After massive Champions League clash, Barcelona and Inter return to domestic title chases in La Liga, Serie A

Sports news » After massive Champions League clash, Barcelona and Inter return to domestic title chases in La Liga, Serie A

Football News Sports News

by Gareth Dunlop

5 months ago 48

Preview After massive Champions League clash, Barcelona and Inter return to domestic title chases in La Liga, Serie A

Welcome! This weekend promises exciting football action across Spain, Italy, and England, with domestic title races in full swing and a dramatic conclusion to the Championship season.

Page Contents

Upcoming Matches (All times U.S./Eastern)

Friday, May 2
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 EPL: Manchester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 3 p.m. – Peacock
🇺🇸 NWSL: Seattle Reign vs. Washington Spirit, 10:30 p.m. – Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network

Saturday, May 3
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Championship: Burnley vs. Millwall, 7:30 a.m. – Paramount+
🇩🇪 Bundesliga: RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich, 9:30 a.m. – ESPN+
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁮󠁧󠁿 EPL: Arsenal vs. Bournemouth, 12:30 p.m. – NBC
🇮🇹 Serie A: Inter vs. Verona, 2:45 p.m. – Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
🇺🇸 MLS: Atlanta United vs. Nashville, 2:45 p.m. – Fox
🇪🇸 La Liga: Real Valladolid vs. Barcelona, 3 p.m. – ESPN+

Sunday, May 4
🇪🇸 La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo, 8 a.m. – ESPN+
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 EPL: Chelsea vs. Liverpool, 11:30 a.m. – Peacock
🇺🇸 NWSL: NJ/NY Gotham vs. Chicago Stars, 1 p.m. – CBS, Paramount+

The Forward Line

Barcelona, Inter Milan Resume League Play

Barcelona vs Inter Milan Champions League thumbnail — Getty Images

Following a memorable 3-3 draw in their Champions League semifinal, Barcelona and Inter Milan return their focus to domestic league pursuits. Both teams aim to advance their title challenges while simultaneously preparing for the crucial second leg next week.

Barcelona holds a four-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga and faces last-place Real Valladolid on Saturday. This fixture is likely an opportunity for manager Hansi Flick to rotate his squad, especially given their demanding schedule of 12 matches in 38 days. Young star Lamine Yamal, who impressed in his 100th club appearance and drew effusive praise from Thierry Henry, might be among those rested.

`What I witnessed tonight from Lamine Yamal … it`s not normal to be like that at 17. I`m not talking about what he does when he`s on the ball, his awareness, how calm he is, how he sees the game, the way he will defend, put pressure. It`s just not normal. We talked about the 100 games that he already has at that age. It`s just stupid, really. I don`t even know what I`m watching, what I`m witnessing, but he played like a man possessed, and when I say `a man,` he`s not even a man yet, technically. It`s just not normal.`
– Thierry Henry

For Inter Milan, the draw in Barcelona ended a three-game losing streak without scoring, potentially boosting their Serie A title hopes. They trail Napoli by three points and can maintain pace with a win against 15th-place Verona. This match could highlight Inter`s attacking strength, which Francesco Porzio noted was evident against Barcelona`s high defensive line when exposed. Porzio suggests Inter must capitalize on scoring chances in the home second leg, despite the likely absence of injured captain Lautaro Martinez, placing pressure on forwards Mehdi Taremi and Marko Arnautovic.

`Inter`s attacking transitions, when they were able to make it happen thanks to the incredible work of their midfielders Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, created many problems for the high defensive line of Flick`s team, who were not able to contain them when they were too exposed. Inter will have other chances to score in their home second leg, and they can`t miss them, even if it`s likely that Inter captain Lautaro Martinez won`t make it as he left the pitch injured on Wednesday. It`s a difficult task for strikers Mehdi Taremi and Marko Arnautovic, who will have to cope with the absence of probably the best Inter player.`
– Francesco Porzio

Neither title race is expected to be decided this weekend, with margins still tight: four games remain in Spain and three in Italy.

What We`re Watching

Midfield Link Play

English Championship`s Dramatic Final Weekend

The English Championship concludes dramatically on Saturday, living up to its reputation for intense promotion and relegation battles on the final day.

Leeds United and Burnley have secured automatic promotion to the Premier League. However, the teams finishing third to sixth will compete in the promotion playoffs. Sheffield United and Sunderland are confirmed for the playoffs, leaving five teams—Bristol City, Coventry City, Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, and Middlesbrough—vying for the remaining two spots. Bristol City and Coventry City currently hold these places, but for most contenders, it`s a `win or miss out` situation.

`it is win or bust for Michael Carrick`s Middlesbrough. It`s not much less than that for Frank Lampard`s Coventry either, who would have to assume that they will get leapfrogged by at least one of Millwall and Blackburn if they only pick up a point. Blackburn may be hoping their final game is an early warmup for a three vs. six playoff clash with Sheffield United while Millwall have a lot of work to do despite how close they are to the top six. A point at Burnley would be tough enough but even then they`d be reliant on Middlesbrough beating Coventry, Blackburn losing at Bramall Lane and Bristol City losing by a five goal margin against Preston. Alex Neil`s side have to win.`
– James Benge

At the other end of the table, seven teams aim to avoid relegation to League One. Cardiff City are already relegated, while Hull City and Plymouth Argyle are currently in the bottom three. The margins are incredibly narrow, with several key matches impacting the final standings.

`A point at Fratton Park might offer hope for Hull given their superior goal difference but whatever their result, their fate is not in their hands. That is because Luton Town have really turned it round in their final three games, winning all of them to mean that they can go to managerless West Brom believing in the great escape. Might relegation be decided at Pride Park? Stoke would be safe with a point and would also offer a handy cushion to Derby, who could then only go down if all three of Luton, Preston and Hull win. Then again, on the final day of the Championship, those fighting for their lives tend to pull off quite special performances.`
– James Benge

The Back Line

Best Bets

Premier League: Manchester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, Friday, 3 p.m.
💰 Pick: Omar Marmoush to score (+115). Manchester City needs points for a Champions League spot, facing 13th-place Wolves. With Erling Haaland sidelined, Omar Marmoush is key. The Egypt international has scored seven goals and looks to make an impact for his team and himself.

Premiering Tuesday

Promotional image for Tuesday content — Paramount+

What`s on CBS Sports Golazo Network

☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m.): Daily morning show covering highlights, interviews, and major soccer storylines.
3️⃣ Attacking Third (Tuesday, Thursday): Live studio show and podcast covering USWNT, NWSL, and European women`s leagues. Streams Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. ET on YouTube.
⚽ Call it What You Want (Monday and Thursday): Weekly podcast with Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola discussing the USMNT and soccer in the U.S. Streams Mondays at 1 p.m. ET and Thursdays at 6 p.m. ET on YouTube.
🥅 Scoreline (Daily): Daily update on global football news, results, and highlights.
📺 How to watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network is a free 24/7 channel for soccer coverage. Available on the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and Paramount+.