Derek Rae is the voice of FIFA 22 and a legendary commentator of the beautiful game. He joins Super Kevin Campbell and Sophie Nicolaou to talk about some of the biggest matches he has had the honour to call.
From the Premier League, to Bundesliga, the Champions League, Euros and World Cup, Derek has covered some of the best talent in the history of football. You will not want to miss his epic stories.
La Liga Lounge returns with a Champions League special after this week’s first leg matches in the quarter-finals.
As the competition reaches its business end, Sophie and Ben discuss Barcelona’s depleted defence (who will partner Piqué?), Messi’s mini-absence, disagree on Víctor Valdés and question whether the Catalans have a mental issue late in games.
The Lounge bar staff also talk Madrid and how it’s all coming together for Mourinho, Casillas vs Diego López, the strikers and how this could be their year. We also chat Cristiano Ronaldo, look at his amazing stats and those of Messi, remember Ronaldinho, weigh up Neymar and big up Málaga, probably the story of this Champions League campaign. Will we see them back next year?
And the show wouldn’t be complete without predictions, some banter, fun, info, insight and interaction. From Sophie in LA and Ben in Barcelona, to you the world: This is La Liga Lounge…The One with the Champions League Quarters. Join us! It’s always happy hour here.
Bayern Munich had a nightmare end to their Champions League campaign last season. That was followed-up by major disappointment at Euro 2012 for the German national side.
In A Conversation With Cristian Nyari from Bundesliga Fanatic, we get stuck into some delicious dialogue about all things German football. Will Bayern bounce back? Or will we see more dominance from Dortmund? We cover the big two, Schalke, Huntelaar and life without Raul. Plus we take a peek at the younger players bursting through the German football scene, including Mario Gotze and Marco Reus and the impact they will have this coming season. Cristian also shares his thoughts on Joachim Low and his tactical approach in the Euro 2012 semi-final against Italy.
You can follow Cristian Nyari @Cnaryi and check out his work at www.bundesligafanatic.com. Football, soccer, call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates. www.britishsoccerdiva.com
After they dismissed German hero Jurgen Klinsmann earlier this season, Bayern Munich today announced Dutchman Louis Van Gaal as their manager. This puts the big guy back on the big stage. Great appointment.
Van Gaal is an ambitious man who has achieved much success in his homeland. His Ajax team dominated Dutch football in the 1990’s. They won the Eredivisie 3 times. They also won the UEFA Cup and the Champions League. His team was a who’s who in Dutch football. Edgar Davids. Patrick Kluivert. Marc Overmars. Edwin van der Sar. Brothers Frank and Ronald De Boer. They were simply delicious.
The Dutch master also won La Liga twice with Barcelona. His only major failure was not getting the Dutch team he managed to the World Cup Finals. It was a bitterly disappointing outcome for a team that usually shines and entertains on the big stage. Who knows. He could get another shot if he does well at Bayern Munich. Why not right? The German giants have certainly got themselves a quality manager at club level. Van Gaal understands how to win championships. He will add some bite to Bayern again. Can he convince Ribery to stay?
Good luck.