“Two’s company, three’s a crowd” is the age-old cliche but when it comes to football, three might be the magic number. We look at the game’s most potent trios and what makes each of them so brilliant.
Liverpool: The kings of open space
This terrific threesome thrives on open space, at their peak when afforded room to run and attack in behind a hastily retreating defence. They fit the high-press ideals of their boss, Jurgen Klopp, and are equipped to exploit even the most innocuous change…
After headlining the papers all week, Ousmane Dembele delivered for Barcelona. Stewart Robson examines how he influenced their draw at Atletico.
The FC crew feel recent statements by Barcelona players about Ousmane Dembele are an effort to help him regain focus and form at the club.
The guys respond to your tweets about the Ballon d’Or, Luka Modric vs. Andres Iniesta and who Gab Marcotti thinks is the ideal No. 9 for Italy.
Barcelona will be without more than half a dozen first-team players for Wednesday’s Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven after Luis Suarez and Arthur were added to their injury list.
Suarez will be out for two weeks after aggravating a knee problem and is also set to miss the games against Villarreal, Cultural Leonesa and Espanyol.
Editors’ Picks
Jose Mourinho’s Last Stand
Deliberate isolation. Petty feuds. Constant turmoil. The Manchester United manager wouldn’t have it any other way, writes Sam Borden.
Kylian Mbappe and the curse of the World Cup
Is there such a thing as peaking too early? Given all that Kylian Mbappe, just 19, has accomplished, we might soon find out.
It’s time to fix — and save — the Champions League
The biggest problem with the Champions League is that it’s trying to be everything to everyone. It’s time for the tournament to go rogue.
However, the former Liverpool forward should be back for Tottenham’s Champions League visit to the Camp Nou on Dec. 12.
Midfielder Arthur will sit out the PSV…
Gab Marcotti and the FC crew break down Dutch duo Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, a pair of Ajax stars catching the eyes of Europe’s elite.
La Liga correspondent Sid Lowe and the FC crew weigh in on the drama surrounding Ousmane Dembele at Barcelona and his links to Liverpool.
Barcelona’s Malcom describes just how much he’s learning from Lionel Messi and explains just how special he is as a player.
Lionel Messi shared his thoughts on his arm injury after he won the Pichpichi and Di Stefano prizes for top goalscorer and best player in the 2017/18 La Liga season.
Barcelona have watched Krzysztof Piatek, Nicolas Pepe and Luka Jovic this season as they begin to think about a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
Suarez remains a key figure at Camp Nou but he will turn 32 in January and Barca acknowledge they need to think about the future. Munir El Haddadi is the only other forward in the first team but is out of contract in the summer and is unlikely to sign a new deal as things stand.
Paco Alcacer, meanwhile, has impressed…
The FC guys answer your tweets on the best No. 9 in Europe, if aliens would enjoy watching Man United and their preference between burgers or pizza.
Craig Burley breaks down a one-sided Clásico and praises Luis Suarez for shining in Lionel Messi’s absence.
Luis Suarez has said he accepts that Barcelona are looking for his replacement as they plan for life without the striker.
Suarez — who scored a hat trick as Barca beat Real Madrid 5-1 last weekend — will turn 32 in January, prompting the club to look to the future.
Paco Alcacer, the Uruguay international’s understudy for the last two years, joined Borussia Dortmund on loan in the summer, and the Bundesliga club plan to take up an option to make the move permanent.
Munir El Haddadi is the only…
Check out all the notable action from Europe this weekend, including Luis Suarez’s hat trick, Cristiano Ronaldo’s winner and Kylian Mbappe’s genius.
A hat trick in El Clasico plays well with voters for Player Power Rankings. Our global editors pick their top 10 performers from the weekend.
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Also receiving votes: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Pablo Sarabia (Sevilla), Sadio Mane (Liverpool).
Let us know what you think of the countdown by commenting below or on Twitter using #ESPNFCrankings.
For the first time in 11 years, there was no Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch when Real Madrid took on Barcelona, but there was no dearth of drama in what turned out to be an absolute rout (5-1) for the Blaugrana.
So, could we possibly start from any other place? Here are the best numbers from the 239th Clasico and the rest of the weekend’s football.
1
Barcelona have won El Clasico for the first time without Lionel Messi since he made his debut in the fixture (1 draw, 1 defeat,…
For the first time in 11 years, there was no Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch when Real Madrid took on Barcelona, but there was no dearth of drama in what turned out to be an absolute rout (5-1) for the Blaugrana.
So, could we possibly start from any other place? Here are the best numbers from the 239th Clasico and the rest of the weekend’s football.
1
Barcelona have won El Clasico for the first time without Lionel Messi since he made his debut in the fixture (1 draw, 1 defeat,…
Luis Suarez and his daughter Delfina were ‘goals’ vs. Real Madrid.
With Lionel Messi sidelined due to injury, Luis Suarez was the man of the hour against Real Madrid. The Uruguayan was in an absolutely ruthless mood, bagging a brilliant hat trick as Barcelona dominated rivals Madrid by a score of 5-1.
It wasn’t all ruthless from Suarez though, as even in the always fierce Clasico, the Barcelona striker had time to provide us with two heartwarming family moments.
After his first goal from the penalty spot, Suarez lifted up his jersey to reveal a t-shirt with a…
Craig Burley breaks down a one-sided Clásico and praises Luis Suarez for shining in Lionel Messi’s absence.
BARCELONA, Spain — Luis Suarez ran Real Madrid ragged, scoring a hat-trick as Barcelona won Sunday’s Clasico 5-1 to move back to the top of La Liga.
Barca took the lead through Philippe Coutinho in the 11th minute and doubled their advantage before the break when Suarez converted from the penalty spot. Marcelo pulled one back for Madrid in the second half before Suarez turned the screw, scoring two more to complete his treble. Substitute Arturo Vidal added the fifth.
Positives
It was billed…
Following Real Madrid’s disastrous display against Viktoria Plzen, the FC boys don’t give them any chance against Barcelona in El Clásico this weekend.
Barcelona made light work of Inter Milan at Camp Nou on Wednesday without injured Lionel Messi, with Rafinha and Jordi Alba on target in a 2-0 win.
Rafinha, who took Messi’s place in the side, opened the scoring in the first half. The Brazilian midfielder produced a smart finish from close range to culminate a move which he had started.
Barca were rarely troubled by the Italians on the night and Alba put the seal on a win which moves the Catalans three points clear at the top of tChampions League…
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