Defending

Rating All Nine Own Goals At Euro 2020 So Far Based On How Awful They Were

If it seems like there have been a lot of own goals during Euro 2020, it's because they have been occurring at a rate unlike anything seen at an international tournament before.

The first European Championship was contested in 1960, and in the 15 tournaments up to now, there have been nine own goals. Through the first 41 matches at this summer's European Championship there have been nine own goals. 

Current/Former Arsenal And Spurs Defenders Just Stifled Cristiano Ronaldo And Portugal

Arsenal and Tottenham are not two teams known for their defensive solidity over the years. Yet three center backs who came to prominence at those two clubs just shut down Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix and Portugal. 

Not so Spursy after all. 

Italy Breaks 47-Year-Old Defensive Record In Nervy Win Over Defiant Austria

A lot of pundits jumped on Julie Foudy’s Italy bandwagon after the Azzurri looked like a free-flowing, attacking side with seven goals in Group A action. But in case you have forgotten how Italians love to play football, Saturday’s win over Austria was another reminder they’re a defense-first team, as they set record for longest streak without conceding a goal. 

‘Effort Is Non-Negotiable’ — How Atlético Madrid Defied The Metrics To Win LaLiga

With less than a minute left in the season, Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid was within touching distance of the league title.

Atlético Madrid had held on to first place in LaLiga for 29 of the previous 30 match weeks and was leading Valladolid 2-1 in a must-win match. Anything less than three points and Atlético's hated crosstown rival Real Madrid would take the title.

Euro 2020 Player Of The Tournament Front-Runner: Denmark’s Simon Kjær

In the immediate aftermath of Christian Eriksen’s collapse after suffering cardiac arrest in Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland, Danish captain Simon Kjær earned admiration around the globe for his actions.

Thomas Müller's Status In Doubt After Playmaker Suffers Knee Injury

MUNICH, Germany - Four German players nursing injuries from their 4-2 victory over Portugal skipped training on Monday, the team said, with attacking midfielder Thomas Müller's availability in doubt for their next Euro 2020 game against Hungary.

Müller, recalled for the tournament after more than two years out of the team, suffered a capsule injury in his right knee towards the end of Saturday's Group F win over Portugal as he attempted to clear a ball.

Italy Completes Perfect Group Stage With Another Impressive Lockdown Performance

For the first time in European Championship history, a nation has won all three of its group stage matches without conceding a goal. Italy defeated Wales 1-0 on Sunday to finish top of Group A and book a Round of 16 trip to Wembley Stadium, where they’ll likely meet either Ukraine or Austria.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini made eight changes to the side that hammered Switzerland on Wednesday, but the Azzurri looked no different in how they went about dominating the opposition.

My Mind Is Still Trying To Process Caglar Soyuncu’s Rabona Half-Volley Goal

Turkey’s Caglar Soyuncu scored a goal in training that I had to watch about three times to understand what I'd just seen. Soyuncu could be in serious trouble for performing such wizardry outside of Howgarts.

If this Soyuncu training goal was pulled off in the upcoming Euros, it would surely break the internet, the fishing nets and any other forms of nets.

Cara A Cara: Los Números Del Chucky Lozano Y Christian Pulisic En La Temporada 2020/21

"El Partido Que Nadie Quiere Perder", hoy tiene un nuevo capítulo. En Denver, Colorado, México y Estados Unidos vuelven a enfrentarse, esta vez para decidir al campeón de la Nations League de la Concacaf.

We’re Seeing Prime John Brooks Right Now And It’s Masterful

The excitement around the USMNT is warranted. The quality of our young core is evident in the roll call of clubs they play for: Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund among them.

But the expectations have to be tempered. These players are still developing, which is also evident in the roles they play for those teams. Gio Reyna started the highest percentage of league games with BVB at 67.6%, followed by Dest with Barça (60.5%) and then Pulisic with the Blues (47.4%) and McKennie with the Old Lady (47.4%). 

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