David

I am a long time soccer fan who grew up in England traveling the country watching Coventry City in the 70's. Now living in the U.S. I am still as passionate about soccer as I was when I was a kid.

January 22, 2021 David

Barcelona, La Liga

Is Barcelona On The Edge Of Bankruptcy?

COVID has hit almost every club in world football, but it has probably hit no club harder than Barcelona. We have been writing for months about the clubs financial situation.

Unfortunately for Barca fans, the financial situation is getting worse not better, according to a report published on Friday in El Confidencial.

It article claims that the Catalan giants have asked companies Goldman Sachs, Allianz, Barings, Amundi and Prudential to delay outstanding debts so that the club can avoid potential insolvency.

The club are said by the report to have requested from the banks and investment funds a dispensation for failing to comply financially, which would mean that there has been a non-payment of €200m. Read more... (276 words, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)

January 20, 2021 David

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami Name Phil Neville Coach

Phil Neville will reunite with former Manchester United team-mate David Beckham at Inter Miami after being appointed the new manager of the MLS club.

Miami announced earlier this month that they had agreed to mutually part ways with Diego Alonso, the Uruguayan coach who oversaw their inaugural season.

The club finished 10th in the Eastern Conference on their MLS debut, making it to the playoffs play-in round, where they were beaten 3-0 by Nashville.

Now Neville, who left his role as head coach of England’s women’s national team with immediate effect earlier on Monday, will take his first leading job in the men’s game. Read more... (462 words, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

January 18, 2021January 20, 2021 David

Liverpool, Man Utd., Premier League, Rivalries, Tickets

Liverpool 0 Man United 0

Manchester United kept their place at the top of the Premier League after a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

An encounter of few chances saw the Red Devils extend the champions’ scoreless run to three matches, their longest such streak in the top flight since March 2005, in what was Jurgen Klopp’s 200th league game in charge.

Alisson denied Paul Pogba from arguably the best of the opportunities as United’s winless league run against the Reds reached five matches for the first time since 2002.

Still, the result edged them two points clear of Leicester City and ensured Liverpool remain one further back. Read more... (319 words, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)

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January 18, 2021January 20, 2021 David

Inter Milan, Juventus, Rivalries, Serie A, Tickets

Inter Dominate Juventus In Derby D’Italia Win

Inter dealt a blow to Juventus’ Serie A title defence and moved level on points with leaders Milan by securing a 2-0 victory at San Siro on Sunday.

Former Juve midfielder Arturo Vidal opened his Inter account with a 12th-minute header and Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku wasted chances to increase the Nerazzurri’s lead.

The Bianconeri were unable to make the most of those reprieves as an emphatic finish at the end of a route-one move saw Nicolo Barella double Inter’s advantage. Read more... (297 words, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)

Pochettino Wins First Trophy As A Manager

Mauricio Pochettino won the first trophy of his managerial career as Paris St-Germain beat Marseille to win the Trophee des Champions in Lens.

The Trophee des Champions is France’s version of the Community Shield – a game between the league and cup winners.

It was only the former Spurs manager’s third game in charge of PSG after being appointed earlier this month.

Mauro Icardi tapped home PSG’s opener from close range and won a penalty which Neymar scored for the second while Dmitri Payet scored a late consolation with a clever flick for Marseille. Read more... (353 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

January 13, 2021 David

Premier League, Man Utd.

After Seven Year Wait Man United Sit At Top Of Premier League

What is it that is said about title-winning teams? What they do, where they do it, and what the weather is like on that particular day of the week?

If it’s true, then it is time to take Manchester United seriously. This was a big result, hard-fought and hard-won against Burnley, the Premier League’s awkward squad. It is a victory that puts them top of the league in January for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson was manager and claimed his final league trophy in 2013. Read more... (446 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)

January 12, 2021 David

La Liga, Barcelona

Barcelona’s Massive Debt Approaches €1B

FC Barcelona is in the midst of a presidential campaign, but the winner might be getting a poisoned challis as Barcelona’s growing debt is set to force the club into a period of dramatic austerity, with the Catalan giants owing €900m to creditors.

The LaLiga side announced during the 2019-20 season that it expected to be the first club to break the €1bn barrier for income in a single year in football, however that figure was blown off course by the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, the club had a loss of almost $100m last season, and there are concerns this season could be worse. Read more... (501 words, estimated 2:00 mins reading time)

January 12, 2021 David

Bundesliga, Juventus, La Liga, Ligue 1, Liverpool, Premier League, Real Madrid, Serie A

COVID Expected To Cost Football Clubs Over €5B This Season

An eye-watering £4.5billion loss is expected to be suffered across Europe’s top six leagues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report from KMPG.

The international audit company have compiled an in-depth study into the effects the ongoing Covid-19 chaos caused last season, with particular focus given to the 2020/21 champions of the major European divisions.

All six champions, Real Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool, Porto, PSG and Bayern Munich, saw a decrease in operating revenues with estimated losses in that department across those six divisions reaching -€5B. Read more... (461 words, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021 David

Arsenal, Chelsea, FA Cup, Man City, Man Utd., Tickets

Manchester United Face Liverpool In FA Cup Fourth Round

Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool will face each other at Old Trafford in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Non-league Chorley will host Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers after beating a depleted Derby County in the third round.

League Two Cheltenham Town are set to welcome Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to Whaddon Road.

The fourth-round ties will be played the weekend of 23-24 January.

Crawley Town, who celebrated a famous 3-0 win over Leeds United on Sunday, will travel to Championship side Bournemouth in the next round. Read more... (299 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

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January 9, 2021January 11, 2021 David

La Liga, Tickets

Barcelona Face Giant-Killers In Copa del Rey

Barcelona must find its way past the minnow that embarrassed Atletico Madrid after being drawn to face neighbour Cornella in its Copa del Rey opener.

Ronald Koeman’s Barca enters the competition at the Round of 32 stage and the record 30-time winner is sure to take Cornella seriously after it earned a 1-0 win over Atletico on Thursday (AEDT).

Cornella’s Camp Municipal stadium is situated less than 10 miles away from Barcelona’s Camp Nou, making it a dream draw for the Segunda B side. Read more... (537 words, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)

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