad Holmes said during his end-of-season news conference that the team hasn’t started communicating about Goff’s future yet, but it’ll be interesting to see whether they lock him down as their guy for the short term or the long term based on his recent play.
He’s definitely deserving of an extension, though. Goff became the third quarterback in franchise history to record multiple playoff wins (as well as the team’s first playoff wins in more than three decades) in leading the Lions to an NFC Championship Game appearance. — Eric Woodyard
What to do with David Bakhtiari?
When healthy, Bakhtiari showed he’s still one of the league’s top left tackles. The problem, however, is his health: specifically, his left knee. This fall, he had his fifth surgery on the knee since he tore his ACL on Dec. 31, 2020, and he probably won’t be able to get back on the field until training camp at the earliest.
He’s also set to cost $40.57 million against the cap next season, according to Roster Management System, although none of it is guaranteed and the Packers would pick up $21.5 million in cap space if they moved on. Rasheed Walker was a serviceable replacement after Bakhtiari’s season ended after the 2023 opener, but it’s not a sure thing that he’s the long-term answer. “We are still at the very beginning stages of looking at how we are going to move forward with all of that,” Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said recently. — Rob Demovsky
What is the future at quarterback?
The Vikings have a two-front challenge at the game’s most important position. First, they need to find out whether they’ll be able to re-sign incumbent Kirk Cousins, whose contract automatically voids on March 13. If they can’t, they’ll likely have to find a veteran to serve as at least a short-term starter. And whether they bring back Cousins, they have to decide whether the time has come to identify and (try to) acquire a longer-term answer through the draft. Cousins will be 36 this summer. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
What will the Falcons do at quarterback?
One thing became obvious from coach Raheem Morris’ introductory news conference on Feb. 5: Atlanta is in the market for a quarterback, and perhaps a new quarterback room entirely. The Falcons haven’t had many big discussions yet about the position — Morris was working on filling out his staff and moving across the country — but he said they’ll explore free agency, trades and the draft to find an upgrade at QB. A signal-caller’s ability to process decisions will be a prime factor for the Falcons in deciding which direction to go. — Michael Rothstein
How will Dave Canales fix Bryce Young?
Young had a historically bad rookie season for quarterbacks taken with the top pick. His 11 touchdown passes were tied for the fewest of any quarterback with at least 500 pass attempts, and he had eight games without a touchdown pass, the second most ever for a No. 1 pick.
Canales, his new coach, has a track record of getting the best out of quarterbacks. Geno Smith (with Seattle) and Baker Mayfield (with Tampa Bay) had career years under his guidance. The Panthers need a lot of new players offensively, so the focus will be on what Canales does to give Young what he needs to succeed. — David Newton
Will the Saints trade cornerback Marshon Lattimore?
The team restructured Lattimore’s contract “for a reason,” according to general manager Mickey Loomis. While Loomis didn’t give details, the restructure paved the way for the Saints to potentially trade their star cornerback, who was hurt for a significant portion of the past two seasons. If Lattimore goes to a new team, it’ll represent a significant defensive shift for the Saints, as the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year has started 90 games in New Orleans. — Katherine Terrell
Will the Bucs re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans?
Despite Evans and his agent pressing the Bucs to get a new contract before the start of the 2023 regular season, no deal was offered. Evans tied for a league-leading 13 touchdowns in 2023, so the price likely went up. The Bucs most certainly want him back, and Evans wants to return, too — if the compensation is right. They also still need to have enough money to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and linebacker Lavonte David. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Will the Cardinals draft Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 pick?
The Cardinals need a top wide receiver who can instantly upgrade the offense alongside Kyler Murray. Since Arizona is set at quarterback, it won’t be in the conversation to trade up to get one and can stand pat at No. 4.
Should quarterbacks go in the top three picks, Arizona will likely find itself looking at the star Ohio State receiver at No. 4. The only reason Arizona wouldn’t be around at No. 4 to take him would be if general manager Monti Ossenfort trades down for what could be a haul of picks, both in this draft and in 2025. — Josh Weinfuss
How will the Rams build on their 2023 season?
The Rams surprised many people outside the building by making the 2023 playoffs, especially doing it in a year in which they took on a lot of dead money and didn’t have the financial flexibility they had in the past. Now, they have to decide how they want to build on that success.
They still have their three “weight-bearing walls” — quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and wide receiver Cooper Kupp — and added promising young talent as well. General manager Les Snead said he doesn’t anticipate making significant moves immediately in free agency, but that the Rams do have the flexibility to “take a look.” The Rams also — at least for now — have a first-round pick for the first time since 2016. — Sarah Barshop
What can the 49ers do to get over the hump and finally win the Super Bowl?
If this feels like a repeat of recent years, it’s because it is. But the clock is ticking on the Niners’ chances at winning the franchise’s sixth Lombardi Trophy with this core of players, especially because quarterback Brock Purdy will be eligible for an extension in 2025. They are unlikely to spend big money to make any big additions in free agency, but they’re going to have to explore every possible avenue to try to conquer the final boss: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. — Nick Wagoner
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1:21
Schefter to McAfee: Purdy’s contract ‘a huge advantage’ for 49ers
Adam Schefter explains how Brock Purdy’s rookie contract gives the 49ers flexibility for one more season before he is eligible to sign a long-term deal.
What will GM John Schneider and new coach Mike Macdonald do at quarterback?
The Seahawks have a new coach and a new top decision-maker, with Schneider now holding final say over personnel decisions in their post-Pete Carroll power structure. Could that mean a new quarterback in 2024? Geno Smith is set to make a reasonable $22.5 million next season and has been excellent in spurts, but he was up and down last season and no longer has Carroll — perhaps his biggest supporter in the organization — calling the shots. The hiring of former University of Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has led to speculation that the Seahawks could draft Michael Penix Jr., but if they do move on from Smith, don’t discount Drew Lock being in the mix to replace him. — Brady Henderson
Find the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications.
The Champions League knockout stage kicked off this week, with half of the remaining participants in action. Below, we dissect the biggest talking points from the first batch of last-16 matches.
Is anyone scared of Bayern?
Bayern Munich used to be juggernauts of every competition they entered. They bullied their rivals into selling them their best players, attracted some of the best coaches, and when they stumbled, they’d quickly rediscover their balance.
Not so this season. Every defeat – and there have been six of them thus far – has eaten away at Bayern’s confidence. A total blackout against third-tier opposition in the German Cup set off an existential crisis that threatens to leave them trophyless for the first time in 11 seasons. Tuesday’s ineffectual 1-0 capitulation to Lazio in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League matchup – in which they failed to register a single shot on target – followed a listless 3-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen that extended the gap at the top to five points. Who knows how much farther Bayern will drop?
It’s incredible how quickly a historically well-drilled club can lose its way. Bayern used to personify German footballing excellence. But in the years since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stepped down as CEO, there have been many messy boardroom-level breakups and public disagreements. Manager Thomas Tuchel also has a reputation for quarreling with upper management over transfers or the lack thereof. It doesn’t feel like the Bayern of old.
NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty
While Tuchel has legitimate excuses at his disposal – Bouna Sarr, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Konrad Laimer, and Alphonso Davies are all out injured – which manager hasn’t had to deal with a thinning squad this season? Every team fighting for trophies has lost a significant number of man games due to the increasingly grueling schedule. It’s not an issue that exclusively affects Bayern (more on that later).
No wonder opponents feel emboldened to attack and harry Bayern. Lazio overran their German counterparts in midfield on Wednesday, pressing them into unusual mistakes, including the silly challenge that resulted in a red card for defender Dayot Upamecano and the winning penalty for Lazio. Bayern hadn’t lost a first-leg last-16 fixture in 12 years, and no team on record has ever fired 17 shots or more without hitting the target in a Champions League match. These are damning statistics. They may only be a sign of things to come.
KDB’s return emphasizes Foden’s growth
The concerns that Kevin De Bruyne’s return to fitness would dilute Phil Foden’s effectiveness or even reduce his game time at Manchester City soon evaporated.
Since De Bruyne’s comeback after five months of overcoming a hamstring injury, Foden has been present for 96% of the Belgian’s 366 minutes on the pitch. During that time playing together, Foden has scored five goals and assisted twice – the equivalent of a goal contribution every 50 minutes. The 23-year-old’s record across all competitions before De Bruyne’s return was a goal contribution every 134 minutes.
De Bruyne has also strutted back into gear following his spell on the sidelines, registering two goals and six assists over three starts and four substitute appearances.
Justin Setterfield / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The way the pair is combining for Pep Guardiola’s side is ominous for the rest of Europe and was highlighted by the one-two that led to Foden’s late goal in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory at FC Copenhagen. Foden knew exactly where to go when he slipped a ball toward the byline for De Bruyne and was there to tap it home when the subsequent pass rolled to the edge of the six-yard box.
Foden is underlining his growth in this City side. His superb run of form started months before De Bruyne was back in contention as he demonstrated his increased maturity and composure and improved decision-making. He alleviates pressure by wriggling free of opponents before passing to a man in space. He doggedly wins back possession in advantageous positions. He’s working harder for his teammates while still somehow bringing his creativity and finishing to another level.
Foden seems to have heeded Guardiola’s warning from last October.
“I think Phil has a free instinct as a footballer,” Guardiola said at the time. “He’s not a player who thinks so much when he plays; he’s a bird – fly wherever you want. But there is a step he has to gain and some duties he must do for the team.”
Foden has quickly developed into a leader capable of carrying the team on his back. He wants the responsibility. And with De Bruyne back in the team, Foden wants to ensure his influence is undiminished while proving he’s the celebrated playmaker’s equal.
When will Madrid hit breaking point?
Nobody is going to have much sympathy for Real Madrid – we’re not exactly dealing with plucky underdogs here, after all – but the constant barrage of injuries Carlo Ancelotti’s team has been forced to withstand this season is, quite frankly, preposterous. And it shows no signs of ending.
With Jude Bellingham nursing a sprained ankle, Ancelotti turned to crafty operator Brahim Diaz in his stead. The little Spaniard made the most of his opportunity, scoring a sensational winner in Tuesday’s first-leg victory over RB Leipzig. He, too, then suffered an injury, pulling up in the closing minutes of the 1-0 triumph with a calf issue – because of course.
Madrid lost Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao to ACL tears before the season even started. David Alaba, almost inconceivably, sustained the same ailment in December. Antonio Rudiger is sidelined right now. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who’s also missed time this season, is playing in central defense – and doing a very admirable job.
Club captain Nacho, left-back Ferland Mendy, midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Guler, and superstar forward Vinicius Junior have all been in the treatment room for varying amounts of time this season.
Quality Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty
And none of it matters. Not yet, at least.
Real Madrid keep rolling along. They’re five points clear atop La Liga – and a massive 10 points up on eternal rivals Barcelona in third – and are perfect in the Champions League thus far. Their slim, if contentious, win in Leipzig was their seventh in as many matches in this season’s competition. Only fellow favorites Manchester City boast a similar mark.
How long can it last, though? At some point, even for a team as loaded as Madrid, the talent drain will be too much to overcome if injuries persist into the latter stages of the competition when the opponents become more esteemed and the margin for error disappears. Even in a tournament they own, the vaunted Real Madrid mystique can only carry them so far. There has to be a limit. Right?
Quick free-kicks
Lunin cashing in on rare opportunity
When Courtois was lost for the season, Andriy Lunin was hardly a consideration as a short-term replacement. Real Madrid moved quickly to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea, leaving Lunin, a mere spectator to his team’s success over the last few seasons, once again on the sidelines. But an injury to Kepa in November finally offered Lunin the chance he long deserved. He’s made the most of it, too, building on several star performances to cement his place in the lineup even with Kepa fit and available for selection again. The Ukrainian shot-stopper made two excellent saves in the final 20 minutes of Madrid’s win Tuesday in Germany to keep Leipzig’s pesky attackers at bay and tally his eighth clean sheet of the season. “It could have ended in a draw, let’s be honest,” Ancelotti said, according to Get Spanish Football News. “This was Lunin’s best game since I met him.”
Grealish can’t catch a break
Alex Livesey – Danehouse / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Guardiola arguably named Manchester City’s strongest lineup for the trip to Copenhagen. But above everyone else, Jack Grealish needed to prove he belonged in that XI. Guardiola said last week that the Englishman’s dip in form was the single reason for him playing around 20 Premier League minutes and starting just one match – an FA Cup visit from Huddersfield Town – in 2024. Jeremy Doku, a direct rival for Grealish’s position, has also excited onlookers since arriving from Rennes last summer. In a huge opportunity to rediscover his touch, Grealish was seeing plenty of the ball during the early exchanges in Denmark and completed all 20 of his passes. It was going well until a muscular injury ended his match in the 21st minute. Grealish will be hoping he’s not condemned to a lengthy layoff and has time to ensure this season isn’t wasted from a purely individual perspective.
Don’t write off Real Sociedad
Imanol Alguacil played a dangerous game in remaining committed to Real Sociedad’s aggressive press and high defensive line against Paris Saint-Germain and their pacey attack – but it was working. Before the interval, PSG completed 65% of their passes in La Real’s half and 83% across the whole pitch – the lowest halftime percentages of the Luis Enrique era – and Mikel Merino struck the crossbar in the 44th minute. The Basque side was dangerous. Eventually, the apparition of Hamari Traore decided the game. Traore was off the pitch recuperating from a knock when Kylian Mbappe scored at the back post – the area that the Malian would’ve surely occupied for PSG’s corner – and did his best hologram impression when Bradley Barcola ran through to score. A similarly strong start from Real Sociedad’s attack in the second leg, paired with uncompromising defending and buoyed by a raucous Anoeta home crowd, could quickly get Alguacil’s side back in this tie. PSG don’t tend to make their lives easy in this competition.
Stakes are higher this season
With the Champions League ditching its longstanding format and becoming a 36-team competition next season, two European leagues will each be allocated an extra berth in the 2024-25 tournament, getting five places instead of the usual four. A coefficient score will determine which two leagues get the additional spots, making results in the knockout stages of the Champions League, along with the Europa and Conference Leagues, more vital than ever. If the tournaments ended today, Italy’s Serie A (14.285) and England’s Premier League (13.875) would be the big winners based on the average coefficient of their European representatives, according to a thorough breakdown of the points system from Dale Johnson of ESPN. The Bundesliga and La Liga are very much still in the mix, though. Allegiances will be tested in the coming months. Are you willing to put your tribalism aside and cheer for a hated rival if their continental success could possibly give your team a better chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League?
Stat of the week
Good luck stopping Manchester City from retaining their title.
7 – Manchester City are the first team in UEFA Champions League history to score 3+ goals in seven consecutive matches. Holders. pic.twitter.com/yGI9QVHnWm
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2024
Tweet of the week
You can take the players out of Tottenham, but you can’t take Tottenham out of the players, apparently.
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Pep Guardiola hailed Kevin De Bruyne’s “extraordinary” form after the Belgian was involved in all three goals as Manchester City beat FC Copenhagen 3-1 on Tuesday to close in on the Champions League quarter-finals.
De Bruyne’s early opener was cancelled out against the run of play by Magnus Mattsson.
Bernardo Silva restored City’s lead before half-time, but they had to wait until stoppage time to add further punishment for the hosts when Phil Foden turned home De Bruyne’s cut-back.
De Bruyne was sidelined for five months by a hamstring tear suffered on the opening night of the Premier League season in August.
But since his return last month, the 32-year-old has scored two goals and provided seven assists in seven appearances.
“Extraordinary,” said Guardiola of De Bruyne’s statistics. “The biggest players love to appear in the biggest stages.
“It’s the hour of truth when you are in the last 16 of the Champions League and we start well.”
The English champions have now won 11 consecutive games in all competitions as they remain on course to repeat last season’s treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
Copenhagen had not played a competitive game for two months since sealing their place in the last 16 by dumping out Manchester United and Galatasaray in the group stages.
“They had a great group stage so we had to respect them,” said De Bruyne. “We started really well but I think we made one mistake and they pounced on it.
“We played a really good game. In the second half we created a lot of chances, could have scored more and luckily in the end we scored the third one, so it is a little bit of an advantage now.”
Grealish injury blow
That lack of match sharpness from the Danish champions showed in the early stages as City stormed out of the blocks.
De Bruyne headed a glorious chance wide and Kamil Grabara denied Ruben Dias with a fine save inside six minutes.
The former Liverpool goalkeeper had no chance when De Bruyne broke the deadlock on 10 minutes with a clinical low finish from Foden’s pass.
Jack Grealish had been surprisingly handed just his second start of the year by Guardiola, but the England international lasted just 15 minutes before he pulled up with a suspected groin injury.
City had enjoyed nearly 80 percent possession and barely let Copenhagen inside their half for the first 35 minutes, yet were made to pay for one moment of sloppiness.
Ederson’s poor clearance was straight into the path of Mohamed Elyounoussi and his blocked shot fell to Mattson to mark his debut with a stunning strike from outside the box.
City regained their composure and the lead before half-time.
Mattson was unfortunate as his attempted clearance ricocheted off De Bruyne and perfectly into the path of Silva to flick beyond Grabara.
The Copenhagen goalkeeper kept his side in the tie in the early stages of the second period with spectacular stops to deny De Bruyne and Doku.
Grabara then twice won a head-to-head battle with Haaland in stoppage time.
City were keen to build up a comfortable advantage with the second leg falling between crucial Premier League games against Manchester United and Liverpool next month.
And they finally got the third goal that should kill off the tie when the in-form Foden slammed home his 15th goal of the season as City extended their unbeaten run in European competitions to 21 games.
