Articles
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How Tuchel Out-Coached Solskjaer at Old Trafford
Line-ups With Paris Saint-Germain missing their star playmaker Neymar, and with Edinson Cavani withdrawing to injury after the Bordeaux match last weekend, Thomas Tuchel put out a makeshift side at Old Trafford for the first leg of their Round of 16 tie with Manchester United. The team alternated between a back three and a back…
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Analyzing Sergio Ramos’ Heroic Performance Against Ajax
With Marcelo and Raphaël Varane both out, and with Ajax putting Madrid’s resolve to the test early on in their quest to retake the Champions League, Sergio Ramos stepped up with a captain’s performance to put Real Madrid within touching distance of the quarterfinals. Alessandro Costacurta, one of the greatest defenders in history, praised Ramos’…
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Zach Lowy and Chris Sweeney Discuss “Mad Dog Gravesen”
On Friday, February 15, Chris Sweeney’s second book “Mad Dog Gravesen: The Last of the Modern Footballing Mavericks,” detailing the life and career of ex-Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen, will be available for purchase. Zach Lowy, co-creator of Breaking The Lines, chats to Sweeney about Gravesen’s pranks, his “Mad Dog” nickname, and how he accrued…
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Round of 16 Fan Preview: Ajax
In September 2018, Erik ten Hag was the main subject in the Breaking The Lines Fan Preview regarding Ajax. The piece discussed the tactical development that the club had made under the relatively new manager and the players who were likely to stand out in the group phase. Almost half a year later, it is…
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Round of 16 Fan Preview: FC Porto
So far in Europe, it’s been a breeze for FC Porto. With 16 points from a possible 18 and only conceding 6 goals in the entire group stage, the Dragons have made themselves a force to be reckoned with in this year’s competition. Sérgio Conceição has managed to keep the core of his squad in…
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Round of 16 Fan Preview: Manchester United
As Manchester United get set to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16, Zach Lowy of Breaking The Lines chats to Bleacher Report journalist Rob Blanchette on how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reinvigorated United since taking over in December, and whether they can advance past the defending French champions. ZL: If you had…
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Round of 16 Fan Preview: Atlético Madrid
As Atlético Madrid prepare to take on Juventus, Zach Lowy, co-creator of Breaking The Lines, speaks to Euan McTear, author of “Hijacking la Liga: How Atlético Madrid Broke Barcelona and Real Madrid’s Duopoly on Spanish Football” and Spanish football editor for MARCA, about Atleti’s chances going into the tie. ZL: After an 18-game unbeaten streak…
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Round of 16 Fan Preview: Liverpool
“I think, in this moment in the football world, you have to be on our side.” These were the words of an energetic, free-spirited Jurgen Klopp in an interview with The Guardian the week leading up to the historic 2013 UEFA Champions League Final. Not since 1997 had Borussia Dortmund reached such immortal heights, when…
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Round of 16 Fan Preview: Borussia Dortmund
Group A of the 2018/19 Champions League Group Stage boasted a rapturous crowd, one that witnessed a narrow race between German and Spanish footballing royalty. In a two-team contest that remained neck and neck until the dying embers, it was Lucien Favre’s Borussia Dortmund who prevailed, emerging group victors on a goal difference of 8,…
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Round of 16 Fan Preview: Tottenham Hotspur
After drawing to PSV in the third group stage match of their Champions League campaign, it appeared Tottenham Hotspur were heading for the exit door. A late Luuk de Jong equalizer added to their misery, as a late Inter Milan comeback on Matchday 1 and a Lionel Messi masterclass on Matchday 2 saw Spurs gasping…
