Joao Cancelo's second stint at Barcelona has been more about realism than fanfare, as the right-back has hardly impressed since joining the club on a loan deal in January. A month into his spell at Barcelona, the Portuguese international has not been able to win the trust of Hansi Flick, producing a few indifferent performances here and there. This is not too surprising considering Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco brought Cancelo back to provide much-needed depth on both defensive flanks,
Starting with the hosts, despite suffering play-off heartbreak last season, Cesena have made it abundantly clear that they have their sights firmly set on punching another top-eight finish this time around. Despite currently being sat in pole position after their rampant start to the 2025/26 campaign, it is no secret that the Bianconeri are desperately searching for some essential stability.
In fact, sat rock-bottom of the group stage table and becoming somewhat of a laughing stock from across the continent, Claude Puel's men have astonishingly failed to put a single point on the board during this year's tournament. With their knockout stage dreams already going up in smoke prior to opening 2026, Nice have remarkably lost all of their six Europa League appearances this season by an aggregate score of 13-4.
Getting December underway with a 2-1 loss against Cursor Ashton, Alfreton have also shown some extended defensive issues. With their recent rut underlined by a frantic 6-2 drumming against Merthyr Town on November 22nd, Tuesday's hosts have registered just two clean sheets from any of their previous 13 showdowns across all fronts - a run that stems all the way back to September 20th.
"[The mood in the dressing room] is relief but with a very clear understanding that the margins should have been bigger," Arteta told reporters. "After not being precise enough in the first half with the amount of situations that we generated inside the opposition box and we didn't pick the right colour of shirt, we had to improve in the second half.
Another level. If Rodri came on for the last 20 minutes against Fulham, put right in the middle, do you know the effect? Just his presence, not even touching the ball? The other 10 players feel safe, better. They play better even if he doesn't touch the ball. Just the fact that he is there. And for one year and a half we didn't have it.
The Warriors used to be the greatest show on hardwood. Night after night, they were doing a genre-pushing, never-before-seen live improv set a blur of movement and mouthguard chewing and some of the most ridiculous and beautiful basketball that went beyond the realm of even your wildest imaginations. Man, were they fun. But that is not a word I would use to describe this year's Warriors. No, these Warriors are doing something laboriously, painfully joyless. What a slog.
Following a dominant win over Athletic Club on their historic return to Camp Nou at the weekend, Barcelona travel to London for a massive European night as they face reigning Club World Cup champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in Matchday 5 of the league phase of this season's Champions League on Tuesday night. Barça come into this one knowing anything but a victory will all but end any realistic chance of them finishing in the Top 8 and securing automatic qualification for the Round of 16.
Unlike his misfiring side, when Tony Docherty took aim last weekend he did not miss. "An unacceptable level of performance," he said. "I have always come out and defended the players. I can't defend that." The Ross County manager took no prisoners after his side lost 3-0 at home to Greenock Morton. To be fair to the Staggies' strikers, the Dingwall side are ranked sixth when it comes to goals scored in the Championship.
Despite securing a much-welcomed 2-1 victory against Annecy last month, Le RAF have lost each of their other three Ligue 2 appearances and they have shown some worrying defensive issues. Including another 2-1 loss agains Amiens on October 25th, Rodez have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 consecutive appearances across all competitions - a run that stems all the way back to September 12th.
Starting with the hosts, while Real Zaragoza might have dragged themselves over the finishing line last season as they clung to their Segunda status, Los Manos have an almighty battle on their hands. Getting this weekend's fixtures underway sat rock-bottom of the table, Ruben Selles' new squad have continued to show a string of glaring issues. Only putting six points on the board from any of their first 13 Segunda appearances, the former Sheffield United boss has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders.
You need every player to work and I think this season teams have targeted [Liverpool] down the right, Salah doesn't run back, there's an obvious concern for Liverpool down there because he's not getting back and not having the consistency of a right back playing every game. I think teams are targeting down that side. [Manchester] City done it and I felt sorry for Bradley, he needed help.
