INDIAN FOOTBALL IS BACK

 

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The ISL is back and so are we. The defending Shield Champions Jamshedpur F.C. started their campaign against Odisha F.C. in their home ground on 11th October, 2022. However after an exciting start to the game, Jamshedpur F.C. suffered a shocking defeat in the hands of the visitors. Post this they toured Mumbai where they played a 1-1 draw against Mumbai City F.C. After 2 games the defending champions had just 1 point. 

To bring their campaign on track, Jamshedpur F.C. needed a win in their third game. And that is what happened. Peter Hartley scored in the 31st minute of the game and gave Jamshedpur F.C. the lead. However post this goal we witnessed no more goal in the game and Jamshedpur F.C. won the game 1-0.  The furnace was delighted.  After all the campaign of the defending Shield Winners are back on track. 

#JamKeKhelo. 

CHELSEA F.C. MARCHES FORWARD

 

Image Credit- We ain't got no History

Chelsea F.C. started their 2022-23 UCL Campaign with an away game against Dinamo Zagreb. The game ended in a 1-0 defeat for the Blues. Furthermore, this defeat also resulted in the sacking of Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea Manager. In his place the Board appointed Graham Potter as the new head coach of Chelsea F.C. However, despite of the new coach, Chelsea failed to win the second game of their UCL Campaign and were struggling at the 4th place.

But then the Blues fought back hard. They won 3 games on a row and have now qualified for the knockout stage of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League. While doing so they defeated the Italian champions A.C. Milan in both home as well as away game.

The Blues are on a rise. All credit goes to Graham Potter.  Now all eyes are on round of 16.  

THIS IS LIVERPOOL

 

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Over a past few years, the rivalry between Liverpool FC and Manchester City has intensified. Both the teams have been playing quality football for years now. As a result, when both the sides met again on 16th this month, we all expected a firework. And boy! What a game it was.

Both the sides created multiple chances but failed in converting the same. Phil Foden did score in the 53rd minute of the game, but the goal was disallowed because of the foul committed by Erling Haaland upon Fabinho.

Eventually in the 76th minute, Md. Salah scored the only goal of the game and Liverpool won this mouthwatering clash. It is pertinent to note that the intensity of the game was so high that even managers felt the heat. Liverpool Manager Klopp received a red card as well for his conduct on the ground.

Prior to this game, Manchester City were undefeated in the League and Liverpool F.C. were struggling. One can only expect now that this win will motivate the Reds and bring back Liverpool F.C. in their original form.  

SUPER BEN

 

Image Credit- The New York Times

On 17th October, 2022 the winner of the 2022 Ballon D' Or was announced. Everyone knew who it will be. But, unless the formal announcement is not done, one cannot celebrate. Finally on 17th October, the formal announcement was made and Karim Benzema lifted his first Ballon D'Or trophy for his extra-ordinary performance in the 2021-22 season. 

Super Ben won both La Liga and UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid. While doing so he scored 27 goals in the La Liga and 15 goals in the Champions League. He was the top-scorer in both the tournaments which Real Madrid won. 

It is pertinent to note that Benzema joined Real Madrid in 2009 along with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. However till 2018, Benzema was overshadowed by the heroics of Cristiano Ronaldo. But, post Cristiano's departure, Benzema took the center- stage and within 4 years he succeeded in lifting his first Ballon D'Or trophy. 

It is also interesting to note that Benzema was handed the Ballon D'Or trophy by the French legend Zinedine Zidane. Nothing gets better than this. 

 

DER KLASSIKER [2022-23]

 

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Der Klassiker is the biggest fixture of German Football. As a result, when the two sides met at Signal Iduna Park, everyone expected fireworks. And Boy! What a match it was. Leon Goretzka scored the opening goal of the game in the 33rd minute. Furthermore, Leroy Sane in the 53rd minute scored the second goal of the game, and the visitors were now leading 2-0. Despite being in the lead the visitors continued playing their attacking style of football. They created multiple chances but missed to convert it into goal.

However, in the 74th minute of the game Moukoko scored a screamer for the home side and the game became interesting again. The home side continued creating chances and eventually in the 95th minute of the game Modeste equalized for the home side. 

The Comeback was complete. 

 To watch highlights of the game. Click Here. 

THE BEAST

                             

Image Credit- The New York Times

On May 10, 2022, Manchester City announced that they have reached a deal to sign Norwegian striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund for a sum of 60 million euros. This signing created a lot of buzz in the English Media. As a result, when Haaland made his Manchester City debut in the Community Shield, everyone expected something big from him. Unfortunately, he failed to perform in that very game. As a result, he faced immense criticism. However, since then Haaland is on fire. In the first 8 games of the season, Haaland scored 14 goals for his new club. Furthermore, he has also been voted as the Premier League Player of the Month [August] in the very first month. 

The criticism has turned into praise. A Star has arrived in the Premier League.