We're all loving the return of the UCL but in terms of football folklore, a fixture going down in Chile tonight may just be the most important match of the week.

It's a relegation playoff between CD Universidad & Colo Colo it has all of Chile holding it's breath. (THREAD)

INSPIRING JOURNEY OF TIM PAINE

- Debut in 2010 with Smith, scored 104 in 2 tests.
- Included in BGT. Third highest run-scorer for Australia with 183 runs in the series.
- Broke his right index finger batting in the Australian Cricketers Association All-Stars T20 match.

- Done Surgery. Broke his finger again. Surgery again.
- Made a comeback in Australia's domestic circuit but never managed to deliver as a batsman.
- In 2017, he made up his mind to retire from FC cricket.
But, life always has something more in the bag than what you expect.

- Tasmania knocked on his door with a lifeline. They extended Paine's contract but he was not their first choice WK.
- Did not play the first two matches of the 2017-18 Sheffield Shield.
- But, When he was finally selected, he made the most of the opportunity.

- Picked to play in the warm-up matches before the 2017-18 Ashes. Scored 52 vs England.
*Biggest Turnaround*
- Paine was selected as a WK for the 2017/18 Ashes at home. 
- Answering his critics and the people who doubted his selection, he delivered both with bat & gloves.

- Paine averaged 48 and made 26 dismissals behind the wickets (25 catches and 1 stumping) in 2017-18 Ashes.
- Ball Tampering incident. Australia was going through a rough phase. Paine was asked to lead Australia vs SA in the last test. Australia lost the series by 2-1.

Bruno Fernandes

Player Analysis | A THREAD

An analysis where we look at how Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese magnifico has revived the confidence of the Red Devils.

(Data accurate till 31st December, 2020)

When Bruno arrived at Old Trafford, @ManUtd was sitting at 5th on the table - six points behind Chelsea and fourteen behind Leicester! The image given below explains why United had to sign the Portuguese and how he turned the table around pretty much single-handedly.

United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer mostly plays in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Bruno Fernandes as the player behind the striker. At times, Solskjaer has employed Fernandes as the highest central midfielder behind the two strikers in a 4-1-2-1-2 setup.

(Source: @SofaScoreINT )

In general, like most other creative midfielders, Bruno Fernandes tries to occupy the gap in between the opposition’s midfield line and defensive line. He often drifts to both sides as well, to support the wide players.

The U.S.-China Rivalry

The US and China are the 2 greatest rivals in the 21st century. It’s American democracy vs Chinese socialism at the level of Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon Men’s Final. Who’s the better player? American democracy or Chinese socialism?

2/Probably no people have scrutinized American democracy more than China has, the world’s oldest civilization. “American exceptionalism” is under Beijing’s microscope. American democracy has catapulted the US into becoming the world’s greatest superpower in less than 200 years.

3/China, whose momentum will overtake the US in GDP by mid-century, has the same drive as Nadal (who proclaimed Federer was “the greatest player in the history [of tennis]") going against Federer at Wimbledon Final in 2008. Ever cautious, patient and wise, China respects its

4/opponent (as did Nadal) for its achievements. In order to better the US Beijing knows it must be more competitive, up its game and improve its skills. The US-China rivalry is one wherein “iron sharpens iron”. Yet whereas Beijing views American democracy thru an objective,

5/ideologically unbiased lens, the same can’t be said of US Congress, many of whom fear/think China wants to “take over the world” (to wit SoS Mike Pompeo) to “spread communism”. Having 5,000 years of culture, including Confucianism, China has the clearer and more objective view

🎙🔛 @Pirlo_official talks #NapoliJuve from 13:00 CET ⏰

🔴🖥 WATCH LIVE on @JuventusTV!

🎙️ @Pirlo_official: "This will be an important match for both teams. #NapoliJuve is always a great match and there are important points at stake."

🎙️ @Pirlo_official: "@arthurhromelo will be evaluated day by day, and we hope everything passes by quickly. @PauDybala_JR is continuing his recovery plan, it will depend on how he feels in the next few days."

#NapoliJuve

🎙️ @Pirlo_official: "@bonucci_leo19 is a bit tired and will train with us today, then we will evaluate whether to bring him to Naples. The same goes for @aaronramsey."

#NapoliJuve

🎙️ @Pirlo_official: "We will look at who we have in front of us and think only of ourselves and our journey. Our only goal is to win and do well."

#NapoliJuve