AP Photo
As he walked toward the locker room last Wednesday, a wry smile broke across Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho's face. Real Madrid had just drawn 1-1 at home with Manchester United in the Champions League's Round of 16—and you wondered if Mourinho knew something the rest of us didn't.
Conventional wisdom would suggest that United now has the upper hand. United plays the two-legged affair's next 90 minutes—and possibly 30 minutes of extra time and penalty kicks—in front of its own fans. And in soccer, as in most team sports, playing at home offers a distinct advantage. Across Europe's top five leagues, the home team tends to win between 45% and 50% of its games, while the visitors only leave with a win about 25% of the...
When an assistant referee fails to spot a ball crossing the line, supporters react with anger or amusement but few genuinely think the man with the flag is actually on the take. One of the many selling points of the Premier... more »
Home fires may burn brightly for Ferguson’s side, casting a warm glow on a 12-point lead in the Premier League, but this is Europe, this is a class apart, a challenge to be confronted. This is a game that defines seasons. On a... more »
The true face of Zenit St Petersburg, concealed from me for a week, walked in on his tiptoes and hidden under a hoodie. A 23-year-old, out-of-work car mechanic with ‘34’ tattooed on his arm — the shirt number worn by... more »
In the age of wall-to-wall soccer coverage, goal celebrations have become their own branch of performance art—a few moments in the spotlight to make a statement, soak in the cheers, and massage the ego. Think Peter... more »
Email
Print
Share