Rory Smith
Posts
How Real Madrid Beat Manchester City
All but beaten in its Champions League semifinal, Madrid scored once, then twice, then a third time to snatch a victory and add to its...
How Liverpool’s Dream Was Delivered, and Villarreal’s Dashed
Outplayed for a half, Liverpool scored three goals to reach its latest Champions League final. For Villarreal, though, all was not lost.
The Champions League’s Drama Is Worth Savoring, and Saving
The Champions League’s late-stage drama is a feature, not a bug. Let’s hope no one messes that up.
Thiago Alcantara’s Passing Stats Don’t Tell Us Everything About His Game
Statistics have come to favor Thiago, and they did again in Liverpool’s win over Villarreal in the Champions League. But his passing is best measured...
Manchester City Beats Real Madrid in Champions League Semifinal
Manchester City had its way with Real Madrid — sort of. In the game’s aftermath, it was hard to shake the feeling that things had...
How Villarreal’s Eye for Value Cracked the Champions League Code
A Spanish team’s run to the semifinals offers a template for how teams can thrive by turning the impatience of Europe’s giants against them.
Is Bayern Munich Breaking the Bundesliga?
Germany’s perennial champion can secure its 10th straight title this weekend. Even its own fans are starting to worry that its success is getting a...
Liverpool Edges City in Game of Early Goals and Managed Risks
Liverpool advanced to the F.A. Cup final by beating its Champions League rival at Wembley. But for both teams, every choice matters now.
You Decide Which Games Matter
The F.A. Cup and the Conference League have meaning not because of tradition or design, but when the players, and particularly the fans, decide they...
The Conference League Is the Best European Tournament You’re Not Watching
The Europa Conference League was dismissed as irrelevant when it kicked off last summer. Try telling that to the clubs that can win it.