The Fußball Chatter

When Manchester United won the treble in 1999, Manchester City were in a different world despite the two teams being in the same city. At the time, they were competing in the third tier of English football, gaining promotion to the second tier after beating Gillingham in the play-off final via a penalty shootout. Now, they are the top dog of English football. Winning the Premier League for the third successive season, and could wrap up their season by winning the biggest of them all, the Champions League trophy. Manchester City's reputation is one of appreciation, concern and fear. Appreciation for their attacking football, which has gained them, numerous admirers. Thanks to manager Pep Guardiola. Concern for what they represent in the modern game. Bought by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008 , Manchester City, in the eyes of many, represents the concerning nature of countries getting involved with financial resources that are close to bottomless and increasing the ever-growing gap...

Whenever a shock result occurs, there is a feeling of disbelief, trying to comprehend the unexplainable. An example is Liverpool's Champions League win in 2005 against a stacked AC Milan. Coming from 3-0 down to tie the game 3-3 and win on penalties. Ironically, that game took place at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, which will stage the Champions League final on June 10th, where Football Club Internazionale de Milano or Inter Milan could shock the world if they can pull it off against Manchester City. Knowing that they are the underdogs, Inter would relish the opportunity to create their own history and deny Manchester City a historic treble by denying them the trophy they have craved. One of the most recognisable and storied clubs in European football, their famous black and blue jersey has been worn by Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, Diego Milito, Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldo de Lima, Lothar Matthaus, Wesley Sneijder and Christan Vieri. They won the Champions League three times...

Sevilla have done it again. They were crowned champions of the UEFA Europa League for a record-extending seventh time after defeating Jose Mourinho's AS Roma 4-1 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 after extra time at the Puska Arena in Budapest on May 31st. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring for Roma in the 34th minute before an own goal from Gianluca Mancini levelled the score. In a combative final, referee Anthony Taylor dished out fourteen yellow cards in the match, the most in a Europa League game . Argentine defender Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty to give Sevilla the title and qualify for next year's Champions League. Sevilla, since 2000, has dominated Europe's second premier competition, winning it seven times in seven finals. Here is a rewind of Sevilla's six Europa League triumphs. SEVILLA 3-2 INTER MILAN (2020) Before their win on Wednesday night, Sevilla last won the competition in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic. Starting from the beg...

In the 2012/13 season, Manchester United won the Premier League with twenty-eight wins. The most wins by United in a Premier League campaign . Confirming their title win after beating Aston Villa 3-0 at Old Trafford, where Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick. That season was the final season of Sir Alex Ferguson's illustrious career at Old Trafford. The Scotsman's legacy at Manchester United is unparalleled, winning thirteen league titles. Making Manchester United the team with the most English league titles with twenty, overtaking Liverpool's eighteen at the time. Not to mention becoming the first manager in English football to win a treble in 1999. Since Ferguson's departure, Manchester United have faltered. Despite  spending more than anyone else from 2012 to 2022 , United have not had a strong title challenge in the league since 2013 and gained just four trophies. Manchester City has won the Premier League five times, and Liverpool broke their title duck in 2020 whi...

Napoli has finally reached football heaven. They are now Italian champions for the first time since 1990. Naples erupted with wild celebrations across the city when it was finally confirmed after a 1-1 draw against Udinese on May 4th , and the celebrations are not ending anytime soon. Napoli, the club heavily associated with Diego Maradona, now has new heroes from Nigeria, Georgia, South Korea and Kosovo.  For some, it is a surprise. For others, it is not, as Napoli has been one of the best-performing teams in Serie A over the past decade, with quality players and coaches coming to the Diego Armando Maradona stadium. They have been close to winning it on various occasions but failed. Now, it has finally happened. This is the story of Napoli's rise to become Italian champions again. DECLINE, RELEGATION AND BANKRUPTCY The Maradona years at Napoli were the most successful period in the club's history. They became the first team from Southern Italy to win Serie A in 1987; when Ser...

In July 2018, in a packed Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, France became champions of the world for a second time, defeating Croatia 4-2. It was a deserved victory for  Les Bleu,  navigating their way through the tournament, beating Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium on their route to the final. Blessed with the likes of Paul Pogba, N'golo Kante, Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann, France has produced another generation of players that has matched the class of 1998. Not to mention the emergence of Kylian Mbappe, who instantly became a worldwide phenomenon, scoring four goals plus the final, becoming the first teenager since Pele to score in a World Cup Final.  France has been a regular in the World Cup. However, in the last twenty-five years, they have become a force in the international scene. On Sunday, France will make their fourth appearance in the World Cup Final in just seven appearances. Their first time was in 1998 on home soil, where they defeated Brazil 3-0, with Zined...

When Argentina lost the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final to Germany, it felt like a missed opportunity to claim the coveted trophy in the home of their bitter rivals Brazil. They entered the final without conceding a goal, with two knockout games going into extra time. Not to mention their attacking options in Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi.  Messi's impact during the knockouts and the final was underwhelming, failing to score in the entire knockout phase. Though he won the Golden Ball (Best Player), it felt undeserved. Many greats of the game are lucky to reach one World Cup Final, and given what happened in the coming years for Messi and Argentina, 2014 was their best chance that got away from them. Now, come Sunday, Argentina has that rare second chance to win the World Cup. Argentina has made it to the sixth World Cup Final, making their second World Cup Final in three editions. They were winners for the first time in 1978 on home soi...