Cultured Football #157
Revolution Asia. Athletic at Sea. Positional Play Goes Defensive. Women's Game. Florian Wirtz
Revolution Asia
By for
The work permit changes that came into place after Brexit have made it significantly easier for English clubs to sign South American players and, increasingly, this is being reflected in more deals with that region. Soon, however, attention will start to shift to Asia which is becoming a hotbed for developing talent. Or it should.
Bonus Pick [Chris Wright for Terrace Edition]: Personally, something that truly intrigues me about Asian football is the fan culture. Given that I’m unlikely to have the opportunity to visit any time soon, this photo-essay at least gave me a taste of the experience.
After 40-year wait, Athletic finally set sail on the gabarra
By Sid Lowe for ESPN
Much of what I know about geography comes from my interest in football. Indeed, football is a fantastic way to learn about different cultures, traditions and ideals. And it is never too late to learn new things. This week, for instance, I got to know about Bilbao’s gabarra and I strongly feel that you should too.
Bonus Pick [Neel Shelat for Fotmob]: Of course, the celebrations on gabarras witnessed in Bilbao this week were due to the Copa del Rey win for which manager Ernesto Valverde deserves a lot of praise.
Positional play has become a defensive tactic
By for
Whilst Rafa Benitez is fondly remembered at Valencia, Liverpool and Newcastle, no fan of any of those clubs would argue that his football was anything other than defence first. Yet Benitez modeled his game on the attacking principles laid down by Arrigo Sacchi. Similarly, Pep Guardiola’s football tends to be pleasing on the eye. But as the game evolves, is the pendulum about to swing back to a more cautious side?
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Title IX, Soccer Bans, and the Growth of the Women’s Game
By for
The history of women's soccer in the US is tied to the passing of Title IX in 1972, which allowed more girls to access sports. Other countries also had bans on women playing soccer for many years but have since caught up. This is leading to a growth in women’s professional football although much of the attention has been on building strong and stable professional sides. Some, however, are looking beyond that and the building of a truly elite academy.
Bonus Pick [Juliet Nottingham for The Guardian]: Amidst the increasing interest and popularity in women’s football in England, there is the risk of creating a handful of elite clubs that are uncatchable for all the rest.
How Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz is reinventing the No.10 role
By Abel Meszaros for Bundesliga.com
Xabi Alonso is the undoubted mastermind who was led Bayer Leverkusen to the finest season in their history. Yet his job would have been much harder without the brilliance of Florian Wirtz, a player who is redefining his role.
Bonus Pick [Kaustubh Pandey for Fotmob]: Amidst a harrowing season, the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho has been one of the few bright spots for Manchester United. Interestingly, as Kaustubh Pandey points out, the young forward continues to evolve as he progresses.
Every Saturday, Cultured Football brings you five great football articles you will enjoy reading.
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Last Week’s Most Read: How is Brazil replacing the young talent it loses to Europe?
By Tim Vickery for ESPN
Brazilian players are being scooped up by European clubs at an increasingly early age, not only diluting the talent pool available to Brazilian clubs but depriving fans of the opportunity to experience these players at least for their formative years. In response, Brazilian clubs are looking around them and nitpicking the best young talent from neighbouring countries in their bids for local and continental success.