Falcao Is A Goal Monster
By A.C. Mullins-Khatib — Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao is playing like a one man Barcelona, blasting 5 goals in the back of the net in two games. The Colombian striker is wailing on the ball like it insulted his momma. Let’s go to the tape! Hat-trick time: And check out his sweet brace against Sporting … Continue reading
When Keepin’ it Real Goes Wrong
By A.C. Mullins-Khatib — The past week hasn’t been kind to Real Madrid. Over the course of four days, Jose Mourinho’s team managed to drop more points in the league (five) than they did in the first three months of last season (five). A 1-0 loss to Levante was ugly enough that Mourinho felt compelled … Continue reading
Dour in Dortmund — 9/16/2011
By A.C. Mullins-Khatib — This past Tuesday, reigning Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund welcomed Arsenal to Signal Iduna Park for the opening group stage match of the Champions League–they even made a spiffy little video highlighting their crowning achievements of the past season for their visitors. As we here at TINAP observed, last season saw Dortmund’s youngsters … Continue reading
A Blow (or Two) for Spain — 9/6/2011
By AC Mullins-Khatib — Here at TINAP international breaks have always been met with bittersweet feelings. Will exciting young stars rise to bring international glory for their homelands? Or, will our favorite dazzling players pick up niggling injuries in almost meaningless 0-0 draws, ruling them out of juicy club matchups? Based on what I’ve seen … Continue reading
This is not a collision — 8/31/2011
By Joe P Hasler — Not to quibble, but I do want to raise a point. In the wake of Didier Drogba’s horrific encounter with Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy, a lot of the reaction and coverage referred to the incident as a “collision.” I could be wrong here, but when I think of that … Continue reading
Messrs Automatic — 8/31/2011
By Joe P Hasler — Am I the only one who can’t stop watching the highlight reel from Sunday? Between Wayne Rooney’s freekicks and Ashley Young’s long-range curlers, it’s enough to make a person feel spoiled. There was a sense, watching the game live on Sunday, that everything the two English superstars touched toes to … Continue reading
We Got Your Prescription — 8/31/2011
By Joe P Hasler — Sunday afternoon, Arsenal hit rock bottom. By now, that should be common knowledge. Giving up eight goals to a hated rival has a way of sending a squad into a tailspin, and after Manchester United sliced open Arsene Wenger’s team of replacements, this is particularly terrible time to call yourself … Continue reading
Your Annotated WatchList —8/27/2011
By Joe P Hasler — Here I was already to gush to you about the first truly grand weekend of the still very young 2011-12 soccer season. For the first time, all of Europe’s major leagues were scheduled to kick-off, with the La Liga players strike finally over, and the Serie A scheduled to commence. … Continue reading
The Attacking Blues — 8/24/2011
By A.C. Mullins-Khatib — Torres? Anelka? Drogba? Malouda? Kalou? Lukaku? And now Mata? These are the names stuck on the brain of 33-year-old new Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas. The jigsaw puzzle of Chelsea’s attack is perhaps Villas-Boas most intriguing question to solve this season. In days gone by–the eras of the previous two managers José … Continue reading
This Is Not A Pitch 