Spanish Clubs

For the first time in history, Americans will play in all three of UEFA’s European tournaments. This season is also the first time there have been three tournaments, but minor details. There are tons of Americans playing in Europe, but only 22 have made it to the group stages across the three competitions.

Here are the numbers for Americans playing in European tournaments.

• Champions League: 11 Americans
• Europa League: 9 Americans
• Europa Conference League: 2 Americans

First, let’s look at the 11 in the Champions League.

Since arriving in 2019, there's been an unreasonable amount of matches in which Antoine Griezmann’s most memorable contribution is a piece of tracking back and putting in defensive work. He’s basically like a $142 million Blaise Matuidi. 

Real Madrid have increased their offer to sign Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappé to $211.48 million after having an initial $188 million bid rejected, French newspaper L'Equipe reported on Thursday.

MADRID - It might be a new season, but the same old Atlético Madrid are in town. Meanwhile, is Vinícius Júnior finally ready to flourish? And does Manuel Pellegrini have a point about the entertainment value of the league?

Here are the talking points from the weekend's action in LaLiga.

New season, same Atlético

BILBAO - Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has admitted opposition sides are being bolder against his side now that they can no longer count on Lionel Messi, after the Catalans were held 1-1 away to Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga on Saturday.

A thumping late strike from Memphis Depay cancelled out Iñigo Martínez's header to earn Barça a point but Koeman admitted his team were still keenly feeling the absence of their all-time top scorer and former captain, two weeks after he left Barça for Paris St Germain following 21 years at the club.

Barcelona salvaged a 1-1 draw against Athletic Club with a rather uninspiring performance on Saturday. A litany of injuries and the massive hole left behind with the departure of Lionel Messi had Barcelona looking like a shell of its former self.

The injuries for Barcelona include:

• Ansu Fati
• Dembele
• Aguero
• Coutinho
• Ter Stegen

Things only got worse for Barcelona when Gerard Pique was forced to leave the game early in the first half with an injury.

Offensive reinforcements are arriving at the Emirates Stadium in North London, and they couldn't come at a better time. Just a few days after a lackluster opening day defeat to Brentford, Arsenal has signed attacker Martin Ødegaard on a permanent transfer worth nearly $50 million.

The Norwegian had a successful loan spell at the club last season, joining on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 and making 14 appearances during the second half of the campaign.

The Women’s International Champions Cup returns on Wednesday, giving us a rare glimpse of how the best club sides in Europe match-up with the NWSL elite. This year’s tournament boasts the defending UEFA Women’s Champions League winner, Barcelona, and the most recent NWSL champ, the Portland Thorns.