Mike Maignan's contract situation at AC Milan is difficult to unpack. There has been positivity recently, but how much that actually means must be seen. Everything at the moment revolves around Maignan, and it is understandable why, as frustrating as it may be. The Frenchman's fine form has come at a time when Milan have no real strength over his contract situation.
A different kind of comeback - FC Barcelona Barça's season has had one clear theme: comebacks. Especially over the past month, with Flick's side repeatedly overturning difficult scorelines to walk away with all three points. The latest example came on Tuesday in the Champions League against Eintracht Frankfurt, though this one had a twist. Dani Olmo targets Espanyol - Mundo Deportivo
With the assist, as per Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona's number 10 reached an astonishing 14 goal contributions in the competition for players of 18-year-old or under, split evenly between seven goals and seven assists. This achievement makes him the most productive player in Champions League history since the tournament adopted its modern format in 1992. The figure surpasses Kylian Mbappe's long-standing record of 13 contributions, placing Yamal at the top of a list that features legendary names.
Copenhagen continued their unlikely tilt for the knockout stages of the Champions League by beating Villarreal 3-2 at El Madrigal on Wednesday. Villarreal are still winless, just as Copenhagen had been through their first four matches of the league phase before following up a win against Kairat Almaty last time out with this victory. Copenhagen led after just 71 seconds as Mohamed Elyounoussi volleyed in a left-wing cross, and they protected that advantage until half-time.
For Xabi Alonso, the slide towards the abyss has looked sudden from the outside. Everything was fine at the beginning of November, the results excellent. Since when precious little has gone his way. The Real Madrid manager desperately needed something here. When this latest game eluded him, it was easy to fear the worst. Time is not a commodity afforded to men in his position.