FC Barcelona’s kits for the 2012/13 season have caused quite a stir (official photos from the launch are above; home on far left, away middle, goalkeeper right) – indeed, as have many of Nike’s designs for the upcoming season.
It’s a departure from the traditional vertical stripes which has provoked contrasting reactions from supporters, with the home kit appearing to verge on PSG territory, but what do you think of Barcelona’s new look?
![The aftermath of losing…
There’s losing, and then there’s losing when you’re winning. The Champions League final in Munich was a game of inches, and both sides should be able to reflect upon it with their head held high. Bayern, most likely, will choose not to. Chelsea soaked up pressure, as they had hoped to, but Bayern failed to capitalise on their supremacy. In the end, tens of thousands inside the Allianz Arena, and millions watching across the world, had every right to be in an strangely dignified state of despair. Bayern had dominated the match, but were uncharacteristically wasteful. Petr Cech and Dider Drogba played the heroes, as they have often done, and in the wake of this victory, Chelsea supporters may well be calling for their statues outside Stamford Bridge. As with the loss in 1999, the unthinkable pain that accompanies this missed opportunity will likely stay with Bayern for years. [posted by MG]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4bm8tIeXg1qaznnlo1_1280.jpg)
There’s losing, and then there’s losing when you’re winning. The Champions League final in Munich was a game of inches, and both sides should be able to reflect upon it with their head held high. Bayern, most likely, will choose not to. Chelsea soaked up pressure, as they had hoped to, but Bayern failed to capitalise on their supremacy. In the end, tens of thousands inside the Allianz Arena, and millions watching across the world, had every right to be in an strangely dignified state of despair. Bayern had dominated the match, but were uncharacteristically wasteful. Petr Cech and Dider Drogba played the heroes, as they have often done, and in the wake of this victory, Chelsea supporters may well be calling for their statues outside Stamford Bridge. As with the loss in 1999, the unthinkable pain that accompanies this missed opportunity will likely stay with Bayern for years. [posted by MG]
By John Ray, follow on Twitter.
“Les Elephants”, the footballers of the Ivory Coast, help captivate and enthrall a nation while playing against Madagascar: large outdoor television flicker and the metropolis of Abidjan rustles. Arouna Kone (PSV) crosses to Salomon Kalou (Chelsea) at the edge of the area; the supporters swell in deliverance as he belts the ball into the Malagasy net. There are chants and dances to the djembe drum in the stands and in Abidjan; life in the country is good. A month later the stadium is empty, except for a smattering of people around the halfway line. ASEC Mimosas, the Ivory Coast’s most successful team, are playing a match, but no one seems to care. Ivorian international football has always had the capacity to unite and excite the nation, but interest in domestic football has gradually shrunk to null as the push for Europe has consumed the clubs. ASEC and its academy provide a perfect example of the effects (good and bad) of what is, for the lack of a better term, player commoditization.
Remember his unbelievable hit from last year? Well, it wasn’t a fluke. Eric Hassli pulled it off again in the first leg of the Canadian Championship finals between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC last night. In injury time, Hassli’s right-footed strike had so much power that it actually made you feel for the net, nevermind the goalkeeper.
16 nations will be represented in Ukraine and Poland at next month’s EURO 2012. Some star players will shine, while others will undoubtedly fall short of their fans’ expectations. Didi made a line of shirts so you can show your support for the Europeans who will represent their respective countries this summer.
You can get Didi’s shirts here, but we’re also doing a contest to give one away this evening… All you have to do is
To enter: Either tweet your prediction @AFootballReport, reblog this post with your prediction, or email your prediction to contact [at] afootballreport [dot] com…
Not often does a Milan derby decide who wins Serie A. It’s even rarer when the derby’s winner is not one of the title contenders. But this was exactly the case on Sunday. Inter Milan outplayed their rivals, but subsequently awarded Juventus their 28th Serie A title. The match ended 4-2, with a Diego Milito hat-trick, a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and an absolute golazo from Maicon. Ryu finally got the chance to take in the derby, and he enjoyed every bit of it. Except maybe the smoke from the flares.
(Interact with Ryu on twitter @Toksuede and check his Flickr)
A few months ago, Chelsea winning the FA Cup seemed absurd. And the Champions League? Well, if you were even thinking about that then you were either entirely out of your mind or some kind of evil genius. But somehow, Roberto Di Matteo has inspired Chelsea’s old guard to do the unthinkable. After watching this match, Bayern Munich will know that they have no easy test awaiting them.
What were your thoughts on the match? [drawing by the amazing Richard Swarbrick, GIF via. posted by EB]
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