Happy Friday! The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals wrapped up dramatically on Wednesday, and even though the competition is on hold, there`s still plenty of excitement as teams chase trophies in the final weeks of the European season. This is your weekend update.
📺 Footy fix
Friday, April 18
🏴 Championship: Oxford vs. Leeds
🇺🇸 NWSL: Seattle Reign vs. Portland Thorns
Saturday, April 19
🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Heidenheim vs. Bayern
🏴 EPL: Everton vs. Manchester City
🇪🇸 La Liga: Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo
🇺🇸 NWSL: Racing Louisville vs. San Diego Wave
🇺🇸 MLS: Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami
Sunday, April 20
🏴 EPL: Fulham vs. Chelsea
🇪🇺 UWCL: Barcelona vs. Chelsea
🇮🇹 Serie A: Bologna vs. Inter
🇪🇸 La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club
⚽ The Forward Line
🇪🇺 And then there were four
The UEFA Champions League semifinals are set: Arsenal defeated reigning champions Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate, and Inter advanced to the final four with a 4-3 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich.
Arsenal`s impressive victory started with a setback when Thibaut Courtois saved Bukayo Saka`s penalty. A lengthy VAR check in the first half overturned a Real Madrid penalty, and Arsenal held on before scoring late goals. Saka compensated for his missed penalty by scoring the opening goal in the 66th minute. Vinicius Junior responded a minute later for Real Madrid, but it wasn`t enough as they needed three more goals to tie the aggregate score. Gabriel Martinelli`s goal in added time secured Arsenal`s place in the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2009. James Benge notes that the win validates manager Mikel Arteta`s focus on team play over Real Madrid`s individual stars.
- Benge: `This was a triumph of system over individual power. For five years, Mikel Arteta has built a team that defends collectively and enjoys it. The idea of a comeback didn`t faze them. They had a plan to beat Madrid and executed it. Arsenal comfortably dropped into a 4-4-2 formation, conceding the flanks but trusting Jurrien Timber and [Myles] Lewis-Skelly in one-on-one situations. When Madrid lost possession, Gabriel Martinelli was ready to counter.`
Inter`s match against Bayern was close, but the Italian team secured their second semifinal appearance in three years, reaffirming their potential to win the competition. Francesco Porzio writes that Inter`s continued European success under Simone Inzaghi since 2021 highlights his positive impact on the team, similar to Arteta`s influence at Arsenal.
- Porzio: `Despite financial issues that led Inter to sell players like Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi, they quickly showed a different character in Europe. … Inzaghi has won one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia, and three Supercoppa Italiana in three years at Inter, but winning the Champions League would be his ultimate achievement.`
In the Champions League semifinals, Arsenal will play Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter will face Barcelona. The Europa League semifinals feature Tottenham Hotspur against Bodo/Glimt and Athletic Club against Manchester United. In the Conference League semifinals, Chelsea will play Djurgarden, and Real Betis will face Fiorentina.
🔗 Midfield Link Play
🏆 Title chase continues across Europe
With a few weeks left in the European season, several title races are nearing their conclusion, especially for Champions League semifinalists Barcelona, Inter, and Paris Saint-Germain, who are still in contention for a treble.
PSG has already secured the French league title, becoming the first team in Europe`s top five leagues to win their domestic title this month. Liverpool could potentially join them as early as Sunday. The Reds have a 13-point lead over Arsenal with six games remaining, making their title win seem inevitable. Liverpool could clinch the title this weekend if Arsenal loses to relegation-threatened Ipswich Town and Liverpool defeats Leicester City.
In Spain and Germany, Barcelona and Bayern Munich can solidify their chances of winning their respective domestic titles. Barcelona leads Real Madrid by four points and is expected to maintain this lead when they play Celta Vigo on Saturday. Bayern Munich, with a six-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen, is likely to win against Heidenheim. While neither team will secure the title this weekend, they are in a strong position and need to perform well to fend off any challengers.
Italy`s title race remains the most competitive in Europe with six games left. Inter Milan has a narrow three-point lead over Napoli. This weekend is crucial as Napoli is expected to win against Monza, while Inter faces a tough match against fifth-place Bologna. Inter`s schedule is packed, playing Bologna between their Champions League draw against Bayern Munich and their Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against AC Milan, with the aggregate score at 1-1. Manager Simone Inzaghi faces significant team selection decisions as Inter aims for a treble.
🔗 Top Stories
🇬🇦 RIP Aaron Boupendza: Former FC Cincinnati player Aaron Boupendza passed away at 28 after falling from a building in China.
🇪🇺 UCL rewind: Power rankings for the Champions League semifinal teams and potential finals.
🔮 Real Madrid`s future: Carlo Ancelotti`s future at Real Madrid uncertain, and their loss to Arsenal highlights the need for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
💬 Beckham on Arsenal: David Beckham praised Arsenal`s Champions League victory over Real Madrid but won`t support them against PSG.
🔴 Van Dijk stays: Virgil van Dijk signed a new contract with Liverpool, following Mohamed Salah.
🏴 Championship preview: Weekend preview of the Championship promotion race.
🏆 Open Cup draw: U.S. Open Cup round of 32 highlights Sacramento Republic vs. San Jose Earthquakes.
💰 The Back Line
💵 Best bets
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Premier League: Everton vs. Manchester City, Saturday
💰 THE PICK: Everton and Manchester City to tie 1-1 (+600) – England may get an extra Champions League spot next season, making the top five race competitive. Manchester City, currently fifth, hasn`t secured their spot yet, and without Erling Haaland, a tough game at Everton is expected. A 1-1 draw is a likely outcome. -
Premier League: Fulham vs. Chelsea, Sunday
💰 THE PICK: Fulham and Chelsea to tie 1-1 (+550) – If City drops points, Chelsea can move into the top five. However, Chelsea has been inconsistent, winning only five of their last 15 league games. Fulham is competitive and can challenge Chelsea, making a draw plausible and keeping the top five race open.
For more betting tips and news, visit CBSSports.com`s betting section.
📺 What`s on CBS Sports Golazo Network
☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays): Start your day with soccer highlights, interviews, and storylines on Golazo Network`s flagship morning show, also available as a podcast.
3️⃣ Attacking Third (Tuesday, Thursday): Women`s soccer podcast and social brand now live. NWSL season coverage, USWNT, and European leagues analysis. Live streams on YouTube Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a Sunday NWSL wrap-up.
⚽ Call it What You Want (Monday and Thursday): Weekly podcast covering USMNT and US soccer with Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola. Live streams on YouTube Mondays and Thursdays.
🥅 Scoreline (Daily): Daily updates on global football news, results, match highlights, and top goals.
📺 How to watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network is a free 24/7 channel for top soccer competitions. Stream free on CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and Paramount+.
Adrian Whitmore