The 2010-11 footballing season will be fondly remembered as one of Manchester United’s most memorable seasons as they romped their way to a record-breaking 19^th league title. The Red Devils reached the UEFA Champions League Final too and although they suffered heartbreak at the hands of Barcelona, the club will fondly remember the season as the one where they finally knocked Liverpool “off their perch”. England’s greatest club marvelled. The same season was one to forget for Juventus. The Bianconeri laboured their way to finish a mediocre seventh, repeating their final position from the previous season. Their struggles were laid bare when they couldn’t even progress from a Europa League group containing Lech Poznan, a Polish team that would finish fifth in their respective league that same season. Italy’s greatest club suffered. The reason for bringing up the 2010-11 season is to highlight how drastically fortunes have changed for both clubs since then. When Manchester United takes on Juventus in their upcoming UEFA Champions’ League Group H clash, the football fraternity will expect a spectacle between England’s most successful versus Italy’s most successful. They will meet at the Theatre of Dreams with a rampant Juventus strongly backed to continue their best start to a season. United, on the other hand, will be desperate to end their woes. It will be difficult though, as Juventus are playing with a swagger that makes them the team to beat. In truth, they have been like that for the most part of the previous seven seasons. Ever since that fateful 2010-11 season, Juventus have been perfect in the league, winning the Serie A in all seven seasons – an Italian record for consecutive wins. During this time, they also tasted victory in four Coppa Italias and were runners-up in the Champions League twice. This season, Juventus are on their best start ever (10 wins out of 11) and have a squad containing world class athletes such as Miralem Pjanic, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonnuci, Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and five time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. They have been so good that even Romelu Lukaku wants to join them! Cometh Tuesday, the players wearing the famous black and white stripes will be raring to go. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Juventus FC celebrate the goal of Paulo Dybala of Juventus FC during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Juventus FC and Young Boys at the Allianz Arena on October 02, 2018 in Turin, Italy. Photo: Getty[/caption] On the other hand, United have had an abysmal past few seasons. Ever since the 2011 league win, their season-end standings are: second, first, seventh, fourth, fifth, sixth and second respectively. During this period, they have only amassed three domestic trophies and their Champions League record, where their highest progression was till the quarter-final stage, has been dismal. The departure of the colossal Sir Alex Ferguson has definitely played its part. They have struggled repeatedly and disenchantment has only continued. Additionally, this season has proven to be very challenging for United manager Jose Mourinho. Approaching the Juventus match, United are currently a mediocre 10^th in the league and there have been ominous signs that chronicle United’s doom and gloom this season. Failure to sign a new centre-half in the summer transfer window was only the beginning. There have been huge breakdowns in the manager’s relationships with superstars Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. Even their highest earner Alexis Sanchez is struggling to score. The team has also been repeatedly criticised by club legends such as Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Gary Neville and this has inserted severe negativity within the club’s fan base. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid attempts to get away from Paul Pogba of Manchester United and Marcus Rashford of Manchester United during the UEFA Super Cup final between Real Madrid and Manchester United at the Philip II Arena on August 8, 2017 in Skopje, Macedonia. Photo: Getty[/caption] Mourinho will be desperate to find a way to improve the mood. He was a minute away from doing that against Chelsea but a last-gasp equaliser by Ross Barkley took them back to square one. He needs a positive result against Juventus. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ross Barkley of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. Photo: Getty[/caption] The head-to-head between both sides is equal at five wins each and two draws with each scoring exactly 15 goals. The last time these two locked horns was in the 2003 Champions League where United won both group stage fixtures. On the face of it, it’s too soon to talk about how a result for either club will impact their chances of winning the trophy. The significance of whatever happens, however, cannot be underestimated. A Juventus win will put considerable distance between them and the rest of the group, giving them the much-needed breathing space. Meanwhile, a win for United will see them go to the top and give them an almighty mental boost for the remaining matches. Although a draw won’t really help either side’s cause, United will arguably be happier with one. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Juventus FC celebrate the goal of Paulo Dybala of Juventus FC during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Juventus FC and Young Boys at the Allianz Arena on October 02, 2018 in Turin, Italy. Photo: Getty[/caption] That is because Juventus, for the large part, look unstoppable. A big reason for that has been the fantastic Ronaldo. Despite being confronted by sexual assault allegations, the current Ballon D’Or holder has scored a respectable five goals in 10 appearances this season. It may not be up to his usual astonishing standards but he is slowly getting there. While Juventus are enjoying their best start to a season, his previous club Real Madrid are having their worst start under owner Florentino Perez. Undoubtedly, the deciding factor to this has been Ronaldo. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus in action during the Serie A match between Juventus and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Turin, Italy. Photo: Getty[/caption] Having said that, it will be very interesting to see how Ronaldo fares on his return to Manchester United, a team for whom he found the net 118 times. He scored thrice the last time he came up against David De Gea in a career-defining performance for Portugal. He will be hoping for more of the same on Tuesday. So can United somehow stop Ronaldo and clinch a famous win? Well, of course they can! Manchester United can never be written off. The likes of Pogba, Lukaku, Martial and Rashford are more than capable of turning a game on its head. With De Gea in goal, they are also protected by one of the world’s finest goalkeepers. And in Mourinho, they possess a manager who has the tactical nous to mastermind a big result. The Old Trafford faithful will be firmly behind them and I’m sure that the players will be up for it too. Moreover, United can take hope from Genoa’s superhuman efforts this past Saturday when they successfully stopped the Juventus winning machine with a 1-1 draw. A win is very possible. Fifty-four league titles, four Champions Leagues and 30 domestic cups have been won between them. They both have a combined worth of $5.6 billion. Modern day cult heroes such as Ronaldo, Pogba and Patrice Evra have donned the attire of both teams. It’s England versus Italy. The much anticipated encounter is almost here. Let’s hope it isn’t a dull affair.

Looking for a match that won’t bore the living daylights out of you? Fancy some enterprising and expansive football? Is an obstinately boisterous crowd support your cup of tea? Then El Clasico is for you. Fair to say that whenever arch rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona share the same pitch, the stakes are incredibly high and losing is just not an option. Real Madrid are in a rut By the time the referee blew the final whistle at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Real Madrid’s last home fixture against Levante, the home side’s poor run of form in La Liga alone had stretched to three defeats and one draw in four matches, having just managed a solitary goal and shipping six in return. It never rains but it pours, huh? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Jose Luis Morales of Levante celebrates with team mates after scoring his sides first goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Levante UD at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 20, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Getty[/caption] Real Madrid are in a rut but it would be unfair to say that all of it is down to head coach Julen Lopetegui’s tactics. It isn’t Lopetegui’s fault that injuries came at precisely the wrong moment and to players who are pivotal to his tactical scheme. Marcelo Vieira and Dani Carvajal’s absence reduced width and unpredictability in attack and Isco’s creative spark was missing. It isn’t Lopetegui’s fault that he has a tiring Luka Modric in his side, who still seems to be struggling after an intense World Cup campaign with Croatia. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group G football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Viktoria Plzen at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 23, 2018. Photo: AFP[/caption] It isn’t Lopetegui’s fault that Real Madrid’s top brass was more keen on building a retractable roof at the Bernabeu worth €575 million (imagine what that sort of money could buy you in the transfer market) rather than finding an adequate replacement for Real Madrid’s greatest player ever, Cristiano Ronaldo. Not replacing Ronaldo with a big name signing was a copious miscalculation. Real Madrid flirted with Kylian Mbappe, winked at Neymar, spurred Harry Kane and already have a massively talented fanboy in Eden Hazard, but nothing materialised. An unexceptional Mariano Diaz, struggling Karim Benzema and an injury-prone Gareth Bale never should have been the solution. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema during the match between Athletic Club against Real Madrid at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain on September 15, 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption] Interestingly, if expected points are taken into account in La Liga this season so far, Real Madrid would have been on top of the table. While you may argue that it’s the results that matter but having said that, it gives a fair reflection of the fact that all is not wrong at Real Madrid. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: UnderStat[/caption] Where has Lopetegui faltered? But Lopetegui needs to take the blame for certain things as well. The philosophy behind his on-field tactics is an admirable one but there are chinks in his armour. His rat-a-tat passing style has garnered lots of possession and created loads of chances, but the below par finishing from forwards and lack of defined attacking patterns for the sake of fluidity is not helping his cause. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Julen Lopetegui Manager of Real Madrid reacts during the Group G match of the UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and Viktoria Plzen at Bernabeu on October 23, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Getty[/caption] Against teams who sit back and defend, Lopetegui has generally been found wanting with his predictable offensive tactics as his side fails to break down the low blocks, which is particularly worrying as this is a recurring theme adopted by sides playing against Real Madrid. The lack of playing time for young starlets such as Vinicius Junior and over reliance on underfiring Benzema is questionable. Also, there is a degree of reluctance towards shifting to a different line of attack – try Isco, Marco Asensio as false nine, maybe? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF (R) being followed by Victor Laguardia of Deportivo Alaves (L) during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 6, 2018 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. Photo: Getty[/caption] Additionally, the defensive miscues which were obvious during the pre-season have grown to become a consistent problem thus far. The team is susceptible to counter attacks due to lack of cohesive pressing and counter-pressing at times, while some of them have been down to individual errors, like those made by Raphael Varane against Levante. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] (FromL) Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Isco, Levante's Spanish defender Sergio Postigo and Real Madrid's French defender Raphael Varane jump for the ball during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF against Levante UD at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 20, 2018. Photo: AFP[/caption] Let’s jump to the other side of the picture A few weeks back, Lionel Messi after Barcelona’s draw against Athletic at Camp Nou said:

“This is Barca. We have enough players to not depend on one.”

Benjani Mwaruwari’s debut goal at the 50^th Munich air disaster anniversary derby game, Cristiano Ronaldo’s bizarre handball that led to a red card, Joe Hart’s memorable dash across the pitch to save Wayne Rooney’s 50-yarder, Michael Owen’s late winner, Rooney’s career-defining bicycle winner, City handing out a 6-1 thrashing, the “why always me” reveal courtesy of the enigmatic Mario Balotelli, Robin Van Persie’s stoppage time steal, Rio Ferdinand being hit by a coin, Marcus Rashford’s big moment, Marouane Fellaini’s head-butt, and Paul Pogba delaying City’s title party, are just some of the many memories I have on the thrilling Manchester derby fixture. It is a fixture like no other. In recent seasons, the rivalry has particularly shone and much of that is down to the astonishing transformation of Manchester City. In each of the five previous seasons, they have finished above ailing noisy neighbours United and cometh Sunday, they will show just how. Here are seven reasons why I am rooting for City to defeat United: 1. The attack Here’s an interesting fact doing the rounds on the Internet: ever since United last scored five goals in a game (West Bromwich 5-5 Manchester United in 2013), City have done it an extraordinary 21 times. They have already scored a whopping 33 league goals, the highest so far this season. In particular, they look more dangerous at the Etihad where they have found the net a staggering 24 times already, which includes 17 against the unfortunate trio of Huddersfield, Burnley and Southampton. They even managed to put six past Shahktar Donetsk in the midweek Champions League fixture. https://twitter.com/oilysailor/status/1059204216676343808 Eleven different players have contributed to their grand league goals total and while there are great players in every position in this City side, there is one player who contributes more than most, which brings us directly to our next point. 2. Sergio “Aguerooooooooooooooo” The prolific striker, nicknamed Kun, has gone from strength to strength this season. He scored his 150^th Premier League goal in last week’s demolition of Southampton, a feat which enables him to join the illustrious 150-plus club which also contains legends such as Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard and Rooney. He has scored around 58 % of his goals at the Etihad making it a ground he loves playing at. Having scored an impressive eight times in the 11 past appearances against United, the question is not whether Kun will score this Sunday but rather how many will he get. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Sergio Aguero of Manchester City shoots on goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on April 27, 2017 in Manchester, England. Photo: Getty[/caption] 3. The defence Much of the attention has been diverted towards the attack due to the sheer numbers. However, it must be noted that City also has the best defensive record this season having conceded only four goals, which is the lowest and a stark contrast to the 18 goals United have already conceded. This follow ups from last season where City again conceded the least amount of goals. When former Argentinian veteran Roberto Ayala suggested that Pep Guardiola’s setup damaged the art of defending, alarm bells rang. Ayala has been proven wrong and it seems that in John Stones and Aymeric Laporte, Guardiola has finally found a world class partnership which will take City to greater heights. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Laurent Depoitre of Huddersfield Town battles with John Stones of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Photo: Getty[/caption] 4. An unlikely lucky charm When City forked out an incredible £57 million for French defender  Laporte, eyebrows were raised to where he would fit in a team which already had Vincent Kompany, Stones and Nicolás Otamendi within their ranks. Laporte, to his credit, has been invincible. He has made 19 appearances for City and not once has he tasted defeat, 17 wins and two draws. He is already the player with the longest unbeaten streak in Premier League history and he will be looking to continue that against United, assuming he starts. The omens look good for City. https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1059038822086963200 5. Unpredictable United United’s struggles have been well-documented this season. They seemed to have turned the corner around after inflicting a first defeat this season on Juventus. Having said that, they are still labouring on a few counts. Their £75 million star forward Romelu Lukaku has come under fire for his struggles in front of goals (no goals in his previous nine club appearances) while their defence, which has conceded 18 times in the Premier League, has not been spared either. They have staggeringly only managed to keep one clean sheet this season, despite having arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] David De Gea of Manchester United looks dejected following Manchester City's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Manchester, England. Photo: Getty[/caption] Having alarmingly conceded first in six of their previous eight games, United seem to have developed a knack for starting badly. They cannot afford to do this on Sunday or else City will run riot. 6. Recent history is on their side Ever since their first meeting in 1891, City and United have played each other 176 times, with United leading the head-to-head with 73 wins. Despite this, it’s a different story after the transformation of City. It is worth noting that before the crucial Abu Dhabi takeover, City were bought by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, just a year earlier who did manage to, by some extent, improve City’s standing. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Vincent Kompany of Manchester City celebrates scoring his side's first goal whilst Chris Smalling of Manchester United looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Manchester, England. Photo: Getty[/caption] The head-to-head record in the League post City takeovers stands as City 10-9 United which includes landmark wins to City with score lines of 6-1 and 4-1. Having lost in the corresponding fixture last season, City will be looking to make a statement this time round. 7. Guardiola to beat Jose Mourinho… again United boss Mourinho will be quick to remind you that he enjoys winning records against rivals Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez. It is against Guardiola, however, where a similar feat cannot be boasted about. Guardiola leads in their 21 game head-to-head battle with a monumental 10 wins, Mourinho having triumphed five times. Guardiola knows how to get the better of his counterpart and he will be determined to mastermind another win over his under-fire rival. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (left) and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shake hands after the final whistle of the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Photo: Getty[/caption] On paper, this seems to be the biggest mismatch of a Manchester derby ever. City are resounding favourites to increase their mammoth nine-point gap over United. They should steamroll their great rivals, making a huge statement for the rest of the footballing fraternity. But then again, funnier things have happened in football so there is always room for miracles. Welcome to Manchester!

Football is rightly lauded as the king of sports and 2018 was another year where this sport proved why it is held in such a high regard. Since this was also a FIFA World Cup year, there were already major expectations attached with the sport, but like every year, football managed to exceed these expectations and then some. So without further ado, let’s have a look at some of the moments which helped consolidate football’s position right at the top during this past one year. Croatia losing the FIFA 2018 After 63 matches and 163 goals, Croatia and France were the last two teams standing in FIFA World Cup 2018. With some truly fantastic goals, thrilling last-gasp victories and a host of controversies, this particular month-long festival of football was widely regarded as one of the most entertaining world cups ever with plenty of memorable moments. But none of these moments could rival the heart-warming story of the rise of the Croatian football team. The title game in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium featured the pre-tournament favourites France and everyone’s favourite underdogs Croatia. The whole affair was pretty tense with an own goal, penalty, and a goal-keeping blunder thrown in the mix for added measure. Les Bleus might have won the cup but Croatia managed to win the hearts of football followers the world over. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Hugo Lloris of France lifts the World Cup trophy to celebrate with his teammates after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Getty[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ivan Perisic of Croatia celebrates with team mates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Getty[/caption] Liverpool losing the Champions League Despite this being a World Cup year, for a football fanatic like myself, nothing beats the thrill and chills that club football can provide. And when you add in the prospect of your own club contesting the UEFA Champions League final, arguably the biggest football match in a calendar year, then you are entering football heaven. In one corner we had Real Madrid, twice defending champions and 12-time winners of the same competition. On the other hand, we had the relatively un-fancied Liverpool, who had won five European Cups previously, but this was their first participation in this tournament after quite a number of years. It was Cristiano Ronaldo against Mohammed Salah and the tie was too tricky to call. But what transpired during the actual event was luck totally turning against the Reds in the most unfortunate of circumstances. I say luck but it was actually the thuggery of Sergio Ramos that won Los Blancos their 13^th European Cup. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] 26th May 2018, Kiev Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine; UEFA Champions League Final, Real Madrid versus Liverpool; Real Madrid players celebrate winning the trophy. Photo: Getty[/caption] The Real defender is known to be an aggressive player. But when he took out Liverpool’s main man, Salah, in the first half with a challenge that is not even allowed in a combat sport like Judo, you know that the Spaniard had outdone himself. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah (R) falls with Real Madrid’s Spanish defender Sergio Ramos leading to Salah being injured during the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, on May 26, 2018. Photo: AFP[/caption] And that wasn’t his only sinister contribution to the proceedings. He then managed to slyly collide with Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Loris Karius, which was later proven to have caused him concussion. The Reds went on to lose the contest 3-1 with the German keeper roundly being criticised for letting in Spanish side’s first and third goals which we now know was all down to being concussed. The rise of Salah Salah’s first bite at the cherry that is English football can in no way be termed as a sweet one. The Egyptian’s first stint for Chelsea between 2014 and 2016 yielded only two goals in 13 league appearances, but his second gig with Liverpool was nothing short of phenomenal. From club record of being the quickest Liverpool player to score 40 goals, to breaking the Premier League record of most goals scored by any player in a 38-game season, Salah has broken records left, right and centre during the English Premier League season that concluded in 2018. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Photo: Getty[/caption] He also won almost every individual record that he was nominated for during the first half of the year, such as the Professional Footballer’s Association (PFA) Player of the Year, Premier League’s Player of the Season, Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Footballer of the Year, Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year to name a few. Manchester City – the record breakers Manchester City had won two Premier League titles before their third one proved to be an absolute charm. The Citizens won the league with five games to spare and broke a number of Premier League records over the course of the season, including: most points (100), most wins (32), most away wins (16), most goals (106), most consecutive league wins (18), highest goal difference (+79), most passes in a game (903), fewest minutes behind in matches (153 minutes) and biggest winning points margin (19). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Vincent Kompany of Manchester City lifts the Premier League Trophy as Manchester City celebrate winning the Premier League after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on May 6, 2018 in Manchester, England. Photo: Getty[/caption] Ronaldo to Turin One of the biggest stories to come out of 2018’s off-season was Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid. The Portuguese spent nine trophy-laden seasons with Real, four of them being the Champions League trophy in just five years. However, like all good things, this association also came to an abrupt end owing to the superstar’s complicated relationship with club president, Florentino Perez. After 450 goals in 438 appearances, the former World Player of the Year left for Juventus in a £105 million move. https://twitter.com/BetBright/status/1016717499587596288 Goalkeepers finally paid their fair dues Another big story that came out during the summer transfer window of 2018 was the recognition of one of the most underrated positions in football. English clubs are notoriously known for spending fortunes on player transfers. This summer was no different with £1.2 billion spent on buying players. But what was different this time was how the top two most expensive imports to the British shores were not attacking players, as was the case previously. Instead, the objects of affection were un-fancied goalkeepers. The world record fee for a goalkeeper was broken twice in the space of three weeks. Liverpool spent a huge £67 million on Brazilian Alisson Becker to conclude its long-term search for a new number one. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Allison Becker of Liverpool prays as he was on to the pitch during the pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Torino at Anfield on August 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England. Photo: Getty[/caption] But that fee was surpassed with a day to go in the window, when Chelsea forked out a mammoth £71.6 million on Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga to replace the Real Madrid-bound, Thibout Courtois. Luka Modric’s moment It might just have been a decade but it felt like a lifetime of watching Lionel Messi and Ronaldo exchange possession of the Ballon d’Or award. Considered as football’s top individual honours, we finally have a new winner in the shape of Modric. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Luka Modric, Kylian Mbappe and Ada Hegerberg pose with their trophy during the 2018 Ballon D’Or ceremony on December 3, 2018 in Paris, France. Photo: Getty[/caption] The midfield magician first won the Champions League title with Real Madrid and then a couple of months later helped lead Croatia to the World Cup final. The diminutive midfielder is the first Croatian to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or with Davor Suker being the only other Croatian player ever to finish in the top three in 1998. Ada Hegerberg: The trailblazer In the grand scheme of things, it might just have been a (not so) small prize for a woman, but it was definitely a giant leap for all of womankind when Hegerberg was awarded the first ever Ballon d’Or for a female football player. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ada Hegerberg of Sweden and Olympioque Lyonnais wins the 2018 Ballon D’Or. Photo: Getty[/caption] The Norwegian striker who plays for the French club Lyon has close to 300 career goals, four French league titles, a hat-trick of Coupe de France trophies and Champions League titles to her name. Last season alone, Hegerberg scored a record of 15 Champions League goals, and with 41 goals in 41 matches, she is just 10 shy of the all-time Champions League record. 2018 is almost about to end but in the thrilling world of football, the drama simply never ceases to exist. We might not have any major continental or global football events next year but we do have all of the major European leagues in full swing. And with this season league campaigns along with Champions League drawing to close in the first half of the next year, football fans are never too far from excitement. Happy New Year!

Over the years, Real Madrid have established themselves as a club which is synonymous with success. But sustained success comes at a cost in terms of regular big money signings. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Real Madrid players celebrate the victory after winning against Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League final football match at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, on May 26, 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption] Bearing in mind the dynamics of modern day football, it is increasingly evident that in order to survive and thrive amongst the footballing giants, all the top clubs tend to chalk out a transfer policy which lays special emphasis on at least one big name signing supplemented by a bunch of talented young players every season.

“We need to strengthen our present and our future. This is a great squad that will be strengthened by some brilliant players,” Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid club, said in a news conference last year in July. “We’re in one of the richest periods of our history. We’ve won unique titles. We’re sound institutionally, have strong financial power and have the support of millions of fans,” he added.

When Real Madrid come knocking, few can say no. Even when you're a manager who walked away only nine months ago from the club you love because “something needed to change”. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Head coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid is thrown in the air by his players during celebrations at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium following their victory last night in Kiev in the UEFA Champions League final, on May 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Getty[/caption] Zinedine Zidane is back at Real Madrid, the club where he won nine trophies during his previous three-year stint. The love Zizou has for Real Madrid is apparent. The Frenchman cemented quite the legacy during his 2015 to 2018 reign at the club, and only true love (or madness) would tell him to put it on the line to return to the club that is far from the three-time Champions League winners he left them as. https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/1105175304023113728 The gulf in class between the team Zidane inherited when he took over in 2015 and the one he takes over now is apparent. He inherited a team with world-class players in their prime. The team was tailor-made for Europe, but it was also a team full of players who knew their worth. Back then, his job revolved more around man-management than anything else. It’s no easy feat to have the likes of outspoken club legends Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo to respect you, but Zizou demands respect and this is where the two managers that followed Zizou failed. However, the team that Zidane returns to is an aging squad. He also returns to a Ronaldo-less Madrid. The club is bigger than any player; a fact Real Madrid President Florentino Perez was very vocal about when the Portugese left the Spanish club for a new challenge with Juventus. While no one will disagree replacing Ronaldo is an almost impossible feat, the club did not even try to do something about it. Instead they hoped to rely on Gareth Bale to carry the torch forward. It was no secret that last season the French manager did not get along with the Welshman. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Luka Modric of Real Madrid and team mates look dejected as Anuar of Real Valladolid scores his team's first goal past during the La Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and Real Madrid CF at Jose Zorrilla on March 10, 2019 in Valladolid, Spain. Photo: Getty[/caption] Did Zizou see this coming? All signs point towards yes. Even though Real continued winning the Champions League, they seriously fell behind when competing in La Liga, even being surpassed by their city rivals Atletico Madrid in the 2017-18 campaign. After winning three consecutive Champions League trophies, this season the fans would have expected more. Approaching a transfer window with no say, an aging squad and possibly knowing his star player Ronaldo was going to leave, Zizou bowed out (only the second coach to leave on his own accord under Perez’s second tenure) because more than anyone he knows the expectations and pressure that comes with one of the biggest coaching jobs in world football. https://twitter.com/OvieO/status/1105578054317940736 Zizou returns at a time when Real have performed the worst they have in years. In a span of seven days, Real lost three games at the Bernabeu, which effectively ended their chance at three different trophies. This also made it four consecutive home losses for Real Madrid, something that hasn’t happened since 2004. The fortress needs rebuilding, and while the rest of the season is free from expectations (except qualification for the Champions League next year), the Frenchman is being considered a saviour who will save Real from a darkness the empire isn’t used to. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Dusan Tadic (3rd L) of Ajax celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Real Madrid and Ajax at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain on 5, 2019. Photo: Getty[/caption] Is his judgement clouded by the love he has for the Spanish club? Maybe. But the insight of Zidane is such that he knew when to walk away, meaning he also knows when the right time to come back is. He is also the type of coach who knows where the club went wrong, despite the historic hat-trick of the Champions League trophies they achieved under him.

“I don’t forget what we won but neither do I forget the bad things,” Zidane said at the press conference which announced his comeback. “Last season, we won the Champions League. But we had a tough time in the Copa and in La Liga. I did a lot of things wrong.” “It has been difficult from outside looking in. I am looking forward to working with the players again, to competing again. I’m just happy to come back. I want to work and to provide what’s needed to get the club to where it should be,” he continued.

In my 13 years as a diehard football fan, I have never witnessed a week like this one. It started with Ajax’s stunning dismantling of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) delivering their latest ‘how to choke’ lecture, Arsenal’s shock thumping at Rennes, the disgraceful pitch invasion at Birmingham, the comical disappearing act of VAR officials in La Liga, and finally, Zinedine Zidane’s surprise return in the Madrid hot seat. Somewhere in between, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s incredible away winning streak ended. Manchester City also won 7-0, but that is something I have become accustomed to. All the headlines, however, will justifiably belong to Cristiano Ronaldo after he conquered the footballing stage against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Once again, the Portuguese is making a huge claim to be known as the sporting king of Europe. Battling against a 2-0 first leg deficit to Atletico Madrid, Ronaldo staggeringly led Juventus to arguably its most memorable comeback win ever. He scored a hat-trick to help his side overturn the seemingly impossible task, enabling Juventus to win 3-2 on aggregate. He is extending football standards to a level unheard of. Considering his past brilliance, however, it’s a feat some of us aren’t even surprised of! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus scores his third goal on a penalty kick during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Juventus and Club de Atletico Madrid at Allianz Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Turin, Italy. Photo: Getty[/caption] But remember that he is 34-years-old now. Thirty-four! That is the age when most players enter the twilight of their careers. To put Ronaldo’s age phenomenon into perspective: the great Eric Cantona retired at 30, Michel Platini at 32, England’s last Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen hung up his boots at 33, while Philip Lahm did the same. Many footballers over the age of 30 would also go to lesser competitive leagues in Japan, China and the United States to play until retirement. Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres, both 34, are playing in Japan. Robin van Persie, playing in Holland, is also set to retire. The list goes on and on. Ronaldo, on the other hand, is still single-handedly performing miracles for a world-class Juventus outfit. He looks as fit as he ever did and it’s time he deserves homage for his faultless longevity. What made his trio of goals against Atletico most memorable was the story where he told family and friends before the match that he would score a hat-trick a few hours later! To score a hat-trick, at the age of 34, against one of the most defensive teams of this generation, against one of the top defenders of all time in Diego Godin, and to do it after boldly predicting it, is the greatest feat I have ever heard of in football. Ronaldo has achieved many remarkable things in his career but his recent hat-trick is something that can be best described as unthinkable. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates after scoring his second goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Juventus and Club de Atletico Madrid at Allianz Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Turin, Italy. Photo: Getty[/caption] His position as the King of Europe is clear and much of that is due to the phenomenal European records he currently holds. Most goals. Check. Most assists. Check. Most braces. Check. Most hat-tricks. Check. Most headers. Check. Most penalties. Check. He rules the European stage without question. As a matter of fact, he just needs one more Champions League medal to joint-top the all-time list, and with his almighty physique seemingly postponing retirement for the foreseeable future, you wouldn’t want to bet against him winning one with Juventus, thus conquering Europe with an Italian team. Speaking of Juventus, Ronaldo’s move to Italy has been an astounding success. With 19 goals and 10 assists, no player has been directly involved in more goals than him in the Italian League. He has helped made Juventus invincible also, with the team’s number in the league losses being a big fat zero. With 24 goals in all competitions, he is playing with a level of sharpness that is dumbfounding fans and critics alike. Rio Ferdinand’s previous description of Ronaldo as a ‘living football god’ seems spot-on now. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Juventus and Club de Atletico Madrid at Allianz Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Turin, Italy. Photo: Getty[/caption] Contrast this with the fortunes of Real Madrid, the team he unceremoniously left this past summer. The Los Blancos have greatly suffered this season; with 14 defeats, including a 4-1 loss at home to Ajax, the club is reeling at one of its worst seasons ever. Having sacked their managers twice, they have re-appointed club legend Zidane in an effort to save matters. How they wish they could have Ronaldo back too. It is no surprise that Juventus’ pristine form has coincided with Real Madrid’s woes. The difference is clear: it has undoubtedly been Ronaldo. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates during celebrations at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium following their victory last night in Kiev in the UEFA Champions League final, on May 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Getty[/caption] Ronaldo’s tenure at Juventus only boosts his claim at being known as the greatest of all time. Having conquered England and Spain, it’s only a matter of time before he sweeps the trophies in Italy. When he retires, and God only knows when, he will be revered as one of the best sportsmen ever. His legacy has been cemented and, to be fair, it was cemented a long time ago. It’s time to celebrate the great Ronaldo, a superstar who has taken discipline and winning to a whole new level.

For much of the 2018-19 season, Real Madrid’s campaign has been driven by pessimism and trepidation. From mediocre performances on the field to a lack of purpose off it, the Los Blancos found themselves entrenched in a diatribe with a swathe of negative opinions from fans and critics alike.  But the return of the clubs’s favourite son Zinedine Zidane after his dignified exit nine months ago has cut through all the noise, at least for the time being. Zizou’s work is cut out for him as the rebuilding job at a club like Real Madrid, with extremely high expectations, won’t be an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. https://twitter.com/kevinchimuka/status/1113392173150502914 However, unlike towards the end of his last tenure, Zidane will have financial backing from the club. A report from The Independent claimed “Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has promised Zidane an expensive overhaul,” immediately after the Frenchman’s arrival. A few days later L’Equipe’s front page (titled Casino Royal) stated that:

“Perez is ready to show faith in Zidane to turn the ship around by giving him a €500 million summer budget.”

The upcoming Best FIFA Football Awards will take place in Milan, Italy on September 23^rd, and the ceremony will allow fans from all over the world to vote for their favourite players and coaches.  While Cristiano Ronaldo and Luca Modric have previously lifted the Best Men’s Player trophy in 2017 and 2018 respectively, this year could perhaps see a new winner. Similarly, the draw which features the Best Men’s Coach could also result in a previously uncrowned coach taking home the award. Best Men’s Player If there is one player in the world who deserves this award more than anyone, it’s Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk. The big Dutchman had a splendid season last year when his impressive form helped Liverpool lift the Champions League crown. Moreover, his tenacious defending at the back was the reason Alisson Becker kept as many clean sheets as he did. The former Southampton man scored six goals for his side, and is perhaps the favourite contender to lift the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award. [caption id="attachment_86882" align="alignnone" width="600"] Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Super Cup match.[/caption] But Dijk is likely to face some stiff competition from his Liverpool teammate, Mohamed Salah. Since his arrival at Anfield, Salah has been lethal and has scored impressive 27 goals in the 2018-2019 season. His early goal in the Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspurs helped Liverpool dominate the game from start to finish. Although the Egyptian sensation could not win the English Premier League crown last season, he managed to share the Golden Boot with his teammate, Sadio Mane, and Arsenal’s Pierre Emerick Aubameyang – that win only bolsters his chances of taking home the Best FIFA Men’s Player trophy. [caption id="attachment_86884" align="alignnone" width="600"] Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the UEFA Super Cup Final.[/caption] Although Dijk and Salah are the frontrunners, I do think that Harry Kane is also a strong contender. The Englishman once again proved why he is such a valuable asset for Tottenham, and his five goals in Europe eventually helped Mauricio Pochettino’s side reach their maiden Champions League final. At the moment, he is one of the most ferocious attacking players in the world, which is why I strongly believe that he is among the top three contenders for the award. [caption id="attachment_86885" align="alignnone" width="600"] Harry Kane celebrates with teammate Danny Rose after scoring.[/caption] Of course, the list of players nominated for this award does not end here. As always, Cristiano Ronaldo too is a strong candidate for the award since the Portuguese won the Serie A title and was the club’s top scorer in his maiden season at Juventus. The former Real Madrid star also lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy after beating Netherlands in the final. Another player to watch out for is the young Ajax captain, Matthijs de Ligt. He too had an impressive 2018-2019, with Ajax clinching the domestic league title. The strong Dutchman was one of the reasons behind Ajax’s stunning display in Europe where the Dutch champions eliminated Real Madrid and Juventus in the Champions League. However, despite his strong credentials, it looks like it will come down to a three-horse race between Dijk, Salah and Kane. Best Men’s Coach Jurgen Klopp is the clear favourite in this leg of the race. The former Dortmund boss is the strongest candidate to win the award because the German’s arrival at Liverpool has made them one of the deadliest sides in modern football and his commanding presence at the helm brought Liverpool their sixth Champions League title. The Reds had a memorable domestic season, with Klopp’s side losing only once, and ending up with a massive total of 97 points. Even though Manchester City eventually won the English Premier League after a nail-biting finish, Klopp led his men to within touching distance of the trophy. Under his leadership, Liverpool have flourished and look like they could possibly be lifting their long awaited English Premier League crown this season. As far as I’m concerned, this award is almost a forgone conclusion. [caption id="attachment_86887" align="alignnone" width="600"] Jurgen Klopp acknowledges the fans following his teams victory.[/caption] Nonetheless, Erik ten Hag wouldn’t be a bad pick for this award either since the Ajax boss has won two domestic titles with his side and surprised everyone by commandeering his team to the Champions League semi-final. The fact that both Light and Hag have been nominated in their respective categories only goes to show how well the coach and captain duo have led Ajax. While Klopp is leading the pack in this category, Hag isn’t too far behind. [caption id="attachment_86888" align="alignnone" width="600"] Erik ten Hag during the match between Ajax and FC Emmen.[/caption] And then, like always, there is Pep Guardiola. But his brand of football isn’t without its detractors. There are mixed views about Guardiola since some see him as one of the most skilled managers of all time while others label him as an average coach who relies on repetitive tactics. But, regardless of which side of that debate you may fall on, his impressive performance at the helm of Manchester City is undeniable. His side retained the English Premier League title last season and also triumphed in the FA Cup and League Cup, making him the first manager to have won all three domestic titles in a single season. That alone is worth the praise, even if City failed to impress in the Champions League. Guardiola masterminded City’s record-shattering 98-point season in England, a feat which firmly puts him in pole position in this category at the Best FIFA Football Awards. [caption id="attachment_86889" align="alignnone" width="600"] Pep Guardiola reacts during the match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.[/caption] Apart from these three, Portugal’s Fernando Santos also has a shot at the trophy since he led his side to win the UEFA Nations League and remained unbeaten for 10 games, from July 2018 to July 2019. Also, Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino and Algeria’s Djamel Belmadi are strong candidates for the spot too since the former took his side to their maiden Champions League final while the latter won the African Cup of Nations. Algeria lost only once under his command from July 2018 to July 2019, and thus these two cannot be ruled out either. The 2018-2019 football season gave us a bevy of exceptional performances and thrilling games, which only makes choosing the winners even more difficult. Since Dijk, Salah and Klopp are the early favourites in their respective categories, it looks like Liverpool may well have a night to remember in Milan. All photos: Getty

With the commencement of Champions League's new season just a few weeks away, it looks like the group stages are primed to set up some mouth-watering clashes. Since the dramatic semi-finals from last season are forever etched in people’s minds, fans are now hopeful that the same level of thrill and drama will continue this season. And based on the group stage draw which took place in Monaco recently, that certainly appears to be the case. Some big clubs will be seen in action against each other in the group stages and here is a look at what will surely become some of the most anticipated clashes during this season of the Champions League. https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1167120206344458240 Real Madrid versus PSG After a turbulent season, Real Madrid called back their former legend, Zinedine Zidane, to once again manage things at the helm. Given the string of titles he has won as manager, it is evident that his presence at the club is vital since the Los Blancos won three straight Champions League trophies under his command. Not only that, what makes Real Madrid all the more threatening this time around is the arrival of Eden Hazard at the club. The inclusion of the former Chelsea man gives the team a more balanced look, and the prospect of Hazard and Gareth Bale linking up at the front will have many Real Madrid enthusiasts very excited. However, despite the abundance of talent, Zidane and his men will have to play well in order to survive the group stages. The club has been drawn against the French champions, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), once again. Since the denizens of the Parc des Princes are aiming for their first ever Champions League silverware, it will be exciting to see how they tackle their formidable Spanish opponents. PSG are counting on their star players like Neymar Junior and Edinson Cavani to prove their worth in the tournament since the team had a disappointing end to their run in Europe last season, succumbing to Manchester United at home. Hence, both Real Madrid and PSG are looking to atone for their sins from last season. [caption id="attachment_87357" align="alignnone" width="600"] Edinson Cavani of PSG isolated in Real Madrid's defence.[/caption] Bayern Munich versus Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur had a dream run in the Champions League last season when the north London side reached their maiden final in the tournament. Although they eventually lost to Liverpool, it was quite a treat to watch the Lilywhites almost go all the way, especially after their marvellous attacking display against Ajax in the semi-final. Mauricio Pochettino seems to have instilled a philosophy in his team that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. While players like Harry Kane do bring a considerable degree of star power, it is clear that Spurs have inculcated an ethos which focuses heavily on teamwork rather than relying on the individual brilliance of big names. While Spurs are still basking in the glow of having reached the finals, Bayern Munich are desperate to once again prove their mettle in Europe’s premier tournament. The German champions have not touched the Champions League crown since they won it back in 2013. Since the team has already bid farewell to club legends Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, the performance of their new arrival, Philippe Coutinho, will surely be under the spotlight. Although the reconfigured Bayern Munich outfit looks strong, they cannot take Spurs lightly, especially after their heroics last season. [caption id="attachment_87359" align="alignnone" width="600"] Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Corentin Tolisso.[/caption] Atletico Madrid versus Juventus Fate has once again reunited Atletico Madrid and Juventus. The two sides met in last year’s Round of 16 when Atletico eased past the Italian giants in the first leg but lost in Turin during the return leg after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a remarkable hat-trick to snatch victory away from Diego Simeone’s men. As a result, this time around, the Spaniards will be looking to avenge their defeat. As Maurizio Sarri is now back in Italy to take command as Juventus’ new boss, it will be interesting to see how the side performs under their new manager. And, as always, all eyes will be on the talisman – Ronaldo. [caption id="attachment_87360" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus takes on Kieran Trippier of Atletico Madrid.[/caption] Liverpool versus Napoli Liverpool’s European glory last season was perhaps triggered by their win against Napoli at Anfield because the Reds needed a major win against the Italian side in order to qualify for the knockout round. Once Alisson Becker made that memorable last-minute save at a very close distance, it seemed almost inevitable that the team would go on to do great things. Liverpool beat the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur to lift the Champions League trophy, and if that form continues this season, they will prove to be a very difficult side to defeat for any opponent. However, it should not be forgotten that Napoli did defeat Liverpool in the group stage before losing at Anfield, and that will surely give Carlo Ancelotti and his men some much needed confidence. As the two sides prepare for another battle, it does look like Jurgen Klopp’s side will retain their splendid form in Europe, and God help any team that stands in their way! [caption id="attachment_87361" align="alignnone" width="600"] Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool with Dries Mertens of Napoli.[/caption] Barcelona versus Dortmund Dortmund came close to winning the Bundesliga title last season but Bayern Munich were able to retain the crown, albeit by a close margin. But Dortmund would fancy their chances against Messi and company because Barcelona look rather rigid with Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez up at front. On the other hand, Paco Alcacer and his players are in fine form. Moreover, the two sides will also have to play Inter Milan in their group, and that’s why it has been labelled the group of death this season. The Italian side has completed the signing of the Belgian Romelu Lukaku and will be relying heavily on his goal-scoring abilities to tackle the teams in this stacked group. [caption id="attachment_87363" align="alignnone" width="600"] Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona looks on during a La Liga match.[/caption] Chelsea versus Ajax The return of Frank Lampard to Chelsea as the manager has been met with a mixed response. Although the Blues have had a slow start to their domestic campaign, the Englishman would be hopeful that his team will smoothly tackle the Dutch champions. But a lot is riding on Lampard’s performance at Chelsea, not only because he is relatively inexperienced, but also because he does not have the ability to call upon Eden Hazard to work his magic for Chelsea. On the other hand, Ajax will look to build upon their performance from last season when they knocked out Real Madrid and Juventus, and were on the verge of beating Tottenham in the semi-finals. But one potential cause for concern is the fact that Ajax’s defence looks feeble after the departure of Matthijs de Ligt, who played phenomenally well for his club last year. As things stand, both sides look equal in terms of quality and technique, and since they will have to battle against Valencia too, this seems like a fairly open group which could produce some very intriguing matches. [caption id="attachment_87365" align="alignnone" width="600"] Frank Lampard, manager of Chelsea gives his team instructions during a Premier League match.[/caption] With the Champions League set to kick off in two weeks’ time, it’s too early to say who will be crowned champions, but Liverpool already look like early favourites. But given the level of talent on display this year, it could be anyone’s trophy to take home. All photos: Getty