From the 1960 final to the miracle of Istanbul, Europe’s top club competition has provided many moments to rival the drama of Real Madrid’s quarter-final against JuventusThe almost shocking conclusion to what had been a notable Juventus recovery against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu has not only divided opinion – it was a penalty all day long, one could only admire the stealth with which Medhi Benatia administered his shove in the back of Lucas Vázquez and the bravery of Michael Oliver for punishing it – but has also inspired much talk of the evening being one of the most dramatic in the history of the European Cup and Champions League. However the latter stages of the competition have frequently...
Former Brighton manager hasn’t brought Barcelona’s aesthetics to the Loire Valley but he has at least injected a joie de vivre that has long been lackingBy Adam White and Eric Devin for Get French Football NewsWatching Saint-Étienne against Amiens on Saturday, one would hardly have thought the hosts, playing a promoted side at home, were up to much, to say nothing of having entered the match with an unblemished record. In the game’s early stages, the defence and the midfield were playing a copious amount of long passes, trying to release the full-backs or the wingers into space, a task that was without much reward against the Picardy side’s massed back five. The hosts took the lead through a penalty,...
Manchester United’s attacking options were slightly limited and the Frenchman took the opportunity against St-Étienne to remind the manager of his valueThere may be trouble ahead, José Mourinho warned before this game, channelling Irving Berlin in an attempt to point out that Manchester United will inevitably face a fixture pile-up if they continue to fight on four fronts.There may be trouble if United fail to reach the Champions League next season, too; one season in four is not really good enough for a club of such stature and frequently exercised spending power, and Antoine Griezmann may not fancy joining a side with only Europa League football to offer. Related: Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat-trick drives Manchester United past St-Étienne Continue reading...