Talking Points
Previews before the weekend and the Champions League, and round-ups once the results are in.
Preview, Tuesday, 27 October 2026Serie A midweek preview: Lazio go to Sassuolo, Napoli go to Monza without AllegriTen games in three days. Lazio and Inter share top spot on 22 points, Inter play without Lautaro Martínez, Juventus take eight absentees to Genoa and Napoli are without their banned manager.Round-up, Tuesday, 27 October 2026Weekend round-up: Mbappé wins the Clásico as Villa end City's perfect startKylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid became the first side to beat Barcelona in LaLiga this season, Nicolas Jackson's double ended Man City's perfect start, and a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth left Michael Carrick unsure of his future.Preview, Friday, 23 October 2026Weekend preview: Flick's Barcelona host Mourinho's Madrid as City go to Villa ParkVinícius is banned for the Clásico and Barcelona have lost Dani Olmo, City take seven wins from seven to Villa Park, and PSG face leaders Lyon without Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos.Round-up, Thursday, 22 October 2026Champions League round-up: PSG end Barça's perfect start as Como rout Carrick's UnitedVitinha and Fabián Ruiz scored late as PSG beat Barcelona 4-2, Nico Paz led Como to a 4-1 win that leaves United winless in seven, and Declan Rice rescued a 2-2 in Munich after Bukayo Saka went off hurt.Round-up, Tuesday, 20 October 2026Weekend round-up: Lazio stun Juventus as Maresca's City make it seven from sevenMan City won their seventh league game in seven to stay three points clear of Arsenal, Luis Díaz scored a hat-trick in Bayern's 6-1 rout of Leipzig, and Lazio's 3-0 win in Turin took them level with Inter at the top of Serie A.Preview, Tuesday, 20 October 2026Champions League preview: PSG host Barcelona as Carrick's United go to ComoBarcelona go to Paris without Koundé and Eric García, Bayern face Arsenal without the suspended Michael Olise, and Michael Carrick takes a United side with one league win in seven to Cesc Fàbregas's Como.Preview, Friday, 16 October 2026Weekend preview: Carrick's United go to Leeds as Demichelis returns to BayernMan United go to Elland Road 13th and without a win in five, Inter visit Bologna without the injured Lautaro Martínez, and Juventus face joint leaders Lazio with Luciano Spalletti banned to the stands.Round-up, Thursday, 15 October 2026Champions League round-up: PSG sink City, Madrid stun Roma and Inter lose to BruggePSG led City 3-0 inside 32 minutes at the Etihad, Real Madrid scored three corner goals in seven minutes to win 4-3 in Rome, and Inter are pointless after Nicolò Tresoldi's hat-trick for Club Brugge.Round-up, Tuesday, 13 October 2026Weekend round-up: City sink 10-man Liverpool as Carrick's United are booedMan City scored three in 16 minutes at Anfield after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off, Man United let a lead slip against ten-man Spurs and sit 13th, and Bayern had four goals ruled out in a 2-2 at Augsburg. Rayo v Athletic was abandoned after a fans' protest.Preview, Tuesday, 13 October 2026Champions League preview: Carrick's United head to Madrid as Mourinho goes back to RomeUnited face Atlético without Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo, City host the double European champions PSG, and José Mourinho returns to the Olimpico with Real Madrid for the first time since Roma sacked him.