CSKA
Is AI the Future?
Going into the season Malcolm's rankings (rightfully so) had CSKA pegged for relegation. We were surprisingly promoted into D1 and from a ratings standpoint don't have much business being there.
But did AI know something we didn't? AI said with our GK (Carnesecchi) and depth we may well survive. After 25 games, CSKA has 32 points, good for 13th place and with a 10 point cushion to relegation. Could we still be relegated? Of course! We're just not that good (yet). But Memphis Depay, Ciro Immobile and perhaps our first signing Simon Adingra and a great D have kept us in games a bit. We're exceeding expectations
We have a weird team where most of our starters are 30+ and everyone else is u21 with a few exceptions. The updates will help somewhat - Martin and Jimenez may well be startable soon but with so maybe oldies we're due some drops as well.
CSKA already has more points than I was likely expecting. It will be an interesting final 1/3 of the season. Even if we survive we'll be battling relegation for several seasons without some big moves. But the goal is always to win D1 not just survive.
CSKA: A Taste of D1
In September, I wrote that CSKA was heading to D2 for the first time since Season 14, well before I took over. My goal was to stay up, and the stats indicated that CSKA was in the hunt for relegation. Fast forward to the end of the season and CSKA is being promoted to D1 for the first time ever!! We'll be odds-on favorites for relegation. There are a few cards we could play. Accept that we'll be underdogs in every game, trade in our impressive youth team, or see how we fare through the first third of the season and decide on what chips to play. I don't want to tear down our team for short-term benefits. But I also want to be more Sunderland than Luton Town. At the end of the day, we're still in a transition period with only 3 players above 90 (Carnesecchi, Maguire, Carreras) and were quite lucky to get to D1 so soon.
GK: We have starting GK Carnesecchi (90) entering his prime. Mycael may be our starting youth GK or he may leave - it depends on the deals we make and what room we have. Behind him is Miguel Gouveia, a top Portuguese GK prospect.
RB: Alexander Bah (88), the oft-injured Benfica starter is our starter after we jettisoned KWP. Primary backup is a rotation of two 85 youth players Alex Jimenez and Jon Martin, though neither may be a RB as his primary position. Okoduwa and Jean Mambuku are ones for the future.
CB: Harry Maguire (90) remains the starter with fan favorite Chris Richards (88), from nearby Alabama. Mamadou Sarr (87) and Jan-Carlo Simic (85) continue to progress nicely. We have a few players who can cover here: Jon Martin, Alvaro Carreras, and Lerma. There is a significant amount of young depth between Tyler Meiser, Freddie Simmonds, Baba Kourouma, and Ben Hawighorst, Ishe-Samuels Smith, and Ngana. This may be an area to trade youth for experience.
LB: Alvaro Carreras (90) seems to be the locked in Madrid starter, though it's one of many clubs in turmoil. Kiernan Tierney was also sold this season. Our primary backup is now Alex Jimenez (85).
DM: Jordan Henderson (89) continues to start alongside Pape Gueye (88). Lerma and Romeo Lavia (87) will be backups. This is an area that had a lot of turnover in the youth ranks. Gone are the Senegalese duo. We retain Ze Lucas, Bouabre, and Sekou Kone. We've also added Rafa Quintas, Pereira da Gama, Dierckx, and Samba. A lot of young players getting first-team minutes and likely a position that will entirely turnover in the first team in the coming seasons.
CM: Brazilian Matheus Pereira (88) has taken over for Ziyech. Kendry (85) is his primary backup though he is often spotted smoking hookah at the local square dancing bar. Memphis Depay was brought in to challenge in this spot as well. Many of the DM youth qualify here as do players like Odobert and Isaque.
AM: Iago Aspas (89) and Adingra (88) continue to be starters. Bertrand Traore is the main backup with Mastantuono. Odobert continues to wait for Traore and Aspas to falter. Irankunda, Cavan Sullivan, Isaque, and Ndala remain key youth players.
CF: Ciro Immobile (89) is the starter, though his downgrade is only a matter of time. Aspas and Memphis can fill in here as well. This position remains more potential than results with Danns, Konate, N'guessan, and Bro Hansen all fighting injury or youth.
Marketing: The lure of D1 should be enough to get the Texan crowd away from football and into futbol.
Likely starting lineup: Carnesecchi, Bah, Maguire, Richards, Carreras, Gueye, Henderson, Pereira, Aspas, Adingra, Immobile.
Youth lineup: Mycael, Martin, Sarr, Simic, Jimenez, Ze Lucas, Paez, Irankunda, Mastantuono, Odobert, Konate
Goal: Either stay up or avoid complete embarrassment
CSKA Season 26 - A Return to D2
Season 25 saw a D3 title and promotion D2. As David stated, the jump from D3 to D2 is steep, but CSKA has greater ambitions than even D2 and hope not to regress in season 26. This will be CSKA's first season in D2 under Chris Meida and its first season in D2 since season 14. It has never made an appearance in D1.
GK: We have starting GK Carnesecchi (90) who continues to be solid for Atalanta and is one of the top young GKs in the world. Behind him is Mycael, consistent starter who Brazil U20 and once one of the top GK prospects in the world. However, he's lost his spot in Serie B and will be aging out of the youth team after this season. Behind him we've brought in Miguel Gouveia, a top Portuguese GK prospect.
RB: A two way battle between new West Ham signing Kyle Walker Peters (88) and Alexander Bah (88), the oft-injured Benfica starter. Behind those two are youth players Alex Jimenez (83), new Cherries signing from Milan with a Real Madrid buyback, and Wes Okoduwa, who I believe can develop into a lockdown defender but may need to add to his offensive repertoire. Jean Mambuku is a wild card behind them and Eric da Silva Moreira has now moved to Portugal on loan.
CB: Harry Maguire (90) aka Dursley starts with either Palace starter Chris Richards or Martin Valjent (87s). We continue to have a youth movement at the position. Mamadou Sarr and Jan-Carlo Simic are both 85s and starters at Strasbourg and Anderlecht. Jon Martin (82) is a rotational starter at Sociedad. There is a significant amount of young depth between Tyler Meiser, Freddie Simmonds, Baba Kourouma, and Ben Hawighorst.
LB: Alvaro Carreras (88) has finally claimed the starting spot and has been off to a terrific start for Real Madrid. Kiernan Tierney is his backup. We've recently signed Ishe Samuels-Smith with an eye toward the future. He had been a long-time target of CSKA. In the youth cup Jimenez is likely to switch over here with Jon Martin playing RB.
DM: Jordan Henderson (89) will start the season alongside Pape Gueye (88). The oft-injured Romeo Lavia (87) will be backup as his progress has stagnated. The manager believes he still has the potential to be amongst the best at his position. Celtic captain Callum McGregor (87) is a good depth piece as well. From a youth perspective, we have Sekou Kone at Man United and compatriot Hamidou Makalou. Ze Lucas, Pape Diong and Saimon Bouabre, now amongst Neom's French connection are the youth options.
CM: Hakim Ziyech (88) holds down the starting spot with Brazilian Matheus Pereira (87) behind him. Kendry is finally old enough to be in Europe. Lorran has left for greener pastures and we now see Shakhtar-bound Isaque in his role.
AM: Iago Aspas (89) and Adingra (88) continue to be starters. Bertrand Traore is the main backup. Madrid newboy Mastantuono and Odobert are the main backups. Irankunda is off to a hot start at Watford and Cavan Sullivan continues to impress despite being so young he has barely piqued Trump's interest. Joel Ndala has been brought in through the Lorran trade.
CF: Ciro Immobile (89) is the undisputed starter. We have a few players who can pop in as backup from other positions. Karim Konate should be returning soon from his torn ACL. Jayden Danns stuck around Liverpool this offseason, which was surprising. We continue to be excited by N'guessan and Bro Hansen's potential as they see some gametime.
Marketing: The “Bro” campaign was a huge success last year. With HBO releasing the Harry Potter series in the near future and captain Harry Maguire's uncanny resemblance to Dursley, he is appearing in our new marketing campaign: "Snuggles with Muggles."
Likely starting lineup: Carnesecchi, Bah, Maguire, Richards, Carreras, Gueye, Henderson, Ziyech, Aspas, Adingra, Immobile.
Youth lineup: Mycael, Martin, Sarr, Simic, Jimenez, Lavia, Paez, Irankunda, Mastantuano, Odobert, Konate
A Party in the USA
CSKA Moscow TX fans were ecstatic as they witnessed their team lift the D3 trophy on Saturday. The second August trophy after lifting the Youth Shield was one for the ages. Lifting the trophy were the elder statesman and three top scorers: Immobile, Aspas, and Ziyech. Fan favorite and 26 assist man Simon Adingra was swarmed by celebrities and flanked by leading appearance GK Carnesecchi.
Season tickets have already sold out for next season - the team's first in division 2 since season 4.
"We've had a few of the new guys crack the starting lineup - Carreras, Adingra, Lavia - but in order to succeed in a division with such great managers we'll need more of the new generation to step up and help supplement our veteran core."
Interviewed after the game, captain Harry Maguire said, "We went into the game with the burden of expectations and having President Putin in the stands just added to the weight. But as soon as I saw Sydney Sweeney front row, I knew things would be all right."
Youth Cup & Shield Finals Second Legs: Barcelona Prevail in FET Heartbreak For Spurs While CSKA Make History
The beautiful game delivers its cruelest lesson
Football, in its infinite capacity for both ecstasy and agony, delivered its most profound lesson on Saturday night. At the BayArena and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, two finals reached their dramatic conclusions, one confirming methodical excellence, the other decided by the narrowest of margins in circumstances that will haunt the losers for years to come.
CSKA Moskva claimed their first trophy in the club’s history with a performance that epitomised everything they have brought to this tournament. Meanwhile, in North London, Tottenham’s impossible dream died the most agonising death imaginable, Barcelona snatching victory from the jaws of defeat through Fictional Extra Time after 180 minutes had failed to separate two evenly-matched sides.
CSKA’s professional masterclass completes historic achievement
Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 CSKA Moskva (agg: 1-3)
There was something poetic about the manner in which CSKA Moskva completed their Youth Shield triumph. Having dominated the first leg through patient build-up and clinical finishing, they travelled to Germany knowing that professionalism rather than brilliance would be required to secure the club’s first piece of silverware.
The script could not have been written more perfectly. Karim Konaté, the tournament’s leading marksman and architect of so many crucial moments, struck again in the eighth minute with a finish that encapsulated everything about CSKA’s campaign. Franco Mastantuono’s incisive pass found the striker, whose deft flick caught Jonas Urbig off balance and rolled into the net. It was Konaté’s sixth goal of the knockout rounds, a tally that speaks to both individual brilliance and collective functionality.
Leverkusen’s response was predictable but ultimately futile. Facing a three-goal deficit, they needed to score early and often, yet their approach remained curiously cautious for a team with nothing to lose. When Vanja Vlahović finally found the equaliser on 27 minutes, firing home after Ayman El Wafi’s intelligent play, it felt more like consolation than catalyst.
The statistics told the story of a team running out of ideas. Despite enjoying 56% possession and the comfort of home surroundings, Leverkusen managed just seven shots to CSKA’s fifteen. Their high-intensity pressing game, which had served them so well throughout the campaign, was systematically dismantled by opponents who had mastered the art of defensive solidity without sacrificing attacking threat.
CSKA’s tactical discipline was exemplary. They defended with the desperation of men protecting something precious, yet remained dangerous on the counter-attack throughout. Nestory Irankunda’s pace and directness constantly threatened Leverkusen’s high defensive line, while Mastantuono’s creativity ensured that the Germans could never commit men forward with complete abandon.
When the final whistle sounded, the celebrations were muted but meaningful. Chris Meida’s post-match comments captured the significance perfectly: “It may be a consolation trophy - but the youth shield is the first trophy in CSKA history.” The self-deprecating humour could not disguise the magnitude of the achievement, nor should it. As Leicester’s Doug Earle rightly observed, only those who have never won anything themselves would dare call this a consolation prize.
Tottenham’s fairytale dies in FET heartbreak
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Barcelona (agg: 3-3, Barcelona win 5-4 after FET)
If CSKA’s triumph was the reward for methodical excellence, Barcelona’s Youth Cup victory was secured through the kind of dramatic finale that football writes but rarely delivers. For 180 minutes, these two sides could not be separated. When the dust settled after Fictional Extra Time, Barcelona had prevailed 5-4 on aggregate, but the scoreline tells only a fraction of this extraordinary story.
The evening began with Barcelona carrying the weight of expectation and the burden of their first-leg deficit. They needed to score twice while keeping Tottenham out, a task that seemed well within their capabilities given their superior individual quality. Yet Pedro Vilar’s team had spent this entire campaign defying logic, and there was no reason to believe they would start bowing to convention now.
Barcelona’s early pressure finally told when Kobbie Mainoo rose highest from Lamine Yamal’s corner to power home a header that levelled the aggregate scores. The goal came in the 23rd minute, reward for sustained pressure that had seen Tottenham’s defensive resolve tested to its limits. For a moment, the natural order seemed to be reasserting itself.
But Tottenham, as they have done throughout this remarkable campaign, refused to read the script. Gabriel Vidović’s response was swift and decisive, the Croatian striker capitalising on slack marking to fire past Ander Astralaga and restore his side’s advantage. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium erupted with the kind of noise reserved for moments when dreams seem within touching distance.
The defining moment came on the hour mark, substitute introductions coinciding with Yamal’s moment of individual brilliance. The teenage sensation, carrying the weight of Barcelona’s expectations and the burden of his £48 million valuation, found the bottom corner with a finish that combined technical excellence with psychological strength. The aggregate scores were level, Tottenham’s advantage had evaporated, and extra time beckoned.
Yet even this dramatic conclusion was insufficient to separate these evenly-matched sides. The statistics reflected the evening’s parity: possession split 51% to 49% in Tottenham’s favour, shots marginally in Barcelona’s favour at 14 to 10. This was knockout football at its purest, two teams giving everything in pursuit of glory.
Fictional Extra Time would prove Barcelona’s salvation and Tottenham’s heartbreak. The Catalans’ 2-1 victory in this decisive period gave them a 5-4 overall triumph, but the narrow margin could not disguise the epic nature of this contest. For Tottenham, the realisation that they had come so close to completing the most unlikely triumph in recent youth football history will take time to process.
Pedro Vilar’s achievement should not be diminished by the manner of its conclusion. His team’s journey from apparent elimination to within touching distance of glory represents one of the great underdog stories in recent memory. They have proven that belief, organisation, and collective spirit can bridge even the most daunting gaps in individual quality.
A tournament that delivered on every promise
These finals provided the perfect conclusion to a tournament that has consistently delivered drama, quality, and unforgettable moments. CSKA’s triumph represents the reward for sustained excellence, their systematic approach to knockout football yielding the ultimate prize. Barcelona’s victory, secured by the narrowest of margins, demonstrates that quality will eventually tell, even when faced with the most determined opposition.
The Youth Shield travels to Moscow for the first time in CSKA’s history, a tangible reward for a campaign that has established them as the tournament’s most complete side. The Youth Cup returns to Catalonia, Barcelona’s triumph secured through the kind of dramatic finale that will be discussed for years to come.
For the neutrals, these tournaments have provided everything that makes football the beautiful game. For CSKA and Barcelona, they represent the culmination of months of preparation, sacrifice, and unwavering belief. For Leverkusen and Tottenham, they offer the cruel but valuable lesson that sport’s greatest rewards are reserved for those capable of seizing the finest of margins.
The 2025 Youth Cup and Shield campaigns are concluded, but their memories will endure long after the final celebrations have ended and the last tears have been shed.
Tottenham's Miracle March Continues as CSKA Seize Control
The impossible becomes inevitable for Vilar’s warriors
If someone had suggested at the start of this tournament that Tottenham Hotspur would leave the Camp Nou with a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a Youth Cup final first leg, they would have been dismissed as hopelessly deluded. Yet here we stand, witnesses to the continuation of the most remarkable underdog story in recent youth football history.
Pedro Vilar’s team have spent this entire campaign defying logic, overturning deficits, and making believers of the most hardened sceptics. Their latest act of sporting alchemy on Saturday night was perhaps their finest yet, a performance that combined tactical discipline with clinical finishing to leave Barcelona shell-shocked and Tottenham 90 minutes from glory.
Barcelona’s early promise evaporates in Catalan nightmare
Barcelona 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Youth Cup Final)
The script appeared to be following familiar lines when Lamine Yamal fired Barcelona ahead after just eight minutes. The teenage sensation, valued at £48 million and carrying the weight of Catalan expectations, found the bottom corner with the kind of finish that has made him the most coveted young talent in world football.
For a brief moment, order seemed restored. Barcelona, with their £162.5 million squad and galaxy of stars, had asserted their superiority over opponents valued at barely a quarter of that sum. The Camp Nou exhaled, confident that normal service would now resume.
But Tottenham, as they have done throughout this remarkable campaign, refused to read the script. Their response was swift and devastating, orchestrated by a player who has emerged as one of the tournament’s most compelling figures.
Julio Enciso’s name will be etched into Tottenham folklore after a first-half double that turned the final on its head. His 22nd-minute equaliser, a thunderous effort that flew in off the post from Fabio Miretti’s free-kick, served notice that Spurs had not travelled to Barcelona merely to make up the numbers.
The second goal, arriving just 15 minutes later, was a thing of beauty. Gabriel Vidović’s intelligent play released Enciso, who unleashed a blistering shot that left Ander Astralaga with no chance. The Camp Nou fell silent, save for the small pocket of travelling supporters who have witnessed miracle after miracle this season.
Barcelona’s response was predictable but ineffective. They enjoyed 54% possession and registered 14 shots to Tottenham’s 10, but their usual fluidity was disrupted by opponents who defended with the desperation of men protecting something precious. Three yellow cards for the hosts told the story of mounting frustration against a side that simply refused to yield.
Yamal remained Barcelona’s most potent threat, his rating of 9 reflecting a performance that deserved better support. But around him, talented players wilted under the pressure of expectation and the relentless pressing of opponents who had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
CSKA’s methodical masterclass sets up Shield triumph
CSKA Moskva 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Youth Shield Final)
While Barcelona grappled with the unexpected at the Camp Nou, CSKA Moskva were busy demonstrating why they have been the tournament’s most consistent and impressive performers. Their 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen was a masterclass in controlled aggression, patience rewarded with clinical finishing when the moments mattered most.
The Arena CSKA provided a suitably intimidating backdrop, with rain and 2°C temperatures creating the kind of conditions that separate the wheat from the chaff. Leverkusen, for all their technical ability and tactical sophistication, found themselves overwhelmed by the intensity of their hosts and the hostility of the environment.
The statistics tell the story of CSKA’s dominance more eloquently than words. Eighteen shots to seven, ten on target compared to three, and 57% possession reflected a performance that was commanding without being flashy. This was the work of a team that understands the demands of knockout football, patient enough to wait for their moments but ruthless enough to capitalise when they arrived.
Karim Konaté’s 55th-minute opener was reward for sustained pressure that had seen Jonas Urbig produce a series of spectacular saves to keep Leverkusen level. The striker’s finish, sliding the ball past the goalkeeper after excellent work from Nestory Irankunda, was the culmination of a first-half performance that had seen CSKA pepper the Leverkusen goal with efforts.
The second goal was a thing of beauty, substitute Lucas Lorran marking his entrance with a clinical finish after being teed up by the influential Franco Mastantuono. It was the kind of moment that separates good teams from great ones – the ability to find that decisive second goal that transforms a narrow advantage into a commanding one.
Leverkusen’s high-intensity pressing game, which had served them so well throughout the campaign, was nullified by CSKA’s patient build-up play and the challenging conditions. Estêvão, their £16 million star and the tournament’s most valuable player, managed a respectable performance despite the difficult circumstances, though he was unable to provide the spark his team desperately needed.
The reckoning awaits: second legs promise contrasting dramas
Youth Cup Final - Second Leg: Tottenham vs Barcelona
Tottenham’s position is as remarkable as it is precarious. They return to North London with a 2-1 advantage that puts them within touching distance of their first Youth Cup triumph, yet they face opponents who possess the quality to overturn any deficit.
The mathematics are simple but the psychology is complex. Barcelona need to score at least twice while keeping Tottenham out – a task that should be well within their capabilities given their superior individual quality. Yet doubt has crept into Catalan minds, the kind of uncertainty that can prove fatal in knockout football.
Pedro Vilar will demand more of the same from his players: disciplined defending, clinical counter-attacking, and the unshakeable belief that has carried them this far. They have already defied logic twice in knockout rounds; what is one more miracle?
For Barcelona, the challenge is as much mental as tactical. They must find a way to break down opponents who have mastered the art of defensive resilience while carrying the weight of expectation that comes with being overwhelming favourites. Adam’s team possesses the individual brilliance to hurt any opponent, but they will need to show the collective character that has so far eluded them in this final.
Youth Shield Final - Second Leg: Leverkusen vs CSKA Moskva
CSKA’s 2-0 advantage should be decisive, but football’s capacity for surprise means nothing can be taken for granted. They travel to Germany knowing that a disciplined defensive performance should be enough to claim their first Youth Shield, yet they face opponents desperate to salvage something from a campaign that promised so much.
Leverkusen must score at least three goals to lift the trophy, a task that seems beyond them based on Saturday’s evidence. Their high-tempo approach was comprehensively outmanoeuvred by CSKA’s patient game plan, and there is little to suggest that a change of venue will dramatically alter the dynamic.
For CSKA, the temptation will be to sit deep and protect their advantage. Yet this is a team that has scored freely throughout the tournament, and they may be better served continuing to play their natural game rather than adopting unfamiliar tactics.
The stage is set for sporting theatre
Two second legs, two contrasting narratives. Tottenham carry the hopes of every underdog story ever told, their impossible journey nearing its most unlikely conclusion. CSKA stand on the brink of confirming their status as the tournament’s dominant force, their systematic excellence deserving of the ultimate reward.
The beauty of knockout football lies not in its predictability but in its capacity to surprise, to elevate the ordinary and humble the mighty. Whatever unfolds in these return fixtures, we can be certain of one thing: the beautiful game will be the ultimate winner.
Tottenham's Stunning Comeback: A Night of Football Drama
Tottenham’s miraculous resurrection caps night of contrasts
If the first legs promised drama, the returns delivered something far more precious – the kind of football theatre that transforms ordinary Saturday evenings into folklore. Two competitions, four semi-finals, and a night that will be remembered for Tottenham’s stunning resurrection and Leicester City’s brave but ultimately futile last stand.
Spurs rise from the dead with stunning turnaround
Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 SC Internacional (agg: 4-1)
Football, they say, is a game of two halves. Rarely has that old cliché been given such dramatic expression as Tottenham’s extraordinary transformation at their gleaming North London stadium. Down 1-0 from the first leg and written off by many, Spurs produced the kind of performance that makes believers of the most hardened cynics.
The blueprint for this remarkable comeback was simple in its execution, devastating in its effect. Fabio Miretti’s 13th-minute free-kick gave Tottenham the platform they desperately needed, sliding under the wall to level the aggregate scores. What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression, as Spurs systematically dismantled opponents who had arrived in London with every reason for confidence.
Ilias Akhomach’s sublime 31st-minute finish doubled the advantage, his first-time strike leaving the Internacional goalkeeper grasping at shadows. By the interval, the tie had been transformed, but Tottenham were far from finished. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya’s second-half brace – first a clinical 57th-minute finish, then a dipping effort that kissed the post before nestling in the corner – completed a rout that few could have predicted.
The statistics tell only part of this story. Tottenham’s 56% possession and 19 shots to Internacional’s 12 reflect their dominance, but cannot capture the sheer force of will that drove this performance. Internacional, so composed and organised in the first leg, simply wilted under the sustained pressure.
For manager Pedro Vilar, this was vindication of his faith in a side that had been written off after that narrow first-leg defeat. “Two outsiders in the semi,” he reflected post-match, before adding: “What a match between Tottenham and Internacional. After a defeat on first round 1-0, for Spurs was mandatory win on second leg. That happened - Spurs beat the Brazilian team for 4-0… we follow through. What a season for Spurs on Youth Cup.”
Leicester’s golden run ends in honourable defeat
Leicester City 2-2 Barcelona (agg: 4-5)
At the King Power Stadium, Leicester City’s remarkable three-year dynasty finally reached its conclusion, but not without one last defiant roar that almost rewrote the script entirely. The Foxes, chasing a 3-2 first-leg deficit, came agonisingly close to extending their unprecedented run of youth success.
Florian Wirtz, the German maestro playing his final Youth Cup match as he loses eligibility next season (though he continues with Leicester’s first team), chose the perfect stage for what proved his youth tournament farewell. His 54th-minute equaliser levelled the tie at 4-4 on aggregate, before his 69th-minute penalty sent the King Power into raptures and Leicester to within touching distance of another final.
But Barcelona, for all their early-season struggles, possess the kind of quality that separates good teams from great ones. Lamine Yamal’s 40th-minute free-kick had given them the early advantage, and when Sekou Aghehowa restored their lead just 55 minutes in – barely 60 seconds after Wirtz’s equaliser – the Catalans demonstrated the mentality that has made them perennial contenders.
Leicester manager Doug Earle was gracious in defeat, acknowledging that “the run is over” while reflecting on an extraordinary period that yielded back-to-back Youth Cups and a Shield. With Wirtz moving beyond youth eligibility, Leicester face the challenge of rebuilding their youth success around a new generation, but their legacy is secure.
Barcelona advance, but they know they have been in a battle. Their 53% possession and slight shots advantage (16 to 15) tells of a contest that could have swung either way. In Yamal, they possess a talent capable of deciding finals, and they will need every ounce of his brilliance against a Tottenham side riding the crest of an incredible wave.
CSKA complete historic annihilation
AC Milan 0-4 CSKA Moskva (agg: 0-8)
In Milan, meanwhile, CSKA Moskva completed what must rank as one of the most comprehensive demolitions in youth football history. An 8-0 aggregate victory over seven-time European champions AC Milan represents more than mere superiority – it is a statement of intent that reverberates across the continent.
The second leg followed the same merciless pattern as the first. Wilson Odobert’s 22nd-minute free-kick set the tone, Karim Konaté added his fourth goal of the tie just before half-time, and second-half strikes from Jon Martín and Franco Mastantuono completed the rout.
Milan’s Very Defensive approach was born of desperation rather than design, but even their deep block could not stem the tide. The statistics make grim reading for the Rossoneri: 39% possession, six shots to CSKA’s 20, and the kind of comprehensive outclassing that raises serious questions about their youth development.
For CSKA, this represents validation of their bold, attacking philosophy. They dominated from the first minute of the first leg to the last of the second, playing with a freedom and confidence that suggests they fear no opponent. The Shield final awaits, and on this evidence, they will take some stopping.
Leverkusen cruise past brave Sampdoria
Sampdoria 0-3 Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 2-7)
The night’s final act saw Bayer Leverkusen complete a comprehensive victory over Sampdoria that was never truly in doubt after the first leg’s entertainment. Jayden Addai’s early strike and late effort sandwiched Vanja Vlahović’s header to give the Germans a comfortable passage to the Shield final.
Sampdoria, who had shown such spirit in the first leg, found themselves chasing shadows from the moment Addai fired Leverkusen ahead after just five minutes. The Italians’ attacking approach deserved better reward than the 7-2 aggregate defeat suggests, but Leverkusen’s clinical finishing and tactical discipline proved decisive.
The contrast with their semi-final opponents could not be starker. Where CSKA have overwhelmed opponents with attacking verve, Leverkusen have combined flair with pragmatism. Their Shield final promises to be a fascinating tactical battle.
Finals Preview: David meets Goliath twice over
Youth Cup Final: Barcelona vs Tottenham Hotspur
The Youth Cup final presents a classic David versus Goliath narrative, with Barcelona’s European pedigree facing Tottenham’s remarkable journey from the brink of elimination. The Catalans possess undoubted quality in Yamal and Aghehowa, players capable of deciding any contest, but they have been tested by Leicester in a way that few expected.
Tottenham arrive with momentum, belief, and the kind of fearless approach that has already accounted for one supposed superior opponent. Their transformation from first to second leg suggests a side coming to terms with its own potential. The North Londoners will need to maintain that intensity across two legs against opponents who rarely make the same mistake twice.
Youth Shield Final: CSKA Moskva vs Bayer Leverkusen
The Shield final offers a tantalising clash of styles between CSKA’s attacking abandon and Leverkusen’s measured brilliance. The Russians have been simply irresistible throughout this campaign, their 8-0 demolition of Milan serving notice of their credentials. Yet Leverkusen possess the tactical sophistication and individual quality to trouble any opponent.
Both teams have shown remarkable consistency – CSKA in their relentless pursuit of goals, Leverkusen in their ability to control games when required. The first leg will likely prove decisive, as neither side appears comfortable sitting on narrow advantages.
The stage is set
Two finals, four teams, and the promise of more drama to come. Tottenham and CSKA arrive as the stories of the tournament, their journeys from underdogs to finalists capturing the imagination. Barcelona and Leverkusen represent more measured progress, their quality never truly in doubt.
But as this remarkable semi-final round has proven, quality alone guarantees nothing in knockout football. The stage is set for two captivating finals that could yet produce the kind of memories that last a lifetime.
Youth Cup & Shield Semi-Finals: First Leg Drama Sets Up Tantalising Returns
CSKA Moscow lay down marker with Milan mauling
CSKA Moskva 4-0 AC Milan (Youth Shield)
There are emphatic victories, and then there is what CSKA Moskva served up to AC Milan at the Arena CSKA on Saturday night. This was not merely a defeat for the Rossoneri – it was a comprehensive dismantling that has surely ended their Shield ambitions before the return leg has even been contemplated.
Karim Konaté was the chief architect of Milan’s misery, his hat-trick a masterclass in clinical finishing. The striker opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a composed finish, doubled his tally from the penalty spot ten minutes later, and completed his treble six minutes into the second half with the sort of scuffed effort that somehow finds the net when everything is going your way.
Nestory Irankunda’s sublime strike off the post in the 41st minute was merely the cherry on top of what had already become a rout. Milan, deploying a desperately defensive 4-3-3 formation, were overrun in every department. The statistics tell their own story – 60% possession to CSKA, 14 shots to seven, and a chasm in quality that the scoreline perhaps even flattered the visitors.
Milan’s ultra-defensive approach backfired spectacularly. Manager tactics of sitting deep and hoping to catch CSKA on the break proved woefully inadequate against opponents who combined pace, power and precision in equal measure. The Italians will need something approaching a miracle at San Siro to overturn this deficit.
Leverkusen edge thriller in six-goal spectacle
Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 Sampdoria (Youth Shield)
If CSKA’s victory was a statement of intent, Bayer Leverkusen’s triumph over Sampdoria was pure box office entertainment. Six goals, end-to-end action, and a result that leaves this semi-final tantalizingly poised ahead of the return fixture.
Jayden Addai and Adrian Segecic emerged as the protagonists in this breathless encounter, each claiming a brace in a match that swung back and forth like a pendulum. Addai’s early opener set the tone, only for Vanja Vlahović to double Leverkusen’s advantage before half-time. Segecic’s response was immediate and devastating – two goals in six minutes either side of the interval to level the tie and serve notice of Sampdoria’s attacking threat.
But it was Estêvão’s moment of magic that proved decisive. The Brazilian’s free-kick on 58 minutes was a thing of beauty, bending around the wall and leaving the Sampdoria goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Addai’s second, seven minutes later, should have put the tie to bed, yet with Sampdoria carrying such menace in attack, Leverkusen will know their work is far from done.
The German side’s superior possession (62%) and shot count (26 to 14) suggests they controlled proceedings, but football is rarely that simple. Sampdoria’s two away goals could prove priceless currency in the return leg.
Barcelona survive Leicester scare in Camp Nou classic
Barcelona 3-2 Leicester City (Youth Cup)
At the Camp Nou, Barcelona discovered that reputation alone does not guarantee safe passage to finals. Leicester City, those perennial overachievers, served up a performance brimming with belief and quality that has left this semi-final hanging in the balance.
Kobbie Mainoo’s early strike suggested Barcelona might cruise to victory, but Leicester’s response was immediate and impressive. Florian Wirtz’s equaliser just before half-time was reward for the visitors’ bold approach, and when Kassoum Ouattara’s delightful chip found the net with six minutes remaining, Leicester had secured the sort of away goal that can transform ties.
Djeidi Gassama and João Neves had seemingly put Barcelona in command with second-half strikes, yet Leicester’s refusal to buckle speaks volumes about their character. Their attacking approach – matching Barcelona’s adventurous formation and high tempo – was vindicated by that crucial late goal.
Barcelona’s 58% possession and slight edge in shots (16 to 14) reflected their marginal superiority, but Leicester’s away goal means the Catalans’ advantage is more fragile than the scoreline suggests. The return leg at the King Power promises to be a nervy affair for the Spanish giants.
Internacional’s slender advantage built on solid foundations
SC Internacional 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Youth Cup)
While the other semi-final produced pyrotechnics, Internacional’s victory over Tottenham was built on more pragmatic foundations. William Osula’s 14th-minute winner – a scrappy affair that saw the Tottenham goalkeeper fumble the ball over the line – proved enough to give the Brazilians a slender but significant advantage.
The game’s defining moment came four minutes into the second half when Tottenham’s Mario García saw red for a crude challenge. From that point, Spurs were fighting a rearguard action, their ultra-defensive setup becoming a necessity rather than choice.
Credit must go to Internacional for maintaining their composure against ten men. Rather than forcing the issue, they controlled proceedings intelligently, content to preserve their lead while probing for the knockout blow that never quite came.
Tottenham’s resilience in adversity was admirable – they matched their hosts for shots (10 to 11) and created several decent chances through Goran Vidović. But they now face the daunting prospect of overturning a deficit without their suspended midfielder, though the narrow margin means hope remains alive.
The reckoning awaits
Four first legs, four contrasting narratives. CSKA appear to have one foot in the Shield final, while Leverkusen hold a commanding but not unassailable advantage. The Youth Cup remains wide open, with both Barcelona and Internacional holding slender leads that their opponents will fancy overturning.
The beauty of knockout football lies in its unpredictability, and if these first legs have taught us anything, it is that nothing can be taken for granted. The return fixtures promise drama, tension, and the sort of football that reminds us why we fell in love with the beautiful game in the first place.
CSKA: Season 25
We enter our 3rd consecutive season in division 3, which is a fine accomplishment and a step up from where we found the team. But the manager, the fans, and the private equity group all envision a D1 team. After all, no one manages a club or a buys a club for them to flounder in mediocrity. Below is a recap of where the team stands heading into season 25 and the upcoming ratings updates.
Season 24 at the midway point we were in relegation territory. We added Iago Aspas, Ciro Immobile, and Stefan Savic to shore the team up and we rose to the playoff spots only to lose out on goal differential on the last day.
GK: We have starting GK Carnesecchi (90) who is having a great season domestically and in the Champions League. We sold Majecki to Hamburg as he didn't seem likely to overtake Carnesecchi - he was doing well for Monaco at the time of sale, which made it painful, but has slipped a bit since. Youth GK Mycael (80) is starting in Serie B and in the Brazilian youth teams. He is a PK specialist and modern GK who could draw a move to Europe.
RB: A two way battle between pending free agent Kyle Walker Peters (88) and Alexander Bah (88), stalwart in the Benfica side. Behind those two are youth players Alex Jimenez (76), now a rotational Milan player, and Wes Okoduwa, who I believe can develop into a lockdown defender but may need to add to his offensive repertoire.
CB: We have two aging starters in Harry Maguire (90) and Stefan Savic (88). Gone are the retired Varane and long-time captain Coates. Behind them are Chris Richards (87) and Martin Valjent (87), who are solid with some potential. Youth team players Jon Martin, Jan-Carlo Simic, Mamadou Sarr, and Tarek Buchmann hold down the fort. Simic and Sarr should be in for hefty rises given their starting spots at Anderlecht and Strasbourg. Buchmann continues to battle injury. We've also added German youth international Tyler Meiser.
LB: Caio Henrique was sold this week to Celtic for Tierney and 2 Brazilian youths. He had been performing well for Monaco and is a big loss. Taking his place is Kieran Tierney (88), spot player for Arsenal when healthy, and on his way to Celtic. Alvaro Carreras has been a standout for Benfica and should see a summer move and a rating increase. He is our long-term starter. We've also added Ben Hawighorst for the future at CB/LB.
DM: Jordan Henderson (89) will start the season alongside oft-injured Romeo Lavia (87). Pape Gueye (87) is consistently starting for Villareal and Celtic captain Callum McGregor (87) is a good depth piece as well. From a youth perspective, we have Sekou Kone at Man United, compatriot Hamidou Makalou finally made his move to France and was on the team sheet on Day 1. Staying in France, Pape Diong has the profile I like in Strasbourg and Saimon Bouabre should be getting more game time in my opinion. We've also added Brazil U17 captain Ze Lucas.
CM: We recently added Hakim Ziyech (88) with Brazilian Matheus Pereira (87) behind him. A lot of youth talent should raise the ceiling soon with Kendry, Mastantuono, and Lorran all making varying degrees of progress.
AM: We brought in Iago Aspas (89) to pair with Adingra (88). Laborde and Bertrand Traore are the main backups and have been getting plenty of game time. Odobert has recovered and is getting time for Spurs. We're transitioning the youth at this position knowing our CMs can play here as well. Irankunda and Cavan Sullivan remain, while we've added Isaque, Oscar Perea, and Mathis Lambourde.
CF: We brought in Ciro Immobile (90) and Jamie Vardy (88). Cognizant they are aging, we have a few options in the holster, Karim Konate, Jayden Danns are the nearest options (Laborde is a true CF as well). We've also signed 2 players we're excited about: N'Guessan and Mikkel Bro Hansen.
Marketing: The "Bro" campaign featuring Mikkel Bro Hansen has been a big hit with American youth. He was recently on the Joe Rogan podcast and Barstool Sports. While the manager questions these media outlets, he has been assured by the private equity group that the message of a (former) Russian club really resonates with this audience.
Likely starting lineup: Carnesecchi, Bah, Maguire, Savic, Tierney, Lavia, Henderson, Ziyech, Aspas, Adingra, Immobile.
Youth lineup: Mycael, Martin, Sarr, Simic, Jimenez, Lavia, Paez, Lorran, Mastantuano, Odobert, Konate
CSKA Entering Season 24
We enter our 2nd consecutive season in division 3. The Brazilian ratings were kind to us with a +13 for Lorran, Matheus Pereira possibly entering our starting lineup, and our starting youth GK Mycael rising to 80. It is tough to write this post with many unknowns since rating updates have just started, but in order to engage our audience in the US (and possibly our original home in Russia as the two countries may be joining forces).
GK: We have starting GK Carnesecchi (88) who is having a good season domestically and in the Champions League. He has not forced his way into the Italy team, though that will be a future goal. Backup GK is Majecki - back from injury and starting for Monaco, also in the CL. It is a luxury to have 2 U25 GKs in the CL and it is possible one of the two will force a transfer. Mycael is also starting for cellar dwellars Paranaense. The Brazil U20 GK has drawn comparisons to Ederson and one can only hope he continues to progress. He certainly faces enough shots!
RB: A two way battle between Kyle Walker Peters (soon to be a free agent?) and Alexander Bah, stalwart in the Benfica side. Behind those two are youth players Alex Jimenez, who has struggled for minutes in Milan but should have a bright future with Madrid's buy back clause, and Wes Okoduwa, who this American manager hopes will switch his allegiance from England to the US (fun fact: 4 U17 England callups today have American eligibility).
CB: We sent two promising prospects to Levante for Varane. No regrets as he helped solidify our place in D3. However, his unexpected retirement has hurt CB depth. Our two starters will be Harry Maguire (you all may be more familiar with him as Dursley in the Harry Potter movies) and former Sporting captain Sebastian Coates. Behind them are Chris Richards and Martin Valjent, both fairly promising CBs who hold our floor at 87. Youth team players Jon Martin, Jan-Carlo Simic, Mamadou Sarr, and Tarek Buchmann hold down the fort. Simic and Sarr should be in for hefty rises given their starting spots at Anderlecht and Strasbourg. Buchmann may be the most talented of the bunch if he can stay healthy.
LB: Caio Henrique is back from his ACL tear and returning to form. Behind him temporarily is Max Wober. Alvaro Carreras is the new hot thing at Benfica. A very graceful player with a bright future, perhaps back at United. Christian McFarlane, another UK/US dual nat, is on the move to City in January. He has drawn comparisons to Antonee Robinson and was the fastest player in MLS at the ripe age of 17.
At DM, we have two oldies holding down fort. Daler Kuzyaev and Jordan Henderson will start the season on the team sheet. Behind them are fast rising Romeo Lavia, who may have overtaken Enzo certainly as a role model and possibly at Chelsea as well. Pape Gueye seems to acclimating to Spanish football after his suspension last year in France. A number of African prospects are in the youth side, including Super Samp loanee from Inter Akinsanmiro, Makalou - silver ball winner and soon to be Brest player, Pape Diong, another Strasbourg signee, and Sekou Kone, another United prospect. Saimon Bouabre, the silky playmaker for French youth teams, may also slot into this position.
At CM, Matheus Pereira and Callum McGregor battle for the starting point. Hot prospects Mastantuano and Lorran battle behind them, with wildcard Roger Gabriel also slotted in.
On the Wings we have Adingra and Laborde as starters. Traore and Ayew are the main backups. Kendry and Odobert should break into the team soon. Top Australian prospect Irankunda shows tremendous ball striking and speed, Cavan Sullivan is likely the next Pulisic, with the manager waiting to see what Olivio Tome and Luka Andrade can bring to the table.
Forward will likely have Ayew or Laborde at some point during the season. Until then it is up to player of the season Cavani to hold down the fort with Golden Boy Konate showing potential. Jayden Daans and Jovan Milosevic are also part of the squad.
Likely starting lineup: Carnesecchi, Walker Peters, Maguire, Coates, Caio Henrique, Kuzyaev, Henderson, Pereira, Laborde, Adingra, Cavani.
Youth lineup: Mycael, Martin, Sarr, Simic, Alvaro, Lavia, Paez, Lorran, Mastantuano, Irankunda, Konate