BERLIN - Talking points from the Bundesliga weekend.
DORTMUND WOES
Borussia Dortmund are in danger of missing the Champions League for the first time since the 2015-16 season after a 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt left them seven points off fourth place.
Christian Pulisic’s latest injury setback is frustrating. It’s frustrating for Chelsea fans who want to see him recapture the form he showcased throughout “Project Restart.” It’s frustrating for USMNT fans who simply want to see him play week in, week out. And it’s supremely frustrating for Pulisic, a 22-year-old with clear leadership qualities who’s sacrificed everything in the singular pursuit of playing for one of the world's biggest clubs.
Watching the Final Four on Friday night I was once again struck by how poor the referees have been during the women’s NCAA basketball tournament. From the first round when Texas A&M escaped an unprecedented defeat to a No. 15 seed over a missed back-court violation to UConn’s leading scorer fouling out in the semis on a call where she didn’t even make contact, the officiating in the tournament has not been good enough.
Año 1966. Todos nos acordamos de la comiquita “Harry Mc Cool” y su célebre frase "¿Qué dice Harry? ¿Qué dice?"
Taylor Twellman tried to take the high road in the Jozy Altidore-Twellman Twitter feud that spilled into Thursday, but Jozy didn’t want to hear it. Whether or not Twellman’s at fault here, Altidore does not deserve the hate coming his way on social media right now.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær went some way toward discarding his “Baby-face” misnomer on Monday with a savage dig at anyone that dares stray from mass conformity. Much like José Mourinho before him with his effusive praise of Scott McTominay’s “normal haircut,” Solskjær’s weird anecdote about dismissing a transfer target solely because of what they did with their hair shafts must have Paul Pogba raring to sign a contract extension at Old Trafford.
Lionel Messi is incomparable. Even the most ignorant of viewers — say a jury of 12 totally clueless individuals charged with determining the Man of the Match award — would undoubtedly be able to pinpoint his singularity of style and ability after watching 90 minutes. Still, the Argentine’s not without his copycats.
After all, the sincerest form of flattery is to grow a red beard, work your hair into a short quiff and purchase a $400 Dolce & Gabbana shirt that looks like an Ed Hardy design.
The dispute over dual nationality players escalated to a new magnitude before the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship as five players chose the USMNT over Mexico, although the Mexican federation was able to get Efraín Álvarez to play with Tata Martino's senior side.
On the surface, the rivalry between Sheffield United and West Ham United seems to be one of the most obvious derbies in English football; Sheffield is nicknamed the Blades because of the city's connection to the steel industry, while West Ham is known as the Hammers for its roots in the local ironworks of London.
But the rivalry between these two clubs extends beyond the metalworks and is centered around another important resource: money.
The hero of the Europa League has yet to reveal themselves. The villain, on the other hand, is well-known and must be defeated.
Slavia Prague needs an ass-kicking. The racist Slavia Prague issues are eye-opening and infuriating.
The Czech side defeated Rangers in the Round of 16 and is under investigation after one of the club’s players allegedly racially abused Glen Kamara.
Slavia defender Ondrej Kudela could be seen covering his mouth and saying something to Kamara. A scuffle ensued afterwards and Rangers players have said Kudela used racist language.