Angels Links: Zinedine Zidane under pressure at Real Madrid

Zidane must solve Real Madrid’s problems fast if he wants to remain the head coach

Real Madrid is unlike any club in the world. It’s not the history or the money or the star players that set Real apart, other teams have similar levels of money and history, if not quite on Madrid’s level. It’s the pressure and the expectations at Real Madrid that surpass perhaps every other team in the world. This is why Zinedine Zidane, who has won the last two Champions League and La Liga last year, finds himself in serious danger of losing his job. At any other club, this bad stretch would be just that. At Real Madrid, it could mean that Zidane will soon be looking for another job. Graham Hunter examines how while even though the current problems are not all Zidane’s fault, he better fix them, and he better do it fast.

Could another star Juventus midfielder be on his way to MLS?

Reports out of Italy suggest that Claudio Marchisio could follow his predecessor Andrea Pirlo and join MLS. Marchisio has been a mainstay at Juventus for his whole career, and is an incredibly talented player. However, he has been hampered by injury issues the last few years, and has been unable to hold down a regular place in the Juve starting 11 because of it. Marchisio is looking to rejuvenate (pardon the pun!) his career, and a move to MLS just might do that for him.

Women in Saudi Arabia attend first public soccer match

In a series of moves designed to ease some of the restrictions placed on women in Saudi Arabia, women for the first time over the weekend were allowed to attend a public soccer game. The game was on Jan 12. at King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah. Women are now allowed to attend games there, as well as in Dammam and Riyadh as well. Hopefully this leads to even more improved women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, as well as a new generation of soccer fans in Saudi Arabia.

Theo Walcott’s legacy at Arsenal is an interesting one

On the eve of a probable move to Everton, Theo Walcott is Arsenal’s current longest serving player. Walcott has had quite an interesting career. From his arrival on the big stage with his surprise inclusion on the 2006 World Cup roster, Walcott has shown the promise of great talent that never quite made it to the very top level. Because of injuries, loss of form, frequent switching between winger and forward, Walcott just never seemed to break all the way out. In truth, Walcott almost perfectly represents Arsenal during his time there as good, but not quite good enough. Four Four Two looks back at Theo Walcott’s time as a Gunner.

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