David Salazar, d.salazar@latinospost.com
Soccer is a team game and the championship sides are those that feature a plethora of solid players that complement and thrive with one another. Teams that revolve around one superstar generally falter in the latter stages unless the top star can carry his side on his back. Portugal is expecting that kind of effort in this World Cup. But is the supporting cast good enough for a deep run?
"Nymphomaniac Vol. 2" needs to be watched with the first installment in order for the viewer to truly experience the full power of Van Trier's intricate character study on human degradation. The film is far from easy viewing, but those courageous enough to traverse along its rocky road will come away transformed. The four-hour saga is a defining masterpiece that will be discussed for years to come.
Barcelona managed a huge 4-3 win over Real Madrid that featured a superstar turn from Lionel Messi. Gerardo Martino's decision to go with four midfielders and only two forwards early on in the game proved to be a solid decision. However, one piece in the puzzle fizzled.
Arsenal's 6-0 beating on Saturday at Stamford Bridge pushed the team into fourth place and put their title dreams in serious peril.
African nations have a poor history in the World Cup. They often lack the skill to compete with top European and South American nations and are often eliminated in the group round.
It was the tale of two halves. The first was a tremendously quick game filled with attacking flair and confidence from both Real Madrid and Barcelona. The second half was a joked dominated by three penalties and some questionable refereeing decisions. The result was a 4-3 Barcelona win, their second Clasico victory of the year.
It was a truly classic Clasico after 45 minutes. With end to end action and tremendous pace, it seemed like one for the ages. But the second half fell way below the expectations set by the first half. The game turned ugly and dull to the point of boredom? Why? Because of one man - Alberto Undiano.
The Champions League quarterfinals were drawn up on Friday. Every single remaining team has won a European tournament before, ensuring that all of the matchups would be filled with tremendous tension. Here are the winners and losers of the draw.
None of the pieces on the program are regularly performed. But the execution of the American Classical Orchestra made a compelling case for the place of these works within the standard repertoire to be reconsidered.
Despite surprisingly solid acting, especially from Shailene Woodley, "Divergent" misses the mark throughout. As a standalone film, it is an utter failure that feels like a rip-off of other superior novels and movies; as the first part of a trilogy, it is a bland and boring entry. Fans of the book will likely flock to see and give the movie its approval, but most other moviegoers will likely be turned off by the plodding pace and generic execution.
The Champions League quarterfinals draw will take place on Friday. The remaining teams are arguably all contenders so it should be interesting to see which sides will face stiff competition along the way. Here are the four matchups that we want to see in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will undoubtedly be the central focus when Real Madrid and Barcelona face off in the Champions League on Sunday. However, every superhero needs his sidekick and each superstar has a wealth of those on their respective clubs. Who are the other major offensive leaders on Real Madrid and Barcelona?
And then there were eight. The final eight teams in the Champions League have been revealed and it has become increasingly clear that this tournament will be one of the most hotly contested in years. Which team is the favorite to win the tournament?
A miracle took place on Wednesday. At least a miracle considering Manchester United's horrific season. David Moyes' club managed to turn around its woeful 2-0 deficit in the Champions League against Olympiacos at the Old Trafford thanks to a heroic effort from Robin Van Persie. The team is headed to the quarterfinals of the tournament (where most believe it will meet its fate); Moyes' job is seemingly safe for a day. However, what does fate have in store for the team in the quarterfinals?
It might come off as hyperbole, but David Moyes' career could be on the line when Manchester United hosts Olympiacos in the decisive second leg of the Champions League round of 16.
