It’s already Wednesday and our first UEFA final is just around the corner. Sevilla and Roma meet for the Europa League title in Budapest (see below Paramount+) and it promises to be an exciting match. There’s also action in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League final with Major League Soccer’s LAFC and the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup. I’m Jonathan Johnson and bring you the Golazo Starting XI Newsletter ahead of another major week of action.
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๐บ Footy fix
All times US/East
Wednesday
๐ Europa League Final: Sevilla vs. Rome, 3 p.m. โก๏ธ Paramount+
๐บ๐ธ MLS: New York City FC vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. โก๏ธ Apple TV+
๐บ๐ธ NWSL: Portland Thorns vs. Angel City, 8 p.m. โก๏ธ Paramount+
๐บ๐ธ MLS: Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m. โก๏ธ Apple TV+
๐ Concacaf Champions League Final: Leon vs. LAFC, 10 p.m. โก๏ธ FS1
Thursday
๐ณ๐ฑ Eredivisie: Heerenveen vs. Twente, 12:45 p.m. โก๏ธ ESPN+
๐ U-20 World Cup: Gambia vs. Uruguay, 1 p.m. โก๏ธ Fox Soccer Plus
๐ฉ๐ช Bundesliga: Stuttgart vs. Hamburg, 2:45 p.m. โก๏ธ ESPN+
๐ง๐ท Copa do Brasil: Flamengo vs. Fluminense, 7 p.m. โก๏ธ Fanatiz
๐ฆ๐ท Argentina: Arsenal Sarandi vs. Boca Juniors, 8:30 p.m. โก๏ธ Paramount+
Press Mourinho and AS Roma
Getty Images
Two goals in the space of three minutes late in Fiorentina’s clash with Roma last weekend raised the stakes for Jose Mourinho ahead of this Wednesday’s Europa League final in Budapest (3pm ET at Paramount+). With that 2-1 defeat, the Giallorossi are suddenly sixth and just one point ahead of Juventus in seventh place, the last continental qualifier for the Europa Conference League. Beat UEL record holders Sevilla and Roma earn a Champions League spot, but lose and it may be a definitive step back in the UECL they won at this time last year.
Mourinho looks destined to leave the main club this summer regardless of what happens at the Puskas Arena this midweek, but the Portuguese tactician’s legacy at Stadio Olimpico hinges on whether or not they finish this season with a UCL berth or possibly just scrap a new Europe. League return depending on what Juventus manages to do on the last day. Final opponents aren’t much tougher in the UEL than six-time winners Sevilla, who have yet to secure a continental berth via La Liga places.
CBS Sports has a football podcast with everything you need to know about the European game’s top leagues and storylines. Make sure to follow House of Champions for coverage of the biggest matches, stories, transfer news with Fabrizio Romano and everything else happening in the world’s most popular sport.
Winning at home against relegation battlers Spezia on the final day will at least secure a return to the Europa League, but the undeniable progress made under Mourinho won’t feel as significant if Roma fail to complete their climb up the UEFA ladder system. This would also be a great boost to European football’s governing body as it would set an example for other clubs to follow in terms of finding ways to improve their continental involvement without relying solely on the form of the national team. League. Also, the Giallorossi can ensure Mourinho maintains his 100% record in UEFA finals, five wins from five games played so far – excluding UEFA Super Cup outings.
Mourinho’s European finals:
- Uefa Cup 2003: FC Porto 3, Celtic 2.
- UEFA Champions League 2004: FC Porto 3, AS Monaco 0.
- 2010 UEFA Champions League Final: Inter 2, Bayern Munich 0.
- 2014 UEFA Europa League Final: Manchester United 2, Ajax 0.
- UEFA Europa Conference League 2022: AS Roma 1, Feyenoord 0.
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Are we getting close to Messi’s decision?
The main transfer story of recent months has been the question of Lionel Messi’s future and the 35-year-old is expected to make a decision sooner rather than later. The subject has gained momentum in recent days since Messi was spotted in Barcelona attending a Coldplay concert Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe defeated the legendary Argentine at France’s UNFP Player of the Year award.
The recently crowned Ligue 1 champion have added even more fuel to the fire by putting Messi front and centre the promotion of their 2023/24 home shirt which will probably only be worn once by him – this weekend in the last game of the season against Clermont Foot at Parc des Princes. So, are we about to see the Rosario man make an emotional return to Barca, land a lucrative final payday in Saudi Arabia, or perhaps take on a new challenge in the MLS with Inter Miami?
“Our fans started calling Leo’s name at every game,” said Barca boss and former teammate Xavi of Messi and a possible Camp Nou return very recently. “I like the feeling, but believe me – Leo’s comeback depends on him and only him. I think it depends 99% on Leo himself. I don’t doubt the football point of view, but it’s up to Leo.”
Messi isn’t the only big name to be linked to a Saudi move in recent times Karim Benzema of Real Madrid And Angel Di Maria of Juventus just two of the other big names sparking interest.
That reports Inter Miami and Barรงa could even join forces to keep Messi out of the Saudi clutches suggest we could be very close to a possible reunion with old foe Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. Are we already in the final sprint? We have been Charting Messi’s future decision for some time, including his recent unauthorized visit to Saudi Arabia, so you can see how the past few months have been building up to this potential moment.
Time for some links:
๐ Everything you need to know in advance Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma.
๐ Jose Mourinho’s UEFA ranking triumphs for what could be a record sixth title.
๐ BJ Callaghan takes over as interim USMNT coach as former interim Anthony Hudson leaves.
๐ Better news in the Under-20 World Cup while the US flies.
๐Liverpool has one new sports chief in Jorg Schmadtke.
๐ Looking forward to who Manchester United could target this summer.
๐ PSG goalkeeper Sergio Rico stays inside intensive care after a horse riding accident.
๐ Counting the cost of the weekend which was in the Premier League and Bundesliga.
๐ In football we trust: How To Maximize Folarin Balogun With The USMNT.
๐ House of champions: Preview and predictions of the Europa League final.
๐ Third attacks: Sandra Herrera and Lisa Roman provide predictions for the USWNT World Cup roster.
๐ต Best bets
All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook and all times US/Eastern. SportsLine has you covered with betting on the Europa League final and more.
- Europa League: Sevilla vs. Roma, Wednesday, 3 p.m
๐ฐ THE CHOICE: Seville (+190) — There is so much at stake for both sides, with Mourinho and Roma looking to make history while Sevilla’s mastery can continue at this level. Neither side is likely to win comfortably and extra time and penalties could well occur. However, Roma or the draw that suddenly makes Sevilla underdogs in what is effectively their competition is an intriguing scenario. - Bundesliga: Stuttgart vs. Hamburg, Thursday, 2:45 p.m
๐ฐ THE CHOICE: Hamburg (+350) — It was the last day of pain for Hamburg, who thought they were going up automatically, only to see Heidenheim beat them at the last possible moment. Can HSV dust themselves off to beat Stuttgart over two legs? They have to if they want to end their exile in the top flight and that should be enough to motivate them to take an unexpected away win here.