Author: Joe Soriano

Ange Postecoglou had a true leader’s response to the age-old ‘Spursy’ insult of Tottenham
1Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Premier League

Ange Postecoglou had a true leader’s response to the age-old ‘Spursy’ insult of Tottenham

Tottenham are consistently European contenders in the Premier League, and, in fact, the 2023/24 season was the first time since 2010 that Spurs didn't qualify for any sort of European contention. Despite being a quality side that has contended for Champions League and Premier League titles, Tottenham struggle to actually win the big one, which new manager Ange Postecoglou is hoping to change after taking over from two failed big-name managers in Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. So far, the early returns have been strong, with Postecoglou nearly getting Tottenham back to the Champions League last season despite not having Harry Kane and playing in a more competitive league with the breakout of Aston Villa as an elite side. The main shot taken at Tottenham is that they can't make it...
Read More
Top 10 Best RB Leipzig Players of All Time: Club Legends and Rising Stars
1Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Bundesliga

Top 10 Best RB Leipzig Players of All Time: Club Legends and Rising Stars

RB Leipzig's rapid ascent from the lower leagues to competing with Europe’s elite is nothing short of remarkable, and it’s a story shaped by extraordinary players whose impact continues to resonate. The club's journey has been marked by fierce ambition, precision scouting, and a roster of individuals who have not only met but raised the standards of German football. This list of the 10 best players in RB Leipzig’s history isn't just a tribute to individual talent—it’s a testament to the strategic and athletic evolution of the club itself. Whenever they lost a star player, they had a handful maintaining the ideals and overall structure of the club with one or two additional true breakout stars ready to rise the occasion in the case of a departing attacking standout. From the rel...
Read More
Tottenham get great Son Heung-min injury news before Aston Villa clash
1Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Premier League

Tottenham get great Son Heung-min injury news before Aston Villa clash

Tottenham will face Aston Villa on Sunday in the Premier League in a battle that will be pivotal for a top four spot when the end of the campaign comes around, given both of these top sides competed for a Champions League place last season (and a Conference League spot the prior year). Aston Villa are flying high and are the favorites on Sunday, but Tottenham have star power of their own and have shown that they can beat anyone in the league, recently coming off an upset of Manchester City in the League Cup. It gets better for Tottenham, too, as superstar forward Son Heung-min, the team's best player, now looks ready to get back into the Spurs' starting lineup this weekend. Ange Postecoglou told reporters on Friday ahead of the all-important Premier League clash that his prolific ...
Read More
Eddie Howe offers cryptic Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon injury news before Arsenal match
1Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Premier League

Eddie Howe offers cryptic Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon injury news before Arsenal match

After taking down Chelsea in the League Cup at mid-week to bounce back from a loss to the Blues in the Premier League last weekend, Newcastle have an even tougher London matchup on Saturday afternoon against Arsenal. The Gunners are one of the title favorites again this season, buoyed by Rodri's injury for Manchester City, while Newcastle are a class behind them and in a real fight to qualify for the Champions League again. Despite making it to the Champions League after a statement of a 2022/23 campaign, Newcastle failed to qualify for Europe entirely last season, taking a step back. This season, Newcastle have looked outside the bubble after a poor summer transfer window, falling behind clubs that did make significant improvements, such as Chelsea. Newcastle will be out to st...
Read More
Aston Villa are protecting their new breakout star from a future transfer
1Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Premier League

Aston Villa are protecting their new breakout star from a future transfer

Aston Villa have become THE team to watch in the Premier League since Unai Emery took over, as the Spanish manager first took the Lions to the Conference League and then upgraded them further to the Champions League this season. Now, Emery and Aston Villa hope to stay as a top-four team in England, and with their start to the 2024/25 Premier League and Champions League seasons, there is every reason to believe that the project is here to stay. Aston Villa made a couple of big transfers this past summer to strengthen their squad further, with the most notable being top-class midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton. Their biggest new contributors, though, are breakout stars Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers. And while Duran has been getting the most attention for his prolific goal-scoring o...
Read More
Unai Emery works harder than your favorite team’s manager
1Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Premier League

Unai Emery works harder than your favorite team’s manager

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has accomplished so much in a short time at the Premier League's fastest-rising club that you almost wonder why he hasn't been getting more "best manager in the world" shouts alongside the likes of Hansi Flick, Pep Guardiola, and Carlo Ancelotti. Obviously, Emery doesn't have the Champions League pedigree of those three managers and isn't flying as high as Flick at Barcelona this season, but his Lions are headed for another top four finish in the Premier League after their once improbable UCL qualification last season. Emery has taken Aston Villa from the middle of the pack to the elite in England, and the serial Europa League winner in Spanish football has become a much better league manager in his second stint in the Premiership. So much of Emery's...
Read More
5 Reasons Why Jude Bellingham Is More Underrated Than You Think
31Oct By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

5 Reasons Why Jude Bellingham Is More Underrated Than You Think

In the world of football, it’s easy to get swept up by the newest hype or crown the latest wunderkind as the “next big thing.” Jude Bellingham, however, is different. Clearly this isn’t some fleeting, flash-in-the-pan talent, but even the wide recognition of his abilities has overlooked the extent of his quality. At just 20, Bellingham has already shown maturity and skill that rivals some of the game's seasoned veterans, making waves at Borussia Dortmund as Bundesliga Player of the Season, and now dazzling for Real Madrid. But even with the growing applause, there’s a sense that the football world has yet to fully grasp the depth of Bellingham’s abilities. Bellingham’s versatility, football IQ, and leadership—qualities rare even among top players—often get buried beneath the surface-...
Read More
The Transformation of Raphinha: Hansi Flick’s Impact on Barcelona’s Star Winger
30Oct By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

The Transformation of Raphinha: Hansi Flick’s Impact on Barcelona’s Star Winger

Under Hansi Flick's direction in 2024, Barcelona winger Raphinha has evolved into a far more complete and adaptable player, breaking through the earlier limitations that characterized his performances. Flick, who came in as a tactician reputed for his sharp emphasis on high pressing, efficient transitions, and empowering wingers like Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane at Bayern Munich, has unlocked a higher level of potential in Raphinha that makes him indispensable to Barça's attacking setup. Raphinha’s game now embodies an intelligent blend of technical sharpness, work rate, and versatility that has won over fans and critics alike. Not only that, but you can strongly argue that he's been the best player in La Liga this season and a legitimate Ballon d'Or contender alongside Harry Kane and...
Read More
The case for Vinícius Júnior as the true 2024 Ballon d’Or winner
29Oct By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

The case for Vinícius Júnior as the true 2024 Ballon d’Or winner

The 2024 Ballon d'Or debate brought forth several compelling candidates, each with an undeniable impact on club and international football. Yet, when the dust settled, Manchester City’s Rodri ultimately took home the trophy, while Vinícius Júnior was left in his shadow. Although the result was leaked before the announcement, it still took many by surprise, with fans even chanting for Vini Jr. before the award was revealed to be going for Rodri. What also puzzled many fans was how Vini Jr. carried so much of the momentum to win the Ballon d'Or, looking like a shoe-in to win, before Rodri was suddenly named as the favorite on the day of, with Spanish sources even leaking of UEFA retaliating against Real Madrid for their past Super League involvement. It was a victory for Rodri, but ...
Read More
LaLiga manager takes brutal shot at Real Madrid’s tactics in comparison to Barcelona’s
31Aug By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

LaLiga manager takes brutal shot at Real Madrid’s tactics in comparison to Barcelona’s

Although Real Madrid tore Real Valladolid apart in the second half of a 3-0 win, it took them some time to get going. Furthermore, it has been Real's only win to this point in the LaLiga season after three games. The new-look attack with blockbuster signing Kylian Mbappe has looked worse than last year's iteration, with Mbappe cutting a frustrated - and often selfish - figure up top, failing to connect with his more successful teammates, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior. Real Madrid drew 1-1 to both Mallorca and Las Palmas, and with Barcelona putting together a commanding 7-0 display against Real Valladolid reminiscent of LaLiga of 10 years ago, the Blaugrana suddenly look like the stronger side. After Barcelona decimated Valladolid in a vintage Hansi Flick coaching display, Real ...
Read More