Happy Friday! The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals reached an exciting conclusion on Wednesday. Although the Champions League is on hold, there`s still plenty of anticipation as teams compete for European titles in the remaining weeks of the season. This is your weekend football update.
📺 Footy fix
All times U.S./Eastern
Friday, April 18
🏴 Championship: Oxford vs. Leeds, 3 p.m. Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
🇺🇸 NWSL: Seattle Reign vs. Portland Thorns, 10 p.m. Amazon Prime Video
Saturday, April 19
🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Heidenheim vs. Bayern, 9:30 a.m. ESPN+
🏴 EPL: Everton vs. Manchester City, 10 a.m. USA Network
🇪🇸 La Liga: Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo, 10:15 a.m. ESPN+
🇺🇸 NWSL: Racing Louisville vs. San Diego Wave, 3 p.m. Paramount+
🇺🇸 MLS: Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. MLS Season Pass
Sunday, April 20
🏴 EPL: Fulham vs. Chelsea, 9 a.m. USA Network
🇪🇺 UWCL: Barcelona vs. Chelsea, 12 p.m. DAZN
🇮🇹 Serie A: Bologna vs. Inter, 12 p.m. Paramount+
🇪🇸 La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club, 3 p.m. ESPN+
⚽ The Forward Line
🇪🇺 Semifinalists Confirmed
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The Champions League semifinals are now set. Arsenal eliminated the reigning champions Real Madrid with a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory. Inter Milan also secured a spot in the final four, defeating Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate.
Arsenal`s impressive victory started with a setback when Thibaut Courtois saved Bukayo Saka`s penalty. A lengthy VAR review in the first half overturned a Real Madrid penalty. However, Arsenal controlled the game, and a late goal surge secured their win. Saka compensated for his missed penalty by scoring the opening goal in the 66th minute. Vinicius Junior responded for Real Madrid a minute later, but it wasn`t enough for a team needing three more goals to tie. Gabriel Martinelli`s goal in added time confirmed Arsenal`s victory, marking their first Champions League semifinal appearance since 2009. James Benge notes that this win validates manager Mikel Arteta`s Arsenal vision, emphasizing teamwork over Real Madrid`s individual star power.
- Benge: `This victory highlighted system over individual brilliance. Mikel Arteta has spent five years building a team that defends collectively and effectively. They remained unfazed by talk of a comeback from Madrid. They had a plan to defeat Madrid and executed it. Arsenal comfortably defended in a 4-4-2 formation, allowing space on the wings but trusting Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly in individual duels. When Madrid lost possession, which happened frequently, Gabriel Martinelli was ready to counter.`
Inter`s match against Bayern was closely contested until the end. The Italian team reached their second semifinal in three years, demonstrating their potential to win the competition. Francesco Porzio argues that Inter`s continued European success under Simone Inzaghi since 2021 reinforces Inzaghi`s positive impact on the team, similar to how Arsenal`s win reflects Arteta`s influence.
- Porzio: `Despite financial difficulties from previous Chinese ownership that led to player sales like Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi, Inter immediately showed a strong European presence. … Inzaghi`s tenure at Inter includes one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia titles, and three Supercoppa Italiana titles in three years. Winning the Champions League would be his ultimate achievement.`
In the Champions League semifinals, Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter will play Barcelona. The Europa League and Conference League semifinals are also set: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt, Athletic Club vs. Manchester United in Europa League; Chelsea vs. Djurgarden, and Real Betis vs. Fiorentina in Conference League.
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🏆 European Title Races Intensify
With only a few weeks remaining in the European season, several title races are nearing their conclusion. Champions League semifinalists Barcelona, Inter, and Paris Saint-Germain are still in contention for a treble.
PSG has already secured the French league title, becoming the first team in Europe`s top five leagues to win their domestic title this month. Liverpool could potentially join them this Sunday. Liverpool currently holds a 13-point lead over Arsenal with six games remaining, making their title win seem inevitable. Liverpool could mathematically clinch the title this weekend, though it`s unlikely. Arsenal would need to lose against relegation-threatened Ipswich Town, and Liverpool would need to defeat Leicester City, who are at the bottom of the league.
In Spain and Germany, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are in strong positions to win their domestic titles. Barcelona leads Real Madrid by four points and is expected to maintain this lead when they play Celta Vigo on Saturday. Bayern Munich has a six-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen and is likely to win against Heidenheim, who are fighting relegation. Neither Barcelona nor Bayern Munich will secure the title this weekend, but both are in control and need to perform well to fend off any challengers.
Italy`s title race remains the most competitive in Europe with six games left. Inter Milan is only three points ahead of Napoli. This weekend is crucial. Napoli is expected to win easily against Monza, who are last in the league. However, Inter faces a tougher challenge against fifth-place Bologna, who have played well under manager Vincenzo Italiano. This match is also between their Champions League draw against Bayern Munich and their Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against AC Milan. Inter manager Simone Inzaghi faces significant team selection decisions as they aim for a treble.
🔗 Top Stories
🇬🇦 RIP Aaron Boupendza: Former FC Cincinnati player Aaron Boupendza passed away at 28 after falling from a building in China, where he played for Zhejiang FC.
🇪🇺 UCL Rewind: With the quarterfinals over, here are updated power rankings for the Champions League semifinalists and a ranking of possible finals.
🔮 Real Madrid`s Future: Carlo Ancelotti might leave Real Madrid, and their loss to Arsenal highlighted their need for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who may join this summer.
💬 Beckham on Arsenal: David Beckham praised Arsenal`s Champions League victory over Real Madrid but won`t support them against his former club Paris Saint-Germain.
🔴 Van Dijk Stays: Virgil van Dijk signed a new contract with Liverpool shortly after Mohamed Salah, ensuring they retain their key veterans.
🏴 Championship Preview: A look at the upcoming Championship weekend, where several teams are vying for Premier League promotion.
🏆 Open Cup Draw: The U.S. Open Cup round of 32 is set, with Sacramento Republic vs. San Jose Earthquakes as the highlight.
💰 The Back Line
💵 Best Bets
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Premier League: Everton vs. Manchester City, Saturday, 10 a.m.
💰 THE PICK: Everton and Manchester City to tie 1-1 (+600) – England might get an extra Champions League spot next season, making the top five race very tight. Manchester City, currently fifth, hasn`t secured their Champions League spot yet due to an inconsistent season. Without Erling Haaland, a difficult game at Everton is likely. Expect a draw between City and Everton, which could be important for the top five race. -
Premier League: Fulham vs. Chelsea, Sunday, 9 a.m.
💰 THE PICK: Fulham and Chelsea to tie 1-1 (+550) – If City drops points, Chelsea has a chance to move into the top five, being just one point behind. However, many teams, including Chelsea, haven`t been at their best this season. Chelsea has only won five of their last 15 league games. Fulham is competitive and can challenge Chelsea, suggesting the top five race will remain undecided this weekend.
For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, visit CBSSports.com`s betting section.
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