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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

SPAIN DOMINANCE

EUROPA LEAGUE

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T E E F S I H RLD AT

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THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY

DROPOUTS

STATS, FACTS AND LEADERS

TOP TRANSFERS PIATEK TO MILAN

GOAL-ZALO FROM ITALY TO ENGLAND

OLE GUNNAR

MAN UTD TAKEOVER

2019 MLS

SEASON PREVIEW

PREDICTIONS • KEY DEPARTURES • KEY ARRIVALS • OUTLOOKS

ISSUE #80 Display until May 5, 2019

PULISIC ON THE MOVE

PACO IN CONTROL

HOLLAND REBUILD

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INSIDE

MARCH / APRIL 2019 ISSUE 80

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80

MAGAZINE

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

SPAIN DOMINANCE

EUROPA LEAGUE

AT WORLD

HIS FEET

STATS, FACTS AND LEADERS

TOP TRANSFERS

PIATEK TO MILAN

GOAL-ZALO FROM ITALY TO ENGLAND

KICK OFF MBAPPE IN FOCUS – NETHERLANDS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EUROPA LEAGUE TOP JANUARY TRANSFERS

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THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY

DROPOUTS

04 06 10 12 16 20

OLE GUNNAR

MAN UTD TAKEOVER

2019 MLS

SEASON PREVIEW

english premier league 22 24 26 28 30

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY GONZALO HIGUAIN OLE GUNNAR SOLKSJAER THE FA CUP AROUND THE LEAGUE

serie a 36 38 40 42

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY AARON RAMSEY / JUVENTUS ICARDI SPOTLIGHT AROUND THE LEAGUE

PREDICTIONS • KEY DEPARTURES • KEY ARRIVALS • OUTLOOKS

ISSUE #80 Display until May 5, 2019

COVER FEATURE: KYLIAN MBAPPE WORLD AT HIS FEET

PULISIC ON THE MOVE

PACO IN CONTROL

HOLLAND REBUILD

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la liga 48 50 52 54

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY ISCO PHILIPPE COUTINHO AROUND THE LEAGUE

bundesliga 60 62 64 66

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY PACO ALCACER CHRISTIAN PULISIC AROUND THE LEAGUE

mls 70 74 76 78

SEASON PREVIEW THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY TORONTO FC SPOTLIGHT AROUND THE LEAGUE

82 90TH MINUTE 88 LAST WORD

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EDITOR Steven Davies

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MAGAZINE 72

ONE ON ONE

MARCO ASENSIO PAULINHO

GOLDEN BOY

MAKING A COMEBACK

MILAN CASHES IN ON GOLDEN KEEPER

ZLATAN DIEGO COSTA

BARCA BLUES

DEPARTURES AND INJURIES

2018

COUNTDOWN

ENGLAND RISING

THE THREE LIONS LOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE

TEN OUT OF TEN

ITALY 10’S

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TOP 10 CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

PAGE 13 SPANISH DOMINANCE

PAGE 60 BORUSSIA - THE GOOD

PAGE 26 OLE MAN. UNITED

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PAGE 86 ONE-ON-ONE - TEAL

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TROPHIES GALORE

ARE TROPHIES ALL THAT MATTER? THE QUEST FOR TROPHIES HAS PRODUCED A STRANGE PHENOMENON, GABY MCKAY WRITES — THAT ANY COACH WHO DOESN’T IMMEDIATELY DELIVER IS DISMISSED AS A LOSER…

I

n the age of social media, it often seems like there isn’t much room for nuance in football discussion. Every team or player is either absolutely brilliant or completely hopeless, the middle ground be damned. Nowhere is that more apparent though, than when it comes to the Coach or manager.

Certainly at a big club, and discussion of a new or incumbent man on the bench will usually centre on ‘what has he won?’ That’s not necessarily the wrong question. After all, isn’t every team, at its highest ambition, competing to win a trophy? Why else do we play, if not for the hope of eventually winning something?

It’s not the wrong question, but is it the only one? Increasingly the answer seems to be yes, and it arguably started with Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese has been criticised for his style of play almost from the moment he burst onto the scene. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was excoriating in his criticism of Mourinho’s Porto after they lost to them in the UEFA Cup final, and when he made the move to the Premier League the complaints only intensified.

Mourinho’s response, then and now, is to point to his medals. Given the way things fell apart at Manchester United that rings slightly hollow now, but earlier in his career it was impossible to argue with. The Special One won the Champions League with Inter and Porto, the Premier League with Chelsea, and La Liga with Real Madrid, setting a record points total in the process.

It would be unfair to say that Mourinho’s teams always play negative football, but there’s no question that his default is to be cautious. His insulation from any complaints about that was his record. ‘You may not like the football,’ he implicitly argued. ‘But I win, and that’s what matters.’

Even among those who can’t stand Mourinho, this idea appears to have taken hold. Just look at the narrative surrounding Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine has taken Spurs into the top four for three seasons in a row, on a fraction of the budget of his rivals.

Tottenham have spent comparative pennies on transfers, with the bulk of the squad made up of academy products or players snapped up and developed, including Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Dele Alli. His work at White Hart Lane — or Wembley — has brought links to Manchester United and Real Madrid, but when talk turns to those jobs the question returns: ‘what has he won?’

It’s true that Pochettino hasn’t won anything as a Coach, but it’s also true that he’s overachieved in the league. Would winning the League Cup really be the thing which qualified him to manage one of the world’s biggest clubs? Or is his day-today, season-to-season consistency more important?

Just look at the reaction to Maurizio Sarri, who turned Napoli into one of the best teams in Europe but has been greeted with something approaching scorn in England.

His Napoli played entertaining, attacking football and racked up 91 points — is that suddenly irrelevant because Juventus, a team with a turnover north of €500m, got 95?

Even those who have won trophies aren’t immune from the ‘what has he won?’ complaint. Pep Guardiola — that’s most successful Coach in the modern era Pep Guardiola — was decried on social media as a “fraud” when his Manchester City team didn’t immediately sweep all before them. The same pundits hailing City as

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SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

‘Asking what a Coach has won isn’t the wrong question, but is it the only one?’

the greatest Premier League side ever last season had been chuckling about Pep’s aversion to tackling in the previous campaign. Brilliant or hopeless, and no middle ground.

This season Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are pushing Guardiola’s side hard for the title, but already the talk is of the German not being ‘a winner,’ despite winning the Bundesliga twice. If the Reds win by a point, is he suddenly a winner and Pep once again a fraud? If the situation is reversed are Klopp and his team ‘bottlers?’

Juventus legend Giampiero Boniperti once declared “winning isn’t important, it’s the only thing that matters”. You’d think, then, that Max Allegri with his four doubles on the spin would be immune from criticism?

Not a bit of it. One Coppa Italia elimination, their first in four years, and it was time to replace the Tuscan. The first shall be last and the second shall be a fraud.

On a macro level, yes, winning is the only thing that matters. It’s the point of competitive sport. But in a sport where the gulf between the richest teams and the rest is only getting wider, to simply point to trophies is reductionist in the extreme.

ABOVE (MAIN): Mauricio Pochettino has been questioned because he hasn’t won a trophy ABOVE (SMALL): Jose Mourinho is quick to point to his winners’ medals RIGHT: Will whoever loses this season’s Premier League title race be branded a fraud?

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Pele has tipped Kylian Mbappe as his successor in the pantheon of footballing greats’

KYLIAN MBAPPE STARRED FOR FRANCE AT THE WORLD CUP IN 2018, BECOMING ONLY THE SECOND TEENAGER TO SCORE IN THE FINAL. JONATHAN SWINDLEHURST LOOKS AT HIS CAREER SO FAR AND ASKS JUST HOW FAR HE COULD GO. INTERVIEW

BY SIMON JONES

MBAPPE

WORLD AT HIS FEET AT 20 YEARS OLD MBAPPE IS ALREADY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS ON THE PLANET. HERE THE FRENCH INTERNATIONAL TELLS SOCCER 360 ALL ABOUT THAT WORLD CUP WIN, WHY HE DOESN’T WANT TO BE COMPARED TO MESSI AND RONALDO JUST YET, AND THAT NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO SLEEP… LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT WORLD CUP WIN FIRST OF ALL – TALK US THROUGH THAT NIGHT… It is a lifetime dream. It is by far the most watched soccer competition. You know that the whole world is watching you know that you are representing your entire country. I can’t even begin to describe the pride and happiness I felt when we won.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SINK IN? It is all surreal at first, you have all the media surrounding you, but when we had The World Cup parade in Paris then you understand exactly what you have achieved.

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AT 20 YEARS OLD YOU HAVE ACHIEVED WHAT MOST PLAYERS CAN ONLY DREAM OF. HOW DOES IT GET BETTER THAN THAT? It was a fantastic moment but I think what comes next can be even better. Maybe we can win the next World Cup and win twice in a row and of course there are many things like The Champions League I want to win at club level. Maybe I will have a 15 year career and I have just started it – now is not the time to sleep WHAT DO YOU THINK IS YOUR BEST ATTRIBUTE ON THE PITCH – YOUR PACE, DRIBBLING OR FINISHING? I am interested in being the complete player. I am very young – but I try to improve everything not just concentrate on one aspect of my game.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE REGARDED BY MANY FOOTBALL EXPERTS AS THE BEST UNDER-21 PLAYER ON THE PLANET? DO YOU HAVE THAT SAME BELIEF IN YOUR ABILITY? I have belief of course – but at the same time I understand I am only 20 and have a lot to learn.

Every player would want to be the best – but you must have the right work ethic and attitude as well.

WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER ASPIRATIONS? For me the ambition of the team is more important than individual ambition. Of course it would be nice to win The Ballon D’Or – but for me it is much more important to win say The Champions League with PSG or trophies with France

H

e’s no longer a teenager with promise. Having turned 20 in December, Kylian Mbappe is now a man that has rightly taken his place amongst the world’s best footballers.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker had an incredible 2018, winning the World Cup with France and becoming only the second teenager in history to score in the final.

The other was Pele, by the way, and the Brazilian has tipped the Frenchman to be his successor in the pantheon of footballing legends. But Kylian has many years ahead of him. So how will he be remembered?

As one of the all-time greats or as a young player who had the world at his feet that never again hit the heights his early years suggested he would?

Currently it looks like the former. He’s already had tough decisions to make in his short time at the top and he’s done the right thing. He’s shown a level of calm way beyond his years and he’s done more than many do in a long career. He seems to have his head screwed on, but the next few years will really show his true character. But first let’s look back and remember some of his incredible achievements.

Mbappe made his debut for Monaco at 16 and for France at 18. In his first full season at Monaco (2016-17) he scored a total of 24 goals, including three hat-tricks, and led from the front in tandem with Radamel Falco in a season that saw the team from the Principality top Ligue 1 and excel in the Champions League.

Having made the move to PSG he won the League again in his second full season at the top level in France, going on to star for Les Bleus in last summer’s World Cup. During the tournament he hit the back of the net four times, including two in the final against Croatia. And it wasn’t just his goals that made him stand out on the world’s stage, it was his movement, his ability and the way he terrorised defences.

His performance against Argentina in the Round of 16 – where he also claimed a brace – showed he should rightly be thought of as amongst the world’s best.

And come the voting for the Ballon d’Or at the end of the year, he did take his place amongst the best in the world.

The Frenchman came fourth in the most important vote in football, behind Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann. Crucially he finished above Lionel Messi and his PSG teammate Neymar.

Of course, he won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player.

To do what he’s done in his fledgling career is remarkable. But let’s go back to his strength of mind. He moved to PSG at an incredibly young age, 18, for an incredibly big fee, £128m after an initial loan. But he knew it was the right move for him and his career. He’d come through the ranks at Monaco and they had trusted him to blood him at such a young age, but it was the right time to kick on. And it’s since proved the correct decision.

PSG was the club the Parisian supported as

LEFT: It wasn’t long before Paris Saint-Germain flexed their muscles and took Mbappe to the capital BELOW: Kylian Mbappe burst onto the scene as the standout player in an impressive young Monaco team

a boy and it was a dream come true to sign for them. Mbappe is now playing for the best side in the country and a consistent Champions League contender. Paris has been the right place for his development, and it continues to be, but it may not be in the long term. If they don’t finally achieve their aim of Champions League glory, he may have to move elsewhere, and even if they do, a move could be in the offing.

The problem for PSG and for Mbappe is that the French top flight still isn’t at the same level as other European Leagues.

By playing the dominant force in France every season he’s hitting a plateau and it’s only the latter stages of the Champions

BEING SUCH A YOUNG PLAYER WITH SO MUCH EXPECTATION ON YOU – HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE A SUPPORTIVE FAMILY? When you are a young player having a balanced family life means you can concentrate on giving everything on the field. My parents, my brothers, they have always supported me and it is everything for me.

DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN EVENTUALLY REACH THE HEIGHTS OF MESSI AND RONALDO IN YOUR CAREER? I have self-belief, but also I have a long way to go to compare with players who have done so much. I work hard and I am training with the best everyday – so I am going in the right direction.

League that becomes a real test – that’s a handful of games every season. He needs to be somewhere where’s he’s tested week-in-week-out. England?

Maybe. Spain? More likely.

He’s made no secret of his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo. Watch some of his goals from his time in the youth ranks at Monaco and you’ll see him emulating the Portuguese’s famous celebration. And just like Ronaldo, a move to Madrid could be exactly what he needs to truly become the best in the world.

The move would make sense for him and it would definitely make sense

WHO IS THE BEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER PLAYED WITH – AND WHY? Neymar is as good as any player in the world – and it is a pleasure to be able to learn off him.

WHO WAS YOUR FOOTBALLING HERO GROWING UP AS A CHILD – AND WHY? Zidane was the first – because he is the player that made me fall in love with football. Also Cristiano Ronaldo and of course Neymar who I am so fortunate to call a team-mate and friend.

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

7

MBAPPE

WORLD AT HIS FEET

FACTFILE NAME: Kylian Mbappe Lottin BORN: December 20, 1998 (Paris, France) HT / WT: 1.78m / 78kg POSITION: Forward CLUB: Paris Saint-Germain SEASON CLUB 2015-16 Monaco 2016-17 Monaco 2017-18 Monaco 2017-18 PSG 2018-19 PSG

APPS GOALS 14 1 44 26 2 0 44 21 27 22

Mbappe needs to be somewhere he’s tested week-in-weekout. England? Maybe.

Spain? More likely.’ for Madrid as they continue to struggle to replace their former No. 7. This summer may come too early, but it would be no surprise to see Mbappe in the famous white shirt by the time he comes back from Euro 2020 with France.

But why? Shouldn’t he be happy turning out for his boyhood club every week and scooping up title after title in his homeland? Let’s look at the problems that any footballers face. Staying at the top is incredibly difficult. The game is littered with players that hit the heights for two or three seasons and then fade into obscurity.

Think of Robinho, Adriano, even Michael Owen. Those that do continue to play at the top level season after season need to have the desire and mental strength to keep improving and to keep tailoring their game to meet new challenges. Think Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Xavi, Andres Iniesta or Zinedine Zidane.

He may well have the desire, but the question remains whether PSG is the place to give him that challenge. It seems that Neymar has gone backwards since his move to France and is further away than ever in his quest to win the Ballon d’Or. If Mbappe keeps challenging himself, who knows how far he can go.

His signing would also be a safe bet for the club that comes in for him. One thing that can’t be denied is that it will be for big money, likely a world record fee. Mbappe has faced this before, with the size of the transfer to PSG. He’s shown that he can cope with the price tag and revels in the pressure that it brings. That will instantly inspire confidence in whichever top tier club comes in for him.

He works hard and he doesn’t seem to believe his own hype in the way that Neymar does. He gets his head down and he’s willing to learn and improve. He struggled slightly his early days at PSG, being stationed more on the right flank, but he was able to adapt his game and learn how to link up his new teammates, especially central striker Edinson Cavani.

We know the stats. We’ve seen the goals.

We’ve read the headlines. What happens next and how far he can go is down to one man. Mbappe. And we’re betting we’ll long remember the name for all the right reasons when his illustrious career finally does come to an end.

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SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

FRENCH HERO Kylian Mbappe was fast-tracked into the France senior set-up, and Les Bleus reaped the rewards, Jonathan Swindlehurst writes.

Mbappe made his debut for Didier Deschamps’ France team at the age of 18 years three months and five days.

This was only a year and a day later than when he first turned out for the Under 19s. He completely bypassed the Under 21s and has never looked back.

In goalscoring terms, the start to Mbappe’s competitive international career was a little on the slow side, netting only once in six matches in World Cup qualification. He hit his stride when it truly mattered, however, with four goals during France’s triumph in Russia.

It wasn’t just his goals that were so important for Les Blues in the summer of 2018, it was his understanding with Paul Pogba. The midfielder’s range of passing combined with Mbappe’s ability to run in behind defences enabled France to quickly stretch the game and hit teams on the counter to devastating effect.

Mbappe is one of a number of 2018 World Cup winners who, theoretically, are still years away from the peak of their careers. Along with Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele, Raphael Varane and more, this group could dominate the international scene for years to come.

LEFT AND ABOVE: Mbappe enjoyed a record-setting and ultimately successful World Cup 2018

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

9

FEATURE - NETHERLANDS

Going Dutch

IN FOCUS

The Netherlands’ pool of talent dried up with few stars being developed to replace the outgoing pillars.’

A

s world football’s biggest tournament got underway in Russia last summer, there was one absentee whose failure to reach the World Cup no longer registered as a great surprise. The Netherlands were edged out in the 2010 Final while four years later they recorded a third-placed finish. Perhaps the most famed football nation never to have lifted the famed trophy, the Dutch had built a reputation of a seasoned challenger who were capable of producing the world’s best players.

Yet the elite group of core players who propelled their successes in 2010 and 2014 have all now left the international scene.

Winger Arjen Robben, striker Robin van Persie and playmaker Wesley Sneijder gave the Oranje an often-decisive attacking edge, coupled with a stern and wellorganised defence. But the pool of talent dried up with few stars being developed to replace the outgoing pillars in their side.

In October 2017, the Netherlands achieved a pointless 2-0 victory over Sweden in their final match in their unsuccessful attempt to reach Russia. The line-up was hugely underwhelming – the defence consisted of Lyon’s Kenny Tete, Nathan Ake of Bournemouth and Hertha BSC’s Karim Rekik. Tonny Vilhena of Feyenoord was in midfield while the attack included Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen and journeyman Ryan Babel. It felt like a team shorn of many stars and shared closer resemblance to a reserve side, but

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SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

ABOVE: A series of stars have retired from the international scene in recent years, Arjen Robben among them RIGHT: Virgil van Dijk, the world’s most expensive defender, is developing into the world’s best defender

these were the best players available.

Not qualifying for the World Cup was a disappointment but an expected failure, coming in the wake of the fiasco which saw them failing to reach the 24-team European Championships in 2016.

Just over a year on, new boss Ronald Koeman guided the Flying Dutchmen to the final four of the inaugural UEFA Nations League. They topped a group including world champions France and Germany, who Les Bleus had dethroned only months earlier. Despite a narrow opening day defeat in Paris, Koeman’s men defeated Germany 3-0 at home before a 2-0 return win over the French, while two goals in the final five minutes rescued a dramatic point on the final day away to Germany to seal their progress.

It is easy to get carried away with the significance of these results. After all, the Netherlands have won just four of their last 10 internationals and their players had the summer off from football, as opposed to their Nations League opponents. Yet this should detract from the fact they have lost just once in their last nine and even that was an unfortunate defeat in the French capital.

It represents real progress from their trip to Paris a year earlier in a World Cup qualifier, when the Dutch were thrashed 4-0.

But the real excitement does not lie so much in recent results but the talent that is now emerging into the first-team squad.

The Netherlands have been shaken out of their mediocrity and the senior side now

PREVIOUSLY A SYNONYM FOR BRILLIANT FOOTBALL AND IMPRESSIVE YOUNGSTERS, THE NETHERLANDS HAVE DROPPED FROM THE TOP TIER IN RECENT YEARS. BUT, AS COLIN MILLAR WRITES, THEY’RE ON THEIR WAY BACK…

DUTCH REBIRTH

5 RETIRED PLAYERS SINCE 2014

Ajax and PSV Eindhoven used to compete for European trophies.

Colin Millar reports on the return to prominence of the Dutch giants…

The recent turnaround in form by the Netherlands national side has been mirrored by its leading domestic clubs. Ajax’s run to the Europa League Final in 2017 turned heads and they have illustrated that was no fluke by progressing through the Champions League group stages this season. The Amsterdam-based giants have not been at this stage of the competition since 2003 but have done so with an eclectic international mix of young talents and experienced pros.

Remarkably, the average age of the Ajax side to reach that European final was just 21 and, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the club have retained many of those talents. De Ligt is sure to leave this summer but Andre Onana, Joel Veltman, Kasper Dolberg, Lasse Schone and Hakim Ziyech have all remained. The club have been ambitious in the transfer market too, landing Dusan Tadic, Daley Blind and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

However, Ajax have not won a domestic League title since 2014 with three of the last four titles going to PSV Eindhoven.

They were landed with the toughest Champions League group this year but gave admirable performances against Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter.

Like Ajax, they have a core group of Dutch players – led by captain Luuk de Jong – while being complemented by Mexican winger Hirving Lozano, Gaston Pereiro of Uruguay and Australia’s Trent Sainsbury.

After years in the wilderness, the leading Dutch clubs appear to be making a comeback on the European stage, just as their national team are.

contains two of the most exciting emerging stars in world football. Central defender Matthijs de Ligt and midfielder Frenkie De Jong – both of Ajax, although de Jong has reached an agreement with Barcelona on an €85 million summer transfer – are very much deserving of the hype that has surrounded their rise to the top.

De Ligt is the Amsterdam club’s captain despite being aged just 19 and he starred in their run to the 2017 Europa League Final. De Jong is a fleet-footed, inventive trickster in the centre of the pitch who has the ability to light up any game. “My quality is my intuition. I can't just ignore that, can I?” de Jong told the Dutch magazine Voetbal International last year. “Then I'd be a player of whom there are a thousand of my age.” Both were influential in Ajax’s first qualification for the Champions League last 16 since 2003 and they have had a similar impact on their national side.

There is more to the new-look Netherlands team than just the Ajax duo, with Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, the world’s most expensive defender who is swiftly becoming the world’s most complete defender.

Forming a formidable central defensive partnership with de Ligt, this plays a large role in explaining the nation’s consecutive home clean sheets against France and Germany. However, the 27-year-old is also a massive threat at the other end of the pitch and scored in both Nations League fixtures against Germany, while he was also on target in the 3-0 friendly victory in Portugal a year ago.

There are other important players too – Jasper Cillessen may not be first choice goalkeeper at Barcelona but there are few better back-ups, while defenders Daley Blind and Stefan de Vrij are not out of place on an elevated stage either. Memphis Depay is now developing into the star attacking

ANY NATIONAL TEAM WOULD STRUGGLE TO REPLACE SOME OF THE TALENT THE NETHERLANDS HAVE LOST IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. COLIN MILLAR PICKS OUT FIVE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES. ROBIN VAN PERSIE The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker, who is playing out the autumn of his career at Feyenoord, is his nation’s top international scorer.

He bagged 50 goals across 102 caps, four of which arrived at the 2014 World Cup. WESLEY SNEIJDER The most decorated Dutch international of all time who won 134 caps for his nation – four more than Edwin van der Saar.

His international career spanned 15 years, until 2018, and he netted 31 goals for Der Oranje.

ARJEN ROBBEN Like Sneijder, Robben made his international debut in 2003 but a series of cruel injuries across his career restricted him to 96 caps. However, his moments of brilliance were present throughout his appearances in a Netherlands shirt and his 37 goals are behind only van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Patrick Kluivert.

player at Lyon that many had hoped he would become at Manchester United. It is easy to forget he is just 24 and already has 13 international goals to his name. There are also hopes for others that have emerged through the Ajax youth academy including midfield Donny van de Beek and forward Justin Kluivert, son of legendary striker Patrick, who is now at Roma.

There are certainly plenty of reasons for optimism for fans of the Dutch and it is likely they will end their exodus from major competitions by the time the 2020 European Championships arrive. But there are still doubts over just how far this Netherlands side can go. There remains a lack of genuine strength in depth possessed by several other of Europe’s established leading nations, with many established Eredivisie players and those playing at other, non-elite European sides.

The aim for boss Ronald Koeman must be to end their exodus from the most significant tournaments whilst hoping that the nation’s youth systems continue to churn out players with potential to make a tangible difference at the top end of European football. Crucially, the Netherlands are back on the right path and now have a team worthy of a nation with illustrious football ambitions.

ABOVE: Matthjis de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong impressed at Ajax before breaking into the Netherlands XI BOTTOM: The Netherlands lost the 2010 World Cup decider against Spain and didn’t even qualify in 2018 BOTTOM RIGHT: Legendary former defender Ronald Koeman has been at the helm of the national side since leaving Everton in 2017

DIRK KUYT The former Feyenoord and Liverpool’s forward international career spanned a decade between 2004 and 2014, and he stands at sixth on the all-time appearance list for his nation with 104 caps.

Never the most technically gifted player, his work rate was supreme whether he was deployed up front or on the right flank.

RAFAEL VAN DER VAART Making 109 appearances for the Netherlands across 12 years, van der Vaart was another component of the supremely talented set of attackers available to the nation. With spells at HSV, Real Madrid and Tottenham – the attacking midfielder was one of the most technically gifted players of his generation.

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

11

Dominance CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FEATURE

SPANISH CLUBS HAVE DOMINATED THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOR THE LAST DECADE. DARYL HAMMOND ASKS WHY, AND HOW MUCH LONGER IT WILL CONTINUE…

Real Madrid have won the last three Champions Leagues, all under nowdeparted Zinedine Zidane

ts ‘Success bege success… clubs become increasingly attractive to top players.’

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SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

I

f decades defined eras in football and the teams that ruled them then the 1970s would belong to the Dutch. Johan Cryuff and his Ajax revolutionised the game as total football bore four straight European Cups for Dutch sides.

By the mid-1980s the argument over Europe’s greatest managers switched to British duo Bob Paisley and Brian Clough, as their Liverpool and Nottingham Forest sides claimed six European titles in a row.

The 1990s meant that it was to Italy that fans had to turn to watch Europe’s best.

With stars in the League such as Gabriel Batistuta, Marco van Basten and Roberto Baggio, Italian teams contested every final of the UEFA Cup and reached nine of 10 European Cup finals for a decade.

This jaunt through the brief history of European football proves that once seemingly infallible teams, formations or philosophies drift in and out of vogue.

Dutch teams have won the European Cup only twice in the last 45 years, Nottingham Forest play in the second division of English football and Sampdoria, who won both Serie A and the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in the early 90s have been relegated twice since.

Dynasties fall, and by that logic teams from Spain – currently the overwhelming powerhouse in European club football – should be next. But their continued superiority in European competition challenges that assertion.

In the Champions League they have won each of the last five finals, and seven of the last 10 – three for Barcelona and four for Real Madrid, who have won back-to-backto-back finals.

Atletico Madrid contested two of those finals and won sister competition the Europa League, while Sevilla have ensured Spain’s stranglehold on Europe with a triplet of Europa League wins from 2014 to 2016.

As fans of La Liga and the Premier League argued the supremacy of their respective Divisions, Spanish fans could always point to their successes in Europe as the tiebreaker, winning 24 games in their last 28 European knockout ties dating back to last season.

Barcelona’s success is the dividends from investment in their academy and devotion to a brand of exceptional football, producing numerous world class talents in a short span such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets.

Real Madrid, though backed by their ‘Galatico’ signings, took a gamble appointing the relatively inexperienced Zinedine Zidane. Across the capital, Atletico invested their future in Diego Simeone, and Cholo developed a successful style of football that many opposition teams have struggled to break down.

Success begets success. Their own players become more experienced and capable of dealing with high-pressure situations.

Clubs become an increasingly attractive

destinations for top players. And the monetary benefits from their Champions League endeavours lets them compete financially.

Though, of course, having the best players helps. Only twice in the past 10 years have the top three in Ballon d’Or voting not been comprised solely of Spain-based players.

But competition on and off the pitch is stiffer as television money in the Premier League skyrockets and the best of the best in France, Italy and Germany continue to improve.

One crown jewel stolen away from Spain is Cristiano Ronaldo, who after nine seasons with Real Madrid finds himself with Juventus. A proponent of Champions League heartbreak for Juventus, he scored twice against them in the 2017 final, and a year later knocked them out with his 97thminute penalty.

But their tormentor is now their greatest weapon as the Portuguese now dons black and white. A five-time winner of the trophy, any side with Cristiano Ronaldo has a chance at winning the big-eared trophy.

Another big fish who swam abroad was Neymar, now of Paris Saint-Germain. The famous remontada — comeback — saw PSG surrender a 4-0 first leg lead to Barcelona in 2017. Neymar, chief architect in that demolition, joined the French club for a record fee.

However, have injuries robbed him of thee chance to fully effect ties as he missed games both this season and last due to metatarsal injuries. Yet while PSG have Neymar fit and the ever-improving Kylian Mbappe in their ranks they will prove stern competition.

It’s similar in England. All Coaches like to tell little lies to take their pressure off both themselves and their players. And Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is no exception in his assertion that his side are not yet ready to win the Champions League.

Given the many millions the club has spent on players during his tenure, he is in a better position than most. For a Coach many to believe to be the best in the world, European football is the true proving ground. So far he has failed in his pursuit for a third European Cup despite dominant League wins with Bayern Munich and City.

In the past two seasons Guardiola’s side lost to an inspired Monaco team and was then pitted against Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool team beat him three times that season, twice in the Round of 16. But with their record-breaking Premier League winning season he has shown his star-laden squad are now perfectly in sync with his tactics, and even as the Reds challenge City’s domestic supremacy, a European success isn’t out of the question.

A potential dark horse [with some yellow splashed in] is Borussia Dortmund. The club crumbled following their 2013 Champions League Final defeat. They lost marksman Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels to

SPAIN BY THE NUMBERS

“The Champions League is the final frontier for Manchester City” Bayern and Klopp left after a season where relegation looked a real possibility.

After years riddled with injury to key players and several changes in management they have reemerged as a force in Germany.

A fit Marco Reus along with Jadon Sancho, Manuel Akanji and loanee Achraf Hakimi help make Dortmund a youthful, exuberant side.

Another riding the coattails of youth are Olympic Lyonnais. Beating Manchester City but conceding 90th minute goals to Hoffenheim in consecutive game weeks, it has been a fun season in Europe. Their football is a thrill to watch, but not always conducive to winning football. But with the likes of Memphis Depay, Nabil Fekir, Houssem Aouar and Tangay Ndombele in the side they will only improve.

While it is the beginnings of a new era for them, the end of one has caused some issues for Spain’s giants. Though current holders, Real Madrid stumbled their way to a third straight trophy and their underwhelming football stopped producing results following the departure of Ronaldo andZinedine Zidane. The experiment to hire Spain Coach Julen Lopetegui lasted only 10 League matches.

They also chose not replace Ronaldo with an established superstar, instead opting for youth in form of Dani Ceballos, Alvaro

Odriozola, Marco Asensio, and Vinicius Junior, which hurts them short-term.

Another to unashamedly rely on their star player is Barcelona. As long as Lionel Messi remains in imperious form, La Blaugrana have a chance at winning everything.

Despite spending over €300m with on Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele alone, Messi leads the team in most major statistical categories, from goals to assists and key passes as Andres Iniesta proves difficult.

Also heavily linked to their club success is Simeone at Atletico. The club have become genuine contenders domestically and in Europe but the Argentine insists he will one day manage former club Inter, once even reducing the length of his contract in early preparation of the move. He may follow star defender Diego Godin to Milan, who has also been linked to the Nerazzurri.

Even Spain’s national side, which won the World Cup and two European Champions between 2008 and 2010 have stuttered on the big stage.

One early defining era of European football was the first, the 1950s, when the European Cup was born. It was also the last decade teams from Spain won five tournaments in a row, as Madrid claimed all five. But it preceded a drought of one European Cup in 30 years. Five may well be the limit for La Liga.

1 – Only one of the last 10 European Super Cups have not involved Spanish teams. Four of the last five have been all-Spanish affairs.

3 – The number of Champions League titles won by Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid Coach.

5 – The number of Spanish teams

competing the 2015-16 group stage of the Champions League thanks to a rule change and Sevilla’s Europa League win.

ABOVE: Barcelona won the Champions league in 2015, after Real Madrid won in 2014 BOTTOM: Manchester City are a contender to end Spanish dominance — ironically, with a Spanish Coach in Pep Guardiola

6 – The number of seasons in a row at

least three Spanish sides have reached the quarter-finals.

10 – Spain’s Champions League wins this decade, more than twice as many as any other country.

13 – No team has had as many different clubs feature in the competition as the 13 from Spain.

18 – The combined Champions League wins of Spanish clubs (Real Madrid 13, Barcelona 5).

22 – The number of European finals

this decade with at least one Spanish side.

24 – The number of wins Spanish sides have enjoyed over English sides in their last 26 knockout games.

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

13

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FEATURE

BY THE NUMBERS:

SPANISH CLUBS HAVE DOMINATED THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOR THE LAST DECADE. DARYL HAMMOND ASKS WHY, AND HOW MUCH LONGER IT WILL CONTINUE…

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE 2018/19 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES AND DATES

THE LAST NON-SPANISH FINAL

1st Legs (Round of 16) 12–13 & 19–20 February 2019 2nd Legs (Round of 16) 5–6 & 12–13 March 2019

Bayern Munich lifted the Champions League in 2013 but it’s been all Spain since then

Quarter-Finals Draw Friday, 15 March 2019 Referees had a busy evening when taking charge of a Young Boys fixture

1st Legs (Quarter-Finals) 9–10 April 2019 2nd Legs (Quarter-Finals) 16–17 April 2019 Semi-Finals Draw Friday, 19 April 2019 1st Legs (Semi-Finals) 30 April – 1 May 2019 2nd Legs (Semi-Finals) 7–8 May 2019 Final Saturday, 1 June 2019

2018/19 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 MATCHUPS ROMA VS PORTO TOTTENHAM VS DORTMUND LYON VS BARCELONA ATLETICO VS JUVENTUS MAN. UNITED VS PSG AJAX VS REAL MADRID LIVERPOOL VS BAYERN SCHALKE VS MAN. CITY

14

The sight of Paris SaintGermain celebrating a goal was a regular occurrence in the group stage

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– Paris Saint-Germain were the top goal scorers in the Champions League group stage, averaging almost three a game

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos completed 94% of his passes in the group stage

0

– AEK Athens were the only club not to earn a single point. The two goals they scored on matchday two were the only ones of their entire campaign.

109

– Young Boys were the dirtiest side – committing 109 fouls over their six matches.

4

– All four English clubs – Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United - made it through to the knock out stage.

Robert Lewandowski scored better than a goal a game as Bayern Munich topped Group E

522

– Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos completed the most passes of any player in the group stage – with an incredible 94% completion rate overall.

8

– Robert Lewandowski scored eight times in just six group stage matches for Bayern Munich.

5

– Crvena Zvezda had the fewest headed attempts on goal this season with five.

59

– 59 players played every single minute of the group stage – 540 minutes of football each.

6

– Of the clubs that qualified for the knock out rounds, six have never lifted the trophy.

3

– Porto and Liverpool received the most penalties during the group stage at three apiece.

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

Liverpool and Porto each received three penalties in their six group stage matches

The last time a team from outside Spain won the Champions League was 2013, when a meeting between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich guaranteed a German winner…

If only for a season or two, Germany looked like the new powerhouses of European football. A year before the national team would be crowned world champions in Brazil, their two best sides met in the final of the Champions League in 2013.

Having thrashed Barcelona and Real Madrid in their respective semi-finals, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund met for a Der Klassier clash at the height of competitiveness and ferocity between the two.

Bayern had just stolen back the Bundesliga from Dortmund and underlying angst between the two was exacerbated by the Bavarian's purchase of BVB wonder-boy Mario Gotze a month earlier.

The match itself lived up to the hype.

Dortmund tested Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal five times in the opening 35 minutes, but Bayern gave almost as good as they got with Arjen Robben in particular a threat.

Despite a barnstorming first half the 45 minutes ended goalless, and it wasn’t until the hour mark that the breakthrough came. Robben was involved, linking up with Franck Ribery to provide for Mario Mandzukic.

But Bayern’s lead didn’t last long. Dante conceded a penalty eight minutes later and Ilkay Gundogan converted to restore parity, but Dortmund looked a spent force not long after. Last-ditch defending from Neven Subotic kept them in it, but eventually Bayern’s pressure told.

Bayern’s persistence paid off in the final minute of normal time when Robben reached Ribery’s back-heel pass and converted past Roman Weidenfeller. A year after losing the final on penalties to Chelsea in their own stadium, Bayern were kings of Europe.

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The Drop-Outs EUROPA LEAGUE FEATURE

THE EIGHT CLUBS WHO DROPPED FROM THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TO THE EUROPA LEAGUE ALL HOLD HOPES OF GOING ALL THE WAY. STEPHEN DONOVAN ANALYSES WHICH OF THESE SIDES ARE MOST LIKELY FRONTRUNNERS

E

ach year, the beginning of the knockout stages of the Europa League sees the competition take on a whole new meaning. It signals a noticeable rise in intensity levels from the leading contenders as the challenges grow steeper and the trophy moves within sight, while eight more clubs join the battle for supremacy as they seek second prize having dropped out of the Champions League.

This season it looks to be more wide open than ever. The group stage was already scattered with sides that would expect to go all the way, such as English duo Arsenal and Chelsea, along with five-time winners Sevilla. It cannot even be said that any of this trio were at full-strength as they booked their passage through, so it looks that they will only get stronger as the tournament goes on.

With that in mind, the addition of more big names raises further intrigue and provides the competition with a whole extra dimension. Some of them are expecting to join that list of frontrunners, while others, such as Czech champions Viktoria Plzen, are happy just to still be in Europe. Either way, it’s all to play for.

Among the eight clubs to be entering the Europa League in the last 32, Napoli look to be in with by far the best chance to go on and win it as they look for their first silverware on the continent for 30 years.

They felt aggrieved to be eliminated from the Champions League after losing only one game in a tough group, but crucially that came on the final match day against Liverpool, who edged through on goal difference.

They certainly possess the talent and the quality to lift the trophy in May. Defensively strong, and with a powerful and prolific forward line of Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne, the side in sky blue could be very difficult to stop should they go all out to win the competition. What’s more, Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti is aiming to salvage something from their European campaign and add to the three Champions League winners’ medals he’s earned during a glittering managerial career.

Napoli aren’t the only Serie A club to have fallen agonisingly into the Europa League. Rivals Inter have fallen away from competing for major honours ever since being crowned champions of Europe under Jose Mourinho in 2010, but recently there have been signs of recovery that suggest they could be on their way to reestablishing themselves as a major force.

A strong showing in what remains of this competition could be just the springboard they need, having come very close to making the last 16 of the Champions League. A lack of goals and genuine attacking flair ensures they will not quite be among the favourites to win it, although if Mauro Icardi can be deadly when presented with scoring chances, and the defence can be as sound as it’s been so far this season, Inter will have a chance.

Three more of the sides to have come down from the Champions League are former winners of this tournament in its previous

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SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

incarnations, adding even greater pedigree throughout the teams in the knockout phase. An illustrious history often leads to a high level of expectation, so many will feel that they should be targeting at least a place in the last four.

Valencia have a rich European history, and despite their mid-table status in La Liga, they often rise to the big occasion.

Had they been more ruthless in the group stage Los Che would have a Champions League knockout match to look forward to, but here lies their only realistic chance of qualifying for Europe’s premier competition for next term.

They are a team who few would like to come up against, and have a forward line that doesn’t lack the ability to score goals.

Kevin Gameiro has a proven record, while Spain international Rodrigo Moreno also knows where the back of the net is. The question is whether they have enough quality throughout the team to mount a serious challenge.

They may only have an outside chance, but should Valencia indeed come in with a shout of winning the competition, they would not be the first side to show

Among the eight clubs, Napoli look to be in with by far the best chance to go on and win it’

If Napoli make the Europa League, they will surely be among the favourites to win it in May

A PROUD HISTORY Six of the eight clubs to drop into the Europa League are former winners of European competitions. Stephen Donovan looks back at their past successes Benfica were one of the standout clubs in the early years of the European Cup, winning it in successive seasons in 1961 and 1962. Since then, however, they’ve famously gone 57 years without lifting a European trophy, losing an astonishing seven finals.

As recently as 2010, Inter were serenaded as the kings of Europe, storming to their second Champions League title under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, who built a formidable squad to earn their third crown. Argentine midfielder Diego Milito produced two fine finishes as they comfortably saw off Bayern Munich in the final. They also won the UEFA Cup three times in the 1990s, which means they are one of just two clubs to have won both competitions thrice.

Diego Maradona was gracing Napoli on the only occasion they have triumphed in Europe, scoring once as the Italian side defeated Stuttgart over two legs in a dramatic UEFA Cup final in 1989.

The same competition was won by Galatasaray in 2000, courtesy of a penalty shootout success over Arsenal and the ferocious support of their fan base. Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk emerged as a force to win the last UEFA Cup final in 2009, overcoming Werder Bremen after extra time.

KEY DATES QUARTER & SEMI-FINAL DRAW: MARCH 15 QUARTER-FINAL: APRIL 11 & APRIL 18 SEMI-FINAL: MAY 2 & MAY 9 FINAL: MAY 29

THE DARK HORSES In a competitive battle to win the Europa League, Stephen Donovan assesses three players who could make the difference for their respective clubs Napoli are a team with quality options in both defence and attack, with some of the best individual players to be gracing the knockout stages of the Europa League in 2019. Among them, Dries Mertens carries their biggest threat, the long-serving Belgian faring well again in his second season since being converted to a striker by former boss Maurizio Sarri.

Three group stage goals from Mertens weren’t enough to keep his side in the Champions League, so he’ll aim to use all his pace and explosive finishing here as Napoli bid for a long-awaited first trophy in five years.

The hopes of Serie A rivals Inter will largely be carried by Lautaro Martinez.

The striker is technically gifted and has an excellent goalscoring record in recent years that compares well with the very best in Europe. This term has been a bit more slow-going, but expect him to be deadly when chances come his way.

And speaking of prolific strikers, Brazilian Junior Moraes hasn’t stopped scoring since joining Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer from rivals Dynamo Kiev.

If the Ukrainian champions are to be in with a chance in the Europa League, they’ll need him to maintain his fine form.

ROAD TO BAKU ‘A strong showing in what remains of this competition could be just the springboard Inter need’ inconsistent domestic form and produce their best performances in Europe. On their day, this is a team capable of beating any of the leading contenders, and it is famously difficult for visiting teams to emerge victorious at the Mestalla.

Winners of the UEFA Cup in 2009, Shakhtar Donetsk have frequently made the last 16 of the Champions League in recent years, but this year they don’t look quite as strong, only winning one of their group stage matches and conceding nine goals without reply over two games against Manchester City. They’re a useful side, but not one that appears likely to triumph, especially in a competition where the most likely contenders often come out on top.

The same could be said about the rest of the Champions League drop-outs. Benfica reached back-to-back finals in 2013 and 2014, but have weakened since then and struggled to impose themselves in Europe.

They are strong in attack, with Swiss striker Haris Seferovic enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, but have not shown anything in the last few years to suggest they are contenders.

Turkish champions Galatasaray were once a major force, but they only won one game in what looked a very kind Champions League group, so a trip to Istanbul won’t be such an intimidating proposition for many teams left in the draw. Meanwhile, Club Brugge reached the quarter-finals back in 2015, and a repeat of that would be seen as a good achievement.

Assessing all eight clubs as a whole, only Napoli can be described with any conviction as possible winners, and should make that their No.1 aim for the rest of 2018-19. However, others could force their way into the reckoning and cause surprises in what looks a competitive race for Europa League success.

The 2019 Europa League final will be played on May 29. If you’re planning a trip to see your favorite team in the finals here are a few things to know about Baku.

ABOVE: Lautaro Martinez

TOP RIGHT: As recently as 2010, Inter were crowned champions of Europe

BELOW: Valencia are one of the dark horses, and will be a threat to whoever they come up against

Baku is ...

• The capital city of Azerbaijan.

• The lowest-lying capital city in the world – 28 metres below sea level.

• Windy: its name is derived from the ancient Persian 'Bādkube' (pounding winds) – hence the local nickname, 'City of Winds'.

• Twinned with Dakar, Naples, Houston, Bordeaux, Kyiv, Haifa and Rio de Janeiro, among others.

• A former host city of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, the UEFA Futsal Cup finals, and the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, also the 2019 UEFA Europa League final.

Where is it The biggest city in the Caucasus region, Baku is also the largest urban base on the shores of the Caspian Sea. It is nearly 2,000km from both Moscow and Istanbul, 9,000km east of New York, and 5,500km west of Beijing.

Olympic Stadium • Completed in February 2015, Baku Olympic Stadium (Bakı Olimpiya Stadionu, in Azeri) can seat nearly 70,000 and was first used for the European Games in that summer. It will stage games at UEFA EURO 2020.

• The Azerbaijan national team are the stadium's principal tenants.

• The President of Azerbaijan, and those of FIFA and UEFA, attended a ceremony to lay the first stone of the stadium on 6 June 2011, as part of celebrations marking 100 years of Azerbaijani football.

• The venue is close to Lake Boyukshor; literal translation: 'Big Salty Waters'.

What to see For culture: The walled old town, Icheri Sheher, is a UNESCO World Heritage site containing the Maiden Tower and the grand 15th-century Shirvanshahs Palace, home to the dynasty that ruled this region in the Middle Ages.

For atmosphere: Take to the streets at night: Azerbaijan has some stunning modern buildings which are illuminated after dark, not least the Flame Towers.

Eating and drinking Foreign visitors may notice similarities between Azerbaijani cuisine and those of Turkey and Iran. A keynote meal is pilaf, a rice dish flavoured with saffron and mixed with meat or vegetables, while dolma (vine leaves stuffed with minced meat) are as popular as they are over in Turkey.

Football in the city Azerbaijan's footballing stock has been on the rise, with Neftçi, Qarabağ and out-oftowners Gabala all playing UEFA Europa League group matches in Baku, and Qarabağ reaching the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2017/18, the first Azerbaijani team to qualify. Founded in 1937, Neftçi were long the most successful club in Baku, their rivalry with Khazar Lankaran considered the nation's Böyük Oyun (great game). Qarabağ currently play in the city, with İnter Bakı and Zirä also competing for fans' attention in Baku.

Want to know why Azerbaijan is known as the land of fire? A 25km journey outside Baku brings visitors to Yanar Dağ (Fire Mountain), a hillside which is constantly burning – even in heavy wind and rain – due to natural gas seeping through the soil. Further out, Gobustan National Park features extraordinary rock carvings dating as far back as 40,000 years, as well as another geological phenomenon which owes much to Azerbaijan's oil and gas reserves: mud volcanoes.

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

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EUROPA LEAGUE FEATURE

BY THE NUMBERS:

EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGE THE BATTLE FOR THE EUROPA LEAGUE CONTINUES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON. DAN ROBERTS LOOKS AT THE NUMBERS FROM THE GROUP STAGES…

Red Bull Salzburg were one of two teams to come through the group stage with a 100% record

2

– Two clubs won all six of their Europa League group games – Red Bull Salzburg and Eintracht Frankfurt

Salzburg’s Munas Dabbur was the top scorer in the group stage with six goals in six games

16

– The worst defences on show were Marseille and Luxembourg side F91 Dudelange – who were playing in their first ever Europa League group stage. Both sides let in 16 goals in six matches.

18

– There were a number of late goals scored in the Europa League group stage – 18 in stoppage time after the 90 minutes were up.

4

– Slavia Prague only scored four goals in their six group stage matches and still progressed to the knock out rounds.

6

– Top goal scorer in the group stage was Munas Dabbur with six. The Salzburg striker also had the most attempts on target.

1

– Four clubs – Akhisarspor, Marseille, F91 Dudelange and Rosenborg – picked up just a solitary point.

18

– Perennial Europa League contenders Sevilla scored 18 goals over six games – the most in the competition so far.

No team had more yellow cards than Fenerbahce, but they avoided being shown any reds

19

– Turkish side Fenerbahce picked up the most yellow cards during the campaign – although none of their players saw red.

27

– Clubs from 27 national associations were represented with seven making their group stage debuts [although two of those, Chelsea and RB Leipzig have previously played in the knock out rounds after transferring from the Champions League].

7

– Four matches saw seven goals scored – Rosenborg 2 Salzburg 5, Qarabag 1 Sporting 6, Milan 5 F91 Dudelange 2 and Spartak Moscow 4 Rangers 3.

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SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

Frequent Europa League winners Sevilla averaged three goals per game in the group stage

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IN FOCUS

TOP TRANSFERS

O D V E E S R S O CR By: Lauren Maharaj

Gonzalo Higuain

The January transfer window, in comparison to its busier counterpart, the Summer transfer window is one of the trickier times in football to make a solid financial splash.

The January window finds itself in the middle of a brutal season for Europe’s top five, especially the Premier League, where the most consistent stretch of football happens between Christmas and February.

It is here where clubs and managers of all positions can either use their financial muscles to strengthen a squad or merely replace someone. Regardless of the reasoning though, the January transfer window is much less traffic filled than in the summer, which means in many cases, players who are seeking an out in the middle of the season historically end up being unsuccessful.

Take the likes of Fernando Torres. When the Spaniard pushed for a transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea in 2011 for a whopping £50M – it was a bold example of failure. At the time, the Spaniard was arguably one of the most clinical and dangerous frontmen in England and after a successful stint at Merseyside, Torres’ desire for silverware became too much to bear and he headed to West London. However, his career decline began and never stopped falling after that move. To make matters worse, Liverpool’s impulsive reaction to Torres’ departure meant a player of his

20

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

Mario Balotelli

stature was to be replaced and in a moment of speed that cost them £35M, Andy Carroll arrived at Liverpool. Carroll only managed 11 goals in 58 appearances for Liverpool and simply felt out of place in comparison to Torres.

In general, the January transfer window is the least reliable time to bring in players of major impact, which keeps the interest from fans quite low. However, despite this historically proven fact, it does not mean that there is a lack of movement or spending. The Guardian reported that in the 2019 January Transfer window all of Europe’s top five leagues spent a total of £582M. Here are the top 10 notable transfers from this year’s January transfer window.

1. KEVIN PRINCE-BOATENG (SASSUOLO – BARCELONA)

The German-Ghanian has spent much of his career flip-flopping from club to club with his most impressive streak of success coming in Italy. Boateng recently made an odd loan move from Sassuolo to his tenth professional club – FC Barcelona.

2. GONZALO HIGUAIN (AC MILAN – CHELSEA)

Higuian now finds himself in the Premier League under the Chelsea banner. Higuain

Cesc Fabregas

Alphonso Davies

6. ALPHONSO DAVIES (VANCOUVER WHITECAPS – BAYERN MUNICH) Davies transfer to Bayern Munich may have begun before the January transfer window, but he didn’t debut for the German side until January 27th. The base fee for his transfer was a reported $13.5 million with performance-related bonuses that total $22 million.

7. DENIS SUAREZ (BARCELONA – ARSENAL)

opened his campaign with two goals against Huddersfield but is reportedly in question to leave during the summer transfer window if the club sacks Maurizio Sarri.

3. MARIO BALOTELLI (OGC NICE – MARSEILLE)

Balotelli is a polarizing player. His talents are clear but his determination and commitments are not. Balotelli began to see a glimmer of his former self after a successful move to OGC Nice, but ultimately didn’t renew his contract with the club after 3 years forcing him to Marseille.

4. EMILIANO SALA (NANTES – CARDIFF)

Sala’s what-if transfer is perhaps one of world football’s most tragic stories. The Argentine was set to move to Cardiff City and on his way died in a horrible plane crash. His former clubs Bordeaux, Nantes and his once future club Cardiff are currently in a dispute regarding contract money while the football world mourns the 28-year-old’s death. Sala’s story is a devastating example of the transfer market gone wrong.

5. CESC FABREGAS (CHELSEA – AS MONACO)

The Spanish sensation made his forever mark on Chelsea FC before boarding a plane to live out the next few years in Monaco. Fabregas finished his career in England with 300 Premier League appearances and 102 assists for Chelsea putting himself behind legend, Frank Lampard as the second highest provider in club history.

Alvaro Morata

Suarez has had a dicey love affair with Barcelona, where he has never really settled in with the club. Despite returning from a fairly recent loan spell from Villarreal, he has once again been offloaded to Arsenal until the end of the 2018-2019 season.

8. VICTOR MOSES (CHELSEA – FENERBACHE)

Similar to Suarez, Moses has been a loyal figure at Chelsea since 2012 but has yet to become a key figure in the first team.

Moses’ shuffle from club to club has seen him on loan four times since 2014, with his current stop being in Turkey with top club Fenerbache.

9. ALVARO MORATA (CHELSEA – ATLETICO MADRID)

Morata is mostly known for his disappointing spell at Real Madrid but should be better known for his triumphant appearances for Juventus and Chelsea.

His current destination in Spain puts him alongside former Chelsea frontman Diego Costa where head gaffer Diego Simeone believes the two will be a compatible and dangerous pair.

10. KRZYSZTOF PIATEK (GENOA – AC MILAN)

Krzysztof Piatek joined Milan in a deal worth €35m plus bonuses after 19 goals in 21 games for Genoa. The Polish forward signed a contract with AC Milan until June 30, 2023.” The 23-year-old Poland international was picked up from Cracovia Krakow for just €4.5m in July and became an immediate sensation. He found the net 13 times in 19 Serie A appearances, along with six goals in just two Coppa Italia matches, including four on his competitive debut. Piatek reportedly will earn just over €2m per season.

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THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY

THE GOOD

True or not, it feels a long time since there was a genuine title race in the Premier League. Those old enough to remember Newcastle and Manchester United fighting it out in the mid-1990s, two attack-minded teams who rarely set out to bore their way to victory, should see parallels in the battle between Manchester City and Liverpool.

The end of 2018 and the first few months of 2019 saw the advantage see-saw between the Reds and the Blues. Neither side strengthened in the January transfer window, and neither side ended the month significantly weaker either. Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have pinned their respective hopes on the crop of players they started the season with, and it’s not hard to see why.

Rarely do two Coaches get so much right over such a long period. Rarely do two teams have goalscorers the calibre of Mohamed Salah and Sergio Aguero to call on, or goalkeepers the class of Alisson and Ederson. The first two thirds of the season could barely split the teams, so it all comes down to the final 10 games or so.

It’s probably pushing it to say the neutrals will be picking sides — unless you support one of the teams involved, or one of their immediate rivals, do you really care who

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wins the title? — but the twists and turns are hard to ignore. And the chance to watch players such as Salah and Aguero, to see them be decisive game after game, is a genuine treat too.

City, with the pressure of being defending champions, had a December wobble — at least, what passes for one at the level City are playing at. For City, losing three games in a month threatened disaster. For some teams, that’s business as usual.

But City came up in the clutch when, in theory, it mattered most, when Liverpool went to the Etihad Stadium at the start of January. City won 2-1, and yet, when the final whistle sounded, still weren’t top of the table again. And then, they were. Then, they weren’t. And repeat, for the rest of the season.

The bad

THE BAD

If 2013 feels like a long time ago, imagine how long it feels for Everton supporters.

That’s roughly the last time they had a team that looked like a functioning unit, with a clear identity and way of playing.

That was when David Moyes left for Manchester United and while the football under the Scot might not have always been brilliant to watch — though the Leighton

ABOVE (MAIN): Klopp and Guardiola ABOVE (LEFT): Marco Silva LEFT: Aboubakar Kamara OPPOSITE PAGE, FAR ABOVE RIGHT: Nuno Santo OPPOSITE PAGE, FAR BOTTOM RIGHT: Huddersfield Town

Baines-Steven Pienaar left wing axis has gone down in club folklore — it was considerably more pleasant than what the Toffees have served up since. A brief peak under Roberto Martinez aside, it’s been a rough six years at Goodison Park.

Martinez briefly provided some more attacking flair, built on the solid foundations Moyes had left but as soon as the Spaniard started to put more of his own stamp on the team, it fell apart. Everton were shambolic by the time Martinez was sacked, and his genuinely-warm personality and engaging way of speaking about football couldn’t mask the flaws in his team any longer.

Ronald Koeman took over and while results were reasonable, there was always a nagging feeling that the ex-Barcelona man was waiting for something bigger and better to come along. Self-preservation was a watchword of the Dutchman, and it showed. And when he and the club’s brain trust decided it was a good idea to sell Romelu Lukaku and not sign a senior striker but instead buy three central attacking midfielders — Davy Klaassen, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney — it was the beginning of the end. The football was dire and the results worse.

Everton then turned to the latest flavour of the month, Marco Silva at Watford, but bungled his appointment so badly it led to legal action from the Hornets.

Sam Allardyce got the job as the club got desperate but he never had the fans onside — they didn’t take to his football or his personality.

Silva eventually took over, of course, but Everton have been struggling since losing to Liverpool in agonising, and ridiculous, fashion in December. The Portuguese hasn’t made the team his own, and they cannot defend set-pieces for the life of them. Six years and counting…

THE UGLY

There’s disastrous signings and then there’s Aboubakar Kamara’s Fulham tenure. Perhaps it should have been a warning sign when he chose the No.47 shirt in a not-very-subtle gun reference [combine the number with his initials] but he at least made a contribution to the Cottagers Premier League return with seven Championship goals.

Kamara didn’t score after January 2018, though, so his involvement in the business end of the promotion push was minimal, and he did get two goals in as many games in December as Fulham struggled against relegation. That’s where the benefit of the doubt ends, however.

With Fulham hosting relegation rivals Huddersfield Town at Craven Cottage in a game they absolutely could not afford to lose, Kamara picked that moment to act out. Fulham were awarded a penalty.

Aleksandr Mitrovic prepared to take it, only for Kamara to intervene. A brief row ensued, with Mitrovic demurring to his teammate.

The penalty was saved, giving the Terriers a lifeline. Fulham went on to win, no thanks to Kamara.

And yet it got worse. Claudio Ranieri described the penalty incident as ‘[disrespectful] to me, the club, [his] teammates and the crowd,’ but that was nothing compared to a reported fight with Mitrovic during a yoga session and an alleged incident at the club training ground that led to the police getting involved and Kamara being banned from the club training ground and all club activities.

Fulham took the opportunity afforded by the January transfer window to send Kamara to Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor on loan. Don’t expect to see the Frenchman back on the banks of the River Thames anytime soon..

STATS SO FAR AS OF MATCH 26 Mohammed Salah

Going UP Going DOWN

TOP SCORERS PLAYER Mohamed Salah Sergio Agüero PE Aubameyang Harry Kane Eden Hazard Raheem Sterling Sadio Mané Son Heung-Min Paul Pogba A. Mitrovic

TEAM G Liverpool 17 Man. City 17 Arsenal 15 Tottenham 14 Chelsea 12 Ma. City 12 Liverpool 12 Tottenham 11 Man.r United 11 Fulham 10

TOP ASSISTS PLAYER TEAM A Eden Hazard Chelsea 10 Christian Eriksen Tottenham 9 Leroy Sane Man. City 9 Raheem Sterling Man. City 9 Ryan Fraser Bournemouth 9 Paul Pogba Man. United 8 Joao Moutinho Wolverhampton 7 Mohamed Salah Liverpool 7 Aaron Ramsey Arsenal 6 Andrew Robertson Liverpool 6

SHOTS PER GAME PLAYER Sergio Aguero A. Mitrovic Harry Kane Paul Pogba Mohamed Salah Raul Jimenez Son Heung-Min Eden Hazard PE Aubameyang Danny Ings

TEAM SPG Man. City 3.7 Fulham 3.5 Tottenham 3.5 Man. United 3.4 Liverpool 3.3 Wolverhampton 3.1 Tottenham 2.7 Chelsea 2.7 Arsenal 2.5 Southampton 2.5

GOING UP

Wolverhampton Wanderers technically came up in August, but their stock has continued to rise ever since. While six clubs fight for four Champions League places, Nuno Espirito Santo’s charges are the most impressive of the rest.

They might not be close to winning the title but they have a clear, defined way of playing, exciting players throughout the team, including some academy products, and the football is thrilling to watch. Credit to them.

GOING DOWN

Huddersfield are, quite literally, barring a miracle, going down.

Barely into double figures for points even with only a few months of the campaign left, the Yorkshire club’s lack of goals has sealed their fate long before the final ball of the season has been kicked.

If the club hierarchy have done their jobs right then relegation won’t be a devastating blow financially, but it’ll still hurt emotionally.

They’ll fight to the last, but it’ll be in vain.

Sergio Aguero

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GOAL-ZALO FEATURE - HIGUAIN

HAVING BEEN LINKED WITH GONZALO HIGUAIN OVER THE SUMMER, MAURIZIO SARRI HAS FINALLY GOT HIS MAN. WILL THE NAPOLI CONNECTION BE THE FINAL PIECE OF THE SARRIBALL JIGSAW? GREG MURRAY MAKES THE CASE.

FACTFILE

‘There was a sense of overwhelming relief for Chelsea fans when Gonzalo Higuain was brought in on loan.’

F

or anyone who has watched Chelsea over the past 18 months, it has been astonishingly obvious that the Blues have been in desperate need of a prolific centre-forward. Since the departure of Diego Costa in summer of 2017, Tammy Abraham, Michy Batshuayi, Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata have all attempted to make the position their own, and all, to varying degrees, have failed. As a result, there was a sense of overwhelming relief for fans in West London when the board agreed to bring in Gonzalo Higuain on loan to the end of the season – with the potential for a 12-month extension or redemption for £31m.

The Stamford Bridge faithful have good reason to get excited as the Argentinian forward has already made history with Maurizio Sarri. Despite spending just one season together, the spell at Napoli propelled both Coach and player into the limelight as Il Pipita scored 36 League goals, breaking a 66-year-old Serie A record. His subsequent Italian transfer record move to Juventus may have broken many hearts in Southern Italy, but his coach has always maintained his view of Higuain as the best forward in the world.

Despite the promising track record, the arrival of Chelsea’s new No. 9 was met by

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some with scepticism, and not just due to the poor fortune of the shirts more recent occupants. A primary concern is age as it is fair to say that, at 31 years of age, Higuain is hardly a youth prospect. More worrying for Blues fans, however, is the poor run of form the striker has endured during the first six months of the season. After being moved on from Juventus to accommodate Cristiano Ronaldo, the forward joined Milan where he managed just six League goals, fewer than Morata scored within the same period. A missed penalty, red card and subsequent meltdown against his former side in November had critics suggesting that the former Real Madrid man was on the decline.

Another concern, and one raised by Chelsea legend Ruud Gullit, is that Higuain is very much a traditional forward, preying off crosses into the box and balls in behind.

After Pipita’s departure from Napoli, Sarri filled the centre-forward position with the diminutive winger Dries Mertens, which turned out to be a masterstroke and brought the most out of Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon on the flanks.

Similarly, at Chelsea, the system is set up for the wingers to cut in from the flanks, looking to score themselves, hardly the ideal conditions for a striker like Higuain to

NAME: Gonzalo Higuain BORN: December 10, 1987 (Brest, France) HT / WT: 1.86m / 89kg POSITION: Striker CLUB: Chelsea [on loan from Juventus] SEASON CLUB 2004-05 River Plate 2005-06 River Plate 2006-07 River Plate 2006-07 Real Madrid 2007-08 Real Madrid 2008-09 Real Madrid 2009-10 Real Madrid 2010-11 Real Madrid 2011-12 Real Madrid 2012-13 Real Madrid 2013-14 Napoli 2014-15 Napoli 2015-16 Napoli 2016-17 Juventus 2017-18 Juventus 2018-19 Milan

APPS GOALS 4 0 18 7 19 8 23 2 34 9 44 24 40 29 25 13 54 26 44 18 46 24 58 29 42 38 55 32 50 23 22 8

ABOVE (MAIN): A reunion with former Napoli Coach Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea benefitted club and player LEFT: And Higuain’s arrival at Stamford Bridge might benefit Eden Hazard most of all OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: There wasn’t room for Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus…

OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM: …so he was loaned to Serie A rivals Milan, but that proved an unhappy arrangement

THE CALLUM QUESTION There looked to be at least one big-money departure from Chelsea in January, but the Blues stood firm to deny Callum Hudson-Odoi a move to Bayern Munich, Greg Murray writes.

The January transfer window came to a close, somewhat surprisingly, with Callum Hudson-Odoi still at Stamford Bridge.

Bids of up to £35m from Bayern Munich and a last-minute transfer request resulted in many expecting the highly rated English winger to end up at the German champions. Instead, Maurizio Sarri announced publicly that the player, who has grown up in the Chelsea youth system, would not be leaving the club, and that he was keen to also keep him over the summer.

This season has been a breakout for the 18-year-old who must surely have an eye on the remarkable rise of Jadon Sancho with Borussia Dortmund. Impressive performances including goals in the Champions League and FA Cup have seen the winger in search of more game time.

However, Hudson-Odoi may ultimately be glad that his move to Munich fell through come June. With Eden Hazard likely to leave the club in the summer, and Willian’s future far from certain, availability will open up on both flanks, and the London-born player has a few months left to convince Sarri that he is the man to fill the gap. At Stamford Bridge, the winger is adored by the fans, and doesn’t have the expectations or pressures of perennial winners Bayern, so he could do far worse than remaining at Chelsea as he continues his development.

Callum Hudson-Odoi was strongly courted in January by Bayern Munich

succeed.

Yet, in spite of the above, Maurizio Sarri knew exactly what he was getting when he brought Higuain to London, the tactician is confident that he made the right call.

In Higuain’s first League start, against the admittedly woeful Huddersfield, Pipita showed exactly why he is so highly regarded in Italy with two supremely taken goals, the second a first-time finish from outside the box. The first, whilst less spectacular, was an example of precisely the type of intelligent movement that Chelsea have been lacking with Morata and Giroud, as he anticipated a through ball from N’golo Kante that left his markers for dead.

Aside from his scoring abilities, Higuain’s biggest impact may well be in bringing the best out of Chelsea’s star man, Eden Hazard. Morata and Giroud’s inability to fit within Sarri’s passing system had seen Hazard fielded as a false nine, which saw his time on the ball restricted. Back in his conventional position against Huddersfield, the winger not only scored twice, but linked up with Higuain 21 times, seven more than he has done with either of the two aforementioned strikers this season. A blossoming partnership may not be enough to convince the Belgium captain turn down Real Madrid over the summer, but may at least give Chelsea fans a final few months to remember.

Sarri will be hoping that Hazard isn’t the only player that Higuain’s arrival unlocks, with the manager’s famous Sarri-ball yet

to look as effective as it did in Italy. In particular, another former player at Napoli, Jorginho has come under criticism for his performances this system, having failed to contribute a goal or assist since his arrival.

The Italy midfielder forms an integral part to the manager’s tactics, dictating tempo, but has looked off-the-pace and short of ideas at times this season. However, as Sarri himself has said, the regista relies on movement in front of him, something that Chelsea have been in short supply of since his arrival.

Throughout his career Higuain has proven himself to be a willing and intelligent runner, which will appeal to Jorginho’s desire to play quarter-back style passes from his own half – with fans hoping for a second iteration of the Cesc-Fabregas Diego Costa combination that helped win two Premier League titles. However, his game offers more than his Spanish equivalent, as Higuain is also more than capable of dropping deep to help start attacks, which will be key in Sarri’s desire to keep possession, whilst opening space for Hazard to drift centrally.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea’s new number nine will fulfil his early promise, however, as just a short-term loan, the move is low risk, not to mention a departure from recent unsuccessful big-money transfers for strikers. More than anything, after 18 months, it is a welcome sight to see a composed and competent striker at Stamford Bridge.

SO LONG, CESC Cesc Fabregas has spent most of his playing career in London — first with Arsenal, then Chelsea. But a move to Monaco signals the end of the midfielder’s time in England, Greg Murray says.

Cesc Fabregas’ January move to Monaco has most likely brought to a close the Spanish maestro’s love affair with London, spanning over 15 years. It takes a special type of player to become a legend at two clubs with an intense rivalry, but after eight years with Arsenal, and almost five with Chelsea, Cesc did precisely that.

When he signed for the Gunners from Barcelona aged 16, Fabregas made a name for himself as a world-class centralmidfielder in an era dominated by Roy Keane, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. A dynamic, all-action player when he started out, he constantly re-invented himself over 500 Premier League appearances, bowing out at Chelsea as a deep lying playmaker.

Despite three seasons spent back at home-town club Barcelona, Fabregas departs the Premier League at 31-years-old as the second highest provider of assists, beaten only by Ryan Giggs.

Over his Welsh counterpart, the midfielder is able to boast a World Cup and two European Championships, in addition to his two Premier League titles.

Although his time with former teammate Theirry Henry might have been short at Monaco, it is perhaps appropriate that Cesc’s final challenge is in France, offering yet another country the chance to fall in love with his iconic brand of football.

A move to Monaco ended Cesc Fabregas’ long association with the Premier League

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OLE GUNNAR

OUT WITH THE OLD,

THE CLOUD OF NEGATIVITY THAT FORMED OVER MANCHESTER UNITED DURING JOSE MOURINHO’S REIGN HAS DISPERSED. OLI COATES LOOKS AT WHAT OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER HAS CHANGED AND WHETHER HE CAN LAND THE ROLE FULL-TIME.

IN WITH THE OLD OLE FACTFILE NAME: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer BORN: February 26, 1973 (Kristiansund, Norway) POSITION: Manager CLUB: Manchester United SEASON CLUB 2011-14 Molde 2014 Cardiff City 2015- Molde 2018- Manchester United

Who knew? Jose Mourinho plays tactical, reactionary football. Manchester United actually have some half-decent players.

And the powers-that-be at Old Trafford are capable of making good decisions — even if they take a painstaking amount of time to do so.

Mourinho reportedly branded Paul Pogba a ‘virus’ towards the end of his reign, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has so far proven to be the antidote to the poisonous atmosphere his predecessor cultivated at the club.

Where Mourinho constantly took his players to task in front of the cameras and fell out with them behind closed doors, Solskjaer has set about rehabilitating their self-belief.

The Norwegian immediately hailed the strength of his squad upon being named United’s interim boss until the end of the season, in a bid to restore some of the confidence that Mourinho had beaten out of the club and its squad.

The Portuguese fell out with a huge number of his players, just as he did in his spell at Real Madrid and second stint with Chelsea.

He questioned Pogba’s commitment and application at club level when given the opportunity to praise his midfielder’s World Cup win with France. Training ground footage of one of their disagreements made for uncomfortable viewing, while Pogba’s

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brother claimed he wanted to leave the club in the summer because of Mourinho.

Anthony Martial — who’s penned a new contract since Mourinho’s departure — was criticised for attending the birth of his son, Ander Herrera was ostracised for inviting an unwelcome guest to United’s Carrington training ground, and Luke Shaw was consistently hammered in public.

Mourinho questioned the mentality of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, and flung his arms out to the stands in exasperation when Marcus Rashford missed a chance.

He even fell out with club captain Antonio Valencia, who United legend Paul Scholes called the ‘nicest man in the world.’

“It’s impossible to fall out with Antonio Valencia,” Scholes insisted.

Saying that a manager has lost the dressing room is something of a cliché, yet it was clearly the case for Mourinho at United.

Stripping Pogba of the vice-captaincy in front of his teammates was a terrible move, as the Frenchman showed at the World Cup what a big influence he can be in the locker room.

Pogba is playing with more freedom in his positioning under Solskjaer, who had him as a youngster with United’s reserve team.

Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera organise the midfield’s defensive responsibilities,

ABOVE (MAIN): Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been a much-needed breath of fresh air at Manchester United ABOVE (LEFT): Solskjaer scored one of the most famous goals in Manchester United’s history in the 1999 Champions League Final LEFT: Jose Mourinho fell out with lots of his players and didn’t look happy in his job as Manchester United manager

leaving a much happier Pogba to support the attack, where his output of goals and assists has increased significantly. It could even be argued that he’s working harder than ever before, and covering more ground in games.

Rashford has also benefitted greatly from Solskjaer’s arrival. The 21-year-old still got plenty of minutes under Mourinho, but rarely played full matches and was shunted out wide to accommodate Romelu Lukaku. Many United fans have always seen Rashford as a central striker, and Solskjaer clearly agrees.

The youngster’s pace and movement are exceptional, and Solskjaer will relish the challenge of improving his finishing. Playing Rashford through the middle gives United real dynamism, especially with further pace surrounding him, and players who can move around the forward positions making it tough for defenders to know who to pick up.

Solskjaer has demanded fluidity from his attack, which is in stark contrast to the rigid structure Mourinho favoured. The new boss also trains offensive phases and patterns of play much more than his predecessor.

There’s a plan to how United attack, rather than the hope one of their forwards produces a moment of magic.

Rashford occupying the central striking role has relegated Lukaku to understudy, mainly limiting his contributions to the cup competitions and coming off the bench late in games. It’s some call from Solskjaer, considering Lukaku cost United an initial £75m from Everton, with add-ons taking the total fee to around £90m.

The interim boss has clearly shown that he’s not concerned with transfer fees, wages or reputations when it comes to team selection. It’s about performances on the pitch, which was often a criticism levelled at Mourinho.

Just look at Alexis Sanchez, United’s biggest earner. Despite failing to produce anything near top form, Mourinho invariably picked the Chilean on the left of his attack.

That reduced Martial and Rashford’s playing time, which was exasperating for United fans wanting to see the exciting duo in the line-up.

With the benefit that neither player has been his own signing, Solskjaer has judged Sanchez and Lukaku on how they’ve performed in the red shirt. More often than not, they’ve both been slow and ponderous in possession, with a tendency to give the ball away.

At least Sanchez works hard, which is more than can be said for Lukaku. However, injecting pace and trickery in the form of Rashford, Martial and Jesse Lingard means United are scaring their opponents once more.

That’s also come through Solskjaer being more concerned with how his team can hurt the opposition, rather than stopping them like Mourinho. United took the game to ‘big six’ opponents in January’s away fixtures at Tottenham and Arsenal — they rarely did that on home soil under Mourinho.

Solskjaer has had an influence off the pitch too. Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant Mike Phelan — who was foolishly jettisoned

by David Moyes — has returned to the club.

That’s one link to United’s former glories, while Ferguson himself has also become much more visible around the team, and Solskjaer has not been shy in seeking his former manager’s advice.

There have been other little touches, such as instructing players to wear club suits to games once again. It won’t exactly have a major influence on what happens on the pitch, but it’s another step in returning to the club’s values. That’s been one of the worst things for fans since Ferguson left.

Some argue he wasn’t afforded enough time, but Moyes was a disaster. Then Louis van Gaal came in and tried to impose his own steadfast philosophy on the club, which suffocated Old Trafford with boredom. Mourinho has his own philosophy on how he wants to play, but it’s the antithesis of what United supporters want.

Fingers have to be pointed at the United hierarchy for his appointment. Yet once in charge, Mourinho was at a loss to change

AND SOLSKJAER HAS WON IT! Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s popularity at Manchester United was borne of his role in Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering late 1990s team, Oli Coates writes…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was renowned as a super-sub during his time at Old Trafford. That was somewhat unfair, as only 17 of his 91 Premier League goals came from bench. He did break the record for goals scored by a Manchester United substitute though, with 28. Four of those came in one game against Nottingham Forest, but one of them stands out above all the others.

After doing the domestic double by sealing the Premier League title and FA Cup in 1999, United stood on the brink of history.

They faced Bayern Munich in the final of the Champions League at Barcelona’s Nou Camp, but were trailing the German giants 1-0 as the game ticked into injury time.

Teddy Sheringham and Solskjaer had both come on as subs, and United were piling on the pressure. Commentator Clive Tyldesley famously asked: “Can Manchester United score? They always score.”

The answer was emphatic, as Sheringham equalised in the 91st minute. The stage was set for Solskjaer to poke in the winner, securing an extraordinary treble and indelibly etching himself into United folklore.

THE CONTENDERS Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s impressive start as Manchester United manager doesn’t guarantee he gets the job permanently. Oli Coates assesses his rivals…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has put himself firmly in the reckoning to be named Manchester United’s next permanent manager. The Norwegian is on loan from Molde, but has already stated he’d love to stay at Old Trafford on a full-time basis. But who are the other names in the frame?

MAURICIO POCHETTINO

The Tottenham Hotspur Coach has said he was in the stands for the 1999 Champions League final, and found himself jumping up and celebrating Solskjaer’s winner. A ploy to endear himself to United fans before potentially taking the reins in the summer?

Perhaps. It’s starting to look like a two-horse race between Pochettino and Solskjaer when it comes to United’s next fulltime boss.

Whether Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will let him go is another matter. It’s the dawn of a new era at Tottenham, with a stunning new stadium to match their emerging status as London’s top club. They need to win trophies though. Losing their manager to United would be a disastrous blow, and Levy won’t let Pochettino go without a major fight.

If United are to prise the Argentine away from Spurs, it’s going to cost them a fortune. The fact he’s never won anything counts against him, but Pochettino has a track record for improving players, bringing through young talent and delivering exciting attacking football.

his style of play, and it usually led to chaos when he tried to appease the fans by opening up and attacking more.

That caused a loss of defensive stability, which saw United plummet down the League. They conceded 28 goals last season, and 29 the season before. This term, United let in 29 in the 17 games Mourinho took charge of.

Solskjaer has tightened things up at the back, while giving his attacking players the freedom to express themselves. Interviews with squad members since Mourinho’s departure are littered with comments praising their newfound liberty, and they’re all enjoying the attacking style of play.

The players will also no doubt appreciate the one-on-one chats with Solskjaer, where he tries to get inside their heads and figure out how to improve their performances.

The results have been clear to see — nine wins from his opening 10 games and improvement in lots of areas. Perhaps most importantly, United supporters are enjoying watching their team again.

That can only help Solskjaer’s chances of landing the manager’s job on a fulltime basis. Mauricio Pochettino has been consistently mooted as the frontrunner, but United’s top brass would be foolish to discount the job their interim boss has done.

His appointment was clearly set out as a temporary deal. The start he’s made has certainly brought Solskjaer into the reckoning though, to the extent that the club are at ease with making the decision on their next manager in the summer.

Where there seemed no chance of him becoming the next permanent manager when he arrived, Solskjaer’s now right in the frame. After delivering the most dramatic moment in Manchester United’s history, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ has brought joy back to Old Trafford once more. He’ll hope for the chance to continue doing that next season.

Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba have both hit top form since Solskjaer took over

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Following a hat-trick of Champions League titles with Real Madrid, there’s no doubt Zidane ticks the trophy box. He also fits the bill when it comes to profile, with his incredible start to life in management complementing his status as one of the finest players of his generation. Or any generation, for that matter.

The Frenchman won’t want to damage his reputation by taking over a club in crisis, which is what United were in the final months of Mourinho’s tenure. However, Solskjaer’s results with the same set of players will have shown Zidane there’s plenty of potential in the United squad.

He wanted Paul Pogba at Real Madrid, and would love to work with his compatriot. Coaching another French talent, Anthony Martial, could also be a draw, while United are one of the few clubs on a similar level to Madrid in terms of worldwide appeal and history. He’d have a freedom regarding team selection and transfers that he wasn’t afforded at Santiago Bernabeu, which led to his departure. Zidane doesn’t speak English though, which would be a concern.

GARETH SOUTHGATE

After his tremendous work with the England national team, Southgate finds himself back in demand. The summer will mark a decade since he’s managed in the Premier League, but leading England to the World Cup semi-finals and inspiring a complete turnaround in the relationship between the Three Lions and the English public cannot be ignored.

Southgate talks a brilliant game, and wants his team to play attractive attacking football. He might be unwilling to leave the project he’s undertaken with England though, as the next European Championship could present the country with their best chance to win a major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. Zidane was a top contender to take the Man U job.

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FEATURE - FA CUP

HISTORY MAKERS

HERALDED AS FOOTBALL’S GREATEST CLUB CUP COMPETITION, THE FA CUP HAS MORE HISTORY BEHIND IT THAN ANY DOMESTIC TROPHY. IAN WATERHOUSE SELECTS THE MOMENTS THAT STICK IN THE MEMORY…

THE BIGGEST-EVER WIN The record for the FA Cup’s biggest-ever win was set in the tournament’s early days, as the all-conquering Preston North End team played Hyde, a club from the Manchester area. The fixture ended 26-0 to Preston, the largest winning margin not only in FA Cup history but also in the history of English football. PNE would also become the first English team to claim the League and Cup double in 1888-89, and did so without losing a match.

The greatest goal ever scored During a 1999 FA Cup semi-final reply between Manchester United and Arsenal, Red Devils winger Ryan Giggs scored what is considered one of the greatest FA Cup goals ever scored, sweeping past a host of opposing defenders to score the ultimate solo goal. It was also the last ever semi-final reply, and set United on their way to an FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League treble.

SHOCKS Anything is possible in the FA Cup and in January 1989, top-flight side Coventry City headed to Surrey to take on non-league Sutton United. Tony Rains and Matthew Hanlan fired in to give the minnows arguably the biggest shock win in FA Cup history, although Hereford Town’s 1972 win over Newcastle is also worthy of mention.

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THE FA CUP ABOVE: Ryan Giggs scoring in 1999 Semi-Final LEFT: Wayne Shaw eating a pie

PIE-GATE Sutton United may have caused one the biggest of all giant-killings but in 2017, they were making the headlines for the wrong reasons. In a fifth-round tie against Arsenal, burly Sutton goalkeeper Wayne Shaw was seen eating a pie after a bookmaker had run a novelty bet prior to the game. Both were punished by the FA. THE CRAZY GANG The likes of future Hollywood star Vinnie Jones and TV presenter John Fashanu made up the Crazy Gang of Wimbledon in the 1980s, and in 1988, the side remarkably reached the final of the FA Cup. Up against the mighty Liverpool, few gave them a chance, but a penalty saved by Dons goalkeeper Dave Beasant inspired the London club to a surprising 1-0 win. It was the first time a penalty had been saved in the FA Cup Final.

TOP AGAINST BOTTOM When Arsenal met Wrexham in the FA Cup in 1992, the entire Football League pyramid stood between them, with the Londoners top of Division One and the Welsh club at the foot of the old Fourth Division.

However, another shock ensued as the Welsh side ran out 2-1 winners to defy the odds, with veteran Mickey Thomas scoring a spectacular free-kick on the way to victory.

WINNERS TO RELEGATION Wigan Athletic shocked the football world by taking down mega-rich Manchester City

ABOVE: Wrexham defeating Arsenal to win the FA Cup in 1992 LEFT: Louis Saha scores 25 seconds into the 2009 Final

to win the 2013 FA Cup Final. Unfortunately, their joy was short lived as the club was also relegated from the Premier League that season and are yet to return, even dropping into League One at one point.

Roberto Martinez’s Latics went one better than Middlesbrough managed in 1997, as the Teeside club also reached the FA Cup Final the same season they were relegated, but lost to Chelsea.

QUICKEST FINAL GOAL Louis Saha scored the fastest goal in an FA Cup Final when he netted for Everton, 25 seconds in to the 2009 Final against Chelsea.

Unfortunately for the Toffees, the London club rallied with goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard to lift the trophy.

RECORD WINNERS When Arsenal won the FA Cup in 2017 it marked a record 13 wins in the competition.

It was also the last major trophy of Arsene Wenger’s reign at the Gunners prior to his exit in the summer of 2018.

THE GREATEST FINAL Liverpool defeated West Ham United 3-1 on penalties during the 2006 FA Cup Final in what is often said to be the greatest Cup Final ever. The Hammers looked to have the cup in the bag before Reds captain Steven Gerrard made it 3-3 in the 91st minute with a long-range drive, before converting a penalty in the shootout to help his side take victory.

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AROUND ENGLAND

“” QUOTES

“The vision is to be challenging at the top of the Premier League and competing at the highest level in European competitions. Ultimately, this means challenging for domestic titles and trophies, not only to win cups, but to win Premier League titles too. It means competing regularly in the Champions League and it means doing all of this in a world-renowned football stadium.” Everton CEO Denis Barrett-Baxendale has high hopes for the club, suggesting the Toffees should be challenging for Premier League title within the next decade.

“When my brother eventually leaves Manchester United he can only go to three teams to improve – City, Real Madrid or Barca. He will not go to City, so he will come to Spain, either to Barca or Real Madrid.” - Paul Pogba’s brother Florentin has revealed the only two clubs Paul would leave United for. Paul Pogba has been linked to a move in Spain since his time with Juventus, so it won’t be a surprise to see the Frenchman make a move to La Liga in the future.

I REMEMBER YOU

Referee Jon Moss sent James Milner off during Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace. There’s nothing out of the ordinary when a referee gives a player their marching orders, except in this case. It turns out that Jon Moss and James Milner have a history that extends far beyond their Premier League days. The pair have known each other for a long time, as it was revealed that Jon Moss was Milner’s PE teacher at primary school. A photo emerged on social media showing Moss in his role as coach of the school team with Milner as his captain.

feels a responsibility to help fulfill dreams as Liverpool aim to win their first league title in 29 years.

“I think I could have gone in at the time.

They needed someone to rest the ship, I think I could have done that. Brucie (Steve Bruce) could have done it, Mark Hughes could have done it.” - Talking to BT Sport, Paul Ince claimed he, Steve Bruce or Mark Hughes could have managed the same amount of success as Solskjaer has.

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Crystal Palace have launched a new initiative that will see the Londonbased club turn their facilities into a homeless shelter.

They are the first football club to take steps towards helping with the homeless in London. Crystal Palace have teamed up with Croydon Council to open their doors and tackle homelessness. As part of their agreement with the council, Crystal Palace will open one of the lounges at their stadium, Selhurst Park, when temperatures drop below freezing. On offer are 10 camp beds, a hot evening meal, breakfast and washing facilities.

NOW THAT’S A FAN

THE NEW BOSS?

Someone at Sky Sports thought they had spotted Borussia Dortmund under-23s coach Jan Siewert, who was linked with the vacant managerial position at Huddersfield, in the stands. However, when the reporter made his way to speak with the man, he soon realized it wasn’t Jan, it was just a look-a-like, leaving the reporter embarrassed from the encounter. The following day, Huddersfield announced Jan Siewert as their new manager with a brilliant video starring the fan who was wrongly identified by Sky Sports. The video shows this fan, Martin from Wakefield, sitting at the manager’s desk answering the phone saying he’s the new head coach as announced on Sky before the actual new boss enters.

DREAM BIG

In what is a fascinating and quite incredible journey into football, a YouTuber made his League Two debut with Northampton Town. Scott Pollock, used to play on a team of friends from school and university with popular YouTuber Spencer Owen or Spencer FC. The team, called Hashtag United, later became a collection of YouTube personalities who would play eleven-a-side games and upload them to YouTube for subscribers to watch. As the club became more and more popular, Hashtag United decided to join Non-League, entering in the tenth tier of English football. Scott Pollock is Hashtag United’s biggest success story at the moment as he recently made his debut for fourth tier Northampton Town in League Two.

CAREFUL NOW “I don't dream in the job. I am working to be honest! Our job is to fulfill dreams.

Not our own ones. Maybe the boys have one. I am not a big dreamer. I am still a happy person." - Jurgen Klopp says he

HOMELESS AT PALACE

Charlton footballer Krystian Bielik was bizarrely injured by a fan during a last-minute winner goal celebration.

During their match against Accrington Stanley in League One, Charlton scored a stoppage time winner. Some fans could not contain their emotions and ended up on the pitch with the team as they celebrated the goal.

Unfortunately for Bielik, he was taken out by a fan who slipped. Continuing with bizarre injuries, Claudio Ranieri revealed that Fulham defender Alfie Mawson injured himself by simply putting on his boots. A freak injury for sure, but what makes it even more crazy, is that he ended up requiring surgery as well.

COLD GROUND

In what is being described as the latest in pitch warming technology, Scottish club Cowdenbeath tried to unfreeze their pitch by driving a car onto the ground to get some heat on it. To no surprise whatsoever, it did not work.

The League Two side from Scotland were drawn against Rangers in the Scottish Cup, and after having their first encounter postponed because of a frozen pitch, they did not want the same thing to happen again. Unfortunately for Cowdenbeath the match was called off again.

Liverpool fan Bernard Sheridan has watched the Reds play since 1923 and for his 104th birthday, he received a signed letter from Klopp alongside a personalized shirt, tickets to the match against Crystal Palace and a birthday cake. Bernard did not attend the match alone at Anfield as his seven grandchildren and fourteen greatgrandchildren, along with his sons attended the match with him. One of his sons went all the way from Canada to be there. Bernard said he fell in love with Liverpool when he was eight-years-old after visiting Anfield for the first time with his uncle.

START ‘EM YOUNG

A family based in London are willing to pay a $96,000 annual salary to anyone who can help turn their sons into professional footballers.

The family posted a job advertisement on-line where they listed some things they are looking for, including three ‘two-hour after school sessions’ and an intensive three-week camp in the summer.

The job ad claims that both sons are incredibly talented, even at 8 and 10 years old. Now, they’re not looking for just a coach, this person needs to have childcare experience as well in order to fulfill the role of a usual nanny.

LEEDS LEAD POLL

DID YOU

KNOW?

• Jorginho is the first player to give more than 1900 passes without registering an assist.

• The 3-3 draw between Barnet and Brentford was the highest scoring draw in the FA Cup involving a nonleague side and a side from the top two tiers since 1926.

• It took Andros

In an online poll conducted by Townsend seven games SPORTbible, Leeds United fans to score his were voted the angriest in English first career football, beating Manchester goal against United, Arsenal and Liverpool. his former club Over 10,000 votes were casted Tottenham. and with 36 percent of the vote, the Championship side came out on top. Liverpool were second with 29 percent, while Manchester United and Arsenal polled at 18 and 17 percent respectively. Given that nine Leeds United fans were banned last season and 61 were arrested, perhaps it’s no surprise to see them voted angriest fans in English football.

BY THE NUMBERS 50 Willian has scored over 50 goals for Chelsea in all competitions.

6 Arsenal have lost 6 matches at the Emirates against Manchester United.

36 Since Pochettino took over as Spurs manager, Harry Kane has scored around 36% of Tottenham’s total goals.

4 Tottenham have scored 4 Premier League own goals against Fulham.

JUAN NICE GUY

COCOA KAKA ?

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata promised to show up to a training session of the Wythenshawe Town under-12s after hearing about one of the players losing his dad before Christmas. Well, Mata made good on that promise as the Spaniard showed up to training. He also presented the young footballer with a jersey before spending 45 minutes participating in the training session. With acts like this, Juan Mata continues to grow his reputation for being one of football’s nicest guys. A couple of years ago, Mata co-founded an initiative called ‘Common Goal’, where he and other footballers have signed up and pledged to donate at least one percent of their wages to charity.

ALL’S FAIR IN SOCCER

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa made headlines across English football after he was caught sending a member of his staff to spy on a Derby County training session the day before the two clubs faced off against each other.

Naturally, when the manager called a press conference, many thought it would be the end of his time as Leeds United manager. However, during the conference, Bielsa admitted that he sent a member of his staff to watch every team they have played train. The English Football League have opened an investigation into Bielsa, and a reported 11 clubs have filed a complaint to the league. Now, there are no rules against what he’s done, but is it morally right?

LEVIPOOL FC

Levi’s is teaming up with Liverpool FC to help young people break into the music industry. Rapper Loyle Carner, a Mercury Prize nominated artist, is the new mentor for Levi’s Music Project and has chosen Liverpool as its latest destination and is partnering with LFC. Levi’s Music Project aims to help give young people access to community resources and experiences with industry-leading musicians.

Chocolate makers Cadbury released a limited edition, one of a kind ‘football pitch’ chocolate bar. As part of the company’s sponsorship deal with the Premier League, Cadbury have released a number of new branded products, including trophy shaped chocolate. Cadbury also released a footballthemed calendar for the festive period. The Premier League themed chocolate bars appear to be exclusive to the UK, but if you find yourself there sometime soon, you can purchase one for just £1.50.

SPUR THEM ON

Tottenham's new stadium might not be ready by the end of the season. Spurs, like last season, have been playing their home games at Wembley and players and fans alike must be itching to officially move in to their new home. Tottenham are set to make their first appearance there in mid-March or beginning of April. Should the stadium not be completed by the beginning of April, the league may force Tottenham to finish the season at Wembley.

MUST SCORE GOALS

Stoke City took an unorthodox approach to the winter transfer market by posting job advertisements. Using the DB Sports Agency jobs page, usually reserved for coaches and physios, Stoke City are looking to find three players. The Championship side were in the market for a centre back, a winger and a striker. The club listed Championship or equivalent experience as mandatory, but were hoping to attract some players who have experience playing in the Champions League or Europa League or someone who played at international level.

SALAH DANCE

NEW JOB

Mohamed Salah, perhaps unsurprisingly, has won the African Player of the Year award for the second straight year. Salah finished last season with a record-breaking 44 goals for Liverpool, winning the Premier League Golden Boot. He was also instrumental in helping Liverpool reach the Champions League final and led his country Egypt to their first World Cup appearance since 1990. Salah celebrated the award by dancing with his teammate Sadio Mane on stage during the award show in Senegal.

Legendary commentator and the current voice of the FIFA video game franchise, Martin Tyler, took a break from commentating football matches to help out on the dugout. Martin Tyler swapped the commentary box for the dugout in Woking’s FA Cup tie against Watford, after volunteering as the club’s assistant manager, despite having no coaching badges. The 73-year-old has been a supporter of Woking since he was eight years old, so he couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this. Watford went on to win the match 2-0.

BLINDING IDEA

Clothing brand Kent & Curwen, co-owned

by David Beckham has revealed a Peaky Blinders collaboration range. Their latest collection includes a number of items inspired by the hit BBC show, including flat caps, sharp tailoring and frock coats. The range is named ‘The Garrison Tailors’, a nod to the infamous Shelby family boozer from the show. The line launched at London Fashion Week, where Beckham attended with his family. For all you fans of the show, season five is expected to debut in the spring or summer of 2019.

FACE PLANT

Manchester United defender Phil Jones suffered a friction burn on his forehead after face planting on the Old Trafford turf during the FA Cup match against Reading. In the first half, the 26-year-old face-planted on the turf as he challenged for the ball near the touchline, leading to many fans making memes out of it. Hours after the match, Manchester United posted a squad photo on social media as the team prepared for their flight to Dubai.

In the image, one could clearly see the friction burn Jones had suffered.

MISS CONGENIALITY

One football fan lost out on £855 after Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic missed a penalty during their FA Cup loss to League Two side Oldham Athletic. After the penalty miss, the fan took to Instagram posting a picture of his unfortunate betting loss, and while he probably did not expect Mitrovic to respond, the Serbian did.

Responding to the fans post thanking Mitrovic for the miss, the striker wrote, “No problem mate” accompanied by a thumbs up emoji.

BUS PASS

Blackpool fans are not happy with their current ownership and have been protesting against the Oyston family for a long time. One fan, however, went to extraordinary measures to try and get his message across. Ahead of Arsenal’s visit for the FA Cup, one fan somehow managed to get on top of the Gunners’ team bus outside the hotel and refused to get off. His refusal to get down led to a second coach arriving to collect the Arsenal players. Fans have been protesting the owner with ‘Oyston Out’ scarves on sale outside the stadium and by boycotting games. Their New Year’s Day clash against Sunderland had close to 11,000 in attendance and that was because Sunderland brought 7800 traveling fans.

GET OFF

Following the final whistle of Manchester City’s victory over Liverpool in the Premier League, Benjamin Mendy ran onto the pitch to celebrate with his teammates.

However, he was flanked by two stewards who thought he was a pitch invader. The stewards chased him until they realized it was Mendy they were chasing.

WALK ALONE

A lot of English football fans are not happy to see Liverpool doing well and in the title race, so some of them took to twitter to express their dislike of the club. Thus, hashtag #AnyoneButLiverpool emerged and it soon went viral. Fans from a number of teams are coming together because they really don’t want Liverpool to win the league, supporting any club facing off against the Reds even if it’s not their own.

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AROUND ENGLAND MASCOT RIP OFF

“For me I think it’s a good idea to delay.

If we don’t have all the information or don’t know how it will work and don’t work to develop better the system, it’s better to stop for one year more.

That’s my opinion if people ask me.” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino believes the implementation of VAR in the Premier League should be delayed as he believes English fans will be even more frustrated by it than those in other leagues.

“I’m not unhappy about Mendy, I’m not here to change his mentality. His way, the way he is, it is what it is. When we bought him, we knew it. When we talk about the training sessions, being focused, always he’s perfect. But he’s active in the social media. We tried to convince him but I’m not his father.” Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Benjamin Mendy can be one of the best full-backs in the world but he needs to focus on his football.

“Eden is 28. If he wants to go, I think he has to go. Of course, I hope the opposite, I hope he wants to stay here. He has the potential to be the best player in Europe at the moment” - Maurizio Sarri has said Eden Hazard is free to leave the club if he wants to, but is hoping he stays. It will be an interesting summer for Hazard, who is heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

“When I rang the owner and said that United had called and that he always knew that this had been my dream, he said: 'Go over, enjoy yourself - and please don't come back.' Both owners wished me all the best because they knew this is something I dreamed about. To get the backing from them was fantastic. If I go back to Molde, I will do my best for them – but it depends when I go back - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that his former/current side, Molde, don’t want him back. Solskjaer was managing Molde when Manchester United approached him.

They paid a fee for him to join them until the end of the season, and will have to pay even more if they want to keep him beyond then.

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DID YOU

There are some reports that revealed West Ham United charge £700 for young fans to be a mascot at the London Stadium. That is a crazy amount of money! And they are not the only Premier League club asking for a large amount of money. Leicester City, Tottenham, Wolverhampton, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Fulham charge £300 or more. How times have changed…

In the past, being a mascot was a reward for loyalty or awarded to local teams. Now, not all clubs charge money.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Huddersfield, Liverpool, both Manchester clubs, Newcastle and Southampton offer a free service to be a mascot.

TV TIMES ARE A’CHANGING

With the current Premier League TV deal expiring at the end of this season, the league’s chiefs were looking to change up the fixture times for the new deal. Following the meeting, it was decided that there will be games kicking off at 7:45pm local time (2:45pm EST) on Saturday night starting in the 2019/2020 season. Apart from the extra TV revenue it will bring, the league is also looking to compete against some popular Saturday night programmes on UK television, including Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor.

THE BEST MAN?

Andy Carroll had a busy Saturday, as following West Ham’s match against Southampton, he went straight to his fiancé’s sister’s wedding. He had no time to change though, as he showed up to the wedding wearing his West Ham tracksuit.

Carroll’s fiancé, Billi Mucklow, shared a photo of the two with the happy couple at the ceremony to Instagram, and fans of course had some fun with the post, trolling the big man for not wearing proper wedding attire.

BLUE CHRISTIAN

Chelsea have agreed terms with Borussia Dortmund over the permanent transfer of Christian Pulisic. The American youngster will join the Blues for the 2019/20 season for a reported fee of €64 million, and will spend the rest of the campaign on loan with Dortmund.

The U.S. international is regarded as one of, if not the best, American talent at the moment and is no doubt looking forward to starting this new adventure in the Premier League. Pulisic moved to Germany as a teenager and has made over 80 appearances for Dortmund, but late last year he admitted to wanting to play in England, even refusing to sign a contract extension.

SUPER AI

Following the first half of the season, a super computer predicted the final EPL table... and its good news for Liverpool fans. Statisticians at Football Web Pages crunched data to calculate the most likely results for the remaining fixtures. The computer predicted Liverpool to win the Premier League with a whopping 106 points, ahead of defending champions Manchester City. Their prediction also has Tottenham and Chelsea securing Champions League football ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United. The final league table has some surprising results, including a 15-point gap between third and fourth as well as Huddersfield finishing bottom of the table with just 14 points. Joining Huddersfield in the Championship next season, according to the computer, are Fulham and Burnley.

KNOW?

BROKE IN TURKEY

Former Sunderland player Asamoah Gyan claims that he’s broke and only has a few hundred dollars left in his bank account. The 33-year-old was reportedly earning £227,000-a-week at Shanghai SIPG between 2015 and 2017. Now, Gyan finds himself playing in Turkey with Kayserispor, but has apparently not been getting paid. If true, this is a good lesson for any youngsters out there. In the future, when you’re making your millions playing football, don’t spend all your money at once. Open a savings account and invest it well.

THE REST IS HISTORY

• West Ham United conceded four goals in an FA Cup match against a side from the third tier or lower for the first time since 1936.

• Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have won their three home FA Cup matches by an aggregate score of 16-2.

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored on his Arsenal debut in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup. • Manchester City are the first team across the top five European leagues to score 100 goals in all competitions this season.

An incredible story has emerged regarding Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and a 24-year-old waiter.

Former player turned waiter Davide Lorenzo was serving Srivaddhanaprbha in a restaurant in Nice, France where the pair began chatting about football. The 24-year-old spoke of his time at Juventus as a youth player before being released and later struggling to find a permanent club in various countries. Following their discussion, Vichai asked Davide if he would be interested in playing in Thailand or Belgium, where Leicester’s sister clubs are based. Vichai even arranged for the 24-year-old to have a trial at Leicester City so coaches could assess his level of play. Davide took the opportunity and was offered a short-term deal to play with Leicester’s under-23 team, his current club.

JORDAN CLAUSE

Jordan Henderson organized and paid for three Christmas parties for underprivileged and disabled kids in Liverpool.

A club employee revealed the story of how Henderson threw three parties on social media. Henderson organized the parties in one of the lounges at Anfield providing food, entertainment and even brought Lallana along with him to meet everyone and sign autographs and take photos. On top of all that, Henderson even bought each kid a present, including iPads for the older kids. Beautiful gesture by the Liverpool captain giving back to the community and strengthening the bond between the club and city.

WATCHING YOU WATCHING ME

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum caught a man tweeting about him on a flight. Wijnaldum shared a short Instagram story where he secretly filmed the man as he tweeted about being “99% sure” that the Dutch footballer was sitting in the row behind him.

The tweet was then published with the author completely unaware that he had already gone viral. The pair later met up at the arrivals hall after landing and snapped a photo together.

KAMARA CREW

BY THE NUMBERS

Fulham forward Aboubakar Kamara has been banished by the Premier League club after he was arrested for an incident at their training ground. According to reports, Kamara was involved in a fight with a member of staff at Fulham. The club confirmed the reports stating that the subject who was arrested is banned indefinitely from all club activities.

London police released a statement saying that officers were called to Fulham’s training ground after reports of a fight, and that a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

NEW SOX

220 Since his debut with Real Madrid, Gonzalo Higuain has scored over 220 goals in the top five European leagues.

799 Connor Liverpool CEO Peter Moore has Wickham ended revealed that owners Fenway a 799 day goal Sports Group are open to drought after selling a minority share of the scoring against club. The ownership group, Tottenham in the who also owns Major League FA Cup. Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, have continually insisted that the club is not for sale, and are only interested in selling a minority share. Fenway Sports Group purchased Liverpool back in October 2010 for £300 million. In other news, Peter Moore also said that the club will be entertaining offers from kit suppliers as its deal with New Balance is set to expire in the summer of 2020.

KIDS BENCHED

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West Ham United have been fined £100,000 by the Football Association after fans ran on the pitch to confront players during a match last season against Burnley. The incident occurred during West Ham’s 3-0 loss to Burnley, where captain Mark Noble had to shove a man to the ground. Luckily for the Hammers, they avoided a stadium closure or points deduction following the ruling. In a statement released by the FA, West Ham United were fined for failing to ensure that its spectators conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. With West Ham fans upset with the club board, the situation escalated, resulting in Burnley inviting children to sit on their bench, while 23 people were banned as a result of the trouble.

REDS IN BLACK

UEFA are predicting that Liverpool will become the first football club to post pre-tax profits exceeding €100 million in their 2017/18 financial accounts. The governing body believe that Liverpool will break the record set by Leicester City in 2017, when they posted net profits of €98 million for the season after they won the Premier League title. With the sale of Philippe Coutinho for €161 million and the €81 million for reaching the Champions League final last season, Liverpool are expected to surpass the amount set by Leicester.

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MAKE YOUR MIND UP

Maxim Demin, the majority shareholder of Bournemouth, has retaken full control of the club after buying back a 25 percent stake he sold to a US equity firm. The Russian businessman initially acquired a 50 percent stake in the club back in 2011, before taking full control two years later. Maxim, would later sell a minority stake of the club to a Chicago-based investment company and then repurchased it.

TOO MUCH VIDEO

TEAM FOR SALE

Chief Executive of Liverpool, Peter Moore, has admitted that football must embrace new technologies in order to avoid losing younger fans to things like video games.

Moore fears that younger fans are no longer happy to sit and watch full 90-minute games, citing viewing and attendance figures of millennial males as a cause for concern. He argues that in order to compete, clubs need to find different routes to millennial audiences through content that have a lifespan beyond the 90 minutes of a football match, perhaps by packaging content in bites of 60 to 90 seconds to keep their engagement.

Majority shareholder of Huddersfield Town, Dean Hoyle, is looking to sell the club according to reports from the UK. Hoyle was a member of the club’s board back in 2008 before becoming the majority owner a year later, when he replaced Ken Davy. It is believed that the club could draw in bids of close to $105 million, with Hoyle having announced plans for the redevelopment of the team’s training facilities for $26.2 million.

Dean Hoyle has overseen the most successful period in the club’s recent history, leading Huddersfield to the Premier League for the first time since 1972.

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AROUND ENGLAND SALFORD STAKES

“The frustration level must be very high for Emery, as in only his second transfer window as Arsenal manager he was told he cannot sign anybody. If you sack Arsene Wenger and then say to the guy who replaces him ‘you have no money to spend on new players’, I would ask: what was the point of sacking Wenger in the first place?” - Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes there is no excuse for Arsenal’s lack of spending in the January transfer window.

“Klopp is used to winning goals offside. He beat me against Malaga with Borussia Dortmund with a goal seven metres offside so he cannot complain about nothing.” - West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini aimed a jibe at Jurgen Klopp saying the Liverpool boss is used to offside goals following Liverpool’s controversial goal against West Ham.

“It's still there, it hurts me because it wasn't just my fault. I didn't leave for no reason. I didn't go to Arsene Wenger and say 'today I want to leave' - there was more to it. It happens in football and I see it happen to a lot of other players. It's life. I moved on and they moved on, but I do feel sometimes a bit sad because it was my club and I played there since I was nine. To have that ill-feeling from the fans still is hard sometimes.” - Ashley Cole says he is still affected by the backlash which surrounded his move from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2006.

“When you're on the pitch there's more expectation on your shoulders too, people see you playing at a World Cup and want to see you follow that up. My performances get more analysis and there's more scrutiny if I do make a mistake - but it's something I feel like I can deal with.” - Harry Maguire opens up on how life has changed since becoming a household name after last summer’s World Cup.

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David Beckham is the latest exManchester United player to invest in English fifth-tier side Salford City.

The English icon has taken a ten percent stake in the club, subject to approval, alongside former teammates Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil. The players, known collectively as the ‘Class of 92’, own a controlling 60 percent stake in the club with Singapore businessman and Valencia owner Peter Lim owning the remaining 40 percent. Salford have won three promotions in four years and are just one step away from the fully professional Football League.

TRADING CARDS AGAIN

Panini Group have announced a new partnership with the Premier League for the official release of a 2019/20 season sticker album. That’s right, the famous sticker album will be available for the Premier League starting next season. The last time Panini stickers and trading cards were available for the Premier League was back in the 1992/93 season.

The agreement includes trading cards, stickers and digital copies.

ANTI PIRATES

The Premier League have their first international office in Singapore to help in the fight against piracy and support its broadcast partners in the Asia-Pacific region. The office is located in Tanjong Pagar and began operations in mid-January. The new office marks a continuation of the Premier League’s anti-piracy efforts in Asia, where they have taken action against illegal apps in Singapore and worked with Thai officials to support raids on suppliers of illicit streaming devices.

MADE IN CHINA

Manchester United have plans to open a series of club-themed entertainment and experience centres across China, as part of a collaborative agreement with a Chinese property developer. The first facilities are scheduled to open in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang by the end of 2020 as the club looks to capitalize on their popularity in China. Each venue will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology to create interactive and immersive experiences for fans and house restaurants and a club retail store.

8 Chelsea have reached the League Cup final for the 8th time 10 Kevin De Bruyne has scored 10+ goals from outside the box in all competitions since the beginning of last season.

1000 Liverpool have scored over 1000 goals at Anfield in the Premier League.

LION'S SHARE

The Deloitte soccer rich list has come out, and it’s no surprise that the top ten is dominated by Premier League clubs. The list looks at the world’s highest earning soccer clubs during the 2017/18 season, and while Real Madrid and Barcelona sit in the top two spots, there are six Premier League clubs in the top ten. Alongside Manchester United, who sit third on the list, Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all feature in the top ten. While Everton, West Ham and Newcastle find themselves in the top twenty.

According to Deloitte, the top 20 earning clubs worldwide generated a record €8.3 billion, a six percent increase from the previous year.

BY THE NUMBERS

JUST BUY A TV

11 David de Gea made 11 saves for Manchester United in their match against Tottenham.

The last time Liverpool won the 5374 It took Premier League was 29 years Mohamed Salah ago and given how this current 5374 minutes to season is playing out, many fans reach 50 Premier are getting excited. In fact, tickets League goals, for Liverpool’s final day clash only Alan Shearer against Wolverhampton are on managed to do it sale for insane prices on a resale quicker. site. The game scheduled for May 1000 Ben Foster 12 at Anfield is still a long way has made over away, and by then Liverpool may 1000 saves in the be out of the title race. However, Premier League. resale sites are looking to cash in on the occasion. A Madrid based website have 212 tickets available in different stands and blocks in Anfield, with the cheapest offered at £1100. The most expensive listed are a pair of tickets in the lower tier available for £5950 each.

CAN’T STAND IT

Wolverhampton are the first Premier League team to install safe standing.

The Molineux will have three different safestanding options in an unused section of one of their stands. A mix of rail seats, new seats with separate barriers and barriers in front of existing seats will be installed. The club are hoping to show the Local Advisory Group how the area will work once the rule on persistent standing during a match is abolished.

CHELSEA INCREASE

Chelsea have revealed a record profit and turnover for year ending June 30, 2018. The London’s club return to the Champions League helped their turnover figure grow by 22.7 percent to £443.4 million, which saw the Blues achieve a record-high annual profit of £62 million.

The club benefited from a profit on player sales, but the majority of their financial growth was fueled by an increase in broadcasting revenues. Chelsea also enjoyed an increase in their commercial activities, thanks to many partnership deals, and in match-day revenues.

TV PRESSURE

Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard was a guest on Soccer AM, a weekly football-based comedy/talk show, where he had the opportunity to earn some cash, £500, for a group of Wimbledon fans. All he had to do was score a penalty.

Seems easy enough. But, the Englishman failed to score, leaving the Wimbledon fans in disbelief. Lingard however, made up for it later, off-air, by handing each fan £100 £600 in total.

TOO MUCH MICHY

Michy Batshuayi was made available for loan by his parent club Chelsea after terminating his loan contract at Valencia, where he only scored one goal. A few clubs were interested in acquiring his services, with West Ham and Real Betis among those expressing a desire to bring him in. Given their injury problems, especially with Harry Kane sidelined, Tottenham were keen on bringing in a striker and were looking at Batshuayi.

However, Chelsea refused to loan him to Spurs by demanding a hefty £8 million loan fee. That is four times higher than what they wanted from other interested clubs. Batshuayi would eventually sign for Crystal Palace on deadline day.

SNOW FAIR

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was accused of ordering his ground staff to only sweep away snow from his side’s attacking end of the pitch at halftime against Leicester City. Whether he did it or not, it made no difference at the end, as the match finished level, with no goals scored in the second half. Klopp responded to the accusations stating that he did not make any such orders and that they were just understaffed. What do you guys think, are things like this part of home field advantage or is it just bad sportsmanship?

UNDER THE TABLE

A GAME CHANGER - THE ALL NEW

2019 NISSAN KICKS

According to reports, Chelsea may face a transfer ban if FIFA find them guilty of breaking regulations in regards to having more than 100 foreign players under the age of 18. The alleged rule they have broken relates to bringing in players under 18 from other countries, which prevents overseas players under the age of 18 from moving to a new country unless their parents have emigrated for non-footballing reasons, or if the player and club are based within 50km of a national border. The investigation initially dealt with 25 deals, but further digging has opened out to include more than 100 youngsters registered at the club’s academy. At the centre of the case is the signing of Bertrand Traore back in 2014, who played a number of youth team games when he was 16. There are claims that Chelsea paid £154,000 to the player’s mother and a further £13,000 to his former club in Burkina Faso.

JOSE'S RUSSIAN TRIP

Jose Mourinho fell flat on his backside after opening ice hockey match in Russia. The former Manchester United manager was invited as a special guest for a match in the Russian hockey league to drop the ceremonial first puck. Mourinho lost his balance on the red DID YOU carpet and fell, and was then helped up by one of the players. Unfortunately for Mourinho, this was not the first • For the first time he fell in public. Back in time, ManSeptember, the Portuguese fell chester City flat on his face after trying to make a quick exit from England’s UEFA have reached Nations League defeat to Spain. consecutive

KNOW?

TALL ORDERS

Peter Crouch has returned to the Premier League following an eight-month absence after signing with Burnley on deadline day. The decision to sign the 38-year-old was met with delight amongst the Burnley faithful, as some fans posted a ‘Mind Your Head’ sign on a bridge.

Along with the cheeky sign, a Burnley based butcher shop have started producing a sausage in Crouch’s honour, to be served on matchdays. Crouchie’s Red Hot Robot is set to be enjoyed by customers in homage to the striker’s famous celebration.

HARRY AND TOM

Tottenham striker Harry Kane managed to get his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the New England Patriots defeated the LA Rams in the SuperBowl 53 showdown. Harry Kane, who is a huge Patriots fan, travelled to the US to attend the big match.

While there, Kane met the likes of Tom Brady and Julien Edelman. Of course, posts on Twitter are not immune to banter, with some fans suggesting he had gone to extreme lengths just to finally get his hands on some silverware.

SOCCER DULLS THE BRAIN

MOVE TO YOUR OWN BEAT

League Cup finals.

• Fulham are the first team since QPR in 2014/15 to lose seven London derbies in a single season.

• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the first ever Manchester United manager to win their first six league games in charge of the club.

• Crystal Palace are the first away side to score more than once at Anfield in the Premier League this season.

• Diogo Jota is the first Wolverhampton player to score a hat-trick in the top flight since John Richards in 1977.

A new study shows that that students in the United Kingdom who write their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams in the same year as a football tournament tend to underperform. Between the World Cup and European Championships, there’s international football every two years and football fans struggle to focus on anything else during that period of time. Research conducted by Robert Metcalfe, Simon Burgess and Steven Proud compared GSCE results in the 2000s for all teenagers in England in tournament years to ones where there was none. They concluded that the chances of achieving a passing grade fell by 12 percent during a tournament year, proving a negative effect football has on exam performance.

INNOVATION THAT LOOKS OUT FOR YOU

THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY

THE GOOD

Imperious veteran forward Fabio Quagliarella hit the headlines in January after matching Gabriel Batistuta’s record for scoring in 11 consecutive games in Italy’s top flight.

The Argentine’s haul was set in 1994 and Quagliarella, at the tender age of 36, had the chance to go one better and solely claim the achievement against his boyhood club Napoli. The ex-Partenopei man unfortunately failed to net in what was a routine 3-0 win for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but Quagliarella was soon rewarded with a place in Roberto Mancini’s national setup.

As of February, only Cristiano Ronaldo had registered more goals and Quagliarella truly deserves the opportunity to lead the Italy frontline, particularly with Mario Balotelli, Andrea Belotti and Ciro Immobile all flattering to deceive for various reasons.

Balotelli saw a summer move to Marseille fail to materialise and spent the first half of the campaign with Nice, failing to score

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from 10 appearances and the downturn in his performances did not go unnoticed with Mancini. Meanwhile, Belotti has shown flashes of the ability which attracted the attention of a host of Europe’s biggest clubs two years ago, but is still short of the desired level. Immobile will probably finish the domestic season with 20+ strikes for club side Lazio, but has never replicated his goalscoring exploits on the international scene and is running out of chances to prove his worth for the four-time World Cup winners.

Meanwhile, Moise Kean and Patrick Cutrone represent the starlets hoping to break through but have seen their game time limited by Cristiano Ronaldo and Krzysztof Piątek. With Euro 2020 fast approaching, Mancini has already intimated he would take the Sampdoria attacker to the tournament provided he is fit and firing, and few would bet against Quagliarella to make the final squad if he continues to maintain his stunning form through on goal.

BELOW (BIG): Fabio Quagliarella BOTTOM LEFT: Radja Nainggolan LEFT: El Shaarawy

OPPOSITE PAGE, MIDDLE TOP: Gian Piero Gasperini OPPOSITE PAGE, MIDDLE BOTTOM: Luciano Spalletti

THE BAD

Inter bought Radja Nainggolan in June 2018 for a fee in the region of €21m from rivals Roma. The midfielder was the driving force in the Lupi side for five years and there was an initial reluctance on the player’s part to make the switch such was the emotional bond he shared with the natives.

While Nainggolan moved to the Milan giants, Davide Santon and youth prospect Nicolo Zaniolo went the other way as sweeteners in what most neutrals consider one of the biggest coups in recent years.

Santon has been a dependant presence at both left and right-back when called upon, but in Zaniolo, Roma captured Italy’s most promising youngster.

The 19-year-old quickly broke in to the Giallorossi’s starting line-up, starring alongside Cengiz Under as the inexperienced duo performed admirably while their more experienced teammates suffered. Zaniolo’s form has not gone unnoticed with Arsenal and champions Juventus reportedly keen and the elegant playmaker is destined for the very top.

In contrast, Nainggolan’s first season at Giuseppe Meazza has been an absolute disaster, with the Belgian disciplined in December for his timekeeping and alleged late night partying. Ninja, as he is affectionately known, has also missed substantial chunks of the campaign through injury and only registered two goals by the end of January.

The most recent blow came against Lazio in the Coppa Italia, with the former Roma man firstly subjected to jeers from the travelling fans, then laughter as his missed penalty was subsequently followed up by Lucas Leiva who put the Biancocelesti through.

Nainggolan has been one of the disappointments of the campaign, but the glare should be firmly placed on the powers that be at Inter who continue to fluff their lines in the transfer market, and gifting Zaniolo for free is the latest in a long line of mistakes from the Nerazzurri.

THE UGLY

Following a summer of mass recruitment, the expectation was Roma would comfortably finish in the Champions League places in May 2019. The Lupi had acquired the services of Javier Pastore, Justin Kluivert, Nicolo Zaniolo and Steven Nzonzi, to link up with the likes of Kostas Manolas, Daniele De Rossi and Edin Dzeko, the heartbeat of the side that fell agonisingly short of a European final last year.

Roma started the League campaign with a victory, triumphing 1-0 away at Torino, before experiencing a run of just three wins from their next 10 fixtures. This pattern of results has continued throughout the season, with Eusebio Di Francesco’s men not only struggling for consistency, but also leaking a significant number of goals, as confirmed by one damning statistic.

In the whole of the 2018-19 League campaign, the Giallorossi only shipped 28 goals, a tally that was reached at the end of January following the enthralling 3-3 draw with Atalanta. Di Francesco’s team raced in to a three-goal advantage, but, in keeping with their erratic displays across the term, could only come away with a share of the spoils after a remarkable Dea fightback.

It went from bad to worse three days later in the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final with Fiorentina, as the Viola thrashed their capital opponents 7-1 on the night.

Roma, who were virtually at full strength for the contest, continue to leak goals at an alarming rate and may miss out on European football altogether, particularly with surprise package Atalanta and Sampdoria flying high.

With just two months of football remaining, the Lupi will hope they have enough experience and knowhow to get over the line with defensive reinforcements surely top of Sporting Director Monchi’s shopping list in June.

Going UP Going DOWN

STATS SO FAR AS OF MATCH 24 Christiano Ronaldo

TOP SCORERS PLAYER TEAM G Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus 19 Krzysztof Piatek Genoa/Milan 17 Duván Zapata Atalanta 16 Fabio Quagliarella Sampdoria 16 Arkadiusz Milik Napoli 12 Ciro Immobile Lazio 11 Francesco Caputo Empoli 11 Andrea Petagna SPAL 9 Leonardo Pavoletti Cagliari 9 Mauro Icardi Inter 9

TOP ASSISTS GOING UP

Atalanta Coach Gian Piero Gasperini had an ill-fated spell with Inter in 2011 but has impressively turned his career round in Bergamo.

Gasperini’s side emphatically knocked Juventus out of the Coppa Italia in January in what was the Bianconeri’s first domestic defeat of the campaign and the veteran is fully deserving of the praise coming his way.

GOING DOWN

Inter were expected to tussle it out with Napoli to be Juventus’ runners-up, but have gradually slipped down the table, with Coach Luciano Spalletti coming under intense scrutiny since the turn of the year. Barring a sudden upturn in performances and results, Spalletti is unlikely to be in charge of Inter for the 2019-20 season.

PLAYER Cristiano Ronaldo Suso Alejandro Gómez Dries Mertens Manuel Lazzari Fabio Quagliarella José Callejón Cengiz Ünder Josip Ilicic Lorenzo Insigne

TEAM A Juventus 8 AC Milan 8 Atalanta 7 Napoli 7 SPAL 7 Sampdoria 6 Napoli 6 Roma 5 Atalanta 5 Napoli 5

SHOTS PER GAME PLAYER Cristiano Ronaldo Lorenzo Insigne Edin Dzeko Federico Chiesa Krzysztof Piatek Gonzalo Higuaín Ciro Immobile Fabio Quagliarella Domenico Berardi Andrea Belotti

TEAM SPG Juventus 6.5 Napoli 4.7 Roma 4.3 Fiorentina 4.2 Geno 4.1 AC Milan 3.7 Lazio 3.7 Sampdoria 3.5 Sassuolo 3.5 Torino 3.2

Lorenzo Insigne

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

37

RAMSEY FEATURE

AARON RAMSEY AND JUVENTUS WITH THE WELSHMAN SEEMINGLY SET TO JOIN JUVENTUS IN THE SUMMER, GABY MCKAY EXAMINES WHY HE’S SO COVETED BY THE OLD LADY.

FACTFILE NAME: Aaron Ramsey BORN: December 26, 1990 (Wales) HT / WT: 1.78m / 76kg POSITION: Midfielder CLUB: Arsenal SEASON CLUB 2006-07 Cardiff City 2007-08 Cardiff City 2008-09 Arsenal 2009-10 Arsenal 2010-11 Arsenal 2010-11 Nghm Frst 2010-11 Cardiff City 2011-12 Arsenal 2012-13 Arsenal 2013-14 Arsenal 2014-15 Arsenal 2015-16 Arsenal 2016-17 Arsenal 2017-18 Arsenal 2018-19 Arsenal

APPS GOALS 1 0 21 2 22 1 29 4 8 1 5 0 6 1 44 3 47 2 34 16 41 10 40 6 32 4 32 11 28 3

‘It’s easy to see why Juventus were attracted to Aaron Ramsey’

I

t’s been one of the features of Juventus’ transfer strategy for the past eight years — taking advantage of expiring contracts to sign top players for little or no transfer fee.

Andrea Pirlo, Fernando Llorente, Sami Khedira, Dani Alves and Emre Can have all joined on free transfers in that period, while Paul Pogba arrived from Manchester United for just a development fee. Andrea Barzagli, another Juve stalwart, joined from Wolfsburg for an initial €300,000 with his contract due to expire in the following season.

Even with the departure of the man credited as the mastermind for those transfers, former general manager Giuseppe Marotta, the Bianconeri are still following a similar strategy, and that is what has led them to Arsenal’s Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

The 28-year-old is out of contract on June 30, and from January 1 he’s been free to negotiate with clubs outside of England. It’s widely believed that he has already signed a pre-contract deal with Juve, and will move to Turin this summer on a bumper contract.

While no transfer is truly ‘free’ — wages and agent fees are higher when it’s a Bosman deal — it’s yet another example of Juventus being attentive on the market and bringing in a player at well below their market value.

It’s easy to see why the Bianconeri were

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attracted to Ramsey. One of the principle problems Massimiliano Allegri’s side have faced so far this season is a lack of drive from the midfield, with the existing crop failing to provide much of a goalscoring threat.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Miralem Pjanic are fine technical players, but not ones who break into the opposition box. Emre Can and Blaise Matuidi provide industry and a physical presence, but are similarly unlikely to offer a link between midfield and attack.

Sami Khedira, meanwhile, looks close to finished at the highest level. The German usually plays when fit, and Allegri clearly knows more about him than those watching at home or in the stadium, but repeated muscular injuries look to have taken their toll.

A lack of dynamism in the middle of the park would certainly be something Ramsey would address, as he’s well known for his ability to get forward and score or assist.

Despite being used sparingly by Unai Emery this season, by the end of January the Welshman had already scored four goals and provided six assists. In the same period, none of the current crop of Juventus midfielders could manage more than two goals or assists, with Blaise Matuidi topping the charts for both.

Last season, when Juve’s interest was presumably piqued, Ramsey got 11 goals

ABOVE: Aaron Ramsey has been prolific in goals and assists, despite being used sparingly ABOVE LEFT: But Ramsey does have a history of injuries.

RUSHING HOME Aaron Ramsey’s Juventus career — should he make the switch to Turin — will surely go better than the last Welshman to wear the black and white…

It’s one of the most famous quotes in football — though the man himself denies ever having said it. Ian Rush endured one difficult season in Serie A with Juventus, and is often quoted as saying upon his return that being in Italy was “like living in a foreign country.”

The Welshman joined the Old Lady in the summer of 1986, for what was then a record British transfer fee of £3.2m.

The Bianconeri wanted to loan him out to another Serie A side, probably Lazio, to get used to Italian football, but Rush opted to return to Liverpool for a season instead.

The striker scored 30 goals in the 198687 season, and arrived in Italy with the reputation of one of the deadliest goalscorers in Europe. In those days though it was far harder to score in Serie A than anywhere else, and Rush struggled badly.

He scored only seven League goals in 29 games—- though he did manage five in seven in the Coppa Italia and two in three in Europe — as Juve finished sixth, 14 points behind Milan in an era of two points for a win.

Rush was promptly shipped back to Liverpool, where he may or may not have given that legendary quote. In his autobiography the Welshman explained it was a joke made up by Kenny Dalglish, while he has since claimed the words were completely fabricated.

What’s certainly true is that Rush struggled both on and off the pitch, with his attempts at the language cruelly mocked on Italian television.

GENTLE GIANT One Welshman didn’t just survive at Juventus — he went down in club folklore. Gaby McKay recalls John Charles’ legacy in Turin.

If Aaron Ramsey can have even 10 per cent of the impact his compatriot John Charles did at Juventus, he’ll be the bargain signing of the decade.

Charles was one of the first high-profile British players to try his hand abroad, and is arguably the most successful ever to do so. Capable of playing as a striker or centre-back, the Welshman broke the British transfer record with his £65,000 move to Turin from Leeds United.

He soon formed a deadly understanding with Omar Sivori and Giampiero Boniperti, with the pair becoming known as the ‘Magic Trio’. Charles was Capocannoniere in his debut season, scoring 28 goals as Juventus won the Scudetto, and he’d go on to win a further two League titles and two Coppe Italia.

Nicknamed ‘il Gigante Buono’, ‘the Gentle Giant’, for his sense of fair play, Charles was never booked or sent off throughout his entire career.

In total Charles scored 108 goals in 155 matches for the Bianconeri, and was named the club’s best-ever foreign player in Juve’s centenary year in 1997.

The ‘Trio Magico’ is still revered in Turin, with Sivori getting 174 goals in 259 games and Boniperti 188 in 469. The latter’s club record of 178 Serie A strikes stood until 2010, when it was bettered by Alessandro Del Piero.

Charles died in 2004, but is still remembered as a true Juventus legend.

“John was one of the most loyal and honest people I have ever met, a very special person,” Boniperti later said. “He managed to keep the whole team united, and any quarrels or arguments quietened down as soon as he appeared on the pitch or in the dressing room.”

and nine assists across all competitions, and a deeper look at his numbers shows why the Old Lady is so keen to bring him to Turin.

Across all competitions last season, Ramsey averaged four touches in the penalty box per match. For Juventus Khedira managed 1.29, Matuidi 1.78 and Pjanic 0.47 — it’s clear that the 28-year-old will bring a different dynamic to the midfield. Ramsey also averages over 18 forward passes per game, as well as over nine passes to the final third.

Part of Juve’s issue this season has been the lack of directness in midfield, with Paulo Dybala often having to drop deep to try and provide a creative spark.

There are, however, concerning elements to the expected transfer. At the age of 28, Ramsey is no longer a promising youngster, but he remains a player who has never completed over 40 games in a season.

Indeed, he has managed over 30 Premier League appearances only once since the 2012-13 campaign.

It has been reported in the Italian media that his salary will be linked to the number of games he plays in a season, and for a player to prone to injuries that would appear to be a smart strategy by the Bianconeri.

Even then though, Ramsey won’t come cheap. A huge television deal means Premier League wages are well above those in Serie A, and Arsenal have been unable to agree a new deal with Ramsey. Estimates of the offer made by Juventus range from €6.5m per season to €9m, with even the lower end of that range taking him close to the likes of Paulo Dybala in terms of salary.

It should be noted too that salary is always reported as net in Italy, so if Ramsey played enough games to earn that €9m salary, his take home pay would be over €170,000 per week. British media puts his current deal at £110,000 per week, but that’s gross pay. By moving to Turin, the Welshman could more than double his salary.

A further concern is Ramsey’s age. The

midfielder will turn 29 in December, and with a reported five year contract he may not represent the best value for money.

Andrea Pirlo joined at the age of 31 and completely revitalised Juve but, fine player though he is, Ramsey is no Pirlo.

He’s a good player, and one of the better Premier League midfielders, but is Ramsey really what Italians refer to as a fuoriclasse, a superstar? It was understandable when the Turin club broke the bank to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, but they risk upsetting the balance of the squad if a player like Ramsey is also earning more than most of the squad.

Finally, there’s the issue of whether or not Ramsey will settle in Italy. British players tend not to move abroad, and while the likes of Jadon Sancho and Liam Henderson are changing perceptions, it doesn’t always go well when they do.

Ramsey’s fellow Welshman, Ian Rush, flopped at Juve, while Denis Law and Joe Baker left Torino in disgrace. Jimmy Greaves couldn’t handle life at Milan, and Ashley Cole was a disaster at Roma. Ramsey will be playing outside of the UK for the first time in his career at the age of 28, and it’s certainly possible he may struggle to adapt both on and off the pitch.

Despite those concerns though, it must be said that Juventus usually get their transfer business right. The bargain transfers they’ve been securing for the better part of a decade speak for themselves, and it’s rare to see a high-profile mistake.

Some would point to Gonzalo Higuain, and while it’s true he didn’t deliver the Champions League, 55 goals in 105 games is hardly a disastrous return. Juventus have clearly been keeping an eye on Ramsey for some time, and getting a player of his talent for no transfer fee is certainly a coup.

Those outside the club may have doubts, but that long history of free transfer success shows that the Bianconeri know exactly what they’re doing.

ABOVE MAIN: The midfielder will bring drive to the Juve midfield.

ABOVE RIGHT TOP: Ian Rush’s Juventus tenure was short and unsuccessful ABOVE RIGHT BOTTOM: Whereas John Charles is regarded as one of the Old Lady’s all-time greats

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

39

ICARDI SPOTLIGHT

Stick or Twist

MAURO ICARDI’S CAREER HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL OFF-THE-PITCH AND PROLIFIC ON IT, ALTHOUGH THIS SEASON HASN’T BEEN AS PRODUCTIVE. BILLY WILKINSON PROFILES THE INTER HITMAN, AND ASKS WHAT THE FUTURE HAS IN STORE…

T

he standards are always high for Mauro Icardi, not least because he plays for one of Italy’s premier clubs, but because he’s developed into one of world football’s premier strikers.

The Argentine’s ‘break out’ season can be traced back to 2014-15, his second season in Nerazzurri colours where he scored 22 goals and assisted a further six, compared to nine goals and two assists in his first season. Since then, his League scoring tallies have followed as 16, 24 and 29 before somewhat struggling to replicate those figures this season.

The pairing of Icardi and Luciano Spalletti seemed to be a match made in heaven.

After seeing the former Roma Coach’s work with Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah in the capital, the Inter striker must have been dreaming of a room full of Capoconniere awards. Alas, it looks like to be a second capocannoniere-less season in a row as Cristiano Ronaldo has pulled way out in front of Rosario native, who turned 26 in February..

Inter themselves are having somewhat of a down year if you take into account the expectations prior to this season at one point falling a whole 20 behind leaders Juventus. If he continues on his current goalscoring pace, then this will be his worst minutes per goal season of his Inter career with a goal every 175 minutes — almost one every three games.

It’s not even just a simple finishing slump for the former Barcelona youngster, either.

Whilst Icardi has never been a high volume shot taker like Ronaldo, a measly 2.6 shots per game this season rank as the fourth worst in his Inter career, only beaten by 2013-14 (1.8) and 2015-16 (1.7).

Rumblings over his future at San Siro may have contributed to Icardi’s slump. He’s reportedly paid €4.5m a year, and tied down until 2021. That means Icardi will have two years on his contract at the end of this season, and that’s the crunch time.

The contract issues began at the turn of the New Year, when Icardi’s wife and agent, Wanda Nara, admitted that he’d turned down a ‘sizeable’ contract offer per, reported to be around €7m. That was some way off the reported €9m Wanda is after, which would make Icardi the third-highest paid player in Italy’s top flight.

Is he worth it? This is of course the question Inter’s boardroom and upper management will be posing. It’s clear he’s valued, as evidenced by the €7m offer, but the extra €2m seems to be a stumbling block, otherwise there would’ve been progress in talks.

The market for strikers has evolved to become incredibly difficult even for the elite clubs. As transfer fees have sky rocketed in recent years, teams are decided they want more bang for their buck. There’s more of a concentrated effort to get a striker when they’re in the 23-26 age bracket, so they’re able to service the club as the first team striker for an extended period of time, rather than big clubs buying strikers already in their prime and them slotting right in.

Icardi of course falls into the desired age bracket, meaning the Nerazurri would get quite a handsome fee for their star striker.

The release clause of €110m may be a bit of a stretch if it was common knowledge he wanted to leave, but it’s hard to see them

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FACTFILE NAME: Mauro Icardi BORN: February 19, 1993 (Argentina) HT / WT: 1.81m / 75kg POSITION: Striker CLUB: Inter SEASON CLUB APPS GOALS 2011-12 Sampdoria 2 1 2012-13 Sampdoria 31 10 2013-14 Inter 23 9 2014-15 Inter 48 27 2015-16 Inter 34 16 2016-17 Inter 41 26 2017-18 Inter 36 29 2018-19 Inter 26 15

‘To sell Icardi in the summer would tell Inter’s competitors that they aren’t interested in becoming an elite club again.’ settling for less than €90m.

With some monetary recuperation in mind, the question then is if Inter would be able to replace or even upgrade on Icardi. In short, the chances seem quite slim. Hindsight is 20/20 but it’s important to remember that for they struck gold when the striker was signed from Sampdoria for a rather nominal fee of €6.5m, they certainly didn’t, or shouldn’t have, expected him to hit the goalscoring heights he has.

A like-for-like replacement seems unlikely considering how competitive the strikers market is and the amount of money being thrown around. Even if all the transfer fee were to be completely re-invested, it’s difficult to think of an available player who resembles an even similar like-to-like swap and would be able or even willing to come to Inter, who can’t offer guaranteed Champions League football every season.

But it’s not necessarily all about money.

Football may be a business and those considerations might often carry more weight than any others, but there are exceptions. Icardi could prove to be one of them.

ABOVE: The sight of Mauro Icardi celebrating a goal has been a regular one in Serie A OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM LEFT, TOP: Icardi’s wife Wanda Nara is also his agent and responsible for negotiating a new contract OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM LEFT BOTTOM: Icardi’s goals will be needed to get Inter back to the level they were at when Jose Mourinho took the club to a treble

Since the dizzy heights of Jose Mourinho’s treble-winning season, Inter have either been unable to bring top players to the club, or unable to keep hold of the ones they had. After years of transfer market austerity and a confused, unclear management structure, that appears to have changed.

To sell Icardi in the summer would tell Inter’s competitors, not to mention the wider footballing world, that Inter aren’t interested in becoming an elite club again — that they’re not going to try to challenge Juventus’ Serie A hegemony, and are only interested in presenting the best balance sheet. It’s not that successful clubs never sell their best players, it’s that they sell them when the time is right. Icardi has a lot more he could accomplish at Inter, having never won a senior club trophy.

Perhaps Icardi feels he won’t be able to win one at Inter either, but he’s young enough to give La Beneamata another year or two. The big-money transfer will still be there, providing Icardi’s goal return hasn’t declined significantly.

Icardi has had his issues with the Inter ultras, specifically when he released his 2016 autobiography with a critical section on the hard-core support. The passage led to an anti-Icardi banner at San Siro, a club fine and the chapter being removed. But the rift was repaired, and he now represents what Inter supporters want from their players — so any contract impasse can be resolved as well.

No club should be held ransom by their players, but the Nerazzurri should think twice before scoffing at the wage demands of Icardi and Nara. For a club who have seldom had top players since early in the decade, Inter seem far too eager to dismiss Icardi and all he’s done for the club. And that’s not even considering what he could for them in the future.

ARGENTINE IMPORTS Icardi’s not the first Argentine to call Inter home — Javier Zanetti is arguably Inter’s greatest player

ONE ON ONE Mauro Icardi has established himself over the last few years as one of the greatest goal scorers in Europe. Here he tells Soccer 360 who he looks up to, why his aggression stays on the pitch, and that winning is everything…

AS A YOUNGSTER YOU PLAYED YOUR SOCCER ON ARGENTINA’S AND SPAIN’S PITCHES – HOW MUCH DID YOU LEARN? I learned so much – even though I was just a kid the lessons I learned on the pitches back then made me the player I am today.

YOU ARE ONE OF EUROPE’S GREAT GOAL SCORERS – BUT WHO WAS YOUR IDOL GROWING UP? Batistuta was my idol ever since I can remember. My strength is to score goals just like him. Of course, being from Argentina and seeing a player like Batistuta, I would look up to him. I used to love to watch him – and he was a big inspiration in showing me how I wanted to play the game HOW NATURAL IS GOAL SCORING ABILITY – IS IT SOMETHING YOU ARE BORN WITH? Like most ability I think there is something you just have – but at the same time you have to work hard. After training I stay on – practice free kicks, practice penalties – I am always trying to develop as a player.

ON THE PITCH YOU ARE KNOWN FOR BEING A BIT OF A WARRIOR WITH AN AGGRESSIVE WAY OF PLAYING THE GAME. WHERE DOES THAT COME FROM? I am very aggressive in-front of goal that is the way I like to play the game. I am confident, I always want to win, that is just the player I am.

Mauro Icardi is only the latest in a long line of Argentines to wear Inter colours.

Billy Wilkinson looks back at his most notable compatriots…

JAVIER ZANETTI Inter’s greatest ever foreign player and perhaps even their greatest ever player, Javier Zanetti made a staggering 858 appearances in all competitions from his debut in 1995 until 2014. A particular moment sticks in the mind for him, lofting the Champions League above his head at the Santiago Bernabeu as Inter won the treble and ended their 45 year wait for Europe’s greatest prize.

WALTER SAMUEL Walter Samuel arrived at Inter in 2005 after a single season at Real Madrid, but was no stranger to Serie A, having won the Scudetto with Roma in 2001. But it wasn’t until the arrival of Jose Mourinho that he truly thrived, becoming one of the key components of the 2010 treble-winning side, making crucial contributions domestically and in Europe.

HOW ARE YOU OFF THE PITCH – IS THERE A DIFFERENT SIDE TO YOU? (Laughs) Of course – I am used to having 5 kids in the house so I have to be a lot more calm and patient. I leave the aggression on the pitch.

BUT WINNING IS STILL EVERYTHING? For me winning is everything. Yes it is nice to win beautifully – but sometimes you can’t care how you win you just need to win.

JUVENTUS ARE RUNNING AWAY WITH THE LEAGUE – BUT HOW IMPORTANT IS IT INTER FINISH IN A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE POSITION? It is very important it is where the club belongs and what the fans want to see. It was not that many years ago Inter were winning the competition and that is back where we want to be.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR CAREER WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM? For me it is very important. Every time I have played I have felt such pride. I just want to do well for my country and hope I have many more opportunities.

YOU HAVE A REAL APPRECIATION FOR TATTOOS DON’T YOU? For me it is a way to express myself. Each tattoo I have has a meaning and means something personally to me and my life.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE? The one of my wife of course. My tattoo artist is a good friend of mine who lives in Spain and comes over to Milan to do them for me.

DIEGO MILITO In 2009, Mourinho decided to swap striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic out for a plethora of players to make his team allaround stronger. He replaced the Swede directly with Diego Milito, who would go on to score 62 goals in 128 appearances for Inter between 2009 and 2014. The former Genoa man scored both goals in the 2010 Champions League Final against Bayern Munich, immortalising him amongst the Nerazzurri faithful.

ESTEBAN CAMBIASSO Yet another Argentine to feature in the famous treble winning side, but Esteban Cambiasso played for Inter for a decade, stretching from 2004 to 2014.

The defensive midfielder was famed for him immense reading of the game, which made him the dream player for the likes of Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho.

HELENIO HERRERA The architect of the Grande Inter team of the 1960s, Helenio Herrera was the Coach who delivered Inter’s first two European Cups, in 1964 and 1965, as well as three Scudetti. Though his name is forever associated with catenaccio, a dour, defensive approach to football, Herrera’s Inter were capable of devastating counter-attacks.

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

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AROUND ITALY

“” QUOTES

JUVE'S U-15 STINK

A whopping twenty-five Juventus under-15 players were banned for one game after posting a video on social media that showed them insulting Napoli following their match. Following their 3-0 victory over Napoli, one Juventus player posted a video on Instagram of the team chanting, “We have a dream, that Napoli will use some soap.” The Federal Tribunal ruled that all 25 members of the squad during the Napoli game must be banned for one match. Despite having 25 players suspended, Juventus’ youth team defeated Carpi 4-0, having fielded a number of under-aged players.

MILAN BAN? “The player decides, not me because if it was up to me, I’d bring him to my house, lock him up in a room and throw him some food every 2-3 hours.” - Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso on the rumours surrounding Higuain’s eventual transfer to Chelsea.

“I am lucky enough to have Cristiano at my club and Leo in my national team.

But it’s impossible to make a comparison between the two of them or say who is the best because they are at a level on a par with each other and well above everybody else and that has been the case for several years.” - Paulo Dybala speaks on his experience of playing alongside two of the greatest players in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

“He offered him to De Laurentiis and to me, I stayed silent. Then when we looked deeper into it we realized it was a deal that was out of reach.” - Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli revealed that they had an opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer, making them the second team to make such claims after former Milan director Massimiliano Mirabelli revealed Milan also had the possibility of signing the Portuguese superstar.

AC Milan have been fined €12 million by UEFA and threatened with a one-year ban from European competition for breaking financial fair play rules.

The ban will be imposed if Milan fail to break even on football related business by June 2021, in which case the Rossoneri will be banned for the next UEFA competition they qualify for. As for the €12 million fine, UEFA will deduct it from this season’s Europa League prize money. Milan were originally banned from the Europa League in June for violations of rules, but were reinstated following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Milan sporting director Leonardo reveals why new signing Piatek was not given the No. 9 jersey, saying that players will have to earn that number and it won’t be given away until someone proves they are worthy of it.

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KNOW?

TAKE MY SHORTS

Two young Juventus fans had an experience they will never forget after they made their way onto the pitch at the Allianz Stadium following Juve’s win over Sampdoria to celebrate with the players. The young fans made their way onto the pitch at the end of the game and were welcomed by the Juve players, who let them join in saluting the home fans. The pair of youngsters were seen with huge smiles as they ran towards the home fans alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Dybala and company.

Dybala also gifted his shorts to a third young fan who entered the pitch before the two shared a hug.

• Krzysztof Piatek scored his first goal for Milan with his first shot on target.

• Fabio Quagliarella has equalized Gabriel Batistuta’s record of scoring in 11 consecutive Serie A games.

• Duvan Zapata is the third Atalanta player to score at least four goals in a single Serie A match, and the first to do so since 1952.

• Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo is the youngest player to score at least two Serie A goals this season.

• Juventus have won eight Italian Supercoppa’s, more than any other team.

BRAIN FART

SHIRTS FOR SALE

Two shirts worn by Diego Maradona during his time at Napoli have been sold at an auction in Italy for €18,500.

One of the shirts, a red, long-sleeved number 9 jersey worn during the 1990-91 season sold for €12,000 while the blue number 10 jersey worn during Napoli’s first scudetto win in 1986-87 sold for €6,500. A collection of over 200 items were on sale at the auction including a Lionel Messi Barcelona home jersey from last season, which sold for €600, a Lazio shirt worn by Paul Gascoigne that sold for €475 and Roberto Mancini’s Sampdoria shirt which sold for €450.

RONALDO’S LEMMINGS

Cristiano Ronaldo is the first person to get 150 million followers on Instagram, beating out Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande as the world’s most followed account.

It was only back in October when Ronaldo surpassed Selena Gomez to become the most followed person on Instagram, and now the five-time Ballon d’Or is the first to reach 150 million followers. Love him or hate him, the Portuguese superstar has built quite the brand for himself. His closest rivals on the platform are Neymar and Messi, both a long way off with 109 and 105 million followers respectively.

DO WE NEED MORE VR? “He wanted the No. 9 jersey but we think it has to be earned so we decided to give him the No. 19 jersey instead.” -

DID YOU

Roma have signed a deal with Snapchat where they will create a weekly show on the platform’s Discover page. With the partnership, the club’s fans will be provided with plenty of innovative content, including exclusive player challenges, highlight reels and other content. The arrangement will also see Roma set up a dedicated profile page. In 2017, Roma became the first Italian top-flight team to use the Snapchat Spectacles smart-glasses feature to provide a player’s view.

Ascoli goalkeeper Filippo Perucchini scored one of the worst, and dare I say, blatant own goals ever. The Serie B goalkeeper somehow dribbled the ball into his own net in a match against Palermo. If you haven’t seen a video of the incident, look it up online and see for yourselves if you think match fixing was involved with that goal. Of course, it could have genuinely been a mistake, but I can’t think of any reason a goalkeeper would try to perform a drag back in his own penalty area.

NUT FRIENDLY

AC Milan fans trolled Higuain after his Chelsea move was confirmed with the use of Nutella snacks.

Under Chelsea’s post on social media welcoming the Argentine, the comments were bombarded by a number of Nutella-themed memes. The joke goes back to when Higuain was spotted clutching a pack of Nutella B-Ready bars as Milan were flying out to Saudi Arabia for the Supercoppa. With rumours intensifying of Higuain’s move, the striker only played the final 20 minutes of the match due to “illness”. Naturally, many Milan fans are not happy with Higuain, so they decided to troll him with #HiguainIsBReady making the rounds.

TAXING TIMES

Cristiano Ronaldo was fined €19 million for tax fraud and will avoid serving a 23-month prison sentence. The Portuguese superstar, who played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, agreed to settle the case by paying the massive fine and accepting a suspended jail sentence. Ronaldo will not have to go to prison, because under Spanish law, a first offender can serve less than a two-year sentence under probation. The Juventus striker was accused of using a business structure to hide income generated by his image rights in Spain between 2011 and 2014. Footballers fined for tax fraud in Spain is nothing new, Ronaldo is one of many in recent years to be fined by the Spanish government for avoiding to pay taxes.

BY THE NUMBERS 102 Paulo Dybala made 102 touches in the game against Chievo, a personal record for him in a Serie A match.

RED CARD FOR ALL

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has sanctioned a change to its anti-racism procedures which will give referees the power to take teams off the pitch after just one warning announcement. The league was put in the spotlight after Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly was subjected to monkey chants from Inter fans during the Boxing Day matchday. Ancelotti said he asked the fourth official three times to stop play, and despite an announcement being made, the abuse continued. While referees still do not have the authority to abandon a game, that decision belongs to the chief of stadium security, they can take the players back into the dressing room.

THE I IS HERE

37 Matchday 21 saw 37 goals scored, for an average of 3.7 goals per game.

50 Juventus have won their first Serie A game of the calendar year 50 times, more than any other side in the Italian top flight.

1 Antonio Sanabria scored with his 1st ever touch of the ball for Genoa.

CHINESE TAKEAWAY

LionRock Capital have acquired a 31 percent stake in Inter. The Singaporebased investment firm reached a deal reportedly worth €150 million to take on the shares of former owner Erick Thohir. The move makes LionRock the second-largest shareholder behind Chinese holding company Suning, who purchased a majority stake in the team back in 2016. LionRock already has shares in the Suning Sport group, which fuels speculations that the company’s investment is a stepping stone to pave the way for Suning to assume full ownership of Inter in the future. The deal also ends the rumours of Alibaba founder, Jack Ma, being interested in becoming a minority shareholder of the club.

LADIES ON YOUTUBE

UEFA have launched a new YouTube channel for its ‘Together #WePlayStrong’ brand, where they will partner with a number of high-profile female players to provide a breadth of regular content. This is part of the association’s ongoing strategy to grow participation of girls’ and women’s soccer in all 55 of their member nations. The channel will provide a variety of original content, with a focus on the daily routines and livelihoods of players, as well as fitness advice and amusing challenges. As part of the launch, UEFA has announced a team of top female players that will form a ‘content squad’ in order to provide the basis of the channel.

Swedish defender Petronella Ekroth of Juventus, alongside Lyon’s Shanice van de Sanden and freestyler Liv Cooke will be part of the channels team of vloggers.

WANNA BET?

The Italian government has banned gambling advertisements throughout the country. Many of the clubs in Italy have sponsorships with gambling companies and were thought to have to sever ties with them by the start of the New Year. However, the country’s communications regulatory committee has permitted the clubs to continue with their existing betting deals until the end of the season.

The ban will apply to all gambling related products and services across all media platforms. Sports clubs are prohibited from carrying sponsors for the industry. Serie A, in wake of the news, expressed their discontent with the ban, arguing that the new rules would create a disparity with other European countries and bring competitive disadvantages to Italian clubs. At the moment, more than half of the Serie A clubs have sponsorship deals with gambling related companies. Lazio have online sports betting company Marathonbet as their official shirt sponsor. The league estimates that the ban would represent a loss of €700 million.

L’ARTE DELLA PASTA ITALIANA

THE ICON COLLECTION

Juventus have launched an in-house street wear collection at a fashion event in Milan. The Icon Collection, produced by Juventus, is based on 1990s culture and includes sweatshirts, sweaters and jackets. The new range is available for purchase at their official website. This collection is part of Juventus’ relaunched brand strategy from 2017, when the new club logo and identity were unveiled.

The collection falls in line with the club’s strategy to take their influence beyond the world of soccer.

THE I IS HERE

THE NEW BOSS

Luigi De Siervo has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Serie A. De Siervo, who previously held the same role at Infront Italy. He replaces Marco Brunelli, who moves on to be the new Director General of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). FIGC president, Gabriele Gravina, believes Luigi is the right person to help actualize the reforms that have been started.

7611 Pine Valley Drive, Unit 28, Woodbridge, ON @amapastai • amapastai.com • 905.851.3444

AROUND ITALY MORE ADIDAS FOR JUVE

“We lived a lot of things together and achieved great success. In July I was certain I’d have finished my career with you all, but unfortunately life has some surprises in store for you so I had to change my plans, but always with the desire to win, while looking to also make a decision for my family.” - Mehdi Benatia

NO SIR RONALDO

Juventus have extended their partnership with Adidas until 2027 in a deal worth $58 million per year.

The previous deal was set to expire in 2021, but the new deal will see Juventus pocket $464 million over the course of the next eight seasons. Adidas will also pay Juventus a $17 million bonus as a result of the club’s successful 2018. As part of the agreement, Adidas will be the club’s technical partner at all levels, including youth sides and the women’s team.

BIG MONEY TEAMS

suggests that the return of Leonardo Bonucci forced him to change his plans of retiring at Juventus.

SOCCER TWITS

“I’m fed up and I’ve had enough of Sampdoria's behaviour. I’m angry because time has passed and I still don’t know where my future lies. I don’t want to stay, I want to leave and I don’t want to go back. I want to close this chapter once and for all.” - Dawid Kownacki accused Sampdoria of mistreatment after a number of moves broke down in the January transfer window. The Polish striker enjoyed a good spell with Samp last season, but failed to start a single Serie A match this season. He eventually got a move away from the club, joining Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan.

The President of Portugal has suggested that the country could strip Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo of his knighthoods following his tax-fraud sentences. Ronaldo was named Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry in January 2014 and then later was awarded the Grand Cross of the Portuguese Order of Merit after the Euro 2016 triumph. It is now up to the chancellors of the national orders to see if Ronaldo could lose an honour.

Ronaldo was sentenced to pay a €365,000 fine and a separate €3.2 million penalty.

AS Roma will broadcast live matches and player interviews exclusively on Twitter as part of the agreement between the two parties. The deal will offer fans access to live matches, match previews, player interviews, team training sessions and memorable moments in the club’s history.

Twitter have been working with Roma, over the past year, to help enrich its channel with a variety of new and exclusive content. Their English account has won plaudits for its approach to fan engagement. A social media analyst even found the clubs English speaking following to have the highest percentage of engagement among all European clubs.

HEAD COACH

A Serie C coach has been given a five month ban after he headbutted an opponent. Lucchese manager Giancarlo Favarin struck Alessandria assistant Gaetano Mancino at the end of the match between the two sides. A press release from the league confirmed that Favarin was punished for blasphemous phrases, telling his players to break the legs of an opponent and engaging in a verbal dispute with a member of the opposing team staff, which resulted in the head-butt. Mancino was also punished for offensive and provocative behaviour, he was handed a two-match ban.

The Deloitte Football Money League for 2019, features four Serie A sides in the top 20. Juventus are the highest ranked Italian team at 11th. They’ve dropped out of the top 10, falling behind Tottenham, after their revenue dropped from €405.7 million to €394.9 million. Inter have gone up a spot to 14th, posting a turnover of €280.8 million, while Roma jump back into the top 20 into 15th place after making €250 million in revenue. Milan are the fourth Serie A team in the top 20, entering in at 18th with €207.7 million. Napoli have been knocked out of the list after featuring in last year’s edition.

SHE’S WANDA WATCH

Wanda Nara, Icardi’s wife and agent, has been at the center of Mauro Icardi’s contract extension saga. She has been using social media and the press throughout contract renegotiations in order to get the best deal for her husband.

Throughout the negotiations she has dropped hints of offers from Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, all tactics in trying to get as much money as possible, as she later publicly stated that there were no issues with the club and that Icardi will sign a new contract. To show her commitment to Inter, she posted a video on Instagram revealing a track she recorded dedicated to the club. Perhaps Inter will have a new club anthem.

DID YOU

KNOW?

SERIE B JUGGLING “Frosinone [arrived in Serie A] already relegated. Clubs like Frosinone do not draw fans, or interest, or broadcasters to the League. The problem is the small teams have the same rights as the big one. Why should Frosinone have a season in Serie A, be given a slice of the pagnotta and then be relegated back to the third division? If they cannot compete, if they finish last, they should have to pay a fine. They shouldn’t be given money for failing.” - Napoli

The Italian Football Federation has announced that next season, Serie B will consist of 20 teams. The league was downsized at the start of the season from 22 to 19 following the financial difficulties of Avellino, Bari and Cesena, who all went bankrupt.

Given the potential financial issues amongst the Italian lower divisions, the decision to not revert back to 22 teams seems to be the best one. So, this year five teams will be promoted from Serie C, as opposed to four, while seven, instead of eight, will drop into Serie D.

president Aurelio De Laurentiis believes clubs who finish last should be fined rather than get a share of the money.

SHABBY CHIC “Yes, Milan had also been after me but I’d already given my word and I didn’t retrace my steps. I kept thinking Fiorentina were the right place for me. I worked hard to come here and I’m happy I did.” - Luis Muriel reveals that Milan had been after him, but he declined going there because he had already given his word to Fiorentina.

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Bologna have presented their new revamped stadium project. The Stadio Dall’Ara will be a wonderful mix between antique and modern. The plans to reconstruct the stadium, which was first built back in 1927, were announced by club president Joey Saputo. It will have 27,000 seats, and can be expanded to 29,000 for special events. All seats will be covered, while English-style benches will be introduced into the front row. Bologna have published a number of renderings of the stadium, and while it is uncertain when work will begin, the goal is to complete the reconstruction within the next five years, according to Joey Saputo.

THREE STRIKES

CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee has rejected Chievo’s latest appeal, thus confirming the club’s three-point penalty for financial irregularities. The club was penalized for a number of deals where they exchanged minor players for vastly inflated prices.

The Italian Football Federation Prosecutor had originally requested a 15-point penalty, but they ultimately decided on three points. Chievo lodged an appeal, but unfortunately for them it was rejected. Given how the season is currently going for the Flying Donkeys, they could really use those three points in their fight for survival.

• Against Benevento, Inter scored six goals in a single Coppa Italia match for the first time since 1971.

• Federico Chiesa scored his first Fiorentina brace during the Coppa Italia round of 16 clash against Torino.

• Only Werder Bremen scored with more different players than Inter in 2018 across Europe’s top five leagues.

NO THUGS – JUST SOCCER

Genoa fans were not happy with the leagues decision to reschedule their Serie A match against Milan to Monday afternoon, at 3:00pm CET. The decision was taken for reasons of public safety, but that prompted a backlash from the local council who were concerned with traffic issues, given the number of schools and businesses nearby. As a result, banners were put up all over the city expressing their discontent, claiming that Monday at 3pm is the death of football. Genoa’s ultras ended up boycotting the match, while attendance was under 8000.

STADIUM GREEN LIGHT

BY THE NUMBERS

The mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, has announced that Roma’s stadium project will go ahead with construction.

The Stadio della Roma was given the green light after it received the backing of an independent technical report into how the new venue would affect the surrounding area. Plans to build a 52,000-capacity stadium were first revealed in 2014 and initially given the all clear at the end of 2017, but was then held up by the arrest of nine people linked to the stadium’s construction, among them, the contractor.

300 Ignazio Abate has played over 300 games for AC Milan in all competitions.

SPAGHETTI EVERYWHERE

50 Leonardo Pavoletti has scored around 50% of his goals with his head.

FINE FOODS ONLY THE FINEST PREMIUM CUTS…

FRESH QUALITY MEATS, ORGANIC MEATS & DRYAGED MEATS.

126 Francesco Milan have signed a deal Acerbi’s streak of with La Molisana, who consecutive 90 becomes the club’s official minute games pasta partner. The two-year ended at 126. deal will see La Molisana’s branding appear at the San Siro stadium, via advertising boards and in the hospitality areas.

The pasta company’s penne products will be sold in specially designed packages featuring Milan’s club crest and colours. This is probably the best combination for an Italian. Pasta and calcio, can’t get much better than that.

SOUR GRAPES

Juventus have officially launched yet another appeal to have the 2005/06 Serie A title removed from Inter. Due to the Calciopoli scandal of 2006, Juventus had two Scudetti revoked, the 2004/05 edition went unassigned, while the 2005/06 title was awarded to third-place Inter. Inter were handed the title because second place Milan were also docked points in the trial. Juventus have had several different appeals to have the titles returned, or at the very least have the trophy taken away from Inter. Most of their appeals so far have been about who gets to decide, as opposed to the issue itself, so it’s difficult to tell whether or not they’ll be successful with their efforts.

NOT AT ALL TIRED

Former Genoa player Kazuyoshi Miura has signed a new playing contract with Yokohama FC at the age of 52. That’s not a typo, he’s 52 years old and still playing professionally. The striker is continuing his incredible career which started back in 1986. He’s even in the Serie A record books, as the first ever Japanese player in the league, where he spent some time with Genoa. His career spans over eight clubs, including a spell in Brazil with Santos, time in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb and a stint in Australia’s A-League with Sydney FC. He signed with Yokohama FC back in 2005 and is now entering his 14th season with the club.

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CLASS OF 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo is the only Serie A representative in UEFA’s Team of the Year 2018, and he arguably got there for his time at Real Madrid where he won his third consecutive Champions League trophy. Nonetheless, this is the 13th year in a row he’s been named in the best XI. In what may be more dire news for Italian football, only one Italian was amongst the 50 candidates, a certain Giorgio Chiellini. Out of the 50 candidates, only seven played in Serie A. After more than 1.8 million votes, the following is UEFA’s Team of the Year 2018: Ter Stegen; Ramos, Van Dijk, Varane; Marcelo, Modric, Kante, Hazard; Mbappe, Messi, Ronaldo.

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT

Milan have reportedly requested assistance from China over Yonghong Li’s business affairs. The club is asking for the Chinese courts to help them understand how Li funded his 2017 takeover. Silvio Berlusconi agreed to sell the club for €740 million to the businessman, but it later emerged that Li borrowed €303 million from Elliot Management to help fund the takeover.

Elliot would then replace Li as the club’s owner after he defaulted on the loan. Milan are interested because they have appealed UEFA’s decision to ban the club from European competition should they fail to break even by 2021. Elliot is arguing that they need three more years to restructure the club.

NO RED CARPET

Nikola Kalinic won the Bidone d’Oro as the worst signing of 2018, beating out Patrik Schick and Andre Silva (speaks volumes of Milan’s 2017 summer transfer market). The ‘Golden Bin’ award is handed out to the player deemed to have been the most disappointing following a transfer. This year, it wasn’t even close, as Kalinic won by a landslide. He received 49 percent of the vote for his horrendous campaign with Milan following his move from Fiorentina. Schick finished second with 19 percent of the vote, while Andre Silva received 13 percent of the vote to finish third. Luckily for Milan, they somehow managed to offload the Croatian, who left for Atletico Madrid.

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AROUND ITALY IT’S NICE TO SHARE

“Without getting ahead of ourselves or losing focus for this season, I want to assure our supporters, fans, media and partners that Bologna FC are preparing a new investment plan moving forward.

I’ve always said that my responsibility was to bring Bologna FC back to international competition. That still remains my goal, but to get there the plan must change and it will change.”

- Bologna president Joey Saputo tries to reassure fans that he is very much interested in the growth of the club, and that relegation is not an option for them.

“I was greeted by Maldini and Leonardo on my first day and you immediately realize who you are dealing with.

Then you have the atmosphere at San Siro, which is extraordinary. Milan are a legendary club. Who wouldn’t like to stay at a club like Milan for a long time?” - On-loan Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko would like to make his temporary move to Milan a permanent one at the end of the season.

VIDAL SEIZE SOON

Former Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has had four properties in Turin seized because of unpaid debts. According to Spanish paper Marca, Vidal had four buildings in the Torinese town of Moncalieri repossessed after he owed over €18,000 on them. Vidal received a final warning to pay off his debts before the end of last year, which he clearly ignored.

Milan president Paolo Scaroni has revealed that the club are thinking about building a new stadium alongside Inter to replace the San Siro. Meetings between the two clubs with local council has pointed towards building a new stadium rather than restructuring the current stadium. An option would be to build it right beside the current stadium, at the nearby race course that is no longer in use and has been put up for sale.

Many Milan and Inter fans would probably prefer to stay at the San Siro, a stadium in which they have so much history. Whatever decision is taken, one thing is certain, Milan and Inter will still be sharing a stadium.

CASH AND CARRY

Milan president Paolo Scaroni has reportedly had a briefcase containing €10,000 stolen from him. Scaroni was in the middle of an appointment when the thief opened the backdoor of a car he was in, took the briefcase and ran away. The driver tried to chase the thief, but a woman, most likely an accomplice, blocked him off and then fled herself. The pair then got on a bus and were not found. The briefcase was found later though, with just possessions and documents of Scaroni left inside, all the money was gone.

EURO 2028

CELL GROUP “Then Fabian Ruiz arrived… So, if Mr. Hamsik – who is no fool – realises there are already four players for two roles and one of them is Fabian Ruiz, I can ask to leave and get myself a rich Chinese pension.” - Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis says Marek Hamsik is going to China to get a rich pension because he saw that Fabian Ruiz was better

Deputy Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Salvini has called for cells to be installed at Serie A stadiums for misbehaving fans.

He’s also suggested for there to be fewer evening games. His comments came after the Inter-Napoli game at San Siro, which saw one supporter killed, several others stabbed and Koulibaly subjected to racist abuse. Hooliganism has been on the decline in recent years, but there still are incidents that unfortunately shed a bad light on the sport and its fans. Perhaps more measures should be in place to prevent any escalation between fan groups in order to facilitate a safer environment for those attending matches.

UNHAPPY RAI

“Italian football is too tactical and a bit boring. I didn’t really consider a return to Serie A over the past few months, but I can’t hide the fact that I would like to end my career at Brescia.” - Mario Balotelli has revealed his hopes for the future as he would like to retire where he grew up, in Brescia.

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The new director of Rai 2, Italy’s public national broadcaster, has accused Juventus of occupying all of VAR and maneuvering the sport. The accusations came out of nowhere during his presentation press conference. He was asked a simple question regarding whether or not more football coverage would be available on the channel, to which he replied by saying he no longer watches Italian football because it is controlled by Juventus and they always win.

KNOW?

• Lorenzo Insigne was the only player to have 10+ goals and 10+ assists in Serie A in 2018.

• Alex Sandro played the most Serie A games in 2018 without losing.

• Juventus, during 2018, earned 101 points. That’s more than any other side across Europe’s top five leagues.

SLEEVE FOR RENT

Juventus are in the market for a shirt sleeve sponsorship deal as they look to increase revenue. The club is looking to make the most of Cristiano Ronaldo’s pulling power and are aiming to bring in at least €10 million per year.

The ability to have a sleeve sponsor in Serie A was only introduced by the league this summer, and very few clubs have adopted it as of now.

DID YOU

Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina has revealed that Italy are considering a bid to host Euro 2028. The last time Italy hosted a major tournament was the 1990 World Cup, and Gravina believes that hosting the European Championship would help revitalize football in the country.

It would certainly help with renovating stadium infrastructure, much of which is still back in the early 90s.

TOP MOVES

Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis has been replaced on the UEFA Executive Committee by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. The move comes as only one representative is permitted on the committee from each member association. Italy is already represented by Juventus’ Andrea Agnelli, who is also the European Club Association chief. Al-Khelaifi was unanimously voted in, despite PSG’s alleged attempts to bypass Financial Fair Play.

LET’S PLAY FAIR

Re-elected UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has revealed plans for the second phase of Financial Fair Play.

The 51-year-old ran unopposed and was essentially handed another four years in charge by default. Ceferin is calling for an adaptation of the financial fair play rules in order to establish a new European balance where teams can find their rightful place. A phase where every European club can exploit its full developmental potential. What that means exactly remains to be seen, but for the likes of Inter and Milan, it’s surely some good news.

• Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata scored nine league goals in December. Only Gunnar Nordahl scored more in a single month in Serie A, back in 1950.

BY THE NUMBERS

GOBBLEDEGOOK

UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding to 2024.

This essentially kills off any chance of a Superleague, at least for the time being.

The memorandum outlines the strong willingness of UEFA and ECA to continue to work together with mutual trust and clarity of objectives in order to ensure the stability of European football. There is also a willingness from both parties to further develop and evolve Financial Fair Play as well as the improvement of the international match calendar post-2024, allowing for proper rest and training periods for players.

0 Juventus had 0 shots in the first half of their match against Lazio.

12 Juventus have the longest current streak of reaching the Coppa Italia quarterfinals at 12.

PALERMO PANIC

2000 Udinese have scored over 2000 Serie A goals.

Many thought Palermo would have some stability after Maurizio Zamparini sold the club, however 18 Samir that has not been the case. After Handanovic finished the 2018 Sport Capital Group Investments calendar year with Ltd appeared to have completed 18 clean sheets in its takeover of the club, they Serie A, at least appointed Clive Richardson and five more than any John Treacy were appointed to other goalkeeper.

Palermo’s board alongside former Bolton Wanderers co-owner Dean Holdsworth. However, Holdsworth has reportedly left the Rosanero at the end of January and his been followed out by two of his business partners, with the resignations of Clive Richardson and John Treacy. Allegations are flying from one side to another, with legal action promised from all parties, including Zamparini as payment to complete the takeover has apparently not been made. It is now rumoured that Raffaello Follieri, who was in talks to purchase the club several months ago, is back in with another offer.

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LESS IS MORE

Serie A chief Gaetano Micciche has confirmed that the league could be reduced to 18 teams.

Back in 2004, Serie A was expanded to 20 teams, but has recently faced calls to reduce it back to 18 in order to make the league more competitive. The league will decide at an assembly once they weigh up the advantages and disadvantages and will not require approval from the Italian Football Federation to make any changes. Italian football certainly needs some reformation, with many clubs struggling financially, especially in the lower divisions.

If 18 teams help bring more stability, then it’s something they should strongly consider.

DON'T CRY OVER...

Cagliari players got caught up in a local protest. The players were locked in their training centre because of a protest led

by Sardinian farmers over the price of milk prior to their departure for Milan.

Local farmers have been complaining over the low price of milk in the region and have decided to destroy their produce rather than sell it. Many of the protestors turned up to Cagliari’s training centre, and reportedly asked the players to boycott their match with AC Milan as an act of solidarity. The players were eventually allowed to leave but not before kicking over barrels of milk. A video of the incident circulated social media, showing Barella and Joao Pedro kicking the barrels in front of the watching protestors.

FIFA VIDEO GAMES

EA Sport’s popular FIFA game series is one of the most popular video games in the world, and the capture of UEFA licenses has made it grow even more. With the licenses, the game has UEFA Champions League features available, adding a more realistic feel to the game. Ahead of the return of the round of 16, EA Sports released some stats regarding their game. According to the video game developer, more than 55 million Champions League games have been played on FIFA 19 by gamers globally. The most popular club is Juventus, registering 5.2 million wins, with Ronaldo being the most prolific player, scoring 5.4 million goals.

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THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY

THE GOOD

Real Madrid have hauled themselves back into the top four in 2019, and the goals of Karim Benzema have been at the heart of their progress.

However alongside the Frenchman has been Brazilian teenager Vinicius Junior, with the 18 year-old playing a key role in scoring and creating goals for Santiago Solari's side.

With Gareth Bale sidelined through injury at the turn of the year, and Solari continuing to ostracise Isco from the Real Madrid starting line-up, Vinicius has grabbed his chance with both hands.

He is the leading assist maker for Madrid in 2018-19, and it has been his link up play that has driven the club’s consistent run in 2019, with the former Lyon man taking full advantage of Vinicius' ability to terrorise La Liga defences with his pace and crossing ability.

Versatility is one of the key strings to his bow, playing on either flank, and through the middle when Benzema has been rested, and his driving runs and consistent pass selection in attacking areas has made the league sit up and take notice.

With Bale returning ahead of a busy domestic and Champions League schedule, question marks have been raised over the

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inexperienced Vinicius, however Solari has full faith in him, and he will have no issue with starting him in against any opponent.

The players in line to miss out due to the ex Flamengo man's form will be Isco – who could be heading for the exit door in the summer, if Solari remains in charge – and Marco Asensio, who has endured injury problems of his own.

Madrid are reported to be preparing a bid for Eden Hazard this summer, but even if the Belgium international does make the move to La Liga, Vinicius has already demonstrated his ability to compete with the best players.

THE BAD

Villarreal are a football club in turmoil in 2018-19, and in very real danger of dropping down in the Segunda Division for the first time since 2013, after serious managerial upheaval in the past few months.

Javier Calleja led them to a fifth place finish in La Liga last season, in his first season as first team manager, and a fifth consecutive season of European football as El Madrigal.

However 2018-19 has been a disaster, with Calleja sacked just before Christmas, and replaced him with former Getafe boss Luis Garcia, but his time at the helm has been even worse. The club has now gone back

BOTTOM: Vinicius Junior LEFT: Villarreal

OPPOSITE PAGE (BOTTOM MIDDLE): Javier Tebas OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT TOP: Jose Bordalas OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT BOTTOM: Iago Aspas

Going UP Going DOWN

Getafe continue to go from strength to strength under Jose Bordalas' pragmatic management, losing just two La Liga games since mid-November.

The side from South Madrid are not always the most free-flowing side to watch, but they have really maximized their potential this season, and look to be on course for a first European finish since 2010.

to Calleja, in attempt to save themselves from a financially crippling relegation to the second tier.

Having signed a short term deal until the end of the season, Calleja had limited funds during the January transfer window, as the club make contingency plans for relegation.

The biggest names to come in were Vicente Iborra from Premier League side Leicester City and Ruben Duarte on loan from La Liga's basement side, Huesca – however neither of these signings do not address the serious lack of goals in the squad.

No player has managed more than four La Liga goals in 2018-19 for the Yellow Submarine, and that run of form has seen them sink into the relegation zone, five points adrift of safety.

Calleja now faces a race against time to avoid a return to the Segunda, and one of his top priorities is improving the form of striker Gerard Moreno – who he signed for the club earlier this season. The 26 year-old impressed for Espanyol last season, scoring 16 La Liga goals last season, however he has struggled with his move down the east coast, with just four goals in league action in the 2018-19 campaign.

GOING DOWN

THE UGLY

GOING UP

Miguel Cardoso's Celta Vigo have slipped right into the relegation reckoning after a nightmare start to 2019.

A long-term injury to star man Iago Aspas has cut their goal supply and they have collected three points from a possible 15 since the start of the year, plunging down the table in the process.

La Liga President Javier Tebas continues to be the source of supporter anger, with protests and demonstrations at the start of 2019. The controversial Tebas has ignored calls to resign despite wave after wave of fury at his policies.

The long running saga of playing La Liga games in the United States has been a source of fan irritation, and a clear demonstration of Tebas' obsession with profit over fans.

However the latest round of criticism centres on kick-off times and ticket prices, with Tebas' cavalier response to fan concerns placing him back in the middle of the debate.

Protests were held at the January fixture between Alaves and Rayo Vallecano, amongst other games, where fans refused to enter the Estadio Mendizorroza until after the game had started, to allow TV cameras to pick up the fact that the stadium was empty.

The focus of was the kick off time, 9pm Spanish time on a Monday night, and both sets of fans held banners to be picked up by the cameras during the first half, with Tebas the protagonist of their message.

With huge banners encouraging fans to turn off their TV in order to save football, with no justification given for the game being moved to a Monday night at short notice. The controversy deepened following reports that TV cameras were instructed not to focus on the crowd in the second half, and some supporters were forced to surrender anti-Tebas banners.

Fans have refused to be deterred and further protests occurred during Rayo vs. Leganes, again rival fans engaging in anti-Tebas protests before the game and chanting Tebas Ve Ya (Tebas, go now).

Tebas, who was also blamed for Rayo's stadium being closed at the start of the season amid safety concerns that the league initially ignored, has further alienated himself from fans of teams in working class areas after coming out in public support of far right political party Vox.

STATS SO FAR AS OF MATCH 24 Lionel Messi

TOP SCORERS PLAYER Lionel Messi Luis Suárez Cristhian Stuani A. Griezmann Charles W. Ben Yedder Borja Iglesias Iago Aspas Karim Benzema André Silva

TEAM G Barcelona 22 Barcelona 15 Girona 13 Atl. Madrid 12 Eibar 12 Sevilla 11 Espanyol 10 Celta Vigo 10 Real Madrid 10 Sevilla 9

TOP ASSISTS PLAYER Lionel Messi Pablo Sarabia A. Griezmann Brais Méndez Jordi Alba Jony Cristian Tello Jaime Mata Jonathan Silva Luis Suárez

TEAM A Barcelona 10 Sevilla 8 At. Madrid 7 Celta Vigo 7 Barcelona 7 Deportivo 6 Real Betis 5 Getafe 5 Leganes 5 Barcelona 5

SHOTS PER GAME PLAYER Lionel Messi Raúl de Tomás Luis Suárez A. Griezmann Gareth Bale Rodrigo Moreno Karim Benzema J. Hernández Youssef En-Nesyri Borja Iglesias

TEAM SPG Barcelona 5.1 R. Vallecano 3.6 Barcelona 3.4 Atl. Madrid 3.2 Real Madrid 3.1 Valencia 3 Real Madrid 2.7 SD Huesca 2.7 Leganes 2.6 Espanyol 2.6

Antoine Griezmann

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

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ISCO SPOTLIGHT

Panic At The ISCO HE WAS ONCE SEEN AS THE NEXT GREAT STAR OF SPANISH FOOTBALL, BUT ISCO ISN’T EVEN STARTING MATCHES AT REAL MADRID UNDER SANTIAGO SOLARI. EUAN MCTEAR WONDERS HOW THIS DRAMA WILL END.

‘Santiago Solari continued to select other players ahead of Isco as he constructed a system that had no place for a No.10.’

C

arlo Ancelotti once said that Isco’s career could match that of Zinedine Zidane, but right now the 26-yearold’s situation is only similar to that of his former Coach in the sense that they’ve both spent a lot of time on the Real Madrid bench over the past few years.

Isco wasn’t always a starter under Zidane, only completing the 90 minutes in just one of the 33 Champions League matches overseen by the Frenchman between 2016 and 2018, but he was much more important for Los Blancos than he is currently.

Zidane’s exit and the arrival of Julen Lopetegui, who Isco had thrived under when on Spain duty, was supposed to help the man who arrived from Malaga in 2013 take the next step in his career, but Lopetegui lasted just 138 days and in came Santiago Solari. From the very start, it was clear that Solari wasn’t counting on Isco.

The Argentine was promoted to the Real Madrid dugout at the end of October, at a time when Isco was slowly regaining fitness following appendicitis surgery in late September, so it was normal that he didn’t immediately feature for the new boss. As the weeks went on, however, it became clear that his repeated omissions weren’t a fitness issue. Solari just didn’t fancy him.

It all came to a head in Solari’s sixth match in charge, when the midfielder travelled

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ABOVE: It has become a familiar sight for Real Madrid fans to see Isco’s number on the fourth official’s board.

RIGHT: Santiago Solari didn’t start Isco until his eighth match in charge.

to Italy for the team’s Champions League clash with Roma, but wasn’t even included in the 18-man squad. He had to watch on from the stands of the Stadio Olimpico and the Madrid-based media, which has always been supportive of Real Madrid’s Spanish players and, in particular, of Isco, went crazy. “It’s getting colder and colder between Isco and Solari,” screamed one front page in the aftermath of that Roma match, which was won 3-0.

It wasn’t until the new Coach’s eighth match that the Spain international was named in the starting line-up, but this did little to appease the press and the fans as his start came in the Copa del Rey at home to third-tier Melilla, with the capital city side boasting a 4-0 lead from the first leg. Solari was hardly putting his trust in Isco, considering this was essentially a dead rubber. Similarly, Isco’s only other pre-Christmas start came against CSKA Moscow in the final Champions League group match, when Real Madrid had already mathematically secured top spot.

Even after the winter break, Solari continued to select other players ahead of Isco as he constructed a 4-3-3 system that had no place for a No.10. As results and performances improved towards the end of January, the journalists even stopped asking the Coach about Isco in each press

‘There would certainly be a market for a player of his talents.’

THE RISE OF VINICIUS JUNIOR While Isco has been left out by Santiago Solari, Vinicius Junior is thriving under him. Euan McTear takes a closer look…

Santiago Solari’s promotion from Castilla to the Real Madrid first team meant a lot of things. One of which was that Vinicius Junior would be earning many more minutes than he had been under Julen Lopetegui.

The 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy only played 12 first-team minutes under the former Spain boss, but was given his first start in Solari’s first game in charge, in the Copa del Rey against Melilla. The Argentine had been working with the teenager at the club’s B team and had seen just how talented and impactful he could be, so played him against the third-tier side and saw him conjure up two assists as well as striking the post. Keen to construct a direct and purposeful Real Madrid side, one full of energy, Solari played Vinicius more and more regularly.

January’s mini injury crisis, especially in the attacking positions, saw Vinicius play consistently and he scored one goal and provided four assists in that month. The fans completely fell in love with him and his freshness. Not afraid to take on his marker, while also remaining unselfish enough to pick out passes for his teammates, there was plenty to love about him.

Everyone knew he had potential when he arrived last summer, but few could have predicted that he’d be so impactful so soon.

WHERE DOES BRAHIM DIAZ FIT IN? Young Spaniard Brahim Diaz left Manchester City as he wasn’t playing much, but shouldn’t expect much playing time in Madrid either, Euan McTear writes.

While there was plenty of talk about Real Madrid and the winter transfer market, Los Blancos ended up signing just one player in January, as they bought Brahim Diaz from Manchester City.

The 19-year-old moved from Malaga to the English club in 2014 and was keen to return to Spain, specifically to the capital. “It was Real Madrid, Real Madrid or Real Madrid,” he said as he was presented as a new member of the club’s first-team squad.

It makes sense that Los Blancos wanted to sign the midfielder, as their policy in recent years has been to accumulate the best young Spanish talent. They already had Dani Ceballos, Alvaro Odriozola, Marco Asensio, Marcos Llorente and Jesus Vallejo and now they’ve added another hot prospect, one who Pep Guardiola always spoke highly of.

For the player, though, it’s hard to see how he’ll earn more minutes at Real Madrid than he would have done at Manchester City. Both clubs are stacked in the midfield positions and he’ll surely struggle to get onto the pitch at his new home.

The teenager will need to have a lot of patience. If Isco can’t force his way into the team, then it’ll be even harder for someone like Brahim Diaz.

conference. Most of them started to accept that the trainer had been right. There wasn’t a need for Isco in this Real Madrid side. He was incompatible.

The issue with Isco is that he’s always been a uniquely talented player, but not always a decisive one. He may perform the best nutmeg you’ve ever seen, but it’s done in the direction of his own goalkeeper. He may play a lovely dinked pass, but does so along the halfway line. He may dribble past a defender with speed and flair, but there was probably a teammate wide open and unmarked in the box.

These kinds of criticisms of his game are nothing new. Solari’s former Real Madrid teammate Ivan Helguera attacked Isco in 2016, for example. “What do his moves result in?” Helguera asked in an interview with El Pais. “He doesn’t provide assists, he doesn’t score goals, he’s not strong with his headers, he doesn’t win the ball back.

I’m not convinced by him,” he continued. “I like that he’s creative, but it needs to be to break teams down.”

Helguera explained that the applause Isco’s skills receive from the crowd at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu crowd, whether or not they’ve helped the team advance, lead him to perform tricks again and again. This is a point that Barcelona legend Xavi picked up on in an interview of his own earlier this year. “He should be decisive, rather than stay in midfield to impress the fans,” the Catalan said. “That's very good, but it's not productive. Isco is capable and should take a step forward. Isco should do it, with his talent, in many games. It's not enough with an 'ooooh' in midfield. It's enough with the 'ooooh' and an assist or a goal!”

Solari clearly shares some of these opinions, or at least the sentiment of them, and this is why he has been using more direct players such as Lucas Vazquez or Vinicius Junior in place of the Andalusian. The Coach wants his Real Madrid team to get into the danger areas and to be purposeful in attack, an attribute that the leisurely Isco isn’t as likely to provide.

It seems, then, that Isco can expect to spend the next few months warming the Real Madrid bench, only earning minutes here and there as a substitute or in the less important fixtures. The question for Isco now is, what does he do in the summer?

Should Solari, who is on a contract that runs to 2021, be given another season at Real Madrid then Isco will know not to expect much playing time in the 2019-20 season either and would surely seek a move elsewhere, especially as he is turning 27 later in the year and is entering what should be his peak years.

There would certainly be a market for a player of his talents, as his skillset can be a winning one in the right environment. It’s not that Isco is an ineffective player. The problem is that his talents are so specialised that he essentially needs a team to be built around him, something that happened with Lopetegui’s Spain and that might have happened at the Bernabeu had the Basque been given more time.

The issue might be that Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, a huge admirer of the player, won’t want to let him go.

Perez certainly wouldn’t want to sell to Barcelona, a landing spot that might not be as crazy as it sounds given the Catalan club’s style of football and that Isco is not as anti-Barcelona as some Real Madrid players. He even named his dog Messi, admitting that he considers the Barcelona No.10 as the best player in the world.

More likely, though, would be a transfer to a top-six team in the Premier League, where the clubs could afford a large transfer fee and where there’d be far less controversy.

Again, though, he’d need to land at the right club and be paired with a tactician willing to craft a system that plays to his strengths. Isco can never be the icing on the cake. He has to be the cake.

The other scenario would be for Isco to stay at Real Madrid, but for this to be possible there would need to be a new Coach in the dugout for next season. Given the frequency with which Los Blancos have changed Coaches over the years, this is within the realms of possibility.

Even if Solari were to add another trophy to go with the Club World Cup collected in December and even though he has a contract for the next two seasons, it still wouldn’t shock anyone if he were to be let go. For Isco, this is his main hope if he is to write another chapter in his Real Madrid story.

ABOVE: Spain Coach Luis Enrique has a big decision to make, as Isco has been important for La Roja but isn’t playing regularly.

ABOVE (SMALL): When Isco did finally start under Solari, he made a point by scoring twice.

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

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COUTINHO

The Coutinho Conundrum PHILIPPE COUTINHO IS INTO HIS SECOND YEAR AT BARCELONA AFTER A PROTRACTED MOVE FROM LIVERPOOL. COLIN MILLAR LOOKS BACK OVER THE BRAZILIAN’S FIRST 12 MONTHS AT CAMP NOU…

“Coutinho’s rare flurries have seen him appear hesitant and strangely subdued.”

I

t was a transfer saga that had lasted six months, with the conclusion met with a great deal of fanfare. Philippe Coutinho’s move from Liverpool to Barcelona was confirmed in early January 2018, the deal reported to total £142m. The transfer was the second most expensive in the history of the sport, behind only that of Coutinho’s compatriot Neymar, who had exited the Catalan giants to join Paris Saint-Germain the previous summer.

But even after agreement was reached with the Reds, events didn’t proceed smoothly.

During the formalities of Coutinho’s medical, he was diagnosed with a thigh injury that would delay his debut by three weeks. Midway through February and with the player starting to find his feet in the city, his house was burgled. It was to be the start of a frustrating 12 months for the player.

The spotlight has generally not been cast too heavily upon Coutinho, thanks in part due to the off-field furore surrounding Ousmane Dembele – Barcelona’s other landmark signing from earlier that season.

The Frenchman was accused of lacking discipline and the sufficient motivation to star at Camp Nou after he reportedly turned up two hours late to training having previously gone AWOL with stomach problems. But the young starlet also made headlines for the right reasons – netting decisively in away games at Real Sociedad, Rayo Vallecano, Atletico Madrid and Espanyol.

Dembele’s displays have forced him into Barca Coach Ernesto Valverde’s regular starting line-up alongside the established stars of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. That means that Coutinho is the odd man out in the front three, although the suggestions following his arrival from Anfield would be that he would ultimately be the long-term successor for the outgoing club captain Andres Iniesta in midfield.

This appears to be at the heart of the problem. While Coutinho was generally viewed in world football as one of the game’s finest attacking players – with much of the reporting centring on him directly replacing the outgoing Neymar in Barca’s attacking trident – the idea among Blaugrana officials was for him to be the

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ABOVE: Philippe Coutinho became Barcelona’s record signing in January 2019 LEFT: Having joined from Inter in 2013, Coutinho developed into a global star at Liverpool

replacement for Iniesta, who subsequently left the club last summer to join Japanese club Vissel Kobe. But the situation shifted once again that summer with the addition of another Brazilian as Arthur Melo joined from Gremio.

In the 2018-19 campaign, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic have once again been mainstays in the three-main midfield, with Arthur the most commonly deployed third midfielder. The emergence of promising youth player Carles Alena and the arrival of Arturo Vidal from Bayern Munich has further muddied the waters for Coutinho, with boss Valverde notoriously unwilling to regularly rotate his preferred line-up.

The role of Iniesta was as Barca’s conductor, to take care of the ball, drifting into areas where he can control the game from before developing attacks. Yet Coutinho’s rare flurries in that position have seen him appear hesitant and strangely subdued, lacking the personality and the confidence to control games. He has previously excelled in the No. 10 role of a playmaker, yet this is not a position which exists in Barca’s system and if it did, the genius of Messi is most likely to fill it.

Coutinho’s frustration may stem from the having the opportunity to really establish himself at the Catalan giants. His debut in February 2018 was at a time when it was already evident that Barca were on their way to the League title, when Iniesta was slowly being phased out and when Dembele was isolated due to his own fitness issues.

Indeed, the Brazilian scored 10 goals in his first 22 appearances in Spanish football as his future appeared to be falling into place.

Yet in his opening 28 matches in the 2018-19 season he added just a further six goals.

His most notable moment was opening the scoring in the 5-1 El Clasico demolition of Real Madrid back in October but the subsequent hat-trick from Suarez and dismissal of Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui grabbed the headlines. That game was in Messi’s absence and when the Argentine returned from his arm injury, it was Coutinho who made way.

The Catalan Press has called for more. “His splashes of magic must now become an incessant rain,” wrote one reporter, as a hint that the odd flash of genius was not enough for Coutinho to retain his place in the side.

There is no doubt that Coutinho possesses the moments of genius, vision and improvisation that no other player aside from Messi at Camp Nou has in their locker.

Yet the club’s all-time recorded scorer will only not feature if he is injured or rested for matches deemed insignificant by the club’s hierarchy. So Coutinho needs to do more.

Suarez is the reliable goal scorer, Dembele is the unpredictable joker card and Arthur is the fleet-footed, gifted midfielder keeping Barca’s attacks ticking over.

The club’s record signing has become Barca’s Plan B, capable of tidy performances, a respectable return of goals and assists but no guaranteed end product and no real certainty of his own role in the team. A player who will almost certainly be given a starting spot in the case of injuries, suspensions and fatigue, but not a role benefitting of a club record arrival.

A year on from Coutinho’s arrival, the club announced another landmark signing which adds further question marks to his future. Frenkie de Jong is moving to Camp Nou from Ajax in a deal costing £80m.

The Netherlands international will almost certainly command a starting place in Barca’s midfielder – potentially to provide the long-term replacement for Busquets, but also added competition for Rakitic and Arthur.

The issue for Coutinho is not so much De Jong’s position within the team but what the deal means economically for the club.

Barca have comfortably the biggest wage bill in Spain and have invested heavily in transfer fees – with over £320m spent on Coutinho, Dembele and De Jong alone.

Much of this spend was initially financed by Neymar’s world record fee departure but it is worth considering that at least one, if not two, first-team squad players will need to make way this summer. Coutinho – a big earner who is not a regular starter – may

BACK 2 BARCA

find himself near the very top of such a shortlist.

There is still an expectation at Barcelona that Coutinho will improve, release himself from the shackles of his timid displays and make his mark on the first team. But the pressing issue is that the club invested in the playmaker on an unprecedented level and he is not the same player they thought they were signing. A supremely talented individual without question, but one who has been accused of lacking the drive and personality to become a true superstar.

Coutinho must convince Valverde that he is deserving of a spot in Barcelona’s starting line-up and as things stand, it is hard to see that happening under the current set of circumstances. An injury to a teammate followed by a string of convincing performances may be the most plausible route for Coutinho to finally thrive in the Catalan capital but currently, there are more questions than answers.

Iniesta, the maestro who the former Liverpool star was theoretically replacing in Barca’s team, spent 16 years at the Camp Nou. Coutinho has completed his first, but whether or not that figure will multiply remains unclear.

ABOVE: The Brazilian opened the scoring in October’s El Clasico clash but was soon out of the XI again ABOVE (SMALL): Coutinho’s performances at the Camp Nou have come under scrutiny BOTTOM: The initial idea was for Coutinho to replace Andres Iniesta at Barca

Rumours of Neymar returning to Barcelona just won’t go away. Colin Millar explains why the Paris SaintGermain star has been linked with a return…

The transfer of Neymar from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017 rocked the world of football. The €222m fee obliterated the world record transfer fee, more than doubling that which took Paul Pogba to Manchester United the previous year. The Brazilian star was widely thought to be within the top three players in the sport and the only forward to threaten the long-standing duopoly dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca teammate Lionel Messi.

Neymar helped propel the Parisians to a domestic treble in his debut campaign but a Champions League last 16 exit to Real Madrid ensured the campaign was an underwhelming one, such are PSG’s aspirations.

Numerous reports have suggested the Brazilian fell out with a number of teammates, most notably strike partner Edinson Cavani. It was said that he was the true boss of the PSG dressing room, and not head coach Unai Emery. The addition of Dani Alves saw the Selecao contingent at the club grow with reported factions within the squad.

Widespread reports both in France and Spain have suggested Neymar wants a return to Spain, most prominently a return to Barcelona or even suggestions of Real Madrid – who are still seeking a Cristiano Ronaldo replacement. The 27-year-old is said to have contacted Barca to acknowledge he had made a mistake by moving, but would PSG let their star asset leave? Neymar naturally generates headlines, but the reality of his situation is likely to see him remain in the French capital.

BARCA BIGS If Philippe Coutinho’s Barcelona tenure does end in disappointment, he won’t be the first to arrive with a bang but go out with a whimper….

ANDRE GOMES

Portugal international Andre Gomes joined Barcelona from Valencia in the summer of 2016 for an initial €35m, plus €20m in add-ons. The midfielder struggled in the Catalan capital, netting just three goals in two seasons before being loaned to Everton.

ALEXANDER HLEB

Attacking midfielder Alexander Hleb moved to the Camp Nou in a €17m move from Arsenal in 2008 but made only 19 La Liga appearances for the club. The Belorussian later had loan spells at Stuttgart, Birmingham City and Wolfsburg.

GEOVANNI

The Brazilian could not join compatriots Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar in the echelons of great Barca forwards. An expensive €18m recruit from Cruziero in 2001, Geovanni failed to cut it at Camp Nou before joining Benfica on a free.

DMYTRO CHYGRYNSKIY

Ukraine international defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy spent a solitary season at Barcelona following a €25m transfer from Shakhtar Donestk in 2009. He made only 14 appearances at the club before being sold back to Shakhtar for €15m the following summer.

MALCOM

The 21-year-old joined Barca for €41m last summer from Bordeaux, after Roma had announced a deal for the forward.

However, just one La Liga start in an injury-free six months suggests Malcom might not stick around for long.

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AROUND SPAIN

“” QUOTES

MESSI MUSIC

WU LEI NOW

Lionel Messi's latest promotional video for Lays sees him take up the role of an elegant musical conductor. The modern-day footballing legend is seen in an advertisement getting ready for his show with Lays in the background. Messi has been part of similar campaigns before too. In 2017, the Barcelona legend played the role of a pianist for another advertising campaign in which he was seen playing the Champions League anthem.

CHIN UP

“He (Zidane) didn’t talk to me about it – I still haven’t spoken to him since. Our relationship was good. I wouldn’t say we were best mates, it was just a normal professional relationship.” - Real Madrid

FC Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov has provided his full support to Brazilian attacker Philippe Coutinho by stating that he understands how the Brazilian must be feeling after a difficult first year at Camp Nou. Stoichkov published an open letter published in Mundo Deportivo, telling Coutinho to keep his spirit high as time always changes.

winger Gareth Bale says that Zinedine Zidane and he have not spoken since the night of the Champions League final, a game in which he scored his stunning overhead goal against Liverpool.

NOT THE WILD WEST

“’I'm fine, I've been training a lot since the season started. I had a knee injury so I had to build up my legs to protect them, I have muscle, not fat.” - Jese has been forced to defend his weight after joining Real Betis on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona loanee Arda Turan looks all set to face between 3 and 12-anda-half years in prison for an alleged assault of a famous Turkish singer in a nightclub. Turan, who is on loan at Basaksehir, is accused of sexual harassment, inflicting intentional injuries and shooting a firearm in a way to cause panic, as well as carrying weapons without a license.

According to Turkish press, the altercation took place after the player approached the singer Berkay Sahin's wife, Ozlem Ada. The result of the whole debacle sees Turan in a very precarious situation as he could be jailed for a long time.

WE DON’T TALK ANYMORE

“There's no problem, I went to Manchester to a sponsor's event, I stayed at the same hotel as him and we stayed talking for two hours” – Kaka patched up his relationship with Jose Mourinho even though the pair didn’t see eye to eye during their Real Madrid days.

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos posted a curious photo of himself on social media handle Instagram which got an epic reply from struggling Isco.

With it having been reported in recent days that the centreback and midfielder don't talk to each other, the former Malaga man joked about the claim in the comments section. On Ramos' post that was captioned as 'Big challenges ahead. Let's do this!", Isco replied, "Are you aware that we don't talk? That's what someone has thought." The midfielder then added a couple of shrugging emojis after his comment.

Espanyol new boy Wu Lei had 40million viewers from China watch his La Liga debut after he joined from the Chinese Super League. The 27-yearold left Shanghai SIPG on deadline day of last month’s winter window as Espanyol payed €3.5 mil for the striker.

WHAT NAME

Barcelona’s most recent big money signing Frenkie de Jong has confirmed that he’s not sure on one kit proposition from club sponsors Nike. According to the 21-year-old, Nike want him to play with ‘Frenkie’ on the back of his shirt. This is supposedly what they prefer ‘from the point of view of merchandising’. However, De Jong has suggested that he isn’t exactly sold on the idea.

YOUR REIGN IN SPAIN

Sergio Ramos was brutally trolled by fans when he slid off the pitch after a moment of magic from Nelson Semedo. Amused viewers claimed the Los Blancos skipper was incredibly "sent back to Madrid" during the Copa del Rey clash between the two sides at Nou Camp. The Portuguese defender stopped in his tracks as the Madrid skipper slid towards the advertising boards. Semedo put the ball into the box, but Lionel Messi did not manage to test Keylor Navas from close range.

IT’S A CRACKER

Diego Costa is well-known to be a big fan of pranks - and this could be his best one yet. The Atletico Madrid striker decided to wake his brother up to see in the New Year in a rather unconventional way, involving fireworks. As Jair Costa lay asleep, Diego crept up and placed a pan containing fireworks next to him. The flares were lit as the Atletico Madrid man scarpered to watch the theatrics from a safe position. As the ban fizzed and crackled, Jair was shaken out of his slumber.

DID YOU

KNOW?

• As of January 24, Levante’s Sergio Postigo and Girona’s Portu were named as the fastest speed stars of the LaLiga 2018/19 campaign. Both clocked in at a maximum speed of 34.99 km/hr. No Barcelona or Real Madrid player made the top five fastest players list.

• Atletico Madrid shotstopper Jan Oblak kept 27 clean sheets in 50 appearances for Atletico Madrid in 2018, more than any other goalkeeper in top 5 European leagues.

THE REAL THING

“’Things change when you do not enjoy the same opportunities as your teammates” - Real Madrid midfielder Isco took to social media as he argued that he doesn't get the same opportunities under Santiago Solari, in comparison to his teammates.

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Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi posted a video on his Instagram account that gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse at an advertisement for Pepsi, where he performs an incredible trick shot with a football and a bottle of the drink. Placing a Pepsi bottle on top of a football, Messi fires a perfectly timed shot into a hoop — but wait, that’s not all of it. The back-spin imparted on the ball makes the bottle on top flip a couple of times before landing on the floor as it was placed on top of the ball. With trick shots like these, the question of whether it is real or fake always comes up but it’s hard not to be convinced when it comes from the feet of a player like Messi. The video went viral, as it should, on Twitter.

LIONEL & LUIS

Lionel Messi and his Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez have enjoyed a night on the red carpet as they attended the premiere of the Cirque Du Soleil show dedicated to his life. The new Cirque du Soleil production is based on the Argentine's extraordinary career and will be staging its worldwide premiere on October 10 in Parc del Forum with a total of 32 shows between now and November 10.

ISCO FATTY

Real Madrid midfielder Isco asked fans on Instagram if he was ‘fat’ amid rumors he has been left out of Santiago Solari due to his shape. The Spaniard took to Instagram to ask his 16.4 million followers what they thought of his figure. Isco uploaded a photo asking: "Am I fat?"

GERARD THE FIFTH

BY THE NUMBERS 15 Real Madrid have scored in each of their last 15 away games against Barcelona in all competitions (26 goals), their best scoring run away from home in El Clasico history.

FOR OLD TIMES

Neymar has been hanging out with Real Madrid past and present players in his 'Amigos de Neymar' charity match. The former Barcelona star hosted a charity match in Brazil and ex-Real stars such as Kaka and Roberto Carlos played.

Current Real prospect Vinicius Jr played and Neymar - whose charity game reportedly raised 120 tons of food for families in need in Brazil - posted a picture on his Instagram story with the 18-year-old Brazilian. Neymar spent four seasons with Real’s greatest rivals Barcelona where the Brazilian won two La Liga titles and one Champions League.

14 Lionel Messi has made 14 shots from outside box in 2019, more than any other player in the Top 5 European Leagues this year.

25% FC Barcelona have lost 25% of their games without Lionel Messi this season in all competitions (2/8) compared to 7.4% with him (2/27).

Luis Suarez has another reason to celebrate - after getting his iconic finger-kissing celebration tattooed on his neck. The routine, which sees him kiss his wrist, ring finger, thumb, index finger and then middle finger, has become synonymous with the Barcelona striker over recent years.

Suarez, 31, had the image of his hand with his thumb, index finger and middle finger outstretched tattooed on to the left side of his neck. In a video shared originally by OTRO and then reposted by Suarez, the striker puts on a brave face as he gets his latest treatment.

RATMAN IS BOBBING

Thibaut Courtois' was showered with toy rats as he entered the field of play at the Wanda Metropolitano before the Madrid derby. The current Real Madrid goalkeeper made 154 appearances for Atletico during a three-year spell in which he helped Los Rojiblancos to Copa del Rey, LaLiga Santander and Europa League titles. Since his move to Los Blancos in the summer, many Atletico supporters feel bitter towards the Belgian for what they deem a betrayal. As well as the shower of rats before the game, the plaque that bears his name outside Atletico's new stadium was also vandalized.

BABY GIFTS

Atletico Madrid captain Diego Godin married his long-term girlfriend Sofia Herrera recently - and to spread the joy the couple reportedly decided to donate ALL their wedding gifts to charity. The donation will be made to Hospital Pereira Rossell in Montevideo helping prematurely born babies.

BABY STEPS

ANGEL CAKE

SUAREZ INK

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is now expected to become the president of Spanish fifth tier club FC Andorra after his company Kosmos bought the Catalan side. Kosmos company is a media and sports investment group founded by Spanish football star Gerard Pique in 2017.

FC Andorra was only founded in 1942 and during the 1980’s and 1990’s played in the Spanish third tier, but now, they now reside two divisions lower.

Real Madrid's 3-1 victory over Atletico has been celebrated around the world by their fans, with one supporter sharing a meme that showed Sergio Ramos bottle-feeding a baby with an Atleti badge over its face. The player himself liked the image on social media. Ramos had scored a penalty in the match to make it 2-1 at the time, before his side went on to win by a two-goal margin.

Julen Lopetegui and Fernando Hierro met for the first time since the World Cup in Russia last summer. Doctor Angel Martin hosted a gathering at his house which saw the two former Spanish national team coaches reunited. Lopetegui was sacked just before Spain's first match of the tournament due to agreeing terms with Real Madrid, and Hierro was his replacement. Among the attendees were Miguel Angel Gil, Javier Moro, Manolo Hierro, Antonio Alonso, Emilio Cruz and Carlos Bucero.

CHINESE TAKEN AWAY

Barcelona had the idea of having the players' names written in Chinese underneath the usual style in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Madrid, yet the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) had not given the relevant permission. The Blaugrana had posted about the shirts on their social media pages but were told shortly before the clash that they did not have the go-ahead to wear the shirts.

BAD BOY TONO

Levante defender Tono was arrested in Teruel on suspicion of extortion and threats.

The police operation caught the 29-year old as part of an investigation into many crimes. In the absence of what may come out of the judicial investigations, the judge in charge believes that there is sufficient indication of the player's possible involvement in several crimes.

EAT WITH GOMEZ

After playing his 150th match with Athletic Club, Ibai Gomez has invited 150 fans to an event at which they will eat healthy and ecological food and at which he will answer questions.

The player announced the idea on his Instagram account as a way to thank the loyal support he has received. To enter the competition, applicants must like the photo on social media, follow his Instagram account and comment with the hashtag #150conibai, naming the person with whom they would share the day, meaning there will be 75 chosen winners.

MESSED UP

Lionel Messi has hilariously revealed that eldest son Thiago criticizes him to his face whenever Barcelona lose. Messi revealed that his kid Thiago is more than happy to ask questions whenever Barcelona slip up. And he makes sure his dad now openly talks about those performances to reflect and improve for the next game.

BARCELONA CROSS

Barcelona have rejected a new design for a white away jersey by shirt makers Nike, according to Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo, apparently because of the similarities with the traditional white shirt of rivals Real Madrid. The kit has been reportedly inspired by the white and red of the Cross of St. George, the official flag of the city of Barcelona. But despite Nike’s seemingly commendable intentions to commemorate the city’s patron state, the Barcelona board were understandably not happy with the shirt maker's choice of colour and have put a halt to plans to incorporate the design as the club’s away kit for the 2020/21 season.

HEY BALE

Gareth Bale reached 100 goals for Real Madrid in his side’s 3-1 victory over Atletico and the Welshman celebrated with a curious movement of his arms that some sections of the home support took to be a sort of middle finger in their direction. The Atletico fans nearest the Welshman took offence at the gesture and while it is unclear whether Bale was aiming it at the home support or if it was a private message, he is unlikely to face retrospective action. UEFA is intending to use VAR to clamp down on such gestures in the Champions League, but at the moment in LaLiga there are no plans to use the technology in such a way.

ALL IS FORGIVEN

Villarreal have reappointed Coach Javi Calleja to replace Luis Garcia Plaza, just 50 days after he was sacked by the Spanish top-flight club. Calleja spent 13 years at the club across roles as a player, youth coach and Coach of the first-team, before being replaced by Luis Garcia Plaza midway through December.

OFF THE DENMARK

Former Denmark international forward Nicki Bille, who played for a number of Spanish clubs, has reportedly been shot in a murder attempt. The 30-year-old currently plays for Danish club Lyngby and was shot in the arm by a stray bullet, Diario AS cite a report Ekstra Bladet as saying. Reports say two people have been arrested in relation to the incident.

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AROUND SPAIN WADA YA KNOW

Former Sevilla midfielder Samir Nasri has explained he ‘didn’t know the rules’ for doping irregularities after being handed an 18-month ban from football. The former France international is now back playing whilst at West Ham United, with the ban imposed from the summer of 2017 following a Spanish AntiDoping investigation. The midfielder used a drip treatment he took at a Los Angeles clinic in 2016 while on holiday, with the treatment contravening World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) rules.

“’I know that one day he will say he is retiring and we have to prepare the club for that day.” - Although it is a scenario that nobody wants to imagine, Barcelona must be ready for the day when Lionel Messi hangs up his boots, according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

AMAZON WOMEN

Eibar president Amaia Gorostiza has spoken of her ‘pride’ of the club’s board being comprised of a female majority, ‘reflecting’ the Basque city and society.

The Basque side have become a regular fixture in La Liga since their inaugural promotion in 2015 with Gorostiza leading a club who are Spanish club were most board positions are occupied by women.

DID YOU

KNOW?

SPAIN HAS IT

“It’s a pity that a Frenchman did not win. Maybe the European Cup is more important than the World Cup.” - Antoine Griezmann joked about the European Cup being more important than the World Cup after Luka Modric won the Ballon d’Or. Griezmann finished third in the Ballon d’Or standings behind Ronaldo.

Spanish clubs continue to dominate the European club rankings index with three of the top four and four in the continent’s top six. Real Madrid still lead the way after three successive Champions League titles while Barcelona are ranked third and Atletico Madrid are one place further back.

Sevilla, who have won five Europa League titles since 2006 and three of the past five editions, lie sixth in the rankings with Bayern Munich in second and Juventus sitting fifth.

OH NO YOU DON’T

“’I have watched my goal back about 100 times” - Malcolm couldn’t stop revisiting his first El-Classico goal for Barcelona.

“I’m closer to Real Madrid as my father is a Madridista. We watched them on TV when we first arrived in Spain and for that reason I’ve always felt stronger about them.” - Real Betis wing-back Junior Firpo admits he has always felt ‘close’ to Real Madrid and that his father is a fan of the club.

Sevilla fans have ramped up their displeasure against reports of a takeover bid from American businessman Robert Kraft. Robert Kraft, owner of the National Football League’s (NFL) New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, is said to be close to completing the purchase of the club.

Current Los Rojiblancos president Pepe Castro is said to be negotiating the sale of the club but many fan groups have voiced their opposition to the plans.

WORLD OF SANCHEZ

Real Betis star Joaquin Sanchez has admitted he would love to have his own TV show when he eventually retires from football.

The 37-year-old has a contract at Los Verdiblancos until June 2020 but he confirmed he was eyeing up a move into entertainment after his playing days were over.

• En-Nesyri is the first CD Leganes player to score a hattrick in LaLiga.

THAT’S REAL NICE

Villarreal playmaker Santi Cazorla took time to honor Rayo Vallecano fan Jorge Muñoz, who died days before Vallecano’s La Liga encounter with Villareal at the age of 14. Rayo paid tribute before the game with a bouquet of flowers and a photo of their young socio with the signatures of the entirety of the club’s staff. Cazorla went to where Jorge’s family and friends were sitting at the end of the game and gave his top, posing for photos and signing memorabilia.

“’I’ll walk away from Barcelona when the day comes that I stop enjoying things the way I do” - Gerard Pique wants to stay at Barcelona till the day he enjoys himself.

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Assistant referee Cesar Noval ran the line for the La Liga clash between Eibar and Real Madrid days after performing a complicated sex change operation. The Spanish surgeon – who doubles up as a football official – was in the headlines in Spain for carrying out the operation in one single sitting, a marathon 17 hours. Noval has been an official in Spanish football since 2010 and is one of the top-ranked assistant referees, frequently involved in top matches and in UEFA competition.

• Casemiro’s 15:09 opener against Atletico Madrid is the fastest goal conceded

by Atletico at Wanda Metropolitano.

• Lionel Messi is the only player in LaLiga history to score 20+ goals in 11 consecutive seasons.

IF THE SHOE FITS…

A Dutch court has ruled that Barca midfielder, Rafinha, must wear adidas boots or pay a fine of €10,000 for each day he continues to refuse to honour his contract, up to a maximum of €1m.The ruling follows adidas’ claim that Rafinha had broken the terms of his contract by not wearing their boots for the last five months, instead opting to wear blacked out Mizuno boots.

The Brazilian, who has been contracted to the Three Stripes since 2013, supposedly thought his contract with adidas had ended, however the brand said that they had exercised a right to extend his contract by five years.

PUMA DUNK

PASS THE BALLS

• No away player won more times at Wanda Metropolitano than Thibaut Courtois, 2, one for Chelsea and one for Real Madrid.

World Cup winning forward Antoine Griezmann has shown off his latest custom PUMA boot artwork by giving the Future 2.1 silo a basketball twist. The Atletico Madrid forward has been hooked up with a bespoke handpainted design that features the faces of D'Angelo Russell and Isaiah Thomas on the heels. Both of the basketball players mentioned are Nike athletes so this has to be a project that Griezmann has sorted himself, rather than PUMA. Griezmann is a big basketball fan and has attended numerous NBA games during the football off-season, meeting a whole host of basketball stars in the process.

PRANK ALARM

Atletico Madrid team mates Diego Costa and Lucas Hernandez went to war with fire extinguishers as pranks between the two escalated to a new level. Costa, who was known to be a bit of a character during his time with Chelsea in the Premier League, took no prisoners as he laid out Hernandez's clothes before spraying them with foam. Costa, wearing a blue hooded top and jeans, stepped out of the changing rooms at the training facility with a fire extinguisher in hand. Hernandez's black outfit was already laid on the floor before Costa covered it with the contents of the extinguisher as Filipe Luis filmed the incident.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Amazon Prime have announced plans to screen a documentary series focusing on Real Madrid and Spain captain Sergio Ramos. The program will be formatted as eight 30-minute episodes that offer a behind the scenes insight into Ramos' life, both on and off the pitch.

Ramos announced the collaboration via his personal Twitter account, stating how the program will give fans a glimpse of the pressures of life as a professional footballer.

BY THE NUMBERS 2 Ezequiel Avila is the second Huesca player to score a brace in LaLiga, after Alex Gallar vs Eibar in August 2018.

8 VinĂ­cius JĂşnior has been involved in eight goals for Real Madrid in Copa del Rey this season (two goals and six assists), more than any other LaLiga player.

22.78% Karim Benzema has scored 22.78% out of Real Madrid ’s goals this season in all competitions (18/79), his best percentage in a single campaign for the Whites.

BOAT TRIP

Kevin-Prince Boateng says a healthier lifestyle has helped him secure a dream move to Barcelona, after he struggled as a youngster at Tottenham Hotspur because of parties and a poor diet. The 31-year-old made a surprise switch from Italian side Sassuolo to the Camp Nou in January, after a career that has taken him through Germany, England, Italy and Spain.

LA DAVIS CUP

The new-look Davis Cup Finals will be sponsored by LaLiga for the next four years. A joint announcement from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Kosmos Tennis - the investment group behind a controversial transformation of the Davis Cup - confirmed the unusual sponsorship deal. Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is the founder and president of Kosmos, whose revamp will see 18 nations involved in a one-week, season-ending event in November.

I'M NOT LISTENING TO YOU

A group of 20 Celta Vigo fans had their request to speak to the club’s captains at a closed training session denied, report Cadena Cope. The Galician side had slipped to 17th in La Liga, just one place above the relegation zone, with their 4-2 defeat at Rayo Vallecano seen as particularly damaging. The group of fans requested they speak to the clubs’ captains – Hugo Mallo, Iago Aspas, Sergio Alvarez, Gustavo Cabral – to discuss the poor form and dynamic of the team.

NO FAIR

Levante will take their appeal against Copa del Rey elimination to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after their initial move was rejected. The LaLiga club alleged Barcelona used an ineligible player in the first leg of the last-16 tie, but their appeal was rejected by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

AGUT FEELING

Roberto Bautista Agut is in the midst of his best run at a grand slam, reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals.

But, it could have been so much different had the world number 24 and nine-time ATP Tour winner from sunny Spain pursued his other love – football. Bautista Agut caught the attention of LaLiga side Villarreal and it is there where the Spaniard played until the age of 14, before turning to tennis.

UBER SIGNS

Valencia have signed up urban transport app Uber as its Official Sponsor of mobility and innovation. Under the deal, Uber will brand signs at the Mestalla stadium and will work with the club on activations throughout the year. The American multinational launched its service in the city in December.

ORANGE PATCH KIDS

Boys

Sevilla have signed a new shorts patch partnership with Cypriot currency trading platform EverFX. As part of the deal, the EverFX logo will be present on the front-of-shorts for at least the remainder of this season. Sevilla has boosted its international sponsorship portfolio this season, through deals with brand such as with Nike, Betfair, Uber and FC EnergĂ­a.

 � �

AROUND SPAIN ALL BETS ARE OFF

“’We have to make sure that we have some of the best playing surfaces in the world. The players looked like dancers trying not to fall and that happened in the year 2019” - Valencia boss Marcelino

Real Sociedad will turn down offers of sponsorships from gambling companies in the future, following a vote by the Spanish LaLiga football club’s members. A total of 6,638 members were polled over three days, with 86 per cent of the respondents supporting a blackout on betting and gaming corporations. 13 per cent of respondents voted to accept such deals, while one per cent returned blank forms.

Sociedad will be the only club in LaLiga not to have a commercial tie-up with a gambling provider.

was furious that his side’s match against Alaves wasn’t called off despite adverse weather conditions.

MADRID TV

Spanish giants Real Madrid are re-launching their in-house television network and have appointed Javier Baena to oversee the commercial aspect of the project. Through Baena’s experience – he also worked as a commercial director for Mediapro prior to joining LaLiga – it is thought that he is seen as a crucial part of the platform’s global growth and commercialization. The service achieved a market share of less than one per cent in 2018.

SALES FORECAST “’I’m used to the fans whistling me. I’ve experienced these moments before and it’s uncomfortable. It’s difficult for young players to play here with the whistles” Valencia midfielder Dani Parejo claims he is used to the Valencia fans whistling him after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Sevilla in La Liga.

Barcelona have launched a smart model in an attempt to better manage the marketing of ticket sales at the club’s iconic Nou Camp stadium. The update to the Seient Lliure system will calculate the number of tickets available for nonseason-ticket holders to purchase for any given matchday, with the number based on statistics collated from the last five years of the LaLiga side’s home games. The technology will also take into account the opposition team, the scheduling of the match and the likely weather conditions. The model will be available during the last six home league games of the 2018/19 season, starting in the second weekend of March.

DID YOU

KNOW?

AI FANS

LaLiga President Javier Tebas has revealed that Spanish soccer’s top flight is set to change the way in which it puts together its fixture list. From February, the league will use artificial intelligence (AI) software in order to determine when best to schedule its matches, with the system focusing on which times and dates will allow clubs to maximize stadium attendances. The technology will also be programmed to ensure that the league exploits primetime television slots, both in Spain and on an international scale.

Super Revanmp

WISHFUL THINKING

- Inter Milan legend and Real Valladolid president Ronaldo Nazario jokes he bought Valladolid cause he couldn’t afford to buy Inter.

Barcelona icon Lionel Messi has signed a personal endorsement deal with luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co. As part of the three-year partnership, the jeweller and Messi have collaborated to create a limitededition timepiece, known as the Epic x Chrono Messi. Messi’s agreement with the deluxe watch brand comes six years after longterm rival Cristiano Ronaldo signed a similar deal with the company. Under the terms of the arrangement, Messi will work with the company on other projects in order to produce further limited-edition products.

BARCA TV “Simeone criticizes Madrid to become popular with his fans” - Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois hits back at Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone for his comments on Courtois joining Real Madrid.

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Barcelona are launching their own production hub that will take charge of all club content, including a revamped version of their in-house television channel, Barca TV. Barca Studios will be responsible for the creation, production and distribution of all of the LaLiga outfit’s audiovisual content from the start of July. The new venture will see Barcelona assume responsibility for all of their content from Telefonica, which has a production contract with the club that runs until the end of June. The Spanish telecoms giant took over the management of Barca TV from Mediapro in 2015.

• Eibar (14) are the opponent to have scored more goals against Girona since the Catalonian team promoted to Primera División (Barcelona 13).

• Levante & Getafe have drawn nil-nil in five of 22 LaLiga games between them.

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu is still holding on to playing league games abroad. In a recent interview, he reaffirmed the club’s commitment and desire to play La Liga games outside of Spain, suggesting that the top flight should play as much as three games a year abroad.

Barcelona were due to face Girona in Miami in January in the first instalment of the controversial 15-year deal between La Liga and US entertainment company Relevant Sports, but the match did not go ahead due to a lack of consensus between the league, the federation and FIFA. Bartomeu argues that if the league is to strengthen its brand, they need to stage a number of matches in international markets, and not just in America, but also the Middle East and Asia.

BY THE NUMBERS 0 Rayo Vallecano is yet to pick up any points in LaLiga from Madrid derbies this season.

WATCH IT

“’I never thought about Inter, the club is in my heart and I’d never rule anything out, but I don’t have the money to buy Inter! So I’ll continue with Valladolid”

• Gaizka Garitano completed his first seven league games without losing as Athletic's manager, the third best starting for Athletic's manager after Frederick Pentland (18 in 1930) & Ferdinand Daucik (eight in 1954) in the competition ever.

LADIES FIRST

Athletic Bilbao set a new attendance record for a women’s match after 48,121 fans filled the San Mames stadium for a Copa de la Reina (Copa del Rey equivalent) match against Atletico Madrid.

The club claims that the figure is the largest in history for a club match in Europe. The attendance definitely shattered the previous record in Spain, which was also held by Bilbao, which was set in 2003 when 35,000 fans watched the team clinch the league title.

The high attendance was helped by the clubs initiative, which charged non-members €5 to attend, while offering free entry to season ticket holders. Unfortunately for Bilbao, they couldn’t take advantage of the large attendance, as they lost the match.

2 Espanyol’s Wu Lei become the second Chinese player to play in LaLiga, after Zhang Chengdong for Rayo Vallecano in 2015 (one appearance).

7 Seven of 13 players to have played more games this season in all competitions in the Top Five European Leagues are Sevilla's players: Ever Banega (37), Pablo Sarabia (36), Franco Vázquez (34), Tomas Vaclik (34), Wissam Ben Yedder (34) & Roque Mesa (34).

22 Girona have conceded 22 times in 2019. More than any other team in top 5 European leagues.

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THE GOOD

Borussia Dortmund maintained their lead at the top of the Bundesliga over Bayern Munich once play resumed after the winter break, putting them on course to top the table come the end of the season for the first time since 2012.

The Head Coach at the time of their last title triumph was Jurgen Klopp, with the man currently at the helm, Lucien Favre, set to write himself into North RhineWestphalia folklore in a similar way. The Swiss boss has impressed so much this term with his young and talented squad that the club is looking to extend his contract — he only signed fresh terms in the summer, penning a two year deal.

Chief Executive, Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “It is logical that we will talk to him about a contract extension because he is simply doing good work. The co-operation is excellent, so we want to continue it.

“The development of our team is very good,” Watzke continued. “That is primarily down to Lucien. There is no road map, but we will find the right time for talks. Neither of us will put ourselves under any pressure."

Things aren’t all that rosy at Dortmund however, with the team losing a thriller of a DFB-Pokal encounter 4-2 on penalties to Werder Bremen, with the match originally

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finishing 3-3. Marco Reus also picked up an injury, putting his participation in the Champions League Round of 16 match against Tottenham Hotspur into doubt.

THE BAD

In January, Bayern Munich were unable to add Callum Hudson-Odoi to their ranks. The Bundesliga giants were bidding to become the latest German club to sprinkle young English talent into their squad. Following the success of Jadon Sancho in particular, Bayern were hoping to find the next English star to make a splash in Germany. But Chelsea didn’t want to play ball.

According to reports, the 18-year-old had his heart set on making the move to Bavaria, only for the Blues to turn down any advances from Germany. Bayern reportedly bid £30m plus add-ons and were prepared to give the winger the No.10 shirt set to be vacated by Arjen Robben. Chelsea on the other hand had other ideas and did all they can to hold onto one of their prized assets.

The Londoners have a fantastic youth setup and have won the FA Youth Cup for five years in a row. However, their youngsters often struggle to make the transition into the first team with the club utilising a wide loan network. Hudson-Odoi has been given

ABOVE LEFT: Lucien Favre LEFT: Callum Hudson-Odoi

Going UP Going DOWN

STATS SO FAR AS OF MATCH 22 Luka Jovic

GOING UP

Ante Rebić broke a Bundesliga record for the fastest speed during their match with Borussia Dortmund. At one point in the fixture he was clocked travelling at a speed of 35.11km/h breaking the previous record, held by Achraf Hakimi of 35.10km/h. The Croatian certainly is a difficult man to keep up with.

GOING DOWN

TOP SCORERS

There’s been little to celebrate this season at Bayern Munich. The reigning German champions fell adrift behind the old enemy Borussia Dortmund and are enduring their worst season domestically in seven years. As things stand, Bayern will finish away from top spot for the first time since 2012. Things are not looking good for current boss Niko Kovac.

PLAYER Luka Jovic Marco Reus R.Lewandowski Paco Alcácer Yussuf Poulsen Sébastien Haller Timo Werner Alassane Pléa A. Finnbogason Ondrej Duda

TEAM G Frankfurt 14 B. Dortmund 13 B. Munich 13 B. Dortmund 12 RB Leipzig 12 Frankfurt 11 RB Leipzig 11 M. Gladbach 10 Augsburg 10 Hertha Berlin 10

TOP ASSISTS PLAYER Joshua Kimmich Jadon Sancho Sébastien Haller Florian Neuhaus R. Lewandowski Thorgan Hazard Julian Brandt Lukasz Piszczek Marco Reus Daniel Brosinski

LEFT (TOP): Ante Rebic LEFT (BOTTOM): Bayern Munich BELOW: Franck Ribery

a few opportunities recently under Italian Coach Maurizio Sarri, scoring in the 3-0 FA Cup win against Sheffield Wednesday during the time Bayern were submitting their bid. The England U19 International is no doubt a hot prospect, with this transfer saga set to run and run.

THE UGLY

Bayern’s veteran Franck Ribery had a difficult winter break. Having returned to form before Christmas by scoring four times in his last three League games before the pause, the Frenchman tore his hamstring in a match between Bayern players at their training camp in Doha. His mooted contract extension for next season may well rest on him rediscovering that kind of form when he does finally return from his latest injury setback.

It was events off the pitch that really hit the headlines for the No.7, however. The Frenchman was filmed enjoying some time off at the famous restaurant of Instagram sensation Salt Bae in Dubai where he ate a steak covered in gold.

He was roundly criticised on social media for this ostentatious show of wealth. The real trouble came following his foul-mouth tirade on both Twitter and Instagram in a string of posts packed with expletives. He was subsequently fined an undisclosed sum by the club. Who knows what the future may hold for the mercurial winger?

TEAM A B. Munich 10 B. Dortmund 9 Frankfurt 8 M. Gladbach 7 B. Munich 7 M. Gladbach 7 B. Leverkusen 6 B. Dortmund 6 B. Dortmund 6 Mainz 05 5

SHOTS PER GAME PLAYER R. Lewandowski Timo Werner Andrej Kramaric Niclas Füllkrug J-P Mateta Ishak Belfodil Marco Reus Max Kruse M. Gregoritsch Luka Jovic

TEAM SPG B. Munich 4 RB Leipzig 3.4 Hoffenheim 3.4 Hannover 96 2.8 Mainz 05 2.8 Hoffenheim 2.8 B. Dortmund 2.7 W. Bremen 2.7 Augsburg 2.7 Frankfurt 2.7

Robert Lewandowski

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

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PACO ALCACER

New Lease Paco

IT DIDN’T WORK OUT FOR HIM AT BARCELONA BUT PACO ALCACER HAS TAKEN THE BUNDESLIGA BY STORM SINCE MOVING TO BORUSSIA DORTMUND. MICHELLE OSEI BONSU LOOKS AT WHY, AND WHAT’S NEXT…

BARCA BLUNDER? Paco Alcacer played only 50 games for Barcelona. Michelle Osei Bonsu asks if the Catalans will regret not doing more to keep the Spain international around…

It’s never easy to find a back-up to a truly great player, as Barcelona have found when looking for solutions when Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are injured, banned or on the brink of exhaustion.

Paco Alcacer was one such attempt, and never truly got a fair chance at proving he was the right option.

Indeed, the five-year contract Alcacer signed when leaving Valencia would still have two years to run this summer, if he hadn’t already decamped from Camp Nou. It took until December for Alcacer to score for Barca and until February for him to get a League goal, but in that time real chances — a run of starts, not brief cameos off the bench — were few and far between.

Ironically, as Alcacer was hitting the ground running earlier on this campaign, Barcelona were struggling horribly. At one point, he had racked up seven goals in under 180 minutes played for Dortmund while La Blaugrana had gone four La Liga games without a win.

Would Alcacer have made a difference if he was still on the Barca books? We’ll never know.

Either way, Barca had to search for an alternative in the January transfer window, and that led them to one of the more surprising moves in a while as Kevin-Prince Boateng was brought in on loan from Serie A’s Sassuolo.

Boateng is certainly experienced, having played for Milan, Schalke and Eintracht Frankfurt, among others he’s not a player anyone could have anticipated joining Barca, even as a stop-gap solution. But, Boateng is a talented player who’ll be happy to play second fiddle to Messi and Suarez, and get a run-out here or there.

Yet while Alcacer is in the goals in Dortmund, firing the team to the top of the Bundesliga, the question still remains. Will Barca regret not holding on to the striker? Perhaps not this season, but in the years to come. Their loss has definitely been Dortmund’s gain.

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I

t’s often said that sometimes one has to take one step backwards to move two steps forward — that life is not always a straightforward journey from point A to point B. Then there are times one has to get off that path altogether and forge a new one, in areas unknown, to realise one’s full potential.

Football is no exception to this phenomenon. There’ve been many instances of a player struggle to make inroads at a big club at a young age, only to move to a smaller, lesser-spotlighted outfit and become a revelation, then securing a big-money move elsewhere. And it’s just as common for players to run out of options in their home country and pick up and move to an entirely different League, despite the risks involved on and off the pitch.

Paco Alcacer is a prime example of the latter. He’s a player who, finding himself at a major crossroads after a frustrating spell at Barcelona, said adios to his native Spain, where he had spent his entire career, and attempted to rediscover his form in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.

Alcacer started his footballing journey as a Valencia youth product and, after impressing in the club’s B team, where he scored 28 goals in 27 appearances in 2010-11, he earned a promotion to the first team, making his debut for Los Che in a November 2010 Copa del Rey fixture.

Unfortunately, personal tragedy soon struck. In August 2011, a little over two weeks before his 18th birthday, Alcacer’s father died suddenly, outside Valencia’s Mestalla, after watching his son score the final goal in a 3-0 friendly win over Roma.

Alcacer continued to make strides even in the wake of a life-changing loss. He made his La Liga debut in January 2012 and earned a handful of first team appearances through the rest of the campaign, while continuing to score goals for the B team, netting 12 in 24 games.

A loan to Getafe followed in the 2013-14

season to give Alcacer more experience and once he settled back in at Valencia the following year, he really began to find his footing in attack. In each of the three seasons prior to his move to Barcelona, Alcacer reached double figures — scoring 14, 14 and 15 goals respectively — and it was perhaps this consistent output that earned him what was intended to be his breakout transfer, a move to Camp Nou. But with the MSN trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar still running the show, Alcacer’s chances of securing consistent playing time were always going to be limited. And neither Luis Enrique, nor his successor, Ernesto Valverde, seemed to truly rate the striker highly enough to give him regular minutes on the pitch.

Largely used as Suarez’s understudy, usually featuring when the Uruguayan was injured, suspended or in need of a rest, Alcacer nonetheless managed to score 15 goals in two seasons at Barca, prompting Dortmund to take a gamble and agree a loan deal in August 2018. Die Schwarzgelben, of course, were reeling after losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal in January 2018, and were looking for a reliable attacking option.

Marco Reus, with consistent injury problems, couldn’t realistically be counted on to complete a full season and despite the emergence of young, promising attacking players such as United States international Christian Pulisic, Dortmund needed more.

The prospect of relying on talented but inexperienced teenagers to spearhead an attack against the mighty Bayern Munich was not a happy one.

Alcacer, for his part, was looking for a place to relaunch his career. Signal Iduna Park, which had helped Aubameyang and before him, Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski, appeared to be the perfect player.

Dortmund’s reputation for giving young players a chance to shine surely appealed too, and it was somewhere Alcacer could

ABOVE: A Valencia academy product, Paco Alcacer has always been a goalscorer ABOVE LEFT: A lack of regular playing time thwarted Alcacer’s Barcelona tenure BOTTOM LEFT: And the presence of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez proved too much to overcome

flourish without the pressure of a club like Barca, while still featuring in one of Europe’s big five Leagues.

Early on, he was largely used as a substitute

by Lucien Favre. This was not because his new boss had little faith in his abilities, but to allow him to regain match fitness and confidence after not getting much playing time during his two seasons at Camp Nou.

By October, he had netted six goals in just 81 minutes of Bundesliga football as a substitute – ironically, bettering the output

by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who had scored five and three respectively in over 500 minutes of action. Three of those goals came in a man-of-the-match performance against Augsburg, when he was brought on as Dortmund were 1-0 down to net a hat-trick as his side rallied back to clinch a 4-3 victory.

Favre clearly had succeeded where Enrique and Valverde had failed – managing to get the best out of his striker. Amazingly, despite only coming on as a sub, Alcacer was ahead of the likes of Robert Lewandowski in the scoring charts by the end of October, and continues to stake his claim for the coveted Torjägerkanone, despite teammate and Reus having one of the best seasons of his career as well thanks to putting his unfortunate injury woes behind him.

And as a result, both player and team have benefited immensely from it, with Dortmund enjoying their most successful domestic campaign fans have seen in recent years and for the first time in years, looking like real title contenders. This time, it’s Bayern who are the ones trying to play catch-up.

That Dortmund opted to make Alcacer’s loan permanent just months into the deal shows the faith the club and the Coach have in him. At 25, Alcacer is entering the prime years of his career and is a perfect fit for Dortmund. They’ve found a winning formula, Alcacer the striker there to convert the dazzling build-up play of Reus, Jadon Sancho and others. And Alcacer is ready to repay the faith Dortmund have shown in him by making the Bundesliga his home for the foreseeable future, much to the delight of the Dortmund fans, who have another No.9 they can believe in.

REIGN IN SPAIN Paco Alcacer’s form for Borussia Dortmund has caught the eye of Spain Coach Luis Enrique. Can Alcacer win the fight to be La Roja’s leading man?

After being the dominant force in international football between 2008 and 2012, Spain are in a long process of rebuilding, trying to discover a new national team identity away from the Barcelona-inspired approach of the last decade.

That team, first under Luis Aragones and then Vicente Del Bosque, had Fernando Torres and David Villa to lead the attack, each with a claim to be the best striker in the world at the time.

And Del Bosque would later experiment with a false nine, or only use a striker as a plan B, when passing the ball into the opponent’s net hadn’t worked.

Spain then had so many top class midfielders in made sense to fit as many of them into the XI as possible. Today, that’s not really the case, though Luis Enrique can still call on some sublime players. But the likes of Isco, Suso and Saul Niguez benefit from having a genuine striker ahead of them. The problem is, no candidate really stands out.

Alvaro Morata has endured a torrid first half of the season at Chelsea and it remains to be seen if he reignites his career at Atletico Madrid. His presence there is as a result of the struggles of Diego Costa, who has been fighting for his form and his fitness in equal measure. Iago Aspas has also been hit by injury, Rodrigo Moreno is part of a middling Valencia team and Lucas Vazquez can’t nail down a place at Real Madrid.

That means it’s all to play for, with Alcacer’s astonishing return to form coming at the right time. If Enrique wasn’t sold on him at Barca, Alcacer’s goal return since leaving Camp Nou is increasingly hard to ignore.

TOP LEFT: But his Borussia Dortmund form was so impressive he was snapped up permanently only months into a loan move LEFT: Alcacer is primed now to become Spain’s leading striker under Luis Enrique

FACTFILE NAME: Francisco Alcacer García BORN: August 30, 1993 (Torrent, Spain) HT / WT: 1.75m / 71kg POSITION: Striker CLUB: Borussia Dortmund SEASON CLUB APPS GOALS 2010-11 Valencia 1 0 2011-12 Valencia 3 0 2012-13 Getafe 23 4 2013-14 Valencia 37 14 2014-15 Valencia 36 14 2015-16 Valencia 46 15 2016-17 Valencia 1 0 2016-17 Barcelona 27 8 2017-18 Barcelona 23 7 2018-19 B.Dortmund 18 13

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

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CHRISTIAN PULISIC

Wonderboy To The

BY SEAN MASLIN

BLUES T

he Christian Pulisic experience is moving on to Stamford Bridge.

After many months of speculation Pulisic made the move to Chelsea during the January transfer window. $73.1 million dollars and thousands of words later (including a very fine tweet from Mr. Pulisic himself in German and English) the world seems to have moved on from the headline making transfer. The rest of the world sans the United States, who are still trying to figure out what this all means.

The Pulisic transfer isn’t the first time that the United States has grappled with this big question. Much like a snowy pitch always calls for an orange ball U.S. soccer transfer always seems to bring up the inevitable question: Just what does this mean for the state of the game in the States?

At this point many will ask why the United States tethers so much on a single transfer.

The answer to this is fairly simple: as a footballing culture everything still very much grassroots. Despite the corporate bureaucracy at the top many of the coaches, managers, and staff members that work in American soccer are still fans at heart. Every kid that ‘makes’ it is seen as a sign that things are moving forward.

There is still this hope that if Pulisic succeeds that it will mean more opportunities for other players, that Pulisic is a lightning rod. That he played for PA Classics, a youth soccer club in Pennsylvania and worked his way up through the ranks for Youth Soccer certainly helps.

While there are those who certainly see this as a golden chance for Pulisic, and by extension American soccer, there are those who see some pitfalls. The perception of

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"The Christian Pulisic experience is moving on to Stamford Bridge"

ABOVE: Pulisic training for Dortmund TOP LEFT: Pulisic headed for Chelsea

Chelsea, rightly or wrongly, is that they like to stock up on players and send them on loan. The U.S. have already been through this with Matt Miazga, who has been loaned off to Vitesse Arnem and Nantes to little success. That Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri didn’t seem to know about Pulisic in the lead up to the deal has also raised red flags.

Even the transfer fee itself is subject to scrutiny. As opposed to the rest of the world the United States does not give out solidarity payments to non-professional clubs who help develop these superstar players. Because of this Classics missed out on a reported $800,000. While Classics didn’t pursue a lawsuit, citing that the club is under a pay-to-play model, it still brings up the debate of how clubs are compensated in American soccer.

The reason for why there is such trepidation isn’t really about Chelsea or any club really. It is because the hope is that this move will lead to more respect for the American game and hopefully lead to more opportunities for more American players.

America has never lost the chip on its shoulder and after missing out on the 2018 World Cup it seems to be bigger than ever.

At least on the second point Pulisic has already made an impact. Over 133 American players currently play in the various levels of German football. Players like Chris Richards of Bayern Munich, Josh Sargent of Werder Bremen, and Tyler Adams of Red Bull Leipzig are breaking through much like Pulisic did at Borussia Dortmund and have very similar backstories to that of their USMNT teammate.

But the first point is still one that needs to be ironed out. The English Premier League

has permeated the American sporting landscape to a point where it can pull in non-soccer fans for big matches. That is a positive sign for soccer in this country it comes during a time in which the United States doesn’t really have too many players playing in the top division. While many remember Tim Howard’s work for Everton and appreciate Deandre Yedlin’s skill for Newcastle there is a very big difference between Chelsea and those two sides.

That Pulisic hasn’t tapped into that nonsoccer audience also hurts. While he is seen as a great ‘up and coming’ player he isn’t seen as an established superstar.

Remember: the United States didn’t make the World Cup this year and many sports fans are at work during Champions League play. While the hardcore soccer fans recognize his skill those who are casual fans are still a little unsure.

The Pulisic move is a game-changer for the United States . The question is now: What is next? There aren’t any easy answers here.

Whether Pulisic will succeed will largely depend upon a large number of factors, some of which are beyond his control.

What is known though is that the U.S. will certainly be watching.

ABOVE: Pulisic with the USA Men's National Team

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

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AROUND GERMANY

“” QUOTES

FREE LEGEND

Borussia Dortmund legend Jakub Blaszczykoswki has returned to Poland to join his boyhood club Wisla Krakow for free. Blaszczykowski has contributed around 300,000 euros (around 345,000 dollars) of his own money to help the club pay out-standing wages, and will not pick up a salary himself. "Kuba" made more than 50 appearances for Wisla, helping them to the Polish Ekstraklasa title in 2005 before embarking on a wildly successful career in Germany which took in back-to-back Bundesliga titles under Jürgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund in 2011 and '12.

A SAD DAY

VfB Stuttgart captain Christian Gentner's father died suddenly after the side's 2-1 Bundesliga win at home over Hertha Berlin. Christian Gentner, 33, initially gave interviews on the pitch after the game that Stuttgart won 2-1. He then rushed from the changing room to where a doctor attempted to save his father at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

The details of his death were not immediately disclosed to the public.

BY THE NUMBERS

“I just think the Bundesliga is the best league to help grow young talent because they have such great confidence in their coaches and their players. They give the young players the time they need so that they can grow into better players.” - Schalke striker, 20, believes

410 Frank Ribery made his 410th appearance for Bayern Munich as he took the field in Bayern’s Pokal Cup clash against Hertha. Only 13 players have made more appearances for Bayern Munich.

that the Bundesliga provides the best possible environment for the likes of him.

BEST IN AFRICA

“I’m aware that I was allowed to swim with the biggest fish, even though I’m not the best striker in the world.” - VfB Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez says he knew he had to punch above his weight to cement a starting position at his former club Bayern Munich.

“Me? Go to Bayern? Never!” - Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus rules out a future move to title rivals Bayern Munich. The Bavarians had lured away many Borussia stars in the past including the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels.

“Now that he's playing in Barcelona, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, this indiscipline seems to be still going on. I am relieved to note that this was not something that had anything to do with the circumstances here at Dortmund.” - Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc is "relieved" Ousmane Dembele is still showing signs of indiscipline at Barcelona, proving in his eyes that the German club were not to blame.

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Borussia Dortmund's Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi is the 2018 Confederation of African Football Youth Player of the Year. The 20-year-old Real Madrid loanee beat Mahmoud Benhalib (Morocco & Raja Club Athletic), Franck Kessie (Cote d’Ivoire & AC Milan) Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria & Leicester City), Andre Onana (Cameroon & Ajax) and Ismaila Sarr (Senegal & Rennes) to the title.

STEAK AND RIBS

Bayern Munich have fined Franck Ribery for a foul-mouthed social media rant about overpriced steak. French star Ribery celebrated the new year by tucking into a £1,000 gold-covered Tomahawk steak at Salt Bae's restaurant. Critics slammed the veteran winger for the extravagant meal and Ribery was not going to go quiet. The former France international followed up with a series of angry and profanity-laden tweets which were deemed “unacceptable” by the reigning German champions.

THIS IS “STEFAN”

Former Germany international Stefan Kiessling has revealed he cheated his fitness tests with the help of his "very athletic" wife. Kiessling claims he never completed his preparation period exercises and his wife would work out wearing his heart monitor instead; which recorded the progress of the striker’s training plan. The Bayer Leverkusen legend netted 151 goals in 12 seasons at the BayArena.

ANOTHER TAX DODGE

DRONING ON

Werder Bremen general manager Frank Baumann has admitted the club flew a drone over Hoffenheim's training ground ahead of the two clubs' 1-1 Bundesliga draw.

Hoffenheim spotted an object flying over their training base and alerted it to the police. The flying of drones over groups of people in Germany is prohibited, and it had been alleged that the drone was being used by a Werder scout.

22 Joshua Kimmich has provided 22 assists in his first 100 appearences for Bayern Munich. Only Thomas Müller (36) managed more in the same timeframe.

Jens Lehmann has vehemently denied allegations he set up an elaborate system to evade paying tax in Germany. Former Borussia Dortmund star Lehmann has vowed to take legal action against a business publication in his country suggesting he came up with intricate ways to avoid paying to the state. Handelsblatt has published an article claiming the Gunners legend used his detailed financial knowledge to structure his affairs in the best way to minimize tax liabilities.

FREE LAHM

Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm has been elected an honorary citizen of Munich. Lahm racked up 517 appearances for Bayern prior to bringing an end to his playing career in 2017.

During his 16 years in the German giants' senior ranks, the versatile full-back won eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokal crowns, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one Club World Cup.

HEAVY FOOT

Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman was involved in a car accident on the A95, a road to the south of Munich. The player apparently collided with a safety barrier. Police later confirmed that no one had been injured in the accident, although the car has apparently been declared a total loss. It’s alleged that Coman was driving his luxury McLaren 720s sports Coupe at the time. The €250,000 super vehicle boasts a 720 hp engine and can reach speeds of up to 211 mph.

50 Hamburger SV’s 1-0 win over FC Nürnberg was their 50th home win in their DFB Pokal Cup history.

FAN OF JUSTICE

The man responsible for a bomb attack on Borussia Dortmund's team bus has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of 28 counts of attempted murder. Dortmund were en route to their Signal Iduna Park home for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Monaco on April 11, 2017 when three explosions went off. Defender Marc Bartra was wounded and suffered a broken wrist.

ROBBEN TO THE RESCUE

Per a report from Bild, Arjen Robben recently made one fan’s day at a training session after the man inadvertently shot his ball over the protective fence at Säbener Straße. Fan Alexej Makeev (35) trains every day parallel to the Bayern stars on Säbener Straße in Munich. On Thursday, he unintentionally shot his ball over the fence onto a snow-covered square on the club grounds. Get the ball yourself? No chance!

No access for fans and media. Who came to the rescue: Arjen Robben (35). The Dutchman (thigh irritation) was completing his individual training when he heard Makeev’s cries. The fan loudly asked him to give him his ball back. Robben ran up and threw the ball over the barrier to Makeev.

The Dutchman joked: “You have to practice more, boy.” Makeev thanked Robben and was overjoyed — even serenading Robben one day after his birthday. Makeev to BILD: “I’m totally happy that Mr. Arjen Robben gave me my ball back. Now I can train again tomorrow.”

TOKEN GESTURE

Bayern Munich superstar James Rodriguez auctioned his personal belongings on SelfDax, an exchange under the brand of SelfSell that helped him issue his personal digital asset — JR10 Token. JR10 token is a personal crypto-currency launched by the Colombian forward, which could be used to claim exclusive James Rodriguez merchandise and collector items.

CURRY FAVOUR

The Bundesliga has signed a long-term partnership with IMG Reliance that will see the Bundesliga and its clubs work towards the growth of Indian football through a series of activities in collaboration with multiple Indian stakeholders. The partnership will conduct a host of football development projects throughout the year, including leveraging Germany’s youth development system to launch grassroots activities in multiple states with the vision of elevating Indian football.

THE STANDS ARE ALIVE…

Members of the Nuremburg FC fan club volunteered in the theatrical production of "My Own Secret Bubble. A Prison", as part of the ‘’Menschenrechte grölen’’ ("Bullying Human Rights") campaign. The aim of the project was to celebrate the need for human rights and facilitate anti-discriminatory initiatives that would lead to a harmonious modern society.

XMAS AUCTION

NOT ON MY WATCH

FC Nuremberg held a Christmas auction to support the family of the club’s late Head of ticket sales Beate Bursch and the Nordkurve Nürnberg foundation; a charity fund for cancer affected children. The rarities auctioned included memorabilia signed by the likes of club legends Javier Pinola and current team star Virgil Misidjan.

Bundesliga boss Christian Seifert has warned UEFA and FIFA not to even think about using weekends for any future expansion of international competitions. Both organizations in some shape or form are stepping up or considering stepping up club competitions and there has also been speculation about staging Champions League games at weekends to boost viewership. Seifert is the new chairman of the World Leagues Forum, which represents professional association football leagues.

OFF TO NYC

The Bundesliga has opened New York City office, the latest European soccer entity to reach across the Atlantic. It will be the second international office for Germany’s top league, which previously opened a Singapore office in 2012.

NEVER AGAIN!

From the Bundesliga to the regional leagues, football clubs and supporters across Germany took part in commemorations to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Seventy-four years on from the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp on January 27, 1945, fan groups across the country displayed messages featuring the phrase "Nie wieder!" (Never again!)

PHOTOSHOP FAIL

James Rodriguez spearheaded Bayern Munich’s 4-2 win over Werder Bremen as he picked up two assists, including a sublime chip to find Muller for his second goal. The US Bayern Munich Twitter page showed their appreciation for the Colombian midfielder with a bizarre and poorly photoshopped image of the Colombian's face, along with the caption "San Jamesipero."

This is a pun on the title of a season three episode of Black Mirror called 'San Junipero.' The sloppy Photoshop work attracted the attention of the Twitter account of Bayern's Bundesliga rivals, Bayer Leverkusen. They responded with a brilliant post, mocking the Bayern page's efforts. The tweet read “Will you guys teach us how to be this good at Photoshop?”

HAIR TODAY

Borussia Dortmund are selling Axel Witsel afro wigs on their official online store. The Belgian international moved to Dortmund in the summer after 18 months in China with Tianjin Quanjian and has already cemented his place as a fan favorite, scoring five goals in his first 19 appearances from midfield.

Fans can try and imitate the former Benfica and Zenit man by buying a "BVB match wig" for just €9.95.

TWEET YOURSELF

Borussia Dortmund might be at the top of the Bundesliga after an impressive start to the season, but Borussia Mönchengladbach haven't lost all hope on winning the league. The German club has turned to Twitter and tweeted at the Bundesliga's English Twitter account to ask how many re-tweets are needed to win the league.

And the league's social team responded with a simple message: "50 million."

A TASTY DONATION

Hannover 96 donated €2000 to the Mühlenberg elementary school through their community outreach program 96 plus. In December, 96 plus launched a Facebook campaign declaring it would donate €3 to the school cafeteria for each like it gets.

The page was liked by more than 600 people throughout December.

PIZZA DAY

Hannover 96’s recently axed manager Andre Breitenreiter offered his players pizza as reward for training harder ahead of the club’s crucial Bundesliga meeting with Borussia Dortmund. The 45-year-old tried to lighten the mood around the HDI arena by dividing his squad into three teams that played each other in tournament mode. What was at stake? A mouthwatering treat of salami pizza, of course! Unfortunately, the pizza tactic didn’t seem to work out that well as Die Roten suffered a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Lucien Favre’s men.

TWEET ALL YOU LIKE

RB Leipzig have had a go back at Arsenal fans over not playing loanee Emile Smith Rowe, suggesting their Twitter noise is louder than a jet engine. Gunners supporters have been tweeting to the Bundesliga side with the statement "play Smith Rowe" after the youngster joined them on loan until the end of the season. But the attacking midfielder has been carrying a knock and was not able to feature in their 3-0 win over Hannover 96.

DID YOU

KNOW?

• Julian Nagelsmann became the youngest coach in history to reach 100 Bundesliga appearances when his Hoffenheim side hosted record champions Bayern Munich.

The 31-year-old has taken less than three years to reach the milestone, after assuming the role of Hoffenheim head coach in February 2016.

• The Bundesliga has once again topped the standings for average attendance in the 2017/18 season.

The German top flight retained first place ahead of the English Premier League, averaging over 44,500 fans per game. The figure is over 6,000 more than England’s top flight.

• Jadon Sancho made history as he became the first 18-year-old to net in the historic Ruhr derby. To top it off, the BVB youngster’s strike proved to be the decisive one against Schalke as his team secured a crucial 2-1 win over their rivals.

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AROUND GERMANY HELAU WORLD

“I hope I don't have to relive what I've been through, enough is enough. I will not accept a third operation – it will mean maybe my foot is not made for this level. I will then lead another life, an anonymous life.” - Bayern Munich and France winger Kingsley Coman could bring a premature end to his football career if his ankle injuries persist.

“Timo is the new face of German football. He's the future. To keep him at RB would be great for the whole club. I know that he feels very comfortable in Leipzig and with what he has at the club.

But I can't talk him into anything. He has to trust his gut feeling.” - Emil Forsberg advises his RB Leipzig teammate Timo Werner to trust his gut feeling while making a decision regarding his future.

Aside from being the first step in Jurgen Klopp's management journey, Mainz is also famous for its impressive carnival season, which lasts for months.

In celebration and for the fifth year running, Bundesliga regulars FSV Mainz 05 have launched a special edition Carnival kit, which they wore on pitch when they hosted Bayer Leverkusen on 8 February. The shirt, made by Lotto, utilizes a cult favorite Mainz design from the 90s and incorporates it with the traditional colours of the festival.

The Carnival greeting of “HELAU” is printed on the upper back, while Mainz's main shirt sponsor Kömmerling has agreed to let the club use their seasonal motto “Unser Traum Lebt” (Our Dream Lives) in place of their logo on the kit.

sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic doesn’t love Bayern’s transfer target Callum Hudson-Odoi like his wife but is convinced the Chelsea prospect could be a quality signing for the Bavarians.

In celebration of the Werder Bremen's 120year anniversary, Umbro have launched a special limited-edition shirt, which has been worn by Die Werderaner players in their home game against FC Augsburg. The anniversary shirt features the green tones used for the home shirts over the past decade, along with club slogans “dare and win”, “120 years”, “Werder”, “1899”, “green and white for life”, and “the W on the shirt”, all in German, of course, in a sublimated design.

Schalke 04 have requested the Gelsenkirchen mayor’s office to rename the Arenaring street to Rudi-AssauerRing in commemoration of their legendary sporting director Rudi Assauer. Assuer, who served at Schalke for a total of 18 years, has passed away recently at the age of 74. He oversaw three title hauls during his tenure and was also in charge when Schalke had agonizingly lost out the golden opportunity to clinch the Bundesliga title for the first time in 2001.

ULTRA STUPID

SC Freiburg fans were advised to seek compensation by the consumer rights center as hundreds of traveling Freiburg fans were denied entry to the VfB Stuttgart home ground during the two sides derby encounter. Stuttgart police claimed the fans kept out of the arena caused mass panic in the streets with pyrotechnics. VfB Stuttgart refused to take responsibility of the incident and suggested the crime enforcement authorities had to restrain the ultras to ensure safety of other fans and the players.

RED RING SHIRT

“Whenever we’re messing around in the changing rooms, I do actually sometimes feel like an old man. When I see players around the place who were born after 2000, I do ask myself where the time went. People’s interests have changed.

The younger lads have apps and games on their phones, which I’ve never even heard of. I used to play on my phone, but not anymore.” - Marcel Halstenberg, 27, feels “old” in a RB Leipzig side that has an average age of 23.6 years.

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VfB Stuttgart are re-admitting members who were forced out of the club during the National Socialist period. VfB presented a paper entitled “VfB and National Socialism” in collaboration with the Baden-Württemberg Institute for Sports History and their series of publications. During the event, VfB president Wolfgang Dietrich underlined the club’s responsibility and commitment to taking further action following the publication of Gregor Hofmann’s work. One of those steps is the readmission of members who were forced out of the club for political reasons after 1932, as well as Jewish members who were expelled from the club after 1933.

SPECIAL SHIRT

A STREET NAMED RUDI

“You know the only one I'm in love with is my wife. But I am very, very convinced of the qualities this player has. He has a finesse which we need to play good, successful and sometimes even spectacular football” - Bayern Munich

A LONG TIME COMING

Taking retro to a whole new level for the club’s 125th anniversary, PUMA and Vfb Stuttgart have launched a limited-edition shirt, which the team wore on pitch in the last home game of 2018.

For more than 90 years, the ‘Brustring’ jersey has been a distinctive feature of Vfb Stuttgart, its bold red chest ring becoming synonymous with success for the fans as the club wore it every time they won a competition in the 50s, 80s and 90s.

BY THE NUMBERS 8 Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund is the youngest player ever to score 8 goals in Bundesliga history.

17 In the 2018-19 Bundesliga season there have been 17 penalties awarded for handballs, that's already 2 more than in the complete 2017-18 season (15).

6 Salomon Kalou has scored six times against Monchengladbach (in 10 matches).

Only against Hannover has the Hertha BSC forward scored as many goals.

4 Julian Brandt is the 1st Bayer Leverkusen player since Stefan Kießling (2015) to be directly involved in 4 goals in a single Bundesliga match.

THAT’LL DO IT

Bayern Munich manager had lost both of his previous two meetings against Hertha Berlin prior to the Bavarian’s cup tie against Die Alte Dame. As a desperate attempt to break the curse, Kovac changed the team hotel before the match! Instead of being in the Regent Hotel in Charlottenstraße, as in the last few years, the Bayern entourage spent the night before the match at the RitzCarlton on Potsdamer Platz. The trick seemed to work as Bayern saw off the hosts 3-2 and kept their cup run going.

PRE-MATCH TRIM

Wolfsburg manager Bruno Labbadia jokingly appraised his Hertha counterpart Pal Dardai for his gardening hobby and suggested he put it to good use growing the grass of the Olympiastadion too high. Wolfsburg managed to clinch a crucial away win but the grassy outfield of the Olympiastadion made life difficult for the visitors. Labbadia also joked that he would be coming with his own lawnmower the next time he comes to Berlin.

NOT THE CARPOOL

Daniel Ginczek has been one of the driving forces of VfL Wolfsburg’s Bundesliga campaign this season but when it comes to actual driving on the road, the striker is compelled to take a passenger’s seat.

Ginczek has revealed in a recent interview that he had to serve a fourweek driving suspension for speeding and had to ditch his own car to tag along with his teammates for a ride to the training ground.

BAYERN IN FOURTH

For the third year running, Bayern Munich have placed fourth in the Deloitte Football Money League. In the 2019 edition, covering the 2017/18 season, Bayern saw overall revenue growth of 7%, from €588m to €629m, a difference of €41.4m (roughly equivalent to the transfer fee of Corentin Tolisso). Bayern have become the fourth club to pass the €600m revenue benchmark at the top of the Money League. Real Madrid (€751m), Barcelona (€690) and Manchester United (€666m) are the clubs who outperformed the reigning German champions financially.

ITALIAN TRADITION AND QUALITY 1969

BETTING PARTNER

Borussia Mönchengladbach have entered into a partnership with betting operator Unibet. The deal will run until the end of the 2021-22 season and names Unibet as the club’s Official Sports Betting Partner. As part of the deal, Unibet will provide fans with statistics and insights on matchdays. Unibet also becomes the eighth official co-sponsor of the club, joining AOK, Audi, Bitburger, ELTEN, H-Hotels, Reuter and Santande.

LUX DEAL

Bundesliga club Bayern Munich have signed a new regional partnership with Singaporean home appliance brand Lux Asia Pacific. As part of the deal, Lux will have the right to use the Bayern Munich trademark in its marketing and promotional activities in Thailand and Indonesia. The deal adds to Bayern Munich’s existing regional partnerships in Asia with brands such as German interior design firm Häfele and German boiler manufacturer Viessmann

DID YOU

KNOW?

• Claudio Pizzaro came to his team’s rescue by scoring a great goal in the extra time of Werder Bremen’s DFB Cup clash with Borussia Dortmund. The 40 year old became the third oldest scorer in the cup’s history behind Manni Burgsmüller (42) and Karl Lambertin (44).

• Werder Bremen have lost 57% (4 out of 7) of their home games in the Bundesliga against FC Augsburg.

• FC Bayern Munich are unbeaten in 17 games against Schalke.

• Borussia Dortmund have 50 points after 21 games - only once did a team with 50+ points after 21 games not win the Bundesliga (Schalke in 1971-72, also being 5 points ahead of Bayern at this stage)

TSG DEAL IS GARBAGE

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have agreed a new stadium naming rights partnership with waste management specialist PreZero.

PreZero will aid Hoffenheim in enhancing its sustainability vision with research conducted by the company concluding that of the average of four tons of waste produced per home match, at least 60 per cent could be recycled. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but reports claim it will run for an initial five-year term with an option of a further five-year extension.

DEEZER GEEZER

Borussia Dortmund have signed a partnership with audio streaming service Deezer. As the exclusive Streaming Partner of Dortmund, Deezer will be integrated into the club’s official app. The app will feature a new ‘Music’ category, where individual match-day playlists can be found. Dortmund players will also share their personal playlists as part of the deal.

TASTE THE TRADITION

SOCCER SAMURAI

While most footballers contemplate calling it a day at the age of 35, Eintracht Frankfurt defensive midfielder Makoto Hasebe continues to deliver at his best. What keeps the Japanese so fit? In a recent interview with Bild, Hasebe attributed his fitness excellence to home cooked Japanese meals and daily warm bath with Kneipp bath salts. The former Japan national team captain has retired his Blue Samurai shirt but remains an important cog in the Frankfurt midfield and eyes five more years of professional club football.

THE E TEAM

The Bayern Munich squad took part in the unveiling of the first all-electric car by FCB shareholders Audi at the outdoor area between Terminals 1 and 2 of Munich Airport.

Manuel Neuer & Co completed tasks at several stations to get to know the electric SUV along with its innovative technology. The players solved puzzles to get out of an escape room and proved their skills on e-scooters, or crossed swords in car races with remote-controlled mini e-trons before testing their driving skills at the Audi Training Center, comparing an electric car and a car with a combustion engine.

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MLS SEASON PREVIEW

2019 SEASON PREVIEW

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER IS 23 YEARS OLD! IN MARCH ATLANTA UNITED FC WILL KICK OFF THEIR FIRST-EVER TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST 23 OTHER OPPONENTS. WITH THE LEAGUE EXPANDING ONCE AGAIN AND NEW STARS COMING INTO THE FOLD EXCITEMENT SEEMS TO BE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH AMONGST. HERE’S A BREAKDOWN OF EACH TEAM AS THEY ENTER THE 2019 CAMPAIGN

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTA UNITED FC

2018: 22-7-5, 41 points (Second place in the East, Won MLS Cup) KEY ADDITIONS: Manager Frank de Boer, Midfielders Dion Pereira (Watford) and Pity Martinez (River Plate) KEY DEPARTURES: Manager Gerardo Martino (Mexico), Defender Greg Garza (FC Cincinnati), and Midfielder Miguel Almiron (Newcastle United FC) OUTLOOK: The defending Champions will have pretty much the entire gang back for 2019 which is good for new Manager Frank De Boer. Martinez is the reigning South American Player of the Year and an electric scorer from the outside. But defending will be an issue.

PREDICTION: First

CHICAGO FIRE

2018: 8-18-6, 30 points (Tenth in the East, did not make the playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Defender Marcelo (Sporting CP), midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski (Jagiellonia Białystok) and forward Fabian Herbers (Philadelphia Union) KEY DEPARTURES: Defenders Brandon Vincent (retired) and Christian Dean (retired), midfielder Matt Polster (Celtic) OUTLOOK: It was an ugly offseason in the Windy City with the Fire losing two of their key young players in Vincent and Polster while largely staying quiet on the transfer front. With attendance dwindling and anger among the supporters rising things are turning ugly in Chicago. Can Bastian Schweinsteiger work his magic one more time?

PREDICTION: Eleventh

KEY ADDITIONS: Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam and Coach Caleb Porter KEY DEPARTURES: Owner Anthony Precourt (Austin FC) and Coach Gregg Berhalter (United States), and Goalkeeper Zach Steffen (Manchester City) OUTLOOK: The Crew have been saved! So what’s next? After a year of uncertainty finally found out over the winter that the Crew will be back for 2019 and beyond.

But the big question is now where does the club go from here? New head coach Caleb Porter has picked up a team that is teeming with talent and with a full season of the Justin Meram-Gyasi Zardes-Federico Higuain the sky’s the limit in Ohio.

PREDICTION: Fifth

a highly touted prospect in Lyon and given his physical skills he should improve their leaky back-line. The other big question is Nacho Piatti who is 34 years old and once again looking to return to Argentina. Garde has to find a second option or it could be a long season at Stade Saputo.

PREDICTION: Ninth

D.C. UNITED

FC CINCINNATI

2018: 23-3-8, 77 points (First in the USL Eastern Conference, Conference Semifinalist) KEY ADDITIONS: Midfielder Frankie Amaya (UCLA/MLS SuperDraft), Defender Kendall Wasdon (Vancouver Whitecaps), and Forward Darren Mattocks (D.C. United) KEY DEPARTURES: Their Cinderella USL story.

OUTLOOK: MLS’ newest side enter the league after having three highly successful years in the USL. That should be a reason for hope. But as recent MLS expansion sides have shown (Minnesota, Orlando) it isn’t always a recipe for success. Getting some goals would help so look for Fanendo Adi to play a huge role in 2019.

PREDICTION: Twelfth

COLUMBUS CREW

2018: 14-11-9, 51 points (Fifth place in the Eastern Conference, MLS Cup Semifinalist)

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2018: 14-11-9, 51 points (Fourth place in the East, Knockout Round) KEY ADDITIONS: Defender Leonardo Jara (Boca Juniors) and Midfielder Lucas Rodriguez (Estudiantes) KEY DEPARTURES: Midfielders Yamil Asad (Loan ended) and Ian Harkes (Dundee United) OUTLOOK: United will be hoping that a full season of Wayne Rooney will lead to more goals and more wins. But D.C.’s defense is still suspect. Jara has to become the glue of the weakened D.C. back four or it may be a long season at Audi.\ PREDICTION: Fourth

MONTREAL IMPACT FC

2018 SEASON: 14-16-4, 46 points (Seventh place in the East, did not make the playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Defender Zachary Brault Guillard (Lyon-loan) and forward Maxi Urruti (FC Dallas) KEY DEPARTURES: Forward Alejandro Silva (Olimpia) OUTLOOK: Year one of the Remi Garde experiment didn’t exactly light the world on fire but they did have a strong run to end the season (6-3-1 in their last ten games) prompting some hope that 2019 might be a little different. Defense is the key, particularly on the road. Brault-Guillard is

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

2018 SEASON: 10-13-11, 43 points (Eighth place in the East, did not make the playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Defender Edgar Castillo (Colorado Rapids), midfielder Luis Caicedo (Cotulua-loan), and forward Juan Fernando Caicedo (Independiente Medellin) KEY DEPARTURES: Defenders Chris Tierney (Retired) and Claude Dielna (Portland Timbers) and midfielder Kelyn Rowe (Sporting Kansas City) OUTLOOK: The additions of the Caicedos gives coach Brad Friedel additional speed on the attacking and more attacking options. That in turn should free up Cristian Penilla and Teal Bunbury (11 goals each) more to create chances from the periphery.

New England could be a dark horse if they can get their defense together. Adding Castillo should shore up the right-back position but Andrew Farrell is the key.

PREDICTION: Sixth

ABOVE: Atlanta United 2018 Champions

OUTLOOK: It was another offseason of sweeping change in Orlando with the club engaging in 24 transactions. But same as the last three seasons it is unclear if the club is any better than it was the year prior. Particularly in goal where the club removed Bendik, a proven veteran coming off a quality season, and brought Ranjitsingh, who has never played at the MLS level. For a club with a shaky defense that is a very steep gamble.

PREDICTION: Tenth

NEW YORK CITY FC

2018 SEASON: 16-10-8, 56 points (Third place in the East, Conference Semifinalist) KEY ADDITIONS: Midfielders Juan Pablo Torres (Lokeren), Keaton Parks (Benficaloan) and Justin Haak (NYCFC DA), and forward Alexandru Mitria ( Universitatea Craiova) KEY DEPARTURES: Midfielder Jo-Inge Bernet and forward David Villa (Vissel Kobe) OUTLOOK: The David Villa era is over in the Big Apple. While the Spanish international certainly wasn’t the only quality player on the squad he was a huge piece of their attack, scoring 33% of the club’s goals alltime. Mitria had some success last season for Craiova but given his price tag ($8 million) one has to wonder if NYCFC see a player that can produce now or if this is a project.

PREDICTION: Seventh

PHILADELPHIA UNION

2018 SEASON: 15-14-5, 50 points (Sixth place in the East, Knockout round) KEY ADDITIONS: Goalkeepers Carlos Miguel Coronel (Red Bull Salzburg) and Matt Freese (Philadelphia DA), defender Aurelien Collin (New York Red Bulls) and forward Sergio Santos (Audax italiano) KEY DEPARTURES: None.

OUTLOOK: The Union stood firm this offseason, making only a handful moves mostly aimed around preparing for the inevitable departure of star goalkeeper Andre Blake. The club has invested a large number of resources in their Academy and will hope that Homegrowns Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, and Anthony Fontana can build off of their fantastic 2018 campaigns.

If Santos or forward Corey Burke can find their scoring touch the Union may be a Cup contender.

PREDICTION: Third

TORONTO FC

NEW YORK RED BULLS

2018 SEASON: 10-18-6, 36 points (Ninth place in the East, did not make the playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Defender Laurent Ciman (Dijon) and forward Terrence Boyd (SV Darmstadt) KEY LOSSES: Midfielder Victor Vazquez (Al-Arabi) and forward Sebastian Giovinco (Al-Hilal) OUTLOOK: These are very interesting times at BMO Field. With The Reds having shipped off Vazquez and Giovinco in the offseason Toronto are without two of their key pieces during their recent run.

Ciman and Nick De Leon formerly of D.C. United should help the backline but who will be the sparkplug to link the defense and the attack?Jay Chapman and Marky Delgado may have their work cut out for them.

PREDICTION: Eighth

2018 SEASON: 22-7-5, 71 points (First place in the East, Conference Finalist) KEY ADDITION: Defender Amro Tarek (Orlando City SC) KEY DEPARTURE: Midfielder Tyler Adams (Red Bull Leipzig) OUTLOOK: The Red Bulls come into 2019 with largely the same roster as last season. The loss of Adams will certainly hurt but Sean Davis seems primed for a breakout season. With Wright-Phillips entering the twilight of his career one has to wonder how many more chances this team has at getting their first MLS Cup. 2019 might be the best, last chance at glory.

PREDICTION: Second

ORLANDO CITY SC

2018 SEASON: 8-22-4, 28 points (Eleventh place in the East, did not make the playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh (Louisville City FC), defender Joao Moutinho (LAFC), and forward Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas) KEY DEPARTURES: Goalkeeper Joe Bendik (Columbus Crew) and midfielder Yoshimar Yotun (Cruz Azul)

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MLS SEASON PREVIEW WESTERN CONFERENCE LEFT: The Surging Portland Timbers BELOW: Roland Lamah - FC Dallas

COLORADO RAPIDS

2018: 8-19-7, 31 points (Eleventh in the West, did not make playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Defender Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union), Forwards Kei Kamara (FC Cincinnati), and Diego Rubio (Sporting Kansas City) KEY DEPARTURES: Goalkeeper Zac MacMath (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Defender Edgar Castillo (New England Revolution), and Midfielder Marlon Hairston (Colorado Rapids) OUTLOOK: Goals, goals, goals. After a season in which the Rapids scored just 36 goals (worst in MLS) Colorado placed an emphasis in the offseason on scoring.

Kamara and Rubio’s best days might be behind them but they should help keep Colorado in matches. On the defensive end, Keegan Rosenberry should play a critical role in limiting shots against goalkeeper Tim Howard, who has already announced this will be his final season.

PREDICTION: Eleventh

FC DALLAS

2018: 16-9-9, 57 points (Fourth place in the West, Knockout Round) KEY ADDITIONS: Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez and Forward Zdenek Odrasek (Legia Warsaw) KEY DEPARTURES: Defenders Anibal Chala (Quito) and Chris Richards (Bayern Munich) and Forward Maxi Urruti (Montreal Impact) OUTLOOK: Dallas are going all in with Playing their Kids and will likely field eight Homegrown Players when they kick off play.

The hope is that under Gonzalez, the club’s former Academy Director, that they can finally get over the hump and earn their first MLS Cup. Look for their back four of Matt Hedges, Jacori Hayes, Reggie Cannon, and Reto Ziegler to play a huge role in the club’s success in 2019.

PREDICTION: Seventh

HOUSTON DYNAMO

2018: 10-16-8, 38 points (tenth place in the West, did not make playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Defender Alianz Struna (Palermo) and midfielder Marlon Hairston (Colorado Rapids) KEY DEPARTURES: Midfielder Eric Alexander (FC Cincinnati) and MidfielderDefender Andrew Wenger (retired) OUTLOOK: After two years of frenetic attacking play the Dynamo at least on paper attempted to solidify their defense with the additions of Struna and Hairston, a solid defensive midfielder. But the club’s inability to see Alberth Ellis in the offseason leaves plenty of drama in the lone star state.

PREDICTION: Eighth

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LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB

2018 SEASON: 16-9-9, 57 points (Third Place in the West, Conference Semifinalist) KEY ADDITIONS: Defender Mohamed El-Monir (Orlando City SC) and Forward Christian Ramirez (Minnesota United FC) KEY DEPARTURES: Midfielder Benny Feilhaber (Colorado Rapids) OUTLOOK: LAFC for the most part stood pat this offseason, using their second offseason to add depth pieces like El-Monir and Ramirez. But they did pick up Portuguese prospect Andre Horta midway through the season and would like to give Diego Rossi the keys to the attack. LAFC has a nice blend of youth and experience but do they have all the tools to make it to the top?

PREDICTION: Third

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

2018 SEASON: 18-11-5, 59 points (Second place in the West, Conference Semifinals) KEY ADDITIONS: Defender Jonathan Campbell (Chicago Fire) KEY DEPARTURES: Defender Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew) and midfielder Oswaldo Alonso (Minnesota United FC) OUTLOOK: Seattle’s big addition will come from the injury bench with a fully healthy Jordan Morris likely to be ready for the start of the season. But it is also a big season for midfielder Cristian Roldan, who will be without his midfield partner in Alonso for the first time in his career.

PREDICTION: Fourth

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

LEFT: Felipe Gutierrez, Sporting Kansas City

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

2018 SEASON: 13-12-9, 48 points (Seventh Place in the West, did not make the playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Midfielders Juninho (Chicago Fire) and midfielder Uriel Antuna (Manchester City) KEY DEPARTURES: Forward Ariel Lassiter (Alajuelense) and defender Ashley Cole (Derby County) OUTLOOK: Zlatan and the rebuilders?

Despite the Big Swedes presence the Galaxy seem to be on the cusp of a full rebuild. Whereas in years past when the club would spend lavishly, the club mostly stood firm during the winter transfer window. New head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto seems to be more interested in bringing up the kids and giving Sebastian Lleget a chance to get his starting spot back.

PREDICTION: Sixth

MINNESOTA UNITED FC

2018 SEASON: 11-20-3, 36 points (tenth place in the West, did not make the playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair (Maryland), Defenders Romaine Metanire (Reims) and Ike Opara (Sporting Kansas City) and Midfielder Ossie Alonso (Seattle Sounders) KEY DEPARTURES: Goalkeeper Matt Lampson (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Johan Venegas (Saprissa) OUTLOOK: It is do or die time for the Loons.

The club has yet to make the playoffs in their first three seasons in MLS and coach Adrian Heath hasn’t found the right fit for getting Minnesota over the top. The club did address their biggest need in the offseason, solidifying their defense with the additions of St. Clair, Metanire, and Alonso.

That should hopefully the pressure on the attack, who seemed to be clicking late last season with Darwin Quinteiro.

PREDICTION: Ninth

PORTLAND TIMBERS

2018 SEASON: 15-10-9, 54 points (Fifth place in the West, MLS Cup finalist) KEY ADDITIONS: Goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic (NK Olimpja Ljubljana) and defender Claude Dielna (New England Revolution) KEY DEPARTURES: Defender Liam Ridgewell (released) and forward Samuel Armenteros (loan expired) OUTLOOK: Portland kept a pretty low profile this offseason with Dielna replacing Ridgewell being the only major substitution into the 18. Portland is hoping that Jeremy Ebobisse has finally turned a page and will become the attacking option off of the wing that they have needed for years. Keep an eye on Foster Langsdorf, who went on a scoring tear for T2 last season, to take the Ebobisse super-sub role in 2019.

PREDICTION: First

REAL SALT LAKE

2018 SEASON: 14-13-7, 49 points (Sixth place in the West, Knockout round) KEY ADDITIONS: Goalkeeper David Ochoa (RSL Academy), defender Donny Toia (Orlando City SC), and forward Sam Johnson (Valerenga) KEY DEPARTURE: Midfielder Luis Silva (released) OUTLOOK: MLS’ biggest surprise of 2018 will hope that they can have a second act in 2019. Midfielder Damir Kreilach, who led the team with 15 goals, won’t be able to sneak up on defenders as he had in 2018 but RSL coach Mike Petke will be banking that they found another diamond in the rough in Johnson. As with RSL it is always a question of depth and whether the next generation of Homegrowns can pick up the slack.

PREDICTION: Fifth

2018 SEASON: 18-8-8, 62 points (First place in the West, Conference Finalist) KEY ADDITIONS: Defenders Rodney Wallace (NYCFC) and Botond Barath (Budapest Honved FC) and midfielder Kellyn Rowe (New England Revolution) KEY DEPARTURES: Defenders Ike Opara (Minnesota United FC) and Brad Evans (Retired) and forward Diego Rubio (Colorado Rapids) OUTLOOK: Sporting head coach Peter Vermes overhauled KC’s defense in the offseason bringing on Wallace and Barath for mainstay Opara which is odd considering they gave just 37 goals last season. But Vermes has always liked the counter-attack and with Wallace that should be improved. Daniel Salloi may be the breakout star of MLS in 2019 if he can replicate his eight goal performance from last year.

PREDICTION: Second

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

2018 SEASON: 4-21-9, 21 points (Last place in the West, did not make the playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Coach Matias Almeyda, midfielder Cristian Espinoza (Sporting C ristal), and forward Frankie Amaya (UCLA) KEY DEPARTURES: none OUTLOOK: It is a new era in San Jose with the club swinging for the fences and nabbing Almeyda, who is coming off of a very successful tenure at Chivas in Mexico.

This season is very much a ‘let’s see how things go’ season with many players likely to be coming in and out. For right now though the club seems to be banking on a better environment creating more chances for the likes of Florian Jungwirth and Danny Hoesen.

PREDICTION: Twelfth BELOW: Seattle Sounders

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS

2018 SEASON: 13-13-8, 47 points (seventh in the West, did not make the playoffs) KEY ADDITIONS: Coach Marc Dos Santos, defender Jasser Khimiri (Stade Tunisen), and midfielder Hwang In-beom (Daejon Citizen) KEY DEPARTURES: Coach Carl Robinson, defender Kendall Wasdon (FC Cincinnati), midfielder Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), and forward Erik Hurtado (Sporting Kansas City) OUTLOOK: It is a new day in Vancouver but will it lead to better results? Dos Santos is known for turning teams around quickly and considering the roster overhaul many of the problems of Vancouver’s past seem to be gone. While Whitecaps supporters may miss Davies, In-beom is considered to be one of the top young midfielders in world football. If he can get in form quickly the best may be yet ahead for Vancouver.

PREDICTION: Tenth

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THE GOOD, BAD, & UGLY

THE GOOD

THE GOOD, BAD, & UGLY

It’s hard to say for many clubs around the world that you can sell one of your most important players and somehow come out of the other end looking — arguably — in a better position.

Reigning MLS champions Atlanta United brought in their fourth Designated Player earlier in the winter when they announced the signing of Pity Martinez from Copa Liberatadores champions River Plate as well as replacing Coach Tata Martino with former Ajax and Inter boss Frank de Boer, meaning they had a new style in place and the need to sell one of their DPs. Josef Martinez was untouchable and Ezequiel Barco was coming into his sophomore season which left Miguel Almiron the odd one out, seeing as the links to him and Europe never went away. With Inter, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle sniffing around, Atlanta executive Darren Eales managed to broker a deal with the Magpies for Almiron in the region of $27m (£21m), a record transfer for Newcastle and the most expensive sale in the history of MLS. While losing one of the League’s biggest stars and best players, it must be noted that the work Atlanta have done to get into the position to sign a Copa Libertadores winner, get a Dutch international legend in as Coach and pull off the biggest sale in MLS history, all while remaining as the favourites to retain their crown, is nothing short of extraordinary.

The big question does remain, however — can Atlanta can keep their momentum going into the new season and integrate Martinez into the side while adjusting to de Boer’s tactics and trying to get more out of Barco now he’s had a year to settle in?

THE BAD Now, this one was a tough one because in some ways, the reason why the Cincinnati draft was a poor one wasn’t even their own doing. But, while it wasn’t their fault, the standards set by the likes of Atlanta United in 2017 and LAFC in 2019 added a different level of expectation to the draft this season.

The picks themselves weren’t terrible by any stretch of the imagination but selecting the likes of Darren Mattocks from DC United — who saw his minutes reduced once Wayne Rooney arrived and scored a career high 10 goals in 2018 — Kei Kamara from the Vancouver Whitecaps, Roland Lamah from Dallas, Eric Alexander from Houston and Hassan Ndam from the Red Bulls isn’t exactly the most inspiring of drafts.

Filling out the rest of their roster with the likes of Kendall Waston from the Whitecaps and Greg Garza from Atlanta made up for the draft in some ways but it’s certainly not the strongest-looking side in the League. The draft itself perhaps wasn’t as stacked with talent as it had been in recent years, and that, coupled with heightened expectation, the Cincinnati draft goes from underwhelming to actually quite poor and very disappointing.

That being said, when the expectation game is to blame, it’s eminently possible Cincinnati prove the doubters wrong. Clubs have gone for big names and headline-grabbing announcements in the past but that’s not necessarily the right strategy. Instead, Cincinnati have made some interesting additions and, if they get the right coaching and form the right chemistry, who’s to say it won’t be a rousing success?

The club will be backed by ravenous fans who are chomping at the bit to get into MLS, and it’s better for Cincinnati to forge their own path, not try to pander to anyone.

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THE UGLY MLS decided in the offseason to shift around their playoff structure to eliminate two-legged playoffs and to capitalise on the unpredictable nature of the League and the sport in general.

The two-legged playoffs encouraged a defensive style of play at times and almost ruined what looked like, on paper, very entertaining games. The first seed in each conference gets a bye into the conference semi-finals like before and the one-legged affairs mean that anyone can win on any given day.

But some aren’t too pleased with the change in format. When you’re so used to multiple games in Major League Baseball and the NBA, it’s understandable to shrug your shoulders at a one off game because ‘anyone can win’ doesn’t always translate into ‘the best team are the champions,’ but what about the NFL? They have one off games and the new MLS format resembles that more than anything else, so why the outcry? There’s nothing wrong with the new MLS playoff format and while the League looks to benefit from a peak in interest, an unpredictable and exciting post-season would do the League wonders.

Indeed, that’s the beauty of sport. Who doesn’t love an underdog story? Twolegged playoffs are essentially designed to ensure shocks don’t happen, that the bigger team aren’t punished for having an off night. They exist to preserve the status quo, not offer a club a shot at glory.

So while the NBA and Major League Baseball have their best-of-seven series, MLS can offer something altogether more thrilling — the winner-takes-all, one-off encounter. The chance to teams and players to come up big in the clutch, when it matters most, to silence the voice that says ‘it’s ok if this game is lost, there’s six more to go.’ It’s a change that will take some getting used to, but it’s a change for the better.

ABOVE: Pity Martinez (Main) Darren Mattocks (Small) BELOW: Gregg Berhalter Anthony Precourt

GOING UP New United States Coach Gregg Berhalter successfully oversaw his first victory in January with a win over Panama, before another victory against Costa Rica in February. The former Columbus Crew boss has mixed new international players such as Will Trapp and Christian Ramirez alongside the likes of Michael Bradley in a combination of experience and fresh ideas.

It could be a profitable future for the USMNT after a year-and-a-half of disaster.

GOING DOWN Speaking of disaster, Austin FC was announced as the latest MLS expansion side — due to join the League in 2021 — and is already the League’s most hated team due to their owner, Anthony Precourt.

Precourt was at the forefront of the project to move the Columbus Crew to Texas. He ultimately failed in moving the Crew, but his actions alongside the cringe-worthy ‘song sheet’ that were handed to fans have made Austin the easiest MLS team to dislike, years before they’ve even played a game.

A

ARGENTINE INVASION

fter seven consecutive seasons of dominance from American coaches, Gerardo Martino became the first foreigner since Gary Smith in 2010 to lift the MLS Cup when he led Atlanta United to a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers in the 2018 final.

Just as Atlanta’s success in picking up promising young talents from South America upon its MLS arrival in 2017 led to an explosion in the number of imports from the region, so the impact that Martino has had from its bench has led to an increased interest in Argentinian coaches. The result is that while Martino won’t continue into 2019, two of his compatriots will lead teams into the new campaign: Matías Almeyda and Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Almeyda has the unenviable task of turning things around at San Jose Earthquakes. The club finished plum last in the MLS standings in 2018, recording just four victories alongside nine draws and 21 defeats. They conceded over twice per match on average for the joint second-worst defensive record in the League, and their attack wasn’t much better. Neither was it a one-off. The Earthquakes have failed to make the playoffs in five of the last six seasons.

It is not, however, the kind of challenge that Almeyda is likely to shy away from. As a player, he was a competitive and determined midfielder, a title-winner in Argentina and Italy, and he has applied those same characteristics to his work as a Coach. With no previous experience, he took on the enormous pressure of leading River Plate back into the top flight following their firstever relegation in 2011, succeeding at the first attempt. Two seasons later, he did the same with Banfield. But perhaps his most impressive work came with Chivas in Mexico.

When Almeyda arrived in Guadalajara in 2015, he took over a side that had finished fifth from bottom in the aggregate table of the 2014-15 season, failing to make the playoffs in either the Apertura or the Clausura. It was nine years since the club, one of the most successful in the history of Mexican football, had last lifted a trophy.

His impact was instant. Chivas won each of his first four matches in charge, and while the club failed to make the playoffs in the Apertura, it went all the way in the Copa MX, defeating León in the final to end their long run without silverware. Steady progress followed, with fifth and fourth-place finishes and quarter-final playoff eliminations in the next two tournaments followed by a stellar campaign in the 2017 Clausura. Not only did Chivas claim their first League title since 2006, they also again lifted the Copa MX trophy to become Mexico’s first two-time winners of the League and Cup double.

More success followed in the first half of 2018, as Chivas saw off Seattle Sounders, New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC to win the CONCACAF Champions League for only the second time in their history. It was to be Almeyda’s farewell. The assumption was that he would move to Europe or be a candidate for the Mexico national team job that eventually went to Martino. So it was fairly surprising to see him instead move to MLS and San Jose.

The Earthquakes are clearly getting themselves a well-qualified Coach and one who also has clearly defined philosophy.

While he has utilised a number of different formations throughout his coaching career to date, the fundamentals of his approach have largely remained unchanged: possessionbased, attacking soccer, with plenty of emphasis on wing play. Out of possession, his sides seek to press high to win the ball back quickly. Almeyda has also gained a reputation for his ability to form strong relationships with his players, which could be prove key in rebuilding a club in desperate need of a refresh.

Barros Schelotto has a slightly less daunting task on his hands at LA Galaxy. While they, too, failed to make the playoffs last season,

an eventual finish of seventh in the Western Conference and 13th overall was a huge improvement on the previous campaign, in which the club finished bottom in both. The Galaxy’s attack was the second-best in MLS last year, and if that can be allied to a better defensive unit, a playoff place should be theirs.

The 45-year-old is a more familiar face to MLS followers than Almeyda. He spent four seasons at Columbus Crew in the late 2000s, leading them to the MLS Cup in 2008 in a campaign in which he was named the League’s MVP. Even then, it was clear that his future lay in coaching. Journalists and those who played alongside him say that he was always a very intelligent operator who thought clearly about the game.

His first opportunity to show that came at Lanús in 2012. With his twin brother Gustavo — who played for USL side Puerto Rico Islanders from 2006 to 2007 — as his assistant, he led the team to a series of solid League campaigns and success in the 2013 Copa Sudamericana, the South-American equivalent of the Europa League. After a brief, faintly ridiculous, 22-day spell in charge of Palermo in Italy, he returned to Argentina to join Boca Juniors in 2016.

So far, so good. Yet despite the fact that Barros Schelotto arrives in Los Angeles on the back of leading Boca to consecutive Argentinian League titles, there are still some question marks surrounding his quality as a Head Coach. While full League campaigns are more instructive than Cup competitions in measuring the underlying quality of a team, they also tend to be won by the club with the best squad. In each of the last two seasons, that was Boca.

As one Argentinian journalist noted when it was announced that Barros Schelotto was to depart, his Boca side was an attacking team that enjoyed great success, but their triumphs were pretty much always due to the quality of individuals rather than the efficiency of the collective system. When variations and more immediate solutions were required in knockout competitions, Barros Schelotto was often found wanting.

Twice his Boca side came up against rivals River Plate in continental tournaments and lost out, most recently in the much-delayed final of the Copa Libertadores, eventually played in Madrid, Spain in mid-December.

They failed to go further than the last eight in three attempts at the Copa Argentina. A template of how to frustrate and potentially defeat Boca began to emerge: sit deep, block off the flanks, and watch them toil to break you down.

Barros Schelotto did show strength in refusing to bow to the pressure of status when picking his teams. The players in the best form were generally those who got game time, even if it meant leaving an established names such as Fernando Gago, Edwin Cardona or Carlos Tévez on the bench. In Los Angeles, he will have to deal with perhaps the game’s biggest ego, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

When his Galaxy side travel north to take on Almeyda’s Earthquakes for the first time on June 29, it will represent the rekindling of an old rivalry on Californian soil. As players, Barros Schelotto and Almeyda were on opposing sides of the fierce divide between Boca Juniors and River Plate. “The rivalry with Matias will be great for the League,” Barros Schelotto said in January. “We both want to win, and the loser pays!” Only time will tell which of them will be dipping into their pocket come the end of the campaign.

TOP RIGHT: Matias Almeyda as a player New San Jose Earthqaukes Coach Matias Almeyda was a combative midfielder…

Almeyda as a Coach …and he’ll need that fight now he’s in charge of the Earthquakes

TWO CALIFORNIA CLUBS HAVE NEW COACHES, AS MATIAS ALMEYDA AND GUILLERMO BARROS SCHELOTTO TAKE OVER AT SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES AND LA GALAXY RESPECTIVELY. NICK DORRINGTON HAS THE LOWDOWN…

‘‘The rivalry with Matias will be great for the League’ — Guillermo Barros Schelotto’

THE TRAILBLAZER Gerardo Martino, Matias Almeyda and Guillermo Barros Schelotto aren’t the first Argentines to take a seat on the bench in MLS, as Nick Dorrington explains…

Before Matias Almeyda and Guillermo Barros Schelotto, before Gerardo Martino, there was Carlos Córdoba, the first Argentinian Coach in MLS. A defender for Boca Juniors during his playing career, he emigrated to the United States in 1987, playing for various teams in the Professional Indoor Soccer League before starting his coaching career at a Milwaukee high school.

After leading Milwaukee Rampage of the USISL, he acted as assistant to David Dir at Dallas Burn in the MLS before being appointed Head Coach of the expansion Miami Fusion in 1998.

Córdoba’s reign was a short one. He was removed from his position 19 matches into the season having accumulated eight wins (five on penalties) and 11 defeats. Thereafter, he took on various coaching and directorial roles in his homeland, Mexico and the US. In December, he was named the new Head Coach of Milwaukee Torrent for the 2019 NPSL season.

TWIN MAGIC There’ll be two Barros Schelottos on the LA Galaxy bench, as Guillermo will be joined by twin brother Gustavo as one of his assistants. Nick Dorrington picks out other such connections…

The Barros Schelotto brothers are far from football’s only famous twins. New Atlanta United Coach Frank de Boer played alongside his twin Ronald at both Ajax and Barcelona, while more recent examples include the Da Silva twins Fabio and Rafael, formerly of Manchester United, Lars and Sven Bender, and Rogelio and Ramiro Funes Mori, who spent part of their childhood in Arlington, Texas, before beginning their careers at River Plate in Argentina.

It is, though, even more unique to have twins working together as part of a coaching staff. There was an example in the NFL, when Rex and Rob Ryan worked together at the Buffalo Bills, but no precedent in MLS. They are not twins, but there will be another sibling connection on an MLS bench this year. New Vancouver Whitecaps coach Marc Dos Santos will count upon his brother, Phillip, as one of his assistants.

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TFC SPOTLIGHT

CHANGING TIMES

MARCO D’ONOFRIO REFLECTS ON THE DEPARTURES OF SEBASTIAN GIOVINCO AND VICTOR VAZQUEZ AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF TORONTO FC.

‘Nobody really believed Toronto’s all-time greatest player, Sebastian Giovinco, would be on his way out.’’

T

he writing seemed to be on the wall when former Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko decided to leave the club in December and pursue a new opportunity in Columbus as President of the Crew.

The architect behind Toronto FC's famed 2017 treble-winning side opted to leave the team he had built, despite all three Designated Players still having a year left on their contracts. He left before they could take one more kick at the can to become the first ever MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League and prove to everyone that the 2018 regular season was just a lapse in a spectacular run by what many consider the greatest team in League history.

Fans didn't panic though when they heard of Bezbatchenko’s departure because they knew the team that he had left behind was a robust one capable of going the distance in 2019. That slowly started to change in January.

First, it was Victor Vazquez. The Spaniard who learned and developed at the famous Barcelona youth academy – La Masia – was brought it in as the missing piece to the puzzle in 2017. After all, he was part of the legendary class of '87 that included the likes of Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas.

After losing the MLS Cup on home soil to the Seattle Sounders, Bezbatchenko knew he needed one more creative spark in the midfield to put it all together. With experience playing in Belgium and Mexico, Vazquez took a chance on MLS and signed for the Reds in what turned out to be the

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right move for both himself and the club.

Not only was he able to mesmerize fans by his football intelligence and ability to move the ball, teammates and management at his new club absolutely adored him. He instantly became a hero in Toronto.

“To do all of those things that he does and to execute the way he does, there has to be a selflessness and a humility within that,” Head Coach Greg Vanney said when describing the midfielder in June 2017. “Those are the best words to describe him: selfless and humble.”

Yet Vazquez only ended up playing two seasons in Toronto. The 32-year-old was sold to Qatari club Al-Arabi SC in what ended up being a sign of things to come. Despite having an injury-riddled 2018 campaign, the midfield maestro was still a major part of TFC's core and a huge loss for the club as they began the 2019 preseason.

A little over a week later, fans of the club got the news they were really dreading. Even with rumours running rampant and amidst growing speculation, nobody really believed the club's all-time greatest player, Sebastian Giovinco, would also be on his way out. But at 10:22 PM on January 30, the Reds released an official club statement that the Atomic Ant had been sold to Al-Hilal of Saudia Arabia.

Giovinco had always made it abundantly clear that he wanted to retire in Toronto, but management was hesitant to give him a longterm extension and new General Manager Ali Curtis wasn't willing to meet the diminutive striker's demands. The Italy international took to Instagram to say goodbye to the Toronto fans, who absolutely adored him. He also made sure to set the record straight and vent

ABOVE: After four seasons in Toronto, Sebastian Giovimco has been sold to Al-Hilal of Saudia Arabia LEFT: General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko signed the players who delivered on-field success but left to become President of Columbus Crew

‘“Those are the best words to describe Victor Vazquez: selfless and humble.” Yet he only played two seasons for Toronto.’ his frustration with how contract negotiations ended up playing out.

“It is here where my daughter was born and where my son took his first steps on a football pitch,” Giovinco wrote. “A place my family loves to live and wanted to call home for good. Unfortunately, this desire of ours has clashed with a change in direction with current TFC management.

“For the two years I have been seeking to extend my contract, however management was reluctant. Recently, after refusing to exercise the club option for 2020, I was offered terms that I deemed unacceptable.

“They may say I left for a more lucrative deal, but this is not the case,” Giovinco continued.

“Their offer and lack of transparency is a clear message. It seems management prefers to focus on things other than the pure desire to win. After having grown the brand and elevating the overall reputation of TFC both at home and abroad, it seems I no longer serve a purpose. I would have accepted less to stay in Toronto. Therefore, I reluctantly announce that my tenure as a TFC player has come to an end.

“I will now focus my attention and efforts towards another challenge. With me I bring beautiful memories. Toronto – the 6ix – you are and will always remain in my heart. Thank you for everything you have taught me about myself and about life. I love you Toronto!”

It remains to be seen whether management really is focusing on other aspects as opposed to ‘the pure desire to win,’ but regardless it has not been a good look for Curtis to start life at his new club by losing two of the team's biggest stars.

While both players leave behind tremendous legacies in the city and helped secure an MLS Cup – which once seemed impossible – one can't help but feel it all came apart far too quickly. Less than a year after losing the

ABOVE: Victor Vazquez was a key piece to Toronto FC’s 2017 treblewinning side but was sold to Qatari club Al-Arabi in January.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Fanendo Adi was acquired by FC Cincinnati in July, becoming the expansion team’s first ever Designated Player.

WELCOME FC CINCINNATI

CONCACAF Champions League in a dramatic penalty-kick shootout in Mexico, the team that often had fans foaming at the mouth had unravelled.

The outpour of emotion and frustration from supporters when hearing about Giovinco's departure in particular was palpable. 125 games played between the regular season and playoffs with a total of 73 goals and 57 assists now just seems like a distant memory.

Did TFC really have the greatest player to ever ply his trade in MLS? The debate is being had by journalists and fans alike across the continent, but in Toronto there is no question.

After the great big flop that turned out to be Jermain Defoe, Giovinco was a breath of fresh air for the club and city as a whole. He embraced Toronto like no other European player had before him and in turn the supporters treated him like the saviour they knew he was.

Giovinco helped break down barriers by becoming the first player since Roberto Donadoni in 1996 to be called into the Italy national team while playing in MLS, alongside Andrea Pirlo in October 2015. When he returned from international duty, he helped the Reds book their first ever trip to the playoffs – the same day his plane landed from Rome and by scoring one of the best goals in League history against the New York Red Bulls. After all, it wasn't until the Italian's first year in Toronto that the club finally stopped being the League's biggest laughingstock.

Only time will tell if the club can recuperate from the loss of two of their all-time greats and it is unfortunate that neither were able to receive the proper send-off they deserved. With that said, they will always be remembered for their wizardry at BMO Field and for what they were able to accomplish on that magical night at the stadium-by-the-lake in December 2017.

Marco D'Onofrio looks at Major League Soccer's newest expansion team, FC Cincinnati, and why fans should be excited about their arrival to the League.

MLS is constantly expanding and growing, both on and off the pitch.

This year will be no different, with newcomers FC Cincinnati joining as the League's 24th team. While the club didn't have to construct a completely new squad because they had been playing in the USL, the club knew they needed to bring in some much-needed MLS experience.

They wasted no time by acquiring Designated Player Fanendo Adi from the Portland Timbers in July and then traded for hometown hero Nick Hagglund, who had played his entire career with Toronto FC. Although he is still just 26-years-old, Hagglund has already played five seasons in the League and has an MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, plus three Canadian Championships to his name.

While they will not begin play in their new soccer-specific stadium until 2021, they have proven that they want to be competitive right away. They will likely struggle in their first season in a difficult Eastern Conference, but it is important for them to be able to compete with their cross-state rivals — the Columbus Crew — and try to attract as many fans as possible.

It'll be worth keeping an eye on what the club does throughout the regular season as they look to build momentum and potentially sneak into a playoff spot. Regardless of how the season plays out though, fans across the continent should be excited that the game is continuing to grow, and that Cincinnati could be a real hotbed for years to come.

CPL The Canadian Premier League finally announced the inaugural match, but Marco D'Onofrio still thinks there are a lot of questions to be asked.

While the top-flight all-Canadian League had been announced with teams being confirmed, many people were still sceptical as to whether the League would actually begin play in spring 2019, as originally planned.

But on January 29, the League announced that they were indeed going to begin play when they had intended with Hamilton's Forge FC hosting York 9 at Tim Hortons Field in the Canadian Premier League's inaugural game on April 27.

“We’re looking forward to a full house.

The fans and supporters and the general public in Hamilton are going to get behind this thing because they are very passionate about things that happen in our city.”

Although an official launch date has been set, question marks still surround the new League and whether it can be sustainable. The fact that they scheduled the League's first game in history - between two teams in Southern Ontario – just two hours prior to a Toronto FC home game was a major oversight and one that has potential supporters already upset.

After all, many season ticket holders of Forge FC and York 9 are also TFC season ticket holders. Why compete for fans and media coverage unnecessarily?

While most supporters of the beautiful game are hoping for the CPL to be an overwhelming success across the country, many just aren't sure it'll work out that way.

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“” QUOTES

“There was no cohesion between all the departments, and it was everything separate. And now you have the feeling, okay, I don’t have to look around [and find] a dead body in the closet.

Everything is very clear and structured.

“He’s” — Former For me, it’s so much easier, and I can focus on the first team.” - New Atlanta United coach Frank de Boer takes a swipe at Inter, Crystal Palace, or both, admitting that the lack of structure took a toll on him mentally.

A NEW PITCH

American referee Mark Geiger has retired from refereeing after 21 years to become the director of senior match officials at America’s Professional Referee Organization (PRO). Mark will be in charge of overseeing MLS officials, including the responsibility for continuing the improvement of both on-field and video assistant referee (VAR) officials in North America. Geiger first refereed in Major League Soccer back in May 2004, and he also officiated at two World Cups including the 2018 edition in Russia where he took charge of three matches.

BUILDING CREW

New Columbus Crew owner Dee Haslam said that the club plans to start construction of their $230 million downtown stadium this summer. The announcement was made during a press conference where new head coach Caleb Porter and president Tim Bezbatchenko were presented for the first time. Columbus Crew were in danger of being moved to Austin, Texas before an agreement was struck that would see Precourt Sports Ventures sell the club to Dee and Jimmy Haslam, owners of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

NEW HONOURS

Major League Soccer created two new end-of-season awards, the Sporting Executive of the Year and MLS Academy of the Year with Sporting Kansas City winning them both. The Sporting Executive of the Year is awarded to the Chief Soccer Officer in a team’s technical organization that demonstrates exemplary leadership, dedication and strategic vision in guiding his or her club to success. Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes was the recipient of this award. As for the Academy of the Year, a variety of criteria was used to determine the winner including player experience, coaching and leadership staff, facilities and scouting.

“I knew that the length of the contract would take me to being 40, and it seemed like the right time. I’ve always had my sights set on this, and there are other things I want to do. For a lot of those reasons I wanted to make sure that this would be the end. The timing just makes a lot of sense to do it now before the season to get that out of the way so that it’s not a distraction.” - Tim Howard

SIGI AWARD

has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2019 MLS season, making the announcement through Twitter.

WAYNE'S BRAIN DRAIN

“I thought I was the overall best player – not saying it in a cocky way, but a humble way. I work so hard, I don’t think anybody worked harder than me, so I think I deserve No. 1.” - Cincinnati’s 2019 MLS SuperDraft number one pick, Frankie Amaya, believes he deserved to be the first pick. Time will tell if he was indeed the best of his draft class.

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DC United striker Wayne Rooney was arrested back in December for public intoxication and swearing while in Washington D.C. The arrest took place at the airport by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority. Wayne was later released after paying a $25 fine. The former England captain has had a good start to his MLS career after joining DC United in June 2018, scoring 12 goals to accompany his six assists.

MLS have renamed their annual coach of the year award after Sigi Schmid, who passed away on December 25, 2018.

An award he’s won twice, the former Seattle Sounders, Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy manager was the all-time winningest coach in MLS history with 266 regular season and post season victories in 18 seasons. Sigi Schmid won two MLS titles, one with the Galaxy in 2002 and the other in 2008 with Columbus. He also was the first coach of expansion club Seattle, winning four U.S. Open Cups between 2009 and 2016.

BY THE NUMBERS 12 Megan Rapinoe recorded a team-leading 12 assists in 2018 for the U.S. women’s national team.

BIG PAY RISE

According to reports, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has gotten a massive pay rise after signing a new deal 50 In just his with LA Galaxy. The 37-year-old first two seasons, Swedish striker is set to make Josef Martinez has between $7-7.5 million in 2019. scored 50 goals.

That’s a significant increase from 116 Tim Howard the $1.5 million he pocketed last recorded 116 clean season in his maiden year. Based sheets in the on MLS Players Association Premier League, records, if Zlatan makes at least the third most of $7.2 million, he will officially all-time. become the highest-paid MLS player in history. At the moment, Ricardo Kaka holds that title for his time with Orlando City where he earned over $7.1 million in compensation.

GREG VS GREG

Gregory van der Wiel’s time with Toronto FC has come to an end after an altercation with manager Greg Vanney during the Reds’ preseason training camp in California. The Dutchman confirmed the news on his Instagram account citing differences with the coaching staff for the reason of his departure. Gregory was brought in last season to replace Steven Beitashour, where he made 34 appearances for the Reds and earned $835,000. At least there won’t be a defender wearing the number 9 now.

LANDON GOES INDOORS

Landon Donovan is coming out of retirement again. While he won’t be returning to MLS, Landon will play with the San Diego Sockers in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).

Donovan signed a one-year deal to finish the season with the Sockers. The MASL is a North American indoor soccer league, featuring 17 teams including one in Canada and Mexico each.

SHOWING THE MONEY

Sacramento Republic are hoping to land a Major League Soccer franchise soon and the announcement that billionaire investor Ron Burkle has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in the club should surely help. With Burkle, who according to Forbes has a $2 billion net worth, on board, Sacramento appears to have a strong case.

SEATTLE SHIRT

The Seattle Sounders will have a new jersey sponsor after signing a multi-year deal with online retailer Zulily. Zuliliy will also be the jersey sponsor for their women’s team Seattle Reign. The new deal ends the ten-year partnership with Microsoft and Xbox, who have been involved with the club since their inaugural season in 2009. Details of the new deal were not revealed, but Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer said that the deal is larger in value than the one with Microsoft.

BIG IN TEXAS

Austin FC has been announced as Major League Soccer’s 27th franchise. The Texas based club will join MLS as an expansion franchise after its ownership group spent last year exploring the option of moving the Columbus Crew to the Texas capital. Austin will enter the league in 2021, in a $225 million privately financed stadium. With this announcement, MLS is the first major professional sports league to have a team in Austin, and will make this the third MLS franchise in Texas with Houston and Dallas.

PRESIDENTIAL IMPACT

Montreal Impact have a new club president and CEO as Joey Saputo stepped down to focus on his ownership duties. The club has brought in Kevin Gilmore to fill the role, who brings over 25 years of experience in sports, media and entertainment. Kevin’s experience includes time spent at the Walt Disney Company as well as NHL franchises Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The end of Saputo’s time as club president marks the end of an important chapter in the Impact’s history. During his time as president, Saputo oversaw the move to MLS, the construction and expansion of Stade Saputo, the founding of the club’s youth academy and the development of their training facility.

MORE THAN 28?

The owner of NFL’s Carolina Panthers remains dedicated to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte, North Carolina. David Tepper has told reporters that he is very interested in MLS and that he would like to bring a future expansion team to Charlotte. Tepper has also said that there are ongoing discussions with the league to ensure that the bid will be ready in time for the next time MLS looks to add extra teams. MLS commissioner did previously state that the league would stop at 28 teams, but with so many cities interested, MLS may need to expand beyond 28.

CONCACAF AWARDS

Concacaf revealed the winners of their 2018 awards which featured four MLS players in the Men’s Best XI. Featured on the team are Sebastian Giovinco and Michael Bradley of Toronto FC alongside Bradley WrightPhillips of the New York Red Bulls and Francisco Calvo of Minnesota United. New San Jose Earthquakes manager Matias Almeyda won Men’s Football Coach of the Year, which of course, was for his time with Chivas Guadalajara, who won the 2018 Concacaf Champions League. Giovinco also finished third for the Male Player of the Year, with Mexico’s, Hirving Lozano claiming the prize. On the women’s side, Alex Morgan was named Female Player of the Year as she helped lead the U.S. to an unbeaten year with 18 wins and 2 draws.

Unsurprisingly, she was also named to Concacaf Women’s Best XI alongside four of her U.S. teammates, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, defenders Crystal Dunn and Becky Sauerbrunn and midfielder Lindsey Horan. Two Canadians also made the Best XI, Kadeisha Buchanan and Christine Sinclair.

THE SUPERDRAFT

The 2019 MLS SuperDraft took place earlier this year in Chicago with new expansion team Cincinnati getting the first pick. With the first pick, Cincinnati selected Generation adidas player Frankie Amaya from UCLA and the US under-20 national team. San Jose, with the second pick, selected forward Siad Haji, while Orlando City used the third overall pick to select Santiago Patino. It will be interesting to see if and for how long the MLS SuperDraft will remain relevant or even a viable option to sign some good players. Soccer does not follow the same path as the NBA or NFL where playing college sports is the best way to make it pro. Many of these teams have youth academies and scouts to help them improve and it would be hard to argue why anyone would want a player in his early 20s who is coming from collegiate soccer over an 18-year-old who has grown up through the academy, already exposed to the club culture.

DARREN IS TOPS

For the second year in a row, Atlanta United president Darren Eales was named the Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year. Atlanta are the first club to draw more than one million fans and averaged a league-record 53,000 fans per game. Darren Eales wasn’t the only member of the backroom staff to be awarded for their work as the club were also rewarded with the Ticket Sales Team of the Year, Public Relations Team of the Year, Club Retailer of the Year, Digital Team of the Year, Operations Staff of the Year and Supporter Management Team of the Year.

USA, USA

The US men’s national team are officially in the Gregg Berhalter era as they look to bury their disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign where they failed to qualify.

Their first big test will come this summer with the Gold Cup in June, and in order to prepare for it, and get back on track, they have scheduled a high profile friendly against Chile. The U.S. will host Chile on March 26 at Houston Dynamo’s BBVA Compass Stadium. Chile, like the U.S., also failed to qualify for the last World Cup and will be looking to get over their disappointment by successfully defending their Copa America title this summer.

NOT FOR FITNESS

eMLS hosted their first event of the year which featured 22 of the best professional FIFA gamers from across North America, each representing an MLS team. Following a regular season round, four players each from the Eastern and Western Conference qualified for the quarterfinals, where a champion was determined through a singleelimination bracket. At the end of the day, Philadelphia Union’s Cormac “doolsta” Dooley walked away as champion of the eMLS League Series One and a $5000 prize and trophy. doolsta defeated Houston Dynamo’s Kid M3mito in the finals, ending his 33-game unbeaten streak. Performing well in the League Series events is important as it will determine seeding for the eMLS Cup. In the eMLS Cup, players will earn points for the EA SPORTS Global Series Playoffs, which gives gamers a chance to qualify for the 2019 FIFA eWorld Cup.

A HOT TICKET

Sporting Kansas City have been busy at work in the off season when it comes to the pitch at Children’s Mercy Park. Among the improvements are: adding grow lights, synthetic turf outside of the touchlines, new sod and underground electrical field heat. With the electrical heating system, Children’s Mercy Park will be the first professional stadium in the United States to have this feature, according to the club.

The club says that the electrical heating system will provide consistent heat across all areas of the pitch, and allow for specific areas to be heated if needed.

TO TATA

Former Atlanta United coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino was officially announced as the new head coach of the Mexican men’s national team. It comes as no surprise, as rumours of the appointment began as soon as Martino announced he wouldn’t be returning to Atlanta. Tata Martino has reportedly signed a four-year contract with the Mexican federation with performance-related options to extend.

The Argentine manager was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2018 for his role in Atlanta United’s MLS Cup victory in just the club’s second year of existence. Martino will be returning to Atlanta fairly quickly, as Mexico has set up a friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to be played at the beginning of June.

PLAYOFF CHANGES

The 2019 MLS season will feature a few significant changes to its playoff structure. The playoffs will now consist of a fixed-bracket, single-elimination format with the higher seed hosting every match. Playoff spots have gone up to 14 from 12, and will see the top seed of each conference given a first-round bye. The league has also decided to eliminate reseeding, meaning if the No. 7 seed upsets the No. 2 seed, they’ll still play the winner of 3v6. Another big change is the duration of the playoffs. They will wrap up earlier than in previous years as the entirety of the playoffs will last just over three weeks, beginning on October 19 and ending with MLS Cup on November 10. It will be interesting to see how the new format plays out this year, especially with the elimination of the two-legged ties. What this format does do, is place more emphasis and importance on regular season performance.

TORONTO HAS ALI

Toronto FC have appointed Ali Curtis as their new general manager following the departure of Tim Bezbatchenko, who left to become president of Columbus Crew. Curtis most recently worked as sporting director of the New York Red Bulls for two seasons, in 2015 and 2016.

While at the helm, the club won the 2015 Supporters’ Shield and created USL side New York Red Bulls II. Toronto FC will be looking to rebound after a disappointing MLS campaign, which saw them fail to make the playoffs following their treble winning season in 2017.

DID YOU

KNOW? • New Atlanta United signing Pity Martinez was one of four players to have 5+ goals & assists and 20+ chances created in the Copa Libertadores last season.

• Alex Morgan has won four Concacaf Female Player of the Year awards, including three straight. Only one other player, male or female, has won more than one, Keylor Navas – two.

• Sigi Schmid has more league wins than any other manager at 240.

• Gyasi Zardes went from 2 goals in 2017 to 19 in 2018.

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“You know the people we’ve hired and you see that there’s a commitment to do everything we can. Obviously, it’s a big investment. We’re committed to winning, and that’s what’s important.

We obviously have experience not winning [with the Browns], so winning is so important and we get that message loud and clear.” - Dee Haslam, one of

Orlando City forward Dom Dwyer and his wife, Sydney Leroux Dwyer, of the Orlando Pride, are expecting their second child in 2019. The couple got on board the gender reveal train, where families find increasingly creative ways to announce the gender of their child, by posting a video to social media, to share the news with the world. The video featured a small ball filled with a coloured powder. Sydney threw it towards Dom, who connected with a volley, and pink powder burst out of it, meaning the couple will be welcoming a daughter to their family.

the new owners of the Columbus Crew, has pointed towards the hiring of head coach Caleb Porter and president Tim Bezbatchenko as indications of their goals.

CANADA’S AWARD

“Why not? I don’t close doors. It’s clear that it’s an attractive country for football nowadays, but I think with more time and in many more years it’ll be even more attractive. Of course, I see myself there one day.” - Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he is interested in managing a Major League Soccer side in the future.

“Obviously, Giovinco gave us so much for four years that he was in Toronto.

He was a guy that on the biggest days found ways to come through and make a difference. From that standpoint, we’re going to miss him.” - Michael Bradley on

Alphonso Davies was voted 2018 Postmedia Male Athlete of the Year by sportswriters and editors from across Canada, becoming the first soccer player to win the award.

Davies, who was born in Ghana, moved to Canada when he was five years old, and was signed by the Vancouver Whitecaps at 15. He enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2018, scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists. On top of that, he joined German giants Bayern Munich for, what at the time was, an MLS-record transfer that could be worth up to $22 million. Many Canadians will be hoping Davies continues to grow and becomes one of the world’s best players. They will be hoping he leads Canada not only into the 2026 World Cup when they host, but the 2022 World Cup in three years’ time.

CINCINNATI GLOW

FC Cincinnati have officially broken ground for its new soccer-specific stadium. The stadium should be ready for the 2021 season, in what will be the clubs third MLS season. The stadium will hold up to 26,000 fans, an increase from the original plans to start at 21,000 with room for growth. One of the more noticeable features of the stadium will be the use ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, a translucent material that, with the use of LED lighting, can make the stadium glow and change colours, similar to Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.

BY THE NUMBERS 23 At 23, Hirving Lozano is the youngest player to ever win the Concacaf Male Player of the Year.

MOTOROLA FIRE

Chicago Fire have signed a deal with Motorola which will see the company become the club’s official jersey sponsor. As part of the three-year agreement, the mobile communications giant will feature on the front of the team’s jerseys and training wear.

Chicago will also use Motorola smartphones and accessories to produce player-driven social and digital media content. The new home and away jerseys were unveiled by Germany legend Bastian Schweinsteiger, captain Dax McCarty and striker Nemanja Nikolic.

VW SOCCER

men’s coach Gregg Berhalter was pleased with how his first camp went, noting that the team met the benchmarks set for the first month.

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Yahoo Finance has named Major League Soccer as their 2018 Sports Business of the Year, citing the leagues impressive year-by-year growth. While the league still trails the “Big Four” pro sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL) by revenue and viewers, it isn’t a small league. The 2018 season saw total attendance reach 9.05 million, up from 8.72 million the year before, while the average ticket revenue per game rose by 10%. To think that just 10 years ago, MLS had 15 teams and will now have 24 teams competing this season, plus three confirmed teams to enter in the next two years, shows the rapid growth of the league.

73 Kendall Waston won 73% of his aerial duels last season.

26 Victor Vazquez recorded 26 assists with Toronto FC to go with his 18 goals in 57 appearances for the club.

KNOW?

• Haji Wright’s goal, which was assisted

by Weston McKennie, was the first goal scored and assisted by an American in the Bundesliga since the 2004-05 season.

NO NEW WOMEN

YAHOO FOR MLS

2.3 FC Cincinnati averaged 2.3 points per game last season, the most of any MLS or USL club.

The United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer) has entered into a landmark partnership with Volkswagen of America worth a reported eight figures annually. The multi-year deal will run until 2022 and makes the German car manufacturer the governing body’s first ever presenting partner. According to reports, this partnership ranks as US Soccer’s second-largest deal, behind their apparel partnership with sportswear giant Nike. The collaboration with Volkswagen will focus on increasing participation, developing DID YOU players, coaches and referees, and boosting fan engagement.

Volkswagen will also fund programs geared towards developing more female coaches.

how the club are going to miss departed star Sebastian Giovinco.

“I told the guys this in the locker room: I think [camp] was successful in the fact that we met our benchmarks. There were three items that we were looking to address: Team building, style of play and competing. I think each and every one of them met that criteria.” - New US

56 Benny Feilhaber has recorded 56 assists since arriving to MLS in 2011.

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is unlikely to add any further expansion until 2020 according to the leagues Managing Director. The league was hoping to have 14 teams by 2020, however it’s unlikely it will be adding to its nine existing clubs in 2019 as they look to perfect a slow and steady growth. In 2016, the league expanded to ten teams with the addition of Orlando Pride, but dropped back down to nine in 2018 when both the Boston Breakers and FC Kansas City folded, while the Utah Royals joined the league.

In light of that, the NWSL is now prioritizing finding expansion markets that have the necessary infrastructure to improve and grow the league.

• Josef Martinez was the fifth player to win the regular season MVP and MLS Cup MVP awards in the same season.

• Sebastian Giovinco leaves Major League Soccer as one of 21 players in league history with 50+ goals and 50+ assists.

• Jonathan Lewis is the second American since 2014 to record an assist as a sub in backto-back US Men’s National Team matches.

NEW NUMBERS

FIFA President following elections at an BELOW: Extraordinary Congress in February therefore Dutch football legend Frank de Boer has taken came at a time when trust in the administration over for Gerardo Martino of the world’s most popular sport was at its as head coach of MLS Cup champions Atlanta United. lowest ebb. Like his predecessor, Infantino is Swiss, but as a lawyer and professional football BELOW LEFT: The greatest goalkeeper administrator, the new man presents a far in American history, Tim slicker, more credible, personality.

Howard, will be calling it quits following the 2019 Entering the FIFA presidential race as a MARCOafter D’ONOFRIO AT SOME KEY STATS, FACTS, AND MLS season. late substitute his formerLOOKS boss Platini FIGURES THE NEW MLS CAMPAIGN. had been forced FOR to leave it, the multilingual Infantino is a smooth operator, personable rather than charismatic. As he acknowledged in The first time in history that – Despite the addition of FC an emotional –victory speech, FIFA’s reputation be 24 but teams competing in Cincinnati, all teams will still play 34 regular needsthere to bewill restored, there is a very long SEPP BLATTER’S MISTAKES ango MLS campaign, season games, just like last season. Every way to to achieve thatwith aim. FC It isCincinnati tempting to EXCLUDING HIS SEXIST WAYS, joining the fray.

The garnering League's newest club will continue to play 17 home games remain sceptical, but after 115 votes TROUBLES IN THE GAY COMMUNITY, expansion team will play in the difficult and 17 away matches, but it is now a more against the 88 for his closest rival, the favourite both AND FALLING A STAGE, HERE balanced schedule OFF as teams will face each SheikhEastern SalmanConference, bin Ebrahimensuring al-Khalifa,that Infantino conferences have 12 each.

ARE SOME OFopponents SEPP BLATTER’S of their conference twice during does at least have anow mandate to teams press ahead They will be based at Nippert Stadium DURING HIS TIEM opponents AS FIFA theMISTAKES season and non-conference with reform.

— home the University of Cincinnati once.

PRESIDENT. For many of itsof member associations, football team their new 26,000 particularly those in — theuntil developing world, seat soccer-specific stadium is ready in FIFA represents a reliable source of cash.

THE TIME HE SUGGESTED 2021.

Infantino has said that he flew the equivalent ELIMINATING DRAWS of five times around the world, meeting and – The number of and Showing exactly how in touch with the greeting the men whose votes he needed kilometres that Whitecaps modern game he is, Blatter once suggested who would be glad of the the Vancouver development money that draws should eliminated. will be throughout the 2019 promised by travelling the new FIFA boss.

"EVERY GAME SHOULD HAVE A regular No team in around the entire The spread ofseason. the football gospel the WINNER," he told a German journalist in more than the for globeLeague is one ofwill thetravel fundamental reasons 2004. "WE SHOULD HAVE THE COURAGE Another Western Conference FIFA’sWhitecaps. existence, but Infantino will need to TO INTRODUCE A FINAL DECISION IN team behind them, though, balance thisisn't withtoo his far reform agenda and the EVERY GAME OF FOOTBALL. THAT IS as the San Jose Earthquakes will need to need for transparency to keep his membership WHAT I WANT." travel a total of 80,026 kilometres during That, of course, is not what everybody else their regular season grind.

24

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‘The challenge facing 14 – For theInfantino first time ever, 14 MLS teams for the playoffs iswill toqualify reform an in 2019 with a new playoff format being adopted. organisation The postseason will nowwhose be singleelimination with the higher seed name matches, has become hosting the game. Seven teams from each synonymous with conference will qualify for the playoffs, corruption’ with the highest seeded team in each

conference given a first-round bye. The – especially those will whobe voted for his chief postseason contested following opponent – onside.

The new Swiss gave the FIFA international break boss in October a nodand in that too his post-election willdirection conclude oninNovember 10 — a full address. month earlier than prior seasons. This will An early understanding of what an Infantinoallow for nicer weather throughout the led FIFA mightand lookprovide like as the new man eases playoffs a longer offseason himself the role seen his forinto teams whocan go be deep in from post-season. election manifesto. Alongside the additional money promised to member associations, Infantino’s glossy election document was built around reform and good governance, democracy and participation and football development.

Infantino clearly stated his belief that “fundamental reforms must be at the heart of FIFA to ensure that it regains the trust of both the football world and the wider public.

These reforms need to be structural but also cultural in nature. In this respect, FIFA must demonstrate that it has the strength and determination to reform itself into a modern, well governed, institution which is a worthy leader for the world’s number one sport.”

This is the crux of the task facing Infantino, the seemingly insurmountable challenge of reconstructing an organisation whose very name has become synonymous with corruption, as the multiple suspensions and arrests triggered by the present investigations – Fivehis MLS clubscampaign, – Atlanta United, testify. During election Infantino Houston Dynamo, York Red“IBulls, unveiled a 90-day plan toNew reform FIFA. Sporting andintroducing Toronto think it’s now orKansas never,” City he said, FC – willinbe competing in the 2019 his proposals front of reporters at London’s CONCACAF Wembley Stadium.Champions “We have toLeague. take thisNo MLS club has the but opportunity, toever take won a turn, totournament, make a better Toronto closer to accomplishing FIFA and workFC forcame football in a united way, in the feat other in League a positive way.than This any is the rightteam moment to do that.” history. They lost to Liga MX side Chivas Guadalajara a penalty kick shoot-out in Inevitably, much ofinthe reform promised by the is second of the variety, final. vital to Infantino of the leg structural the need to fix the organisation but unlikely to capture the imagination of those – One more season is allwho thatfollow legendary football by buying or Team regularly United Statesseason Men's tickets National handing over theirTim hard-earned cash at in thethe goalkeeper Howard has left tickettank. officeThe on matchday.

Colorado Rapids' shot-stopper However, an important gaugethat of whether announced via Twitter the 2019 Infantino is likelywould to be successful provided campaign be his last.isThe 39-yearby those backed him.career Unsurprisingly, it the old who began his MLS in 1998 with was some the big names the European New of York/New JerseyinMetroStars, where gamehe who cameparts out with theseason most fulsome played of six before support, with Fabio Capello and Jose Mourinho making the move to Manchester United in among Infantino’s high-profile backers.

2003.

In 2016, he returned to MLS to join Mourinho was enthusiastic in his support the Rapids after a long spell with Everton. of Infantino. “I think he’s very capable, very

5

1

wants.

In the run-up to the 1994 World Cup, Blatter also suggested that games should be divided into four quarters, presumably to appease the American broadcast sponsors who were lining FIFA's pockets.

12

THE TIME HE CALLED CRISTIANO –The Portland Timbers will begin the RONALDO A ‘SLAVE’ 2019 campaign with 12 consecutive games In 2008, Blatter pulled his footisout of on the road as Providence Park being his mouth long enough to suggest expanded.

The expansion will allow that for Utd’s desire to keep an Manchester extra 4,000 seats, which will Cristiano bring the from was totalRonaldo capacity to ajoining little Real overMadrid 25,000.

The tantamount to “MODERN SLAVERY.” stadium will also be renovated to include Yes, you read that correctly. In Sepp’s eyes, a completely re-modelled east side of the an international megastar who gets paid stadium, a new scoreboard, ribbon boards upwards of €250,000 per week to do his and video board, new turf, and updated dream job is comparable to aan slave. concourse and concession onbuild the Unless Madrid start makingstands Ronaldo west side of the stadium.Perez Portland's a pyramid as Florentino whips first him home game of the willthis take place while dressed as season a Pharoah, is not a on June 1 against Los Angeles good parallel.FC.

‘Infantino flew the equivalent of five times around the world, UEFA President meeting and former French and ALL NEW 2019 legend Michel FORD RANGER Platini had eyes greeting on the top job at the men FIFA. whose experienced, with a complete knowledge votes he of everything around football and its needed and organisation,” the Portuguese said.

Ahead of the election process at the February who would Extraordinary Congress, the FIFA membership be glad of approved a package of reforms to pave the developway for significant improvements to the governance of global football, including clear ment separation of political and management money’ functions, limits on the length of time

FIFA officials can remain in office, greater recognition and promotion of women in ORDER YOURS NOW to enshrining football and a commitment human rights in the FIFA statutes.

With the new reform package on the table, Infantino was elected to office to implement it, but it will be a slow and gradual process for change to be embedded and implemented.

In the meantime, this autumn will see the beginning of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup finals. The controversial decisions to award the tournament to Russia – and to Qatar in 2022 – ALL FORDS ARE CREATED EQUAL... were an integral part of the allegations aimed IT’S THE DEALERSHIP THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE at FIFA that eventually led to Blatter’s downfall. legacy of years ON, of mismanagement 12 CarrierThe Drive, Toronto, M9V 2C1 and maladministration will not be eradicated (On Highway 27 just south of theInfantino’s 407) overnight and, to that extent, challenge is an unenviable one. A fundamental Call 416-741-6221 cultural change must take place. That will not www.summitford.com happen quickly, but it will influence how FIFA is perceived in future and how Infantino’s time in office will be judged.

5

– A total of five coaching changes have been from the end of last THE made TIME HE TALKED ABOUT season to the startTHE of the new campaign.

SCRAPPING OFFSIDE RULE Marc Dos Santos (Vancouver Whitecaps), In 2010, Blatter was inspired by a Luchi Gonzalez with (FC his Dallas), Caleb Porter conversation hockey equivalent (Columbus Frank de SCRAPPING Boer (Atlanta Leandro Crew), Negre to suggest United), and Guillermo Schelotto THE OFFSIDE RULE. ItBarros was abolished in (Los Angeles haveBlatter all taken over hockey in theGalaxy), nineties, and assumed the bench at their new withtothe its success could be clubs translated the promise of fresh start. game. beautiful As you can imagine, absolutely no one else

FIFA agreed.

31 – Atlanta atUnited's Josef Martinez

broke the MLS record for most goals scored in a single season last year, finding the back of the net 31 times. The previous record THE TIME HE CHOSE QATAR TO HOST was 27 held by Roy Lassiter (1996) and A WORLD CUP. Bradley Wright-Phillips (2014). It'll be worth “Of course, it was mistake. the You Venezuelan know, one keeping an eye on awhether makes a lot of for mistakes in life. The technical or anyone else that matter will come report indicated that it was too hot anywhere close toclearly the record in 2019.

in summer, but despite that the executive committee decided with quite a big majority that the tournament would – beWhile in Qatar.” they sold Miguel Almiron MLS Well, we’re all human aren’tfor wean Sepp?

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replacement. They splashed the cash – $14 million – to acquire Gerardo Martinez from Copa Libertadores champions River Plate.

THE TIME LET ALL OF It is reported toWHEN be theHE second highest THE CORRUPTIONS AND BRIBERIES incoming MLS transfer of all-time – second HAPPEN. only to Ezequiel Barco, who Atlanta United signed last season.

He is to be worth Here is just one ofgoing the many: keeping an eye on throughout the season, Former Warner with both FIFA fans Vice-President and journalistsJack alike excited was revealed to be the recipient of over to see what the 25-year-old Argentine can £720k in bribes from a company controlled bring to the League. by a former Qatari football official. Jack Warner’s sons also received payments in the hundreds of thousands.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

CROSSED THE DERBY DIVIDE

ROUND-UP R.I.P. EMILIANO SALA The entire football family came together to pay their respects to Emiliano Sala after the body of Cardiff City’s record signing was confirmed to have been pulled from a light aircraft that crashed into the English Channel. “Your soul will shine in my soul forever,” wrote sister Romina.

HUGO SANCHEZ

N

ew Atletico de Madrid signing Alvaro Morata made his home LaLiga debut derby against his former club Real Madrid, a dream scenario for all those who love a bit of drama and football romance. But it also highlights how close the links between the two biggest teams in the Spanish capital have been over the years and continue to be.

More players than you might imagine have been on the books of both clubs in recent years. Current Atletico full-backs Filipe Luis and Juanfran and midfielder Saul Niguez all spent time at the Bernabeu as youngsters, while back-up goalkeeper Antonio Adan had four years in the Real Madrid senior squad. Going the other way was current Real Sociedad defender Theo Hernandez, who made a memorable move from Atletico to Real in summer 2017.

But here are five players who made a really big impression on both sides of the derby divide, leading to mixed emotions throughout the city.

ALVARO MORATA

A fire at Flamengo’s youth-team training centre tragically took the lives of 10 people, just a day after Sala was pronounced dead.

“Flamengo are in mourning,” tweeted the Brazil club, whose post generated almost 200,000 likes.

Morata’s arrival at Atletico de Madrid from Chelsea on an 18-month loan deal has caused plenty of debate, with the new signing being keen to talk about his boyhood as a rojiblanco fan and time in Atletico’s youth ranks as a youngster.

Los Blancos fans will of course remember that Morata made his senior debut for their side, scoring 25 goals in 63 LaLiga Santander appearances, and winning 10 trophies with the Bernabeu outfit including the 2011/12 and 2016/17 titles.

During that time, Morata played twice in LaLiga for Real against Atletico, without finding the net, with one win for each side. The 26-year-old has declined to reveal whether he will celebrate if he scores a first derby goal at the Wanda Metropolitano this weekend.

WILL THE REAL JAMES MILNER PLEASE STAND UP?

SANTI SOLARI

FOOTBALL MOURNS FOR FLAMENGO

A candidate for the most random tweet of the year saw James Milner reply to a fan who quoted lyrics from Eminem’s smash hit ‘Stan’ by replying in similar fashion. There was only one problem for the supporter – he was asking the wrong Liverpool No. 7!

GIGGS’ BROTHER GIVES LOYALTY LESSON Rhodri Giggs poked fun at brother Ryan’s eight-year affair with his exwife in a not-so-thinly-veiled advert for Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, which contained several references to the Manchester United legend.

“Loyalty is dead. Live for rewards,” read the campaign’s tagline.

WALKER TROLLS LIVERPOOL Manchester City defender Kyle Walker celebrated Liverpool’s failure to beat Leicester City in January, tweeting “so basically they thought they were gonna go seven points ahead…” Made even better by being paired with a meme of Leicester defender Harry Maguire, the message was soon deleted.

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Real Madrid coach Santi Solari has made his love of the Bernabeu side very clear since taking over on the bench from Julen Lopetegui last October, although it mustn’t be forgotten that the former Argentina international played his first LaLiga season across the city at Atletico.

Solari arrived at Atleti from River Plate in January 1999 and scored six goals in 36 LaLiga games during 18 months wearing the rojiblanco colours. After joining cross-city rivals Real in 2000, the versatile left-sided midfielder scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in 130 games, winning seven trophies including LaLiga Santander titles in 2000/01 and 2002/03, before leaving for Inter Milan in summer 2005.

The Argentine has an enviable unbeaten record in LaLiga derbies… on both sides of the divide. Three games with Atletico featured two victories and a goal in a 1-1 draw. He then won all four games with Real, scoring twice against his former club.

THIBAUT COURTOIS

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also knows what it is like on both sides of the derby divide. During his three seasons at Atletico, Courtois played 111 league games, keeping an impressive 56 clean sheets and winning the LaLiga Santander title alongside Filipe Luis and Juanfran in 2013/14. The Belgium international played in six LaLiga derbies, being sent off in his first meeting with Madrid at the Bernabeu in November 2011.

Similar to Morata, Courtois proclaimed himself a boyhood fan of his new team on arrival last summer, with photos to prove it. The 26-year-old kept a clean sheet when the teams met in the first derby of the season, October's 0-0 draw at the Bernabeu.

HUGO SANCHEZ

Former Mexico international Hugo Sanchez is another Latin American who played his first LaLiga seasons with Atletico, before going on to more fame and fortune across the city at Real. Sanchez was a regular in an Atletico shirt between 1981 and 1985, then spent seven years at the Bernabeu, winning LaLiga titles in each of his first five seasons with Los Blancos. He remains the only player to have won LaLiga’s ‘pichichi’ topscorer award while playing at both clubs.

The powerful centre-forward scored twice in an Atletico shirt against Real, including one in a famous 4-0 victory at the Bernabeu in 84/85. After the switch, he found the net twice in nine more derbies. Later in his career he spent the 1992/93 season at a third Madrid club, Rayo Vallecano.

RAUL GONZALEZ

Like Morata, Raul started out in Atletico’s youth system and came to prominence at Real, although in his case there was no chance of an emotional return later in his career. Forever associated with the Bernabeu club, Raul is Madrid’s all-time record LaLiga appearance holder, with 550 games between 1994 and 2010. A six-time LaLiga Santander winner, his 228 goals in the competition was also a club record until passed by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2015.

Raul’s first LaLiga goal came in a 4-2 derby win when he was still just 17. A total of 27 games against Atletico brought 11 goals, seven assists and just two defeats over 16 years. The Madrid native is now back at the Bernabeu as a youth team coach.

SANTI SOLARI

RAUL GONZALEZ

5 NWSL QUESTIONS

In April the National Women’s Soccer League will kick off their seventh season of play. With this being a World Cup year more attention than ever will be given to the league with both American and Canadian fans looking to keep up on the progress of their players and on the North American game. Here are five key questions that the league will face this season. #5 CAN IT RESOLVE THE SKY BLUE FC ISSUE? The main talking point of the offseason was the state of Sky Blue FC. The New Jersey based side has been criticized heavily for their lack of facilities available to the players. That two of their top draft picks, Hallie Mace and Julia Ashley, both refusing to sign with the club. Supporters have called for the resignation of General Manager Tony Novo and Owner Phil Murphy but so far the league has yet to budge.

#1 WHO CAN CATCH THE NC COURAGE? The Courage won the first ever treble in Women’s North American soccer last year by capturing the NWSL regular season title, the NWSL Championship, and the International Champions Cup. Head coach Paul Riley’s side lost just once last year and given that all of the key players are back it looks like they might be primed for a second three peat.

ROUND-UP PART 2 MARADONA AND SON

Hallie Mace refuses to sign with SKY BLUE FC.

#4 CAN IT KEEP UP WITH EUROPE? For years the NWSL held the advantage over leagues in England, Spain, Germany, and France because of their professional status and salaries. But that gap is narrowing and more players are choosing to play fulltime abroad. The league has raised salaries to a max of $46,000 but the minimum of $16,538 is still not a living wage. #3 PLAYING THROUGH THE WORLD CUP? Much like Major League Soccer the NWSL will take a brief break for the group stage of the World Cup but be right back at it during the knockout stage. The gamble is that people will want to see games live after watching a world class product on television. That is a massive gamble for the league and one that might not pay off.

SOCIAL MEDIA

There was a surprise visitor at Dorados training in February as Diego Maradona’s five-year-old son joined him for a kickabout, just weeks after the Mexican side’s Coach needed surgery to stop internal bleeding. Move over Messi – we may have finally found ‘the new Maradona’!

ISCO CALLS OUT SOLARI

The NC Courage celebrating

Juventus target Isco appeared to aim a jab at Santiago Solari, calling out the Real Madrid boss for a lack of first-team opportunities.

Replying to criticism from exMadrid midfielder Ruben de la Red, the surplus Spaniard warned “when you don’t enjoy the same opportunities as your teammates, things change…”

#2 WILL THIS BE THE YEAR FOR EXPANSION? After the Boston Breakers folded last year the league has been set at nine teams with little to no movement.

FC Barcelona has expressed interest in adding a club in Los Angeles but that seems to have fizzled. Investors in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Vancouver have all expressed varying levels of interest but nothing concrete has come.

STADIUM GUIDE

Standing proudly on the eastern outskirts of Madrid – Spain's capital and one of the world’s most innovative cities – is the Wanda Metropolitano, a pioneering arena that boasts some of the finest cutting-edge technology in modern construction. Indeed, Atletico Madrid's new home opened its doors in 2017 to the acclaim of being the first 100% LED stadium in Europe.

In today's increasingly digitalised and connected world, the Wanda Metropolitano very much belongs in the 21st century. The stadium offers guaranteed 4G mobile coverage and very soon 5G too. As if that wasn't enough, the arena also features a 360º ribbon board display that spans over 530m², the only one of its kind to be found across the LaLiga Santander grounds.

Once you set foot inside the stadium, the sound of 68,000 die-hard Atleti fans accompanies the breathtaking light and sound extravaganza offered up

by Philips ArenaExperience, with the two combining to turn every matchday into a veritable delight for the senses. All of this technology makes the Wanda Metropolitano the ideal venue for major sporting events, such as the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League final it's set to host in June, and concerts, with the stadium's 336 LED floodlights able to display over 16 million colours.

Less than two years after its inauguration, the arena has already welcomed the musical talents of Bruno Mars

and Iron Maiden, as well as having hosted corporate events of major brands, who have been suitably impressed by the more than 20 multi-functional rooms within the complex.

Despite having established itself as a leading financial and cultural centre, Atletico's stadium isn't just about the technology. References to the club's decorated history abound in the streets surrounding the arena, with the club having successfully managed to retain the essence of its iconic former home, the Vicente Calderon, and the glorious nights played out on the banks of the Manzanares river. As they make their way down the Avenida Luis Aragones, named after the former player, coach and a man who was the very embodiment of what Atletico stands for as a club, supporters are greeted by over 160 commemorative plaques that pay tribute to those who have clocked up over 100 appearances for Los Rojiblancos. The Paseo de las Leyendas celebrates the Atleti careers of the likes of Paolo Futre, Gabi, Fernando Torres and Diego Forlan and offers fine views of the biggest flag to be found anywhere in the country, which waves proudly over the stadium. A considerable 338m² of red-and-white fabric flaps tirelessly as it battles against the wind, an image that instantly brings Los Colchoneros' never-say-die attitude to mind.

All of the above make the Wanda Metropolitano far more than your run-of-the-mill stadium. It's a new arena that's befitting of one of the most dedicated and passionate fan bases in world football. This season has seen Atletico's membership figures hit a historic high with over 123,000 members (including 57,718 season-ticket holders) on the club's books. These loyal supporters are more than prepared to stick with their team through thick and thin in their longing to once again taste LaLiga glory.

BARCA SIGN DE JONG AND BOATENG! Barca almost broke the internet when they announced the signing of Ajax starlet Frenkie de Jong, yet they already did that with their shock deal for Kevin-Prince Boateng. The transfer made sense on paper – but not before rival fans likened him to the benchmark for any bad buy – Real Madrid flop Julian Faubert.

NEWCASTLE REJOICE WITH RECORD SIGNING Newcastle United fans far and wide were in a state of delirium after the Magpies shattered their transfer record to sign Paraguayan ace Miguel Almiron from MLS side Atlanta United for a fee in the region of £20m in January, ending Michael Owen’s 14-year reign as the club’s most expensive purchase..

MENDY REPLIES TO PEP After rumours emerged that Benjamin Mendy was in Hong Kong, despite carrying an injury, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola warned it would ‘definitely not be okay’ if that was the case. “I was just joking with my Uber driver, I don’t want no problems [sic] Pep,” assured the typically-playful Mendy in a tweet.

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ROUND-UP PART 3 MESSI MAGIC DIVIDES FANS Lionel Messi went from wowing crowds to wowing the internet when the Barcelona superstar pulled off an incredible trick shot on Instagram, chipping the ball through a hoop with a Pepsi bottle on top. But while some fans described their awe of what Messi had accomplished, others felt the clip was edited.

TOP 5 CUP SHOCKS 2018-19 ‘AFC Wimbledon’s win over West Ham inspired memories of the 1988 FA Cup Final.’

Kalidou Koulibaly was the victim of a terrible ordeal on Boxing Day when he was racially abused by Inter fans during Napoli’s 1-0 defeat at San Siro. In no mood to back down to the racists, Koulibaly asserted after the game “I’m proud of my skin colour, of being French, Senegalese, Neapolitan: a man.”

CAPTION THIS Paul Pogba seemed to revel in Jose Mourinho’s sacking when a social post emerged shortly after of the Manchester United midfielder smirking, asking followers to ‘caption this’. Although Adidas later clarified the picture had been scheduled beforehand, the damage had already been done.

GREEN IS THE COLOUR Thousands of Real Betis fans took to the streets to give their players a heroes’ welcome before their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Valencia in February, turning the entrance of their Benito Villamarin stadium into a haze of green and white. Sadly for the Andalusians, they went on to throw away a two-goal lead.

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Wimbledon’s spiritual successors kept the FA Cup tradition alive

AFC WIMBLEDON 4-2 WEST HAM, FA CUP

ULM 2-1 EINTRACHT FRANKFURT, DFB POKAL

League One Wimbledon eliminated their Premier League opponents in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup with a passion and fervour that only the world’s oldest Cup competition can generate.

Third-tier Wimbledon took a three-goal lead before the visitors pulled two back, but Toby Sibbick ended any West Ham hopes of an equaliser when he fired the Dons’ fourth goal in the 88th minute.

The Dons are the spiritual successors to the original Wimbledon, who moved from London to become MK Dons and this Cup run will inspire memories of the Crazy Gang’s famous win over Liverpool back in 1988.

One of the biggest shocks on the continent this season came in the First Round of the German Cup back in August, when fourth tier Ulm knocked out Eintracht Frankfurt. It was a shock at the time but Frankfurt’s form since only underscores what an achievement it was by the side from the banks of the Danube.

Indeed, the Bundesliga side have spent the season fighting for a European place, while Ulm, of the Regionalliga Sudwest, are struggling to stay in the hunt for promotion to the third tier. And yet, when they met at the start of the campaign, it was Ulm who came out the blocks faster, taking a two-goal lead before Portugal international Goncalo Pacienca scored what would prove to be a late consolation.

NEWPORT COUNTY 2-1 LEICESTER CITY, FA CUP

KOULIBALY FIGHTS RACISM

DOMESTIC CUP COMPETITIONS ARE OFTEN SNUBBED BY THE BIG CLUBS BUT FOR THE SMALLER SIDES, IT’S A SHOT AT GLORY. CIRO DI BRITA LOOKS AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST SHOCKS OF 2018-19…

Leicester City, Premier League champions in 2016, visited Newport County’s Rodney Parade ground in the Third Round of the FA Cup and were left reeling as the League Two side ended any hopes the Foxes had of reaching Wembley.

The Welsh side took lead after 10 minutes through Jamille Matt but Rachid Ghezzal levelled late in the game. It appeared the tie might go to a replay at the King Power Stadium but Padraig Amond converted an even later penalty to seal a famous victory. The feat was repeated in the next round, as the Exiles eliminated Championship Middlesbrough.

SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-1 BARNET, FA CUP The contrast between Sheffield United and Barnet couldn’t have been more pronounced, with the Blades fighting for promotion to the Premier League and the Bees not even in the Football League. But this Third Round tie saw the National League side take a first-half lead through Shaquile Coulthirst’s penalty and hold on to put the Championship playoff contenders to the sword.

Barnet’s reward was a home tie with Brentford, also dubbed the Bees, in an insect-heavy encounter. They threatened to eliminate another Championship side but the tie ended 3-3 at Barnet’s Hive Stadium, before Brentford ended Barnet’s run with a 3-1 replay win.

THE CREW ARE SAVED! Soccer news in North America always travels fast.

Since there really isn’t a traditional media that covers soccer (That article about the fifth string NFL defensive lineman doesn’t write itself) stories often come from a variety of different sources and never really follow the traditional news packing process.

There is no conveyor belt, no packaging, no checking of sources. Information comes out in avalanche form rather than the traditional trickling out meant to entice the readers wallet. It is beautiful and chaotic at the same time. Stories are layered based off of the work or tips by organizations, groups, and yes even Crews.

2018 was the year of the soccer movement in North America. While it could be argued that there have been greater increases of clubs in Canada and the United States in their respective histories, neither country has seen an increase quite like what happened in 2018. Across both countries clubs popped up in cities and big and small in large part propped up by groups of supporters that love their teams. Even at the top level an MLS side like Atlanta saw small pockets of supporters create a movement that has taken over the city.

But there is no movement that encapsulated the power of supporters in North America quite like

ANDREZIEUX 2-0 MARSEILLE, COUP DE FRANCE Not only one of the biggest shocks in European football this season, Marseille’s defeat to fourth tier Andrezieux is one of the biggest shocks in the history of the French Cup. The fourth tier side from the Rhones-Alps region of France took on historic giants Marseille in SaintEtienne’s Stade Geoffrey-Guichard stadium and came away 2-0 winners. Youngster Bryan Ngwabije opened the scoring early on when he headed in from a corner before Florian Milla doubled the lead late in the second half. Unfortunately, Andrezieux’s run ended at home in the next round when National League 1 side Lyon Duchere beat them 2-1

Leicester City, Premier League winners only three years ago, were dumped out of the Cup

#SavetheCrew. In fairness it was born out of necessity.

In November 2017 Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl tweeted out that “Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt is set to move team to Austin, Texas, in 2019 if downtown stadium can't happen in Columbus. Story soon.” That one tweet shook soccer in North America to its core. The Columbus Crew, the first-ever team in MLS, were set to move to Austin.

As with anything when it comes to MLS there was plenty of smoke and mirrors. At first neither the team nor the league provided little to no justification for a move. Owner Anthony Precourt through his company Precourt Sports Ventures LLC sent out a press release saying that they were only “exploring strategic options” in the event that the club could not secure a stadium in downtown Columbus.

MLS said even less. Considering that the Crew at the time were still in the MLS Cup Playoffs perhaps the league was hoping it would blow over. Once the Crew were eliminated from the playoffs and the thought of a revolt at the Cup final was clear the league began to express their viewpoint in a bit more frank fashion. In his annual state of the league address MLS Commissioner Don Garber, highlighting the club’s declining attendance, lack of television ratings, and age of MAPFRE Stadium. That the league for years has craved to have a team in the Austin market or that Precourt was at the helm of removing the Crew’s local TV contracts, decreased spending in marketing, and a rebrand of the club that was hated by the supporters

CAMP CUPCAKE

SOCIAL MEDIA

ROUND-UP PART 4

BERHALTER BRINGS NEW ENERGY, IDEAS TO USMNT. BUT CAN HE BRING NEW RESULTS.

T

BY SEAN MASLIN

here was a strange energy at Avaya Stadium in San Jose in early February. It was a feeling that hadn’t been felt in a United States Men’s National Team game in quite some time. After defeating Panama 3-0 to start their January camp the USMNT took on a far more difficult opponent: Costa Rica.

Despite the Ticas playing with a roster of World Cup veterans (sans Keylor Navas) the U.S. defeated their CONCACAF rival 2-0 to cap a positive camp and a positive run of form.

Yes, you just heard that right: the positivity is back for the USMNT. After two years of misery and misfortune the United States seem to be getting their footing back.

The scars of missing out on the 2018 World Cup are still very much apparent. But with a new year, a new Gold Cup, and a new qualification window for the World Cup approaching it seems as if the dark cloud has for the most part left and supporters can focus on the task at hand.

So what’s the cause for this change in attitude. Much of it seems to stem around the appointment of the new head coach Gregg Berhalter. Berhalter took the job in December after a solid run leading the Columbus Crew to three consecutive playoff appearances and a second place showing in the 2015 MLS Cup Final.

Much like with that club, which was teetering on collapse, the expectation was that he could right the ship with the U.S. and bring it back from the abyss.

From his first teleconference call he seemed excited at the task telling reporters, “I’m excited. This camp is the start of the process of building this group up. I’ve had the privilege of speaking to over 25 players in the last two weeks and trying to get a sense of the past and also the future and what this group is looking for. I think we can use this opportunity to start the process and set the tone for what this group is going to be like.”

He also mentioned multiple times during that first press conference he focused on three things: building a culture within this team, instilling a style of play and competing in everything that the team does. Practices during the January camp were filled with more uncapped players than in previous years and there was an emphasis that seemed to be placed on developing plays from the outside, a hallmark of his time at Columbus. Even Michael Bradley, back for a second time after his exile post-World Cup, could be seen running sprints and being just another guy.

Although Bradley and a few other holdovers made appearances, it was the fresh faces that took center stage this winter. Perhaps no one more than Nick Lima, the defender from the San Jose Earthquakes. Lima, along with Daniel Lovitz of Montreal, helped curtail both Panama and Costa Rica’s attacking efforts boxing out their opponents on several occasions. Goalkeeper Zach Steffen further cemented his hold on the starting spot, earning two clean sheets over the window.

The biggest question still remains on the attacking

seemed to be lost in his notes At that point it would be easy for Crew supporters to give up and face the music. But a funny thing happened on the way to their side being shipped off to Austin: a resistance stepped in. While not the biggest club in the country supporters of the Crew are known for being loyal and passionate. Seeing that their club was being taken from them for less than admirable reasons Supporters Groups adopted the #SavetheCrew movement. What started out as a movement in Columbus grew across the league and then across the world. Supporters groups from MLS and non-MLS teams, perhaps seeing a lot of themselves in Columbus and the dangers of sports business, also took to the cause waving #SavetheCrew signs and donning Crew colors.

The team also seemed to have friends in high places.

In addition to public pressure from fans Precourt also faced a lawsuit from the city of Columbus who claimed that the owner had not done enough to justify moving the club. The state of Ohio after losing the NFL’s Cleveland Browns under scrupulous circumstances put in place laws that severely limited sports franchises from leaving the state. That coupled with unexpected resistance in Austin meant that MLS had gone from a simple transition to a public relations nightmare.

When it comes to major news like a team staying or moving one expects a formal announcement.

But as anyone who has followed MLS knows formal announcements often to come days, weeks, or

end. The U.S.’ five goals were scored by five different players including two defenders. That isn’t necessarily a slight on the progress of the side as having multiple options is a cornerstone of Berhalter and the United States playing style historically. Christian Ramirez and Sebastian Lleget, two players desperately looking to get into the mix for minutes for both club and country, can come out of this camp feeling that they gave it their best shot. Taking away anything from a January camp can always be a dangerous thing. Given that these camps traditionally only feature players from Major League Soccer, Liga MX, and the Scandinavian leagues it is difficult to ascertain the value of these results. Yes, there does seem to be some hope back in the side but there is still plenty of work that remains. But what will be interesting to see is how Berhalter builds off of these results heading into the March friendlies against Chile and Ecuador, which will include the European-based players. There’s a lot of work to be done but early in 2019 U.S. supporters have something to be proud about.

POLICE CATCH OUT LEEDS SPY Derbyshire Police sparked one of English football’s biggest stories in January when it confirmed it had removed a spy working for Leeds United from Derby County’s training ground a day before the two clubs were due to play, driving a huge wedge between the Championship sides, as well as those for and against Leeds’ conduct.

JAPAN GRACIOUS IN DEFEAT Japan left their Asian Cup Final dressing room spotless, complete with ‘thank you’ messages in English, Arabic and Japanese, despite a 2-0 defeat to Qatar. It is nothing new for the Samurai Blue, whose fans received global acclaim for picking up rubbish after games at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

NEYMAR’S NEW HAIR

months after everyone already knows. The same can be said for the Crew being saved, which started out (depending upon who you ask) in the forums of MLS Reddit and BigSoccer. What started out as murmurs turned into rumors turned into fact. The Crew were to stay in Columbus and Precourt was to sell his ownership stake in the club. That Precourt was to still get his own franchise in Austin and that the new owners were the Haslam family who own the Cleveland Browns didn’t seem to matter. The Crew were saved.

So where does the club go from here? Quickly after the ownership transition the club made a flurry of moves announcing Tim Bezbatchenko Club President and Caleb Porter Head Coach. They also announced the development of a new downtown stadium in Columbus, putting an end to the need for a new stadium debate. All of these moves seem to point to the club becoming a power once again in MLS. For their fans who dealt with a year of uncertainty and years of poor management it may just be what they need.

Neymar went into the new year with a new haircut, but three of his fake dreadlocks fell out in only his first game with the dreads. “See you later,” responded the Paris SaintGermain superstar in his Instagram story, suggesting the style won’t be seen again for a while as he steps up his recovery from a foot injury.

Anthony Precourt

SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2019

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ONE ON ONE

While on a preseason trip in Spain Sean Maslin talked with Teal about the Revs entering the 2019 season, some his favorite moments from his decade in the league and what it was like navigating through the dual national process.

TEAL BUNBURY

MARCUS RASHFORD

WORD SEARCH COMPETITION DEBUT ENGLAND EUROPE FANS FIELD FIFA FOOTBALL FORWARD GOALS INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE MANCHESTER MARCUS MATCH PREMIER PROFESSIONAL RASHFORD RED DEVILS SCORING

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE MANCHESTER MARCUS MATCH PREMIER PROFESSIONAL RASHFORD RED DEVILS SCORING SEASON STADIUM TEAM TEN UNITED VICTORY WINNERS CUP YELLOW

SEASON STADIUM TEAM TEN UNITED VICTORY WINNERS CUP YELLOW CAREER CLUB COMPETITION DEBUT ENGLAND EUROPE FANS FIELD FIFA FOOTBALL FORWARD GOALS

Marcus Rashford Word Bank

SEAN MASLIN: HOW WAS YOUR OFFSEASON AND HOW IS TRAINING GOING? Teal Bunbury: The offseason was great! I get to spend a lot of time a lot of time with my family and my wife and our one year old in Boston. She is originally from Kansas City and my family is originally from Minnesota so we got the chance to spend to travel there so that was enjoyable. But the offseason left me with some time to work hard as well and get fit for preseason.

Our preseason so far has been fun but it has also been intense. I think it is enjoyable whenever you can get the guys back together again. In my career in MLS I have never gone on a preseason trip to Spain so it has been a lot of fun here and being in a new environment.

SM: WHAT WERE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WANTED TO WORK ON WITH YOUR GAME THIS OFFSEASON? TB: I think a little bit of everything. Whether it is the offseason, preseason, or the season itself I am always trying to improve upon all the different parts of my game. I am always working towards improving my overall fitness, my knowledge of the game, understanding where and when to make my runs, hold up plays, or even finishing. It is really a mixture of everything but usually in the offseason it is about fitness, core and strength. I also try and play as much as possible to get my touches in while also getting in some rest.

SM: THIS IS THE REVS SECOND YEAR WITH BRAD FRIEDEL AS COACH. WHAT HAVE YOU NOTICED IN TERMS OF THE CLUB’S PREPAREDNESS FOR A BRAD FRIEDEL TRAINING CAMP IN YEAR ONE VERSUS YEAR TWO? TB: I think whenever there is a change in coaches everyone involved players, coaches, front office staff kind of don’t know what to expect. I think with this second season now in preseason I think the players know what to expect from Coach Friedel and his staff.

As a team I think we were able to go into the offseason knowing that he wants us to come in fit and wants to come in with a certain philosophy, and to be more cohesive as a unit. So it was a little bit easier in year two understanding what he expects from us and already I think we have been able to showcase that.

SM: IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN THIS IS YOUR TENTH SEASON IN PROFESSIONAL SOCCER. WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR LONGEVITY TO? TB: I think being able to adapt to new challenges really helped. I also pride myself on

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CAREER CLUB COMPETITION being able to work hard and try to keep my DEBUT ENGLAND body in the best shape possible and perform EUROPE with a maximum level of effort. I also try and FANS stay grounded and stay humble. My faith is a FIELD big part of my life and that is something that FIFAsure keeps me even-keeled in terms of making that my highs aren’t too high and my FOOTBALL lows FORWARD aren’t too low. I have been able to endure GOALS some good seasons, some bad seasons, and some injuries because of my mindset.INTERNATIONAL There LEAGUE are a lot of other guys who have played MANCHESTER many years as well and they can see that it is just about having the right mindset MARCUS and understanding what this league has toMATCH offer.

PREMIER PROFESSIONAL RASHFORD SM: WHO WERE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST RED DEVILS INFLUENCES ON THE PITCH? SCORING TB: I really looked up to my Dad and would SEASON always go to his trainings and watch his STADIUM games. When I was younger I didn’t fully understand but once I got older I wasTEAM able to enjoy his style of play so much more. TEN Thierry Henry was also a big influence on my UNITED style VICTORY and my career.

WINNERS CUP SM: YOUR DAD WAS A CANADIAN YELLOW MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER BUT YOU CHOSE TO PLAY FOR THE UNITED STATES. HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT MAKING THAT DECISION AND WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND AT THE TIME? TB: So my dad was a big advocate for me making the decision for myself. It wasn’t the easiest decision to make and I had to do some serious thinking about it. But I had spent the majority of my childhood in the United States and that was where I was living and so that was the decision that I made. I know many Canadian fans at the time were disappointed but I am glad that they were able to respect my decision on that.

SM: WHAT DO THE REVS NEED TO DO IN 2019 TO MAKE BACK INTO THE PLAYOFFS AND MAKE A RUN AT THE CUP? TB: Our goal is to win games. It is that simple.

The more games that you win, the better position you are to make it into the playoffs and win trophies. I think sticking together as a group and making sure we go out there each game with the mindset of winning games. It takes a lot of heart to be successful in MLS and in this league there are a lot of ups and downs and in previous years I think we have had some slumps here and there. But I am really looking forward to this season and I really want to push myself and my teammates to make sure that we make the playoffs for our fans. They have been so supportive over the past however many years that we might not have hit the mark. So I am really looking forward to 2019.

M T X D L A N O I S S E F O R P L W A B Z M R P D T T Y

I W B R O U Y P Q B Z K K S D M C X I U D K Y Q D J A G

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Y M R O E R E E T V A K A C D A V O L N T J H F Z W G K

F C L F E U N V Q D T J A O L N Y S S X N W O S T T W M

H I M H D G R W I E Q G I R E C E R B Z I E R E X K S U

L O F S L L Z O P C C J R I B H E N U Y F A R A N C A L

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K D A O S L M P F I N V R A U T B K O Q G T L N V U S B

A C O W I A E V O R M Y C Y C E E S P G O A L S B M P U

G B L F R T H A E Z E B I T I R D C E P L A E U W H V V

Use the Word Bank to Find all 30 Words

I X A C I O A Y D Y F P R E D D E V I L S D Y L V F G S

V N U T R H F N E O V T Y D N B O D A W H O S Z V T B Y

S S I C S S H S R T E N E R U G K B Y C A M A P H V A U

Q O V D E T I N U E C O U E Y L T D T L V G K E A A Z G

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BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

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APRIL: Miralem Pjanic April 2 Club: Juventus Julie Ertz April 6 Club: Chicago Red Stars Vincent Kompany April 10 Club: Manchester City David Luiz April 22 Club: Chelsea

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THE LAST WORD

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FINDING CHELSEA Y

ou wouldn’t hire Pablo Picasso and expect him to provide you with a portrait in the style of Matisse.

Not only would that be impossible, it’d also be a waste of everyone’s talents.

Chelsea pursued Maurizio Sarri for months because they knew the style of football he had always embraced at Empoli and Napoli. Fans rejoiced when they saw what Eden Hazard and co could be doing at Stamford Bridge in the near future. Yet a few short weeks after he set a new record for the longest unbeaten run at the start of a Premier League career, Sarri was already being lambasted in the media and online as someone whose approach to the sport simply doesn’t work.

At the same time, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completely transformed Manchester United by replacing the deeply unpopular Jose Mourinho, thus giving the players freedom to consider keeping possession and attempting to score goals. Revolutionary ideas, I’m sure you’ll agree…

What both Sarri and Solskjaer cases show us is the importance of player power in modern football. It is ultimately quicker, easier and far cheaper to fire a Coach than it is to revamp an entire squad, or in Manchester United’s case, even just sell the top player. Paul Pogba led the revolution against Mourinho and didn’t even bother to hide it, reportedly gloating in training the day after the dismissal.

Over at Chelsea, players complain to the club hierarchy and media that the training sessions are boring and repetitive. What they fail to grasp is that Sarri’s football has always been predicated on specific movements and passing channels. When you move the ball as quickly as he wants, with largely one-touch football, you must

Maurizio Sarri and his entire philosophy is under fire at Stamford Bridge

‘Nobody has praised Sarri more than Guardiola in recent years and they share a very similar philosophy.’

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CLUBS ARE FINDING IT EASIER TO FIRE THEIR COACHES RATHER THAN GO AGAINST PLAYER POWER OR WAIT FOR THE VISION THEY CHOSE TO COME TO FRUITION, AS SUSY CAMPANALE STANDS UP FOR MAURIZIO SARRI.

pass not to the teammate, but to the space you know he is about to run into. This can only be achieved with so much practice that it becomes second nature, at which point the players begin to really enjoy their football. Just ask anyone or Napoli, or even Gonzalo Higuain, who never found the same form or relish as he did under Sarri at the Stadio San Paolo.

The flipside to all this is that if the players aren’t sure where their teammate is going to be, they will either hold on for too long and slow the game down or try to avoid being made to look silly by passing it out of play and instead finding whoever is closest to them, which leads to endless sideways balls and sterile possession.

Sarri was right when he said Chelsea had not mastered even the fundamental basics of his football. Their early success was frankly unusual, because traditionally his teams have always started the campaign badly. It wasn’t so much Sarriball in those initial weeks, but the sheer enthusiasm of a squad freed from Antonio Conte’s tactics. What they didn’t realize was that no great Coach can ever give his players total freedom from tactics.

Manchester City struggled horribly under Pep Guardiola in his first season, but he was given the time and trust to get it working because of the large trophy haul he brought with him. Nobody has praised Sarri more than Guardiola in recent years and they share a very similar philosophy. If City can

dominate the Premier League with this slightly evolved version of tiki-taka, then why can’t Chelsea one day do the same?

Sarri has never won silverware, that is true, but it was always going to be difficult with Empoli and Napoli, especially during the era of Juventus hegemony. It’s shocking to see the ignorance displayed by many fans and even professional pundits who aren’t prepared to give the Italian tactician the time or crucially the backing to see his vision come to life.

That style of football, that obsessive level of training and precise approach to tactics are all the very reason Chelsea hired Sarri in the first place. The fact he is now being criticized for that is ridiculous. It’d be like asking Jurgen Klopp to calm the tempo down a bit and defend better.

The height of this club syndrome was achieved when Inter hired Gian Piero Gasperini in 2011 and fired him just five games into his tenure. They brought in a Coach known for his three-man defense and asked him to play four at the back, dismissing him when he wouldn’t comply.

We see now with Atalanta how well he could’ve used their resources, including a world class youth academy that for some reason never brings players through to the senior Inter team. These Serie A minnows are setting the template for how to thrive in the game and that includes trusting the tactician they chose.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given Manchester United a new lease of life

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