Embedded in the DNA of Spanish football is the Copa del Rey quirk that sees the like of Barcelona drawn to play on the road at lower-league clubs. That is the case this season as the Blaugrana will play at Segunda Division side Racing Santander, who drew the European giants in the competition’s Round of 16. The

By SIMON JONES Published: 08:00 GMT, 15 January 2026 | Updated: 08:06 GMT, 15 January 2026 The transfer window is open and here are today’s latest developments from Daily Mail Sport’s Simon Jones… Gallagher’s replacement Atletico Madrid have targeted Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes as a replacement for Conor Gallagher who yesterday completed his £34m move

Aston Villa and Sunderland have almost certainly achieved their season objectives already, with Opta giving Villa a 96% chance of Champions League football and the Black Cats a 99% chance of survival. This isn’t about whether the two sides ‘deserve’ to be where they are in the table. The fact that they’ve scored and kept

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his Head Coach, Cristian Chivu, during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Francesco Pio Esposito

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano is challenged by Santiago Pierotti of US Lecce during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Inter did what they needed to do

1 La Liga giants Real Madrid were on Wednesday left to rue their recent change on the club’s bench. This comes after Los Blancos were condemned to a shock elimination from the Copa del Rey. A new era in Spain’s capital was kicked into gear this evening, as Real took to the pitch for the

The future of Felipe Loyola is set. After intense negotiations, the versatile Chilean player will leave the ranks of Independiente de Avellaneda to begin his first experience in the Old Continent. His destination will be Pisa Sporting Club, a team competing in Italian football that has strongly bet on the talent of the national team

If Kane has been the protagonist, Bayern have also boasted an impressive supporting cast. Seven different players scored in the 8-1 win against Wolfsburg last weekend, meaning Bayern have had 15 scorers this season – the most of any Bundesliga side. It was also the 11th time they have scored four or more goals in

Jamie Vardy’s team-mates at Serie A side Cremonese have given a brilliant verdict on the former England striker’s unusual diet. Vardy, 39, agreed a one-year deal with the newly-promoted Italian club in September 2025 after ending his 13-year stint at Leicester. He has scored five goals in 16 Serie A games since his arrival, and

Cristian Chivu warns it will be ‘a battle to the end for every single point’ for the Scudetto after Inter became Winter Champions with victory over Lecce. ‘What counts is being there in May.’ The Nerazzurri knew they had a huge opportunity to break away at the top of the table after Napoli were held

Set-pieces goals are on the rise in the Premier League. What’s behind the growing emphasis on dead-ball situations? And why are some teams excelling and others struggling? This week’s Between the Lines looks at one of this season’s defining trends as clubs vie for set-piece supremacy. A change of emphasis? The increase in non-penalty set-piece

Manchester United’s English defender #05 Harry Maguire reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 27, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or

Xabi Alonso has been installed as the new favourite for a Premier League job after his departure from Real Madrid. Alonso took the reins at his former club in May, leaving Bayer Leverkusen to replace Carlo Ancelotti after he agreed to become the new Brazil boss. However, pressure soon piled on the Spaniard with reports