Possession-based soccer remains the preferred style of play for many teams in Europe. Clubs look to play through the middle of the pitch to dominate the game. Therefore, the flanks emerged as a critical area for teams to exploit in order to create more chances. Nowadays, play-making ability is essential for full-backs. Manchester City’s Joao […]

This is the latest installment of Bayern Munich and Manchester City duel. For many pundits it's the established against the upcoming or as others say, the serial Champions League finalists up against the group stage enthusiasts. In a sense Bayern Munich are what Manchester City aspire to be – a storied European powerhouse with a […]

(For US viewers: Atletico Madrid v. Barcelona will be shown LIVE on Saturday, January 11th at 2pm EST on beINSPORT) For the first time in recent history, there’s a fixture on the La Liga schedule worth watching other than 'El Clasico'. Atletico Madrid v. Barcelona won’t rival the global television ratings produced by the bi-annual El Clasicos, […]

On April 22 2012, Josep “Pep” Guardiola announced to the world that he would be stepping down as manager of FC Barcelona. That declaration was made by a forty-one year old man who had guided his club to thirteen titles in four years (two of those titles were UEFA Champions League trophies). Guardiola wasn’t leaving Barcelona […]

The third installment of this season's 'El Clasico' match-up between Real Madrid and Barcelona could have been renamed 'El Fiasco'. Depending on your outlook, it may have been surprising to see Jose Mourinho's Madrid squad setup with such bullying tactics. Both coaches had strong words for one another in the press conference so I was […]

Reporting from Camp Nou (although belatedly) As Ronaldinho took to the field, the last player to do so for either team, 96,315 people cheered and applauded. A chant of 'Ronny, Ronny, Ronny' started around the stadium. People smiled as he lined up with the Barcelona team for the photo just before the Joan Gamper trophy […]

With the advantage of the away goal, Sevilla looked in prime position to advance to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.  Unfortunately, Manolo Jiménez's team played as though they were already in the next round.  A 0-0 score line would have sent Sevilla through, and even though Diego Perotti declared that they could not […]

After a workmanlike 1-0 victory against Almería and a mediocre showing in their 0-0 draw at the Mestalla against Valencia CF on Saturday, FC Barcelona looked to reverse their form in the Champions League against a supposed weaker team in FK Rubin Kazan.  To their credit, Barça did not make any excuses about their performance […]

The theory is that because of the low amount of scoring in football, using particularly protective and cynical tactics ruins the sport whose nature inhibits a high amount of goals per match.  Football's common nickname is "The Beautiful Game," but from where did that phrase initially originate?  Credit is usually given to 50's and 60's […]

Everyday in High School, I would come in early to discuss football with my friend Ron. On a particularly slow day in the footballing world, Ron declared "There is no loyalty in soccer!" A statement that was quickly becoming fact rather than opinion. However, I was in an argumentative mood, and back in 2003 there […]

If you would believe various pundits, the annoying debate that many football fans have been subject to this year and last – Ronaldo vs. Messi – will come to its conclusion in the UCL final in Rome.  On the biggest stage in club competitions, the two most complete players in attacking football will meet head […]

What do Werder Bremen, Villareal, Atletico Madrid, Panathinaikos, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Dynamo Kyiv, Celtic and Fenerbahce have in common (hint: the answer is not "They're all in the Champions League group stage which starts today")? Give up? Well, all of these clubs are in fact in the group stage of the Champions League, but the […]