It’s June 2004, and England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has just confirmed his squad for EURO 2004 in Portugal. The 23-man team is highlighted by 18-year-old Everton sensation Wayne Rooney. Aston Villa forward Darius Vassell, although an injury doubt, has been named in the squad at the expense of 21-year-old Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.
Sevilla had an opportunity to advance to the quarter-finals of Champions League for the first time ever on Tuesday. Unfortunately, they became a victim of themselves, as wasted chances had them bow out of the knock-out stage via an inferior Leicester squad.
It could be argued that this was Jose Mourinho’s masterplan all along against Rostov at Old Trafford, to sit back, control possession against an ultra-defensive setup and just let Zlatan Ibrahimovic do his thing.
It worked, and no one will remember this game tomorrow. Manchester United are through to the quarterfinals of the Europa League thanks to a beautiful assist from Ibrahimovic. United required a phenomenal save from Sergio Romero at the death to avoid extra time, and everything else made you want to be crushed by the skull of Marouane Fellaini.
22-year-old Joshua Kimmich is becoming frustrated by his lack of playing time at Bayern Munich under head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
After getting plenty of opportunities under Pep Guardiola, who is now the head coach of Manchester City, Kimmich has been limited to 10 Bundesliga starts this season.
Robert Lewandowski should be considered one of the best players in the world. He should be alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Polish striker has been a dominant force in the Bundesliga for seven years now, and it seems like his performances are only recognized by a very narrow segment of football fans. He does not receive the same sort of recognition that Messi and Ronaldo do on a global scale.
The legacy of George Best will forever be a collection of astonishing brilliance and deep sorrow. As one part of the United Trinity at Manchester United, Best dazzled in the red No. 7 shirt.
In eleven remarkable years with the club, Best scored 181 goals, won the First Division twice and, most famously, lifted the 1968 European Cup.
Legendary Italian women’s international Patrizia Panico is set to make history as the first woman to coach an Italian men's national team. Panico will take charge of two friendlies for Italy’s under-16 side against Germany.
The second leg of Monaco vs. Manchester City promised lunacy. After a 5-3 Manchester City won in the first leg, two exciting offenses backed by trash defenses faced off in Monaco, with the hosts moving on to the Champions League quarterfinals after a 3-1 win.
Monaco's defense proved to be the less trash defense and also Manchester City were lackadaisical in the first half and they couldn't finish to save their lives in the second.
Given that Radamel Falcao was missing and Manchester City still gave up three goals, I'd say they pretty much got what they deserved.
Atletico Madrid have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the fourth consecutive season, and for the fourth consecutive season, they look like legitimate contenders for Europe’s greatest club prize.
They have no reason to fear their potential opponents. They’re, of course, well-versed in the battles between themselves, Real Madrid and Barcelona. They finished above Bayern Munich in this season’s group stage (and beat them in the semifinals last year), and the same can be said with regards to Juventus two years ago.
Manchester City's aggregate lead over Monaco lasted less than 35 minutes. Fabinho's finish has the Citizens on the ropes.
Monaco have wiped out City's two-goal cushion in the first 30 minutes. Buckle up everyone. #UCL https://t.co/oUTS2Xb3Aj
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 15, 2017