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Raheem Sterling and Eniola Aluko–and how social media can help combat racism
The way Juventus have handled both Cristiano Ronaldo’s rape allegations and this week’s debacle surrounding Moise Kean has been appalling in every way. Not only did the Old Lady’s representatives unequivocally support their number seven – hailing him as a ‘great champion’ despite the evidence against him regarding the accusations made by Kathryn Mayorga –…
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Quarterfinals Fan Preview: Manchester United
The minutes felt like hours as referee Damir Skomina consulted VAR on the sidelines of the Parc des Princes. Time seemed to suspend itself as nearly 50,000 fans fell silent in the stadium. Players stood powerless on the field, at the mercy of a group of consulting referees in the VAR box. As Skomina returned…
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Neymar at PSG: unfulfilled promise, injuries, and stagnation
“I want to write history here. This is the only reason. There are new challenges, and I want to help write the history of the club. Our biggest challenge is the Champions League, but there are other trophies too.” On August 4, 2017, a beaming Nasser al-Khelaifi unveiled Paris Saint-Germain’s newest recruit. The man he had…
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Quarterfinals Fan Preview: Liverpool
After a quick touch off the top of his right foot, Sadio Mané turned his body to shield the ball from Manuel Neuer at the top of the box. After another touch and another turn into open space, the Senegalese winger chipped the ball over a defender and into the back of the net to…
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Liverpool’s 4-3-3 vs. Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1
Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 is a defence-first system that’s typically utilized against teams that Jürgen Klopp feels Liverpool have a clear quality advantage against. It’s designed to increase the compactness of the team from the moment the ball is lost. The essence of the system is the strong central spine. The two key elements within the system…
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What’s next for Atlético?
It’s not breaking news that Atlético Madrid’s season has been (very) underwhelming; ten points behind Barcelona in the race for the league, knocked out of Europe after one of the Colchoneros’ worst matches since Diego Simeone arrived in 2011, and ridiculed by Girona at home in the Round of 16 in the Copa del Rey,…
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Quarterfinals Fan Preview: Juventus
With Juventus gearing up for their quarterfinals tie, Breaking The Lines co-founder Zach Lowy talked to Rav, the owner of juvefc.com (@juvefcdotcom) about his expectations going into the tie. ZL: Do you have any major concerns going into the tie with Ajax? Rav: No major concerns per se, as we’re shown that we can be a…
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The gender pay gap in soccer: tackling discrimination one step at a time
Women’s football has gained some positive press in recent months, from Phil Neville’s Lionesses blossoming in their World Cup qualifiers, to the stadiums of high-profile teams such as Barcelona, Lyon and Juventus being sold out on a regular basis. Yet if we are to really make the most of this momentum, we must discuss the…
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Enrico Preziosi: Genoa’s Unpredictable and Mercurial President
Italian football has had its fair share of eccentric club presidents throughout its history, whether it be for their personality, the manner they ran their clubs, or bizarre habits that they fostered. Along with the likes of Maurizio Zamparini at Venezia and then Palermo, and Massimo Cellino, firstly at Cagliari and now at Brescia,…
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Of gloom and glory: Zimbabwe’s AFCON qualification a positive twist to a common narrative
The great Greek tragedian Aeschylus must have had Zimbabwe on his mind when he said, “There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.” His words ring true for a nation that has had its fair share of grievances and nationwide disappointment, an overwhelming 39 years that has left the…
