Cultured Football #14
Cultured Football #14
Chaos, violence, and glory at el Clásico
There’s a new generation of stars emerging in European football and that of Erling Haaland is one of those shining brightest. Already, he is being shopped to the continent’s biggest clubs and despite the protestations over financial damage that COVID has inflicted on them, there is little doubt that someone will be spending big money to sign him. Bayern Munich, however, won’t be among those interested. Not only do they still have the phenomenal Robert Lewandowski, but they are witnessing the emergence of a wonderful talent in Jamal Musiala. A look at his emergence, and much more, in this week’s Cultured Football…
Ten years of the WSL through the words of those there at the beginning
It has not always been plain sailing and there are plenty of instances where they are regarded as third rate citizens when compared to their male counterparts, but the Women’s Super League undoubtedly helped kick-start the growth of women’s football in England. This story, told here by those who were there at the beginning, celebrates its tenth year and can look to the future with a degree of hope.
Liverpool, working with Gerrard and FK Sarajevo
His will not be a familiar name to many Liverpool fans, even though he spent three years with the club’s academy, yet Dal Varešanovič will forever feel part of the club. “Everything I learnt in professional football I learnt there. I was taught by the best coaches in the world and the best training set-up,” he says in this interview that talks about his time in England and his hopes for the future.
The mystery of Henri Saivet
“Henri is someone the club have been watching for a while and he has developed into an excellent player at Bordeaux.” That’s what the then Newcastle manager Steve McLaren when Henri Saviet moved to the North East for £5 million. It was considered a smart move for a player who had done very well at his previous club, even willing a league title as a 19 year old. Yet, five years later, Saivet is waiting for his Newcastle contract to wind down after spending the last two years in limbo. Yet, why has he been pushed aside so much is something of a mystery.
122 goals in 36 matches: The making of Bayern Munich's wonderkid Jamal Musiala
Eliminated from the Champions League, on the verge of losing key players whose contract is running out and with a successful coach who is leave following internal strife, this has been a rough week for Bayern Munich. Yet, with the not-minor consolation of yet another Bundesliga title seemingly wrapped up, they can also look to the future with a lot of hope following some breath-taking performances by the emerging talent of Jamal Musiala.
Chaos, violence, and glory at el Clásico
Ten years ago, Real Madrid and Barcelona played four games in 18 days. Whilst the two clubs have forever been rivals, the intensity of this enmity was at one of its highest peaks thanks also to the playing philosophies of the teams’ coaches. Barcelona had Pep Guardiola, the purveyor of passing football, whilst Real Madrid had turned to his diametric opposite in Jose Mourinho. With the pressure ratched up, the games would prove to have long term impact for both sides.
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Carlos Carvahal has somewhat rehabilitated his career following a couple of negative experiences in England. His innovative playing style has been a success back home with Rio Ave and Braga, so much that bigger things could be lying in wait for him.