[print_link] | Subscribe: The Good, the Bad and the UglyIn this week’s football review section we look back at some of the big stories from the recent Champions League group matches to help learners of English improve their vocabulary. This week we review Atletico Madrid’s remarkable start to the season, wonder about Manchester City and Celtic’s red card. You can find explanations of key vocabulary in bold below.
This week’s football review
Good
Atletico Madrid are on fire. They have won their first seven games in La Liga, including a 1-0 away win at their arch-rivals Real Madrid, and after their come-from-behind win at Porto they sit top of group G with six points form their first two games. Their Argentinian manager Diego Simeone has instilled belief and a never-say-die attitude in the Rojiblancos allowing which was demonstrated by the late Arda Turan goal that claimed all the points in Portugal. A possible dark horse for Champions League glory this season?
Bad
Manchester City’s troubles in the Champions League continue after their home defeat by holders Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The German side completely dominated their English counterparts and were 3-0 up inside an hour which sees Bayern top the group and leave many wondering whether yet again Manchester City will fail to progress from the Champions League group stage.
A Ugly
Not so much ugly as silly from Celtic captain Scott Brown as he appeared to kick out at Barcelona and Brazil star Neymar in their 0-1 defeat at home which earned him a red card. Celtic felt that the incident was a minor one and their player didn’t deserve a straight red and that Neymar had made the most of the tackle but it was a poor decision from the Celtic captain.
A Vocabulary
are on fire: Here the meaning is that they are unstoppable – they are playing very, very well.
Rojiblancos: The nickname of Atletico Madrid
counterparts: Equivalents
3-0 up inside an hour: Bayern were winning 3-0 before the 60 minute mark
to kick out at: To aim a kick at another player
had made the most of the tackle: The suggestion is that the player exaggerated the impact that the foul had played on him
