Here are some words and phrases you can hear on languagecaster’s Full Podcast’s Good, Bad and Ugly section – a review of the footballing news. For more English practice check out our worksheets, football glossary and English for football phrases as well as the Learners’ Podcast.

• to spare (s.o’s) blushes – to avoid embarrassment

I think a late goal against Portsmouth will spare Manchester United’s blushes this weekend.

• to be in charge – to be in control, to manage, to be the boss

Paul Ince got his first victory in charge against struggling Fulham.

• to crash out - to lose badly in a tournament/competition

Brazil crashed out of the Olympics 3-0 to their fierce rivals, Argentina.

• under-fire (adjective) – being criticised, under attack

The result against Argentina was not good for the under-fire coach, Dunga, either.

• ligament – body tissue connecting muscles and bones

Having missed the whole of last season after tearing knee ligaments on the opening day, Manchester City and Bulgarian striker Valerie Bojinov is out again.

• to be out (of the game) – to be injured, to be sidlined, to be out of the team because of injury

Manchester City and Bulgarian striker Valerie Bojinov is out again. This time for at least five months.

• inept – showing no skill, clumsy, poor

Another inept performance by England against the Czech Republic.

• to sneak something – to get something without deserving it, to obtain something in a sneaky way

England did sneak a 2-2 draw, but it was a poor performance.