Overview of Who’s going through to the Champions League Final + Inter win Scudetto
This episode of The Athletic FC / Totally Football Show previews the Champions League semifinal second legs and rounds up a busy weekend across Europe’s major leagues. The panel leans into Bayern Munich vs PSG and Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid, while also unpacking Inter’s title-clinching Serie A run, Barcelona’s march toward the La Liga crown, Marseille’s collapse in Ligue 1, and Hamburg/Schalke’s big moments in the Bundesliga.
Champions League Semifinals: Second-Leg Preview
Bayern Munich vs PSG
- PSG take a one-goal lead to Munich, but will be without Achraf Hakimi, a major tactical loss because of his forward thrust from right-back.
- Warren Zaïre-Emery is expected to fill in at full-back, offering more defensive solidity but less attacking width.
- PSG’s midfield should be closer to full strength with Fabián Ruiz back, though his fitness is still a concern.
- The panel agrees the first leg was wild and open, but Bayern still have plenty of belief at home given their strong Champions League record at the Allianz Arena.
- Michael Olise, Harry Kane, and Luis Díaz were highlighted as Bayern’s major attacking threats.
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid
- Arsenal return to the Emirates with the tie level after a 1-1 first leg in Madrid.
- The hosts are seen as carrying fewer “demons” after a confidence-building league win over Fulham.
- Atlético are still viewed as dangerous and tactically capable of thriving when underestimated.
- The episode notes the growing buildup around Arsenal’s stadium atmosphere and fan choreography, with plenty of talk about a big pre-match tifo.
Predictions
- The panel leans toward Bayern Munich and Arsenal progressing, though both ties are presented as finely balanced.
Serie A: Inter Win the Scudetto
Inter’s title triumph
- Inter clinched their 21st Serie A title after an excellent season under Cristian Chivu.
- Chivu is praised for steadying the club after a difficult end to the previous campaign, including:
- a heavy Champions League final loss,
- internal tension,
- and a squad many thought was nearing the end of its cycle.
- The discussion emphasizes how impressive it is that Inter won the league while dealing with injuries and absences to key players such as Lautaro Martínez, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Denzel Dumfries.
- Inter’s title was built on:
- an elite attack,
- a strong spring run,
- and the ability to keep scoring even when the squad was disrupted.
Other Serie A notes
- Juventus dropped points at already-relegated Verona, complicating their Champions League hopes.
- Napoli drew 0-0 with Como.
- Milan lost to Sassuolo, drawing boos from supporters.
- Sassuolo were praised for smart recruitment, youth development, infrastructure, and for beating Milan again.
- Roma were still in the mix for a top-four finish, with a chance to capitalise on rivals’ stumbles.
La Liga: Barcelona Close In
Barcelona’s title push
- Barcelona’s weekend win over Osasuna kept them on track to wrap up La Liga, potentially even in the upcoming El Clásico.
- The title race is effectively seen as Barcelona’s to lose, with Madrid’s form and dressing-room mood looking increasingly fragile.
- The panel notes Barcelona could still finish with:
- a record-equaling 100 points,
- and possibly the biggest title-winning margin in Spanish league history.
Real Madrid’s turbulence
- Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0, but the discussion centered more on their internal issues than the result.
- There is growing speculation about Carlo Ancelotti’s future and possible successors, with José Mourinho heavily discussed as a candidate.
- The mood around the club is described as fractured, with questions over leadership, discipline, and squad unity.
- Kylian Mbappé’s injury and off-field trip to Italy also became part of the conversation.
Atlético Madrid
- Atlético are considered dangerous but slightly behind Arsenal in the tie.
- Julian Álvarez is expected to be fit for the second leg, which helps Atlético’s chances.
Ligue 1: Lyon Rise, Marseille Collapse
Lyon’s surge
- Lyon won again, their fourth straight victory, and moved into third place.
- The standout individual in their win was Kendry Paez? No—more importantly, the episode highlights:
- Moussa Altamari’s spectacular volley for Rennes,
- Esteban Lepaul continuing his excellent scoring form,
- and Thiago Almada / Endrick / Tolisso-type contributions in Lyon’s attack.
- Corentin Tolisso was praised for his excellent season and resurgence.
Marseille in crisis
- Marseille were thrashed 3-0 by Nantes, a result described as one of their worst of the season.
- The panel is blunt about the fallout:
- Champions League qualification now looks unlikely,
- managerial and sporting leadership changes are expected,
- and the club appears headed for another reset.
- Mason Greenwood was singled out in the harsh French player ratings, with La Provence giving the team a brutal set of marks.
Other Ligue 1 notes
- Monaco beat Metz, helped by a late Ansu Fati goal.
- Paul Pogba made his first Monaco start but was judged to be well short of his old level.
- At the bottom, Auxerre beat Angers and created real tension around the relegation battle.
- Nice remained in a precarious position with a huge upcoming match.
Bundesliga: Bayern, Hamburg, Schalke and the Top-Four Race
Bayern and the title race
- Bayern were held by Heidenheim, but still extended their lead after Dortmund’s loss.
- The game was notable for:
- Bayern resting players ahead of PSG,
- a dramatic late equalizer from Michael Olise,
- and a strong performance from Heidenheim despite their likely relegation battle.
Hamburg survive
- Hamburg beat Frankfurt and secured safety.
- The panel credited their survival to smart summer signings:
- Luka Vuskovic,
- Fabio Vieira,
- and Sambi Lokonga.
- There was praise for coach Merlin Polzin, who is seen as a strong fit for the club.
Schalke on the brink of returning
- Schalke look set for promotion back to the Bundesliga.
- The episode highlights how important Schalke’s return would be for German football, both because of the club’s scale and the restoration of the Ruhr derby.
Champions League qualification scramble
- Leverkusen beat Leipzig 4-1, with Patrick Schick scoring a hat trick.
- Hoffenheim blew a lead against Stuttgart and slid down the table.
- The top-four race remains extremely tight, with several teams on the same points total.
Notable Moments of the Week
- Timmy the whale off the German coast became a quirky football-adjacent story, with Eintracht Frankfurt fans incorporating it into a matchday display.
- Moussa Altamari’s volley for Rennes was described as a likely goal of the season contender.
- Williot Swedberg’s assist for Celta Vigo drew special praise for its inventiveness.
- Kieran Bowie scoring against Juventus produced one of the episode’s funniest moments, especially around the “David and Bowie” pun.
Main Takeaways
- The Champions League semifinals are poised for two high-stakes second legs, with Bayern PSG the most volatile tie and Arsenal still favored against Atlético.
- Inter’s Scudetto win was framed as a major achievement for Cristian Chivu, who stabilized a squad many thought was drifting.
- Barcelona are close to sealing La Liga, while Real Madrid’s season is increasingly defined by off-field uncertainty.
- Marseille’s season is collapsing, Lyon are surging, and the Bundesliga’s top-four and promotion battles remain fascinatingly open.