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Liverpool Benefitted from Anfield Atmosphere in Beating AC Milan
Liverpool’s first meeting with AC Milan since those two Champions League finals in 2005 and 2007 was never going to be a dull affair. Despite not having met in the competition outside those two showpieces, the clubs have a unique relationship because of what happened in Istanbul 16 years ago, and the revenge exacted by…
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Analyzing Lazio’s First Loss Under Maurizio Sarri
After an impressive start to life under Maurizio Sarri that saw them defeat Empoli 3-1 and Spezia 6-1, Lazio returned from the September international break with a disappointing 0-2 loss to Milan at the San Siro. They have been unable to bounce back in form thus far, losing to Galatasaray in the Europa League and…
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Who Might Succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City When His Contract Expires?
Manchester City owe a lot to Pep Guardiola. Before his arrival in 2016, the club had boasted the finances and facilities worthy of domestic footballing dominance, but they hadn’t been able to find the right manager to lead in the charge. In Guardiola, they had lured one of the world’s most decorated coaches — a…
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Jude Bellingham: The Young English Midfielder Impressing in Germany
Borussia Dortmund didn’t think twice before deciding to go for Jude Bellingham in the summer of 2020. The 17-year-old Birmingham City midfielder was impressing in the Championship at the time and it was clear to see the massive potential that he has. “I’m incredibly excited to have joined one of the biggest clubs in…
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The Team of Matchday 5 of the 2021/22 Premier League Season
It was a Hollywood weekend of football in the Premier League on Matchday 5. David De Gea played the protagonist in “The Revenant,” saving a last-minute penalty from Mark Noble, who came on just seconds before to take the spot-kick ahead of a cacophonous London Stadium. It would be the only touch that the Hammers…
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The Return of the Real Gonçalo Ganchinho Guedes
There were wild celebrations in Valencia when a picture appeared on Twitter showing Peter Lim with Gonçalo Guedes in the summer of 2018. This picture was significant because it indicated that Valencia were almost certainly signing him on a permanent deal, as rumours of the imminent deal dominated the airwaves. During the rocky reign…
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How Bruno Lage is Transforming Wolves
It took Bruno Lage until the 4th game of the season against lowly Watford to witness his side’s first Premier League goals and win. Wolves lie in 16th place with 3 points from a possible 15, and a minus 3 goal difference — just one point above the relegation zone. At first glance, it…
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Demarai Gray: The Resurgence of a Wonderkid at Goodison Park
Six years before Jude Bellingham made his professional debut at St Andrew’s, Demarai Gray looked set to become the next young prospect to take Birmingham City by storm and stake out a career in England’s top-flight, following in the footsteps of Nathaniel Redmond and many more. After seven years at the club’s academy, Gray made…
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How Ronald Koeman Can Shape Up Barcelona This Season
At the beginning of the transfer window, after bringing Memphis Depay in a free transfer from Lyon, Barcelona’s forward line became full of stars. There was a lot of talk about using Lionel Messi, Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann in which formation Ronald Koeman would form his lineup. But what happened instead of all the…
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How Stoke’s Youthful Back Three Have Set the Pace for the Potters This Campaign
Whether it’s a model central defender setting the example, a masterful midfielder to match or an expert strike partner to emulate, the growth of young players is almost always accelerated when said player is nurtured by an elder associate, with every minute on the pitch alongside such seasoned pros a different lesson in how to…
