Inter’s Domination, Barça’s Woes, Galatasaray’s Move for Dybala, and More
Plus: Mudryk's doping controversy shakes Chelsea
👋🏻 Welcome to Starting 11! Today, we spotlight Inter Milan’s stunning 6-0 rout of Lazio, Barcelona’s alarming slump under Hansi Flick, and Galatasaray’s bold €10m pursuit of Paulo Dybala. Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drug test shocks Chelsea, Ademola Lookman is crowned Africa’s best, and CAF unveils an action-packed 2025 calendar. Plus, a tactical deep dive into Celtic's victory over Rangers in a thrilling Scottish League Cup final, and Greenland’s 2025 kit, which combines football and cultural pride. Football is relentless—let’s dive in!
⚽ Stay in the game! Subscribe to Starting 11 and have the world of football delivered to your inbox five times a week. It’s free and your all-access pass to the latest action, insights, and beyond.
Inter Milan made a statement in Serie A, dismantling Lazio 6-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. Four goals in 12 brutal minutes—starting with Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s penalty just before halftime—set the tone, while Nicolò Barella’s 30-meter volley and Denzel Dumfries’ towering header sealed Lazio’s fate. Carlos Augusto and Marcus Thuram piled on late, leaving Lazio’s makeshift defense in tatters. The win propels Inter to third place, three points off leaders Atalanta with a game in hand. Lazio, meanwhile, drop to fifth, wondering where it all went wrong.
The Strongest crushed Oriente Petrolero 6-2 in a rescheduled match of Bolivia’s Clausura tournament, keeping their slim title hopes alive and piling pressure on Bolívar. The Aurinegro dominated from the start, with goals from Ramallo, Wayar, and Ortega, alongside an unfortunate own goal by Oriente. Bruno Miranda sealed the rout with a penalty, as Oriente’s makeshift defense struggled throughout. With just four points separating them from Bolívar and two games left, The Strongest remain in the hunt—but tomorrow’s clash against San Antonio could decide everything.
Juventus look to salvage their season as they face Cagliari in the Coppa Italia Round of 16. With their Serie A campaign faltering—four straight draws and boos ringing at home—Thiago Motta’s side hopes the cup brings some much-needed redemption. Despite struggles, Juve remain favorites, especially with Cagliari’s poor away form and likely squad rotation ahead of a relegation clash. Key absentees for Juve, including Vlahovic and Bremer, add a twist, but the Bianconeri’s depth should see them through. A 2-0 win seems on the cards—unless Cagliari pulls off a shocker.
Fresh off their UAE Super Cup triumph, Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl face off again today in a quick-fire rematch in the UAE Pro League. Shabab Al Ahli lifted the Super Cup after a dramatic 2-2 draw, winning 4-1 on penalties, thanks to goals from Guilherme Bala and Luka Milivojević. Al Wasl, led by Nicolás Giménez and Fabio Lima, fought back valiantly but fell short in the shootout. Now, with league points at stake, Shabab Al Ahli aim to close the gap on leaders Sharjah, while Al Wasl look for redemption in what promises to be another fiery clash.
Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk finds himself in hot water after testing positive for a banned substance, a shock he claims left him stunned. The Ukrainian winger, who joined Chelsea in 2023 for a staggering £89m, denies any wrongdoing and insists he’s working to uncover how it happened. The FA, staying tight-lipped, hasn’t confirmed whether Mudryk is provisionally suspended. Mudryk’s absence—previously attributed to illness—now takes on a whole new twist. With 10 goals in 73 appearances, Chelsea may have more than just a “routine” problem on their hands.
Galatasaray have reportedly offered Roma’s Paulo Dybala a staggering €10m-a-year deal to fill the void left by Mauro Icardi’s season-ending injury. Despite the lucrative proposal, Dybala seems unwilling to exit midseason unless Roma push him out—something they attempted last summer when he turned down Saudi millions. With his contract running out in six months and no renewal talks in sight, the Argentine’s future looks uncertain. For now, Roma fans can only hope La Joya stays put… or brace for January drama.
Barcelona’s title challenge is teetering as Hansi Flick’s squad faces its worst run since Ronald Koeman’s 2021 exit. Just one win in six La Liga matches—alongside two draws and three defeats—has turned their October high into a December nightmare. Losses to Las Palmas, Leganes, and Real Sociedad have squandered Barça’s early momentum. Despite still clinging to the top spot, Flick now faces an Atlético Madrid showdown and the weight of matching Xavi’s 18-game tally from last season. Fatigue may be the villain, but excuses won’t save their fading form.
Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year, becoming the seventh Nigerian to claim the prestigious award. The Atalanta forward delivered a stellar year, scoring 22 goals, including a Europa League final hat-trick that earned Atalanta their first-ever continental title. Lookman also shone for Nigeria, helping the Super Eagles reach the AFCON final.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled its 2025 calendar, confirming key dates for competitions across the continent. Morocco will host both the AFCON 2025, starting December 21, 2025, and the CAF U-17 AFCON in March. The CAF Champions League final will take place over two legs on May 24 and June 1, while the CAF Confederation Cup final is set for May 17 and 25. The CAF Women’s Champions League will run from November 8 to 23. Exciting times lie ahead for African football fans!
For an in-depth breakdown of the Scottish League Cup Final, look no further than Samuel Hutchinson’s tactical analysis. Celtic’s thrilling penalty shootout win over Rangers capped a match that had everything: high stakes, drama, and history. Rangers’ mid-block strategy stifled Celtic’s buildup early, but relentless flank play—particularly from Nicolas Kühn—ultimately broke them down. The tactical nuances, intense pressing, and critical moments are all expertly dissected, making this a must-read for football fans eager to understand how Celtic edged their rivals to become Scotland’s most successful club.
Hummel has unveiled the 2025 Greenland home kit, marking a significant departure from former supplier Macron. The jersey features a bold red base adorned with tupilaks—intricate Inuit carvings—and tuukkaqer motifs, symbolizing Greenland’s cultural roots and traditions. Black collar and cuffs showcase avittatter designs, tying the kit to national costumes and local art.
Today's lineup brought to you by Facu Trotta Arrieta. Catch his latest moves on X.
Was this email passed your way like a perfect assist? Sign up here to join the squad.
Follow the action on X.