All About The Beautiful Game
When 18-year-old Gerónimo Spina joined Spanish side Atlético Madrid, it looked like a normal transfer. Yes, Spina was one of Estudiantes’ top prospects, and he was leaving for free, but that’s not unusual in today’s game. The rules of FIFA allow overseas transfers when players turn 18, and increasingly players chose to head to European … Read more
In June, Fiorentina faced West Ham in the Europa Conference League Final. It was a special opportunity for both clubs: West Ham had waited more than 40 years to lift a major trophy, while Fiorentina was forced to start from scratch in the third tier of Italy in 2002. In the end, West Ham won … Read more
When Hertha Berlin beat Hamburg SV in the Bundesliga Promotion/Relegation Play-offs last year, it looked like the club had turned a corner. Hertha, which had not been in Germany’s second tier since 2013, endured a miserable season but some late victories were enough to stay alive. However, a final-day defeat combined with a late Stuttgart … Read more
For years, it has looked like the PSG superstar-recruitment project was going to end. In 2017, a star-studded PSG team was humiliated by Barcelona in the Champions League, losing 6-1 to be eliminated on aggregate despite winning the first leg 4-0. The club responded by bringing in teenage star Kylian Mbappe and record transfer Neymar … Read more
For the first time in over a decade, Juventus will not be in the Champions League next season. After being docked ten points for financial irregularities, the Turin-based club finished 7th in the league with 62 points. This is a big shock for a side that has dominated Italian soccer for the past few years, … Read more
After years of near misses, Manchester City has finally won the Champions League by beating Inter Milan 1-0. The first half was a nervy affair, with both sides getting decent chances to open the scoring. City striker Erling Haaland was sent through on goal but was denied by Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was forced … Read more
For the last ten seasons, the Bundesliga title has been lifted by Bayern Munich. For the club, this has become the minimum expectation, while the biggest priority is the Champions League. However, this season, that looks to change, as Borussia Dortmund is now in pole position to claim the title. Of course, Bayern was always … Read more
Virgil van Dijk, Arjen Robben, and Luis Suarez: all three of these players have lifted the UEFA Champions League. Other than that, they don’t have a whole lot of similarities. All of them play different positions. Two of them represent the Dutch national team, with Suarez representing Uruguay. Only Robben has appeared in a World … Read more
May 5, 2018. It’s the final day of the 1. Lig season, the second flight of Turkish soccer. Samsunspor, previously a fixture of Turkey’s top flight, the Süper Lig, needs a win to avoid relegation. They take a 2-0 lead into the half, thanks to goals from journeyman striker Göksu Türkdogan and former Fenerbahce prospect … Read more
In terms of youth academies, few cities are better than London. Chelsea has one of England’s finest, with talents breaking through despite the ridiculous sums they pay for first-team players. Arsenal’s title charge this season has been heavily aided by players who came through their academy. Tottenham’s academy, too, has produced some fine players — … Read more