Daily Archives: April 11, 2023

Milan giants are Champions League contenders but may miss top-four cut

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“The Champions League quarter-finals are upon us and, for the first time in 17 years, there are three Italian sides among the final eight. Before anyone gets carried away contemplating brave new eras, they might consider the growing possibility that two of those teams might not even qualify for next season’s tournament. Inter have won none of their last six games and slipped out of Serie A’s top four after drawing 1-1 with Salernitana on Good Friday. …”
Guardian

Liverpool against Arsenal dispelled a myth – it was proof tactical battles can be fun

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“‘Intriguing tactical battles’ are generally considered to be a euphemism for matches that are tight, tense, and uneventful. This is something of a myth, however. Commentators, pundits and presenters refer to games in this manner when nothing else is happening, in an attempt to convince the armchair viewer that sitting through it isn’t a complete waste of their time. But Liverpool’s 2-2 Anfield draw with Arsenal yesterday was one of the most intriguing tactical battles you’ll see all season and one of the best games you’ll see all season. …”
The Athletic – Michael Cox

As Barcelona fail to spark, fans call for Lionel Messi once more

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“In Barcelona’s two most recent home games — the loss to Real Madrid last week in the second leg of a Copa del Rey semi-final and the draw in La Liga against Girona on Monday night — fans at Camp Nou have been chanting Lionel Messi’s name in the 10th minute. ‘Messi! Messi!’ Those calls, symbolically timed for the minute matching the shirt number the Argentinian superstar wore for the Catalan club for so many years until that shock departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, echoed like a desperate song reminiscent of better times for Barcelona in the opposition penalty area. In neither of these last two matches have Barca managed to score. …”
The Athletic (Video)