Cultured Football #52
Lokomotive Leipzig, Monchi's Secrets, American Invasion, Empty Sponsors, Serie A Goalfest
There’s no winter break for us or for you: here’s the usual roundup of five great football articles to help pass the time.
Lokomotive Leipzig, The 1987 Cup Winners’ Cup Final and a Rebirth from the Ashes
By Billy Crawford for These Football Times
Long before RB Leipzig became one of the best sides in German football there was Lokomotive Leipzig, the East German club that made it to the final of the Cup Winners’ Cup. Fate has not been kind since that achievement but fans remain hopeful that a better future awaits.
Reading Time: 7 minutes
Who is Monchi? Meet the ‘genius’ sporting director inspiring Sevilla’s La Liga tilt
By Mark Douglas for iNews
There have been quite a few articles hailing Monchi’s genius in building football teams yet with Sevilla still in with a realistic chance of winning La Liga, it is always good to hear of how he does it. Just as interesting is this where he talks about turning down Newcastle’s offer for Diego Carlos.
Reading Time: 15 minutes
A New Wave of American Buyers Has Set Its Sights on European Soccer
By Leander Schaerlaeckens for The Ringer
American investors can’t seem to get enough of European football, attracted both by the ease of buying clubs and the opportunities presented by relative lack of regulation. Time will tell whether this will be good for the game and, importantly, the clubs themselves.
Reading Time: 22 minutes
Another Manchester City sponsor with seemingly no staff, no active products and being run out of a mailbox in London
By James Corbett for Off The Pitch
The headline doesn’t need much adding to. This is a just a great piece of journalism.
Reading Time: 8 minutes
What’s Behind the Explosion of Goals in Italy?
By Oliver Hopkins for The Analyst
Italian football once stood for defensive football where catenaccio was king. That, however, is changing: each of the past three seasons have averaged more goals per game than at any time in the previous 80 years. What’s happened?
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Last Week’s Most Read
There have been a number of high profile players who seemed to lose their form soon afterwards. Whilst clubs are always eager to sign their best players to long term deals, does this have a negative impact on their performances?
Reading Time: 8 minutes