Investigating the origins of Diego Simeone’s Cholismo

The path was clear for Antoine Griezmann. Bayern Munich’s defence had opened up before him and, courtesy of a nicely weighted through ball from Fernando Torres, he was clean through on goal.…

The heartbreak of Ronaldo at Internazionale

This feature is part of The Football Italia Years Ronaldo was more force of nature than footballer. He was an irrepressible dribbler, a powerful runner and an unerringly precise finisher. In Italy,…

A history of football’s dark arts

Somewhere along the line, the beautiful game was corrupted. Perhaps it happened early on, the result of a collective realisation of just how much people cared about football. Or perhaps it was…

Mapping the future of the Premier League: the London clubs

Arsenal   THE WORD ‘EMBROILED’ depicts imagery of a painful, laborious struggle with no real end in sight. Consequently, within the realms of football speak, the word is quite appositely associated with a…

Chile: the style of a generation

Multiple theories persist regarding the conception of football styles. Specific styles can sometimes be traced back to the coaches and players directly implicated in their promulgation. However, some propose that there are more…

The final countdown for Xavi and Pirlo

FOR THE GENERATION OF FOOTBALL FANATICS FROM WHENCE I CAME, the summer of 2015 will be a poignant one. Time, it appears, has flown. Now our idols, those we were besotted by –…

The relationship between age and the regista

As featured on Guardian Sport A FEW WEEKS AGO, THERE WAS A SUDDEN FRISSON OF ENTHUSIASM surrounding Michael Carrick. Having played for Manchester United for nearly a decade and having been capped by…

The incredible life and times of Greek hero Giorgios Koudas

THERE ARE MANY PURPORTED REASONS for Thessalonians to dislike Athenians. It just so happens that football provides an adequate vehicle for espousing such hostilities. Indeed, the sporting arena has acted as an opportune…