Columns - Irish Examiner

David Shonfield

Goals are flowing but Uefa have some official concerns

Fifty-five goals in 12 games is a goal glut by any standards, including the Champions League, and there is a strong chance that trend will continue tonight, and especially tomorrow in Monaco. 

Tue, 14 Mar, 2017

Can Arsenal do a Deportivo on Carlo Ancelotti?

A four-goal comeback in the Champions League sounds like fantasy football, and maybe it is — but Carlo Ancelotti has been on the receiving end.

Tue, 07 Mar, 2017

Curious case of Fabio Quagliarella

Naples is a city that worships footballers; it can also be a city that comes to haunt them.

Tue, 28 Feb, 2017

Reborn Radamel Falcao big threat to City prospects

The Champions League scripts department has been doing some clever rewrites lately.

Tue, 21 Feb, 2017

Can Arsenal scupper Lahm’s swansong plans?

Bayern Munich against Arsenal has become a Champions League hardy perennial. Tomorrow night’s match takes on added significance following Philipp Lahm’s announcement that he will retire at the end of the season.

Tue, 14 Feb, 2017

The Italian view - ‘There’s a lot of talent here, it’s just creating a culture of winning’

This is a more significant match for Italy than the game against Wales last Sunday, writes David Shonfield.

Fri, 10 Feb, 2017

Juventus retain their edge over bitter rivals Inter

Italians are cannier about their football than the Spanish, or maybe they’re just more cynical.

Tue, 07 Feb, 2017

Bas Dost: An unlikely contender

The Golden Shoe is a little like the Golden Cleric award, which, if you remember, is a tremendous honour although unfortunately there is no cash prize attached.

Tue, 31 Jan, 2017

Memphis Depay’s move a sign of the French evolution

Is Ligue 1 becoming fashionable again? France Football asked its readers in an internet poll last week.

Tue, 24 Jan, 2017

New proposals mean no rest for players

“There is too much football,” said Brian Clough — and that was almost 40 years ago.

Tue, 17 Jan, 2017