Liverpool and Spurs rely on the role to wreak havoc in attack and Saturday’s game will show how the position has evolvedIt is quarter of a century since Jack Charlton observed after the 1994 World Cup that full-back had become tactically the most important position in football, and with each passing year his words have come to seem increasingly true. It is entirely possible – likely, even – that Saturday’s Champions League final could be decided by the performance of the respective pairs of full-backs, something that would have seemed absurd even a couple of decades ago. Related: Why I gave away my Champions League final ticket to watch it with dad | Max Rushden Related: Sadio Mané happy at...
While the old format never produced a same-nation final, this will be the seventh since 2000, as England steps into the void left by Spain. But there is no point weeping over lost romanceRichard Scudamore retired too soon! No sooner had the Premier League’s executive chairman picked up his parachute payment and left the building than his most famous daft idea became reality. The 39th game, the extra helping of Premier League razzle dazzle featuring two top-flight sides facing off in some far-flung location for prestige and promotional purposes, is actually happening next Wednesday in Baku, except people will insist on calling it the Europa League final. Three days later the same thing will happen again in Madrid. Even Scudamore...
Psychological momentum helped Spurs and Liverpool reach the Champions League final, even if they did not realise itWhatever you think about José Mourinho, most would agree he knows a thing or two about football. Surveying the two epic semi-final second legs of the Champions League, he came to two very different conclusions about Liverpool’s and Tottenham’s unlikely victories. Related: European finalists deliver a very English great football moment forged overseas | Barney Ronay Twitter: follow us at @guardian_sport Related: Lucas Moura: from São Paulo prodigy and PSG outcast to Tottenham hero | David Hytner Related: ‘The joy is tainted’: Liverpool and Tottenham fans face high price for success Related: Football fans, how are you travelling to the European finals? Continue...
The next aim for Manchester City if they wrap up everything on Sunday is utter domination and it is hard to know what more Jürgen Klopp’s team can do after their efforts this seasonThe first time Manchester City found themselves in this position, entering the final game of the season with the Premier League title still up for grabs, it will probably always be remembered for what happened when a team once regarded as English football’s Slapstick XI found out it was not just that lot on the other side of the city that could conjure up football‑bloody‑hell moments.Even after all the wild and eccentric stories of the past week, from Jürgen Klopp machine-gunning swear words into various television cameras,...
A chaotic race might have produced more drama but both teams deserve praise for sweeping nearly all before them asideAfter Tuesday at Anfield and Wednesday in Amsterdam, perhaps nothing will ever seem impossible again. Nonetheless, it remains extremely unlikely that Brighton – two wins in their past 17 games – will take the points off Manchester City – 13 wins in a row – a result Liverpool need if they are to have a chance of winning the Premier League title. If City win and Liverpool beat Wolves, Jürgen Klopp’s side will have accumulated 97 points this season and still not be champions. Related: Premier League: 10 things to look out for on the final day Twitter: follow us at...