Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Lars Ricken's lob against Juventus



The 1997 UEFA Champions League final took place on May 28, 1997, at the Olympiastadion in Munich. 

Borussia Dortmund faced Juventus and emerged victorious with a 3-1 win. 

Dortmund took the lead in the 29th minute with a goal by Karl-Heinz Riedle, who then scored a second goal five minutes later. 

Juventus managed to pull one back through Alessandro Del Piero in the 65th minute. However, Dortmund sealed their victory with a memorable long-range chip from super substitute Lars Ricken, just 16 seconds after he came onto the pitch, making it 3-1​ 

This victory marked Borussia Dortmund's first and only Champions League title to date. 

The team was managed by Ottmar Hitzfeld, while Juventus was led by Marcello Lippi.

 Despite efforts from key Juventus players like Zinedine Zidane, they couldn't overcome the organized Dortmund defense and effective counter-attacks​


Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli "I Gemelli del Gol"

Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli "I Gemelli del Gol" cartoon


Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli were known as "I Gemelli del Gol" (The Goal Twins) at Sampdoria in the late 1980s and early 1990s. 

Their legendary partnership helped Sampdoria win the Serie A title in 1990-1991 and reach the European Cup final in 1992. 

Mancini, an attacking midfielder, and Vialli, a striker, formed one of the most iconic attacking duos in Italian football history.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Saturday, May 18, 2024

The Fall of Italian football


Italy's 2006 World Cup victory marked the end of its footballing dominance, as the Calciopoli scandal that same year led to Juventus's demotion and weakened Serie A financially and competitively. Despite AC Milan and Inter's Champions League wins in 2007 and 2010, Serie A has since struggled in European competitions, losing top talent to the wealthier English Premier League. Infrastructure issues and outdated tactics have further hindered progress, along with a decline in youth development. Resistance to modernization persists, and while Italy won Euro 2020, it has performed poorly in World Cups, failing to qualify in 2018 and 2022, highlighting a significant fall from grace.

Benoit Saint Denis


Sunday, May 12, 2024

Monday, May 6, 2024

César Luis Menotti

César Luis Menotti cartoon caricature

César Luis Menotti
(1938-2024)

César Luis Menotti was a renowned Argentine football player and manager. He led Argentina to victory in the 1978 FIFA World Cup and is known for his innovative coaching methods and tactical philosophy.