Daily Archives: February 5, 2024

Arsenal 3 Liverpool 1: A twist in the title race? – The Briefing

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“The wry smiles from Jurgen Klopp perhaps summed it up best. Arsenal pounced on two defensive errors to beat visitors Liverpool 3-1 and move to within two points of them at the top of the Premier League table. The home side went ahead through Bukayo Saka and dominated the first 45 minutes. Yet a mix-up between William Saliba — under pressure from Luis Diaz — and David Raya meant Liverpool were level by half-time without having had a shot on target after Gabriel Magalhaes had the final touch on their equaliser. …”
The Athletic
Guardian: Gabriel Martinelli runs Arsenal show by mastering moments of chaos

How Football Works: Diagonals

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“If you’re a football team who would like to get the ball past the other team and into the net, you have three basic routes to pick from: over, around or through their defence. Each has its drawbacks. Lobs over the top might as well be gift-wrapped for the goalkeeper. Sneaking around the sides sounds clever until you get trapped against the touchline. And zig-zagging through the middle is just plain hard, what with all those mean people trying to snatch the ball away. …”
The Athletic (Video)

The end of Italian football’s secret advantage

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“Football in Italy had been taking advantage of a loophole in tax legislation. It allowed clubs to recruit and pay players more than they ever had. But now, with a new government in power in Italy, that tax break has gone. So what was the tax break? How did football clubs take advantage of it? What does it mean for the future of Italian football? James Horncastle writes, Craig Silcock illustrates.”
YouTube

What next for Saudi Arabia’s football vision as big ambitions meet player discontent?

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“When Manchester United’s football director John Murtough arrived in Saudi Arabia at the end of last year, he had only one thing on his mind. United were keen to offload some of the big earners in their squad — including Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial — and Murtough, who was joined by Matt Hargreaves, their lead transfer negotiator, was eager to forge connections in the belief that Saudi clubs would be willing buyers. …”
The Athletic

Back in Bouaké

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“In Saturday, February 3, the Stade de la Paix—Stadium of Peace—will be packed to the rafters as the Ivorian party arrives in Bouaké, the country’s second-largest city. The Elephants come to town still with much to prove despite knocking out African champions Senegal in the previous round of the Africa Cup of Nations. The team is still coming to terms with its 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, the country’s most humiliating moment in sport. Since being given a lifeline by qualifying for the Round of 16, the team has been on a journey of redemption and there is nowhere better for it to placate a nation in pain. After all, this stadium has seen it done before. …”
Africa Is Country
Guardian: Diakité’s 120th-minute strike sinks Mali to send 10-man Ivory Coast into last four
The Athletic – Flipped chairs, breakdancing and a flying wig: Watching Ivory Coast upset the odds. Again.