Overview of Madrid beaten, PSG back top and Inter + Bayern cruising
This episode is the European edition of The Totally Football Show (The Athletic), recorded Monday 23 February. The panel (James Richardson, Tom Williams, Seb, Paul, James Horncastle) run through the weekend’s major results across Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga and Ligue 1, plus the Champions League playoff first-leg shocks and what to watch in the huge midweek return legs.
Key headlines
- Real Madrid lost at Osasuna (2-1); Osasuna’s winner caused VAR controversy and was a historic first home win vs Madrid in 15 years. That result handed Barcelona the league lead after they beat Levante 3-0.
- PSG moved back to the top of Ligue 1 after a 3-0 win; Monaco stunned Lens 3-2 away to dent Lens’ long home winning run and set up a feisty Champions League return leg.
- Serie A: Inter extended their lead domestically (2-0 win at Lecce) and sit well in the title race, while Juventus had a torrid time — a 5-goal collapse in Istanbul left them needing an enormous comeback in the Champions League playoff second leg.
- Bundesliga: Bayern Munich won and are pulling clear at the top (an eight-point cushion mentioned); Harry Kane continues to score prolifically. Alphonso Davies suffered a fresh muscle issue (hamstring), while Manuel Neuer returned to training.
- Champions League playoffs: several big comebacks required — Juve (huge deficit vs Galatasaray), Inter (3-1 down to Bodo/Glimt), Atalanta (2-0 down to Dortmund). Knockout ties will dominate midweek TV.
Moments of the week
- A stunning bicycle-kick (described as near-perfect) in the Bundesliga — the commentator’s dramatic reaction was a highlight.
- VAR drama at Osasuna vs Real: Raúl García de Haro’s winner was initially disallowed for offside then awarded after confusion between the referee and VAR — a massive emotional swing for the Osasuna players and bench.
- Padova beat AC Milan at San Siro (first win there in 12 years) — a notable Serie A upset.
- A superb long-range/technically ambitious strike for Rennes (described as a chest-down and volley that hit the bar and went in) gave their new boss a winning start.
Champions League playoff picture — what’s at stake
- Juventus vs Galatasaray: Juventus surrendered a lead in Istanbul and lost heavily; they need a huge away-to-home turnaround in Turin. Defensive frailties (errors, missing key defenders), lack of a consistent number 9 and goalkeeper form are major concerns.
- Inter vs Bodo/Glimt: Inter lost 3-1 away but the panel remain confident Inter can overturn that at San Siro — home form, attacking options and a return of key personnel give hope.
- Atalanta vs Dortmund: Atalanta are beaten but their excellent domestic home form (six straight wins at the Gewiss/New Balance stadium) gives reason for optimism; Dortmund have defensive issues and tiredness to manage.
- Other midweek ties to watch: Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge (early kick-off — tie finely poised after 3-3 draw), Real Madrid vs Benfica (Real 1-0 first-leg lead, off-field headlines around alleged racist abuse and UEFA’s provisional suspension of the accused), PSG vs Monaco (Monaco’s confidence after beating Lens will make the Parc des Princes tie spicy).
League roundups
Serie A
- Standings & title race: Inter continue to look the most convincing (10 points clear of Milan after the weekend). Napoli and Roma are close behind for the top-four battle.
- Juventus: struggling with defensive errors, red cards and lack of a consistent striker; lost 2-0 at home to Como and face an uphill Champions League task midweek.
- Atalanta: tricky but dangerous at home — capable of mounting comebacks thanks to a strong New Balance stadium atmosphere.
- Injuries/absences: Lautaro Martinez absent for Inter in recent matches; Juventus missing attacking options has been exposed.
La Liga
- Real Madrid: dropped points at Osasuna after squad rotation post-Benfica and some fitness doubts around Mbappé (reported knee discomfort). The team also faces a sensitive second-leg at the Bernabéu with the Prestianni/Benfica controversy unfolding.
- Barcelona: beat Levante 3-0; tactical tweaks (e.g., Joao Cancelo at left-back, midfield changes) paid off and Pedri returned from injury as a substitute.
- Atlético: form is mixed; focus now switches to the Club Brugge tie and Copa del Rey semifinal with Barcelona — only Champions League and cup remain priorities for the season.
Bundesliga
- Bayern Munich: won again, opening up a significant lead (8 points). Harry Kane continues to hunt single-season scoring records (28 goals noted at the time). Kimmich was publicly criticized for a risky pass that led to a goal, and Alphonso Davies has a hamstring strain (a few weeks out).
- Dortmund: stretched and looking fatigued; defensive absences have opened vulnerabilities, but a late equaliser against Leipzig gave hope ahead of their Champions League clash with Atalanta.
- Relegation: very tight — Heidenheim, Werder Bremen and several clubs are close together; a couple of results can move teams dramatically.
Ligue 1
- PSG: comfortable 3-0 win over Metz, prepared for the Monaco return leg; doubts persist over regular muscle issues for Ousmane Dembélé.
- Monaco: giant-killing 3-2 comeback at Lens (Ansu Fati scored the winner) — Lens’ long home streak ended and PSG leapfrogged them at the top.
- Marseille: poor run continues; new manager appointment (Hervé ? / Habib Beye was mentioned as incoming) hasn’t sparked instant improvement — they lost and face a pivotal match vs Lyon soon.
- Rising challengers: Strasbourg, Rennes and Lille remain in the hunt for European places; the league down the stretch promises intrigue.
Notable incidents & injuries
- VAR controversy: Osasuna vs Real — confusion over communication between VAR and the referee resulted in a dramatic about-turn and double celebration for Raúl García de Haro.
- Alleged racist abuse: UEFA provisionally suspended the player accused of abusing Vinícius Júnior (reported suspension ahead of Real vs Benfica), and Mourinho is suspended from the return-leg duties after a prior red card and controversial post-match comments.
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek: suffered a serious-looking injury (neck/jaw trauma at San Siro reported) — underwent surgery; club statement said he did not lose consciousness.
- Alphonso Davies: hamstring strain after recent return from long-term injury; out for a few weeks (non-ACL but inconvenient).
- Manuel Neuer: returned to full training — good news for Bayern ahead of the knockout phase.
Quotes & panel observations
- “Ronaldo doesn’t do it! Messi doesn’t do it!” — the commentator’s incredulous reaction to the Bundesliga bicycle kick.
- Board member vs player dynamic: Bayern publicly criticized Joshua Kimmich’s risky play; panel noted the boldness of criticizing a senior dressing-room figure.
- Mourinho remarks drew public condemnation (Vincent Kompany and others): the Barcelona/Real/Benfica episode has off-field consequences that may affect match atmospheres.
What to watch midweek (action items)
- Champions League playoff return legs (midweek) — must-see ties:
- Juventus vs Galatasaray — can Juve overturn a heavy first-leg defeat?
- Inter vs Bodo/Glimt — San Siro will be decisive; Inter’s domestic form suggests they can fight back.
- Atalanta vs Dortmund — Bergamo atmosphere could swing it.
- Real Madrid vs Benfica — tense for reasons both on and off the pitch (disciplinary headlines, Mourinho absence).
- Atletico vs Club Brugge — early kickoff; Atletico need goals and solidity.
- PSG vs Monaco (Champions League) — Monaco arrive in form and will make the Parc des Princes interesting.
- Injury watch: Ruben Loftus-Cheek recovery timeline; Alphonso Davies’ hamstring; any late fitness news on PSG’s Dembélé and Real’s Mbappé.
Bottom line / takeaways
- Europe’s midweek fixtures have become pivotal: several heavyweight teams are under real pressure in knockout ties, particularly Italian sides.
- Domestic momentum: Inter and Bayern look comfortable domestically; Barcelona have regained a boost; PSG are back on top but must manage injuries.
- The season’s narrative is still fluid — VAR controversies, managerial changes and injury news mean nothing is guaranteed and midweek results could reshape both continental and domestic storylines for the run-in.
Produced by The Athletic’s Totally Football Show — concise wrap of the weekend’s key games, controversies and the must-watch midweek schedule.