The Athletic | Football

Should it have been a penalty for Alphonso Davies’ handball? Analysis from The Athletic’s refereeing expert Graham Scott (@Refsplaining): “At the end of the first half, Bayern gave away a penalty as Dembele’s cross came off Davies’ thigh and onto his arm. “There was no handball offence here - the ball was struck from close range, Davies had his arms close to his side, his movement was entirely justifiable, and there was no evidence of a deliberate act. “Quite why UEFA asks its referees to be so tough on handball in its competitions is baffling, even if it does so with the noble aim of improving consistency. “This would have been dismissed by a Premier League VAR on the first replay, but the Spanish video officials operate to a different interpretation in La Liga. “They were likely persuaded by a still image suggesting Davies had extended his arm away from his body - he hadn’t, and it was a really poor call.” bit.ly/4tXyZzf

It was PlayStation football. When the semi-final line-up became known, Paris Saint-Germain against Bayern Munich was obviously the standout match in terms of two high quality, attack-minded sides playing pretty much at the top of their game and with no big stars out injured. All the ingredients were there - and somehow it outperformed expectations. @TimSpiers, @SebSB and @Conor0Neill_ break down an instant classic. FREE TO READ: bit.ly/4tXyZzf

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich serve up a Champions League classic. In the end, it is the defending champions who take a slender advantage into next week’s second leg after 90 minutes of breathless action.

The Championship automatic promotion race will go down to the final day - but Southampton will have to settle for the play-offs. Tonda Eckert’s draw 2-2 with Ipswich Town, who currently sit in second - but Kieran McKenna’s side are far from secure, with Millwall and Middlesbrough breathing down their necks. Who do you think will join Coventry City in the Premier League next season?

And you thought this game would slow down after half-time... Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain see their effort of five goals in 45 first-half minutes, and raise you four goals in less than 25 second-half minutes. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele extended PSG’s lead, before Dayot Upamecano and Luis Diaz responded to make it 5-4.

⚽️ Harry Kane 17’ [0-1] ⚽️ Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 24’ [1-1] ⚽️ Joao Neves 33’ [2-1] ⚽️ Michael Olise 41’ [2-2] ⚽️ Ousmane Dembele 45+5’ [3-2] Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are certainly living up to the pre-match hype in their Champions League semi-final...

Where to start with that first half between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich... Ousmane Dembele ensures it ends with PSG leading 3-2 after dispatching an emphatic penalty. But was a spot-kick the correct decision?

Just a shame this isn’t the final. The two best teams in Europe putting on a classic.

FIFA is expected to introduce new rules that could see red cards issued to players who cover their mouths in situations of confrontation with an opponent at this summer’s World Cup. World football’s governing body is also set to instruct the tournament’s match officials to send off anyone who leaves the pitch in protest at a decision they have made. The onus will be on the referee to consider all circumstances before issuing a red card, which FIFA hopes will be a deterrent. As it stands, this will not be implemented in any other competitions. More from @Dan_Sheldon_ bit.ly/4mY9gnw

The perception of Vincent Kompany as ideologically stubborn is not entirely fair. During his final season at Burnley, when the club was relegated from the Premier League, he was often accused of naivety and of trying to employ the same attacking tactics that had originally won promotion. In an interview with the Burnley Express, midfielder Josh Brownhill recalled that Kompany did adapt to the challenge at the higher level, claiming also that retaining their short-passing style was as much about the physical profile of the squad as it was philosophy. 📝 @SebSB 🔗 nyti.ms/4cLDDJ6

Arsenal are set to renew the contract of defender Leah Williamson. The England captain’s deal was going to expire at the end of the season but sources have indicated the north London side are due to secure her signature for further years to come. Exclusive from @charlotteharpur and @gunnerblog FREE TO READ: bit.ly/4cBYyzt

🚨 Excl: Leah Williamson is set to renew her contract with Arsenal. 29-year-old will extend deal that was due to expire at end of the season. Story with @charlotteharpur for @TheAthleticFC ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/72371…

Excl: Leah Williamson set to renew contract with childhood club Arsenal. England captain’s deal was due to expire at the end of this season. @TheAthleticFC with @gunnerblog nytimes.com/athletic/72371…

Cesc Fabregas was the clear winner of our YouTube poll which asked who should be Chelsea's new manager. But would he want to give up Como for Chelsea? “He has a lot at Como that he wouldn't find at Chelsea.” - @JamesHorncastle 🎙️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗖 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁

Manchester City will play three matches in seven days during their title run-in after the Premier League announced the dates of their rearranged fixtures. More from @SamLee 🔗 nyti.ms/3QEiE3s

It is 11 years since Jose Mourinho last won a league title. So why are Real Madrid considering appointing him — and why does he continue to have such enduring appeal to many of Europe's major clubs? 📝 @TimSpiers 🔗 nyti.ms/4d8EiFM

Jose Mourinho is Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s favoured candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa as head coach. Multiple sources, speaking anonymously as they did not have permission to comment, have told The Athletic that the decision on who will become Madrid’s next coach is being driven by Perez. That is in contrast to the hiring of Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, a process which was led by Madrid’s general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, but given the green light by Perez. Perez wants to rebuild a project that has fallen into disrepair, with Madrid set to end a second consecutive campaign without winning a major trophy such as La Liga, the Champions League or the Copa del Rey. The president is now the main supporter of bringing back Mourinho, but some other voices within the club are opposed. More from @David_Ornstein and @MarioCortegana 🔗 nyti.ms/4cD47ha

⚡BREAKING: Jose Mourinho is Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s favoured candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa as head coach ➕Around €3million break clause in Benfica deal @David_Ornstein @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/72367…