FootballBias looks at the 5 Things We Learned From This Past Week’s Fixtures.
The mid-winter stretch of the 2025/26 football season has reached a fever pitch, revealing a landscape defined by the return of superstars, the puzzling volatility of elite squads, and the evergreen brilliance of the game’s elder statesmen. Across Europe’s top tiers, the narratives are no longer just about survival; they are about the fine margins that separate a trophy-laden campaign from one defined by missed opportunities. This past week provided a series of definitive statements, from a tactical revolution in Madrid to a wake-up call in Paris, that have reshaped our understanding of the title races in Spain, Italy, France, and England. As the business end of the season approaches, the following five takeaways provide the essential context for a week that felt like a turning point for several of the continent’s most storied institutions.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Return Could Be Season-Defining For Madrid
The balance of power in La Liga shifted significantly this week, and the catalyst was a player making his long-awaited return to the starting lineup. Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad was a comprehensive display of attacking intent, but the headlines were rightfully stolen by Trent Alexander-Arnold. In what was his first start since a debilitating injury layoff in December, the English international required only five minutes to remind the Bernabéu of his world-class vision. Delivering a signature, pinpoint curling pass to set up Gonzalo García’s opening goal, Alexander-Arnold also registered multiple progressive passes that cut through the Sociedad midfield with ease. His presence on the pitch didn’t just add quality; it fundamentally altered how Madrid operates.
Under the management of Álvaro Arbeloa, Madrid has begun a tactical evolution that hinges on Alexander-Arnold’s unique skill set. Rather than acting as a traditional overlapping full-back, his return allows the team to transition into a system where he operates in a more inverted, creative role. From these central areas, he is able to dictate the tempo of the game and act as a secondary playmaker, a shift that has proven difficult for domestic opponents to track. This victory, fueled by such high-level creativity, propelled Real Madrid back to the summit of La Liga with 60 points, moving them two points clear of their rivals, Barcelona. Perhaps most importantly, his reintegration comes at a vital juncture as the club prepares for the Champions League knockout stages, providing a much-needed boost while other key figures like Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo remain sidelined.
2. Atletico Madrid are Inconsistent
While one half of Madrid celebrated a return to form, the other half was left grappling with a familiar and frustrating lack of stability. Atletico Madrid’s week was a classic “Jekyll and Hyde” scenario that has come to define their 2026 campaign. Just days after a staggering and dominant 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, a result that suggested Diego Simeone’s men were ready to sweep all before them, the team suffered a total collapse. Facing a relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano in league play, Atletico looked like a completely different side, eventually falling to a demoralizing 3-0 defeat.
The primary culprit for this lack of cohesion appeared to be the manager’s own selection choices. Simeone opted to make nine changes to the starting lineup that had so convincingly beaten Barcelona, a rotation risk that proved fatal. The reshuffled squad lacked any tactical understanding, failing to register a single goal against a resilient Rayo defense that grew in confidence as the match progressed. This erratic form has had immediate consequences in the standings, as Atleti have now dropped out of La Liga’s top three. This pattern of regression is becoming a systemic issue; it mirrors an earlier stretch where the club crushed Real Betis 5-0 in a cup tie, only to lose 1-0 to the same opponent in the league shortly thereafter. Until Simeone can find a way to maintain intensity across different competitions and lineups, their status as genuine title contenders remains in significant doubt.
3. Luka Modric is Eternal
In Italy, the narrative of the week centered on a man who continues to defy the biological constraints of professional football. Luka Modric, now 40 years old, proved once again why he is considered one of the most remarkable players of his generation. In a tense encounter between AC Milan and Pisa, it was the veteran Croatian who emerged as the savior. With the match deadlocked and heading toward a draw, Modric scored a clinical 85th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory for Milan. In doing so, he broke a long-standing record, becoming the oldest player in the history of Serie A to score a goal from open play, a feat that cements his legacy as a tactical maverick even in the twilight of his career.
What made Modric’s performance so impressive was that it was not merely defined by a single moment of brilliance, but by sustained excellence throughout the ninety minutes. Despite his age, he was statistically the standout performer on the pitch, leading all AC Milan players in passes completed in the final third with 17 and winning possession 7 times. His all-around contribution was recognized by the fans, who awarded him the MVP honors with 45.3% of the vote. Beyond the individual accolades, his late-game heroics have massive implications for the Scudetto race. By securing those three points, Modric kept Milan within five points of league leaders Inter, proving that he remains the psychological and technical floor for a team desperate to reclaim the Italian title for the first time since 2022.
4. PSG aren’t Taking the Ligue 1 Title Race Seriously Enough
The atmosphere in Paris has shifted from celebratory to concerned as Paris Saint-Germain’s recent complacency was ruthlessly exposed. The club’s seven-match winning streak in Ligue 1 came to an abrupt and shocking halt this week with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Rennes. It was a match that highlighted a worrying lack of focus within Luis Enrique’s squad, as the champions looked unmotivated and lethargic for long stretches of play. Despite controlling nearly 70% of the possession, PSG’s defense was repeatedly dismantled by Rennes’ quick counter-attacks, resulting in three goals conceded from just four shots on target.
This loss has had an immediate and damaging effect on the league table. The dropped points allowed Lens to leapfrog PSG into first place, leaving the Parisians trailing by a point and suddenly looking over their shoulders at a title race they previously seemed to have firmly under control. The failure to convert numerous opportunities created throughout the match has raised serious questions about the team’s mental state as the distractions of the Champions League loom on the horizon. If PSG continues to treat domestic fixtures with this level of disregard, they risk handing the Ligue 1 title to a hungrier Lens side that appears ready to capitalize on every Parisian slip-up.
5. Liverpool are Finding Their Strides Again
Finally, in England, there are growing signs that Liverpool are rediscovering the identity that made them such a formidable force in years past. The Reds produced one of their most authoritative performances of the season this week with a 3-0 thumping of Brighton in the FA Cup. The match was a showcase for the “high-throttle” pressing style that has become the hallmark of Arne Slot’s tenure, as Brighton found themselves unable to cope with the relentless physical and tactical pressure. Central to this revival is Dominik Szoboszlai, who has evolved into the engine of the Liverpool midfield. Against the Seagulls, Szoboszlai scored his 10th goal of the campaign and displayed near-perfect ball retention, completing 47 of 48 attempted passes.
This offensive fluency has been matched by a newfound defensive resilience. After a period earlier in the season where they looked vulnerable at the back, Liverpool have now secured back-to-back clean sheets following a gritty 1-0 win at Sunderland. Alisson remains a vital pillar of this stability, making several crucial saves in recent matches to preserve the team’s momentum. To add to the optimism at Anfield, Mohamed Salah appears to be back to his best form, providing both a goal and an assist against Brighton to help secure Liverpool’s place in the FA Cup fifth round. With their key players firing and their defensive structure solidified, the Reds are once again looking like a team capable of turning their reignited dreams of silverware into a reality.
As we reflect on these five distinct storylines, the common thread is the volatile nature of the mid-season grind. Whether it is the revitalizing impact of a player like Alexander-Arnold, the historic longevity of Luka Modric, or the costly complacency of PSG, the past week has underscored that momentum is the most valuable currency in European football. For teams like Liverpool and Real Madrid, the current trajectory suggests a strong finish to the season is within reach. Conversely, for Atletico Madrid and PSG, the challenge is now one of internal discipline and consistency. With the knockout stages of European competitions approaching and the domestic races tightening, the lessons learned this week will likely dictate the winners and losers of the 2025/26 season.
