When we use the phrase 'an orange card', we believe a tackle is between a yellow card and a red card. The tackle is bad and could be a red.
In this football language post for learners of English who love the beautiful game, we look at the phrase ‘to cough up‘. Check...
Heavy metal football is a phrase used by Jurgen Klopp in 2013. It is often used to describe fast, exciting football.
Draw Written All Over It: This phrase is used when predicting a result of a football match. If you say, 'This match has draw written all...
To bury the ball in the back of the net: There are many ways to describe a goal in football and here is another phrase...
Today's football phrase is 'the international break'. This is a time in the football calendar when teams stop playing club or domestic...
This phrase is connected to counter-attacking football. The phrase sucker punch originally comes from boxing and means to hit or punch...
What does a 'one-two' in football mean?
This week's English for football phrase is the expression 'to cut inside' which is often used to describe a player moving infield from wide...
What is a Scuffed shot? This kind of shot is when a player does not really hit the ball cleanly but instead mishits the ball.
Fluke: This means that something in the game has only happened because of luck - a lucky shot or pass for example can be described as a...
Step over: Like a nutmeg, this skill used in football to try and fool an opposing defender. When dribbling with the ball the attacker...
Bid: To make an offer for a player; to try and buy a player on a transfer. This word is commonly used when...
Second string: Those players who are not usually in the starting XI; not the strongest members of the squad; the B-team
Confederations Cup: A FIFA-run tournament that started in 1997 and which is held in the year before every World Cup.
To field: When used as a verb this means to choose or pick the starting XI or the team; the players who start the game (on the field).
Scout: These are people employed by a club to look at or check on other teams or players. It can also be used as a verb - to scout.
A Shut-out: This is the American equivalent of a clean sheet, i.e. when one team does not concede any goals in a game.
This week's main report we look back at the 2013 Champions League semi-final first leg matches that saw the two German side come out on top...
Some big games in Europe this week including derbies in Italy and France as well as a relegation battle in England and of course the...
Qualify: To progress to the next round. In order to play in important tournaments or rounds teams have to play and win a set of preliminary...
Off target: When the ball is wide or goes over the bar we say it is off target.
To be on target: We use this expression to describe when a forward shoots and the keeper has to make a save or a goal is scored.
To be on a roll: When a team has a succession of good results; to be doing well over many games.
(to) Lose: To not win a game; to be defeated
Pipped at the post: This means to be beaten at the last moment; just before the end of the race or game. In football, we use this to talk...
Offside: When an attacking team's player is beyond the last defender, the game is stopped and there is a free kick for the defensive side
Premier League: The top division or league in England, which replaced the old Division 1 in 1992.
When a player changes from one club to another club; a transfer.
Midfielder: Someone that plays in the middle of the field; usually an all-round player.
Signing: The new player at a team as she/he has come from another team on a transfer; they have been signed
Slump: A bad run of form, a time of bad luck or bad results. It can also be used as a verb - to slump.