Daily Archives: February 1, 2026

Passion, prospects and a thrilling title race: why Polish football is booming

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Jagiellonia Bialystok fans at a Conference League game. Their club is one of three from Poland to have made the knockout phase this season.
“The temperature will be far below zero when Zaglebie Lubin and GKS Katowice restart Poland’s top flight on Friday evening. A bitter new wave of winter is about to hit central and eastern Europe, forecasts suggesting this is only the start. When the surprise Ekstraklasa leaders, Wisla Plock, play Rakow Czestochowa two days later the thermometer may plummet to -12C. It will take serious resolve to make these games happen but, after a break of almost two months, appetites to get back up and running are strong. Why would they not be? The Polish league is in its best shape for at least 30 years, feeling the benefit of a booming economy that is outperforming most of its European Union peers. …”
Guardian

Liverpool 4 Newcastle 1 – Ekitike’s magic two minutes, Gordon a striker and Konate’s emotional return

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Hugo Ekitike scored twice as Liverpool defeated Newcastle
“Liverpool came from behind to defeat Newcastle United at a raucous Anfield. Arne Slot’s side had not won in 2026, a run of five Premier League games. After losing at Bournemouth last weekend, they seemed to be sliding back to their grim form of the autumn. This performance, inspired by Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, has lifted the mood on Merseyside. For the first 30 minutes, though, an anxious home crowd appeared to be witnessing another disappointing performance. Newcastle began the game brilliantly, launching a series of rapid attacks. Harvey Barnes had already hit the post from a cleverly worked free kick when Newcastle took the lead, Anthony Gordon shooting low under Milos Kerkez’s challenge and past Alisson. Liverpool levelled just five minutes later, when Wirtz glided away from challenges and set up Ekitike for a sharp finish. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
YouTube: Liverpool v. Newcastle United | PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS

Jose Mourinho’s rocky return at Benfica – and that special moment

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“Moments can change things. Games, seasons, careers. Jose Mourinho needed a moment. He needed something close to a miracle to save his first season back at Benfica, where he had first managed at senior level 26 years ago, and that was before their final league-phase match in the Champions League, at home against Real Madrid, had even begun on Wednesday evening. Out of both Portuguese cups and a distant third in the Primeira Liga, 10 points behind leaders Porto, the unlikely chance of making it to the Champions League’s play-off round next month was their only hope of salvaging something tangible from the campaign. …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)

Matthias Jaissle, the Rangnick disciple coaching in Saudi Arabia: ‘I wanted the challenge’

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Matthias Jaissle has led Al Ahli to Asian Champions League glory 
“When the full-time whistle blew at the Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Matthias Jaissle was wild-eyed. It was May last year, and his Al Ahli side had just beaten Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the AFC Champions League final, becoming Asian champions for the first time in their history. Looking distinctly German in his polo-neck shirt and flushed by the heat, Jaissle pumped his fists and roared, as backroom staff and players scattered in celebration. …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)