Man City’s Champions League curtain raiser against Borussia Monchengladbach was flooded/lightning’d into postponement (until Wednesday). This time-lapse video shows the impact the weather had on the pitch and why this decision had to be made:
Francesco Totti scores late winner, makes young fan cry tears of joy
A little more than two weeks away from his 40th birthday, Francesco Totti hasn’t been given many chances to make an impact for Roma, but after coming off the bench at halftime against Sampdoria, he led his side to a comeback victory capped off by his stoppage time penalty (see the goal here). It was a moment that had fans weeping with joy, showing just how much they love this man.
Andrea Pirlo’s new boots are wine themed, feature cork sockliner
Nike’s new limited edition Tiempo Pirlo boots “celebrate Pirlo’s dual careers as a footballer and winemaker” (Pirlo’s family owns a winery called Pratum Coller). The boots come in a merlot colorway with a real cork sockliner that features the words “Aged since ’94.” They’re also packaged in a wood crate like a bottle of wine.
Torino list Joe Hart as “John Hart” on team sheet for his debut
It wasn’t the best Serie A debut for Joe Hart, as his club, Torino, lost 2-1 to Atalanta. Hart failed to control a corner kick, in the 56th minute, gifting Atalanta with an equalizer just two minutes after Torino opened the scoring. Then, in the 82nd minute, Atalanta scored a winner from the penalty spot.
The shaky start to his season-long loan abroad can be blamed on a “John Hart” though, as that’s the name Torino listed on their team sheet.
ADO Den Haag traveling supporters throw stuffed animals to children at Feyenoord match
When fans of ADO Den Haag found out that children from a local hospital would be sitting beneath the away section at De Kuip for their match against Feyenoord, they came up with a clever idea to make the day extra special for the kids.
If it continued… (Manchester United v Manchester City)
In a match that was treated like a cross between a Champions League final and a UFC event, but was actually just the first scoop of what will inevitably be too much ice cream, Pep Guardiola’s Man City beat Jose Mourinho’s Man United 2-1 in their first Manchester derby against one another at Old Trafford. Though Man United threatened to equalize after falling behind by two goals in the first half, City held on to leave Mourinho with just one win in his last 10 matches against Guardiola. This is only the beginning, but still we must ask, “What if it continued?”
Rangers fans destroy Celtic Park bathroom during Old Firm derby
Celtic welcomed Rangers back to the Scottish Premier League by beating them 5-1 and Rangers fans showed their gratitude by tearing down a bathroom at Celtic Park.
Man City fan gives tour of Old Trafford
I don’t know if these are real tourists that this Man City fan channel snarkily guided around the outside of Old Trafford, but it was a clever idea for a video, so I don’t really care. Here’s to hoping rival fan stadium tours become an ongoing thing.
Brazilian fans struggling to provide the necessary silence at Paralympic blind football matches
The boisterous support of Brazilian fans usually serves as an advantage to their teams, but for the blind football matches being played at the Paralympics, it’s proving to be a challenge for the players.
Landon Donovan’s Unretirement of Epic Broportions
WHAT. IS. GOOD.
LD BACK BACK BACK BACK BACK BACK UP IN THIS LA GALAXY THING AHHHHHHHH!!!
Apologies for that fuego landing, but your boy has been rum and stoked straight up since lunch at the prospect of making the most epic unretirement comeback in the history of American soccer this weekend at the Stub. Let’s fuggin’ talk about it.
Why L-Deezy? Why did you have to go all American Soccer Jesus on us? Because I felt like it. Plus changing Talon’s diapers is a really whack activity. I love being a dad but that dude’s butt is on some other stuff. But you should expect that when you name you prince after a rad-ass pterodactyl body part.
Anyway, when my man was born I insisted off the rip on a diet solely comprised of Gerber’s peaches and avocado toast — but some garbaggio doctor said that it wasn’t a good idea. Whatever — it actually isn’t my problem anymore, doc. Now all I do is go to training, boss up, get a few ill tocas in with the lads, then go home and we just post up and watch old Dave Matthews Band concert videos and play “dress the kid up like Bob Ley.” That’s the parenting sweet spot. Take notes, America. Thank you, Bruce Arena.
Number 26? Yeah, bro. Good old Deuce-Seis. One of the more visually chill two-digit numbers on the entire number line. Plus Talon was born on that day of the month. Word.
Position? I don’t really care. It means nothing to me. I learned in Cambodia that positions are just false jails that soccer players are put in. This, I believe, also applies to international rosters and non-rosters. (Side note: I bet watching my announcement video made Jurgen Klinsmann sprinkle his lederhosen.) So what if they moved one of the best central midfielders in the league to loft me back into the lion’s den? That’s what you do for a #LegenD. And it’s gonna be dope.
Personal Benefits? Potentially have two jersey numbers retired in the Galaxy Constellation of Champions at the Intergalactic Planetary and Space Museum. Potentially win a league MVP award named after myself. Probably get Stevie G to make funny faces at things because he’s a full English breakfast and was already afraid if I came back I’d be mowing his tea and crumpets on the team sheet.
Definitely gonna dap up my boy the Soccer Don again, tho. Oh and b-t-dubs: no take backs on those retirement gifts.
Previously: Landon Donovan’s Retirement Adventure of Epic Broportions