The Offside

Ob La Di, Ob La Da: Bayern visits Hannover

Luke — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:09:42 -0600

It's not too early to surmise that the tragic death of Robert Enke will have a long lasting effect on the way German society considers depression and other forms of mental illness. In its own way, it may parallel the drug overdose death of Len Bias or the HIV diagnosis of Magic Johnson in the U.S. as an example of ...

Inter v Fiorentina: The Italian Kings of Europe Come to Town

Johonna — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:05:48 -0600

While the rest of us struggle in our respective groups, Fiorentina have swanned through and booked their place in the knock-out rounds of the Champions League. Good for them. Certianly, given our midweek performance, they will come to Milan in high-hopes of taking three points back to Florence. Funny thing is, they could be right. Barcelona was a swift kick ...

Spurs 1 - Villa 1: The Unlikliest of Heroes...

Drew — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:45:03 -0600

Today saw Tottenham take on Aston villa away at Villa park, in a match that could've been greatly influential on the top 4 spots. Villa, who are 3 points below us on the table, could've drawn level with us and Arsenal with a win today. But because of the tie we currently sit in 3rd place for at least 24 ...

If a tree makes a mistake in the woods...

Melissa — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:11:12 -0600

I apologize to every one of you, even the creepy guy on the right. So surprise surprise England won their game against Turkey on Thursday but the qualification rounds resume in March meaning I misread the Guardian article or it contained misinformation. Whoops. Moving on... Not containing misinformation is an excellent interview with player & assistant manager of Stratford Town ...

Playing Leapfrog Atop the Table

Jamie — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:02:28 -0600

I just wanted to write briefly and thank Gladbach for beating Schalke and thus relieving me of my fears that they would top the table this evening. Instead, it is our Green-Whites that leapfrog Leverkusen once again to sit atop the mountain that is the Bundesliga standings after a 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg. It was my beloved defender Per Mertesacker ...

Jimmy Bullard is Hilarious

Matt — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:59:38 -0600

Hull City 1 Man City 1 The Tigers continued their outstanding run of form with a 1-1 draw against the Citizens of Manchester on Saturday. They have now taken 8 points out of 12 since the arrival of Adam Pearson, and Phil Brown surely will be sleeping a bit easier these days. A SWP deflected shot gave the light blues the ...

Cittadella Recap and Parma Preview

Neil — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:48:28 -0600

Unfortunately, the writing after the jump is as dull and pedestrian as the title of the blog. Come to think of it, Napoli's play of late has also been dull and pedestrian. Gone are the manic highs of beating Fiorentina and Juve and a last gasp draw with Milan. We're back to the glass half empty, glass half full ...

Matchday: Lens-Marseille (Stade Félix Bollaert)

Xavier — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:44:22 -0600

A very difficult challenge awaits Lens today at the Stade Félix Bollaert as powerhouse Marseille arrive with a sense of great urgency. The club's sporting director Jose Anigo has stated that this match is a must win if his club is to challenge for the Ligue 1 title this season. The visitors enter the game with a lot of confidence, ...

The Core

Andrew — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:33:57 -0600

The Core is a 2003 sci-fi movie starring Hilary Swank, Aaron Eckhart, and Delroy Lindo. In the movie, the Earth's core has stopped spinning, causing massive natural disasters and threatening to wipe out all life as we know it. A team of scientists are charged to travel to the planet's core and detonate a series of nuclear devices ...

Matchday 15: Lens vs. OM Preview

Sarah — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:15:32 -0600

The expression I hope to see on Mandanda's face at the end of the game! OM's Sporting Director, Jose Anigo, has described OM's game against Lens as a "must win" for OM to be serious title contenders. Richard aptly pointed out in his last preview for Milan that this "must win" mentality has become an ongoing theme this season. Maybe it's ...

That wasn't happy Black Cats Fan

Stephen — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:01:59 -0600

Ugh, someone help me here, why is it when we play clubs that Steve Bruce has been apart of, we lose? 1-0 loss to freaking WIGAN. I mean, they're nothing. Sunderland is so above the Latics it's a joke. I could understand losing to them last year, because at his worst Steve Bruce is still better than any manager Sunderland ...

Toulouse looking to move up the table.

Dave Trotter — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:35:30 -0600

After a loss to a resurgent Nice side last see, Toulouse FC look to get back on track this weekend as they host Boulogne this week at the Stadium Municipal. With news the past few days being focused more on the re-signing of Moussa Sissoko, Cheikh M’Bengue, Etienne Capoue and Danny Nounkeu, Le Tef looks poised to climb up the table ...

Ligue 1: Matchday 15 Preview

Sarah — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:22:29 -0600

While most football fans will be looking forward to the El Classico Derby between Madrid and Barcelona at Camp Nou, Ligue 1 has a few exciting match-ups as well this weekend. Unfortunately, the Monaco vs. Montpellier matchup has been cancelled due to public health fears regarding the swine flu. At least this time, the match was cancelled 24 ...

United vs Portsmouth :: LiveBlog

Ryan — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:53:45 -0600

It's Matchtime... United vs Portsmouth ...

Demolition derby

DJ — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:53:37 -0600

It's derby day at Molineux on Sunday at 12:00 and it's a high noon showdown that could have a big bearing on Wolves season. Having come through a difficult run of fixtures Wolves find themselves one off the foot of the table and need to show they have what it takes to get the right results against other teams fighting ...

Battle for Youth

Lee — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:24:19 -0600

I read this article recently that speculates on what will be become a bigger issue: the rights to player development. In many ways, this story signifies a turning point in Canadian soccer. First of all I think it is a wonderful problem to have, as it sure beats the old problem: that of young Canadian soccer talent having nowhere to ...

Derby della Lanterna Countdown Part 3

patcook — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:08:27 -0600

This is a nice short doco on the Derby della Lanterna. A bit dated, but a fun look at the fans, the city and the derby... ...

VID: Mbuta Brings Message Of Hope To Kids In Ghana

Dave Martinez — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:00:37 -0600

Here is another reason Red Bull needs to bring back Mbuta. The soft spoken Cameroonian midfielder took time to visit Red Bulls Ghana Academy to speak to the youngsters there. Hopefully, his message of hard work and perseverance helps these children on their future life paths. (RBR has more on the video a this link) Check out this bit ...

A New Fan

Javier — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:35:11 -0600

Well as many of you may know my wife and i became proud parents on Saturday morning at 3 am to a healthy 7.2 lb baby boy. His name is Paris Alejandro De Roque so keep an eye out in about 17 years at Nou mestalla.. im sure he will be a striker the way he was kicking my wife during ...