This one’s for the lovers of tactics. Pep held a lecture in Argentina in which he explained the role of Lionel Messi as the false nine in his Barcelona side. Shockingly, there’s more to it than a simple “get the best player alive” and then fifteen minutes of kitty cat photos. The video is in Spanish so it’s obviously better if one speaks the language, but there is a description at the YouTube site. Plus lots of pointing with the mouse. No word if Jupp Heynckes then strolled in the room and gave a lecture on how to coach Bayern Munich.

via Soccer News and Opinion http://www.theoffside.com/leagues/spain-la-liga/professor-pep-positioning-leo.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theoffside+%28The+Offside+-+International+Soccer+News+Blog%29

johalputt Soccer News and Opinion The Offside

09:29

You might’ve heard, but Germany invaded Spain and now everyone loves Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich and they’re the best ever. Of course.

In what is surely a rare, if not unique, occurrence, the two Champions League finalists met in the league days later after booking their tickets to the final. The game ended in a draw and Rafinha was sent off. This was everyone’s chance to play some mind games. And for Jurgen Klopp to continue making his ridiculous faces.

This final is going to be magnificent.

via Soccer News and Opinion http://www.theoffside.com/leagues/bundesliga/bayern-v-borussia-dortmund-the-fight-before-the-fight.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theoffside+%28The+Offside+-+International+Soccer+News+Blog%29

johalputt Soccer News and Opinion The Offside

09:31

Adidas’ campaign for the new Chelsea kit involved many of its stars being doused in blue paint. Maybe to highlight the fit of the new shirts, hoping to persuade the more unfit among their fans to maybe buy a sweatshirt instead. Icelandic club Tindastóll decided to make one of their own. Less for shirt sales and more for comedic purposes.

The hype for this one was solid. The Icelandic clubs have an archive of great celebrations, so a spoof video should be of the same caliber. So they begin pouring white paint all over some shirtless players. Or maybe fetid milk. And they continue pouring. And some intimidating facial expressions occur. And more milk/paint. And then it ends. And now I think I just watched a fetish video.

[101gg]

via Soccer News and Opinion http://www.theoffside.com/europe/its-getting-strange-in-iceland.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theoffside+%28The+Offside+-+International+Soccer+News+Blog%29

chris johalputt Soccer News and Opinion

09:27

He got fat. He got skinny. Now he’s slightly fluffy again. But it doesn’t matter, because the skills haven’t faded and he can still move for a big man. In a friendly in Brazil he put on the boots and darted past the statue in defense while finishing deftly with his left. The tank’s not empty, so get this man a contract. And a cake. Cake first.

via Soccer News and Opinion http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/the-original-ronaldo-still-has-it.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theoffside+%28The+Offside+-+International+Soccer+News+Blog%29

chris johalputt Soccer News and Opinion

09:12

Hokeun Choi is an artist/designer from Seoul, South Korea with a love for football. And it’s brilliant. And it’s really just brilliant. And you should just click on this list and cycle through all his pretty things.

He seems to be a rather big fan of The Original Ronaldo, which leaves me wondering: are those his lips in the gun handle above?

Maybe don’t answer that.



A few more of the favorites, which is somewhat impossible – they’re all equally cool.

via Soccer News and Opinion http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/hokeun-chois-football-treasure-land.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theoffside+%28The+Offside+-+International+Soccer+News+Blog%29

chris johalputt Soccer News and Opinion

09:27

After departing their title celebrations, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Robin Van Persie all hopped in a cab. A blue cab. Etihad decided to use the photo in an ad in the Manchester Evening and everybody comes out looking like winners; Etihad for its humor and Manchester United for, well, actually being the winners.

Though you can rest assured if City wins the title next season, this image will be used again to highlight City & sponsors removing United from their title celebrations.

via Soccer News and Opinion http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/champions-manchester-united-get-a-special-chauffeur.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theoffside+%28The+Offside+-+International+Soccer+News+Blog%29

chris johalputt Soccer News and Opinion

08:42

This weekend will see the official unveiling of the caxirola, Brazil’s answer to the vuvuzela – their own official instrument/soundtrack to the 2014 World Cup. Because taking the most annoying thing about the World Cup in South Africa and constructing their own is a brilliant idea.

On Sunday, Vitoria will take on Bahia, where the ‘instrument’ will gets its official unveiling. It might be worth picking up a dodgy stream just to see what it’s like. Or whether or not going all Vincent van Gogh before the summer of 2014 might not be such a terrible call. (It is. Don’t do that.)

via Soccer News and Opinion http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/brazils-caxirola-gets-its-debut-this-weekend.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theoffside+%28The+Offside+-+International+Soccer+News+Blog%29

chris johalputt Soccer News and Opinion

09:27

Mats Hummels seemed destined to win this week’s award for worst backpass, especially considering the magnitude of the match. Thankfully, Bayern Munich’s teammate Robert Lewandowski came to the rescue and who the hell remembers Hummels anyway.

Georgian Akaki Khubutia of Mordovia Saransk won’t be quite so lucky. Not only does he not have a freebie into the Champions League final, but his is far worse. Plus they lost. And his club is likely to be relegated.

Apparently it’s not obvious one shouldn’t back-heel a back pass without looking.

via Soccer News and Opinion http://www.theoffside.com/europe/no-look-pass-backs-rarely-end-well.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theoffside+%28The+Offside+-+International+Soccer+News+Blog%29

chris johalputt Soccer News and Opinion

08:42