Inter Miami CF defeated New England Revolution 4-1 at home tonight in the MLS regular season. Two goals from former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba and striker Tadeo Allende led the victory in a match that also highlighted Barça legend Busquets, who was honoured ahead of his retirement at the end of the season. After the match, Inter Miami paid tribute to Sergio Busquets, who will retire from football at the end of this season after winning everything with Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Busquets attended the event with his wife and three children and received a special Inter Miami shirt with the message “Thank you Sergio” from club owner Jorge Más. Busquets signed for Inter Miami in 2023, in a transfer window that also brought Messi and Jordi Alba to Florida. With Inter Miami, Busquets won the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield. Source: besoccer

Victor Osimhen sparked a heated brawl in Galatasaray’s 1-1 Super Lig draw against rivals Besiktas on October 4, grabbing defender Emirhan Topcu by the throat after a disputed challenge, drawing widespread criticism for his aggressive outburst. The incident erupted in the 40th minute at Rams Park when Osimhen went down under Topcu’s tackle on the flank, expecting a foul that referee ignored for a throw-in. Visibly furious, Osimhen confronted Topcu aggressively, escalating into a melee involving multiple players, including Besiktas goalkeeper Mert Gunok, before teammates like Orkun Kokcu and Wilfred Ndidi intervened. Shockingly, Osimhen escaped with only a yellow card for dissent, despite the throat-grab, leaving Besiktas fans incensed over perceived leniency. The match had already been tense: Besiktas led 1-0 via Tammy Abraham early, but Ilkay Gundogan equalized after Galatasaray’s Davinson Sanchez was red-carded in the 34th minute. The draw keeps Galatasaray atop the table on 22 points, but Osimhen’s temper echoing prior teammate frustrations raises questions about discipline amid their title push.

Just months after staring down administrative relegation to Ligue 2 due to crippling financial woes, Olympique Lyonnais has staged a remarkable resurgence, positioning itself among the Ligue 1 title favorites early in the 2025-26 season. Under Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, who steadied the ship to a sixth place finish last term amid chaos, Lyon has transformed from a debt-ridden outfit on the verge of collapse into a defensively impenetrable force, boasting the league’s stingiest backline and sharing the top spot after key victories over rivals like Marseille and Lille. The crisis peaked in June 2025 when the DNCG, French football’s financial watchdog, demoted Lyon to the second tier over €175 million in debts and mismanagement under former owner John Textor, who resigned amid the turmoil. Provisional sanctions had loomed since November 2024, including a transfer ban, forcing sales of stars like Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and others to shore up finances. But new president Michele Kang, appointed in late June, spearheaded a dramatic appeal backed by shareholder equity injections and the sale of a stake in Crystal Palace, overturning the relegation on July 9 and securing Lyon’s Ligue 1 survival while earning a Europa League spot. This lifeline allowed Lyon to enter the season with renewed stability, focusing on a pragmatic rebuild rather than lavish spending. Fonseca, hired in January 2025 after Pierre Sage’s sacking, has instilled a disciplined, counter-attacking ethos that prioritizes defensive solidity over flair a stark evolution from the club’s chaotic recent years. Lyon’s backline, anchored by new signing Clinton Mata in central defense, has conceded the fewest goals in Ligue 1, with goalkeeper Dominik Greif delivering historic clean sheets unseen at the club in 17 years. Midfield maestro Tyler Morton netted the winner in a gritty 1-0 triumph at Lille on September 28, propelling Lyon level with PSG on 15 points and showcasing their resilience despite second-half dominance from opponents. A late own-goal secured a 1-0 derby win over Marseille in August, further cementing their contender status. Key to the turnaround are strategic signings like Czech forward Pavel Šulc, who brings versatility and threat in the final third to replace departed talents such as Alexandre Lacazette and Thiago Almada, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, whose assists have unlocked tight defenses. Youngster Malick Fofana, despite Fonseca’s calls for greater consistency, adds dynamism, while loanee Adam Karabec bolsters the attack. The squad’s average age and market value reflect a youth-focused, cost-conscious approach, with Lyon averaging 13.2 shots per game and a 40% over-2.5 goals rate signaling growing potency. Europa League campaigns add to the momentum, with upcoming clashes like the October 2 home tie against Red Bull Salzburg testing their depth. Yet challenges persist: financial oversight remains tight, with DNCG-imposed wage and transfer limits, and Fonseca demands more from talents like Fofana to sustain the surge. As Lyon prepares for Toulouse on October 5, the Gones’ faithful dream of ending a 18-year title drought. From near-extinction to elite contention, this OL revival fueled by Kang’s stewardship and Fonseca’s tactics proves football’s capacity for reinvention.

Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid, now in its fourth month since his June appointment, has ushered in a bold emphasis on youth development, drawing from his successful nurturing of prospects like Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen. The former Madrid legend, who began his coaching journey in the club’s academy, has prioritized compact organization, quick counter-pressing, and rehearsed patterns of play tactics homed in Germany to integrate a wave of young talents into the first team, signaling a shift from Carlo Ancelotti’s more veteran-reliant approach. With Real Madrid’s squad one of the youngest in over a decade, Alonso’s philosophy of building a “team that plays as a unit” is testing the balance between promise and performance, especially after a humiliating 5-2 derby loss to Atletico Madrid exposed growing pains. Alonso’s integration strategy shines through in his trust of summer arrivals and academy products. Dean Huijsen, the 20-year-old Dutch defender signed from Bournemouth, has been a revelation, showing leadership at the FIFA Club World Cup and starting in key La Liga matches with his tactical flexibility. Similarly, 22-year-old left-back Alvaro Carreras, acquired from Benfica for over $60 million, has started every game this season, thriving in Alonso’s high-pressing system that demands quick transitions and defensive solidity. Arda Güler, the 20-year-old Turkish playmaker, has been handed a greater role as a No. 10, contributing goals and assists early on, with Alonso who once eyed him for Leverkusen praising his delight in the new setup. Homegrown striker Gonzalo Garcia, 21, emerged as the Club World Cup’s top scorer with four goals, earning a contract extension to 2030 and a first-team spot after impressing in preseason. Alonso’s methods extend to Castilla call-ups, blending youth seamlessly into training. Prospects like Joan Martinez, hailed as a “generational” academy talent, and midfielder Jorge Cestero have been promoted, with the former eyed for first-team integration post-Club World Cup. ranco Mastantuono, the €63 million Argentine signing, featured off the bench despite a red card in the derby, while Endrick the 19-year-old Brazilian forward has shown flashes but faces stiff competition up top. High-energy drills, including drone-monitored sessions and tactical fitness exercises, keep youngsters mentally sharp, contrasting Ancelotti’s style and fostering Alonso’s vision of an “unstoppable force.” Yet, not all young guns are seeing the pitch, highlighting the challenges of squad rotation in a grueling schedule. Endrick, despite his No. 9 shirt and potential, has garnered interest from Newcastle for a loan due to limited minutes behind Kylian Mbappé, with just sporadic appearances amid injury recoveries for others. Castilla talents like Manuel Ángel, Diego Aguado, and Daniel Yáñez have trained with the seniors but remain on the fringes, their wing and midfield roles crowded by established stars and new signings. Even first-team peripherals like Brahim Díaz are pushing for more opportunities, as Alonso regulates minutes to avoid burnout for core players like Mbappé and Güler. The Atletico thrashing underscored vulnerabilities, with youth errors like Güler’s penalty concession exposing a need for greater intensity before tactical finesse. Alonso, defiant amid reports of dressing-room tensions with stars like Vinícius Júnior and Federico Valverde, insists on equitable minutes and adaptability. As Real Madrid face Villarreal and Barcelona next, the Spaniard’s youth gamble could forge a dynasty or falter under pressure. With his Leverkusen blueprint emphasizing control over chaos, Alonso’s rebuild promises excitement, but patience will be key for those yet to break through.

For the first time since Arne Slot took the reins at Anfield, Liverpool FC has endured three consecutive defeats, a stark contrast to the solidity that defined their Premier League title-winning campaign last season. The Reds fell 2-1 to Crystal Palace in the league, followed by a 1-0 Champions League loss to Galatasaray, and capped the miserable run with a late 2-1 heartbreak at Chelsea, where Estevao Willian’s stoppage-time strike sealed their fate. This skid has raised alarm bells, with fans and pundits pointing to Slot’s tactical evolution from Jürgen Klopp’s high-octane blueprint as a key culprit behind the defending champions’ woes. Under Klopp, Liverpool thrived on relentless, “heavy metal” football, a frenetic 4-3-3 system built on aggressive, man-to-man high pressing to regain possession quickly and launch rapid counter-attacks. This approach, often chaotic yet exhilarating, allowed the likes of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold to exploit spaces with speed and directness, leading to high-scoring thrillers even if it occasionally left the defense exposed. Slot, inheriting a squad molded in that image, promised continuity with subtle refinements but has since shifted toward a more measured, possession-oriented style inspired by coaches like Pep Guardiola. His preferred 4-2-3-1 emphasizes zonal pressing over Klopp’s intense triggers, greater patience in build-up play, and positional discipline to maintain control changes that delivered a title last term but now appear to falter against evolving opposition tactics. The Dutchman’s adjustments worked wonders initially, lowering Liverpool’s expected goals against (xGA) by over 16% through a compact central midfield featuring Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper role and reduced positional rotations from full-backs. However, as defending champions, Liverpool now face teams employing deeper, low-block defenses designed to frustrate Slot’s patient possession game, a problem exacerbated by summer signings like Florian Wirtz and new full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Wirtz, the £100m German playmaker slotted into a No. 10 role, has struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity, losing possession frequently and disrupting midfield balance, issues highlighted in the Galatasaray defeat where he lost the ball 14 times. Defensive frailties have compounded the tactical unease. Slot’s less frantic pressing has led to lapses at set pieces and simple ball losses, contrasting Klopp’s era where high energy often masked vulnerabilities. The departure of Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson has forced reliance on Frimpong and Kerkez, who, despite Slot’s defense of them, haven’t matched their predecessors’ levels, leaving flanks exposed, as seen when Dominik Szoboszlai conceded a penalty against Galatasaray. Injuries, including Alexis Mac Allister’s prolonged recovery from summer surgery, have further hampered rhythm, with the Argentine yet to complete a full 90 minutes. Slot himself admits opponents now set up differently, exploiting what they perceive as a more predictable Reds side. Slot remains defiant, insisting the “margins are small” and rotation, like benching Salah for the Galatasaray clash, was necessary amid a grueling schedule. With Manchester United looming after the international break, Slot must urgently recalibrate; perhaps reverting to more Klopp-like intensity or accelerating Wirtz’s integration to restore the control that won titles. The Arne Slot era, once hailed for its seamless transition, now tests whether his refinements can evolve further or if nostalgia for Klopp’s chaos holds the key to redemption.

Vinicius Junior fired Real Madrid to the top of La Liga with a brace in a 3-1 win over Villarreal on Saturday, while Kylian Mbappe was also on target. Los Blancos moved two points clear of champions Barcelona, who visit Sevilla on Sunday, as they bounced back from last week’s derby drubbing with a victory. Thrashed 5-2 by city rivals Atletico Madrid last weekend, Xabi Alonso’s side had plenty to prove against a strong Villarreal team, who are third. Alonso brought Fede Valverde back into the team, playing him at right-back in the absence of injured duo Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Madrid had the better of a slow-paced first half at the Santiago Bernabeu. Teenage attacker Franco Mastantuono might have sent Los Blancos ahead but Villarreal defender Renato Veiga blocked his shot after Mbappe cut the ball back to him. At the other end, Thibaut Courtois saved superbly from Tani Oluwaseyi, who snuck in behind the centre-backs but could not beat Madrid’s Belgian goalkeeper. Mastantuono, signed from River Plate in the summer, drilled narrowly wide of the near post before the break. Los Blancos took the lead early in the second half through Vinicius, whose shot took a fortunate deflection off Santi Comesana and flew past the helpless Arnau Tenas. Xabi Alonso brought on Jude Bellingham for the final 25 minutes, after benching him for the second game running following the Atletico debacle. Thomas Tuchel left the midfielder out of his England squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers this week, and he was out to prove a point. Madrid doubled their lead when Rafa Marin brought down Vinicius in the area and the Brazilian beat Tenas from the spot. The former Barcelona goalkeeper could have stopped the penalty but the ball slipped under him. Vinicius wanted another penalty when Tenas appeared to bring him down in the box moments later, but his appeals were waved away. Bellingham twice came close but Tenas denied him on both occasions, with the midfielder kicking a post in frustration. Villarreal pulled a goal back through Georges Mikautadze, who finished lethally from the edge of the box, but Madrid quickly restored their two-goal cushion. Yellow Submarine defender Santiago Mourino was sent off for a second yellow card for a push on Vinicius as he charged down the wing, and soon Mbappe netted the third. Brahim Diaz teed up the French superstar to roll home his ninth league goal of the campaign, making him the division’s top scorer. Mbappe was taken off with an apparent knock in the final stages, in the only negative note for a Madrid side who were good value for their three points. Source: ahram

Arsenal put the pressure on Liverpool as it moved to the Premier League summit by comfortably beating West Ham United 2-0. Goals from former Hammers captain Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who marked his 200th league appearance for the Gunners in style, ensured a routine victory for Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal was dominant from the off. Eberechi Eze fired over the bar from a great early chance, while Saka had a goal disallowed before Rice came back to haunt his old team in the 38th minute. Riccardo Calafiori struck the woodwork on the stroke of half-time, but Saka put the result beyond doubt with a 67th-minute penalty after Jurrien Timber was brought down by El Hadji Malick Diouf. Callum Marshall, making his top-flight debut, failed to keep his header down from Lucas Paqueta’s corner in additional time as West Ham failed to regularly threaten David Raya’s goal. While Arsenal is top after Liverpool’s late defeat to Chelsea heading into the international break, West Ham sits 19th with four points from seven matches. Source: beinsports

Estevao struck in added time for Chelsea to inflict a third straight defeat on Premier League champion Liverpool. The Brazilian slid in at the far post to seal a 2-1 win for the Blues that sparked wild celebrations after a thrilling clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The teenager’s first goal since his move from Palmeiras ensured Liverpool goes into the international break having been knocked off the top of the standings. Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo had given his side a half-time lead following a fierce drive from outside the box, but Cody Gapko levelled. “Last season, we lost against Chelsea as well. Stamford Bridge is always difficult [to play at]. We were very close to a result. [It’s all about] Small margins,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said. The Dutchman also went on to reflect on the defeats at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday and at Crystal Palace last weekend. “As I said at Galatasaray, we had a one-vs-one, then they get a penalty,” he said. “We conceded in extra, extra time against Palace. And then today, they score a goal that could go at either end.” Source: msn

FC Barcelona are once again shopping in the elite aisle, with Fichajes reporting that Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano has emerged as a priority target. The allure is obvious. His contract runs until 2026 which means he could be available as a free agent, an increasingly valuable commodity for financially cautious giants. The Barcelona manager worked closely with Upamecano at Bayern Munich and has already expressed his desire to reunite with the defender. As stated, Flick believes Upamecano would bring “solidity and experience” to the Catalan defence. That familiarity could be decisive, particularly given the player is reportedly demanding “a high salary and a significant signing bonus”. Barcelona may not win an auction with Real Madrid or Liverpool, but they can win the emotional pitch. The situation surrounding Ronald Araujo complicates matters. Once considered untouchable, the Uruguayan’s form has prompted internal debate. Reports suggest Barcelona would now “be willing to listen to offers”, effectively clearing space for Upamecano. Selling Araujo, a fan favourite, would be controversial. Yet Barcelona have managed such pivots before, replacing figureheads in search of a better tactical fit. Upamecano’s availability has alerted Europe’s biggest institutions. Real Madrid and Liverpool are both named as potential suitors which will concern Barcelona. However, their advantage rests in managerial chemistry. As Fichajes highlight, Flick “has already worked with Upamecano and is familiar with his abilities”, something rival bidders cannot replicate. Barcelona know what they are getting. Upamecano is not a raw prospect, he is a ready-made enforcer. Securing him without a transfer fee would be a financial coup, but timing is everything. Bayern remain hopeful of a renewal, and the player’s wage demands could yet escalate into a bidding war. Barcelona must move with conviction rather than nostalgia. If they truly believe Upamecano is the foundation of a rebuilt defence, they will not wait for rivals to decide for them. Source: yahoosports

Bournemouth moved up to second in the Premier League (PL) after late goals from Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert secured a 3-1 comeback win over Fulham, extending the Cherries’ dominant H2H league run to just two defeats in 17 meetings (W9, D6). Having made their best-ever six-game start to a PL campaign with 11 points on the board, Bournemouth were unsurprisingly the sharper of the two sides in the early stages. Despite the stormy conditions on the south coast, the hosts pressed with typical vigour in the final third, as Tyler Adams saw a powerful low strike parried around the post by Bernd Leno. The Cottagers – keen to improve on a poor away record that had seen them lose six of their last nine PL trips – grew into the contest as the first half progressed. However, clear-cut openings came at a premium for both sides, with Leno saving smartly from Semenyo, while at the other end, Alex Iwobi shot straight at Đorđe Petrovic from range. Andoni Iraola’s side pushed for a breakthrough at the start of the second period, but Leno once again stood firm in the Fulham goal, thwarting Evanilson’s low effort from 12 yards. The visitors came close to taking the lead themselves shortly after, only for Harry Wilson’s strike across goal to be denied by Petrovic. Undeterred, Fulham continued to commit numbers forward in attack, and their positive approach paid dividends in the 70th minute, as Samuel Chukwueze’s inch-perfect pass released Ryan Sessegnon, who finished coolly over Petrovic for his first goal of the season. That sparked the Cherries into life, and they found a swift leveller when Semenyo beat Timothy Castagne to the byline and powered an angled finish between the legs of Leno. Remarkably, Iraola’s men completed the turnaround just three minutes later, with substitute Kluivert picking out the top corner with a spectacular strike from 25 yards to send the home support into raptures. The visitors did their best to recompose themselves in the closing stages, but Bournemouth added a third in the final minute of stoppage through Semenyo’s clinical finish on the break, putting the seal on a memorable night for the Cherries. Source: flashscore