They wait for cups or injuries and they perform. But before they know it, the first-choice goalkeeper returns and the back-up finds the bench again
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Juan Sebastián Verón: the Manchester United diaries
When Juan Sebastián Verón moved to Manchester United in 2004, he went as one of the world’s best midfielder. Sadly, the Little Witch’s magic evaded him
Neville Southall: a man too good for mere mortals
One of Britain’s greatest goalkeepers, Neville Southall remains as decent off the pitch as he was when dominating Everton’s goal on it
How the challenge of building a club’s identity in Madrid’s satellite towns could alter Spanish football forever
What is perceived to be a golden age for football in Madrid may only be the beginning of a significant shift that could permanently alter Spanish football
Addressing the American game’s misconstrued idea of leadership
If you want to join the masse of idiots defending toxic leaders, go for it. Just remember, getting rid of them isn’t ruining the game. You are
Was Paul Scholes wrong to walk out on Oldham?
Paul Scholes’ brief tenure at Oldham has proved one thing: you don’t push the boundaries of the former Manchester United midfielder
Getafe and the incredible UEFA Cup odyssey of 2007/08
Staring possible Champions League qualification in the face now, Getafe’s last European adventure was a journey of epic and unexpected highs
The fall of FC Dnipro from the 2015 Europa League final to the amateur leagues
They were, just a few years ago, the toast of Eastern European football. Now, FC Dnipro sit in the amateur leagues, a shadow of their former selves
The redemption of Alan Mullery at Tottenham
A Tottenham legend let go on loan mid-season to a league below, Alan Mullery would remarkably return and prove the hero in their UEFA Cup glory of 1972
Alen Bokšić: the brilliant prototype built to play in another decade
At his best, Alen Bokšić had it all: pace, power, skill and creativity. And yet his career should’ve scaled greater highs. It would in today’s game
An ode to 2006/07 Kaká: the wholesome hero modern football craves
Since 2007, Messi and Ronaldo have monopolised the Ballon d’Or. So it’s worth remembering the infectious brilliance of the champions before them, Kaká
Federico Chiesa: the exciting Fiorentina winger rekindling a calcio love-affair
The son of Enrico Chiesa, a hero in purple of Fiorentina and beyond, winger Federico may take the family name to even greater heights
The revolution will be digitised: the new-age media changing the face of football consumption
Between COPA90, AFTV and The Anfield Wrap, football fans’ consumption habits have drastically changed in recent times – and for the better
Where does Nani rank alongside the best Portuguese players of his generation?
He was billed as the “new Cristiano Ronaldo”, but while that moniker was short-sighted and unfair, is Nani a true legend of the Portuguese game?
The fall of Aleksandr Filimonov, the man once considered Russia’s best goalkeeper in a generation
Taking to the field against Ukraine in 1999, Aleksandr Filimonov was considered the nation’s best goalkeeper. In an instant, it would all change
The night Ajax stunned the Bernabéu – and inspired a continent
This Ajax side should be lauded and relished as one of the most thrilling and enterprising the Champions League has seen for some time
Sean Fallon: the legendary defender who later unearthed some of Celtic’s greatest talents
In the annals of Celtic, few men have given more to the cause that Sean Fallon, the legendary defender who later discovered and trained the Lisbon Lions
The Eintracht Frankfurt way: how the Bundesliga outfit continue to punch above their weight
At home and abroad, Eintracht Frankfurt have found a way to remain ahead of similarly sized clubs and look to the Champions League in the future
Hibernian: the club that led Britain into the European Cup
In 1955, Scottish outfit Hibernian heralded a new era in British football by becoming the first team to play in the newly-formed European Cup
The mind-games, death threats and individual genius of Chelsea vs Barcelona in 2005
When Chelsea met Barcelona in 2005, both sides were gunning to become Europe’s top power. It led to two unforgettable legs of football on and off the pitch
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