Happy men’s international break to all who celebrate! As we take a breather from the pressing week-to-week grind of club matches, Manchester City strutted into this break on a high note, delivering a significant win over Liverpool. Meanwhile, the UEFA Women’s Champions League shines brightly in the midweek spotlight, energizing fans across the globe. I’m Pardeep Cattry, bringing you the latest to kick off a fresh week in the world of football.
📺 Footy Fix
All times U.S./Eastern
Tuesday, Nov. 11
🇪🇺 UWCL: Roma vs. Valarenga, 12:45 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+, CBS Sports Network
🇪🇺 UWCL: Real Madrid vs. Paris FC, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
🇪🇺 UWCL: St. Polten vs. Chelsea, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
🇪🇺 UWCL: OL Lyonnes vs. Wolfsburg, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+, CBS Sports Network
The Forward Line
A Title Contender Bites the Dust
It’s still too early to crown a Premier League champion, but at 11 games in, we might need to seriously contemplate Liverpool’s chances of taking the title. Following a deflating 3-0 loss to Manchester City, Arne Slot’s side seems to be losing its grip on the title race. The Reds tried to rally after a promising 1-0 win against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, but Sunday’s match quickly unveiled the flaws that have haunted them all season.
Slot chose the same lineup that had some success against Real Madrid, and while they initially seemed to have a stroke of luck when Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Erling Haaland’s penalty, the cracks were evident. Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal left Liverpool frustrated, and although they managed to limit City to only 0.81 expected goals, they couldn’t capitalize. In fact, Liverpool managed just one shot on target and had a mere 0.71 expected goals of their own. As James Benge noted from the Etihad Stadium view, the persistent issues that have plagued Liverpool throughout this season remain unaddressed.
- Benge: “When they return [from the international break], they will step back into a situation where the issues that have been apparent since the Community Shield are still unresolved. Defending the flanks? An uphill battle for Liverpool. The problem wasn’t just [Conor] Bradley; there are very few fullbacks worldwide who could have handled [Jeremy] Doku in his current form. Liverpool threw two defenders at him, but even Dominik Szoboszlai couldn’t effectively shield him. And on the rare occasions when [Mohamed] Salah did track back, it was clear why Slot was willing to let him off the defensive duties last season.”
The defeat leaves Liverpool languishing in eighth place, now eight points off the first position they so confidently held this time last season. Yes, City showed their own flaws, but finally, Haaland got the help he needed from teammates Doku and Josko Gvardiol, both getting their names on the scoresheet. City now sit just four points behind Arsenal in the standings, emerging as one of the top contenders as the battle for the title begins to intensify.
Matchday 3 🔜
Midfield Link Play
Lyon Look to Extend Perfect UWCL Start
While it’s still early in the UEFA Women’s Champions League season, some teams are already making a serious case for glory as we head into Matchday 3. Five clubs have entered this week with a perfect record of two wins from two. Among them are some surprising names like Wolfsburg, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, along with heavyweights Barcelona and OL Lyonnes. Lyon will look to keep their winning streak going when they host Wolfsburg on Tuesday.
Lyon, with a record eight UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, embodies dominance but has adapted to keep pace with the evolving ambitions of women’s football. While they’ve lost some beloved veterans, fresh young talent like Melchie Dumonay and Lily Yohannes have emerged to light up the pitch, including Dumonay’s notable performance in a 2-1 victory over reigning champions Arsenal on Matchday 1. Their season slogan, “New Story, Same Legend,” captures their thrilling blend of old and new under fresh ownership and management. Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg spoke recently about how the newcomers have integrated well, praising the new manager Jonatan Giraldez’s intense and competitive spirit.
- Hegerberg: “He’s someone who works with intensity and fosters competition, which I find incredibly motivating. He’s committed, already doing interviews in French, showing his leadership—a quality we cherish at Lyon. Together, we aim to build something special, step by step, and make significant achievements.”
How quickly Giraldez can meld these new talents into a cohesive unit will be key, especially in their clash against Wolfsburg. Lyon are favorites in this match, but it presents an important opportunity to put some distance between themselves and their competitors, as only the top four teams from the league phase are assured direct qualification for the quarterfinals.
Top Stories
“We’re Not Underdogs”: Gotham FC has made waves in the NWSL playoffs, eliminating top-seed Kansas City Current in a thrilling extra-time match, setting the stage for a semifinal showdown with the Orlando Pride. Meanwhile, the Washington Spirit is set to face off against the Portland Thorns, marking a clash among the last four NWSL champions.
NWSL to Atlanta: Big news! The NWSL is expected to award Atlanta with a new expansion team, bringing a historic $165 million expansion fee, backed by owners of Atlanta United in MLS and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
A “Clear” Mistake?: Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, wasn’t shy about expressing his frustration, stating it was “obvious and clear” that a mistake was made when Virgil van Dijk’s goal was disallowed against Manchester City.
🌴 Miami Advance: Inter Miami is riding high after Lionel Messi scored a dynamic brace in their 4-0 drubbing of Nashville SC, securing their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals against FC Cincinnati.
💰 The Back Line
Best Bets
- UEFA Women’s Champions League: OL Lyonnes vs. Wolfsburg, Tuesday, 3 p.m.
💰 THE PICK: Under 2.5 goals scored (+140) – Lyon looks poised to dominate this match, featuring impressive attackers like Tabitha Chawinga and Melchie Dumonay. However, Wolfsburg could put up a fight, especially with goalkeeper Stina Johannes capable of a standout performance to mitigate Lyon’s recovering offense, particularly as they’ve scored only five goals across their two games in Europe so far.
For more expert insights, predictions, and trending betting news, be sure to check out CBSSports.com’s dedicated betting homepage.
📺 What We’re Watching
What’s on CBS Sports Golazo Network
Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m.): Don’t start your day off on the wrong foot—join the Golazo Network for a lively morning show loaded with highlights, interviews, and the biggest football storylines. Morning Footy is available as a podcast too, so you can catch up anytime!
Attacking Third (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday): The premier women’s soccer podcast is live, digging deep into the NWSL and USWNT action. Don’t miss out on live streams on YouTube every Sunday right after the last NWSL match of the weekend!
Call it What You Want (Tuesday and Thursday): Join Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola for all things USMNT as the nation gears up for the 2026 World Cup. Catch the live episodes on the Golazo America YouTube channel every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. ET.
Scoreline (Daily): Scoreline is your go-to for catching up on the day’s biggest football news, highlights, and unmissable goals, airing daily starting Thursday.
How to Watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network offers free, round-the-clock coverage of the world’s top soccer competitions. Stream without a subscription on the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, or Paramount+.
