waroffutbol

  Juventus rarely signs the managers from Eastern Europe until recently with Igor Tudor’s appointment. Juventus’ campaign this season has not turned out as expected. Despite naming one of the most in-demand and talented manager, Thiago Motta, at the beginning of the season, they have not been able to dominate Serie A. Motta’s side were stuck in the top four, instead of leading the league, and failed to progress to UCL’s round of 16 following their defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the playoff round. Furthermore, the former Bologna’s boss even reportedly lost his control in the dressing room and suffered a humiliating 5-0 loss to Atalanta. He was then relieved from his duty and replaced by Juventus’ ex-player and assistant manager during Andrea Pirlo’s tenure, Igor Tudor. The Croat’s appointment for La Vecchia Signora was rather unexpected. He has yet to win a silverware in his managerial career. His last job in Lazio was not really satisfactory too. Yet, Tudor was signed to take cha...

  Bayern vs Inter Milan is one of the most anticipated matches in UCL quarterfinals, with some thrilling encounters in history. Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are set to square off on April 9 for the first leg in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal. Die Roten will play host first in Allianz Arena, which happens to be the venue for the final. Vincent Kompany’s side are undoubtedly hoping they could go through and find redemption in the 2012 final edition, in which they humiliatingly lost to Chelsea on penalties. Lifting the Big Ear trophy at home turf seems ideal, and a win over Nerrazurri would be the first step to such a target. Unfortunately, none is easy when it comes to the opponent in the further knockout stage. Inter Milan pose their own threat which could jeopardise Harry Kane and Co’s chance for UCL glory. Throughout history, both sides have met nine times, with five wins and one drawfor the Bundesliga giant. However, their three defeats were more devastati...

  A number of Barcelona academy graduate goalkeepers have been snubbed in the first team but managed to put on a great display elsewhere. The Barcelona academy seems to be more famous for producing outfield players rather than the goalkeepers. Only a few of them have been able to cement their place in the first team as the first choice, not just being the second fiddle. Victor Valdés and Pepe Reina are the most recent examples. Yet, both had contrastive stints in Camp Nou. The former enjoyed the trophy-laden years and had been the undisputed first goalkeeper from 2003 to 2014, whereas the latter was only given a nod as the number one shot-stopper temporarily. This season, another La Masia graduate goalkeeper is heading to the exit. Inaki Pena, who was seemingly on course to be the first choice in the future after his series of impressive form between the sticks this season following Marc Ter Stegen’s long-term injury, has decided to move on in the summer. He is reportedly hol...

  Several managers won their first silverware in their careers and ended the title drought for their teams at the same time. Being a gaffer for non-elite teams is definitely not easy compared to working for the elite ones. The limited transfer budget, lack of title-winning tradition or mentality or talents in the squad are the usual challenges for those clubs. Thus, the management do not normally set an impossible target for their managers, such as winning a major title. Finishing in the top four or six to qualify for Europe has been the common target so that the club could generate more revenue and gain prize money from performing in the continental competitions. Delivering silverware would be a huge bonus. However, some managers have been able to achieve something beyond, lifting their first trophy as a boss and ending the long title drought for their team. The most recent example is none other than Eddie Howe. He has just clinched his first major title and ended the lengthy titl...

  Only a few Norwegian goalkeepers can be considered the best in the European top five leagues, as they become the first choice in their clubs. Norway has already begun their campaign in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Erling Haaland and Co did not have much difficulty in securing their first wins after routing Moldova 5-0 and dismantling Israel 4-2. Such results definitely boost their confidence before taking on their toughest contender, Italy, in June. Gli Azzurri have been superior in their head-to-head record against Norway. They have clinched eight wins and only suffered three defeats in 15 meetings. In fact, Italy was the only team which beat them in both FIFA World Cup editions, USA 1994 and France 1998. Thus, Norwegian boss Ståle Solbakken would need all players to be in their top form to seal their spot in the final round automatically. Crushing Gianluigi Donnarumma and Co. would be a good start. Yet, such is definitely not going to be easy as they would strive to av...

  There have always been elite sides that have become the victims of the Champions League changing format throughout history. UEFA Champions League 2024/25 marks the new era with its renewed format like never before. The use of the league phase and Swiss system to determine the opponents for each team is really something that is never applied in European football.  Such is not the first change initiated by the European football governing body. In fact, it has been the fifth one in the competition's history. In its first edition with the new format, there have always been the top teams that headed to exit too early. In the current campaign, one of the favorites, Liverpool, has to end their hope to lift their seventh trophy after losing out to PSG on penalties in their own home turf. The Reds are the fourth top victims this season after the 2023 winner, Manchester City , and two Italian giants, Juventus and AC Milan.  Here are the elite victims in each UCL season wi...