Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 105 i Soccer 360 Magazine

There’s a reason they call football ‘the world’s game’. When you boil it down to its core elements it’s a very simple sport, with the only prerequisites to participate being something one can fashion into a ball and some objects to form a rudimentary goal with. Cricket is enjoyed by billions - largely thanks to its ubiquitous nature in India - but even on a smaller scale requires, at the very least, a bat and a ball. To play tennis you need a net and a racquet, for hockey you need a stick, even to participate in basketball you’re reliant on someone having erected a hoop somewhere near where you live. Travel anywhere in the world, no matter how wealthy or not, and you’ll find people kicking a ball around.…

“AT THE START OF 2024, GRIEZMANN BECAME ATLETICO MADRID’S ALL-TIME RECORD GOALSCORER” Antoine Griezmann’s career finds itself split into chapters with a consistent plotline based around the red and white of Atletico Madrid. Across his two separate spells at first the Vincente Calderon Stadium and now the Wanda Metropolitana, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has secured his own special place in the club’s history under the tutelage of long-serving coach Diego Simeone, and been one of the world’s greatest all-round attacking players. Having made his name at Real Sociedad by helping them reach the Champions League for the first time in 10 years in 2013, a year later Griezmann moved to Atletico and it was there where he fully maximised his potential and proved he was one of the…

For a number of years now, Sevilla have been heralded as the “Kings of the Europa League”, and with very good reason. Seemingly out of nowhere, the club burst onto the scene in 2006 when they beat Middlesbrough to win the UEFA Cup, and became the first team to win back-to-back titles when they successfully defended their crown the following year. The tournament was eventually rebranded in its current format in 2009, and between 2014 and 2023, Sevilla would go on to make more history. They were the first team to win three on the trot - en route to adding some five more titles for a remarkable grand total of seven in less than two decades. Three ofthem came via penalty shootouts, just to underline that it felt like…

Spanish giants Real Madrid are big admirers of Canada’s Alphonso Davies and rightly so. The Bayern Munich fullback may have had a few injury setbacks despite only being 23, but that hasn’t stopped him being an integral part of the Bayern setup, especially on the left side of the pitch where he has adopted the nickname ‘roadrunner’ for his exceptional speed and sensational ability while on the ball. Davies’ contract with the German giants expires in the summer of 2025 and Carlo Ancelotti’s side are expected to make a move for him this summer. If successful in their pursuit, he would represent a significant upgrade on Real’s current left-back options, Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia. As ever, there are a few stumbling blocks which Real will have to overcome if…

The Azzurri headed into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as holders with an ageing and ailing squad that featured eight of the champions from 2006. The man who masterminded their fourth World Cup triumph Marcello Lippi returned to take charge and he selected an experienced squad with nine players over the age of 30, the oldest being captain Fabio Cannavaro at 36. Having been drawn with Paraguay, outsiders New Zealand, and World Cup rookies Slovakia, hopes were high that the Azzurri could mount a decent attempt at retaining their title. Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed in the first match when a creaking and cumbersome Italy were lucky to rescue a 1-1 draw with the South Americans in Cape Town thanks to a goalkeeping error that handed Daniele De…

FIRST TIME GLORY In 1934 Italy hosted the World Cup, making their first appearance in the competition. This squad was led by the legendary Giuseppe Meazza, arguably the greatest Italian player of all time. Known as “Il Genio” by the Italian press, Meazza was a prolific goalscorer and a virtuoso with the ball. The team was coached by Vittorio Pozzo, who popularized a 2-3-2-3 formation with two half-backs and inside-forwards. After defeating the United States 7-1 in their first match in World Cup history, Italy was set to play Spain. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with various controversial decisions favoring the home team. In the replay match, Italy defeated Spain 1-0 on a Meazza winner. They then beat Austria 1-0 in the semifinals and Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the…

An exciting end to the season is in prospect and it looks nothing but unpredictable. We appear to have a three-horse race for the Women’s Super League crown and in Europe, reigning champions Barcelona will have fierce competition from Chelsea when the competition resumes in March. For the Blues, this is all about giving outgoing boss Emma Hayes the perfect send-off with a host of silverware. But Manchester City have been hot on their heels domestically all campaign, sending out a statement of intent with their victory at Chelsea recently. Don’t write off Arsenal, who are still in it in third, but it will still be a huge job for someone to prise the trophy away from Hayes and her team yet again. At the bottom of the table, Bristol…

Canada has been enjoying a purple patch recently when it comes to football. After decades of their near-neighbours the United States taking all the regional plaudits and producing players who have played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, Canada has been able to shine and make a name for itself. Canadian internationals have been performing at the highest level in Europe for a while now but Tajon Buchanan is the first to ever play in Serie A, after signing for Inter at the beginning of January. Following this exciting move to Simone Inzaghi’s title hopefuls, he now looks set to develop even further what has long promised to be a stellar career. A Brampton, Ontario native, Buchanan moved to Colorado as a teenager to pursue a career…

Just days before his Roma dismissal Jose Mourinho likened himself to Harry Potter. Despite the success he’s achieved in the past 20 years and constant personal reminders about the depth of his trophy cabinet, the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ will have to muster up all his magical football powers to conjure up a new job at a leading club in any of Europe’s top five leagues. It might take some convincing for a coach that appears to be past his prime. Giallorossi owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin became tired of Mourinho’s pointedly controversial statements, exaggerated off-field antics and repeatedly poor results in Serie A. European success notwithstanding, the forthright tactician had become more of a liability than an asset in the Italian capital and his stock was firmly on the decline.…

Over the years we have seen plenty of full-backs converted into wide midfielders or wingers, but until recently the very idea of one regularly taking up a midfield position as part of their team’s build-up play with the ball would have been received with rather puzzled looks. But now, with possession-based football and technical ability in every position being favoured by most modern coaches, it has become the game’s latest trendy innovation. Just like so many other novel tactical ploys, a lot of the credit for the development of a select few full-backs acting as attacking pivots or even deep-lying playmakers has gone the way of Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard is responsible for much of football’s current look, and when he has a brainwave which leads to success for his…

DIDIER DROGBA Didier Drogba is synonymous with Jose Mourinho and Chelsea with the Ivorian playing a crucial role in both incarnations of the Portuguese manager’s project at Stamford Bridge. Drogba was central to Mourinho’s successive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, although his most prolific campaign came later under Carlo Ancelotti, with 29 Premier League goals along the way towards another title crown in 2010. He later played for Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray. However, as Chelsea turned to Mourinho again after Ancelotti’s exit, he sent out the signal to Drogba in 2014. As a rotating option with Diego Costa, he added a fourth Premier League winners’ medal to his collection with the Blues. ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s career involved a tendency to ruffle feathers and not hang around at…

Between 2014 and 2016, Unai Emery did what no manager had ever done before - to win three consecutive Europa League titles. At the time of his appointment in January 2013, Sevilla had already started to make a name for itself in European club football’s second tier competition and had successfully defended its crown in 2007. Under the Spanish tactician’s guidance, Sevilla fully embraced its role as a dominant force in the Europa League before he left to join Paris Saint-Germain. That move didn’t lead to the European success they were hoping for, but he did then take Arsenal to the final of his most favoured competition in 2019, only to lose to Premier League rivals Chelsea. Arguably Emery’s most impressive result in the Europa League however came three years…

KARIM BENZEMA After leaving Real Madrid for the riches of Saudi Arabia last summer, it was reported that after three months the legendary striker had had enough and wanted out. Chelsea were reportedly very keen to sign the Frenchman but were put off by his wages. Arsenal were then touted but it was late revealed that he will stay with Al-Ittihad for now at least. However, having signed a threeyear contract with the Saudi side, expect plenty more rumours of a move away for the Frenchman. DAVID DE GEA For twelve seasons Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea graced the goal line for Manchester United before being unceremoniously dumped by the club in the summer. What is remarkable is that the 33-year-old is still without a club. Premier League side Nottingham…

Path A of the Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs sees Wales welcome Finland to Cardiff and Estonia travel to Warsaw to take on Poland in the semi-finals. The winners of both ties will then meet for a place in a fearsome looking Group D. Wales, who have reached three of the past four major tournaments and made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, are marginal favourites in this section. They came third behind Turkey and Croatia in their qualifying group, and will be looking for someone new to inspire them to another summer showpiece after the retirement of talisman Gareth Bale. Qualifying for the play-offs via the Nations League, Estonia are the rank outsiders while Poland have had a poor couple of years which included drawing and losing to Moldova…

When Michael Bradley signed with Toronto FC in 2014, it wasn’t the ‘bloody big’ success that the club had promised. Bradley was unveiled alongside English striker Jermain Defoe and together the pair were supposed to lead the Reds to glory. The team even brought in Brazilian legend Julio Cesar to play between the posts. It was an exciting time for fans of the club considering that they had never even made the play-offs before. TFC have some of the most passionate supporters in the league, but the product on the pitch could never deliver what the fans truly deserved. But 2014 was supposed to be different. Unfortunately, the year didn’t exactly pan out as planned with the club failing to make the play-offs again and Defoe desperate to get out…

WAYNE’S LAW Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has revealed the major role he played in his wife’s Wagatha Christie trial. The case dates back to 2019 after Coleen Rooney alleged Rebekah Vardy had leaked stories about her private life to the press. Vardy subsequently filed a libel lawsuit against Rooney and lost. The ex-DC United manager has now claimed he told Coleen’s barrister the questions that should be asked. He also revealed his interest in the law did not go away after the case as he applied to study the subject at university. JUST FOR KICKS Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard has explained why he was happy with receiving a three-match ban after infamously kicking a ball boy. The 33-year-old states that it afforded him the opportunity to spend valuable…

Pauline Peyraud-Magnin - March 17 France, Juventus Peyraud-Magnin is currently the indisputable first choice between the posts for her country. Her career, meanwhile, is more extraordinary than normal, becoming the most expensive goalkeeper in women’s football when she joined Juventus from Atlético Madrid in 202. Began playing soccer as a forward before stepping in to assist as a goalkeeper once. Always wears something green beneath her jersey as a homage to her superhero nickname: the Hulk. Ronaldinho - March 21 Brazil, PSG, Barcelona, AC Milan Ronaldinho is the only player ever to have won a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores and a Ballon d’Or.[4] Ronaldinho was renowned for his technical skills, creativity, dribbling ability and accuracy from free-kicks, his use of…

Pep Guardiola has the chance to make history this season by leading Manchester City to an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title. They have every chance of achieving it and are many people’s favourites, but they face strong competition from Arsenal and Liverpool. If they were to fall short, it would be the latest occasion where a team hasn’t quite managed to make that particular piece of history. Their rivals Manchester United are the club that has come closest to making it four in a row in recent years, failing in 2002 and 2010. On both occasions, it was London clubs that spoiled the Mancunian party - first Arsenal and then Chelsea. In the 2001-02 season, sparring partners Arsenal and Manchester United were joined by Liverpool and Newcastle United in…

A brief final sojourn at Boca Juniors excluded Daniele De Rossi from a place in the exclusive one player club, yet his status as a bona fide Roma legend is unequivocal with only the iconic Francesco Totti playing more games for the Giallorossi. The combative midfielder spent 18 seasons in the Italian capital and made a total of 616 appearances for his hometown club. De Rossi will rightly be remembered as one of greatest ever Roma players alongside incomparable forward Totti-who played a staggering 783 times in the yellow and red - and elegant playmaker Giuseppe Giannini. If success is strictly defined by trophies his Giallorossi career can seem misleadingly unfulfilled. Back-to-back Coppa Italia victories in 2007 and 2008, and a Supercoppa Italiana triumph in 2007, don’t tell the full…

OLD TRAFFORD DEBUT He had already turned out for Liverpool in the cup competitions, but Trent Alexander-Arnold was handed his first Premier League start at the so-called Theatre of Dreams in January 2017. It was a selection that surprised many, but he performed assuredly and showed glimpses of his talent in a 1-1 draw. A CREATIVE CORNER Liverpool pulled off the most phenomenal of comebacks to beat Barcelona in the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals, and Alexander-Arnold’s amazing piece of quick thinking led to the winner. With the Barca defence having switched off, he turned back and played an improvised corner kick to the waiting Divock Origi, who fired high into the net. The Reds went on to defeat Premier League rivals Tottenham in the final. PREMIER LEAGUE PRIZES Liverpool blew…

IS GARETH SOUTHGATE THE RIGHT MAN? The man who might eventually lead us all to footballing glory, and deliver us from the worst drought since the American Dust Bowl, is Gareth Southgate. Gareth is a nice guy, and is perceived by some in that typical English way, as having done a good job without ever winning anything. However there are many more who harbour the kind of suspicions about him that would normally be reserved for someone like Claude Anelka! As July approaches, Gareth has managed that rare feat of uniting the country on two fronts. Firstly he has managed to unite the country’s expectations that England can at last win this thing. HAS THE MANAGER LEARNT FROM PREVIOUS DEFEATS? Unfortunately he has also managed to unite the country into…

THE TEAMS REMAIN THE SAME For the first time since 2019, there were no new MLS teams added for the 2024 nor were there any teams that moved from city to another. While that may seem like that may hinder the growth of the game here in the United States one also has to remember that the league has added five teams since that time and that between 2010 and 2019 they had added ten teams. Expansion has grown the league in many positive ways but it appears that league is settling in with the teams that they have. Although San Diego will be joining in 2025, there doesn’t appear to be much more movement for new clubs entering the league. CUP HALF FULL While MLS does not have promotion/relegation…

When David Beckham announced he’d be using his right to buy an MLS franchise to bring a team to Miami, he made it clear right from the start that he had high hopes and big dreams for the club. “This is something that has been a dream for many, many years,” Beckham said back in 2018. “When I was awarded the team there was only one city for me and it was here. I was drawn to this city for the same reasons millions of people are - the diversity, the culture, the people, the weather, the beaches,” he said. Never could he have imagined though that within five years he’d have one of the greatest players of all time plying his trade for his franchise. Of course, Lionel Messi…

Ian Waterhouse Instagram HELLO DADDY Cedric Soares made his fourth Arsenal appearance of the season when he came on against Porto - prompting a heartwarming reaction from his daughter. Instagram WHEN IN ROME Neymar Jr. sports a traditional Saudi look as he remains sidelined with a ligament injury. Instagram HE’S BAAAACK … MAYBE Mesut Ozil has hinted at a return to football after posting a training video to Instagram where fans say he looks unrecognizable. Instagram LOVE IS IN THE AIR Aston Villa stars Douglas Luiz and Alisha Lehmann enjoying the evening on Valentine’s Day X (Twitter) HOME PIX Rio Ferdinand shares a photo with an Arsenal fan who clearly holds different views about Bukayo Saka compared to the ex-Manchester Untited star. Instagram BABY SHOWER Luke Shaw and girlfriend Anouska…