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Maybe Bayern Should Retool
Stop me if you’ve heard this before… Bayern Munich is an old team that needs to refresh and reload its aging core. Last night’s 2-2 draw against two-time, and let’s face it, huge favorite for the Champions League again, champion Real Madrid didn’t particularly expose this issue too much (save for showing just how slow…
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Barcelona’s Summer of Discontent
Barcelona’s summer transfer window has been less than ideal, to say the least. Before last season even ended, even the casual observer knew that Barca needed a right back, midfield options, and maybe some defensive cover. The Blaugrana also needed to unload a lot of dead weight. Now, if the casual observer knew this in May,…
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Costa Is Bayern’s Engine
When Douglas Costa signed for Bayern Munich for €30 million this summer from Ukrainian champions, Shaktar Donetsk, many people questioned the deal including his former manager Mircea Lucescu. Speaking to German newspaper, Bild, he remarked, “I think Costa is not yet strong enough for Bayern. Ribéry and Robben are a different caliber.” In 2013 when Munich won…
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The Gabonese Gas Pedal
It’s not a tragedy, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a long, two-part uphill battle to show he’s one of the best strikers in the world. First, the fact is Aubameyang is a very fast African player. His athletic greatness is something many of the world’s sports marvel at and demand more of. Yet there’s always been a snobby…
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REPORT: Kevin de Bruyne to Join Manchester City
It looks like this is finally happening. Bild, one of the more reliable papers in Europe, is reporting this afternoon that Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin de Bruyne will, at long last, return to the Premier League as a member of Manchester City. The 24-year-old Belgian has agreed terms on a massive six-year deal that will pay him €20…
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I’m All In On The Bundesliga
When I became a soccer fan I remember having to hunt down grainy, laggy streams to watch my beloved Arsenal. For the past three seasons NBC Sports has held the Premier League rights and made it easy to watch HD quality football for the American audience. I didn’t watch many other leagues because I had…
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Bundesliga Preview Part 1: The Return of the Black and Yellow
The first major storyline in the Bundesliga is probably what to make of Borussia Dortmund? There was supposed to be a huge exodus from the club after a disappointing season that started at a snail’s pace just for a heroic effort to salvage a Europa League spot. And while Jurgen Klopp looked like the first…
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RIP to the RIP 10’s Movement
At the turn of the century, 10’s were the most important players on a football pitch for almost every big club in the world. Zidane (who did spend a fair share of time deeper in the midfield), Deco, Kaka, Rui Costa, Sneijder, Rivaldo: there was a cavalcade of world class players, and they were some…
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Bundesliga Roundup: Week 9
Hannover 96 1 – Borussia Dortmund 0: Since facing Arsenal, Borussia have yet to win a game in the Bundesliga, and last year’s second place team now find themselves in 15th place, two points away from relegation as they lost 1-0 to Hannover last weekend. Manager Jurgen Klopp has voiced concerns about the style of football…