FALSE NINE, REGISTA, LIBERO; these are all terms that will undoubtedly be familiar to the typical football enthusiast. As indeed will the players associated with them, the likes of Lionel Messi, Andrea…
Month: March 2017
THE DATE IS 14 SEPTEMBER 2010 and Manchester United are squaring off against Scottish champions Rangers at Old Trafford in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. In a game that…
In the footballing dictionary, ‘world-class’ is often defined by a player’s ability to prove decisive in a match of high-importance. While other members of the team may take a step back, those…
When many speak of Osvaldo Zubeldía, the obvious answer is to look at him with reverence. After all, he was a passionate man who died doing something that he was deeply passionate about. After…
After 21 years with Arsène Wenger at the helm, as the finish line for the 2016-17 Premier League race for the title comes into sight and the club remains well adrift of…
WHEN, IN 1977, writer and director George Lucas released to astonishing critical and commercial acclaim the first of his opening trilogy of Star Wars films, science fiction fans across the United States…
Flares illuminated the clouds of smoke that rolled down the streets. Lines of policemen in riot gear threatened civilians with clubs, water cannons and rubber bullets. Anti-autocratic fervour had gripped the city,…
IF YOU HAD TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT with one footballing personality, who would you want it to be? You could pass the time asking Andrés Iniesta what it’s like to…
From the 17th to the 19th century, there existed a custom amongst the British upper class, famously known as the Grand Tour. Considered as a necessary rite of passage for aristocrats, this tradition became…
Every year Aftonbladet, the Swedish newspaper, awards the Guldbollen (Gold Ball) to the best Swedish footballer. The same footballer has won 11 of the last 12,and is likely to continue his stranglehold…
Delving into the treasure troves of Dutch football’s history is an often emotive and enriching experience. Juxtaposed to the relative mediocrity of the present, the Netherlands’ footballing past showcases a talent pool…
ON 23 FEBRUARY 2017, Russian side Krylya Sovetov faced Kazakh side Kairat Almaty in a behind closed doors friendly. Kairat won the game 1-0 thanks to a goal from Brazilian Isael Barbosa.…
MODERN FOOTBALL HAS become so sanitised in this day and age that it’s hard to recall if there was ever a time that top European football players were always so readily approachable. Teams…
For many millennials, Barcelona football club have been the benchmark of perfection in the world of the beautiful game. Tiki-taka, Lionel Messi and, of course, mercurial Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho, have been just…
GOOGLE IAGO ASPAS and you will find yourself presented predominantly with the words ‘Liverpool’ and ‘flop’. Google Iago Aspas and press spacebar and you will be given the suggestion ‘Iago Aspas corner’.…
ASK A FOOTBALL EXPERT about the powerhouses of Asian football and the answers would be familiar: Australia, South Korea, Iran and Japan. Uzbekistan may not be on that list, but its history…
Reporting for pre-season training in the summer of 1971, not many at Bayern Munich recognised Gerd Müller. To those even remotely familiar with the career of Der Bomber, this would seem perplexing.…
In 2007, David Beckham left Real Madrid. He had regained his place in Fabio Capello’s starting line-up and played an integral part in Los Blancos’ return to the pinnacle of Spanish Football,…