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Raphinha: Challenging the Stereotypes of Brazilian Wingers at Barcelona
Since 2017, two La Liga players have managed at least 0.40 non-penalty expected goals and 0.40 expected assisted goals per 90 minutes in the same season. Lionel Messi has done it three times (‘17/18, ‘18/19, ‘19/20), and Raphinha has done it twice (‘22/23, ‘23/24) since swapping Leeds for Barcelona in the summer of 2022. …
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Alvaro Valles: Las Palmas’ Ball-Playing Goalkeeper
Back in Spain’s top-flight after six years, UD Las Palmas are loving life in La Liga and find themselves on track for a comfortable midtable finish. Garcia Pimienta’s side have enjoyed a smooth return to the big leagues and impressed with a free-flowing, possession-heavy style of play. They are averaging 60.2% possession — only Barcelona…
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The Next in Atleti’s Long Line of Midfield Gems: Pablo Barrios
La Liga has no shortage of talented young midfielders with immense potential. I’m sure several spring to mind immediately – Jude Bellingham, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, Eduardo Camavinga, Gavi… the list goes on and on. But there’s one man that deserves equal recognition with the others for his current abilities and seriously world-class potential: Pablo Barrios.…
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Tactical Analysis: Eric Roy’s Brest
When Eric Roy took charge of Stade Brestois 29 on January 3, 2023, the French club were battling relegation. Today, they are on track to qualify for European football for the first time in club history, sitting second in the Ligue 1 table, 10 points behind Paris Saint-Germain, one above Monaco and four above Lille,…
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Florian Wirtz: Bayer Leverkusen’s Invincible Prince
At halftime between Bayer Leverkusen’s home match against Werder Bremen, the score is 1-0. Leverkusen are going to win their first Bundesliga title whilst unbeaten. Xabi Alonso has put himself into German folklore with this success. To put the dagger into Bremen’s and Bayern Munich’s heart, the Spaniard puts on Florian Wirtz at halftime. The…
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Takefusa Kubo: Home at Last at Real Sociedad
Over the past few years, Japan has lurked in the shadows as one of the rising stars in international football. They’ve qualified for every World Cup since 1998, they’ve produced the likes of Shinji Kagawa, Maya Yoshida and Makoto Hasebe, and they’ve had their fair share of memorable performances on the world stage. Nevertheless, they…
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Lautaro Martínez: Inter’s Argentine Talisman in Attack
Since the introduction of the Italian top-flight in 1898, we’ve seen quite a few Argentine players come away with the top scorer award. Antonio Angelillo and Omar Sívori won it in back-to-back years to close out the ’50s, whilst Pedro Manfredini became the third shortly after. The Albiceleste would have to wait a quarter-century for…
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Nick Pope: Newcastle’s Guardian in Goal
At 31 years of age, Nick Pope has enjoyed a glamorous career in English football, playing a vital role in Newcastle’s return to the UEFA Champions League after a two-decade drought and earning call-ups to two World Cups for the Three Lions. He is nearing a return to full fitness after spending the past four…
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Forfeits, Fundamentals and Fist Fights – Fenerbahçe’s Desire for Domestic Equality
Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü, known simply throughout the footballing world as Fenerbahçe, are the Turkish powerhouse based out of Kadıköy in the magnificent city of Istanbul. The club is one of the most successful outfits in Turkey, having collected 19 top-tier titles while proudly sitting atop the Süper Lig all-time table. They are beloved throughout…
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Federico Valverde: El Halcón Flying High at Real Madrid
“La Ligue de Vérité.” Thus read L’Équipe’s cover on the eve of Real Madrid’s visit to the Parc de Princes on September 18, 2019, translating to: “The League of Truth.” It was a high-stakes, star-studded clash between two of the richest sides in Europe, a match that would separate the men from the boys. …
