The European football season is rapidly nearing its thrilling conclusion, with domestic cups, continental championships, and promotion spots still hotly contested across various nations. Here`s an update as the championship season gets underway.
Coppa Italia Starts a Big Week in Italian Football
Trophy aspirations are prominent in Italy for the next week, beginning with Wednesday`s Coppa Italia final. This season, the final is between AC Milan and Bologna, who will compete at Rome`s Stadio Olimpico. Both teams share the goal of winning, although a victory would carry different meanings for each side.
AC Milan is three years removed from their last major trophy, the 2021-22 Serie A title. After a second-place finish last season, they were seen as strong contenders to end that dry spell. However, the current campaign has not unfolded as planned. The Coppa Italia provides a chance for a positive outcome. Winning would not only secure one of Italy`s prestigious prizes but also guarantee a berth in next season`s UEFA Europa League, which they might miss if they remain in sixth place in Serie A. Wednesday`s match is also increasingly significant for U.S. men`s national team star Christian Pulisic, who is expected to be central to Milan`s strategy.
Christian Pulisic has been crucial to Milan`s attack, contributing 15 goals and 10 assists across Serie A, UCL, and Coppa Italia matches. Despite not having a direct goal or assist in the Coppa Italia this year, his 14 total goal contributions lead all Milan players, ahead of Rafael Leao. Milan requires both players to be at their best to overcome defensive shortcomings.
As for Bologna, they are aiming for their first title since topping Serie B in the 1995-96 season. Despite the difference in trophy cabinets, Vincenzo Italiano`s side is not a typical underdog. They have shown consistent upward progress in recent years and are set for their third consecutive top-half finish in Serie A. A victory in Rome on Wednesday would validate their current trajectory and secure a spot in European competition next season that they might not otherwise achieve.
Serie A`s Race to the Finish Line
The Coppa Italia is merely the kickoff to Italy`s season-ending trophy watch, with Serie A action resuming on Sunday for the second-to-last weekend. Napoli holds a narrow one-point lead over Inter in the title race, setting up two high-stakes fixtures. Napoli travels to 16th-place Parma, hoping for a straightforward win, while Inter will fight to keep pace when they host fifth-place Lazio. All games during the penultimate weekend in Serie A will kick off simultaneously, adding a layer of drama as the action unfolds.
Looking Ahead: European and North American Finals
Key Trophy Showdowns Approaching
Wednesday`s Coppa Italia final ushers in a period over the next few weeks where several teams will achieve major milestones in domestic and continental competitions.
European Finals
Focus shifts to UEFA club competitions next week as the first of several finals takes place in Bilbao, Spain. Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United will meet for the Europa League final (May 21). Both sides have a chance to lift significant silverware despite disappointing domestic campaigns. United could secure their first title under manager Erik ten Hag, while Spurs are seeking their first trophy since 2008. Spurs have defeated United three times this season, but player fitness will be critical – James Maddison is confirmed out for Tottenham, and Dejan Kulusevski recently underwent surgery. For United, Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt also face fitness concerns.
A week later, Real Betis takes on Chelsea in the Conference League final in Wrocław, Poland (May 28). A youth-focused Blues squad aims for their first title under manager Enzo Maresca but faces a Real Betis side that has achieved impressive results recently and features USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso.
It all leads up to the Champions League final in Munich between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter (May 31), marking a captivating end to the European season. PSG has surprisingly excelled in their first season without Kylian Mbappe, with manager Luis Enrique developing a formidable attacking style that will be sternly tested against a defense-minded Inter, who are aiming for their first title in 15 years. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been a standout for the revamped PSG, while Inter`s Yann Sommer has arguably been the competition`s top goalkeeper, notably after a remarkable 14 saves across two legs against Barcelona in the semifinals.
England`s Promotion Battles
While some of England`s top teams compete for European trophies, several clubs in the lower divisions are focused on achieving promotion. The playoff finals are set for next weekend. Sheffield United will face Sunderland for a spot in the Premier League (May 24). Stockport or Leyton Orient will play Charlton or Wycombe for promotion to the Championship (May 25). Walsall or Chesterfield are set to battle Wimbledon or Notts County for promotion to League One (May 26).
Inaugural North American Championship
Meanwhile, in North America, the final four teams in the first-ever Concacaf W Champions Cup will gather in Mexico to compete for the title. The field is evenly split, with two NWSL teams facing their Liga MX Femenil counterparts in the semifinals. Club America first plays NJ/NY Gotham FC (May 21), followed by hosts Tigres taking on the Portland Thorns (May 21). The final is scheduled for May 24.
Additional Football News
A detailed look at the Coppa Italia final includes tactical analysis, a comparison of star players, AC Milan`s season challenges, and Bologna`s key strategies for victory.
Angel City player Savy King underwent surgery for a heart abnormality detected after an NWSL game. The club reports an excellent prognosis for her recovery.
Nottingham Forest`s Taiwo Awoniyi is reportedly in a medically induced coma following surgery for an abdominal injury.
Angel City`s Christen Press was named to the NWSL team of the week. Debinha of the Kansas City Current is building a strong case for the season`s MVP award.
Retired USWNT star Alex Morgan has joined the San Diego Wave NWSL team as a minority investor, shortly after retiring as a player for the club.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is said to have paid for 30 staff members to attend the Europa League final after minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly refused. The club`s plans for a celebratory barbecue were seen as `cheap`.
Brazil`s incoming manager Carlo Ancelotti faces a significant challenge with the national team after years of inconsistent performances and a squad that has struggled to find cohesion.
Likely future Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso will face new expectations, including maximizing the potential of players like Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. The team may also be seeking new signings. This follows a look back at Real Madrid`s best managers as Ancelotti prepares to depart.
Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, and Mohamed Salah are leading contenders in the current Ballon d`Or race, which appears competitive at this stage of the year.
Argentina has provided the U.S. with a list of 15,000 fans banned from attending the Club World Cup due to violent behavior.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham expressed dissatisfaction with Minnesota United following his team`s 4-1 loss, urging them to “show a little respect” in an online comment.
Betting Insights
Betting Pick
Here`s a recommended betting pick:
- For the La Liga match between Espanyol and Barcelona (Thursday), a strong pick is Raphinha to score. Barcelona needs points to clinch first place, providing motivation for goals. Raphinha is their second-leading scorer, and with Robert Lewandowski recovering, he is a key attacking threat. Scoring would cap a strong season for Raphinha.
