Page 86 - Soccer360 Issue 104

90TH MINUTE
WHO SAID WHAT
“It’s very tough, jet-lag, long trip. But it is what it is, we like playing football this is what we want, we want to win and that’s why we did our best today.” – Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister discussed the challenges of facing Manchester City after a grueling journey back from South America.
“There will be people debating that now and getting previous overhead kicks. But it’s not a bicycle kick, it’s an overhead kick. There are times you can get on your side, into that position. We can all do that. But to get into the position Garnacho did, I’ve never seen that before. I think Rooney’s is close to it but Garnacho’s is just better.”
– Roy Keane aimed a cheeky dig at former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney in the wake of Alejandro Garnacho’s wonder goal.
“In the broad church of football philosophies, I have stayed really strict to one religion. I went into
a library of football books and got stuck on one section that was about attacking football.”
– Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou breaks down his tactical philosophy.
17
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have scored in the same Premier League game 17 times for Manchester United, the second-most of any duo for the club.
PROUD SUPPORTERS
ASD Staletti, an amateur soccer team from
the scenic town of Staletti, known for its
rich cultural heritage, was established to
foster local soccer talent and embody the
town’s sporting spirit. In a pioneering move,
Soccer 360 Magazine has become the team’s
sponsor, marking the magazine’s first-ever
sponsorship of a local team. This collaboration
highlights ASD Staletti’s growing prominence and Soccer 360’s commitment to supporting grassroots soccer. The team, a beacon of local pride, brings together passionate players and fans, symbolizing unity and sportsmanship in Staletti, while benefitting from the visibility and support provided by a major soccer publication.
BACKROOM BOY
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has held talks with AC Milan over a hybrid coaching staff role, according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport. The position would see the 42-year-old act as a
club ambassador and member of head coach Stefano Pioli’s backroom staff. Zlatan returned to AC Milan in 2020 for a second spell with the club and lifted the Scudetto. Overall, he scored 93 goals in 163 appearances for the Rossoneri.
15
As of match week 13, Douglas Luiz has been directly involved in 15 goals in the Premier League in 2023 (10 goals, five assists); only Bruno Fernandes (17) and James Maddison (16) have more combined goals and assists among midfielders this year.
MUCH KNEEDED
After overcoming a significant knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2022 season, Sporting Kansas City forward Alan Pulido has been named the 2023 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. The Mexican international produced an MLS career-best and club-high 14 goals in 2023 alongside three assists as SKC returned to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
THE LAST WALTZ?
Inter Miami has denied that it agreed to participate in the Riyadh Season Cup friendly tournament in February 2024 against Al Nassr, which could have seen Lionel Messi face off with great rival Cristiano Ronaldo one last time. Event organizers in Saudi Arabia had announced “The Last Dance” event via social media at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh with no exact dates yet set. The post was later deleted.
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