There were around five and a half minutes left on the clock when Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata raced through on goal. The deadlock had yet to be broken after 115 minutes of action in the final of the Spanish Super Cup, but here was a golden opportunity for Atletico to land a killer blow against rivals Real Madrid.A poor piece of control from Dani Carvajal in the middle of the pitch set up a three-versus-two in Atletico's favour. Saul Niguez immediately played a first-time ball to Morata, whose excellent first touch sent him clear of both Carvajal and Valverde, the two Madrid men furthest back.Morata's next touch was also good, keeping the ball under control while also tempting Thibaut...
There’s a trend in football which has been allowed to remain unchallenged for a long time. Or, at least, it’s one which nobody appears able to do anything about.When wealthy men own or run football clubs, they’re easily seduced into believing that their skillset – which is typically financial, commercial or a combination of the two – actually equates to a working technical knowledge of the game. While bearing responsibility for a club’s day-to-day future naturally lends itself to acquiring unique experience, having that kind of oversight is quite different to possessing the expertise of a sporting or technical director.That’s been proven time and again. In fact, where there are unilateral recruitment decisions being made by someone other than a...
At the Czech Republic's first major international tournament, Poborsky helped fire his country to the final, where they eventually lost to Germany in extra-time.Poborsky - named in the team of the tournament - was one of a few members of the team who earned club moves outside their home country.Sir Alex Ferguson signed the then 24-year-oldin the July of 1996, fresh from the Euros, but speaking in the new issue ofFourFourTwo,the winger cites a huge culture shock as one of the defining reasons that he was unable to capture the same form as he did at international level in England."Moving from Slavia to United in the mid-'90s, it was like two different worlds," he says."It was a massive step in...
Manchester United were busy in the transfer market last summer, bringing the likes of Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to the club. The rumours are that the board are going to make funds available again to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this January, should he wish to spend, and the Norwegian has already talked of finding players that are “the right fit” for Old Trafford.With United still chasing top four, a Europa League title and glory in the FA Cup, perhaps one or new faces could energise their season. But who are the Reds targeting?Christian Eriksen, TottenhamChristian Eriksen’s desire to run down his Tottenham deal is the worst-kept contractual secret in North London, at least since Toby Alderweireld tied his future to...
Benfica’s factory line has pumped out likes of Joao Felix, Ederson and Bernardo Silva in recent seasons - and it shows no sign of slowing down.Over the past week, Chelsea, West HamandEverton haveall been linked with Gedson Fernandes, a wiry midfielder with superb close control and excellent dribbling ability. Now Jose Mourinho's Tottenhamare rumoured to be close tosecuring the Portuguese 21-year-old's services on an initial 18-month loan contract.A small price to payHowever much Gedson Fernandes actually moves for in the end, Benfica are going to make a hearty profit on the 21-year-old.When the Portuguese was 10, Sporting signed a pre-contract agreement with Fernandes’s youth team, SC Frielas. This was trumped however when rivals Benfica offered €250 and 25 footballs. Gedson’s...