5 Things We Learned From The Past Week of Football

The past week has been a whirlwind of top-tier football. Midweek saw drama and upsets in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, confirming that even the best strikers in the world can have an off night and that no club is safe from a tough result. This excitement carried straight into the weekend with massive league fixtures, including a fiery El Clásico and a huge title race clash in Italy.

1. The El Clásico rivalry is back and better than it has been in a while.

The great Spanish rivalry, the El Clásico, has emphatically returned to the fiery, high-stakes intensity that defined the Messi-Ronaldo era. Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona not only snapped a difficult four-game losing streak, but it was the dramatic post-match confrontation that confirmed the rivalry’s elevated status. This chaos was sparked by comments from young superstar Lamine Yamal, who had referred to Madrid as “moaners and robbers” before the match. The angry reaction from veterans like Dani Carvajal and the quick involvement of Vinícius Jr. showed that the competition has become deeply personal once again. The showdown between the new generation, led by Kylian Mbappé for Madrid and Yamal for Barcelona, has successfully reignited the deepest passions of both clubs. The tension and pure spite required to trigger such a mass scuffle confirms that the emotional stakes are as high as they have ever been, ensuring the next Clásico is now even more eagerly anticipated.

2.Haaland, Kane, and Mbappé are actually human afterall

In a remarkable week of synchronized failure to score, the three most dominant strikers in the world proved they are human after all. Prior to this, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé were all on staggering, continuous goal-scoring streaks for both club and country, making their consistency seem alien. All three streaks came to an end almost simultaneously: Mbappé’s run ended against Juventus in the Champions League, Kane’s streak finished against Gladbach in the Bundesliga, and Haaland’s magnificent run was finally halted against Aston Villa in the Premier League. To see all three fail to score in quick succession highlighted a rare, temporary dip in their clinical edge. However, Mbappé immediately demonstrated his extraordinary drive by recovering to score in the massive Clásico fixture, proving that their relentless pursuit of goals will not be stopped for long and we can be sure that the other two will be itching to get on the pitch and start their new streaks as well.

3.This season will be Arsenal’s best ever chance to win the league since 22/23

Arsenal’s domestic dominance is built on a foundation of absolute defensive solidity, marking a significant change in their title credentials this season. Their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace not only kept them four points clear at the top of the league but also delivered their tenth clean sheet in just thirteen matches across all competitions. This rate of defensive mastery is historically significant, equaling the fastest number of games to reach ten clean sheets in English top-flight history. This impenetrable defence is the key factor making this season their best chance to lift the Premier League trophy. The fact that their main title rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, both dropped crucial points and look shaky only amplifies this opportunity, creating an invaluable mental and points buffer for Mikel Arteta’s side.

4. Napoli could win Serie A again.

The reigning Italian champions, Napoli, delivered a huge statement in the Serie A title race this weekend. Their emphatic 3-1 victory over title rivals Inter Milan proved they remain the dominant force and are in a prime position to repeat their Scudetto success. The win was a massive confidence boost, allowing them to leapfrog Inter and establish themselves back at the top of the table. The context of their rivals struggling further strengthens their position: AC Milan dropped points with a draw against Pisa, and Juventus are seriously struggling for consistency in the early phase of the season. If Antonio Conte can motivate his team to maintain focus and consistency against the rest of the league, this comprehensive victory over Inter provides tangible evidence that they have the firepower and tactical edge to hold off any sustained challenge.

5.Ronaldo might actually score 1,000 goals.

The quest for the impossible in football is now firmly within reach. Cristiano Ronaldo, at the extraordinary age of 40, moved closer than anyone to a mythical milestone. His latest goal for Al-Nassr pushed his career total to 950 goals, leaving him just fifty goals shy of the unprecedented target of 1,000. Framing this goal mathematically shows just how close he is: he is 95% done with the monumental task, with only 5% remaining. Fifty goals is a realistic target over the next year and a half, given his current scoring rate in the Saudi Pro League and his commitment to the Portuguese national team, which includes an upcoming World Cup. His public statements confirm his relentless ambition to reach the mark.