Once more Chelsea finished the season in triumph as they turned Baku blue. The euphoric Europa League victory over Arsenal ensured a 10th major trophy in 10 years. No English side has enjoyed more success in the last decade. It crowned a campaign that witnessed the Blues return to Premier League prominence as they delivered some stunning displays. Maurizio Sarri's side when all the way to Wembley, beating Liverpool and Tottenham before penalties cruelly denied them in the Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City. Cesar Azpilicueta proved the inspirational on-pitch leader of a team that combined the quality and experience of World Cup winners N'Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud with the exciting young talents of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. As ever, Eden Hazard was at his beguiling, brilliant best, reaching a century of goals for the Club.
Chelsea have developed that winning habit of ending the season in glory. The Blues' eighth FA Cup triumph arrived in a campaign which once again delivered excitement in abundance. There was class, craft and commitment throughout Antonio Conte's side. From the wizardry of Eden Hazard to the non-stop dynamic displays of N'Golo Kante and the all-action performances from Marcos Alonso, which earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year, there was rarely opportunity to take breath. Established stars Thibaut Courtois, Willian and Cesc Fabregas lined up alongside new boys Antonio Rudiger, Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, as Chelsea approached a new era. There was drama from start to finish, in a season full of unforgettable moments that began and ended in Wembley, with victory over Manchester United confirming a fourth major honour in four years.
A sport like football is primarily a passionate celebration, but one that is so massive (economically, politically and socially) that it, of course, also brings many problems. Olallo Rubio's third documentary (and fourth film in total), Ilusión Nacional, is a take on how the world's most popular sport relates to Mexican society and politics.
Brian Clough, arguably Britain's greatest ever football manager, died in September 2004 at the age of 69. His passing was marked by a minute's silence at both the Derby County and Nottingham Forest grounds and provoked a wave of tributes from across the sporting spectrum. A memorial service due to be held at Derby Cathedral had to be moved to Pride Park to accommodate the fans' demand for tickets. This overwhelming affection and respect was fully deserved for the man who was often described as being controversial, outspoken and opinionated. His achievements in football speak for themselves: he took two lowly Midlands sides to the very top, winning two consecutive European Cups, with unfashionable Nottingham Forest, in a feat that will surely never be matched by a club of similar stature.
At a similar pace to that at which German football coach Jürgen Klopp won over the whole of Germany with his charisma and conviction for the then still unknown style of full-throttle football, he is now conquering England's traditional heart of football with Liverpool FC. In parallel with the Reds' rise as a top European team, Klopp's authentic and emotional approach to the national footballing shrine of Anfield has won him all-round respect and enormous popularity on the Mersey and among Liverpool's nationwide fanbase.
Chelsea finished third in the Premier League last season, albeit a staggering 25 points behind second-placed Liverpool, and started life under a new manager with club legend Frank Lampard taking the reins. With a transfer ban impacting the west Londoners' business, and the Covid-19 pandemic causing unprecedented disruption mid-season, Chelsea finished the domestic season narrowly losing the FA Cup final to Arsenal. Despite the disappointment, a 4th place finish secured on the final day of the Premier League campaign guarantees the Blues will be playing Champions League football in the 2020/21 season.
Bojan Krkic has had success in the palm of his hand, but the difficulties encountered by a precocious and sensitive talent like him have marked his career since he made his debut with FC Barcelona at the age of 16. Bojan is a clear example of the pressure to which young talents in sport are subjected.
Grande Boys: The Way To Play is an upcoming mockumentary project about the fictional football team Grande Boys FC.
From humble origins to soccer legend, this documentary captures the rise of Colombia’s René Higuita, from iconic career to personal controversies.
A documentary of the German national soccer team’s 2006 World Cup experience that changed the face of modern Germany.
On 02.05.1998, the fateful match between Hapoel Beit Shean and Beitar Jerusalem took place, which received the nickname "the shoelace game". Over twenty years have passed, but many still remember it as the most scandalous event in the history of Israeli sports.
90 Minuten 98
George Best is one of the greatest footballers to have played the beautiful game. His tragic death at the hands of alcohol left many issues unresolved within his family, none more so than with his only child Calum. Mirroring his father's lifestyle, Calum has gone down a path that has left him lost, without direction. On the 10th anniversary of his father's death, Calum decides to embark down a new road to discover the real George Best. Calum believes that by going through this process he will learn what really made his father tick, and in so doing discover who he really is as his father's son.
Frei:Gespielt - Mehmet Scholl - Über das Spiel hinaus
Starting with a Nazi plan to steal the Rimet Trophy from Italy during World War II, the story unfolds like a great caper film. Our hero, Ottorino Barassi, a mild-mannered Italian soccer official, tries to protect a valued treasure.
In a play that lasted only moments, goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa forever earned the title: The man who made Brazil cry. But of course, no man can be summarized by a single event.
A celebration of Manchester and its football, this film explores many Mancunians’ raison d'être: the love of their football team. Join Manchester United legend Eric Cantona as the film follows a selection of charismatic, passionate Manchester United and Manchester City fans in the run up to the second Manchester derby of the 2009/10 season.
501 goals from 50 of Liverpool's greatest goalscorers. Red's striking legend John Aldridge is your host as he counts down the players and goals that have made Liverpool into the one of the most successful English football clubs.
Paddy McGuinness celebrates the humour, imagination and blockbuster entertainment that footie ads have brought viewers over the last 30 years.
A documentary charting the journey of Norwich City and Republic of Ireland international Andrew Omobamidele from his hometown club Leixlip United in Kildare, Ireland all the way to the Norwich City and Republic of Ireland first teams. Milestones from his career to-date such as his first contract, debuts for club and country, and set-backs along the way, are all told through the eyes of the player and those closest to him, accompanied by footage from his schoolboy days and trial period with the Canaries.