FootballBias looks at the 5 Things We Learned From This Past Week’s Fixtures.
The week’s action across Europe’s major leagues has provided a definitive shift in the narrative of the 2025/26 season, proving that late-season momentum is often forged in the most high-pressure environments. From historic doubles in the Premier League to dominant displays in Ligue 1 and Serie A, the hierarchies of European football are being tested by a combination of tactical ingenuity and sheer psychological willpower. While some teams have managed to solidify their status as champions-elect, others find themselves grappling with internal crises or the volatile nature of revenge fixtures that define the beautiful game.
1. Manchester City aren’t giving up
The title race in England took a dramatic and historic turn this past Sunday as Manchester City proved that their resolve remains unshaken despite trailing in the standings. By securing a 2-1 comeback victory at Anfield, Pep Guardiola’s side managed to pull off a feat that has eluded the club for nearly a century. This victory allowed City to complete their first league double over Liverpool since the 1936/37 season, a statistical milestone that underscores the magnitude of the result. It was a performance that combined tactical patience with a ruthless heist mentality. City trailed until the 84th minute, looking increasingly likely to drop points in a stadium where they have historically struggled. However, the closing stages saw a sudden and decisive shift, as Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland scored twice in quick succession to snatch all three points away from the hosts.
This result is far more than just a historical footnote; it is a vital lifeline in one of the most storied title races in recent memory. The victory ensures that Manchester City remains within six points of league leaders Arsenal, maintaining a high-pressure environment for the Gunners with only 13 games left to play. Winning at Anfield is a rare accomplishment for the Citizens, who had previously been beaten in all but two of their last 22 Premier League home matches against Liverpool. By breaking that streak in such a high-stakes moment, Guardiola’s men have sent a clear message to the rest of the league: they will not go down without a fight.
2. PSG will win Ligue 1
In France, the debate over the Ligue 1 title seems to have reached a definitive conclusion following a masterclass performance by Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique. PSG delivered a brutal and definitive 5-0 drubbing of their historic rivals, Marseille, at the Parc des Princes. This result did more than just secure three points; it effectively silenced Marseille’s ambitions as the biggest domestic challengers to the Parisian throne and sent a very clear message to Lens. At the heart of this destruction was Ousmane Dembélé, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, who produced a performance that justified his status as the best player in the world. Dembélé fueled the rout with two goals and an assist, bringing his career-high total of goal involvements against Marseille to nine.
The psychological impact of this victory cannot be overstated. By dismantling Marseille with such ease, Luis Enrique’s side was able to reclaim the top spot from Lens and restore a two-point cushion at the summit of the table. PSG has now won seven straight league matches, showing a level of consistency that has made the rest of the league look like mere spectators. Crucially, this 5-0 victory also allowed the team to avenge an earlier 1-0 defeat at the Vélodrome, settling any doubts about their dominance in the French top flight. As the season heads into the spring, the momentum is entirely in favor of Paris, leaving their rivals with little hope of a late-season upset.
3. Inter are slowly tightening their grip on Serie A
The story in Serie A is one of methodical and overwhelming dominance as Inter Milan continues to tighten its grip on the Scudetto. Following a ruthless 5-0 away victory over Sassuolo, the Nerazzurri have opened up a commanding eight-point lead over their city rivals, AC Milan, in the standings. This surge is underpinned by a level of consistency that neither Milan, Napoli or Juventus has been able to match this season. Inter has now extended their unbeaten league run to twelve matches, a feat that showcases the stability and discipline instilled by their coaching staff. Statistically, they are the most complete side in Italy, boasting the league’s stingiest defense with only 19 goals conceded and an attack that has already produced a staggering 57 goals across just 24 matches.
What makes Inter’s current run even more impressive is the depth they have demonstrated when faced with adversity. In the match against Sassuolo, the team was forced to cope without key midfield starters like Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu. Rather than faltering, the squad rose to the occasion, with five different players finding the back of the net. This ability to rotate personnel without losing competitive edge suggests that Inter’s squad is not just talented, but championship-ready. With an eight-point cushion and no signs of slowing down, the title race in Italy is increasingly beginning to look like a procession for the black and blue half of Milan.
4. Eddie Howe’s tenure at Newcastle…???
While some clubs are celebrating dominance, Newcastle United is facing a period of intense scrutiny that has left the future of Eddie Howe’s tenure in doubt. A 3-2 home defeat to Brentford this past Saturday marked the club’s third consecutive Premier League loss, plunging them into what local media are describing as a firm crisis. The decline has been sharp and unexpected for a project that had seen steady progress over the last four years. Newcastle currently finds itself in a precarious middle ground, sitting as close to the relegation zone as they do to Champions League qualification. This stagnation has burst the bubble of optimism that had surrounded St. James’ Park, forcing the board to reconsider the current trajectory of the team.
The pressure on Howe is mounting as the team struggles to find any semblance of form away from home. Following their exit from the League Cup and a stuttering run in the league, internal discussions regarding the manager’s position have reportedly begun, despite the board’s public stance of support. Howe has frequently pointed to a lack of rotation options and a debilitating list of injuries as the primary causes for the team’s inconsistency. He has noted that there is no “magic wand” to fix a squad where many of the expensive summer signings have yet to produce the expected impact. As the losses pile up, the question is no longer just about results, but whether Howe can find a way to reinvent a squad that appears to have hit a ceiling.
5. Football is a game of revenge and getting your lick back
The volatility of football was perfectly encapsulated this week by the two-legged saga between Atletico Madrid and Real Betis. The concept of immediate revenge, was on full display as the two sides met twice in a matter of days. On February 5, Atletico Madrid appeared to have completely broken Manuel Pellegrini’s side, delivering a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Betis in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Atleti looked untouchable, controlling every facet of the game and seemingly asserting their dominance over the Andalusian club. However, football rarely follows a linear path, and the rematch in La Liga just three days later provided a starkly different outcome.
Betis managed to regroup and secure a 1-0 victory at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, proving that tactical resilience can overcome a recent humiliation. Pellegrini’s side managed to stifle an Atleti attack that had just put five past them, showing that cup dominance does not always translate to league consistency. For Atletico, the loss was compounded by the absence of young midfield star Pablo Barrios. Barrios had suffered a thigh injury during the initial 5-0 cup win, and his absence in the league fixture left a hole in the midfield that Betis was able to exploit. This quick turnaround served as a reminder that in football, no victory is permanent, and every defeat is an opportunity for a swift and decisive response.
The results from this week serve as a microcosm of the modern game: a blend of historic weight, individual brilliance, and the relentless pressure of expectation. Whether it is Manchester City’s refusal to let the title slip, PSG’s definitive crushing of their rivals, or the revenge achieved by Real Betis, the narratives of the season are becoming increasingly complex. As we move closer to the final stretch, the margin for error has all but disappeared, leaving only the most resilient and prepared teams to fight for the game’s ultimate prizes.
