A piece with @anantaajith.bsky.social and @sebsb.bsky.social on Xhaka. Alonso loves him, he brings leadership as well as quality and was excellent at Sunderland last season. But at 33, how much is that worth to Chelsea? 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

Away from his searing pace and aggression on the pitch, Kagiso Rabada is thoughtful and measured. Got a chance to speak with him very briefly on fast bowling, instincts vs technique, setbacks & resilience Story out on @theathletic.com (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

It's a story that took plenty of effort and time, but will always be one of my favourites - an honour and pleasure to bring out the emotion behind a triumph that deserves all the flowers that come its way!

Broke down Bromley's fast, direct style that's brought League Two success - lowest pass accuracy in England, plenty of set-piece goals & even more long balls Free to read on @theathleticfc.bsky.social here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

A honest attempt at breaking down the absolute chaos of Bayern 4-3 Madrid (aka the game of the UCL season) w/ @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social & @sebsb.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

📍Selhurst Park for Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina in the Conference League QF 1st leg @theathleticfc.bsky.social

Barca 0-2 Atletico FT thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social & @jameshorncastle.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - More anti-Muslim chants - How Barca adapted with 10 - Cubarsi's red and Alvarez's free-kick - Atletico's first Camp Nou win in 20 years www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

Kosovo 0-1 Turkey FT thoughts with @gregok.bsky.social & @felipecardenas.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - What the USMNT can expect from Turkey - How Yildiz-Kokcu-Kadioglu axis unlocked Kosovo - An incredible atmosphere in Pristina www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

At 30, Parma's Carlos Cuesta is the youngest coach in the top 5 leagues. But the path to Serie A began when he was just 15, with stopovers in Madrid, Turin and London Analysis of his Parma side as part of @theathleticfc.bsky.social's 'Managers on the rise' series www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid (agg 1-5). Briefing with @samdlee.bsky.social @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social @anantaajith.bsky.social #MCFC created a lot of chances, but it was always highly unlikely after that first-leg defeat... & impossible after Bernardo red card www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

The Athletic's Champions League projections are in flux after a dramatic week of action in the round of 16 first legs — @anantaajith.bsky.social analyses the movement... 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

⚫ Cruel late drama 😵 ⚪ Barnes finally puts away a big chance ⚽ ⚫ Barca strangely sluggish & sloppy 🤯 ⚪ Tie still very much alive for next week 👀 📝 #NUFC 1-1 #FCB analysis w/ @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social @anantaajith.bsky.social: #NEWBAR www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Even before his goals, one of the things that has stood out in Benjamin Sesko’s first season at Manchester United is his movement in and around the opposition penalty area. Piece with @mjcritchley.bsky.social + @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

We have been here before as Pep mentioned this week Title winners and minnows alike have benefited from maximizing set-pieces but were often outliers - there is greater parity across the PL in 2025-26 Deep dive into the PL's relationship with set-pieces ⏬ www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Napoli 2-3 Chelsea FT thoughts w/ @reallycerys.bsky.social & @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Chelsea's early fragility - Napoli's underlaps cause problems - Another away win - Joao Pedro at the double www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the offer of a coaching job in Saudi Arabia could be a logical next career step. Instead, it led to the former Everton player being kidnapped in Morocco, held at knifepoint, and left fearing for his life. @paultenorio.bsky.social

Another Champions League win. Both strikers on the scoresheet. Top two confirmed. All in all, about as well as a trip to San Siro that could have gone for Arsenal. @gunnerblog.bsky.social, Stuart James & @anantaajith.bsky.social break down the talking points ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Post-match thoughts from Inter 1-3 Arsenal w/ Stuart James and @gunnerblog.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Clinical Jesus - A set-piece special - What Inter did well - Gyokeres scores www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Post-match thoughts from NEW 0-2 MCI in the Carabao Cup w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social & Sam Lee for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Bernardo crucial again - The disallowed goal - Semenyo's impact - Cup rule change - City's gameplan - Where this leaves Newcastle www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Atletico 1-2 Real Madrid: post-match thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Valverde's rocket - Rodrygo rediscovering his form - Madrid's shaky defending - What this means for Alonso www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon: immediate thoughts with Carl Anka for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Ivory Coast's midfield - Amad's stunning finish - Mbeumo's importance - Wayward finishing www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Instant thoughts from Morocco 2-0 Comoros in the #AFCON2025 opener w/ @eduardotansley.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Hosts struggle but find a way in 2nd half - How good was El Kaabi's goal? 🚲 - Brahim Diaz's importance - Is there hope for Comoros? www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Why Eddie Howe switched Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in the 2-1 victory against Manchester City, and how it empowered Newcastle's attacking transitions. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Nobody who was at the Stade de France on 13 November 2015 will ever be able to forget it. Ten years on from the terror attacks that traumatised a nation, here’s an account of what happened for @theathleticfc.bsky.social seen through the eyes of those who were there www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

😱 Brentford 3 Newcastle 1: Briefing ... 😱 ⚫️So much for the "period of reflection." ⚪️Abysmal away form - #NUFC are soft. ⚫️Barnes' goal ⚪️Burn's red w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social @anantaajith.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/6787431/2025/11/09/brentford-3-newcastle-1-howe-away-form-burn-sent-off

📍Gtech Community Stadium for Brentford-Newcastle @theathleticfc.bsky.social

FT thoughts on LIV 1-0 RMA with @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social & @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Wirtz impresses, Bradley shines - Courtois' annual masterclass vs LIV - PL set-piece magic strikes - Was that a penalty? - Corner turned? www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

Seismic moment for India at the Women's World Cup - deserved champions after two incredible performances in the semifinals against Australia and South Africa tonight 👏 Brief summary for @theathletic.com @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

Checking in on the new signings and their contributions early in the season ⏬

Unai Emery’s biggest strength has long been his aptitude to coach subtle nuances into his teams. The positions of his midfielders against Manchester City, for a third straight home game, were critical in beating Pep. Piece out now on @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... By @cerysjoneswriter.bsky.social and @anantaajith.bsky.social

Is Liverpool's Premier League title defence already over? Analysis from Brentford 3-2 Liverpool, by @adjones-journo.bsky.social, @anantaajith.bsky.social & Tim Spiers 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

With the first Clasico of 2025-26 tomorrow, @thom-harris.bsky.social & I looked at 4 tactical issues that could prove crucial for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Madrid's pace v Barca's high line - Yamal v Carreras - Could corners be decisive? - Out-of-possession flaws www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

The latest Alternative PL Table for @theathleticfc.bsky.social looks at big chances created and converted for all 20 teams, breaking down which players are creating/receiving the most - Palace lead the way - Man City's Haaland reliance - Wolves' woes ... and more ⏬ www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus post-match thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social and @jacklang.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Bellingham’s goal - Guler vs Yildiz - McKennie’s steady display - Courtois shines - What this means for both teams www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

Another game, another back-post goal conceded for Liverpool. I wrote this piece earlier in the week on that very issue. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Forest 0-3 Chelsea post-match thoughts with @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Acheampong's big moment - Guiu shines off the bench - Santos struggles www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

🔲 Why Ross Wilson as sporting director? 👀 🔳 #NUFC academy in focus 🔍 🔲 @georgecaulkin.bsky.social i/ws Steve Harper 🗣️ 🔳 Lasses™️ new home report 🏟️ 🔲 Brighton bound (Waugh, too...) ⬇️ 🔳 Woltemade = ⚽ 🎧 New free-to-listen Midweek @podonthetyne.bsky.social w/ Taylor Payne: pod.fo/e/33decc

This week's Alternative Premier League Table is all about fouls and bookings Key takeaways: 🔴 Man Utd & Arsenal the only teams yet to be booked for dissent ⚫️ Newcastle lead in fouls in the att 3rd 🔵 Man City exercising more control than 2024-25 More below @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⏬

The Premier League is returning. So too is our alternative table. This week, we rank the teams by fouls conceded — Marco Silva's Fulham and Vitor Pereira's Wolves lead the way. ✍️ @anantaajith.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

We need to talk about Adam Wharton. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜’𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 We asked the game’s dealmakers about: ▪️ Best and worst deals ▪️ Under-the-radar signings that could surprise people ▪️ Will more players go on strike?

A day in the life of the worst football team in the world www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

🔮 Europe & South America's World Cup duopoly will end 🔮 London clubs will move out of the city/share grounds 🔮 The USMNT will be a serious force 🔮 Fewer top managers will be ex-players @zonal-marking.bsky.social looks at some expectations about football from 25 years ago.

Enzo Maresca said #CFC didn’t have a discipline problem last season. He is saying the same this season. The numbers say otherwise. No PL club has more bookings over the last 3 years. More here from myself, @reallycerys.bsky.social & @anantaajith.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Wrote about the incredible synergy between Messi and Alba, creating a near-unstoppable two-man combo, and how it evolved from their first season together in 2012-13, all the way to the present day in Miami for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo has died at the age of 69, the Argentine club said on Wednesday.

A breakdown of why Liverpool are in a mini-funk heading into the intl break w/ @adjones-journo.bsky.social & @greggevans40.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Teams shutting down Gravenberch - Issues out wide & out of possession - Substitution inconsistency www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

For 45 mins, Everton looked laboured & tactically confused. The rejigged setup did not work Then came the HT adjustments & fightback. Alcaraz, in particular, superb This felt like the new stadium's first proper 'Goodison' moment www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool post-match thoughts with @adjones-journo.bsky.social and @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Liverpool errors and Caicedo's rocket - Chelsea's defensive crisis - How did Mamardashvili do? www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...