Barcelona's Supercopa victory over Real Madrid highlights their tactical resurgence, showcasing emerging stars like Rafinha and Lamin Yamal.
Bayer Leverkusen's consistent performance in the Bundesliga positions them as serious challengers, while Borussia Dortmund's struggles raise questions about their squad depth.
Didier Deschamps' announcement of his departure after the 2026 World Cup adds uncertainty for the French national team, fueling speculation about potential successors.
Deep dives
Impact of Barcelona's Victory on Spanish Football
Barcelona's remarkable 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup has significant implications for the landscape of Spanish football. The victory emphasized Barcelona's tactical superiority, with notable performances from players like Rafinha, who scored twice, and the emerging talent Lamin Yamal, who opened the scoring. Despite facing challenges earlier in the season, Barcelona showcased their potential as a new generation of players seems poised to lead the club to future successes. Real Madrid, on the other hand, faces critical questions about their squad depth and strategic decisions, particularly in defense and versatility, suggesting a potential shake-up may be needed.
Bundesliga's Competitive Landscape
The Bundesliga is shaping up to be an intense competition, illustrated by Bayer Leverkusen's recent dominance with nine consecutive wins, positioning them as a significant contender against Bayern Munich. Borussia Dortmund's struggles, exacerbated by defensive issues and player injuries, resulted in a lackluster performance against Leverkusen, highlighting their need for reinforcements. Meanwhile, Bayern continues to assert their dominance, aided by prolific scorer Harry Kane, who recently reached 15 goals for the season. However, the season remains unpredictable, and the winter transfer window could see changes that impact team dynamics extensively.
Ligue 1's Power Dynamics and Future
Paris Saint-Germain's firm grip on the Ligue 1 title is punctuated by their latest victory, reflecting their status as an intimidating force in French football. The team's emerging talents, particularly Ousmane Dembélé, are making significant contributions, and under Luis Enrique's management, they appear to be gaining momentum. However, the league remains competitive, with Marseille's resurgence, highlighted by Mason Greenwood's continuous scoring, indicating potential challenges for PSG. The impending departure of standout players like Randall Kvaratskhelia adds a layer of intrigue, as clubs navigate financial demands while ensuring competitiveness in the league.
The Future of Didier Deschamps and French National Team
Didier Deschamps' announcement that he will leave his role as the French national team manager after the 2026 World Cup introduces a new dynamic for the squad moving forward. With a successful yet sometimes controversial tenure, there is speculation about how the news will affect team morale and preparation for upcoming tournaments. Potential successors, particularly Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, are already being discussed, creating a backdrop of uncertainty and anticipation. As the French Football Federation navigates this transition, the goal will be to maintain competitive performance in international competitions throughout the looming change.
Atalanta's Rise Amidst Challenges
Atalanta's recent results underline their determination to remain competitive in a league often overshadowed by larger clubs like Napoli and Inter Milan. Despite facing draws and setbacks, their management under Gian Piero Gasperini continues to showcase a commitment to aggressive and attractive football. Upcoming matches will be crucial as they strive to capitalize on their strengths while leveraging opportunities from rivals' mistakes. Their capacity to maintain momentum further solidifies their position as an essential player in the Serie A title race, making them a team to watch as the season progresses.
Jimbo’s joined by a full complement of European experts as Pol Ballús, James Horncastle, Julien Laurens and the returning Seb Stafford-Bloor are on hand to look back on a busy weekend of action.
We begin in Saudi Arabia, where Barcelona stunned Real Madrid to win the Supercopa de España in emphatic fashion. Back on home soil, Atleti went top of La Liga after a club record 14th win in a row in all competitions courtesy of their 1-0 victory over Osasuna.
The Bundesliga is back after die Winterpause - and it returned in style on Friday night as Leverkusen made it nine wins in a row and inflicted Dortmund’s first home defeat of the season as they ran out 3-2 winners. Plus, which striker who scored a remarkable goal this weekend gets a comparison to Mark Viduka?!
Over in Serie A, Napoli sit top of the pile after their 2-0 win over Verona - but it looks like Kvaradona could be on his way out... Meanwhile, Atalanta stuttered to their second consecutive draw to fall behind Inter in the table. Draw specialists Juve made it a remarkable 12 stalemates from their 19 league fixtures after it finished 1-1 in the Turin derby.
And in Ligue 1, PSG stay unbeaten and seven points clear at the top of the table after their 2-1 win over Saint-Étienne, while Marseille try to keep up the pressure with their 2-1 victory at Rennes. Plus, Didier Deschamps will be leaving his role as France manager after the 2026 World Cup - but was it wise to announce the news now?
Produced by Lucy Oliva.
RUNNING ORDER:
• PART 1: Moments of the weekend (00.45)
• PART 2: La Liga review - Barca blow away Real (again) as Atleti can’t stop winning (8.25)
• PART 3: Bundesliga review - Leverkusen shine without Wirtz as Kane keeps his cool from the spot (19.05)
• PART 4: Serie A review - Napoli are top but prepare to lose Kvaradona (31.25)
• PART 5: Ligue 1 review - Didier Deschamps era given end date while PSG eye invincible season (50.15)
