As the British parliament prepares to vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal on January 15th and as the March 29th deadline swiftly approaches, it is worth considering how Brexit will affect the European soccer landscape. Brexit, the United Kingdom’s landmark decision to abandon the European Union, has left many things in flux, from trade deals … Continue reading The Post-Brexit Soccer Landscape
From boring 0-0 draws, to unexpected upsets, to spectacular thrashings, the final gameweek of La Liga before the international break had it all. While the Friday fixtures started slowly, Celta de Vigo’s 2-0 victory against Atletico Madrid on Saturday jump started the weekend. Real Madrid brushed away Leganes 4-1, as Benzema seemed to rediscover his … Continue reading La Liga Team of the Week 3
On a torrid and torn up pitch, Barcelona defeated Valladolid 0-1 away from home in a strange match. Former Barcelona keeper Jordi Masip kept the Blaugrana at bay in the first half, as both teams struggled to establish any rhythm because of the bumpy field. In the second half, a tactical switch from Ernesto Valverde … Continue reading Valladolid vs Barcelona Recap: 0-1
The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia not only provided top notch games, but also introduced the sport to VAR or the video assistant refereeing. For years now, soccer fans have watched both enviously and cautiously as American sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL have adopted and integrated video replays into the … Continue reading Soccer Should Adopt an Accumulation of Fouls Rule
Barcelona kick off their season with the Supercopa de España against Sevilla at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier Morocco. The Supercopa pits the winner of La Liga against the winners of the Copa del Rey; however, because Barcelona won the domestic double last season, they instead face the runners-up to the Copa in … Continue reading Barcelona Prepare for Sevilla in Supercopa
The parallels between Max Meyer's move to the Premier League and Lewis Holtby’s are ominous. Will the young German grow into a star outside the Bundesliga or will the “very very good Bundesliga player” become a perennial feature of relegation sides like his predecessor?
Heading into the 2018-2019 season, Valverde has a squad with the flexibility to play a number of formations including a similar 4-4-2 or the historic 4-3-3. Although there could be some growing pains without the brilliance of Iniesta to call on, starting the season from the off with Philippe Coutinho, who arrived from Liverpool in January, and Dembele is huge, and the additions of Malcom, Arthur Melo, and Clement Lenglet provide great depth. Now let’s take a look at a few of the different ways Barcelona can lineup this season.
In the 2011 Champions League Final, Barcelona eviscerated Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley Stadium. For the second time in three years and the third time time in six years, the Blaugrana reigned as champions of Europe. The starting XI for Barcelona in that game consisted of seven homegrown players, from Valdes at goalkeeper to … Continue reading The Tragedy of Thiago Alcantara
I always eat the celery first. That initial crunch of vegetable doused in blue cheese dressing prepares me for the heat to come: those ever ubiquitous, sports bar Buffalo wings that even as they sting your mouth and numb your hands are somehow calming before a big game. And it was a big game. Spain … Continue reading The Slow, Painful Death of Spain
Beautiful at times and grotesque at others, Spain somehow progressed to the Round of 16 on the back of a 2–2 draw against a feisty Morocco that left the Iberians at the top of Group B. The Lions hounded Spain in the opening minutes. Their fervor raised the temperature of the game early on and … Continue reading 2–2: Spain Do Enough Against Morocco
Corner Kick 