France-Belgium rivalry “Calling this game a ‘battle’ isn’t a negative term. That’s what it’ll be, physically, tactically and technically. I think Roberto Martínez and I have enough respect for each other and then there’s the players, some of whom play for the same club. Of course, for an hour and a half…there’s a place in …
This press conference was originally streamed on the Real Betis Balompié YouTube channel. The comeback “It’s doubly impressive, first of all taking into account that we were facing one of the big Scottish clubs that normally plays in the Champions League, wins titles every year and has good players, which we all knew before the …
This press conference was originally published in French on staderennais.com. The meeting with the players after Reims: “It was important to see each other the day after the game to do some video analysis and talk about our views of what happened, which can be different sometimes. I wanted to listen to them and go …
This press conference was originally streamed on the Real Betis Balompié YouTube channel. Manuel Pellegrini and Joaquín on EuroBetis Pellegini: “Qualifying for the Europa League was a big achievement last season. This is the start of a competition which is always exciting to be involved in. It’s an added bonus on top of league football, …
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in December 2016. Line-ups Much of the pre-match talk centred on the fitness of Andres Iniesta, who was ultimately not deemed ready to start and instead took up a place on the bench. Luis Enrique therefore stuck with the same XI which started …
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in November 2016. Line-ups Stefano Pioli freshened his side up after their midweek European loss, with Andrea Rannochia and Cristian Ansaldi coming into the team in defence, Geoffrey Kondogbia holding in midfield and Ivan Perisic replacing Eder on the left flank. The visitors …
Inter 4-2 Fiorentina: Control lost but points won for Inter Read More »
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in November 2016. Line-ups Samir Nasri had looked likely to miss out due to injury during the week, but he was ultimately deemed fit to play and replaced Mathias Kranevitter in a midfield anchored by Steven N’Zonzi. Daniel Carriço was somewhat surprisingly drafted …
Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona: Hosts run out of steam, Messi motors on Read More »
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in October 2016. Line-ups Celta boss Eduardo Berizzo made no fewer than eight changes from the team which drew 2-2 with Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday night, with Facundo Roncaglia, Pablo Hernandez and Nemanja Radoja the only men to keep their …
Celta de Vigo 4-1 Deportivo: High defensive line + blunt attack = Dépor derby demolition Read More »
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in October 2016. Line-ups This was Napoli’s first match without Arkadiusz Milik, who netted six goals in his first nine games for the club but is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines; Manolo Gabbiadini was his replacement up front. In …
Napoli 1-3 Roma: Giallorossi’s vertical passing undoes toothless hosts Read More »
