Articles

There was once a time when other clubs dreaded facing Lyon in the Champions League. Ten years ago, they were the French giants, a team to be feared and the perpetual dark horse of the competition. Those were the years of Juninho, Malouda, and Benzema, followed by Lloris, Toulalan, and Lisandro. It was an age…

When Erik ten Hag was appointed as Ajax manager just before Christmas, the majority of supporters were surprised. Despite his predecessor Marcel Keizer being criticized much in recent weeks and months, no one saw Keizer’s sacking coming. He dealt properly with the suffering regarding Abdelhak Nouri, and the style of play he tried to develop…

It’s been six years since Inter conceded that heart-rending 92nd minute goal from Brandão that shattered their Champions League dreams. It was Inter’s last CL appearance and Marseille snuck into the quarter-finals on away goal rules. Inter are back, but with a completely different mindset, expectations, and a totally new squad, coach, owner and management…

Breaking The Lines co-founder Zach Lowy talks to Club Brugge Watch about the Belgian club’s chances. ZL: What are your expectations going into the Champions League? CBW: After our campaign two years ago (zero points), and the draw with three much richer teams, the expectations people have are quite limited. Avoid the same humiliation by maybe getting…

It may not look like it, but this PSG team is finally taking steps forward after taking few steps back and staying stuck in between 2013-2015. Saying we’re favorites for the UEFA Champions League this season isn’t completely far-fetched, but there are still few things missing (that ideal partner for Marco Verratti being one of…

This summer has been a busy time for Atlético Madrid. Since their transfer ban ended after last year’s summer window, they brought Diego Costa back from Chelsea, took Vitolo from Sevilla after he had supposedly agreed a new deal with the Andalusian side, while also selling Yannick Carrasco and Augusto Fernandez to Chinese clubs. It…

UEFA drew its teams for the UEFA Champions League group stages and Napoli found itself in Group C, aka the “Group of Death.” It almost seems fitting that the Partenopei found themselves grouped with Paris Saint Germain, which features a former Napoli player still beloved by the San Paolo faithful in Edinson Cavani. Napoli’s summer…

For the Lokomotiv Moscow fan preview, Zach Lowy talks to Lokomotiv fan/Russian football expert Stefano Contorti on the Railroaders’ chances for the group stage. ZL: Would you say that Lokomotiv have gotten worse or better after this summer? SC: Definitely better. Lokomotiv have made some very good signings and of course got better than last season’s squad.…