The Footee Mag

      Manchester United got off to the perfect start you felt, as they thumped Frank Lampard’s Chelsea 4-0. A spineless draw with Wolves, and now they’ve registered their first defeat of the season. Were they right to hire him, after the miracle of Paris last season?       ESPN FC pundit Craig Burley hinted Oleball could be done by December.  You could see the reason why.  After the expected new-manager-fever died down, Man United slipped from fourth to sixth. Drake rolling in his chair. The team looks toothless, lacking bite, and even with the acquisition of Harry Maguire, they still look vulnerable in defence. Any salvation?  Remember the happy times?       Well, if there’s something that distinguished the old Man United from the rest, it’s the ability to bounce back. Next, a trip to Southampton. Never easy. Romelu Lukaku’s brace saved José’s blushes last time out at the Stadium of Light. Time for the pre...

               You’ll be forgiven to think we’re having a repeat of last season. Liverpool and Manchester City, at the top, and a trend is being set already. « Nobody mentions VAR in this dressing room, alright? » You could guess someone in Mancunia’s not too happy.         Mo’ Salah’s brace at the expense of rather big-spending Arsenal further stretched their 100% start to the season. The only side in the division to do so. Next this Saturday, a testing trip to Turf Moor given how Sean Dyche lines up his team. Virgil Van Dijk got on the scoresheet from a set-piece last time out at that ground. An ever-present avenue for any manager the Dutchman. An opening day header against Norwich, the first of plenty? After the international break, Next three games are against Newcastle (H), Chelsea (A), Sheffield United (A), and Leicester City (H). Oh yeah, they’ve got Oleball and Man United (A) after that. They ...

   So you’re telling me I have to wait till tomorrow for Footy?       Catch me if you can. You guessed right, that’s what Juergentainment’s been saying alright. Liverpool top of the pile,  can they keep it up?       They’ll be hoping to do so, with the visit of Arsenal this weekend (5:30pm on Saturday). Both teams got the maximum points via the odd goal last time out. Mind you, Arsenal look different compared to what we’ve become accustomed to in the past. Liverpool know they’ve got to beware. They’ve got a decent side too,  they’re European champions yeah?        VAR, VAR. Todo el tiempo. Guess who’s scribbling this on his notepad. Manchester City travel to Bournemouth for a Sunday lunch time kick off. Sergio Agüero and Pep now friends again. Josh King and Calum Wilson looking to make it two on the spin this weekend. They surely can’t win this one eh?         Anthony Martial’...

A.Y.  ⚽️⚡️ SAYS           https://bleacherreport.com/epl Video Assistant Referees, looking to spot clear and obvious errors. The tweak this season in England, is that the bar is set pretty high for what is clear and obvious, and referees will be allowed to decide if there’s a need to have a check at the monitor. One thing stands though,  there’ll always be controversy.           I think the VAR team at Stockley Park deserve credit, given how the new technology fared in Russia and in the UCL.    We’ve barely had any decisions to mull over. Yesterday’s though was a bit of a flipside, that’s if you ask Pep Guardiola. And for some reason, you could agree. Rodri Hernandez gets manhandled by Erik Lamela as Kevin De Bruyne swings a corner. There is a check, but it’s not been seen as a clear and obvious error. We all have varying views on that. Then, brilliantly, Gab Jesus’ goal gets chalked off after L...

     https://bleacherreport.com/world-football       « Pep, there’s no monitor. You can go back to sleep. »           Manchester City welcomed a Spurs side, looking to build on their 3-1 start against Villa last time out. You just sensed, that something was up in this one. And there was.          Of course, Raheem Sterling headed in Kevin De Bruyne’s swirler of a cross 20 minutes into it. 4 for the season. Pep in control,  or so we thought.  Ederson Moraes got caught off his line, as Erik Lamela curled a 25-yarder to draw Poch and co level. City dominated the proceedings, with Sergio Agüero registering his second for the campaign after turning in another gem of a cross from Kevin De Bruyne. Chances for Man City to stretch the lead, but not taken. Zinchenko’s deflected drive turned aside by Hugo Lloris.  Sensed the drama?            Luca...

                    A.Y. SAYS ⚡️⚽️    Manchester City picked off from where they left last season, thwacking a West Ham side 5-0 (could’ve been 8-0). West Ham weren’t that bad,  City just too good.  They welcome Harry Kane (he’s off for the season), and Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad. 5:30pm, so yeah. You can bring bae along  🌚 .         City look raring to go as expected, but this year, they look scarier. The change of positions, the passing and movement. You know what’s coming, but you can’t stop it. Oh yeah, Sterling hit a hat-trick last time out.                 Expected City line-up:                         Ederson  Walker        Stones         Laporte       Zinchenko       ...

            Look at it: that’s something to play for. Deep breath. You’re allowed one, or two. Could you call this the perfect final? In this miracle of a European season, two sides who epitomise the never-say die, line up in Central Spain. Liverpool v Tottenham. Salah v Kane, Klopp v Poch , Merseyside v London.     You could be forgiven for thinking you’re still dreaming: pinch yourself . Divock Origi’s steer into Ter Stegen’s top corner sparked crazy celebrations round Melwood, round the globe. The most improbable of comebacks, could it actually be Liverpool’s year?       Did someone say improbable ? Lucas Moura, arguably, represents the sheer heart of this North-London side: passion, desire, grit. Considered surplus to requirements under Unai Emery, and by Tite for his national side: the Brazilian came up with a hat-trick. It’s not just that: his side were three goals down. They were bearing down another bottl...

      (c) https://www.teamtalk.com/  Cue Mo Salah.        Whew. Taken a breath yeah? This is why we love the game. It’s never over till AY says so, or the lady. What a 48 hours it’s been. This season has shown us one thing on different occasions: fortune really does favour the brave.     Brave? Or a case of the never-disappearing bottle. Barcelona threw away a 3-0 lead, again. Jürgen Klopp having another Istanbul-like night. Borussia Dortmund suffered the same in 2016. What makes this more special, is the fact that they did it without Mo’ Salah and Firmino. When you’re backed up against the wall, it seems that’s when true character is shown. Hats off for Liverpool, and to Jürgentainment Klopp. Who’d have thought too much passion would be a good thing?  (c) https://www.businessinsider.com/     Mauricio Pochettino did not sign a single player in the last two transfer windows, didn’t have the Kane Man, an...

               One more game to the final at the Wanda Metropolitano. Some in hope, some well probably over the moon already. Oh yeah, Missandei kinda died.          Liverpool will be without Roberto Firmino and Mohammed Salah, the latter pole-axed inadvertently by Martin Dubravka on Saturday. Divock Origi got them through to the victory off the bench in place of the Egyptian. Can he and Sadio Mané conjure up a surprise? Swiss magician Xherdan Shaqiri will most likely be introduced as Klopp may either play with two up top and Shaqiri in the pivotal 10 role. Or they go 4-3-3, leaving Origi and Shaqiri out wide. The last time Barcelona had a 3-goal advantage in the first leg, they got knocked out.         That’s what Jürgentainment will be saying to his players. As brilliant as this Barcelona side are, they don’t seem to be able to live with sides who harry and press them. The first le...

         It’s squeaky bum time alright.   Manchester City’s hard fought win v a stubborn Burnley side inched Pep Guardiola Closer to what could be an alternative treble. Klopp? His side brushed aside already-relegated Huddersfield Town 5-0, with Mo’ Salah and Sadio Mané hitting braces. Two more games to go, who’s your money on?      Lionel Messi may just have done Liverpool a favour: the manner of Wednesday’s defeat could spark a reaction from the Merseysiders, as James Milner recently hinted. They’ll have to line up against the man who gave them their last UCL victory. You guessed right: Rafael Benitez. His team sit in 13th, free of the scrapple down below. Mind you, the Geordie would love a fight, and that’s what Liverpool don’t cope with too well. Their away record is questionable for champions-elect, but they’re still in there. A point behind Manchester City. 7:45 pm Nigerian time tomorrow. Time to stand up and be counted. ...

Europe’s elite club competition served up another dose of rich entertainment, not for everyone though. It seems you shouldn’t disrespect an almost-hallowed football ground.      Giant-killing Ajax Amsterdam added another victim to the list, with a deserved 1-0 away win at Spurs’ new ground. Donny Van De Beek afforded far too much time in the 18-yard as Hugo Lloris was left exposed. Spurs huffed and puffed as the game came to a close, with Dele Alli only forcing a save from André Onana. Special mention to Jan Vertonghen who recovered after taking a whack which left him bloodied for a bit. Pochettino still has hope as Son Heung-Min would be back from suspension. Ajax looked rattled for a bit as Sissoko and co chased and harried.       Fear it, dread it, run from it: Destiny still arrives. Did you really think Leo Messi was going to let this one slip?      Liverpool got taught the lesson of the famous smash and grab: Liverpool pl...

                 Lionel, Cris is out. This is your chance. Those are the words surely ringing in the alien’s head alright. We’re in the semifinal stage: Spurs v Brave Ajax, Liverpool v Messi (of course).          Pep Guardiola still reeling as his side got literally matched all tie like an Ali v Frazier match. Fernando Llorente’s brillant diversion (and VAR) capping off the best game this season’s seen. Ajax? Well, everyone’s afraid now alright. First, Real Madrid, then Juventus. The latter was some performance. Passing, mixed with pace, and such movement off the ball. Remember when King Louis V won it in the early 90s? Erik Ten Haag can’t be forgiven for dreaming. Oh yeah, Dusan Tadić isn’t injured. ‘Nuff said.          Tomorrow, the tie we’ve been waiting for (by we I mean, a certain African Blogger). Lionel Messi, as expected, has steamrolled opponents this season. No need stressi...

       We’re not scared anymore. A rather defiant Pep Guardiola hinted in his press conference yesterday, as City prepare for their game in hand v Oleball’s Man United. Who will be the King Of The North?       Manchester United got thumped by a spirited Everton side this past Sunday. If that’s anything to go by, then it’s probably curtains for Sir Alex’s grandkids. Positive is, Old Trafford can be a daunting presence when needed. You just never know with this club. Ney still having mares of that night in the French capital. Last time out, goals from Kun Agüero and Ilkay Gündogan k illed off any comeback. Can’t be the same again yeah?  “Ole’s at the wheel yeah?” (c)bleacherreport.com      City fans have been chanting the Campeones anthem already, after Saturday’s win v Pochettino. No VAR sadly then. Victory the maximum, or it could just slip. Yes, that’s the word. Skye Sports confirm a certain Scouse just signed as a fr...

(c) bleacherreport.com “..........Raheem Sterling for Manchester City......Right At The Death......And It Is Under Review....Offside Against Agüero...”             -Darren Fletcher For BT Sport 2 HD, UCL QF Between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur on 18/04/19.          Taken a breath yeah? Manchester City suffered an exit from the competition yesterday, thanks to a spirited Spurs fightback. Fernando Llorente’s inventive diversion put Tottenham ahead on away goals. VAR validating the legitimacy of the goal. City would wish they had the same fortunes as Raheem Sterling’s last gasp winner was, correctly chopped off by VAR referee Massimiliano Irrati. What a game, what a night. What a tournament.        Liverpool took apart Porto at the Dragão, thanks to goals from Mané, Salah, Firmino, and the towering Van Dijk. Date set with Leo Messi. Safe to say, this was a less entertaining game because of how...

“.........De Ligt!!!!!...... Irrepressible!!!!. Ajax have come to the Old Lady, and turned the furniture upside down.....”      Peter Drury, BT Sport 3 for UCL Quarterfinal between Juventus and Ajax on Tuesday, 16th April, 2019.          This sport never ceases to amaze. Once again, the mantra was held on to by the Dutchmen: fortune favours the brave. Barcelona were certainly brave alright. Messi tearing up another English opposition. That’s 24 in 32 against EPL opposition. Next up, Pep and Klopp’s turn to try and get a ticket, although Spurs and Porto have other ideas.      Manchester City, have lost only once this season, in all competitions, against Lyon back in September. Don’t be swayed by that, there is a love affair with the unfancied here. Just ask Cris and Ney. Tottenham, without the Kane Man, know one away goal could almost kill the tie. Clubs smelling blood given the exit of Mr UCL last night. There may be somet...

       Madrid awaits. The last 8 all still in, somehow. Juventus on home ground this time round, while Pogba’s prepping for a Zizou audition. Pep staring down another UCL exit? Quadruple in trouble.     Juventus and CR7 come into the Allianz Stadium on the back of that rather nervy away performance v Ajax. Record goal scorer looking to put another to the sword. Mind you, Ajax aren’t some pushover. Just ask Casemiro et Zizou. Chief tormentor Dušan Tadić channeling in his inner Houdini. The Serb has been involved in more than 45 goals in all competitions this season (yes you heard me right). Giorgio Chiellini geeing up His teammates to steer home the advantage, and how slim it is.       Je ne te décevrai pas, Zizou. Manchester United travel to the Nou Camp, knowing they’ve still got a say in the tie. David De Gea’s brilliant save to deny Coutinho kept them in it. Sky Sports report that Sir Alex travelled with the squad yeste...

“You’ll never take me alive!” Speakers somewhere in Melwood picked up a certain German screaming on phone this morning. Liverpool stretched their lead to five points via a draw with Leicester, and a shock defeat courtesy of Chef Benitez. Pep Guardiola maybe knocked out Danilo after that game too.        A trip to the London Stadium on Monday (8pm GMT) awaits the Reds on a date with a familiar face: Manuel Pellegrini. Mhmm, Man City manager in 2013/2014. Feeling signs of Déjà-Vu yet yeah? Pep sending gift baskets to Marko Arnautovic you’d expect. A showdown at Old Trafford, visits from Bournemouth (Eden Hazard still crying) and Watford, before the Merseyside derby. These streets ain’t slippery.         After the small matter of a Super Sunday with Arsenal tomorrow, Manchester City take a trip to Goodison Park v Everton, before another heavyweight with Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea. Lisbon marathoner Bernardo Silva currently in Kenya ...