Inter's meltdown, Barca treble chase and recalling Pope Francis the fan
Kick off your Monday with all the action from this past weekend
The final weekend of April was one where title hopes can become clearer for some teams, while others could see them evaporate before their very eyes.
That’s the case with Inter Milan, who lost to Roma and now find themselves struggling to even win one trophy when they were in the hunt for three a week ago.
In Spain, meanwhile, Barcelona asserted its dominance over rivals Real Madrid once more this season, this time lifting the Copa del Rey in the process. In England, Liverpool clinched the title, while in Germany Bayern are on the precipice of one.
All this happened as the world’s Catholics mourned the death of Pope Francis, who was born and raised in Argentina to Italian immigrant parents. Aside from leading the church, Francis was also a big soccer fan.
Here’s a look at the biggest storylines from this past weekend:
Serie A: What happened to Intet?
A few weeks ago there was talk of an Inter Milan treble.
Now is a different story.
The past week hasn’t been great for an Inter side that now could end the season without a trophy.
They fell 1-0 to Roma on Sunday, just days after being eliminated by AC Milan in the Coppa Italia.
Inter is a team built with free transfers and an again roster. In many ways, they overachieved. Nonetheless, the meltdown of the past week highlights just how exhausted this side is at this juncture of the season.
Napoli, meanwhile, now look to be the favorites for the scudetto. The new league leaders now have a three-point lead on Inter following a 2-0 home win on Sunday.
Copa del Rey: Barcelona downs Real Madrid in extra time
From one team that can’t win a treble to one that can.
Barcelona launched its bid for three trophies this season after defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling Copa del Rey final with Jules Kounde scoring an extra-time winner on Saturday.
As the match appeared headed to penalties, Kounde fired the ball into the low corner of Thibaut Courtois’ net for the 116th-minute winner.
Barcelona will carry momentum from its record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title into Wednesday’s start of its Champions League semifinal series against Inter. It also leads La Liga by four points over Madrid.
Barcelona has defeated Real Madrid in all three Clasicos contested this season, including a 5-2 rout in the Spanish Super Cup final in January after winning 4-0 at Madrid in the league last October.
Argentina: Farewell, Pope Francis
Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, was many things to different people.
Growing up, he was known by his birth name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina.
As a priest, he was Father Jorge — until he eventually became Cardinal Bergolio of Buenos Aires.
To fans of the Argentine club San Lorenzo, he was member No. 88235 who paid his annual dues each year even once he moved to Rome. The club honored Francis this past Saturday and has announced they will rename their new stadium after him.
Francis was a big soccer fan. It was a passion that spilled over into his papacy.
To him, soccer symbolized more than sport. It was a metaphor for life: Teamwork, perseverance and fairness. He would often speak of how soccer teaches people to play for one another, not just themselves. He admired players who were humble and those who used their fame to help others.
The pope, who was laid to rest this past Saturday following a funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square, sometimes referenced the sport to make theological points.
“Soccer is a team sport. You can't have fun alone,” he told a crowd of Italian youth players and coaches at the Vatican in 2019. “And if it's lived like that, it can do good for your mind and your heart in a society that is exasperated by subjectivism.”
In other news: Needing only a point to ensure a record-equalling 20th English title with four games remaining, Liverpool came back from a goal down to thrash Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 and wrap up the Premier League title in style at Anfield on Sunday. … Wrexham AFC is one step away from the Premier League. The Welsh club played in the fifth tier of English soccer when actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the team in 2020. On Saturday, it became the first club to ever earn back-to-back-to-back promotions all the way to the Championship. … Harry Kane will miss Bayern Munich's Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig next Saturday due to suspension. The game at Leipzig — in which Bayern can win the league title — would see Kane win the first major career trophy. Kane was carded during Bayern's 3-0 win against Mainz on Saturday. However, because Bayer Leverkusen also beat Augsburg 2-0, the Bavarian giants have to wait another week to be crowned champions.