Premier League Legends: Dennis Bergkamp

By David Whitworth | @DCWh1tw0rth

Welcome back to the latest series of articles from Last Word on Football. This time we look back on the footballers who many class as Premier League legends. Players who wowed the crowd, frustrated the opposition, scored great goals and inspired their team to glory.

Today we look at a player who entertained the Premier League for 11 years and widely recognised as one of the best foreign players to ever grace the Premier League – Arsenal Striker Dennis Bergkamp.

Where It All Began for Bergkamp

The origins of Dennis Bergkamp, named after Scottish legendary striker Dennis Law, started in his native Amsterdam where at 11 years old, his natural ability with the ball attracted the attention of the city’s historic club Ajax. Originally playing as a wide midfielder, Bergkamp progressed through the clubs fabled youth academy of De Toekomst. Six years later at the tender age of 17, he would make his professional bow for Ajax at home vs Roda JC as a late substitute. It was a happy debut with his side running out 2-0 winners.

The Becoming of Bergkamp at Ajax

By now, the Dutchman had been converted to a striker and in seven years with the Amsterdam outfit played 185 matches and scoring 103 goals. His final three seasons at Ajax would bring a goal glut ranging in the mid twenties. In his final season he scored a remarkable 26 goals in 28 games in the Eredivisie to cement himself as one of the best talents in world football.

During his time in Amsterdam he won the league, cup, European Cup Winners Cup and the 1992 UEFA Cup Final Edition defeating Torino over two legs. Not only in club football was he shining, but on the international stage too. He scored a career best seven goals in 11 games for the Oranje during the calendar year of 1992.

The Ill Fated Italian Job

As Bergkamp was exhibiting himself at the top level, the top European heavyweights would start to circle. It was Inter Milan who won his signature back in the summer of 1993 for £7.1 Million Pounds. His international team mate Wim Jonk would also join him as it was a case of double Dutch for the Italians.

Bergkamp was sold on the Italian league being the best at the time and playing in a big stadium atmosphere. It looked the perfect fit yet for all Bergkamp’s quality and skill, he never got to grips with the tactical and defensive prowess that Serie A was characterized for. Domestically, it was indeed an ill fated spell scoring only 11 goals in 52 matches in his two seasons at the San Siro.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, as in his first season he racked up eight goals in 11 matches in the 1993/94 UEFA Cup season in which Inter Milan won the trophy 2-0 on aggregate against Austria Salzburg. Bergkamp had such a good season he finished joint top scorer with Edgar Schmitt of Karlsruher SC on eight goals.

It was a run which included defeating Norwich City 2-0 over two legs with a penalty and an outfield goal by the Dutchman. Bergkamp had a happy memory of that game and soon after he would be back playing in England for real where his career hit the heights of legendary status.

Arsenal’s Jewel in the Crown

As his time at Internazionale came to an end, it was the Londoners of Arsenal who prised him away for a club record fee of £7.5 million pounds. After an average first season where both supporters and the press expressed doubts in the Dutchman, he fully flourished under new manager Arsene Wenger. Aware of his technical ability, Wenger made him his main man and changed his position to a more permanent second striker role. Also, thanks to some revolutionized dietary and sports medicine and practices, Arsenal became the pioneers of that Premier League era with Bergkamp spearheading the Gunner’s success.
In the 1997/98 league season, Bergkamp would taste both league and cup success by winning the Premier League and FA Cup, defeating Newcastle United 2-0 in the showpiece final.

Bergkamp and That Hat Trick

One of the most talked about moments in Premier League history is the hat trick Dennis Bergkamp scored against Leicester at Filbert Street on the 23rd August 1997. Three goals, three different goals of pure class. Firstly, a superb curling strike from out side the box arrowed into the top right hand corner. Next, a lovely lob for his second but the piece de resistance was the hat trick strike. A ball from deep arrived at the feet of the Dutchman and with the poise and intelligence he firstly controlled the ball with his right foot. Then, with his left foot, he flicked the ball pass the bamboozled defender Matt Elliott with both touches of the ball not even touching the ground. Finally, Bergkamp showed his guile and coolness to slot the ball past goalkeeper Kasey Keller into the top right hand net.

A moment of brilliant and a hat trick of the highest order. He remains the only player to have the distinction of all his goals being included in the top three best goals for Match of the Day viewers to chose their goal of the month. The only time in 50 years. Remarkably, it was Bergkamp’s only hat trick with the Gunners. A milestone tinged with slight disappointment that the hat trick didn’t earn the victory it deserved as Leicester would gain a 3-3 draw.

The Brilliance of Bergkamp

18 years ago in 2002, Bergkamp would score one of the great Premier League goals against Newcastle United. A goal which encapsulated all the hallmarks of the talented Dutchman. His creativity and imagination to think of the flick and turn. His technique and skill to actually make it happen by tapping the ball one way and swivel the other past a bewildered Nikos Dabizas. His brute force to outmuscle himself past the defender also marks another reason why this goal is right up there with the best goals ever produced.

The Non-Flying Dutchman

During his career, it was well documented his fear of flying. An incident occurred during travelling for the 1994 World Cup held in the United States of America when an engine failed to start on the aircraft he was flying on. Add to that, his unease at travelling in small planes with Inter Milan triggered his phobia to the point he would get anxious at the thought of flying. Naturally, this made it troublesome in travelling abroad for his side Arsenal’s European games and with the National team. But he managed to travel by train and car to as many games as possible due to warm support of his club Arsenal and The Netherlands Football Association.

The relative close proximity of the 1998 World Cup held in France made it easier to hop on the Eurostar and take part in the tournament. Supporters all over the world, apart from Argentina, glad he did as that summer was lit up by the famous strike he scored in the Quarter Finals at the Stade Velodrome.

A lovely arrowing ball from deep from Frank de Boer found Bergkamp who, marked by the great Argentine defender Roberto Ayala, coolly trapped the ball, turned the defender and delicately caressed a wonderful strike past goalkeeper Carlos Roa into the net. Just 2.51 seconds separated three wonderful touches to bring worldwide acclaim as one of the goals of the tournament. No wonder he was nicknamed the ‘iceman’, so cool under pressure he was.

End of an Era for Bergkamp

Returning to club matter, in his final league appearance for Arsenal, he came off the bench with the score 1-1 against West Bromwich Albion and gave an assist to Robert Pires before scoring an 89th minute strike to taste victory at the end. It was to be his last competitive goal.

Yet, unfortunately he couldn’t bow out on a high on the field as he was an unused sub in the 2006 Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona.

A Fitting Testimonial

Given his status, Bergkamp was awarded a testimonial match against Ajax on 22nd July 2006. It was to be Arsenal’s first match at the Emirates Stadium. The first half lined up an Arsenal vs Ajax current tram whereas in the second half the legends of both sides took part. It was a young Klass-Jan Huntelaar who would have the honour to score the first goal at the stadium. A match won in the end by Arsenal 2-1 thanks to Thierry Henry and Nwankwo Kanu.

But the day belonged to Bergkamp and opening the stadium and new era was a fitting finale to close the chapter on the glittering era of Dennis Bergkamp. A hugely influential player in a transformational crossroads moment in the Premier League. A supremely gifted footballer and his 315 goals and 87 goals for The Gunners earned him hero status. His glorious career truly solidified him as a Premier League great.

Every Cloud Has a Silva Lining – Premier League Legends: David Silva

By David Whitworth | @DCWh1tw0rth

Today we look at a player who has thrilled the Premier League for the past 10 years and has been one of the best foreign imports in the Premier League history – Manchester City midfielder David Silva

Where It All Began

David Silva was born in the fishing village of Arguineguín in Gran Canaria. His first team was his local side UD San Fernando. After five years and playing in a variety of positions from striker to even goalkeeper, the young Silva struck gold and moved to his now known attacking midfield position. It was a switch which would change his life.

Breakthrough Move to Valencia

At the age of 14, his talents became apparent and Valencia came calling. He would spend three years in the youth ranks before making the step up to the main youth academy side.

After a first season in the youth team, Silva went out on loan for two productive seasons. The north of Spain and Basque outfit Eibar was his first point of call. There he played in the Second Division and after a successful period he followed that with a season with Celta Vigo in La Liga.

After scoring four goals in each of these seasons, he rapidly improved and matured on the field. Silva was ready to return to the first team fold at Valencia.

What followed was the becoming of David Silva. A highly successful four-year-spell which would enhance his star billing further. In 2006 he made his debut for the Spanish national team against Romania. In 2008, he would lift the first trophy of his career with the Copa del Rey defeating Getafe in the final. In his final season in 2010, he would attain a career best in La Liga with eight goals to help Valencia finish 3rd and return to the Champions League. All of this playing in a star-studded side which included fellow Spanish international attackers Vicente, Joaquín, Juan Mata and David Villa.

A Silva Decade of Delight In Manchester

The new decade brought a new challenge as Manchester City persuaded Valencia to part with their starlet. His price tag was £21 million pounds and arguably represented the best piece of business the club had done in its history.

Silva joined the Citizens at a time where the club were in its early developmental years but the player himself was already the polished performer. He was one of the original pillars of this new giga-club that Manchester City now are worldwide.

But there were initial doubts about his compatibility in English football. For a player so small and diminutive, there were arguments he wouldn’t be able to adapt to the rigours of the tough and no-nonsense up-and-at-them Premier League.

How wrong those statements would prove to be. His drive and fierce competitive style surprised many as he would instantly hit the ground running and became a key player from the outset.

An Inspirational Idol

His class and elegance instantly wowed fans up and down the league. His stylish nature was reflective of his idol as a child – the great Michael Laudrup. Those slalom runs gliding along the pitch like an ice skater, his pin point cutting edge passes, dribbling ability and vision were what Silva modelled himself on the great Dane.

Onwards and Upwards

He was handed the 21 shirt which he also wore at Valencia. He scored his first goal against Blackpool shortly into his career in England.

That first season, Silva would score four goal and most notably, achieve his best season in his entire City career for assists with seven.

From then on, his career only went one way: up – and flourished year on year becoming an integral player of the team. His ability and likable nature earned him respect by his team mates, supporters and rival opponents. Known as ‘El Mago’ he really has performance some magic tricks throughout his career.

City Slicker Silva

In total, he has amassed 301 games and has scored 57 goals with 103 assists. His best scoring season was 2014/15 when he entered double figures for the first and only time in his career when he scored 12 goals.

Fighting Though Hardship

It hasn’t all been plain sailing though. Last season, he took time off to be with his poorly new-born son who had been born prematurely after 25 weeks. The club and manager Pep Guardiola gave the player all the time off he needed to tend to the more important matter of his life and supported him in whatever they could.

Thankfully his son, Mateo, made a full recovery and Silva joined up once again with his team to do what he does best; consistently performing at the highest level. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Premier Achievements

Throughout his decade of delight at City, he has won every domestic honour possible including four Premier League titles to cement himself into the folklore of Manchester City history. Also, he has been integral to shift the power from the red half of the city to the blue.

He has been highly successful in his international career too – a World Cup winner 10 years ago this summer as part of the record three titles in a row with Spain adding to the European Championship successes in 2008 and 2012. 125 caps and 37 goals meant Silva played a huge role in Spain’s golden generation.

A Fond Farewell and Next Move

After a decade of unparalleled triumphs, David Silva will be leaving Manchester City this summer for pastures new. With his contract up and seeking a fresh challenge, speculation links him with various clubs including former stomping ground Valencia and David Beckham’s Inter Miami.

For the moment, Silva is currently in talks with City chiefs to extend his contract short-term to see out the season at the Etihad due to the pandemic crisis.

It is a shame there won’t be supporters present in the stadium to give him the fitting finale he deserves but fans up and down the country will acknowledge they have witnessed a true Premier League great.

Sevilla vs Real Betis: A Footballing Feast

Two Passionate Teams in One Football Mad City

Seville is a city draped with sunshine for over 300 days a year and it is also a hot bed of football with passions running high for its two footballing teams: Real Betis Balompié and Sevilla Football Club.

Flamboyant, colourful and ferocious – the hallmarks of the biggest city derby in Spanish football. A fixture bringing together the neighbourhoods of Heliópolis of the green and whites of Betis, the historic working class district, against their arch city rivals of the red and whites of Sevilla, traditionally more upper class, located in the suburb of Nervión. Nowadays, the class divide is not what it was but the intensity of the derby very much is.

Tale of the Derby Tape

There has been 183 matches head-to-head between the two eternal rivals with Sevilla having the upper hand with 87 victories to Betis’ 53 wins with 43 draws.

City Successes

Sevilla have had a glorious rich recent history with five UEFA Cups/ Europa League wins with a remarkable three consecutive final wins lead by ex-Arsenal manager Unai Emery. Two English clubs were put to the sword in the finals in Middlesbrough and Liverpool. Add to that further successes in the Copa del Rey and it has been a trophy-laden time for the Red and White side of the city.

Contrast that to Real Betis who have been up and down like a yo-yo in recent times and craving the consistency of their neighbours. The club has featured however in three European campaigns since the new millennium. Real Betis became the first club in the southern province of Andalusia to play in the Champions League in 2005. A group featuring in a group including Liverpool and Chelsea, who they defeated at home in a famous win. Betis were last in the Europa League two seasons ago and topped their group ahead of AC Milan. In fact Real Betis managed to win in the San Siro with a delightful goal by current Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.

Real Betis also have cup pedigree having won the Copa del Rey in 2005 defeating Osasuna in the final.

Classic Derby Encounter

If we go down memory lane of Spain’s most intense derby, we can rewind to the 180th derby edition. It was given added festive spice due to the fact it was scheduled for January 6th 2018 – Spain’s Christmas Day.

There was a terrific festival atmosphere to welcome the two teams at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla’s home. The derby, as is notorious, started at a frenzied pace and it was Betis who made a blistering start with their midfield dynamo Fabián Ruiz scoring after just 34 seconds with a rasping left footed strike. It set the tone for this classic encounter as three more goals created a topsy-turvy first half. Forward Wissam Ben Yedder equalized for the hosts with a lovely flick over the goalkeeper before defender Zou Feddal would put Betis back in the ascendency with a powerful header. Simon Kjær drew Sevilla level once again to close out a thrilling first 45 minutes deadlocked at 2-2.

Pulsating Derby Game

Fans tried to catch their breathe, gripped by a scintillating first half. However, the second half brought further drama in mass dosage with another four goals served up. Between the 60th and 70th minutes, three further goals arrived. In the 63rd minute, a beautiful team goal would be finished off by Betis’ Danish left back Riza Durmisi, being the pick of the goals. 2-3 quickly became 2-4 two minutes later thanks to striker Sergio León scoring on his birthday. But back came Sevilla again in minute 67 with centre back Clément Lenglet nodding in as the see-saw nature continued.

With the score 3-4, a chaotic scene resembling a basketball contest ensued with each team attacking one other in a thrilling tug-of-footballing-war finale, culminating with a breakaway Betis goal by winger Cristian Tello in the final minute of an extraordinary game to win the derby for the green and white half of the city, their first in Sevilla’s stadium in 60 years. Ecstasy for Betis but despair for Sevilla. A captivating game ending 3-5 after a titanic tussle.

“It was a tremendously entertaining footballing match and the perfect Christmas gift for our supporters,” said Joaquín, the delighted Betis captain.

Rivalry aside, the game lived up to the billing and was an outstanding game of football befitting of one of the greatest derbies on the planet.

Return of La Liga with a Bang

These two eternal city rivals will lock horns once again this Thursday evening (9pm UK time) and celebrate the next instalment of the cities spectacular footballing centrepiece.

The Sevillano derby is a fitting way for football to return to Spain after this pause of the sporting calendar. Both teams go into the derby with much at stake. Sevilla currently are 3rd with 47 points and chasing a Champions League place. Last time out they draw 2-2 against Atlético Madrid thanks to goals from striker Luuk de Jong and winger Lucas Ocampos.

As for Real Betis, they are currently in 12th position with 33 points. Nine points off their Europa League target position. After a winless streak of eight matches, they shocked La Liga defeating league leaders at the time Real Madrid 2-1 with goals from Sidnei and Tello.

One’s To Watch

Sevilla have Dutchman Luuk de Jong who has five goals in 24 games and scored the winner in the corresponding fixture of the derby back late last year. He has five goals in 24 games.

Another key man will be Argentine international Lucas Ocampos. Since his move to Spain from France’s Ligue 1, the right winger has been in sparking form with 10 goals in 22 games and also scored in the derby which beat Betis 2-1.

Diego Carlos is Sevilla’s defensive general and his strong physical attributes have been key to his team. He has 25 appearances with two goals to his name.

For Real Betis, the main threat is their Captain, leader and legend Joaquín. At 38 years young, the evergreen Joaquín is having one of his best seasons in Spain with eight goals in 26 games. This included his first career hat trick vs Athletic Bilbao – the oldest man in La Liga history to achieve the feat.

World Cup winner Nabil Fekir is the maverick of the team and has had a decent debut season in Spain with seven goals in 22 games

Midfielder Sergio Canales has had a difficult season with only 17 appearances and one goal but is still a key player on his day as his history has shown to player for Real Madrid and Spain.

The 184th derby of Sevilla is almost upon us. Bragging rights for the next derby delight.

Mendieta: The Magnificent Magician

By David Whitworth | @DCWh1tworth

A classy player, wonderful penalty taker and a La Liga legend – midfielder Gaizka Mendieta.

Origins of a Magical Talent

Born in Bilbao, Mendieta started his career at Castellón close to Valencia. He made his bow at just 17-years-old and, curiously, at full-back.

Valencia Talisman

After one season, neighbouring Valencia would come calling. It was a difficult start as his first two years would be spent in their reserve team. However, he made his debut against Cádiz on 13th June 1993. Gradually, he would find his feet in La Liga and featured in 34 of the 42 games of the 1995/96 season as Valencia finished runners up to Atlético Madrid.

With the arrival of Claudio Ranieri and a change in position to central midfield, Mendieta blossomed and fully developed into the talented midfielder we all remember. He scored 10 goals in 30 games during the 1997-98 season and his performances earned him a call up to the Spanish National side, where he would make 40 appearances in total featuring in a World Cup and European Championship.

The following season would yield his first trophy with winning the 1999 Copa del Rey Final over Atlético Madrid with Mendieta scoring an outrageous goal with sublime skill. As he controls the ball from high up with his chest, he swivels with the ball from back to goal to face the goalkeeper and bamboozles two defenders in the process. He duly finished with aplomb and it is a wonderful strike worth checking out.

Mendieta was in the groove (more of that music later) and as captain, he really became the leader of the Valencia ship.

The late 90’s and early 2000 were the midfielder’s peak years. He was twice voted by UEFA in back to back seasons as the best midfielder in the world. He played a huge role in getting ‘Los Che’ to two Champions League finals in a row in 2000 and 2001. A remarkable achievement for the Captain and number six, his favourite number and loyal to him throughout his career.

The 1999 / 2000 season was his most productive with 13 goals in 33 games in La Liga and five goals in 16 games in the Champions League.

But that achievement was not rewarded with those two successive final defeats. Firstly, a 3-0 defeat at the hands of fellow La Liga side Real Madrid. Then just one year later, Valencia lost out in even more heart-breaking fashion by losing on penalties to Bayern Münich. Mendieta gave Valencia the lead with a trusty penalty but the game went all the way to the spot kicks with the score deadlocked at 1-1. He would also score in the shootout but football was to be cruel once again for the man from Bilbao.

Corner Kick Wonder Goal

Playing for Valencia against Barcelona in the Camp Nou in 1999, he scored one of the best goals ever from a corner set piece. A corner kick was taken by Adrian Ilie with precise precision and as the ball arrived to Mendieta in the air and, from outside of the box, launched a rasping strike on the volley to almost break the net. The ball entered the net in the very top corner with a venomous forceful strike as the Barcelona goalkeeper and defender on the line could only watch and marvel as the ball flew in with sheer pace. An improvised attempt as confirmed by the player himself which is still remembered to this day.

Penalty King

Mendieta was deadly from the penalty spot and had an unenviable record. His cool and precise way of stroking the ball low and hard towards either side of the goal caught out many a goalkeeper. It was a method which was simple, yet oh so effective, time and time again.

He scored a remarkable 31 of his 34 penalties, an average of 91.18%, including that penalty in the 2001 Champions League Final and converting his spot kick in the shootout.

Lazio Flop

After the penalty shootout defeat of 2001 and the toll of two successive Champions League Final defeats, Mendieta wanted a change of scenery with a fresh challenge.

The midfielder was a prized asset and a number of clubs came knocking. One of those was Real Madrid. However, their interest was never concrete due to the fractured relationship between Valencia and Real Madrid meaning negotiations were impossible.

The club who did acquire his services was SS Lazio who signed Mendieta for £47 million pounds. At the time, he was the most expensive Spanish footballer and the sixth most expensive transfer in world football.

It proved to be a highly disappointing season for the player in the capital Roma, mustering only 20 appearances and no goals to his name. His lack of opportunities in being given the valuable game time he needed meant he couldn’t live up to his or the clubs expectation. Nor could he fill the shoes of previous stars of Lazio, Pavel Nedvěd, nor Juan Sebastián Verón. The different style of football in Serie A hindered his own style and was farmed out on loan for two seasons.

Barcelona Stop

Luckily, the 2002/03 season was something of a second coming for Mendieta. He returned to La Liga with Barcelona and reinvigorated himself, to an extent, returning to somewhere near his peak level and known polished performances with four goals in 33 games.

Athletic Club Bilbao Regret

The next season, he had offers from Atlético Madrid and home club Athletic Bilbao. The Bilbao option certainly tugged at his heart having being born in Bilbao and grew up a boyhood fan of the Basque team. Unfortunately for him, negotiations broke down and he never got the chance to play for his team, a regret he has to this day.

Middlesbrough Renaissance

Yet with missing out on playing for Athletic Bilbao, it gave him the opportunity to fulfil a dream and that would be to sign Middlesbrough due to his strong passion for English football and dreaming to play in the Premier League.

It was a huge coup for his club and his arrival brought a highly successful time with Mendieta helping Boro to the first silverware in their history in 2004. The club lifted the League Cup with victory over Bolton Wanderers. A band of national and international brothers were formed together with great success such as Juninho, Bolo Zenden, Mark Viduka and current England manager Gareth Southgate. Mendieta was at the heart of the Teessider’s success story.

Mendieta would play with the number 14 shirt, as his favoured number six was with Gareth Southgate and choose 14 in honour of his idol Johan Cruyff.

Unfortunately, due to injuries, he would miss out on playing in the 2006 UEFA Cup Final and progressively those injuries proved to be his downfall.

The player would retire from professional football on 5th December 2007 after a career spanning 16 years with 395 games and 56 goals. His final club would be Middleborough but such was his love for the area and its people, he set up roots in the area.

The midfielder was a very technically gifted footballer known for his leadership qualities. He also possessed a great vision for defensive-splitting passes, demonstrated wonderful versatility and a natural ability to assist and score.

DJ Mendieta

Not only was Mendieta stylish on the field, but is stylish behind the decks too. A career beckons in music as a respected DJ and has already played an impressive amount of gigs such as the renown Benacasim International Festival and even played a DJ set before the 2017 Champions League Final in Cardiff when Juventus took on Real Madrid. The perfect marriage of his beloved football and music.

Gaizka Mendieta is the jack of all trades and as well as being an international DJ, he is a global ambassador for La Liga and is a broadcast pundit for La Liga TV. Yet, he will forever be remembered for his successful footballing career. With the football at his feet, he really was a magnificent magician.

Never to be Forgotten Football Grounds: Benfica’s Estadio da Luz

By David Whitworth | @DCWh1tw0rth

Stadium Origins

Benfica’s original Estadio da Luz started its construction on 14th June 1953. Within two years, the 40,000 capacity stadium was a reality. The name of the stadium came from the name of a neighbourhood located to the north of the area called ‘Luz’ or ‘Light’. This was a reference to the Church of Our Lady of the Light. Its inauguration took place on 1st December 1964, a Portuguese national holiday. A festival of football with the centrepiece being Benfica hosting eternal rivals Porto in the stadium’s debut match.

Renovations Galore

The stadium saw as many stylistic changes as the great David Bowie. There were five important renovations throughout its time. The original attendance was 40,000 during the 1950’s. Then, the capacity would increased to 70,000 during the 1960’s. This included the construction of the first phase of its third tier and as well as the installation of floodlights.

The next major cosmetic operation was in the mid-eighties with the completion of the third tier. This upgrade brought the stadium capacity to an impressive 120,000. Its main characteristics featured a sprawling oval bowl with red grandstands. There were four tall floodlights painted in gold which towered above the stadium and a huge white entrance to welcome supporters.

Due to stadia becoming all-seater, The Estadio da Luz decreased its capacity to 78,000 for its final eight years from 1994 to 2002.

Five renovations over four key spells and the original da Luz would cease to existence. That day arrived on the 22nd March 2003 when Benfica played its final match at its original home. But, a goal by Simão Sabrosa from the penalty spot against Santa Clara gave a fitting finale to the cathedral.

Colossal Attendances For Benfica Matches

The Estadio da Luz, or the stadium of light, held at one time the record of the biggest stadium in all of Europe. With a capacity of 120,000 at one stage, it was the third largest stadium in the world. During this time, the record attendance was a match between Benfica and Porto with 135,000 packing the da Luz. This was due to the stadium having no seats so more people managed to get in than the stated capacity. It was a victory for the home side by three goals to one with the match taking place on the 4th January 1985.

Let There Be Light At Benfica

With times changing and Benfica wanting to modernize, a new stadium began to take importance. This culminated in the new Estadio da Luz brought to life with a capacity of 64,400. Its full name is Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Its opening day was on the 25th October 2003 with Benfica beating Uruguayan outfit Club Nacional 2-1. Also, the construction of the new stadium had another main aim which was to welcome the European Championships held the following year. The stadium hosted five matches, including the showpiece final. But, unfortunately for the host Portugal who made the final, their dreams on winning on home soil suffered heartache thanks to the well organized Greeks.

The Eagle Has Landed

At a time when Space exploration is back in the front of people’s minds, this reference comes from the famous eagle which flies over home matches before kick-off. The original eagle, known as Vitória, started to fly around the stadium from the inauguration of the Estadio da Luz in 2003.

Since 2011, another eagle, also named Vitória, has been flying around the stadium at kick-offs. The tradition consists of Vitória, with red and white ribbons, flying in and around the stadium until it lands on the club crest. What is special is that crest is without its featured eagle so Vitória completes the badge in a novel way. There is a greet on-board video of the eagle flying from the top of the stadium all the way down and onto its perch. It is well worth a look from an internet search.

Landmark Matches in Benfica

Famous games include the 1992 European Cup Winners Cup Final between Werder Bremen and AS Monaco, which ended 2-0 to the Germans. The 1983 UEFA Cup Final Second Leg as Benfica drew with Anderlecht 1-1. Yet, the Belgium’s won the cup on aggregate 2-1. Then there was the 1962 Intercontinental Cup Second Leg between Santos and Benfica. A match which brought together two icons of world football in the Brazilian Pele and the Portuguese Eusébio. The match ended a thrilling 2-5 to Santos to beat Benfica in their own back yard. This followed the first leg result of the Copa Libertadores champions defeating the European Cup winner 3-2 in the famous Estádio do Maracanã.

The original Estadio da Luz was a colossal coliseum and certainly a stadium never to be forgotten.

Never to be Forgotten Football Grounds: Southampton’s The Dell

By David Whitworth | @DCWh1tw0rth

The Grand Opening
The Dell officially opened on 3rd September 1898 with a South Coast derby match between Southampton and Brighton United. The derby spoils went to the home team courtesy of a 4-1 opening day victory.

The stadium was named after where it was located; in a dell, or small valley, on the outskirts of Southampton. Its capacity was around 25,000 supporters and became the home of The Saints until 2001.

Southampton’s Stadium Upgrades
During its long history, The Dell underwent several restorations. The first major one was in 1927 when a new West Stand was built to go with their other stand and two grass banks made for standing areas.

A year later, a fire occurred in the stadium which destroyed its East Stand. A replica model was made from the West Stand and the upgrade rose the stadium capacity to 30,000.

Let There Be Southampton Light
Southampton have the proud record of being the first English stadium to install floodlights. Its inauguration took place on 31st October 1950 with the visitors being Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic, now know as AFC Bournemouth. A happy Halloween for the Saints.

The 1980’s saw further renovations with the inclusion of a family stand replacing the ‘chocolate boxes’ of the older stands previously constructed.

The 1990’s brought the inclusion of an all-seater stadium due to the Hillsborough tragedy. With this, the stadium’s capacity was decreased to less than half of the original size at 15,200 seats. It was a tight and compact stadium. A typical English football ground with the fans right on the players. The Dell was atmospheric – always giving the opposition players and supporters a partisan ‘welcome’.

Quirky Stand
Due to the lack of room to expand the seating capacity, a curious triangular stand was erected behind the goalmouth of The Milton Road Stand. From left to right, the seating’s capacity increased starting with five or six seats from top to bottom on the left hand side to around five times that towards its right hand side. Instantly iconic.

The Grey Shirts Saga
The Dell would be a jinxed stadium for Manchester United losing there three times in a row during the late nineties. On the 13th April 1996, a famous match saw Southampton beat Manchester United 3-1. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team were 3-0 down at half time but that wasn’t the real drama. Cue the famous shirt change, with United blaming the grey shirts worn in the first half on their poor performance. Their change to blue and white shirts to be seen clearer did not help as they only managed to score a late consolation goal in the 89th minute through Ryan Giggs.

Southampton Hit The Red Devils For Six
Another famous match against Manchester United took place at The Dell just six months later on 26th October 1996. No shades of grey to blame this time around for Manchester United – returning to play in blue and white shirts from kick-off. Yet The Red Devils were on the end of another defeat after an extraordinary match which saw nine goals and finished 6-3. The pick of the bunch were two exquisite strikes through a beautiful lob by Matt Le Tissier over Peter Schmeichel after bamboozling two United defenders. The other being a thunderous volley from the edge of the box smashed into the net by Eyal Berkovic. Amazingly, four goals were scored in the final 10 minutes as United were humbled.

For The Saints, that sensational win earned them Premier League survival as their better goal difference kept them in the league. Staying up by the skin of their teeth and in remarkable fashion.

The Demise of The Dell
The stadium was the smallest in the English Premier League and it was clear from the lack of expansion opportunities that The Saints would have to uproots and move to a bigger and brighter future.

The last match at The Dell was on 19th May 2001 when Southampton took on Arsenal. It was a five-goal-thriller as The Saints gained a thrilling 3-2 win. Fittingly, the last goal was scored by Saints legend Matt Le Tissier to give the best send off possible to The Dell.

The stadium was demolished for a new housing estate to be built in its place. As a tribute, the names of former Southampton players were included in its five court areas, including The Dell’s cult hero, Matt Le Tissier.

The Future of Southampton: St. Mary’s Stadium
With the club bravely battling relegation in six of its last eight seasons of The Dell’s existence, it was clear financial backing was needed. At a cost of £32 million, the 32,000 seater St Mary’s stadium was a reality. It pushed the club into the modern day era and has been the home of Southampton ever since.

Staplewood Plush Academy
Southampton counts on not only a beautiful stadium, but a ground breaking training complex. Opened in October 2014, Staplewood Training Campus, located over the waters of the River Test in the village of Marshwood in Southampton, was built as a state-of-the-art complex to bring through the next generation of Saints. It cost £39 million to create but it has been money well spent. A world class facility and the envy of many a football club.

Staplewood is known worldwide and is recognised as one of the best academies in world football. It is testament to the club that they have cultivated talent after talent which have consistently come off their conveyor belt.

Southampton’s list of academic graduates from Staplewood and its previous training ground reads a who’s who of footballing prodigies; Alan Shearer, Gareth Bale, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Matt Le Tissier, Wayne Bridge Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Kevin Phillips to name a few.

Not only that, the recent pool of talent which have arrived to the club, been professionally nurtured and ultimately sold for a higher price is significant too; Virgil van Dijk, Toby Alderweireld, Sadio Mané, Dušan Tadić, Victor Wanyama, Nathanial Clyne, Artur Boruc and Dejan Lovren. Imagine a combined all-star XI on your video game.

The Dell is now history for Southampton but the stadium’s past has served to propel the club to the present with St Mary’s and with Staplewood, its rich future.

Gareth Bale and Real Madrid: A Summer Of Brinkmanship Lies Ahead

By David Whitworth | @DCWh1tw0rth

This summer will witness a fascinating show of brinkmanship in the footballing dilemma that is brewing between Real Madrid and Gareth Bale.

Hero and Villain for Gareth Bale
The Welshmen very much polarizes opinion depending on who you speak with. The quintessential hero and villain if you will. Very much loved and adored by the Welsh supporters and respected in Britain for his overseas successes. However, he is almost despised and disrespected by the majority of disgruntled Real Madrid supporters.

Bale’s Real History
From the outside looking in, it is difficult to understand such a negative backlash. The player has won four Champions League titles in seven years and a La Liga title in 2017. He also has a man of the match award from the 2014 Copa Del Rey final against arch rivals Barcelona. A famous goal with that tremendous sprinting extra time winning goal in Valencia’s La Mestalla stadium. His trophy haul at Los Merengues stands at 14, and his goal record overall is not shabby – 80 goals in 169 appearances. Almost a classic goal in every two games ratio, which years ago would represent an impressive tally.

A Demanding Club
However this is Real Madrid – the Disneyland of the footballing world – where the club and its supporters analyse forensically every movement of a player in exhaustive detail. For the expensive nature of the deal – a world record £85 million pounds at the time – his dwindling number of goals and his many injury issues, the numbers simply don’t add up as on first reflection.

For a ‘Galactico’ has to be the star and to show week-in, week-out why he belongs to one of, if not the biggest teams in world football. When Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus, Real Madrid’s supporters expected Bale to step up and take his mantle. They expected he became the fulcrum and talisman of the team. It simply hasn’t panned out that way.

Life On and Off the Pitch
There are, however, mitigating circumstances. It has to be stressed that certain factors have gone against him, such as those unfortunate injuries. But there are some issues he could have improved on. For one, his inability to immerse himself in the language, culture and the differing habits of living in Spain. It is always a difficult challenge to come out of your comfort zone and learn a new lingo. Yet after seven years living in Spain and conducting only one highly staged interview in Spanish, it is understandable how supporters can feel negativity towards the player.

The Golfer Bale
The fact he seems socially withdrawn and unwilling to participate in club activities also goes against him. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the players have nicknamed him ‘The Golfer’ for his love of the game. Indeed his passion for golf has got him into trouble with accusations laying at his door he is more focused on his golf game than trying to be a success at the white house of Madrid.

Silence In the Bale Camp

What makes this speculation more intriguing is the fact you hardly hear from the player himself. Naturally, this makes it difficult to gauge his opinion. His agent Jonathan Barnett confirmed earlier this year his client is happy in Madrid.

All the noises coming out of the Welshman’s camp confirm he is keen to stay at Los Blancos.

This season, Bale has once again been in and out of the line up. He has featured in 18 games with just three goals and two assists. A fading star in gradual decline in Madrid and the Welshman is very much at a crossroads in his career.

The Future for Gareth Bale
And so to what happens next? Bale has a contract through to 2022 and is happy to stay, being so settled for him and his family. Who can blame him on the numbers he is earning? However, with Zinedine Zidane at the helm, Bale has a manager openly not in favour of the Welshman. Likewise, Bale doesn’t feel the support of his manager either: “We’re not exactly the best of friends”, he said of his relationship with Zidane.

Therefore, it seems likely there is set to be only one outcome. After a long time simmering, the situation has gone beyond reached breaking point. It is clear there is a total divorce between player, manager and club supporters. Bale has been deemed surplus to requirements and a solution to this prickly predicament clearly has to be sought.

Bale’s Options
Permanent transfer suitors forthcoming might take a pass due to his age (30, soon to be 31 next July). Plus the fact of his huge wage packet (£350,000 a week after tax), and his injury record. A loan detail represents a viable solution for all parties.

Manchester United
The Red Devils of Manchester United were mooted to be interested in a deal of this nature last summer, which would have represented a triple win scenario; The player would play, the club would relieve itself of his high contractual burden and club supporters would welcome his exit.

However, this solution didn’t come to fruition and was not on the cards from the start. According to Mr. Barnett: “A loan move is not going to happen. There’s more chance of me winning at Ascot than him going out on loan.”

Newcastle United
An historic Premier League club which are in talks to be taken over with riches to burn. The Magpies would not have any problem to pay the fees included in the deal. It also gives Bale the chance to return to English football where he stared.

Inter Miami
David Beckham’s Inter Miami have arrived to much fanfare in the MLS. The club have played only one game in the MLS due to the worldwide pandemic. The team is lacking in star power to give visibility to the world. Therefore, a new marquee signing would be just the tonic. Step forward an interested Gareth Bale to find his feet again in America to give the franchise the wow signing they crave.

Chinese Super League
An option which could return for the player is a move to China. Chinese Super League outfit Jiangsu Suning were on the verge of his signing last year before it broke down at the 11th hour. The club were willing to pay a staggering £1 million pounds a WEEK wages. However, the transfer collapsed with the Chinese club unable to pay a transfer fee and Real blocking the deal. Eye-watering figures, but would the player himself give up European trophies for financial rewards?

In football, as is the norm, everything is not straightforward. There will be many twists and turns ahead in this summer saga before the conclusion of the Gareth Bale conundrum.

Ødegaard: The Ode to Joy

By David Whitworth | @DCWh1tworth

Norwegian sensation Martin Ødegaard returned to Spanish football last summer with Real Sociedad and the Scandinavian prodigy has left his joyous mark.

The Ødegaard Origins
Despite the tender age of just 21, Martin Ødegaard has fit in a lot into his short footballing career. Long heralded as football’s bright young prospect since his impressive fledging performances for his Norwegian club Strømsgodset. That debut season he scored five goals in 23 appearances. The fierce race for his signature began in earnest. Ultimately, it was Spanish giants Real Madrid who secured the highly sought-after teenager. The Whites paying an initial €4 million euros for his services.

Galactico Status
He was even awarded the privilege of a ‘Galactico’ style signing. The new kid on the block was flanked by the club’s legendary player and now head of International Relations, Emilio Butragueño. He was full of praise for him in a packed press conference covered by world wide media. He also stepped on the pitch too for photos; billed as Real Madrid’s new hope.

The Real Madrid Beginnings
Ødegaard would train with the first team and made his debut for Los Blancos (The Whites) in the final fixture of that 2014/15 season. It was a debut to remember to be part of a famous 7-3 victory over Getafe in the Santiago Bernabéu. The youngster would join the fun and make his debut from the bench in the 58th minute. In the process, he became the youngest footballer ever to appear for Real Madrid in their history. All this at just 16 years and 157 days.

But, as the footballing world followed his every move, curious to follow his progress, Madrid’s new hope didn’t turn out the way they planned – and subsequently went out on loan later with a spell at their academy team, Real Madrid Castilla which yielded a goal and seven assists in 34 games in second season with The Whites.

The Eredivisie Journey
The Netherlands would be his next destination – signing an 18-month loan deal with Frisian side Heerenveen. His time in Friesland would be crucial to his development both on and off the field, scoring two goals in 38 games. His next stop would be with fellow Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem, which was where he would really find his footballing feet. In 31 league appearances, he scored eight goals and assisted 11 times as his confidence skyrocketed.

His outstanding performances earned him a place in the 2018/2019 Team of the Year in the Dutch Eredivisie league. An impressive achievement given he was the only player voted outside of the top two teams; Ajax and PSV. He also became better known for his dribbling ability and his entertaining tricks and flicks. Just search his name online to see his own highlight reel.

Back To The Future in La Liga
And so returned to La Liga with another loan move – but this time to the Basque region and Real Sociedad. The Txuri-Urdinak (The Whites and Blues) saw enough progress to acquire him for this La Liga season. The deal also comes with an option for next season and the player is happy to stay in San Sebastián.

Subsequently, he linked up with another Scandinavian prospect with playing experience in the Netherlands in Sweden’s Alexander Isak. The two young guns have shown promising form this season with an exciting partnership forged; certainly one of the narratives of this La Liga season.

The Swedish striker has scored seven goals in 27 games in his debut season in Spanish Football. Meanwhile, Ødegaard’s star has continued to rise. Improving once again and raising the bar with four goals in 23 games with five assists and countless moments of magic.

Ødegaard Steals Show in Bernabéu Bright Lights
He even made his parent club step up and take notice when he dazzled on his return to the Bernabéu. A Copa del Rey match which was won by Real Sociedad in a thrilling match 3-4 with the Norwegian opening the scoring. Madrid were vanquished and Ødegaard was at the heart of it all, pulling the strings to knock out The Whites.

His slalom runs, driving from deep and the way he effortlessly glides along the pitch with the ball close to his feet make him pleasing on the eye and a candidate to be in the team of the season.

Both Isak and Ødegaard, the Scandinavian duo together are certainly ones to watch out for once La Liga resumes.

Glory for Norway
Back in Norway, his national team also wanted a piece of Ødegaard. He duly made his bow on the international scene. By doing this, he became the youngest capped player in Norwegian history. A ridiculous achievement at the age of 15 years and 253 days.

However, a further call up to the squad didn’t take place. A tactic done on purpose so he was able to be given the time to grow and hone his footballing craft away from the limelight of fans and media who followed and scrutinized his every move.

After a hiatus of 18 months in development, he returned to the international set up and now has 22 caps to his name, scoring one goal to date against Romania in Norway’s Euro 2020 qualifying match last June. Thanks to his improvements, the young prodigy now features for his country on a regular basis.

The problem of his enormous expectation proceeded him in his teenage formative years. But that burden has gradually eroded as he caught up with the hype which initially surrounded him. A boy changing to a man in the face of the footballing world must have been tough. To live in a goldfish bowl with unrealistic pressure at such a young age. However, in the frenzied world of football, it is the norm as supporters pin their hopes on the next big thing.

From Raw Wunderkid to Flourishing Talent
Martin Ødegaard took his time to fully prove himself on the big stage. Yet, he is now consistently showing signs of why there was such a big fuss about him years ago. He continues to solve the next big challenge and finds answers to the questions thrown his way.

A maturing prospect and a perfect symphony could be written by the Norwegian sensation by the end of this season. With that, he will continue to write his way into the record books with his very own ode to joy.

The Rise of Gutsy Getafe

By David Whitworth | @DCWh1tw0rth

The edgy, less illustrious neighbours of the Madrid giants continue on a roll after an impressive last season. It must be stressed: the evolution of Getafe has been no fluke.

Out of the Shadows

For a team in the shadows of their grander neighbours, Getafe have put themselves firmly in the spotlight thanks to their recent outstanding achievements. Achievements that have come to fruition thanks, in large, to one man: their talented coach.
Getafe are lead by their studious and meticulous manager José Bordalás, who has worked wonders since his arrival. Los Azulones, as they are known, were in the relegation zone of the Segunda División when he took charge. Yet he masterfully navigated Getafe to promotion that very same season – overcoming Huesca and Tenerife in the play offs. Since then, he phas successfully stabilized the club by moulding together a team of players with a point to prove or clever signings from left field.

A Resurgent Club

The Madrid based team’s return to La Liga ended with an impressive 8th placed finish followed by last season’s magnificent 5th place berth. The club were challenging all the way for an unlikely, yet would have been deserving, Champions League classification. Not bad for a team with the fifth lowest budget in La Liga. Sustainability being the key to their success.

Overachieving certainly springs to mind. However, thanks to a solid organization, high work-ethic and sheer guts, Bordalás’ team has a notable 45% win rate from his 160 games in charge. This is backed up with a healthy points per match ratio of 1.63. The manager has a keen eye for the team that he wants, whilst being able to work to a small budget.

No Substitute for Hard Work

Precisely at Getafe, he and his club have successfully worked within their means. They have acquired talented individuals to fit into the spirited work ethos and togetherness of the club. The ‘all hands on deck’ approach from his players has contributed to huge reward.

Attacking Prowess

Players such as Jorge Molina have been mighty impressive and invaluable. After leaving Real Betis, he was the forward fulcrum of Getafe’s promotion season with 20 goals. He continued that form with eight goals two seasons ago, then plundered 14 goals last season. Remarkably, in spite of being at the club for just three seasons, he is their record goal scorer with 45 goals. This season, the spritely 37-year-old has still chipped in with five goals in 23 appearances.

His strike partner Jaime Mata has been just as impressive. He found the back of the net 14 times last season – A total which earned the forward a Spanish call up. He made his debut for La Roja in their win against Norway in La Mestalla. This season he has scored in eight goals in 23 Liga games with three goals in six Europa Liga encounters.

Defensive Rocks

The unmistakable Spanish defender Marc Cucurella, on loan from Barcelona, has made his mark with some impressive displays at left back. He plays as both an accomplished defender and attacker adding a new dynamic threat to Getafe. He has five assists and one goal in 25 La Liga games. Getafe have the option of a permanent deal for the player worth €6 million euros. It would represent an astute and clever signing given that he was an integral player in Eibar’s successful last season in La Liga. But many clubs are keeping a watching brief over this highly sought-after player.
Another impressive performer has been their Togolese defensive centre back Djené Dakonam. The defender has proven to be a shrewd buy since his move from Belgium side Sint-Truidense. Djené has had many outstanding performance and is proving to be a rock solid and effective defender.

European Fairy-tale

Their players have worked immensely hard throughout this somewhat golden period for their success. The town from the south suburb of Madrid deservingly welcomed European football once again this campaign. Naturally, there was much excitement on their return to the Europa League. Their supporters cherish this competition with fond memories of their most successful European jaunt. That was when they got to the quarter-finals stage in the 2007/08 season. It was a highly entertaining tie, which they narrowly lost on away goals 4-4 to the might of Bayern Munich. The first leg yielded an impressive 1-1 draw in the Allianz Arena followed by a thrilling return match at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, which ended 3-3 after extra time.

This season’s run in the competition has been just as remarkable – safety navigating through Group C made up of eventual group winners Basel, Getafe, Krasnodar and Trabzonspor. But the best was yet to come with a magnificent memorable win over Ajax in the Round of 32. Getafe won the first leg at home 2-0 before going through 2-3 on aggregate after a slender 2-1 defeat in the Johan Cruyff Arena. It was a tremendous triumph where Getafe out ‘Ajaxed’ Ajax at their own possession game. No mountain too tall to scale for this humble club.

Their reward would be another titanic clash in the Round of 16 against another European powerhouse in Internazionale. A juicy tie that one will hope will be fulfilled in the near future as football takes a pause due to the worldwide pandemic of the coronavirus.

Consistency The Key

The Madrid side have coped admirable with their latest European adventure. Safe in the knowledge they could attack it with complete freedom and revelry. The added challenge of European football allied to La Liga has been a juggling act. Yet the club and its manager have demonstrated that the consistency shown through their hard work and resolve, which has brought them this far, are in fact sustainable and is yielding further success.

Flying High Again In La Liga

Impressive league displays against Barcelona and Valencia and another consistent season mean Getafe sit currently in 5th place. Firmly in and around those lucrative Champions League places with 46 points. They continue to belie critics and amaze the footballing world.

The club’s successful track record under the tenure of Bordalás proves that this is a team not built on quicksand. It is quite the opposite: the club maintains a strong foundation through laying down the necessary groundwork to ensure long term success.

Focus on the Future

Getafe have been in the news recently, with their President Angel Torres confirming that all 13,500 season members of the club will be given free season tickets for the 2020/2021 season. This membership will include all 19 La Liga games with the Copa Del Rey and potential European matches separate. But with money being tight, it still represents a nice touch on behalf of the owner.

With their forward momentum, the signs are there that Los Azulones have every opportunity to continue their progressive evolution. Most of all, continue to show all the hallmarks of a gutsy Getafe. Their rise and rise continues apace.

Never to be Forgotten Football Grounds: Juventus’ Stadio delle Alpi

By David Whitworth | @DCWh1tw0rth

The Grand Opening

After two years of construction and a cost of €200 million euros, the Stadio delle Alpi opened its doors on 31st May 1990 to give a new home to Turin’s two clubs of Juventus and Torino. The delle Alpi held a celebratory match consisting of both the Turin based clubs. They united together to form one team again Porto, with the twin Turin team winning 4-3.

With that, the stadium was ready for business and on the horizon was the showpiece Italia 90 World Cup.

The World Cup Legacy

The Stadio delle Alpi was one of the venues used for the 1990 World Cup. The stadium averaged attendances around 60,000 and hosted five matches in total. Highlights included the Semi-final between England and West Germany, which West Germany won 4-3 on penalties.

A Frosty Alpine Atmosphere

The stadiums’ original capacity was 69,041 and included an athletics track which surrounded the pitch as the Turin authorities wanted a multi-purpose stadium.

That decision backfired with the stadium’s poor acoustics and supporters were too far away from the action. Add to that the grey and bland colour scheme made for a cold match day atmosphere.

Matches at the delle Alpi were very rarely sold out, even for Juventus’ most important Champions League matches. Naturally, supporters took a quick dislike to their new surroundings. The general feeling was one of a cold experience in all parts of the stadium.

This was the case in the noisy singing stand of Curva Sud. Even the press box was not up to the standard required.

The poor stadium design meant that there were significantly poor sightlines and viewing restrictions in many seating positions. Especially during the winter time with the stadium open to the brutal elements of the Alps. Hence the name of the stadium ‘Stadium of the Alps’.

The stadium gave a nod to its mountainous neighbour with the erection of two massive mountain shaped structures to signify the Alps.

Ballon d’Or Presentation

In the pre-match festivities between Juventus and Perugia on the 6th January 2004, Czech Republic midfielder Pavel Nedvěd received his Ballon d’Or trophy. The classy attacker beat Thierry Henry and Paolo Maldini to the much coveted prize.

In a match with severe snowy conditions, Nedvěd scored the winning goal in that game with a thumping long range strike and gave the delle Alpi a rare moment of joy.

Stadium Milestones

Although attendance figures suffered during the winter months, towards the business end of the season the Juventus supporters flocked to the delle Alpi. Usually, they would see their team regularly in the hunt for domestic and European honours.

The attendance record occurred on 14th May 2003 when Juventus took on Real Madrid in the Champions League. A record 73,583 supporters were in attendance the Semi-final tie.

Contrast that with the lowest attendance record in the 2002-03 season when Juventus hosted Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia. Just 237 fans witnessed the delle Alpi nadir.

Stadium Sharing

The subject of rival clubs is always the topic of debate. Inter and AC Milan both do it and between 1990 and 2006, Juventus and Torino were footballing neighbours too. Over time, and as both sets of supporters continued to criticize the stadium, the attendance figures dwindled.

During the nineties, Juventus attracted an average attendance of mid-40,000. However, by the end the delle Alpi era, only 25,000 were coming to the matches. Similarly with Torino, who originally attracted mid-30,000. But by the end of its time, only around 15,000 attended. This was except the last season as Torino attracted around 25,000.

Financial Burdens

The stadium was budgeted to host high profile athletics events but they were few and far between. Couple that to the fact that maintenance fees were much higher than projected numbers meant that the delle Alpi haemorrhaged a significant amount of money. That only added to the doom and gloom of its popularity, or rather lack or it.

The End of an Era

Much to the delight of many, the stadium played host to its final game on 11th June 2006 with a Serie B Play-Off Final match between Torino and Mantova for a place in Serie A.

Juventus, along with Torino, moved into the brand new Stadio Olimpico in 2006. A stop gap in wait for their new delle Alpi to open. Torino purchased their old stadium, the Stadio Comunale, and after refurbishment for the 2006 Winter Olympics, it became the Stadio Olimpico in its honour.

No tears were shed as the Stadio delle Alpi became rubble soon after. The demolition finished in February 2009 and it had a short and fleeting existence of just 16 years.

The Aftermath

In the place of the unloved Stadio delle Alpi was the redeveloped Juventus Arena, which stands on the same area. It opened on the 8th September 2011 and Juventus became the first major club to downsize their stadium with the new arena accommodating 41,507 spectators. The new stadium has no running track and it has better viewing areas and upgraded facilities fit for the modern era. All in all, it is a stadium at the cutting edge of technology.

Much like its mountainous range which towered above it, the Stadio delle Alpi had some rocky moments throughout its time. However, it does have its place in footballing history as a ground never to be forgotten; for the good, the bad and the ugly.