Serie A has lost a modern legend with the passing of Gianluca Vialli, someone who was a fan favorite at every stage of his career.
Gianluca Vialli's death on Friday robbed Italian football of an iconic figure of its golden era, a powerful yet studious center-forward who won almost every honor and was one of the English Premier League's first big-name foreign imports.
Vialli, who had battled pancreatic cancer since 2017 before finally succumbing to what he called "an unwanted guest" at the age of 58, was the archetypal Italian 'signore', a well-dressed, well-spoken gentleman who nonetheless thrived in the bruising world of Italian football.
His glittering club career saw him at one point become the world's most expensive player when Juventus paid Sampdoria 16.5 million euros in 1992 and he ended his career with one final successful spell at Chelsea.
The son of a self-made millionaire, Vialli grew up in a 60-room castle in his native Cremona.
His bustling style of forward play belied his comfortable upbringing and led him to the greatest heights at club level.
During most of the 1980s and early 1990s he was part of a devastating strike partnership at Sampdoria with Roberto Mancini, one of Italy's most naturally gifted players of the era, which carried the Genoa-based team to unprecedented levels of success and led to them being nicknamed "the goal twins".
The former striker broke through a local side Cremonese in 1980, quickly making a name for himself with his reliability and instinct for goal. After four years with his hometown club, Vialli made one of the most important moves of his career, signing for Sampdoria.
You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football.
On the Ligurian coast, Gianluca Vialli rediscovered his boyhood friend Roberto Mancini and the pair formed an unforgettable partnership at Sampdoria, earning the nickname 'the goal twins'. The duo guided the Blucerchiati to their most successful ever period, picking up their first ever Scudetto, three Coppa Italia titles and a second-place finish in the European Cup.
After an incredible eight-year spell with Sampdoria, Vialli joined Juventus in 1992 for a then-world-record fee of £12.5m. After a slow start, the Cremona-born forward became a key player in Turin, helping them win a Scudetto and the Champions League in 1996.
The final three years of his career were spent with Chelsea, where he earnt the love of the fans in West London. Vialli was briefly player-manager of the club before hanging up his boots to focus on his coaching role in 1999.
Gianluca Vialli stepped away from the dugout after a brief spell with Watford and worked as a pundit on Italian television before joining Mancini's Italy set-up in October 2019 as the new delegation chief. He was a key part of the team that won Euro 2020, being an important role model for the players and working well with his childhood friend.
Vialli was a much-beloved figure in the world of Italian football and his death at the age of 58 will long be felt in the peninsula.
Carabao Cup, formerly known as the EFL Cup, is a 92-team knock-out tournamentorganised by the English Football League (EFL). Teams from Premier League, and three divisions of the English Football League compete in this tournament.
Although the prize value of the EFL Cup is not that significant compared to tournaments like FA Cup and other, EFL Cup has had it's reputation among football fans since 1961. Here are all the previous winners of the Carabao Cup since the beginning.
Who were the first-ever winners of the Carabao Cup?
Aston Villa were the first-ever champions of the Carabao Cup or the EFL Cup in 1961. They defeated Rotherham United by a 3-2 aggregate after a two-leged final after being down by 0-2 in the first leg. Alan O'Neill, Harry Burrows and Peter McParland were the scorers for Aston Villa.
For the first six seasons, the EFL Cup finals were played in two legs.
Who are the current winners of the Carabao Cup?
Newcastle United defeated defending champions Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium to win their maiden EFL Cup or Carabao Cup title. They defeated Liverpool by 2-1 to clinch their first-ever domestic title since 1955 FA Cup triumph.
Alexander Isak and Dan Burn scored the goals for them.
𝐂.𝐇.𝐀.𝐌.𝐏.𝐈.𝐎.𝐍.𝐒 🏆
Newcastle United lift a domestic title for the first time in 70 years!
They beat Liverpool FC to clinch the Carabao Cup 2024-25!
Which is the most successful team in Carabao Cup history?
Liverpool with their Carabao Cup trophy in 2022. Image | EFL
Liverpool with 10 EFL trophies, are the most successful team in Carabao Cup history. They won the trophy in 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1994-95, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2011-12, 2021-22, and 2023-24 seasons.
Most successful teams in Carabao Cup/ EFL Cup history
Team
Winners
Runners-up
Liverpool
9
4
Manchester City
8
1
Manchester United
6
4
Aston Villa
5
4
Chelsea
5
4
Nottingham Forest
4
2
Tottenham Hotspur
4
5
Most Carabao Cup wins as a player
Sergio Aguero with the 2018 Carabao Cup title. Image | The Guardian
Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho are the most successful players with three Carabao Cup titles in 2014, 2016, 2018-2021 with Manchester City.
All the past winners of the Carabao Cup/ EFL Cup since 1961
Football Facts: Managers To Win Premier League In Their Debut Season
With Arne Slot closing on winning the Premier League in his debut season as a manager, we present you with the managers to win the Premier League in their debut season.
Mourinho was the first manager to win Premier League in his debut season.
With Arne Slot closing on winning the Premier League in his debut season as a manager, we present you the football facts of managers to win the Premier League in their debut season. If or when Liverpool win the Premier League 2024-25 title, Arne Slot will become only the fifth manager in Premier League history to achieve the feat.
Here are the managers to win the Premier League title in their debut season in the league. Please note we have not included Claudio Ranieri's name for winning the title with Leicester City in 2015-16, because he had already managed Chelsea from 2000 to 2004.
Managers to win Premier League in their debut season
Jose Mourinho | 2004-05
Mourinho was the first manager to win the Premier League in his debut season. Image | Getty via Evening Standar
That is why he is the special one. Jose Mourinho came the Chelsea after winning the Champions League with Porto and created history right after that. In the 2004-05 season, Mourinho arrived at Chelsea with a champion mindset and started the season with a bang by beating Manchester United in his first game at the helm.
With John Terry as the leader of the pack, young Peter Chech between the goals and players like Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, Mourinho took Chelsea to Premier League success with the then-record highest point of a season (95).
However, that team still holds the Premier League record for conceding the least goals in a season (15) and most clean sheets in a season (25).
Ancelotti after winning the Premier League 2009/10 title with Chelsea. Image | 90Min
One of the greatest football managers of the generation, Carlo Ancelotti arrived in the Premier League and was able to replicate what Mourinho had done in his debut season.
While Mourinho had made them solid in defence, the team started to fall apart during his latter years. After a few failures by the next managers, Ancelotti took the responsibility to bring the silverware back to Stamford Bridge.
Ancelotti unleashed a ruthless attacking mindset within the team which resulted in Chelsea creating the records for most goals scored in a Premier League season (103), most goals scored at home in a season (68), and winning the league with the best goal difference in a season (71).
Didier Drogba scored 29 goals in the Premier League for them. Frank Lampard also showed his class with 22 league goals that season.
Pellegrini helped City win their second-ever Premier League title. Image | BCC
Pellegrini led Manchester City to their second-ever Premier League in his debut season as the head coach at Etihad Stadium. After the success of Roberto Mancini just two seasons ago, where we saw Sergio Aguero creating history for them, Pellegrini took City back to the top.
Yaya Toure with 20 goals led them in front as they scored more than 100 goals in a season for the first time in their history. Eden Dzeko with 16 goals and Sergio Aguero with 17 also were the stars for the Blues.
They won the league two points clear of runners-up Liverpool, who had earned 84 points.
Antonio Conte | 2016-17
Conte won 13 consecutive league games to win the league. Image | Chelsea FC
Roman Ibrahimbovic somehow was always right with appointing coaches at the right time. Antonio Conte joined Chelsea during the mid-season after Guus Hiddink handled the team as interim coach.
Conte formed a fluid 3-4-2-1 system and with the team already out of the European title race, he had only one thing to focus on. In a season which he called "a Mourinho season”, Chelesea created history by winning 13 straight league games in a row, an equal record for any English top-flight team to enter this special list of football facts.
Conte went on to win the Premier League Manager of the Month Award for October, November and December months. No manager had won the award in three consecutive months before him.
Chelsea with 93 points won the Premier League as Conte became the third Chelsea coach to win the league in his debut season.
Premier League Facts: Most Premier League hat-tricks By clubs
Discover the Premier League facts of most Premier League hat-tricks by clubs. Manchester City are leading the stats with 44 hat-tricks by their players so far.
Three goals in a game that staff more than 22 world-renowned players have taken to mean one thing: you use a hat trick. The Hat-trick person somehow etches his name into Premier League's history. Here is a Premier League facts to determine clubs with most hat-tricks in Premier League history.
Premier League Facts: Most Premier League hat-tricks By clubs
RANK
CLUBS
Hattricks
LAST HAT-TRICK
1
Manchester City
44
15 February 2025
2
Liverpool
42
24 October 2021
3
Arsenal
41
28 October 2021
4
Manchester United
37
16 January 2025
5
Chelsea
32
28 September 2024
6
Tottenham Hotspurs
29
2 September 2023
7
Blackburn Rovers
17
3 December 2011
8
Everton
16
19 September 2020
9
Newcastle United
15
21 September 2021
10
Aston Villa
12
30 September 2023
11
Leeds United
12
16 January 2023
Manchester City | 44
Image Credit: Indian Express.com
Manchester City sits at the top in this most Premier League hat-trick list, an achievement largely influenced by Sergio Agüero. The Argentine forward, a relentless goal-scorer, recorded 12 hat-tricks, the most by any player in Premier League history. Every time he stepped onto the pitch, defenders were on high alert- his impact was inevitable. Now, Erling Haaland continues this legacy, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess.
Liverpool | 42
Image Credit: Sky News
Liverpool boasts a rich history of goal-scoring excellence, with players such as Luis Suárez, Robbie Fowler, and Mohamed Salah leading the way. Suárez, in particular, had a remarkable record against Norwich City, delivering multiple hat-tricks and leaving a lasting mark on Premier League history.
With such good goal-scoring talent as Luis Suárez, Robbie Fowler and now Mohamed Salah, Liverpool has a tradition that is hard to beat. Especially against Norwich City, Suárez possessed a unique record: several hat-tricks over them have left their mark in the most Premier League hat-trick list.
Arsenal | 41
Image Credit: Football Fancast
Arsenal has also been a dominant force in delivering Premier League hat-tricks. The club's most frequently cited serial hat trick scorer had been Henry, followed by Van Persie and Alexis Sánchez.Henry was particularly one-of-a-kind shooting that could hit both precision and aesthetic appeal and, in any case, it screamed specific praise for the great scorer that he was.
Manchester United | 37
Image Credit: Give Me Sport
Manchester United's heritage is that small one in which Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Ruud van Nistelrooy all scored unforgettable hat-tricks. The best example of Rooney's explosive speed in front of goal happened at Emirates Stadium in August 2011 when he just gave one more fine display to cement Manchester United's grip on most Premier League hat-tricks.
Chelsea | 32
Image Credit: Talk Sport
Chelsea's success is built on legends such as Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard. These players not only could afford to score goals, but they were true gamblers in high-stakes contests and made sure that Chelsea remained a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League's history.
Tottenham Hotspur | 29
Image Credit: Sky Sports
There is a player who stands out above all others for Tottenham Hotspur; Harry Kane. As an English striker, he has continuously managed to find the net. Three goals in a match are routine for this young upstart and just add to an already impressive international profile.
Hat-Tricks from Historic Clubs:
Aston Villa-12 Premier League Hat-tricks:
Aston Villa, one of England's most historic clubs, has had more than its fair share of players scoring most Premier League hat-tricks.
Happy birthday, Dwight Yorke! 🎉
This strike after just 𝟭𝟮 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗦 against Coventry in 1995 is our fastest Premier League goal! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/olMsZvPnID
Striking the ball so fiercely reflects both the immense power underlying his well-timed shots and their accuracy too.
Regardless of spells spent in lower divisions, Aston Villa's long-held tradition of superior combat produces continuous effective results in front of the goal.
Leeds United-12 Premier League Hat-Tricks
Leeds United is all action, high-tempo football, and die-hard fans.
How Technology is Revolutionizing Cricket and Football Training
Modern technologies have often significantly impacted sports, especially benefitting two of the most popular sports, Cricket and Football. Sportz Point explores how technology revolutionized cricket and football training.
Technology is quickly changing how players train in football and cricket, transforming conventional practices for these games and it is redefining human performance.
The role of technology in these two popular sports is visible, from relying on sensors which monitor all activity; to virtual reality simulations that aid decision-making,
In recent years, technology has become smaller, more robust, and versatile, and thus new opportunities, especially in sports, have emerged. At the moment, updates are provided through smartphones, wearable functionality is used to avoid injury, GPS is used to track movement, and players are outfitted with sensors that send real-time information to a coach's device.
This article addresses the state-of-the-art equipment and approaches that are changing the paradigm of training, player development, and the game itself.
How Technology is Changing Cricket and Football Training
1. Wearable Technology
Whoop, a wearable fitness device worn by athletes. (Image Credit | The Indian Express)
Trainers can invoke sensors wired to the body or some portion of "smart clothing" for measurement and monitoring in real-time. The real-time displays can be used to help the trainer determine what every sportsperson should push more. During training practice, trainers can use real-time measures to inform when to stretch, rest, or make training more challenging.
Laser and GPS are both being used more and more in different aspects of sports preparation. Instead of looking only at times and splits, coaches can measure athletes' exact position, distance, velocity, and acceleration, to better analyze their areas of improvement.
2. Video Analysis Tools
(Image Credit | SkySports)
Modern-day football is becoming faster and more tactical. Athletes have to acquire both their athleticism and tactical awareness to enhance their decision-making process in the course of play. Video analysis is used for both individual and team tactical development.
In football, video analysis usually consists of a careful analysis and examination of game matches, practice, and player activity, to assess player performance, tactics, and strategies. Advanced technologies such as wearable tracking units and video analysis techniques are used in the process of achieving these things to capture and analyze critical elements of data, e.g., player location, combinations of teams, and player movements.
Video analysis can be used by coaches, analysts, and players to obtain a more complete picture of what goes on around the ball by giving a graphical representation of the game happening around them.
Video analysis can help a group of individuals to recognize the points of improvement, e.g., to enhance the winning approach and cope with different match situations effectively as the tool between the raw performance data and useful insights.
3. Virtual Reality (VR) Training
(Image Credit | The Telegraph)
Virtual Reality (VR) applications have been of considerable interest in many high-performance and entertainment applications over the past few years with advances in technology, increased availability, and the mobility of VR systems.
More precisely, by embedding environmental constraints within an interactive virtual space, VR can also be used to train in motor, mental, and cognitive skills, strategy, and tactics.
VR offers promising novel solutions to many professional high-pressure, high-skill environments, especially for the training, and learning of difficult skills in otherwise expensive and/or hazardous settings. When properly used, VR provides complete control over the training environment, including cues and challenges, along with safe and reproducible training tasks.
Because of this, it is designated as a promising instrument, which could help increase athletes' performance.
4. Biomechanical Analysis
(Image Credit | jpmer.com)
The scientific study of biomechanics focuses on the physics and mechanics of how organisms move. In its general sense, it may include anything from knowing how a dancer entirely moves the whole body to the microscopic muscle cell-level response and observing the posture of an active horse.
Biomechanics is a narrower area in sports, which can offer helpful input to sportsmen, trainers, and sports medicine professionals who can help to enhance performance and decrease the chance of injury.
All of these biomechanical tests, including poor kinematics, rotational forces in specific joints, muscle imbalances, fatigue monitoring, and the quality of the movement being rehabilitated, may be detected.
5. Data Analytics
(Image Credit | Mad About Sports)
Data analytics has optimized athletes' performance by identifying previously unknown factors and related events. Those actions include, for example, leg motion, dive angle, rotational speed, and fluid motion.
Trainers can help players to successfully use this type of sophisticated movement tracking. If it is on the order of milliseconds, it can be the deciding factor for a race win or loss.
6. Recovery Technology
(Image Credit | DigitalDefynd)
A significant reduction in injury levels and faster detection times demonstrates how technology greatly benefits sports training. Performance monitoring, movement processing, and improving communication are not only advantages but also contribute to making less susceptible environments.
Trainers and coaches can use training management software to monitor the specific training-based elements related to, for example, energy, nutrition, and sleep, that constitute the training process. Individualization of practices by trainers or coaches to optimize results helps prevent fatigue and self-inflicted injuries.
Besides the unavoidable external factors, injury-free sports may eventually be realized as a future scenario.
7. Communication and Collaboration Tools
(Image credit | Faster Capital)
Training communication has been enhanced by tools such as YouTube. YouTube contains millions of minutes of exercise and entertainment that are available to, and easily shared by anyone.
Physicists, especially in the area of sport and motor control, need to put much more emphasis on teaching sport and motor control with play debates or footage from films for their continuing education.1 Athletes and coaches can load and view the required films during sports practice or leisure time.
Other communication technologies have further been developed, namely My Fitness Pal, computer or mobile-phone journals on food and exercise, and personal digital health. My Fitness Pal enables trainers to monitor athletes' everyday diets, and players would be responsible for their training.
10 Best Women's Football Players and Leagues You Must Watch in 2025
Discover the top 10 best women's football players and leagues to watch in 2025, featuring rising stars and established talents making waves in the sport. Check streaming details of Women's football leagues around the world as well.
Women's football continues to rise in popularity, with elite players showcasing their talent across the globe. Whether you are a dedicated fan or a newcomer to the sport, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for women's football, with top-tier leagues and star players pushing the game to a new height.
Here is a detailed look at 20 must-watch women's football players and the leagues they play in for 2025.
#
Player
Club
Country
1
Alexia Putellas
Barcelona
Spain
2
Sam Kerr
Chelsea
Australia
3
Aitana Bonmatí
Barcelona
Spain
4
Kadidiatou Diani
Lyon
France
5
Sophia Smith
Portland Thorns
USA
6
Lauren James
Chelsea
England
7
Salma Paralluelo
Barcelona
Spain
8
Fridolina Rolfö
Barcelona
Sweden
9
Alessia Russo
Arsenal
England
10
Mary Earps
Manchester United
England
11
Debinha
Kansas City Current
Brazil
12
Wendie Renard
Lyon
France
13
Caroline Graham Hansen
Barcelona
Norway
14
Lena Oberdorf
Wolfsburg
Germany
15
Keira Walsh
Barcelona
England
16
Trinity Rodman
Washington Spirit
USA
17
Yui Hasegawa
Manchester City
Japan
18
Ewa Pajor
Wolfsburg
Poland
19
Guro Reiten
Chelsea
Norway
20
Linda Caicedo
Real Madrid
Colombia
Top 10 Must-Watch Women's Football Players in 2025:
1. Aitana Bonmati | Spain | FC Barcelona | Liga F:
Aitana Bonmatí is the first women's player to win The Best, Ballon d'Or, UEFA Player of the Year and World Cup Golden Ball in the same year 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7hjKNSuG20
Fresh off winning the Ballon d'Or, Aitana Bonmati remains a crucial figure for both FC Barcelona and Spain. Her vision, dribbling, and ability to control the game from midfield make her a standout performer.
Sam Kerr's goal-scoring ability and leadership make her one of the most electrifying forwards in the world. Despite injury setbacks, her return in 2025 could be pivotal for Chelsea and Australia.
3. Alexia Putellas | Spain | FC Barcelona | Liga F:
A two-time Ballo d'Or winner, Putellas is a creative force for Barcelona. After overcoming injuries, she remains a dominant playmaker and a key player to watch.
4. Trinity Rodman | USA | Washington Spirit | NSWL:
Trinity, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, has carved out her legacy in football. Her pace, technical ability, and work ethic make her one of the most exciting young forwards in the NSWL.
5. Lauren James | England | Chelsea | Women's Super League:
James is one of the most technically gifted young players in the world. Her dribbling strength and finishing ability make her a crucial player for Chelsea and England.
6. Linda Caicedo | Colombia | Real Madrid | Liga F:
Linda Caicedo, a teenage sensation, has already made waves for both Club and Country. Her agility, finishing, and football intelligence make her a rising star in Women's Football.
7. Sophia Smith | USA | Portland Thorns | NSWL:
WHO ELSE BUT SOPHIA SMITH 💪
The USWNT and @ThornsFC superstar makes it 2-0 all by herself 🌹
Sophia Smith is a clinical forward and a key player for both the Portland Thorns and the U.S.A Women's National Football Team. Her ability to create and score goals makes her a must-watch.
Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Marry Earps' shot-stopping ability and leadership make her a crucial figure for the club and country.
Top 10 Must-Watch Women's Football Leagues in 2025:
The Women’s FIFA World Rankings top 10 👇
1 - USA 🇺🇸 2 - Sweden 🇸🇪 3 - Germany 🇩🇪 4 - France 🇫🇷 5 - Netherlands 🇳🇱 6 - Canada 🇨🇦 7 - Brazil 🇧🇷 8 - England 🏴 9 - Spain 🇪🇸 10 - Korea DPR 🇰🇵 pic.twitter.com/8JD4ihEY3j