Samwise European Soccer Newsletter
Friday, May 8, 2026
Aston Villa Rout Nottingham Forest 4-0 to Reach Europa League Final
Aston Villa delivered a commanding performance at Villa Park on Thursday, routing Nottingham Forest 4-0 to reach the UEFA Europa League final 4-1 on aggregate. Unai Emery’s side overturned a first-leg deficit — Forest had won 1-0 at the City Ground — with goals from Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Buendía, and a brace from John McGinn. The result sends Villa to Istanbul on May 20, where they will meet SC Freiburg in their first European final since winning the European Cup in 1982. Prince William watched from the stands as Villa produced one of their most emphatic results of the European campaign.
Sources: ESPN, Sky Sports, UEFA
Crystal Palace Reach First-Ever European Final After Beating Shakhtar Donetsk
Crystal Palace made history on Thursday, beating Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 at Selhurst Park to progress 5-2 on aggregate and reach their first-ever European final. A Pedro Henrique own goal opened the scoring before Ismaïla Sarr converted a second to put the tie beyond doubt. The Senegalese forward has now scored in five consecutive Conference League matches this season. Shakhtar’s late reply proved only cosmetic. The Eagles will face Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on May 27 in the UEFA Conference League final — a landmark achievement for a club founded in 1905 and competing in a European final for the very first time.
Sources: Sky Sports, UEFA
PSG and Arsenal Set for Budapest Showdown in Champions League Final
Paris Saint-Germain will attempt to become the first club to win back-to-back Champions League titles since Real Madrid when they face Arsenal in the Budapest final on May 30. Luis Enrique’s side, the reigning European champions, overcame Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate in the semi-finals, while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal eliminated Atlético Madrid 2-1 over two legs. Arsenal are appearing in their first Champions League final since 2006, while PSG seek a historic second consecutive European crown. The final takes place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, with kick-off at 18:00 CET. UEFA has confirmed the venue’s 65,000 capacity will be fully allocated.
Sources: ESPN, Sky Sports, UEFA
Bayern CEO Slams UEFA Referee Appointment After PSG Elimination
Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen criticised UEFA’s officiating appointments after his club’s Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. Following the 1-1 second-leg draw in Munich — leaving PSG through 6-5 on aggregate — Dreesen questioned why João Pinheiro, a Portuguese referee with only 15 Champions League appearances and no prior semi-final experience, was assigned to the tie, calling the decision “at least astonishing.” Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was more measured, acknowledging Bayern’s failure to take their chances as the decisive factor. PSG advance to face Arsenal in Budapest on May 30. UEFA has not responded to Bayern’s complaint.
Sources: Goal.com, Goal.com (Neuer)
Barcelona Can Clinch La Liga Title Against Real Madrid in Historic El Clásico
Barcelona have the opportunity to clinch the 2025-26 La Liga title at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, when they host Real Madrid in what could be a historic El Clásico. Hansi Flick’s side sit 11 points ahead of Los Blancos with two league fixtures remaining, meaning a draw or better would mathematically seal the championship. Remarkably, it would be the first time in the history of the fixture that Barcelona have clinched the title directly against Real Madrid. Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are expected to be the headline performers. Kick-off is at 21:00 local time on Sunday, May 10.
Calhanoglu Doubtful as Inter Prepare for Coppa Italia Final Against Lazio
Inter Milan’s Coppa Italia final preparations have been complicated by an injury to key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu. The Turkish international, who has battled recurring muscle problems throughout the season, is training separately from the squad and is considered unlikely to feature against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on May 13. Inter, who secured the 2025-26 Serie A title with three games to spare under first-year manager Cristian Chivu, are targeting a domestic double. Lazio overcame Atalanta in a penalty shootout in the semi-finals and will effectively be playing at home in Rome. Kick-off is at 21:00 CET on Wednesday.
Sources: Football Italia, Football Italia (Final)
Dortmund Host Frankfurt in Bid to Confirm Bundesliga Runners-Up Spot
Borussia Dortmund host Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday evening in the Bundesliga Matchday 33 opener, with a win set to mathematically confirm the club’s runners-up finish in the 2025-26 season. Signal Iduna Park hosts the 20:30 CEST encounter with one round of fixtures still remaining. Bayern Munich, who are also preparing for the Champions League final against Arsenal, sealed the Bundesliga title weeks ago. Eintracht Frankfurt are among the sides still competing for European qualification places in the final straight of the season. The outcome will shape the Bundesliga table ahead of the concluding Matchday 34 next weekend.
Sources: Bundesliga, Goal.com
Top Leagues
Bundesliga (MD 33, 1 game left)
1. Bayern München — Champions 2025-26
2. Dortmund — runners-up (clinching tonight)
3. Eintracht Frankfurt — European race
La Liga (36 played, 2 left)
1. Barcelona — leaders by 11 pts
2. Real Madrid — El Clásico Sun May 10
Serie A (concluded)
1. Inter Milan — Scudetto champions
2. Napoli — 2nd place
European Finals
Champions League Final
Arsenal vs PSG — May 30, Budapest
Europa League Final
Aston Villa vs Freiburg — May 20, Istanbul
Conference League Final
Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano — May 27, Leipzig
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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