Francesco Totti’s farewell last May was an emotional moment for any fan of soccer, let alone Roma and Italy fans who watched him play for a full quarter century. Roma made a video commemorating Totti’s final match with the Giallorossi and on Tuesday night “A Stadium of Tears” won a 2017 Sportel Award for Best Slow Motion video.
Just try to watch the affixed video without tearing up, we dare you.
December, 2016 – Juventus center back Leonardo Bonucci signs a new contract extension, keeping him with the champions until 2021.
January, 2017 – Bonucci is named in the UEFA and Serie A team of the year, as well as winning the award for the best footballer in Serie A in 2016.
February, 2017 – Bonucci sits in the stands, watching Juventus play Porto in the Champions League having argued with manager Massimiliano Allegri during the previous game, his 300th for the club.
The Champions League is the richest club competition in the world, paying out more than $1.5 billion to participating teams. But the Champions League prize money distribution is kinda funky given the amount of cash being tossed around. Leicester City, which reached the quarterfinals, was paid more than Real Madrid, which won the whole dadgum thing.
Alvaro Morata taking a second to contemplate life after being nutmegged by Edin Dzeko.#CHEROM pic.twitter.com/MQWFKaFSkP
— Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) October 18, 2017
Wednesday’s Chelsea-AS Roma game had everything. It had six goals in total, Antonio Rudiger playing against his former team, Gary Cahill wearing a bandage around his head like he just went to the dentist in 1876, Frederico Fazio getting magic spray on his junk because Pedro’s head smashed into his nether regions and an Edin Dzeko goal that might be one of the best you’ll see all year. In the end, Chelsea and AS Roma played to a wildly entertaining 3-3 draw in Champions League group play at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
An unfortunate deflection from AS Roma defender and David Luiz makes no mistake of capitalizing on the opportunity. It may come as a surprise to you but David Luiz is a defender.
My goodness David Luiz, what a curler! https://t.co/xbAMB5zA8v
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 18, 2017
Whisper it. Napoli could be champions. It could be their year. Finally, after half a decade of Juventus dominance in Serie A, a team has emerged that could legitimately challenge for the title. Not just because Juve has stumbled, but because Napoli is a legitimately fantastic team. Along with Manchester City, Maurizio Sarri’s men are playing the best football in the world right now. Could it be enough to take them to the top?
A Mauro Icardi hat trick inspired Inter Milan to a 3-2 victory over AC Milan in the Milan derby on Sunday at the San Siro. The two Serie A Derby della Madonnina matchups last year ended in 2-2 draws and it appeared Sunday’s would as well after Milan scored a late equalizer, but Icardi scored his third goal with a penalty shot in the 90th minute.