-
![]()
Through the Looking Glass of Big Data: SSC Napoli 2015/16 and the Vindication of Maurizio Sarri: Part Three
Part III: Valentine’s Day heartbreakers and (quite a few) record-breakers Fresh from their first “Winter Champions” title in the 21st century, Napoli strolled to five straight victories in the new year, led by six goals from Gonzalo Higuain, who had taken his record to 24 goals in as many games. Jose Callejon had also…
-
![]()
12 Iconic Stadiums That Are No Longer with Us
A stadium being demolished is one of the most heartbreaking events in football. Whilst many fans might see their team moving to a newer, more modern venue with gleeful anticipation, others lament the lost memories that they have made in the stands of the old ground. Newer stadiums also tend to be a bit sanitized…
-
![]()
Through the Looking Glass of Big Data: SSC Napoli 2015/16 and the Vindication of Maurizio Sarri: Part Two
Part II: A First Campione D’Invierno (Or, Tuscan Men Love to Curse) After a faltering start to the season with a paltry two points from the first nine, it was the first match in the Europa League against Club Brugge where Napoli began to show signs of life. By the end of the Rafa…
-
![]()
Through the Looking Glass of Big Data: SSC Napoli 2015/16 and the Vindication of Maurizio Sarri: Part One
Before Luciano Spalletti’s new-look Napoli led by Kvicha “Kvaradona” Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen conquered the Serie A in 2022/23 for the first time since a certain Argentinian had led them to the Scudetto over 30 years prior, it was the unassuming rise of Maurizio Sarri seven years prior that had seemingly marked the start of…
-
![]()
Eden Hazard’s Teammates from His Final Chelsea Match: Where Are They Now?
At the beginning of October, news broke that Eden Hazard decided to hang up his boots at only 32 years old. Whilst he accomplished more in his career than most footballers his retirement was, in a way, shrouded in sadness due to how it came about. After 7 years leading the line for Chelsea and…
-
![]()
Sergio Ramos’ Teammates from His Final Sevilla Match: Where Are They Now?
After emerging through the club’s youth system alongside Jesus Navas and Antonio Puerta, Sergio Ramos would make his Sevilla debut on February 1, 2004, making a total of seven appearances before heading to Switzerland and starting in four of five matches as Spain won the U-19 Euros. Ramos would enjoy a breakthrough 2004/05 season and…
-
![]()
Borussia Mönchengladbach: The Golden Years of a German Football Behemoth
If I were to ask you to name a dominant team in the Bundesliga featuring German World Cup champions, who would you name? Probably Bayern, right? Whilst it is true that Bayern has hoovered up most of the German talent over the decades, their vice-like grip of the Bundesliga came under serious threat just as…
-
![]()
Giacinto Facchetti: The Best Left Back You’ve Never Heard Of
Who is the best left back of all time? Premier League fans will no doubt mention Ashley Cole and Denis Irwin, La Liga fans and casuals will no doubt remember Roberto Carlos and his magical free kick, whilst people with a deeper football knowledge would mention Paul Breitner or Karl Heinz Schnellinger. However, in my…
-
![]()
Bruno de Carvalho: The Donald Trump of Portuguese Football
Donald Trump’s four-year administration as the President of the United States ended in infamy, with Trump refusing to concede defeat after losing to Joe Biden, falsely claiming widespread electoral fraud, trying to overturn the results by pressuring government officials, obstructing the democratic transition and mounting various unfruitful lawsuits. This reached a boiling point on January…
-
![]()
When Fourth-tier Calais Came Within Inches of Winning the Coupe De France
After their founding in 1974 following a merger between Racing Club de Calais and Union Sportive, Calais Racing Union FC would spend a quarter of a decade bouncing around the amateur leagues, and they found themselves in the fourth tier of French football when the 1999/00 season rolled around, having posted losses of £200,000 the…
