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The Early Audit on Mark van Bommel’s Wolfsburg
Prior to this summer, the last time Mark van Bommel stepped out into a dugout; Covid-19 hadn’t left China, Prince Harry and Megan Markle were still working Royals and Ross Barkley was an England starter. Plenty has occurred since December of 2019 – including the rise of Wolfsburg. As Van Bommel was coming towards…
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Understanding SC Bastia’s Badge
In 1096, Peter I’s Aragonese army was heavily outnumbered by the forces of Al-Musta’in II of Zaragoza. Defeat looked certain. That was before, as legend would have it, Saint George miraculously appeared on the battlefield, patronising the Aragonese and swinging the battle in their favour. He cut off the heads of four Muslim leaders and…
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Player Analysis: João Pedro
Cagliari is a team that holds a unique place in the history of Italian football. The club from the island of Sardinia is the only team not from the mainland of Italy to have won the Serie A title, accomplishing that achievement in the 1969/70 season. Undoubtedly the talisman of that iconic squad was…
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Tactical Analysis: Lazio 3-2 Roma
The 177th Derby della Capitale saw José Mourinho’s Roma face off against Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. It had been nearly three years since the last match-up between the two managers, with Chelsea snatching a 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge as a late equalizer from Ross Barkley cancelled out Anthony…
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Tactical Analysis: Bayern Münich 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Filip Kostić drilled home an 83rd-minute goal with a powerful low drive and beat keeper Manuel Neuer to stun Bayern Munich and snatch a 2-1 Bundesliga win on Sunday, as Eintracht Frankfurt earned a first league victory at the Allianz Arena in 21 years and snapping the hosts’ nine-game winning run in all…
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Jota’s Emergence at Celtic
In a season of vast rebuild for Celtic where it is up to Ange Postecoglou’s new young signings to step up to the plate much sooner than initially anticipated, Benfica loanee Jota has a major role to play. But if the early signs are anything to go by, then Jota will be a pivotal figure…
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Player Analysis: Ben Brereton-Diaz
There are times in football when a career can quickly stagnate. When, in the space of a year, a player once highly regarded is merely a thing of the past. In the ever-evolving modern game, one long-term injury, failed loan spell or dip in form can undo a lifetime of hard work, and some simply…
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What’s Going Wrong With Newcastle?
The 2021/2022 season has not started well for Newcastle United. As the next international break approaches the club is still winless and has only picked up three points from a possible twenty-one. The defeat to Wolves on Saturday was their fourth loss of the season which has put more pressure on manager Steve Bruce. …
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Tactical Analysis: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
The league’s best two teams for the last few years with two of the world’s best managers matched up on Sunday to set up a pulsating encounter. In a breathtaking, enthralling Premier League on steroids classic we were reminded of the level Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have elevated not only both teams but the…
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Remove, Retain or Reform – Four Options with Their Pros and Cons for the EFL Cup
With the October international break now upon us, two matches have been played in the European club competitions’ group stages and the domestic league campaigns are now several matches down, with intriguing storylines now beginning to develop. In England specifically, it is around this time of the year where debate seems to be continuously ongoing…
