When Roberto Mancini’s rage against the slow death of Manchester City’s Champions League aspirations finally fizzles out, it will be replaced by the recognition of a brutal truth. Mancini was the flesh and blood embodiment of all the frustration this competition has brought City as he stalked on to the pitch carrying bitter disappointment and […]
Archive | Champions League RSS feed for this archive
From Hero to M’Villain
Yann M’Vila had the world at his feet. Courted by Europe’s leading clubs, he was on the verge of a big money move. What went wrong for the young midfielder? Yann M’Vila became known to Premier League fans this summer, as the Stade Rennais holding midfielder was targeted by various top-flight clubs. His supposed destination […]
FIFA authorizes use of Goal-line technology
Two goal-line technology systems have been licensed for worldwide use by Fifa, football’s world governing body. The approval means that Hawkeye and GoalRef can now provide their products to leagues and competitions. “This milestone means that the companies now have authorisation to install their technology systems worldwide” said a Fifa spokesman. Goal-line technology is due […]
Forget Messi & Ronaldo, Falcao should win Ballon d’Or
The gala presentation for the 2012 Ballon d’Or may still be some way off, however talk has already begun over who will be crowned the best footballer in the world. Three-time winner Lionel Messi is favourite for many people, while others believe Real Madrid’s Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has finally done enough to pip his […]
World class “water carriers” – The importance of holding midfielders
Back in the 1990′s, flamboyant France and Manchester United star Eric Cantona derisively labelled Didier Deschamps, the captain of the 1998 World Cup winning French team, a ‘water carrier’. The current Les Bleus coach, who used to play as a central defensive midfielder, did not for sure have the skill and panache of a Zinedine […]
Germany leads England in football’s recovery
Secrets of the Bundesliga’s success range from cheaper tickets to standing room in stadiums and supporters on club boards. David Conn looks at the Bundesliga and how it differs from England. ” At their first home Premier League match this season, Chelsea, owned by the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, beat Reading 4-2 in front of […]
Meet the President
After spending £212m, the president of PSG is well on the way to making the only major club in Paris the envy of Europe. Nasser al-Khelaifi appears fond of the phrase. It is short and punchy, and it serves as something of a mission statement for his presidency of Paris Saint-Germain. “We dream big,” he […]
Real Madrid – flawed but can still win
“Jose Mourinho’s reaction spoke volumes about just how much Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Manchester Citymeant to his side: not for nothing does he slide on his knees into the pitch. There had been pressure and when Aleksandr Kolarov gave Manchester City the lead with five minutes remaining, he must have feared the discontent around […]
Can Chelsea be the first to retain European title?
Chelsea begin the defence of their Champions League title against Juventus knowing that no club have successfully retained Europe’s top prize for more than 22 years. The last of the elite band of eight teams to do so were AC Milan, with their victories in 1989 and 1990 when the competition was in […]
José Mourinho’s task is to ensure Real Madrid can count to 10
When Real Madrid won their ninth European title courtesy of the most breathtaking swish of Zinedine Zidane’s left foot just over a decade ago, nobody would have imagined that it would take so long to reach double figures. At the time the original galáctico project was in full swing, with Zidane, Luis Figo and Roberto […]
TOKNOWTHEGAME.COM 