From Sapri with a False Name – A Tale of Football, Salerno, and Heritage
Salernitano Raimundo Bisogno was born and raised in a small fishing town in the Italian province of Salerno, called Sapri. He was one of the three brothers and one sister. His family…
The nice guy who could mess you up – Farewell, Aaron Ramsey
April and May 2019 saw the finales for Game of Thrones and Marvel Phase 3, two of the most significant pop-culture franchises from the past decade. If I wanted to be dramatic,…
Football and the Global South: A future behind closed doors?
In a contemporary sense, the Global South, often referred to countries that emerged out of decolonisation, are rapidly emerging from the peripheries of international order, and becoming core players, considering developments around…
Jóvenes – Where Are Venezuela’s Golden U20 Generation Now?
With the 22nd edition of the FIFA U20 Men’s World Cup approaching, it is time to look back at one of the most remarkable campaigns in recent memory – that of Venezuela…
At Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, there’s place for everyone
At the Wanda Metropolitano, well after the final whistle, after the medals had been presented and the big-eared trophy lifted, Liverpool’s players and coaching staff started assembling near the end occupied by…
FP In The Stands: The ice and fire of the Stadin Derby
The distinct sounds of chanting could be heard from afar as I approached the Telia 5G Areena in Helsinki. It was around an hour before kick off, but there were police-mounted horses…
Eden, You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
Artists are rarely straightforward and forthcoming about their work. Bob Dylan’s 15th studio album Blood on the Tracks was written and recorded during the end of his relationship with his wife Sara.…
The Oranje Dream: Ajax’s conquest of Madrid
Writer’s Note: This article was written preceding Ajax’s two-legged triumph over Juventus. I hope you still enjoy the content, as we feel this story is still relevant, perhaps now more than ever,…
Spotlight – The constant scrutiny of youngsters in English football
When Declan Rice scored against Newcastle United, the first thing he did was put his finger to his lips to shush the Toon army. His rather stiff attempt at the ‘Gun Lean’…
Football for Everyone?
Football is not for everyone. We do not all get an equal share of the game: some fans more than others. The red taping of the sport comes in many forms. Calling…
José Mourinho and the disadvantages of realizing one’s dreams
“You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it,” argues Marlon Brando as…
Ole Solskjaer’s At The Wheel – A fan looks at the rear-view mirror
What is a football club? It’s not a rhetorical question, and it’s one I keep returning to over the years. Most recently it was when Wayne Rooney, my beloved childhood idol and…
Can We Give Virgil Van Dijk A Cape, Please?
Football has seen multiple rule changes. Ever since Scotland kicked a ball in anger vs England at the first-ever competitive football match on 30 November 1872 at West of Scotland Cricket Club’s…
The Time I saw Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Unfold at Anfield
On a Sunday afternoon, God was playing shadow puppet with the sun. Spring, monsoon, autumn and winter rolled into 90 minutes. She blew 40-miles-per-hour raspberries at Anfield, corner flags lurched backwards. The…
Unai’s At The Wheel: Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United
Football runs on narrative cycles as much as anything else in sport, culture, or life. We ride the troughs as best as we can and enjoy the crests because we know they won’t…
Ici c’est Manchester: Paris Saint Germain 1-3 Manchester United
Good reportage demands a balance of stance. As a writer, it is my job to be objective. Perspective moulds opinions, and I cannot afford to look through the proverbial tinted shades of…
Alternative Match Report: Sadio Mane’s Adventurous Amphibian Syncopation
Match report from Liverpool decimation of Watford, where Sadio Mane laid down an exhibition on how to lead the forward line. The humble Mudskipper The West African Mudskipper has made its presence…
The Etihad Exhibition: Manchester City 6-0 Chelsea
Even the magical realists in the Chelsea board couldn’t have seen this coming within months of getting their dream man. Well, Chelsea fans, sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats…
Caught between Ajax and Man City: The duality of supporting two clubs
Most people live and die by their beloved club and its colors. What about those who have eyes and heart for more? We explore the story of one such fan, who loves…
Mohamed Salah and The Pleasure of Discovery
Is Mo’ Salah’s improbable brilliance a rupture in the European-elite-club-football-spacetime-continuum? Across sports, genres and eras, there is something that snakes its tendrils around the psychology of obsession and unites fans across the…
A view from Paris: Paris Saint Germain and the limits of Ligue 1
We visited Paris Saint Germain to take stock of how what they have built is now their biggest weakness. It’s a cold Saturday in Paris, three days before Christmas, and there’s a…
Escaping the shadows: Federico Higuain in the MLS
Even with all the modern apparel technology, a jersey can still feel heavy when the name on the back means something. Not for Federico Higuain. Having been referred to as ‘Stormzy’s girlfriend’…
Juventus and Their Money – Serie A’s Silver Lined Dark Cloud
Juventus’ recent extravagance in the transfer market may give them a dark hue, but Serie A won’t mind the attention it is now getting. Art comes at a price. Look at the…
José Mourinho at Manchester United: Thirty months of playing with fire
After two and a half seasons of juggling the tightrope at Manchester United, José Mourinho has left. It was probably about time. José Mourinho is a good-looking man. Sharp facial features, salt…
Colliding airwaves: Is the world of football approaching overkill?
Football has become busier. There’s always some match on, some league to follow, some derby to hyperventilate over. Is there a thing like too much football? On 31 October, I found myself…
Milan ’96: The coming of age of Zinedine Zidane
Before the headers at the World Cup final, the volley at Glasgow, there was Milan in ’96, when Zinedine Zidane first gave the world a peek into his genius. Mystics teach union…
The story of Bengaluru FC – The Revolutionaries of Indian football
In Bengaluru FC, India have found a club who have set themselves a target of transforming Indian football from the roots. The Kanteerava doesn’t quite strike you as ominous. Located centrally in…
Admiration, Cristiano Ronaldo: Could we enjoy the work of a ruined man?
Cristiano Ronaldo has never pretended to be a perfect man, but is it time to draw the line between exemplary athlete and one fighting rape allegations? “This never happened. It will shock…
Simple Confession of Love To Stadium Atmosphere
Is there a more pure way of enjoying our sport than watching it along with the thousands of fellow pilgrims of the day? Stadiums are structures of brick and mortar, but on…
Hangin’ with the Kozakken Boys: The back alley of Dutch football
Our in-house Dutch football writer visited semi-pro club Kozakken Boys. While the spectacle was small, an important lesson was learned regarding the future of Dutch football. “Sorry, ik spreek geen Nederlands goed.”…