Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has issued a stark warning to Gianluca Prestianni, stating the player will have no future at the club if found guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. The Argentinian midfielder is currently under investigation by UEFA following allegations made by Vinicius during last month’s Champions League play-off in Lisbon.
Prestianni, who denies the claims, was handed a provisional one-match ban, causing him to miss the second leg of the tie last week, as UEFA launched its formal inquiry. The 20-year-old faces severe repercussions should the allegations be proven true.
However, speaking to reporters on Sunday, the Portuguese manager clarified his position, asserting he was “completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination or prejudice or ignorance or stupidity”.
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth when speaking to Vinicius Jr (AFP/Getty)
The 63-year-old further elaborated at a press conference: “If my player did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica’s as well, then that player’s career with a coach named Jose Mourinho and at a club named Benfica will come to an end.”
Acknowledging the legal process, Mourinho added: “I am not a scholar, but I am not ignorant either. The presumption of innocence is a human right, isn’t it? I stand by my opinion. If the player is indeed guilty, I will never look at him the way I looked at him before, and with me, it’s over. But I have to put many ‘ifs’ in front of it.”
Advertisement
The alleged flashpoint occurred after Vinicius scored the only goal of the game early in the second half at the Estadio da Luz, with Prestianni reportedly covering his mouth with his shirt at the time he is said to have directed a comment towards the Brazilian.
The article below is an excerpt from the free Monday edition of the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter. To get my latest analysis, reporting and insights delivered straight to your inbox, sign up by entering your email address in the box above.
Members of Inside Football and Independent Premium subscribers get an extra bonus edition every Friday. Become a member at just £3 a month here.
Arsenal’s win over Chelsea confirmed that there have already been more set-piece goals this season than in the entirety of the last campaign. There are clear reasons for that rise, from tactical evolution to calendar congestion, as the game’s powerbrokers weigh up what it means – not just for “the product”, but for how this increasingly unpredictable season will ultimately be decided.
For all of the discussion around set-pieces, and what almost seems to be a moral debate about how football should be played, there have been moments when Arsenal have embraced the perception. The squad have come in after some wins singing a particular fan chant: “Set piece again, ole ole.”
That wasn’t quite the case after the 2-1 win over Chelsea, which keeps them top of the table by five points, albeit with a game more played than Manchester City. Instead, there was a sense of resolve.
Advertisement
The match might not have been the most aesthetically enrapturing, but it was absorbing – precisely because of the tension from the title race.
These are the two sides of the Premier League right now: holding in the box, but still holding attention.
This is about much more than Arsenal, after all. As the team that have scored most from set-pieces, and duly lead the table, they merely typify a trend.
That trend is certainly difficult to dispute now. Set-piece centrality is more than a tactical fad, as has been discussed in this newsletter already this season. The last week alone represents an extreme.
Advertisement
As early as Monday, we had the rugby lineout-style jostling that characterised Manchester United’s 1-0 win at Everton. By Sunday evening, and those three strikes at Arsenal, it was confirmed that this season has already seen more set-piece goals than the entirety of 2024-25 – and that with a quarter of the campaign still left to play.
There is a distinctive reason for this, but also some indication it’s a bit overplayed. Some of the images are unedifying. Put simply, you would much rather watch matches replete with skill and creativity rather than groups of players huddling together in the area while grappling. Through balls over throw-ins, individual brilliance over in-swinging corners.
Such scenes stand out all the more when you consider the billions of expenditure, and Thursday’s giddy talk about “Premflix” in Singapore, as well as the sense of a “product” that just keeps selling itself.
And yet it was only 24 hours before Arsenal’s crucial win – with set-pieces central – that the discussion revolved around a sensational set of Saturday 3pm games. Vintage Premier League; maximum chaos.
Advertisement
How couldn’t it? Jordan Pickford secured a 3-2 away win for Everton with a magnificent match-winning save, amid an increasingly erratic season for Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Burnley 3-4 Brentford was utter mayhem, although the pedantic, VAR-dominated way it ended also played into a theme.
By the same token, Arsenal-Chelsea was the marquee Sunday match, so ended up shaping a lot of impressions. A huge factor in the game playing out how it did, however, was simply because these are two highly tactical coaches in what has been a highly intense calendar. It is somewhat inevitable that such games are going to be won on the margins.
Hence Liam Rosenior’s frustration at his team’s errors in that area – albeit with some gripes about the officiating. The Chelsea manager didn’t call them “marking assignments” this time, but admitted it is something he has to get more up to speed on. His team are at least good at attacking set-pieces, which is indicative.
This trend has been accentuated by the fact that club analysts have all realised there is still significant “opportunity” in “restarts”.
Advertisement
After years when the positional game – in other words, Pep Guardiola’s ideology – dictated that it was strategically more advantageous to keep possession and play short corners, it is now seen as one of those areas where new attacking approaches have outpaced defensive responses. There is a mismatch, which probably means this is going to continue in some form for some time. The probabilities have changed.
Approaches have changed with it. Look at Liverpool, who made it seven set-pieces in a row this weekend to also make it three wins on the spin – the second-best run in the Premier League at the moment.
That came after a summer when the club hierarchy decided to specifically lean into individual creativity when many rivals pivoted towards other collective approaches and set-pieces. Those individuals have nevertheless had adjustment issues, though.
And if you cannot beat them…
Advertisement
Mikel Arteta would, of course, insist that he himself is a disciple of the positional game, but that augmenting the ideology with set-pieces is itself a counter-response to deep defences. Liverpool might have found that against West Ham United. Arteta was meanwhile quick to point out after the Chelsea win that “we haven’t scored set-pieces for a few weeks now, but we scored so many in open play – today was an option”.
Much more relevant than such a pre-emptive argument might have been the Basque’s explanation for why they ceded so much play to Chelsea late on. “To train game context in those scenarios is becoming really difficult because we don’t have time to train.”
This is by now an increasingly worn argument, but it is always worth repeating. As the football calendar continues to demand more and more commitment, something has to give. That is naturally going to be high-quality general play.
This is what the game’s stakeholders are not getting. This is what greedy club leaderships are not getting.
Advertisement
Time and space to properly train at elite level is the cost of so much calendar congestion.
Other stakeholders are conscious, though. The weekend’s IFAB meeting showed lawmakers want to eliminate such grappling from the game, amid the introduction of time limits.
The Premier League is expected to assess this for next season, although some club figures already point out there was supposed to be a crackdown this season.
They are conscious of “the product”.
Advertisement
And there is another point to be made – that other side that some stakeholders also do not get. For all the attempt to position football as an “entertainment product”, it has never been that. It is something unique, which is also why it has never been just “a business”. So much is driven by deep emotional investment, regardless of what events on the pitch actually look like. You can throw up a dour 0-0 draw and people keep coming back for other reasons.
So it is with this season. Some of the football is underwhelming, but the storylines may yet be off the scale.
We have already got the title race. The Champions League race is now increasingly charged, especially after Manchester United and Liverpool gathered pace just as Aston Villa dropped points – and Chelsea try to figure out where they are.
Almost the entire mid-table can dream of Europe, with clubs like Brentford and Bournemouth maybe enjoying historic opportunities. There is then the relegation battle, which is really looking like it is going to involve a storyline on the scale of Tottenham Hotspur’s battle for survival.
Advertisement
And all of this while the football has not been all that.
There is evidently no set way of doing this.
Get Inside Football straight to your inbox
Miguel Delaney’s Inside Football newsletter lands in your inbox every Monday and Friday (The Independent)
To receive the free, Monday newsletter simply enter your email address in the box at the top of this page.
March 3 marks 100 days until the 2026 World Cup kicks off. A series of playoffs this month will determine the last six teams to make up the newly expanded 48-team tournament.
“It’s not possible to say exactly, but there will certainly be a response,” Iran Football Federation President, Mehdi Taj, said on Monday on Iran’s IRIB Channel 3. “This will surely be studied by the country’s high-ranking sports officials and there will be a decision on what’s going to happen.
“But what we can say now is that due to this attack and its viciousness, it is far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope.”
Advertisement
While no decision has been taken for the men’s side, Iran’s women kicked off their Asian Cup campaign with defeat to South Korea on Monday in Australia with nothing in the way of protest or politics on display. While Australia has not directly attacked Iran in the way that the US and Israel have, the Australian Prime Minister. Anthony Albanese, has said that “we support the United States” in its actions.
Iran’s men are due to play all three of their World Cup group games in the US. First against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, host city of the 2028 Olympics, then against Egypt in Seattle.
A World Cup for everybody?
Tournament organizers FIFA have said they are monitoring the situation, and the organization’s general secretary, Mattias Grafstrom, added that “our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating”.
However, Iranian fans will be banned from traveling to the US for the tournament as they — like fellow qualifiers Ivory Coast, Senegal and Haiti — are on US President Donald Trump’s travel ban list. Players and approved officials are exempt. Trump’s travel bans, and a perceived general air of hostility to foreigners enforced by ICE agents, are also sparking safety concerns among potential travelers.
Advertisement
While talk of a European boycott of the tournament has cooled slightly since Trump backed down on his threats to annex Greenland by force earlier this year, the volatility of the US president makes predictions difficult.
Trump’s close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino further muddies the waters. Infantino was at the launch of Trump’s Board of Peace just over a week before the Iran attacks and donned a MAGA-style cap at the event.
World Cup ticket prices proving prohibitive
For those from countries not on the banned list or at war with the hosts, the price of tickets and associated costs are controversial. Final tickets start at $2,000 ($1704) and the best seats are $8,680. That’s before accounting for FIFA’s resale portal, which recently had a ticket listed at $143,750.
Prices could rise still higher, with FIFA holding back an unspecified number of tickets to be released in April, once all the qualifiers are known (barring any boycotts or withdrawals). These will be “on a first come, first served basis” and the lack of regulation around secondary ticket sellers, including FIFA’s own platform, has many fans concerned things will get worse.
Advertisement
With US stadiums often only accessible by car, even those fans lucky enough to afford the ticket, travel and accommodation will be stung for parking. A spot at the SoFi stadium in Los Angeles, for example, will set you back $300 per matchday and still leave you a mile (1.6 kilometers) to walk. These costs are significantly higher than they would be for US domestic sporting events at the same arenas.
Fan parks in major doubt
For those without tickets, or with tickets to matches elsewhere, fan parks have become part of the World Cup tapestry in the last 20 years. But a partial federal shutdown in the US has put those in doubt this year. Almost $900 million designated for the 11 host cities in the US has yet to be received, leading to many cities warning they may have to scrap events.
New York mayor Zohran Mamdani has been among those critical of World Cup ticket pricesImage: Andrea Renault/ZUMA/picture alliance
“We have to start making some really tough decisions and it starts with our fan festival,” Ray Martinez, chief operating officer of the Miami World Cup Host Committee said, warning that there must be resolution before the end of this month. Other cities have made similar noises.
“The matches up at the stadium will take place, but preparing for all the impromptu events and watch parties that we are expecting to see will be in jeopardy,” Martinez said.
Mexico cartels also cast shadow
Preparations for the tournament in Mexico and Canada had, until recently, appeared more serene. Mexico City will host the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, and games in the country will take place across three cities.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed last week that FIFA will visit the country soon to make an assessment, but that Infantino told her he has “full confidence” in the country as a host.
“He assured me that the World Cup would be held in our country,” she said. “We agreed that a FIFA team would definitely come to review several issues. We’ve been working on this for a long time, but the issue of security is particularly important, of course.”
Two Canadian cities, Toronto and Vancouver, will also host games.
Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley sounded off on the frenzied reactions to the U.S. men’s hockey team getting invited to the White House by President Donald Trump.
Trump talked to the Olympic gold medal-winning team immediately after they defeated Canada in overtime last weekend. He said they would be invited to his State of the Union address and added that he needed to invite the women’s team as well or he would be “impeached.”
Charles Barkley sits courtside against the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA Cup game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Nov. 21, 2025.(Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Trump critics took the joke as a shot at the women’s team, which sparked questions from NHL and Professional Women’s Hockey League reporters as the players returned to their respective club teams.
“I’m proud of the United States men. I’m proud of the United States women. You should have invited both of them to the White House, but it shouldn’t have been disrespect, misogyny,” Barkley said on the “Steam Room” podcast. “Like, yo, man, why do y’all have to mess everything up? Everything isn’t Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal. That’s why we got this divided, screwed up country. Stop it man. Because, you know, the public, they’re idiots. They’re fools. They can’t think for themselves. I know y’all say stuff to trigger them. Y’all say stuff and y’all know they’re going to be fools.”
Barkley lamented that the average person would get riled up over the supposed controversy.
The U.S. team poses for a group photo after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Milan, Italy, on Feb. 22, 2026.(Luca Bruno/AP Photo)
“We don’t have to fall for stupidity. But we do – that’s my point. These people out here are stupid. They need something to trigger them. Just because they want us to be stupid. We don’t have to be stupid. He should have invited both teams to the White House. Simple as that. Guys who didn’t want to go shouldn’t have to explain why they didn’t go.”
Advertisement
The former Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns star made clear he would go to the White House regardless of whether Trump was in office.
“I’ve said this before, I’m not a Trump guy. But if I got invited to the White House, I would go. I’m not a Trump guy – I want to make that clear. But I respect the office,” Barkley said. “He’s the president of the United States. But if guys don’t want to go, I understand that too. It doesn’t have to be a talking point. It doesn’t have to be un-American.
Megan Keller (5) celebrates with a flag alongside Cayla Barnes (3) of Team United States after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the women’s gold medal match against Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 19, 2026.(Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Sep 29, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic (15) takes questions during media day at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Golden State Warriors seem destined for a Western Conference play-in spot as they continue to play without Stephen Curry. The NBA’s best-ever 3-point marksman will again be a spectator when the Warriors host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
The Warriors said Sunday that Curry will miss five more games before his achy right knee is re-evaluated. That declaration means Golden State won’t have Curry for at least 15 games in total, barring any further setbacks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return still hangs in the balance as the Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets visit the Utah Jazz in another match that we’ll study.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS AT GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Golden State is eighth in the West, five games behind the No. 6 Los Angeles Lakers for an automatic playoff spot. The Clippers are 2 ½ games behind the Warriors in ninth, making Monday’s game highly important for both teams, particularly Los Angeles.
Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points in Sunday’s 137-117 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans and he has scored 20 or more points in his last 37 appearances. Point guard Darius Garland, acquired from Cleveland at the trade deadline, is slated to make his Los Angeles debut and he knows his job is to get the ball to Leonard.
Advertisement
Golden State is just 4-6 without Curry and was blasted 129-101 by the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Depending on guys like Gui Santos, Will Richard, Pat Spencer and Nate Williams in place of Curry and Jimmy Butler (ACL, out for season) isn’t going to last long-term.
Clippers -1.5 points to cover spread, -110 (DraftKings)
Our Current Best Offers
1
Advertisement
Underdog
Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!
T&Cs apply, 18+
2
ParlayPlay
100% up to $100
T&Cs apply, 18+
3
Advertisement
OwnersBox
100% up to $500
T&Cs apply, 18+
4
FanDuel Fantasy
$65 value with just a $10+ deposit
T&Cs apply, 18+
Advertisement
BOSTON CELTICS AT MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Antetokounmpo missed his 15th straight game Sunday due to his right calf injury and there is no guarantee the two-time MVP will suddenly be ready to go. Milwaukee got creamed by the Chicago Bulls – who had lost 11 straight – 120-97 and gave up 27 consecutive points during one stretch of the second half.
The teams split the first two meetings this season but what stands out is how Boston totally shut down the Milwaukee offense during a 107-79 home win on Feb. 1. Ryan Rollins scored 25 on 10-of-16 shooting and the rest of the Bucks had 54 points on 19-of-66 shooting (28.8%) as Milwaukee was held to a season low for points.
Jaylen Brown continues to carry the Celtics but he surely was happy to see Neemias Queta score a career-best 27 points and collect 17 rebounds in Sunday’s 114-98 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. Boston has won 11 of its last 13 games and looks primed to dispose of the Bucks again.
Under 215.5 total points, -110 (DraftKings)
Advertisement
Our Current Best Offers
1
Underdog
Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!
T&Cs apply, 18+
2
Advertisement
ParlayPlay
100% up to $100
T&Cs apply, 18+
3
OwnersBox
100% up to $500
T&Cs apply, 18+
4
Advertisement
FanDuel Fantasy
$65 value with just a $10+ deposit
T&Cs apply, 18+
DENVER NUGGETS AT UTAH JAZZ
Nikola Jokic has scored 30 or more points in four of the last five games and he figures to be a triple-double threat against the woeful Jazz. Jokic also might pack extra motivation as he had just 14 points in the first meeting between the teams on Dec. 22. He took just seven shots (making five) and also had 13 rebounds and 13 assists.
The Nuggets haven’t been playing well and are struggling with eight losses in their past 12 games. Denver lost 117-108 at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday despite Jokic contributing 35 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. Sidekick Jamal Murray had 39 and 25 points the past two games, both in losses.
The Jazz are focused on tanking and have dropped five straight games, including back-to-back home games against the New Orleans Pelicans. Utah will show for the game – league rules mandate it – but it would be stunning for it to muster a victory or slow Jokic down.
Advertisement
Nikola Jokic to score 30-plus points, -119 (DraftKings)
Our Current Best Offers
1
Underdog
Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!
Former Nigeria international midfielder Sani Kaita has submitted his application for the position of head coach of the Golden Eaglets, declaring his readiness to guide the country’s next generation of young footballers.
The Nigeria Football Federation recently announced coaching vacancies for several national youth teams and invited qualified candidates to apply. Kaita has now confirmed his interest in leading the Under 17 side.
The 38 year old, who is based in the United Kingdom, believes his experience as a player and his growing coaching career have prepared him for the responsibility. During his playing days, he featured for clubs in Europe, including Sparta Rotterdam and AS Monaco, as well as teams in Russia and Greece. He also represented Nigeria at the highest level and was part of the squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Advertisement
Kaita holds a UEFA B Licence issued by the Football Association of Wales. In recent years, he has focused on youth development and is currently working with Hellenic FC, where he continues to build his coaching knowledge and philosophy.
Confirming his application, Kaita said he is eager to give back to Nigerian football.
“I can confirm that I have applied for the Under 17 coaching job. It is time for me to share my expertise and develop our youth players within a positive, high performance environment,” he said.
Advertisement
A silver medallist at the 2005 FIFA Under 20 World Cup and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Kaita explained that his move into coaching has been carefully planned.
“I have spent the last few years working specifically with young players, focusing on player development and success,” he added. “I am confident in my ability and promise to assemble a team that Nigerians will be proud of.”
Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Vikings want to add a strong linebacker and promising running back, at least in their ideal world. Benjamin Solak’s update from the NFL Combine may therefore hit as bad news.
The ESPN analyst passed along a short video of what he learned in the event that’s ostensibly about draft prospects but is often about free agency deals. Solak’s belief is that there are some NFL talents who are soon to earn beefy paydays, with LB Quay Walker alongside RB Kenneth Walker III getting looped into the mix.
Vikings Hit with 2 Scary Words: “Bidding War”
Part of the problem is there aren’t a ton of options, at least per Solak. The running back demand doesn’t meet a proportional supply.
Advertisement
Lots of teams would welcome an improved ground game. Minnesota, to be sure, would benefit from at least pretending that the rushing attack matters. Consider, as well, that Aaron Jones is soon to be shown the door. Add it all up and there was some merit to the idea of adding the speedy, elusive Seattle running back.
Jan 17, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half in an NFC Divisional Round game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Pump the brakes a touch. Or, at least, take the foot off the gas.
Consider the insight from Solak: “Walker’s the best free agent running back available in terms of like juice and explosive play ability. And this draft class really does not have a lot of fans. So, I think there’s going to be a bidding war for Walker and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s like a top 5 paid running back by the time it’s all said and done.”
At the top of the RB market is Saquon Barkley. Very reasonable since he’s elite and will someday be in the Hall of Fame. He’s pulling down north of $20 million per season (OTC).
Advertisement
Working down the list means seeing Christian McCaffrey ($19M), Derrick Henry ($15M), Jonathan Taylor ($14M), and then Alvin Kamara ($12.25M). All great runners but ones who are older (some by quite a wide margin). Does the 25-year-old Walker break the bank by getting into the mid-teens for a per-year average? If so, the Vikings likely need to rally around Jordan Mason while bringing in cheaper talent. Side note: does a rugged fullback make sense?
The 2025 regular season saw Kenneth Walker offer up 221 carries for 1,027 yards and 5 touchdowns. He then went nuclear in the playoffs, proving to be Seattle’s best weapon even through the dry spells for Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (7) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Shifting the conversation to the other Walker creates more uncertainty.
In an NFL where contracts are contextual, Solak establishes a link between Quay Walker and Devin Lloyd. Since Lloyd is going to gobble up huge money, Walker is going to see his deal raised, as well.
Advertisement
“Quay Walker, who’s the second best three-down, still-young middle linebacker, sort of a prospect” Solak argues, “he’s just going to get pulled up by the Devin Lloyd’s gravity.” He then insists that “15 million dollars” is the baseline and that Walker is going to “be above that.” If so, the Vikings will be looking elsewhere.
LB1 Blake Cashman is a strong defender. He thinks the game at a high level, allowing him to wrangle Brian Flores’s play call before then communicating it to the defense. What’s needed is a young, physical running mate to gobble up runners and to get sent on blitzes aplenty.
Ivan Pace Jr. was supposed to be that player, but he’s coming off a demotion, largely due to missed tackles and struggles in coverage. Much likelier, it seems, that the Vikings scoop up someone else for that LB2 spot.
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) reacts after an interception against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Per Solak, the other free agents who are going to drain the ATM are guard Zion Johnson, DT John Franklin-Myers, and corner Cor’Dale Flott. In theory, the DT and CB could be nice Vikings fits, but the word about price does encourage caution.
On Monday, March 9th, the insider insight gets put to the test as NFL teams arrive at verbal agreements with free-agent talent. Pen can get put to paper on Wednesday, March 11th.
Two red cards, a VAR overturn and a decisive converted penalty with the last kick of the game. All of that happened in the final seconds of a Champions League thriller between Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday- and it ultimately ensured there will still be Italian representation in Europe’s top club competition.
Atalanta advanced to the round of 16 by capping an unlikely turnaround when Lazar Samardzic curled a penalty into the top corner in the eighth minute of stoppage time to clinch a 4-1 win on the night and a 4-3 victory on aggregate.
Dortmund, the runner-up in 2024, had arrived with a 2-0 lead from the first leg.
Advertisement
“Everyone had written us off,” said Davide Zappacosta, one of Atalanta’s scorers, “but … we always believe and we never give up.”
Still, Atalanta needed a helping hand.
Extra time was looming when a mistake by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel allowed Atalanta to launch one last attack, after the allotted three minutes of stoppage time had been played.
A cross into the area was about to reach Nikola Krstovic for a simple header into an empty net when Dortmund defender Remy Bensabaini flicked out his boot and caught the Atalanta substitute on the top of his head, drawing blood.
A corner was initially given but after a VAR check, a penalty was awarded, unused Dortmund substitute Nico Schlotterbeck was shown a red card on the bench for complaining, Bensabaini was shown a second yellow card for his foul, and Samardzic dispatched his spot kick, sparking joyous scenes inside the stadium in Bergamo.
Advertisement
The referee blew for full time before Dortmund could restart the match.
“It’s an unforgettable night,” Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino said, “a dream come true.”
Italy’s record of having at least one team in the round of 16 since that stage was reintroduced to the Champions League in 2003-04 was under threat after Serie A champion Napoli didn’t even make the playoffs after finishing in 30th place in the 36-team league phase and Inter Milan was eliminated by tiny Norwegian team Bod/Glimt in the playoffs on Tuesday.
That left Atalanta and Juventus, which trailed Galatasaray 5-2 after the first leg.
Atalanta is back in the last 16 for the first time since the 2020-21 season and will play either Arsenal or Bayern Munich. The draw is on Friday.
Advertisement
Dortmund gives up first-leg lead
Atalanta got the fast start it needed after losing the first leg, with Gianluca Scamacca netting in the fifth minute and Zappacosta also scoring before halftime. Mario Pasalic then headed in the third in the 57th minute to put the hosts ahead on aggregate.
Karim Adeyemi came off the bench for Dortmund to make it 3-3 on aggregate but there was time for late drama.
According to UEFA, it marked the first time Dortmund has failed to convert on a two-goal, first-leg lead in a two-legged European matchup. The team had done so successfully 10 times before.
Cristina Bucsa has capped the biggest week of her career by winning her first WTA title at the Mérida Open.
Bucsa defeated Magdalena Fręch 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the final to lift the trophy.
Just days after securing her first top 10 victory, she went a step further and claimed the title.
Advertisement
The turnaround has been remarkable. Bucsa arrived in Mérida on a five-match losing streak. She leaves as a champion and is set to rise to a new career-high ranking of world No. 31.
After the match, Bucsa praised her opponent.
“Magdalena, congratulations for this incredible week. I don’t know if you remember, we played in Saint Malo… We give all our best. Here we demonstrated how tough we are. You’re also a great champion. I also want to congratulate your coach for the amazing job he’s doing with you. I wish you a very fast recovery for Indian Wells. Hope to see you in many more finals. Amazing.”
Advertisement
From a difficult run of form to a career defining title, this was indeed a week that changed everything.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry finds water off the tee on both the 16th and 17th holes to blow his three-shot lead and finish runner-up at the Cognizant Classic.
KC Concepcion, a former Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver, fired back at criticism over the way he speaks after he was mocked while talking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Concepcion admitted in a post on his Instagram Stories on Sunday night that he has battled a stuttering issue for much of his life.
Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion runs for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 8, 2025.(Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
“I just wanna say something. If you have a speech impediment, there is nothing wrong with us,” he said. “I have had this stutter since I can remember talking. This is a part of me. This is who I am. I cannot control this. I wanna be a role model for those who may be scared to speak up, who may be afraid and not confident in yourself. I stand with you.
“This weekend has taught me a lot about myself and people out there in this world. I appreciate everyone who supports me and has reached out to me after these interviews. Don’t let (an) outside person’s thoughts, opinions get in the way of you being great, of achieving something in life. I am blessed to be in this position that I am in, and I want to help give back to those who are scared to speak up, who aren’t as confident. I stand with you. I will always stand with you. We are different for a reason.
Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 28, 2026.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“God had blessed my life in a way I couldn’t even imagine in this past year. I love y’all and support y’all as we climb this mountain together.”
More than 80 million people around the world, including about 3 million Americans, deal with stuttering, according to The Stuttering Foundation. Athletes like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and George Springer have been open about stuttering issues in the past.
Advertisement
Concepcion hopes to hear his name called when the NFL Draft takes place in the spring. He was an All American for the first time after the 2025 season.
Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko hugs wide receiver KC Concepcion before the Miami Hurricanes game during the first round of the CFP National Playoff at Kyle Field on Dec. 20, 2025.(Maria Lysaker/Imagn Images)
