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 »
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in October 2016. Team news Youngster Lucas Tousart once again took the place of suspended skipper Maxime Gonalons in the Lyon midfield, again composed of five players. With top scorer Alexandre Lacazette still on the sidelines, Nabil Fekir led the attack, supported by …
Lyon 2-0 Saint-Etienne – Wide play and counters secure derby victory Read More »
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in September 2016. Line-ups Highly-rated youngster Daniele Rugani came into the Juve back three for his first Serie A appearance of the season, with Leonardo Bonucci rested (although he was named on the bench). Sami Khedira was given the night off, which meant …
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in September 2016. Line-ups Skipper Thiago Silva came into the Paris Saint-Germain line-up for the first time this season after injury, while summer signing Grzegorz Krychowiak made his first start for the club, replacing Thiago Motta in midfield. Regular Ligue 1 stopper Kevin …
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in August 2016. Line-ups There were three changes to the Eibar side which started the 2-1 defeat to Deportivo on the opening weekend of the season – Antonio Luna came in for David Junca at left back, Gonzalo Escalante joined skipper Dani Garcia …
This article was first published on footballromance.com (a predecessor to this website) in August 2016. Line-ups Monaco made a whole host of changes to their starting XI, with goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and central defender Kamel Glik the only men to keep their places in the side from the weekend. Bernardo Silva has been in and …
Monaco 1-0 Villarreal: ASM’s counterattacking trumps Spaniards’ second-half improvement Read More »