5 Things We Learned From The Past Week’s Action

January is the month where the pretenders are ruthlessly separated from the contenders, and 2026 is proving no different. Between the tactical intensity of the Supercopa de España in Saudi Arabia and the high-stakes drama of the AFCON Quarter-finals, the past seven days have served as a brutal stress test for the world’s elite. From structural breakdowns in Madrid to the terrifying efficiency of a resurgent Nigeria, here are 5 things we learned from the past week’s action

1. Real Madrid’s Build-Up Fragility is a Fatal Flaw

After another final loss yesterday, Real Madrid’s pursuit of silverware this season is being undermined by a structural defect that top-tier managers have finally decoded. During the match, Madrid’s inability to build play effectively from the back was painfully evident. Without a rhythmic conductor in the middle of the pitch, Xabi Alonso’s side often looks disconnected; the defense is unable to find the midfield, and the star-studded attack is left starved of service. In high-pressure “big games,” opponents have found that a coordinated high press effectively neutralizes Madrid’s transition, turning their possession into a series of aimless sideways passes. Until this build-up crisis is solved, their dominance remains fragile.

2. The Super Eagles Are The Most Dominant Team at AFCON

While other pre-tournament favorites have been great, Nigeria has emerged from the Quarter-finals loking like the most complete team in Africa. The Super Eagles are playing with a blend of physical arrogance and tactical precision that has left opponents shell-shocked. Central to this is the continued brilliance of Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Victor Osimehn, who have transformed into the tournament’s ultimate “clutch” players. Nigeria isn’t just winning matches; they are dictating them from the first whistle, showcasing a level of squad depth and defensive solidity that suggests the trophy is theirs to lose.

3. Arne Slot(And Liverpool) Should Come To A Compromise With Mo Salah

As Mohamed Salah continues to produce masterclasses for Egypt at AFCON, the narrative back at Anfield should be shifting from post-Salah transition to emergency reconciliation, even if for just this season. Salah’s performances in the competition have been a great reminder of his quality, highlighting a clinical edge and creative vision that Liverpool tend to have lacked in recent weeks. For Arne Slot, the message is clear: personal friction must be set aside for the good of the club. Salah’s AFCON form proves he is still arguably one of the most effective attacker in world football, and a compromise would be of benefit to both sides, especially as Liverpool look to stay in the Champions League places.

4. Endrick Has Found A New Home At Lyon(Even If Temporary)

The decision to send Endrick on loan to Lyon already looks like a masterstroke of career management. After months of being a peripheral figure in Madrid’s crowded attacking rotation, the young Brazilian has looked like a man reborn in Ligue 1. In his first full outing this week, Endrick demonstrated exactly why he is considered a generational talent, providing a level of directness and physical power that Lyon’s attack had been sorely missing, scoring a goal(a match winner in the french cup), completing the most dribbles and winning man of the match. This temporary home will provide the game time and tactical freedom Endrick needs to refine his raw edges, ensuring he returns to the Bernabéu as a battle-hardened starter rather than a luxury substitute.

5. Raphinha is the Heartbeat of Hansi Flick’s “Big Game” Barca

If there was any lingering doubt about Raphinha’s importance to the modern Barcelona, his two goals in the Supercopa de España final yesterday emphatically erased it. The Brazilian has officially transcended his role as a winger to become the team’s emotional and tactical leader in high-stakes fixtures. Raphinha’s big game specialist tag is well-earned; his relentless pressing and ability to find decisive goals when the game is at its most frantic have become Barcelona’s greatest asset. Under Hansi Flick, Barca has become a side that thrives on intensity, and no player embodies that shift more than Raphinha. When he is on the pitch, Barcelona doesn’t just play better, they play with a conviction that makes them favorites in any knockout scenario.

As the dust settles on the Supercopa and the AFCON field narrows to the final four, the narratives for the business end of the season have been firmly established. Whether it is Real Madrid’s vulnerability in transition or Raphinha’s emergence as the heartbeat of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, the tactical shifts are impossible to ignore. For managers like Arne Slot, Salah’s brilliance in an Egypt shirt makes a pragmatic compromise at Liverpool a matter of urgency. We return to domestic action with a clearer understanding of the new hierarchy, where only those with structural steel will survive the winter.