Samwise European Soccer Newsletter
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Man City Beat Crystal Palace 3-0 to Stay Two Points Behind Arsenal
Manchester City kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a composed 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, cutting Arsenal’s lead to two points with two matches remaining. Phil Foden orchestrated the win, assisting Antoine Semenyo in the 32nd minute and Omar Marmoush in the 40th before Savinho added a late third. Arsenal lead by two points but have played one fewer game than City, meaning Pep Guardiola’s side need the Gunners to drop points in fixtures against Burnley and Crystal Palace. The result extends one of English football’s most compelling recent title races into its final fortnight.
Sources: ESPN, Sky Sports
Inter Milan Complete Italian Double with Coppa Italia Win Over Lazio
Inter Milan completed an Italian domestic double for the first time since 2010 by defeating Lazio 2-0 in the Coppa Italia final in Rome on Wednesday. Adam Marusic headed a Federico Dimarco corner into his own net in the 14th minute, before Lautaro Martinez tapped in following a Denzel Dumfries run in the 68th. The victory caps a dominant season for coach Cristian Chivu’s side, who claimed the Serie A title with three games to spare earlier this month. Inter’s Coppa triumph also triggers a UEFA ruling ensuring the top seven Serie A clubs receive European competition berths for next season.
Sources: ESPN, Football Italia
Alavés Stun Champions Barcelona 1-0 to Escape Relegation Zone
Newly crowned La Liga champions Barcelona suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Deportivo Alavés in Vitoria on Wednesday, ending an 11-game unbeaten league run. Ibrahim Diabate struck on the stroke of halftime to give the struggling hosts all three points, as Alavés moved out of the relegation zone with their first win in eight matches. Hansi Flick’s side, who sealed back-to-back titles with a 2-0 El Clásico win over Real Madrid on May 10, were unable to raise their intensity in what was effectively a dead rubber. Barcelona have two games left against Real Betis and Valencia.
Sources: ESPN
PSG vs Arsenal: Champions League Final Set for Budapest on May 30
Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal will meet in the Champions League final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on May 30, with PSG aiming to become the first club since Real Madrid to defend the trophy in the modern era. The French champions edged Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate in the semi-finals, while Arsenal eliminated Atlético de Madrid 2-1. Bayern’s Harry Kane, who scored a stoppage-time consolation in the second leg, named PSG slight favourites but acknowledged both sides are evenly matched. Arsenal, unbeaten in 14 Champions League matches this campaign, are seeking the club’s first European Cup.
Sources: ESPN, Sky Sports
Aston Villa and Freiburg Meet in Istanbul Europa League Final on May 20
Aston Villa and SC Freiburg face off in the Europa League final in Istanbul on Wednesday, May 20, with both clubs chasing unprecedented continental glory. Villa, back in a UEFA final for the first time since their European Cup triumph in 1982, are coached by Unai Emery, who has won this competition four times and will be seeking a fifth Europa League title. Freiburg, meanwhile, are in their first-ever continental final after a remarkable run under Julian Schuster. Villa have outscored Freiburg 28-25 in this campaign and conceded fewer goals. Key Villa players include Jadon Sancho and Leon Bailey, both bringing Bundesliga experience to Istanbul.
Mohamed Salah to Leave Liverpool as Free Agent After Minor Hamstring Strain
Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of this season as a free agent, confirming the conclusion of a nine-year chapter at Anfield that has produced 257 goals in all competitions. The Egyptian, 33, suffered a minor hamstring strain during Liverpool’s recent win over Crystal Palace but Arne Slot confirmed he is expected to return before the campaign ends. Salah and the club mutually agreed to cut his contract short by a year following a difficult season that included a public rift with Slot. Saudi Arabian clubs Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah are among the reported destinations, with Inter Miami said not to be in negotiations despite widespread speculation.
Sources: Sky Sports, ESPN
Manchester United Monitor Valverde as Real Madrid Rift Opens Transfer Window Speculation
Manchester United are monitoring Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde ahead of the summer transfer window after the Uruguay international reportedly fell out with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni during a training-ground altercation that left Valverde requiring hospital treatment for a concussion. Real Madrid’s hierarchy is firmly siding with Tchouameni, raising the prospect of a departure. United, seeking to overhaul their midfield, are tracking the situation, though Madrid are demanding over £100 million for the 27-year-old, contracted until 2029. Newcastle are also seeking to bolster their squad, leading the race to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.
Sources: Sky Sports, ESPN
Premier League & La Liga
Premier League — Top 6 (Matchday 36)
1. Arsenal — 74 pts (36 played)
2. Man City — 72 pts (37 played)
3. Liverpool — 68 pts (37 played)
4. Chelsea — 64 pts (37 played)
5. Newcastle — 62 pts (37 played)
6. Aston Villa — 58 pts (37 played)
La Liga — Top 6 (Matchday 36)
1. Barcelona — 85 pts (36 played) 🏆
2. Real Madrid — 71 pts (36 played)
3. Atlético Madrid — 70 pts (36 played)
4. Athletic Bilbao — 62 pts (36 played)
5. Real Sociedad — 58 pts (36 played)
6. Sevilla — 52 pts (36 played)
Serie A & Bundesliga
Serie A — Top 6 (Matchday 35)
1. Inter Milan — 85 pts (35 played) 🏆
2. Napoli — 74 pts (35 played)
3. AC Milan — 66 pts (35 played)
4. Juventus — 64 pts (35 played)
5. Lazio — 64 pts (35 played)
6. Roma — 63 pts (35 played)
Bundesliga — Final Table Top 6
1. Bayern Munich — 77 pts (34 played) 🏆
2. Dortmund — 64 pts (34 played)
3. RB Leipzig — 58 pts (34 played)
4. Stuttgart — 56 pts (34 played)
5. Leverkusen — 54 pts (34 played)
6. Hoffenheim — 53 pts (34 played)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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