Articles
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José Mourinho: Alone With The Gods
“Go all the way. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision, mockery, isolation. Isolation is the gift, all the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And you’ll do it. Despite rejection and the worst…
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Daishawn Redan: The Red-Hot Teenage Goalscorer
During the spring of 2017, a sea of potential suitors enveloped the then-16-year-old Daishawn Redan. Linked with a move to a number of top European clubs including RB Leipzig, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea, Ajax were desperate to keep hold of him, and it got too much for the youngster, who did not play…
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El Clásico Tactical Analysis: Valverde’s Gaugamela
Oct. 1, 331 BC. Alexander The Great finalizes his conquest of Darius III’s Persian Archaemenid Empire in the decisive Battle of Gaugamela. Darius’ infantry was more than twice as large as Alexander’s Macedonian cavalry, and Darius had the terrain of the battlefield smoothed so that his chariots could be as effective as possible against the Macedonians.…
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Real Valladolid: New Ownership and New Vision Ahead
When a club rises from the second tier and enters La Liga, consolidating their place in the first division can be a difficult challenge. Like many leagues throughout Europe, it is not surprising or uncommon to see newly-promoted sides struggle to survive in the Spanish top flight. Huesca and Rayo Vallecano are at the bottom…
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Why More English Footballers Should Follow in Jadon Sancho’s Footsteps
Within the cutthroat realm of the Premier League, money reigns supreme, and survival can hinge on a single stretch of results. There’s a pantheon of elite teams, four of which can obtain that coveted Champions League football each season, all of whom feel they are a “right” season away from challenging for a title. Below them,…
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Espanyol Headed In The Right Direction Thanks To Rubi
The 2018-19 La Liga campaign has already provided plenty of drama and surprises in the opening weeks. Real Madrid’s goalscoring woes have reached historic levels, while the struggles of Villarreal and Athletic Club have seen the two perennial Europa clubs hovering just one point above the relegation zone. Nonetheless, the true shocks have been witnessed…
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The Quest To Rebuild The Azerbaijani National Team
Widely considered one of the nicest men in an often heartless profession, Gurban Gurbanov, a man who once enchanted fans as an elegant maestro with Neftchi Baku, Dynamo Stavropol and Fakel Voronezh, among others, now faces a colossal task of rebuilding the Azerbaijan national team. Having managed the top dog in Azerbaijan’s domestic league–Qarabağ–since 2008,…
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Lucien Favre Has Brought Back Excitement to Signal Iduna Park
It is something most BVB fans didn’t fancy ahead of the new Bundesliga season. After all, the Black and Yellows had just been through a turbulent 2017/18, in which they witnessed a managerial change, poor results, uninspiring football, and the mid-season departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang under dramatic circumstances. But now, under the leadership of new…
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Ross Barkley Could Be The Missing Piece to Maurizio Sarri’s Midfield
October 13, 2010. A 16-year-old Ross Barkley suffers a double leg break. Doctors say he may never play again. May 12, 2014: After an impressive breakout season with Everton, Barkley earns himself a place in England’s World Cup squad and at the age of just 20 is hailed as the future of England’s midfield, following…
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Newcastle United’s Dire Straits Stem From Mike Ashley
Several elements are needed in the quest for success in football, and the overall efficiency of a club in conducting their business (on and off the pitch) is a critical component. Ownership must have a clear plan and vision for what is ahead, but unfortunately, this has not taken place for Newcastle United during recent…
