The weekend of January 17–18, 2026 arrives with a sense of urgency and spectacle that only elite football can deliver. As winter tightens its grip across Europe, domestic leagues and international football collide in a thrilling convergence of rivalries, ambition, and high-stakes drama. From derby-day tension in England to title-defining clashes in Germany and Spain, and an electrifying international showdown between African powerhouses, this weekend promises football at its most intense and compelling. January is often described as football’s proving ground. Squad depth is tested, tactical flexibility becomes essential, and the margin for error narrows with every passing fixture. Injuries, fatigue, and pressure expose weaknesses, while moments of brilliance can reshape entire seasons. This particular weekend stands out because it features matchups that go far beyond routine fixtures—they are encounters that define identity, pride, and momentum. Here are the Top 5 Must-Watch Football M...
Following Real Madrid's devastating 2–5 loss to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, Carlo Ancelotti has been the target of a lot of criticism.
The Real Madrid manager's choice to start Aurelien Tchouameni at center back instead of Raul Asencio is one of the main criticisms leveled at him.
The Frenchman has had some success at center back, but Sunday's match ended badly as the Barça onslaught completely destroyed the player.
Every time manager Ancelotti has given the 21-year-old La Fabrica graduate a chance, he has performed admirably.
However, club sources maintain that it was always going to be tough for him to start against Barcelona last Saturday because Los Blancos had maintained a clean sheet against RCD Mallorca in the semi-final.
However, after the final disaster against Barcelona, a change is now considered necessary, and Asencio will be given a bigger position in the team as a reward for his performance.
Real Madrid has no intention of acquiring a new center-back this month, and Ancelotti must begin to have greater faith in the 21-year-old young player given Antonio Rudiger's knee issues.
The Real Madrid manager's choice to start Aurelien Tchouameni at center back instead of Raul Asencio is one of the main criticisms leveled at him.
The Frenchman has had some success at center back, but Sunday's match ended badly as the Barça onslaught completely destroyed the player.
Raul Asencio will become more well-known.
Raul Asencio is expected to play a larger role in the starting lineup in the upcoming games, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, despite the mounting worries about Real Madrid's defensive shortcomings.Every time manager Ancelotti has given the 21-year-old La Fabrica graduate a chance, he has performed admirably.
However, club sources maintain that it was always going to be tough for him to start against Barcelona last Saturday because Los Blancos had maintained a clean sheet against RCD Mallorca in the semi-final.
However, after the final disaster against Barcelona, a change is now considered necessary, and Asencio will be given a bigger position in the team as a reward for his performance.
Real Madrid has no intention of acquiring a new center-back this month, and Ancelotti must begin to have greater faith in the 21-year-old young player given Antonio Rudiger's knee issues.
The defending Spanish and European champions will also benefit from David Alaba's impending return, as the Austrian is anticipated to be reincorporated into the match dynamics starting this week.


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