Despite suffering through a prolonged period of disgrace following scandals, Italian soccer remains strong with the national side holding the World Cup title and AC Milan holding both the Champions League and World Championship crown. During a recent visit to Italy, I was fortunate enough to take in several matches: the first legs of Inter-Liverpool [...]
Bologna is a beautiful city that seems to pulsate with energy after dark. A historic town full of lovely porticos, it seemed a perfect place to watch the highly anticipated AC Milan – Arsenal match. As usual, my family and I were running late, having lingered too long over a delicious meal. By the time [...]
We arrived at San Siro on the outskirts of Milan two hours before kick-off. Security was tight. In order to purchase tickets, we were required to provide copies of our passports and to cough up 120 euros apiece. Approaching San Siro, we were surrounded by enthusiastic fans eagerly scurrying towards the stadium bundled in stylish [...]
When I was younger, it’s fair to say that I was a sore loser. I blamed fate, opponents and referees when things didn’t go my way, and carried a great sense of injustice despite living a privileged life. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve mellowed out to the point where I feel that I can look [...]
Last week, Arsenal and Real Madrid were each five points clear of Manchester United and Barcelona, respectively. But uncharacteristic lapses from both leaders have made the title races in England and Spain much more interesting. A common theme is the distraction of the Champions League, with both clubs suffering setbacks to Italian clubs in midweek. [...]
I was treated to a third game this week, a rarity in the usual weekday wasteland between Premier League fixtures. This time, it was the UEFA Cup, which I was surprised to see on. Typically, they only show the final on TV and it was an extra special treat to see Everton, my second-favorite team [...]
What a cracking game it was. The quality of Barcelona against the passion of Celtic made for a memorable night of action at Celtic Park. Surprisingly, the Scottish side has had only lost once at home in the Champions League, also to Barcelona. But history meant nothing on a night when the stakes were high, [...]
At the university, I almost never missed a class… unless it was on a Wednesday at 2:30 PM and I could afford to miss it. That’s when the Champions League was on TV. In my mind, no competition has a higher standard of play, either at club or international level. Not only can the clubs [...]
It’s tough to be an English football fan living in the U.S. Television exposure is limited to a handful of Premier League games each weekend, usually involving either Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal. That’s not so bad, since the quality of football with those teams is usually high, and I happen to be a [...]
The lot of the professional footballer is an odd one. One week, you’re in favor with the gaffer, a hero in the terraces and a Casanova in the hip nightclubs of a major European city. The next week you’re plying your trade in a fourth-rate league somewhere in the backwaters of the Eastern Bloc. What [...]