Goalkeepers hating new footballs is a tradition unlike any other, so prepare for an outpouring of grief come the start of the 2020-21 Premier League season as Nike debuts its new Flight ball.
According to the geezers inside the Nike Lab, the Flight ball utilizes four panel construction — as opposed to the traditional 12-panel ball — which helps create a 30% truer flight than its predecessor (the Merlin).
It’s been more than a month since European football returned to our TV screens following an eight-week absence because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Watching the beautiful game has been a pleasant distraction from the anxiety caused by a deadly disease and the pain of a fight for racial equality that has enveloped the country.
Controversy is the key ingredient for a well-seasoned, spicy football match. Flops, red cards and VAR are all ingredients for a debatable match. But the crème de la crème — as Thierry Henry’s hand would say — are controversial goals. Here are the top five most controversial goals ever scored.
While Aston Villa goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland may have stolen the headlines on Premier League reopening day for his blunder in net, his counterpart Dean Henderson once again shone in goal for Sheffield United. Henderson recorded his 11th clean sheet for the Blades, tying for the league lead.
This save to deny Villa striker Keinan Davis is Henderson at his finest:
When Andy Carroll resigned for Newcastle United on a free transfer last August, the local hero was handed a heavily incentivized contract that largely depended on the 31-year-old’s notoriously fickle bill of health.
Celta Vigo’s backup goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez is out for the season with knee ligament damage he suffered in May. Due to Alvarez being out for the season, the Spanish football authorities granted Celta permission to make an emergency signing of another player in LaLiga or a free agent.
With the No. 2 keeper injured, most people would expect the club to sign a player to take his place. Instead, Celta decided that the only way to avoid relegation — only two points separates the club from the relegation zone — is with the signing of its former striker Nolito from Sevilla.
Serie A has not even restarted following the coronavirus stoppage, yet pressure is already mounting on Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri following his side's failure to win the Coppa Italia.
Football fans will go to the most ridiculous lengths to support their teams. The supporters are a crucial aspect to “the beautiful game,” which is why playing in front of no fans is so odd. Polish side Slask Wroclaw thought it was playing without anyone watching, until one lone fan rose above the wall of the stadium. This super fan is No. 5 on this list of the most dedicated football fans.
Śląsk Wrocław - miłość na całe życie
And then there were three. On Monday, Brazil withdrew its candidacy to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, leaving Colombia, Japan and a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand as the remaining contenders before the final FIFA Council vote on June 25.
The LaLiga season resumes on June 11 and then — with 11 match weeks still to be played — goes off on a tear with games every day until July 17. This means that clubs will be playing matches every three to four days until the season’s over, and with players lacking match fitness, squad depth will be tested over the coming weeks with young players given a chance to shine.