Anantaajith Raghuraman
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anantaajith.bsky.social
Anantaajith Raghuraman
@anantaajith.bsky.social
1.2K followers 120 following 41 posts
Football Data and Tactics Writer for The Athletic
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anantaajith.bsky.social
Napoli 2-3 Chelsea FT thoughts w/ @reallycerys.bsky.social & @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Chelsea's early fragility
- Napoli's underlaps cause problems
- Another away win
- Joao Pedro at the double

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Napoli 2 Chelsea 3 – A statement win for Liam Rosenior as Joao Pedro ensures top eight finish
The Athletic's writers break down an intense night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
theathleticfc.bsky.social
Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the offer of a coaching job in Saudi Arabia could be a logical next career step.

Instead, it led to the former Everton player being kidnapped in Morocco, held at knifepoint, and left fearing for his life.

@paultenorio.bsky.social
The extraordinary story of a soccer coach, a kidnapping and a Saudi job that didn’t exist
Adrian Heath was duped into thinking he was on the verge of a new job – only to be held at knifepoint in Morocco. Turns out he's not alone
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
theathleticfc.bsky.social
Another Champions League win. Both strikers on the scoresheet. Top two confirmed.

All in all, about as well as a trip to San Siro that could have gone for Arsenal.

@gunnerblog.bsky.social, Stuart James & @anantaajith.bsky.social break down the talking points ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
January 20, 2026 at 10:21 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Post-match thoughts from Inter 1-3 Arsenal w/ Stuart James and @gunnerblog.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Clinical Jesus
- A set-piece special
- What Inter did well
- Gyokeres scores

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Inter 1 Arsenal 3 – Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres guide Arsenal to top two finish in Champions League
The Athletic's writers analyse Tuesday night's heavyweight Champions League clash at San Siro
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:00 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Post-match thoughts from NEW 0-2 MCI in the Carabao Cup w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social & Sam Lee for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Bernardo crucial again
- The disallowed goal
- Semenyo's impact
- Cup rule change
- City's gameplan
- Where this leaves Newcastle
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
Newcastle 0 Man City 2 – Semenyo strikes (and officials take six minutes to disallow his second goal)
Guardiola's team take a strong lead into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final — but there was controversy during their win
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:10 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Atletico 1-2 Real Madrid: post-match thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Valverde's rocket
- Rodrygo rediscovering his form
- Madrid's shaky defending
- What this means for Alonso

www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Atletico 1 Real Madrid 2: Breaking down Valverde’s stunner, where does this leave Alonso?
Xabi Alonso's side scraped through to Sunday's Supercopa de Espana final against Barcelona
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:06 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon: immediate thoughts with Carl Anka for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Ivory Coast's midfield
- Amad's stunning finish
- Mbeumo's importance
- Wayward finishing

www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Ivory Coast 1 Cameroon 1 – Was Amad strike goal of tournament so far? How vital is Mbeumo?
Our writers break down the action from an enthralling AFCON group F encounter.
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 10:01 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Instant thoughts from Morocco 2-0 Comoros in the #AFCON2025 opener w/ @eduardotansley.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Hosts struggle but find a way in 2nd half
- How good was El Kaabi's goal? 🚲
- Brahim Diaz's importance
- Is there hope for Comoros?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Morocco 2 Comoros 0: El Kaabi’s wonder strike and Diaz delivers in AFCON opener
Our writers analyse the key talking points from the opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
www.nytimes.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
ahmed-walid.bsky.social
Why Eddie Howe switched Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in the 2-1 victory against Manchester City, and how it empowered Newcastle's attacking transitions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
The crucial Tonali/Guimaraes switch that helped Newcastle beat Manchester City
After a difficult period, Eddie Howe enjoyed a tactically-successful evening on Saturday
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
tomwfootball.bsky.social
Nobody who was at the Stade de France on 13 November 2015 will ever be able to forget it. Ten years on from the terror attacks that traumatised a nation, here’s an account of what happened for @theathleticfc.bsky.social seen through the eyes of those who were there www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
'There was a huge boom and my body shook': The Stade de France terrorist attacks, 10 years on
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
georgecaulkin.bsky.social
😱 Brentford 3 Newcastle 1: Briefing ... 😱

⚫️So much for the "period of reflection."
⚪️Abysmal away form - #NUFC are soft.
⚫️Barnes' goal
⚪️Burn's red

w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social @anantaajith.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/6787431/2025/11/09/brentford-3-newcastle-1-howe-away-form-burn-sent-off
Brentford 3 Newcastle 1 – What’s going so wrong on the road? What happened to Burn after the break?
Newcastle simply do not like playing away from St James' Park - The Athletic analyses their latest defeat on the road
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
📍Gtech Community Stadium for Brentford-Newcastle
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
FT thoughts on LIV 1-0 RMA with @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social & @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Wirtz impresses, Bradley shines
- Courtois' annual masterclass vs LIV
- PL set-piece magic strikes
- Was that a penalty?
- Corner turned?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Liverpool 1 Real Madrid 0: Are Arne Slot’s side back to their best?
The big talking points analysed from Tuesday's big Champions League tie at Anfield
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:06 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Seismic moment for India at the Women's World Cup - deserved champions after two incredible performances in the semifinals against Australia and South Africa tonight 👏

Brief summary for @theathletic.com @nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
India win maiden cricket World Cup after beating South Africa by 52 runs
The hosts had made the final after beating defending champions Australia, ending their run of 15 consecutive match wins in the tournament.
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:02 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Checking in on the new signings and their contributions early in the season ⏬
theathleticfc.bsky.social The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · Oct 30
In the 10th edition of The Athletic's Alternative Premier League Table, @anantaajith.bsky.social looks at how each club's new faces are doing when it comes to the most important part of the game: Putting the ball in the net.

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
October 30, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
jacobtanswell.bsky.social
Unai Emery’s biggest strength has long been his aptitude to coach subtle nuances into his teams. The positions of his midfielders against Manchester City, for a third straight home game, were critical in beating Pep.

Piece out now on @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Has Emery become Pep’s kryptonite at Villa Park?
Sunday was only the third occasion in Guardiola's career that he has lost three consecutive away matches against the same opponent
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... By @cerysjoneswriter.bsky.social and @anantaajith.bsky.social
Are Sunderland good?
The win away to Chelsea was far from a fluke; it was a culmination of all Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland have built
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
theathleticfc.bsky.social
Is Liverpool's Premier League title defence already over?

Analysis from Brentford 3-2 Liverpool, by @adjones-journo.bsky.social, @anantaajith.bsky.social & Tim Spiers

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
October 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
With the first Clasico of 2025-26 tomorrow, @thom-harris.bsky.social & I looked at 4 tactical issues that could prove crucial for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Madrid's pace v Barca's high line
- Yamal v Carreras
- Could corners be decisive?
- Out-of-possession flaws
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: The four tactical issues that could decide El Clasico
The Athletic looks at the key areas where the game will be won and lost ahead of their top-of-the-table La Liga clash
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:23 AM
anantaajith.bsky.social
The latest Alternative PL Table for @theathleticfc.bsky.social looks at big chances created and converted for all 20 teams, breaking down which players are creating/receiving the most

- Palace lead the way
- Man City's Haaland reliance
- Wolves' woes

... and more ⏬

www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
The Alternative Premier League: No 9 – Who creates big chances, and who misses them?
Here's how your team is getting on when it comes to creating clear cut opportunities, and sticking them in the back of the net
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:09 AM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus post-match thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social and @jacklang.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Bellingham’s goal
- Guler vs Yildiz
- McKennie’s steady display
- Courtois shines
- What this means for both teams

www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Real Madrid 1 Juventus 0: Jude Bellingham’s first goal of the season the difference at the Bernabeu
The Athletic's writers break down a narrow win for Xabi Alonso's side at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
markcarey93.bsky.social
Another game, another back-post goal conceded for Liverpool.

I wrote this piece earlier in the week on that very issue.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
October 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Forest 0-3 Chelsea post-match thoughts with @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Acheampong's big moment
- Guiu shines off the bench
- Santos struggles

www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Nottingham Forest 0 Chelsea 3: Guiu makes the difference, Acheampong’s magic moment
A triple halftime substitution helped Chelsea stroll to an ultimately comfortable win at Nottingham Forest
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social
🔲 Why Ross Wilson as sporting director? 👀
🔳 #NUFC academy in focus 🔍
🔲 @georgecaulkin.bsky.social i/ws Steve Harper 🗣️
🔳 Lasses™️ new home report 🏟️
🔲 Brighton bound (Waugh, too...) ⬇️
🔳 Woltemade = ⚽

🎧 New free-to-listen Midweek @podonthetyne.bsky.social w/ Taylor Payne: pod.fo/e/33decc
Pod On The Tyne: A show about Newcastle United: Wilson arrives, Academy in focus, Lasses draw with Bristol
Another weekly Pod on the Tyne rolls around and, with many of the lads away on international duty, you'd think it'd be a quiet one. How wrong you are, friend!Newcastle United now have a CEO AND a S...
pod.fo
October 16, 2025 at 5:33 AM
anantaajith.bsky.social
This week's Alternative Premier League Table is all about fouls and bookings

Key takeaways:

🔴 Man Utd & Arsenal the only teams yet to be booked for dissent
⚫️ Newcastle lead in fouls in the att 3rd
🔵 Man City exercising more control than 2024-25

More below @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⏬
theathleticfc.bsky.social The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · Oct 16
The Premier League is returning. So too is our alternative table.

This week, we rank the teams by fouls conceded — Marco Silva's Fulham and Vitor Pereira's Wolves lead the way.

✍️ @anantaajith.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
October 16, 2025 at 10:07 AM