photo credit: wonker
Starting this Wednesday March 31st, Barcelona will begin their quarterfinals two match aggregate battle with the Gunners. The first leg is due to be played in England with the second leg being held at Camp Nou. Lets take a brief look at Arsenal’s squad.
THE PAST
When it comes to the Gunners past there is one figure of recent memory that deserves more credit then any other. Frenchman and current Barca star Thierry Henry played for the Gunners for 8 fabulous years and over the span the club had some of their most successful seasons winning Premiership titles and becoming a dynasty at the turn of the millenium. But since Henry’s departure the top four club went through a minor rebuilding period and is just resurfacing on the elite level they currently reside on. Read more... (365 words, 3 images, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)
photo credit: leafar.
The Pick: Just Fontaine? Just one of the best French soccer players ever! Mr. Fontaine was born in Morocco, but he did his most damage in a blue jersey for France. His career was cut short by injury, but he managed to make enough of an impression in his 200 pro games and 21 international matches that he deserves inclusion here. After all, he did still score 166 pro goals and 30 for les Bleus. You read that correctly, that’s 30 goals in 21 matches. Read more... (215 words, 3 images, estimated 52 secs reading time)
This is a preview of
The Bard’s 100 Best Soccer Players: Fontaine (#78)
.
Read the full post (215 words, 3 images, estimated 52 secs reading time)
photo credit: Aitor Escauriaza
April 11th is D-Day in the Spanish Premier Division. Real Madrid and Barca face-off–most likely–for the league title. There is no competition otherwise and the two teams essentially have the same number of points so it’s all about keeping up. If you read the LaLiga table you’ll see that Barca is 3 points up on Real Madrid–only because Barca played and won yesterday and Real plays today. It would be pretty simple to surmise that with no other competition both of these teams can win all of their remaining matches except one–their showdown on April 11th. Read more... (334 words, 4 images, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)
photo credit: ArchiM
Atletico can score 2 goals here?
Real Madrid picked up another win to keep pace with Barca this weekend at 74 points this weekend, but they only scored 3 goals at home and this is troubling to Manuel Pellegrini.
They were at home against an inferior Atletico squad and they only managed three goals–with all of the overpriced talent that they have. If I were Pellegrini I’d be troubled too.
You know what’s worse? Atletico scored twice. So, in a match against a much weaker team the score was 3-2. WOW! Read more... (324 words, 4 images, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)
photo credit: annia316
THE PAST
When it comes to Slovenia’s past success it is important to remember that the country is about the same age as Miley Cyrus. Slovenia became its own nation in 1991 and used to be a part of Yugoslavia. The country doesn’t have much World Cup success, but they did make it to the event in 2002. Unfortunately, they did not earn a single point in the first round losing all three of their matches, but the squad has impressed simply because they haven’t been around very long and have made it to two out of three recent World Cups. Read more... (318 words, 4 images, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)
Over the last four years I have tried to figure out one of the world’s toughest mysteries.
How is Lionel Messi this good?
I have researched this subject immensely and after witnessing his recent form I am 100% positive that something strange is going on here. Seriously people. The guy has 10 goals in his last 4 games. So here are the theories I have come up with so far:
THEORY #1: THE FIFTH ELEMENT THEORY Read more... (432 words, 4 images, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)
The Glass is Half Full
Sure Greece’s chances of winning the Cup is around 150 to 1 and sure they have never won a World Cup match, but this will all change this summer when the club achieves one of the most improbable runs in World Cup history. And if you think such an idea is completely far fetched then maybe you should read up on the history of the UEFA Euro Cup. In 2004 nobody thought that the Greek squad had a chance of winning the event, but despite their 150 to 1 odds (sound familiar) they went all the way to the final and beat hosting nation Portugal. Think it was a fluke. Well in that case maybe you should look at their first match in the event. Yeah they beat Portugal in that match too. And did I mention that they still have most of the same stars on their team. Yep Greece is a dark horse this year. Read more... (332 words, 4 images, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)
Spanish club Valencia have announced that they will be conducting part of their pre-season training in the U.S. this summer. The club will embark on an ambitious world tour, visiting Japan, Jamaica, the United Kingdom and the United States in an attempt to expand their international presence. US dates listed below:
- July 31st: Philadelphia Union in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- August 3rd: New England Revolution in Foxboro, Massachusetts
- August 7th or 8th(will be announced soon): D.C. United in Washington, DC
Valencia are currently sit 3rd in the La Liga standings and are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Their line-up includes superstars like David Villa, David Silva and Juan Manuel Mata. Read more... (123 words, 3 images, estimated 30 secs reading time)
This is a preview of
Valencia Coming To Philadelphia, Boston and Washington This Summer
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photo credit: loop_oh
There’s no crying in La Liga football!
On second thought there is plenty of crying in La Liga football. Just not if you play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. The two teams not only lead the league in victories they lead the league by such a large margin they could both basically quite playing their stars right now and they would still finish in the top four.
The two clubs now have a lead of 18 points over third place Valencia. You read that right. In other words with 11 matches left on the schedule the two clubs have a six match lead over the rest of the pack. And am I surprised? Of course not. Read more... (322 words, 4 images, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)
Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan or R.S.P. for the sake of brevity is the home to Sevilla which over the last five seasons has been one of the most impressive squads in all of Spain. A member of the big three (Real Madrid,Barcelona, Sevilla) this could be the year Sevilla earns some more respect by taking home a Champions League title. Read more... (273 words, 3 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
