Leicester Metropolis and The Spherical of Brendan Rodgers | Soccer

LARGE DRAWING, SMALLER MUG

Just as the Big Cup has its round of Barcelona (the round formerly known as the Paris Saint-Germain round (the round formerly known as the Arsenal round)), so must the largest second-rate Europe-wide competition be the World have its own bespoke branding for the stage of the tournament whose losers must wonder why they ever bothered. And so Uefa bigwigs met on Friday at Fancy Premises in Nyon to announce that the last 32 stage of Big Vase will be renamed The Round Of Brendan Rodgers from next season in response to the latest hastily canceled tactical maestro from Liverpool and Queen’s Celtic to remember foray across the continent. Leicester could even show up next time. Let’s hope Brendan stocks up on tea and toast.

The Uefa suits have also drew the last 16, drawing a tie that would make a great Big Cup final. Granada, playing in the European competition for the first time, meets Molde, who has never come this far in Big Vase. Imagine the two of them going up against Old Big Ears at the Ataturk in Istanbul this May instead of the usual superclub suspects! What a breath of fresh air that would be and a return to the days when Reims, Partizan Belgrade, Bruges and Malmö played the most prestigious game in club football. Even so, the last 16 in Big Vase are nothing to smell of, and a good chance of reaching the quarters for both Minnows. Romance isn’t quite dead yet, as weird Uncle Fiver keeps telling us during those 4 o’clock phone calls.

The draw also paired Manchester United with Milan, which would presumably also mean a reasonably decent Big Cup final if you are inclined to. But here they are. It will be a big test for United as Milan recently rediscovered the art of basic skills after years of downturn. The Fiver were secretly hoping for a north London derby and all the white noise that would lead to it, but Spurs and Arsenal were paired with Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos respectively instead. Meanwhile, the Pope’s Newc O’Rangers were rewarded for their 9-5 aggregate win by Sheena Easton against Antwerp with a reasonably negotiable draw against Brenny’s youngest conquerors, Slavia Prague. A world of possibility extends for everyone as they dream dreamy dreams of fame in a competition that is unusually wide open, as Seville isn’t even in it.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Okay Ibra based on your position [LeBron James] is great at basketball and shouldn’t be giving his opinion on politics. You’re really good at football so you shouldn’t be voicing your opinion about LeBron using his platform forever. Or your opinion on anything outside of football ”- Michael Jordan slams Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his mistaken opinion that sports stars should not interfere in political matters.

Speaking of ego. Photo: Aurélien Meunier / Getty Images

FIVE LETTERS

“Your unfounded reference to Werner Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo (yesterday’s fiver) was reminiscent of one of the better-known quotes from Klaus Kinski: ‘You should judge a man mainly on his grievances. Virtues can be faked. Deprictions are real. ‘Now there is a mission statement for your cherished column’ – Professor Malcolm Foley (Emeritus).

“I really enjoyed the video clip of ‘Nathan Ferguson’s Howitzer from Forest Green Parking Lot during Southend 3-1 victory’ (yesterday’s quote of the day). However, as a Palace fan and given the Hullaballoos around our signing of Nathan Ferguson in mid-2020, who doesn’t have to play a match, I’m concerned that we might have signed the wrong one. ”- David Newton.

Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. And you can tweet The Fiver anytime via @guardian_sport. Today’s winner of our invaluable Daily Prize letter is… Professor Malcolm Foley (Emeritus).

NEWS, BITS AND BOBS

The Liverpool Premier League champions will be without captain Jordan Henderson for six to eight weeks after undergoing an operation on his groin!

Eric Dier used his heavy feet to support José Mourinho’s view that he was suffering from a crisis of confidence at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. “I don’t think my confidence has ever been negative,” he growled as he rolled up his right leg. “I’m a big boy.”

David Moyes fixes his steely Glaswegian gaze on West Ham’s push to qualify for the Big Cup and assumes that no flirtation will distract him from the Celtic Queen. “I have no intention of going anywhere,” he yelled, perhaps while making that strange hammer sign with his arms crossed. “I’ve already spoken to [Gollivan]We’re up to date and things are going smoothly. “

When the Chicagoans [one for the kids – Fiver Ed] DJ bangs on Come on Eileen. Photo: Tom Jenkins / The Guardian

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce accepts that there is a little squeak in the back. “It sure gets to the tickling part, that’s for sure,” he said. “I always say when the daffodils are up, that is a sign that the real crux of the season is upon us and when unfortunately you are at the low end of where we are.”

Oriol Romeu was ruled out for the remainder of the season after having ankle surgery in Southampton’s 3-0 loss in Leeds.

It’s Always Sunny Wrexham owners Van Wilder and Mac have used their expertise to boost performance by offering the squad a £ 250,000 promotion bonus, even though it may be against National League rules.

And a Norwegian Aston Villa fan known by the name Henning says he’s behind a bot tracking fantasy football transfers by Premier League players that allowed him to post news that Angered Dean Smith and led Pep Guardiola to label them “unethical”. . “This is information already available … [I’m] Sorry, not sorry, ”chatted the 32-year-old.

DO YOU WANT MORE?

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Stand or kneel How Megan Rapinoe helped the US! USA!! USA!!! Football changes its mood. By Caitlin Murray.

Ten things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend, with a glowing composite image above.

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