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Barcelona Depleted for Copa ‘Clasico’ against Real Madrid

Barcelona's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski reacts at the end of the UEFA Europa league knockout round play-off second leg football match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 23, 2023. (AFP)
Barcelona's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski reacts at the end of the UEFA Europa league knockout round play-off second leg football match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 23, 2023. (AFP)
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Barcelona Depleted for Copa ‘Clasico’ against Real Madrid

Barcelona's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski reacts at the end of the UEFA Europa league knockout round play-off second leg football match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 23, 2023. (AFP)
Barcelona's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski reacts at the end of the UEFA Europa league knockout round play-off second leg football match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 23, 2023. (AFP)

Barcelona had been scoring at ease, getting plenty of goals from its forwards to keep thriving in the Spanish league and the Copa del Rey.

Lack of offensive prowess was far from a problem for the Catalan club.

But things have changed entering a crucial part of the season, with Barcelona attracting attention for a series of injuries in attack and enduring a poor scoring run.

Barcelona will be without some of its top scorers when it visits Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Thursday. And it’s not known if they will be fit when the rivals meet again in a decisive Spanish league match in a few weeks.

Barcelona will head to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium without Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembélé and Pedri because of injuries. The trio have combined for 40 goals this season, with 25 coming from Lewandowski, eight from Dembélé and seven from Pedri.

Lewandowski is out with a hamstring strain sustained in the 1-0 loss at Almería on Sunday, which marked the first time Barcelona failed to score a goal in a match since October. Pedri and Dembélé are nursing muscle injuries.

“We are missing three important players, but we can still compete,” Barcelona coach Xavi said Wednesday. “More than ever, we need to play as a team. We have to play with personality.”

Forward Ansu Fati also has been injured recently but was expected to be available for Xavi at the Bernabéu.

He could play on the left side of the attack, with Raphinha on the right and Ferran Torres coming in as a striker. Torres had one of his best games with Barcelona in a league “clasico” against Madrid last year, when the Catalan club won 4-0 at the Bernabéu. Xavi could use Gavi in a more offensive position in midfield if Fati doesn't play.

Barcelona outscored opponents 24-7 in a 11-game winning run that ended with the home draw against Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs. It then lost 2-1 in England last week to see its hopes of silverware reduced to the Copa and the league, where it leads Madrid by seven points.

“If you look at the last two matches, it looks like we are in the hospital,” Xavi said. “But we are still leading the league and we are in the semifinals of the Copa, so it’s been a good run. We can’t focus on the last two matches.”

Barcelona defeated Madrid 3-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final in January. It lost by the same score in the first “clasico” of the season in a league match at the Bernabéu.

“We don't want to win just to avenge the Super Cup loss,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “We want to win because we are close to winning another title.”

Madrid’s attack complete

Madrid has two absences in defense because of injuries — central defender David Alaba and left back Ferland Mendy — but Ancelotti will have all of his top players available in attack.

Rodrygo is the latest forward to recover from injury and is expected to play on Thursday in an attack led by Vinícius Junior and Karim Benzema.

Madrid missed a chance to move closer to Barcelona in the league after being held by 10-man Atlético at home on Saturday. It has a 5-2 lead over Liverpool in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

Madrid is looking to win its first Copa since 2014. Barcelona won it for the last time in 2021.

The other Copa semifinal will be played between Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao, the most successful Copa team behind Barcelona.

Athletic is making its fourth straight semifinal appearance, while Osasuna is in the last four for the first time since reaching the final in 2005.

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Slot 'Happy' to Welcome Salah Back at Liverpool after AFCON

Salah emotional after saying goodbye to the Africa Cup of Nations (Reuters)
Salah emotional after saying goodbye to the Africa Cup of Nations (Reuters)
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Slot 'Happy' to Welcome Salah Back at Liverpool after AFCON

Salah emotional after saying goodbye to the Africa Cup of Nations (Reuters)
Salah emotional after saying goodbye to the Africa Cup of Nations (Reuters)

Arne Slot said he would welcome Mohamed Salah back at Liverpool even if he had 15 attackers as the Egypt forward nears a return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah is set to play in Egypt's third-place play-off match against Nigeria in Morocco on Saturday, AFP said.

His impending return has been a major talking point after he took aim at the club in an explosive interview in early December.

Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus" after he was benched for three games in a row and said he had no relationship with manager Slot.

But he appeared as a substitute in a 2-0 Premier League win against Brighton on December 13, providing a assist, and Slot subsequently said the club had moved on from the furore.

Slot, whose fourth-placed team host struggling Burnley on Saturday, was asked at his pre-match press conference about Salah's return.

"First of all, he needs to play another big game for Egypt on Saturday," said the Dutchman.

"And then he comes back to us, and I'm happy that he comes back. Mo has been so important for this club, for me, so I'm happy that he's back.

"Because even if I had 15 attackers I still would have been happy if he would have come back, but that's not our current situation. So I'm happy to have him back after an important game that he still has to play."

Salah scored 29 Premier League goals to win the Premier League Golden Boot last season as Liverpool romped to a 20th English league title, but has managed just four league goals during the current campaign.

Slot was asked when he expected Salah to be available to play.

"Next week," he said. "We're in talks with him, what is expected of him over there and what we expect over here.

"But first of all, he needs to have an important game on Saturday, and next week he will be back with us."

Liverpool take on Roberto de Zerbi's Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday before travelling to Bournemouth next weekend.

The Premier League champions' title defense collapsed with a run of six defeats in seven league matches starting in late September.

But Slot has steadied the ship and the club are now unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions.

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Morocco and Senegal Prepare for Final Showdown but Salah’s AFCON Dream Fades

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Tangier, Morocco - January 14, 2026 Morocco fans celebrate after winning their semi-final against Nigeria. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Tangier, Morocco - January 14, 2026 Morocco fans celebrate after winning their semi-final against Nigeria. (Reuters)
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Morocco and Senegal Prepare for Final Showdown but Salah’s AFCON Dream Fades

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Tangier, Morocco - January 14, 2026 Morocco fans celebrate after winning their semi-final against Nigeria. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Tangier, Morocco - January 14, 2026 Morocco fans celebrate after winning their semi-final against Nigeria. (Reuters)

Hosts Morocco and Senegal will fight it out in a heavyweight Africa Cup of Nations final this weekend after tense last-four victories on Wednesday, but Mohamed Salah is left wondering if his dream of winning the title will forever remain unfulfilled.

The tournament has delivered a final showdown for the trophy between Africa's two modern footballing powerhouses, the continent's best sides according to the FIFA rankings.

For Morocco, winners on penalties against Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in their semi-final in Rabat, their run to this stage feels like a natural progression after Walid Regragui's side became the first African and Arab team to reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2022.

They have not lost since a shock exit from the 2024 AFCON to South Africa in the last 16 and are currently 11th in the world rankings, above Italy.

Morocco boast the reigning African player of the year in Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi and are looking to add the AFCON title to a list of recent successes: they won the Under-20 World Cup in October and the Arab Cup last month, as well as Olympic bronze in 2024.

They were for a long time African football's big underachievers, with their only Cup of Nations title to date coming in 1976 -- since then they have reached just one final, when Regragui was a player in 2004.

The Atlas Lions have not always been a scintillating watch in their home tournament and have even been whistled by their own supporters, while Regragui regularly faces criticism despite his success since being appointed in August 2022.

But the only goal they have conceded in six matches came from a penalty in a group-stage draw with Mali, while in Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz they have arguably the competition's outstanding player.

"Obviously there are higher expectations on us after we got to the World Cup semi-finals and I know I will also be criticized if I lose the final," Regragui accepted as he spoke to media in the early hours of Thursday.

- Golden age -

His team have also qualified for a third straight World Cup and the country is preparing to co-host the 2030 edition with Spain and Portugal.

"This is the golden age of Moroccan football but we must not forget where we have come from," Regragui added.

It is also a golden age for Senegal, the 2022 African champions who beat Egypt 1-0 in the semis thanks to Sadio Mane's goal in Tangiers.

The Lions of Teranga have qualified for a third straight World Cup too, and this is their third final in four editions of AFCON -- they lost to Algeria in Cairo in 2019.

Senegal, who are 19th in the world rankings, were considered on paper to be the most obvious threat to Morocco's chances of winning the title on home soil and have also constructed their success here on a strong defense that has conceded just two goals.

- One last crack? -

However, unlike Morocco this is an ageing team, with 33-year-old Mane saying on Wednesday that this would be his last AFCON.

"Let's hope we still have him for a few more years," insisted Senegal coach Pape Thiaw. "I hope it is not his last final."

Salah, meanwhile, may need time to come to terms with falling short at yet another Cup of Nations.

He turns 34 this year and came to Morocco hoping desperately for success with his country at a time when his club future at Liverpool is so uncertain.

Salah's Cup of Nations record is littered with disappointment, with defeats in the final in 2017 and in 2022, and a last-16 exit when Egypt hosted in 2019.

His last AFCON, two years ago in Ivory Coast, ended early with a hamstring injury.

Now he has fallen short again, and seven-time champions Egypt are still without a title since 2010.

Salah can still look forward to leading the Pharaohs at the World Cup, and he will surely try to rouse himself for at least one more AFCON -- the next edition in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda is set for next year after all.

Sports

Inter Milan Has 70% Chance of Serie A Title After Becoming Winter Champion

Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Napoli - San Siro, Milan, Italy - January 11, 2026 Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Napoli - San Siro, Milan, Italy - January 11, 2026 Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu reacts. (Reuters)
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Inter Milan Has 70% Chance of Serie A Title After Becoming Winter Champion

Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Napoli - San Siro, Milan, Italy - January 11, 2026 Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Napoli - San Siro, Milan, Italy - January 11, 2026 Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu reacts. (Reuters)

Inter Milan has a 70% chance of winning Serie A according to history.

In 63 of the 93 previous Serie A seasons, the team which topped the table at the midway point went on to claim the scudetto.

Inter strong-armed its way to the title of winter champion on Wednesday when Pio Esposito flexed his muscles.

“This semi title doesn’t mean anything,” Inter coach Cristian Chivu said. “What matters is getting to the end, getting to May, getting there knowing that we are competitive, staying fixed to the top of the table ... because it will be a tight league campaign and a battle until the very end.”

It has been tight this season but Inter created a gap at the top of the table on Wednesday.

The 1-0 win over Lecce combined with Napoli’s goalless draw against Parma gave the Nerazzurri a six-point advantage over AC Milan and defending champion Napoli.

AC Milan, second on goal difference, could cut the gap back to three points if it wins at Como on Thursday.

Two years ago, Inter was on top at the midway point and went on to win Serie A. However, it was also the last team to be named winter champion and lose out on the trophy — in 2022, when the crown went to AC Milan.

Inter visits Udinese on Saturday, shortly after Napoli hosts Sassuolo. Milan welcomes Lecce on Sunday.

Key matchups

Napoli has reeled off three straight draws going into its match with struggling Sassuolo.

Antonio Conte’s team fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against relegation-threatened Hellas Verona, then drew by the same scoreline in a thrilling title showdown against Inter before Wednesday’s frustration.

Sassuolo has just one win from its past nine matches and that came over a month ago.

Juventus and Roma were just a point behind Napoli and any further slip up could see them leapfrog the defending champion. Juventus visits Cagliari on Saturday, the day before Roma plays at Torino.

Bologna has slid down the table following a miserable run of results and hasn’t won since November. Coach Vincenzo Italiano will be up against his former team in the visit of relegation-threatened Fiorentina.

Players to watch

Pio Esposito has come from Serie B to scoring in every competition for Inter this season, as well as netting three for Italy. The 20-year-old ticked another box when he finally scored at San Siro for the first time in Serie A.

“I’ve been waiting for this goal for a long time and finally it’s here,” he said. “It was amazing to score at home in front of these fans. I’ve dreamed of it since I was a kid wearing this shirt.”

Esposito is already being touted as Italy’s next great center forward and celebrated the goal by showing his muscles before a warm embrace with Chivu.

“We have a bond that goes beyond words but there’s lots of respect and affection,” Esposito said. “We grew together, me as a player and him as a coach.”

Napoli’s frustrating evening on the same night had much to do with Parma goalkeeper Filippo Rinaldi on his Serie A debut. He was named player of the match.

Out of action

Conte will again be forced to watch from the stands as the Napoli coach serves the second of a two-match suspension after he was sent off at San Siro.

Napoli will hope David Neres will make a proper return. The Brazilian came on as a second-half substitute against Parma after missing the past couple of matches with an ankle sprain but he was clearly not fully fit and was taken off shortly before fulltime.

Key Inter midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu has strained his left calf and is expected to be sidelined for three weeks.

Off the field

There will be no Italy training camp in February ahead of a crucial World Cup playoff in March.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso hoped the Italian soccer federation and Lega Serie A could come to an agreement to amend the fixture list to give the Azzurri a few days to spend together.

But it was confirmed this week that would not be the case, as a congested fixture list and television demands made it impossible to find a window.

Italy last played on Nov. 16 and will meet up on the night of March 22, just four days before the World Cup semifinal playoff against Northern Ireland.