Cultured Football #210
Spark Duo. Passionate Disillusionment. The Mbappe Curse. Toxic Youth. Promotion or Bust.
Saint-Étienne's Dazzling Duo: Stassin and Davitashvili Ignite the Relegation Battle
By for
In the thick of a relegation battle, Saint-Étienne has found unexpected flair through the dynamic duo of Stassin and Davitashvili. Their partnership has not only provided crucial goals but also reignited hope among fans. Stassin's agility and Davitashvili's creativity have combined to challenge defenders and uplift the team's spirits. As the season progresses, their synergy could be the key to Saint-Étienne's survival in Ligue 1.
Love the Game - Hate the Industry
By for
I’m pretty sure that whilst many reading this still love the game of football, they are far less enamoured with the industry surrounding it. The thrill of the matchday remains, but it’s wrapped in layers of greed, detachment, and cold corporate polish. Romance is dead. But the game? Still beating, even if buried under the branding.
How Kylian Mbappé made Real Madrid worse
By for ESPN
The idea that Real Madrid might actually be worse with Kylian Mbappé sounds crazy on paper, but there’s some logic behind it. His arrival has unsettled the team’s fluid attack and while Mbappé’s star power is undeniable, Madrid’s overall play has dipped. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain look freer and sharper without him, suggesting that sometimes losing a superstar can be the best thing for a team. That’s not simply an impression; that is a reality that has been experienced elsewhere so much that there is a theory named for it.
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‘One father threatened to stab the referee’: why does kids’ football bring out the worst in parents?
By Sam Wollaston for The Guardian
Touchline abuse is reaching a crisis point in youth football, with parents - often fathers - letting frustration, ego, and misplaced ambition spill over into aggression towards young referees and players. At its core, the chaos reflects a broken relationship between adults and the grassroots game meant to bring kids joy. The fallout is that leagues are now being forced into looking at some extreme and shocking measures.
The side who must go up
By for
Levante's push for promotion from the Segunda División isn't just about ambition. The club faces mounting economic pressures that make a return to La Liga essential for stability. With a challenging fixture list ahead, the margin for error is slim. Failure to ascend could have significant repercussions, both on and off the pitch.
Every Saturday, Cultured Football brings you five great football articles you will enjoy reading. And you get a free copy of the book Master of the Azzurri.
In Case You Missed It Here’s Last Week’s Most Read: Spreadsheets, car horns and Middlesbrough’s parm in a bun – how a bad date inspired me to do the 92
By Jen Steadman for When Saturday Comes
The idea of visiting all 92 grounds that make up the English Premier and Football Leagues is an intriguing one on paper but much less so when you really think about what it entails. Still, a few hardy souls do actually give it a go. Why? Because they love football.