European Super Football

The relationship between English football fans and international football can be mixed.  Some see it as a refreshing change, offering a chance to follow their national team and watch players from different clubs come together to represent their country.  Author - Liam C Others view it as an unwelcome interruption to what they care about most, causing frustration and even outright disdain. In many ways, it’s a love-hate relationship that has become a regular feature of the footballing calendar. More disruption Some fans of the big Premier League clubs might be annoyed that this current break is the 2nd one in an already-packed schedule. Some teams such as Nottingham Forest have started to build momentum. A break for these fans could feel like a real mood-killer. That same level of passion doesn’t always translate to the international stage, especially outside major tournaments.  Another major point of contention has been the risk of injuries. A couple of injuries at this stage of th

Despite a second defeat of the season, there is still plenty of optimism among Ipswich Town fans.  Ipswich took an early lead at the home of the reigning champions, with Sam Szmodics finding the net.  However, their advantage was quickly erased, and the match ultimately ended in a 4-1 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side. Reflecting on last week’s match against Liverpool, where the Reds scored twice in five minutes, the Ipswich manager emphasised the importance of learning to respond better when conceding a goal. He highlighted the need for similar lessons after today’s game, where City managed to score three goals in quick succession. Premier League: 2024/2025 season (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) They have strengthened their squad After the match, Ipswich announced the signing of Jack Clarke from Sunderland, marking their 10th acquisition in the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old winger, who started his career at Leeds United, has joined on a five-year contract. Clarke made a si

It's time for another big discussion. What's the point of the UEFA Nations League? Launched in 2018, this was UEFA’s bold attempt to revitalise international football in Europe.  Author - Sean M Picture of the Nations League logo uploaded by  Nazionale Calcio | Flickr With an aim to replace often tedious friendlies with competitive matches, the competition promised more meaningful games, chances for national glory, and an innovative league structure.  Opinions remain divided on whether the competition has truly improved international football. This big discussion article will examine strengths and weaknesses.  Strengths of the competition  Competitive games not friendlies One of the primary reasons for launching the Nations League was to eliminate the ‘friendly fatigue’ plaguing international football. Traditional friendlies often failed to engage fans, lacking the intensity and consequence that competitive fixtures provide. In contrast, the Nations League gives each game a t

This is the latest in our ' big discussion ' series of articles. Here, we will examine Porto's Champions League success in 2004 and ask whether a similar type of success can happen again. Mourinho celebrates in 2004. Photo from  mohamedkaka | Flickr Over the last twenty years, the Champions League has been dominated by a relatively small pool of teams from a limited number of countries. However, it wasn't always like this. Teams like Porto have a proud record in European competition, with their last Champions League victory in 2004. At that time, they were led by a man with a growing reputation. This was José Mourinho. How big an achievement was this in 2004? Porto has struggled to compete with the best in Europe in recent seasons. It is often anticipated that they may struggle to get out of the group stage on occasion. During the upcoming campaign, if you were betting on the Champions League, you would have seen that they were considered huge outsiders. Since Porto

After his stunning free-kick for Manchester United Legends against Celtic Legends, we thought we'd examine Wayne Rooney's most iconic goals for Manchester United. His time at Old Trafford was marked by spectacular goals that not only highlighted his skill but also often proved crucial in the team's success. Here, we will explore some of his best goals for the club, showcasing the diverse nature of his striking prowess. Post match Rooney back in 2008. Photo credit -  Gordon Flood | Flickr Stoke City (2017) A record-breaking goal. Goal number 250 arrived in front of the watching Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson who had brought him to Old Trafford 12-and-a-half years ago. It also gave United a point in a match that they probably deserved to lose.  Manchester City (2011)  He loved a goal against Manchester City. One of his most memorable strikes came in the 2011 Manchester derby. In this almost high-stakes match at Old Trafford, Rooney produced a stunning bicycle k

As the 22/23 season slowly concludes, we are delighted to launch our new series of articles. The Big Questions will explore some of the issues in the minds of fans as we approach what could prove to be a vital summer for many clubs.  This is the first article. Can Chelsea find a solution that gets the best out of their players? It's hard to believe they were seen by some as an outside bet for a title push at the start of the campaign. Since then, they have sacked two managers and had to reappoint Frank Lampard as Interim Manager until the end of the season. Let's explore what Chelsea fans are saying and how they believe they can improve next season. Frank Lampard told the Chelsea social media accounts: "It's important we understand the pride that's at stake when you play for Chelsea." 'It's important we understand the pride that's at stake when you play for Chelsea.' 💙 Frank looks ahead to #CheBre . 👊 pic.twitter.com/8XsnycogKl — Chelse

Does there need to be a change in tactics? Do they need a new manager? What's next for the Old Trafford club? Despite last season's FA Cup win, United fans views on the future of Ten Hag were split. After finishing eighth in the Premier League last season, many fans wondered if he was the right man to lead the club back to its former glories.  Some supporters also argued that his tactical approach was too rigid, and there was additional growing concerns about his ability to adapt to the demands of the English game.  Debate about Ten Hag's future again Once again, the Dutchman's position at the helm of one of football's giants has shifted from persistent uncertainty to genuine crisis following a 3-0 defeat against Tottenham. For United's hierarchy, the choice to stick with the ex-Ajax manager is proving to be one that may cast a shadow over the early phase of his reign at Old Trafford. But the question now is whether they should double down on their decision

Another great day for Brighton fans. Are they about to go the next level this season? Euphoria was certainly the word to describe the noise that greeted the final whistle, even though beating United has become almost routine for Brighton, with five victories in their last six meetings. Perhaps the excitement was due to starting the season with back-to-back wins, although Brighton achieved that last year as well. More likely, it’s because they’ve once again found a manager who can keep the club moving forward, reaching heights their fans could never have imagined two decades ago. There was an element of luck in Brighton's win, particularly when Joshua Zirkzee, on a wet pitch, couldn’t stop himself from sliding towards goal after failing to convert Bruno Fernandes' 72nd-minute cross. Unluckily, he didn’t cross the line before Alejandro Garnacho’s shot struck him, resulting in the goal being ruled out for offside. However, the seamless transition from Roberto de Zerbi to Hurze

VAR: What is it good for? Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has been a controversial addition to football matches since its introduction in the UK.  Those in favour of the technology believe that VAR has helped ensure fair play by reviewing crucial decisions like goals, penalties, and red card incidents. It was essentially brought in to reduce human error and increase the accuracy of refereeing decisions. However, critics often point out the disruptions caused by VAR reviews. They say this slows down the pace of the game and diminishes the spontaneity and emotional intensity of football. Many fans and players have expressed frustration with VAR's impact on the flow of matches and the subjective nature of some decisions. What is the debate focused on?  The debate has now been going on for four years. Back in 2020, then SkySports pundit Danny Murphy argued against it. The footage below is from the SkySports YouTube account. It has become an integral part of modern foo

Man United target a new midfielder Let's explore some of the options that they could sign to improve their squad before the transfer window closes.  Adrien Rabiot - Free agent Rabiot, 29, is a free agent after leaving Juventus. The France international is reportedly interested in a move to the Premier League. He almost joined the Red Devils last season before signing a new one-year deal. Liam, a Manchester United fan, told us: "This would be a great signing for us. On a free transfer, it would make complete sense. He has great experience and would be a fantastic partner for Mainoo in our midfield." Manchester United are currently aiming to reduce their wage bill, so you could argue that It makes no sense to revive their interest in Rabiot. However, on a free transfer, you could make the case for the transfer to give the club more experience in the midfield. Will United sign him this summer? United's hopes of securing Rabiot's signature for a second consecuti

Manchester City 2 - 1 Brentford Erling Haaland netted twice, bringing his Premier League tally to nine, as Manchester City overcame an early setback to secure a victory over Brentford and maintain their perfect start to the season. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa opened the scoring just 23 seconds in, heading into an empty net after a mix-up between John Stones and Ederson, who failed to clear Keane Lewis-Potter’s nod-back. City players and fans were shaken. However, Haaland quickly restored order, firing in a loose ball after Kevin de Bruyne was dispossessed inside the Brentford penalty area. The Norwegian striker then was in action again and bagged a second goal before half-time. He shrugged off Ethan Pinnock to reach Ederson’s long pass and slot the ball home. Fan reaction Macca, a Manchester Cit y fan, told us: "It was great to get the but there were some concerning signs throughout the match. Brentford caused our players a lot of problems. The atmosphere was also a bit rubbish.

 As we prepare for another summer of teams across England and beyond spending even more money, clubs will be looking to explore the occasional bargain. Will any of these players come from the EFL? This article will explore some of the players that clubs from across Europe might be looking at.  Sam Bell – Bristol City While Bristol City’s season was a bit up and down, Bell’s performances were highly impressive throughout. Numerous spells in non-league football helped Bell develop his game, and Bristol City’s patience in nurturing the young forward appears to be paying off. His versatility makes him an attractive option for clubs after an adaptable forward player, with Bell also occupying the left side of the pitch. Bristol City fans would be sad to see him leave to the Premier League but they will probably admit that he deserves a chance to play at that higher level.  Jaden Philogene – Hull City  Jaden Philogene hogged the limelight at Hull City and was in scintillating form for t

Manchester United 0 - 3 Tottenham Hotspur After a poor result against Arsenal, the pressure was starting to build on the Tottenham manager.  At Old Trafford, during this 3-0 victory, Tottenham looked like a completely different team.  These fans are die-hard Spurs supporters, and they were thrilled with both the result and the performance that went with it. After some difficult Premier League matches, this was a Spurs side full of confidence. The fans have since responded in an equally positive way. Greg, a Spurs fan living in Halifax, said: "We put in a fantastic performance. Manchester United were below par, and we took full advantage of that. Delighted with the 3-0 win, although it could have been even more emphatic. Timo Werner should have put away those one-on-one opportunities, and Dominic Solanke also missed a clear chance. Nevertheless, I'm pleased with the team's effort and superb result." Peter watched the match from the home stands Old Trafford. He said

England 1 - 2 Greece England's interim manager, Lee Carsley, saw his attacking gamble backfire spectacularly as they suffered a shock defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League at Wembley. Jude Bellingham appeared to have salvaged a point for England with an 87th-minute goal, following Vangelis Pavlidis' cool strike that had given Greece a well-earned lead just four minutes into the second half. However, Greece responded swiftly and deservedly snatched victory as Pavlidis struck again deep into stoppage time, capping off a humbling night for both England and Carsley. Click here for more UEFA Nations League news and stories The Big Discussion: What do you think of the international break?  A closer look at what happened With captain Harry Kane sidelined through injury, Carsley opted not to field a recognised striker, deploying Bellingham in a false nine role while supporting him with Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, and Cole Palmer. The outcome was a disjointed and

This article will explore some of the most exciting talents in the world at the moment.  Will any of them be on the move this summer? Warren Zaïre-Emery - PSG Warren Zaïre-Emery, a 17-year-old football player, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming a regular player at one of Europe's biggest clubs. The midfielder has already made more than 50 first-team appearances for the French champions and is also a part of France's senior squad. You wouldn't expect him to leave PSG just yet but many clubs from England and Spain will be paying close attention to his development. Eduardo Camavinga - Real Madrid Given the amount of games he's played, you would have forgotten that Camavinga is still relatively young. His knack for playing in several positions across the pitch must make him a dream player for Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.  Julian Rijkhoff - Ajax Ajax are renowned for producing technically gifted midfielders and wingers, but less well-known for creating genu

Kai Havertz benefits from Mikel Arteta’s evolving Arsenal side The German forward us leading the line for the Gunners and is now working well with Bukayo Saka. Let's explore the impact that he's having at the moment. As long as Bukayo Saka maintains his remarkable consistency, he’ll remain the standout star at Arsenal. The academy-grown winger notched his sixth and seventh assists of the season during the Gunners’ comeback victory against relegation-threatened Southampton on Saturday afternoon, also netting his second league goal of the campaign. Saka ranks among the Premier League’s top 10 players for shots, key passes and dribbles this season, showcasing the full extent of his attacking prowess. As Arsenal chase their first league title in over two decades, Saka is undoubtedly the main man. However, it would be wrong to say Arsenal are a one-man team. At 23, Saka is clearly Mikel Arteta’s crown jewel, but he is surrounded by other equally brilliant talents. Premier League

Another defeat for Manchester United where they had plenty of opportunities to win but couldn't get over the line. Their players must improve their game management in the season ahead. The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday in our first away match of the Premier League campaign after Seagulls striker Joao Pedro headed a 95th-minute winner. It was the sixth time since the 2022/23 season that Ten Hag's side have lost a league game from a goal scored in second-half stoppage time. They will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointment on the south coast when Arne Slot’s Liverpool visit Old Trafford on Sunday 1 September, What are they currently doing well at and how can they build on it? One of the most noticeable improvements in this team during the first two weeks of the Premier League season is their pressing game, both in its organisation and the intensity with which they apply it. Having Fernandes play as a false nine has been a key fa

Full Time: Leicester City 2 - 3 Tottenham Hotspur There was an astonishing end to the game at the King Power Stadium. Steven Bergwijn scored twice in injury time as Tottenham fought back from 2-1 down to snatch an incredible victory. See the winning goal in the video below. SPURS HAVE STOLEN IT! 😱 Two goals in two minutes as Steven Bergwijn comes up clutch for Tottenham! 😤 He hadn’t scored a Premier League goal all season before tonight... pic.twitter.com/ncrFoKLQPZ — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 19, 2022 Keep reading to see if some of the pre match discussion proved to be correct. Alongside that, there is social media posts from Leicester and Spurs. This is the place for all the social media posts as Leicester City host Tottenham in the Premier League Before the match, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte told BT Sport: "We have recovered Sergio Reguilon and Steven Bergwijn, he has been training but is not 100% to start the game so now he is available to come

 Crawley Town 2 - 0 Crewe Alexandra Crawley Town secured promotion to League One after a nine-year absence by defeating Crewe Alexandra 2-0 at Wembley. Despite being predicted by many to face relegation at the start of the season, Crawley defied expectations.  Their victory in the League Two play-off final  on Sunday means they will compete in the third tier for only the second time in their history, the first since 2015. Goals from Danilo Orsi and Liam  Kelly,  scored late in each half, were enough to secure the win in the sweltering London heat during  Crawley's  first-ever visit to Wembley in their 128-year history. "Relegation? Not a chance - Crawley Town are a REVELATION" 🎇 The Reds are a League One club again ❤ pic.twitter.com/9Q2v1B1Osv — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 19, 2024 The first half was largely uneventful until a brilliant move in the closing stages allowed Crawley to open the scoring. Orsi capitalized on some excellent combination play

The recent news that the Glazer family are selling Manchester United has created a lot of rehashed discussion, enhancing a lot of debates created back when the American family first bought the club.  Twitter user @Heathen1878 explores this and the current state of affairs regarding Manchester United. Warning and disclaimer - The views here are of the writer, not us. He's more than happy to discuss points made on his Twitter.  It was around September 2021 when I arrived back in Manchester for the first time since March 2020. I landed on the morning of Man United's Premier League game against Newcastle. It was also Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the club. I stopped going to Old Trafford in 2005 and have only been back once. I stopped going due to the Glazer takeover and general sadness with the way modern football is going.  It was at this point that I really realised how much United's support had changed over recent times and also wondered what this might mean for t