Anantaajith Raghuraman
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anantaajith.bsky.social
Anantaajith Raghuraman
@anantaajith.bsky.social
1.1K followers 110 following 35 posts
Football Data and Tactics Writer for The Athletic
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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 · 16d
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
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
theathleticfc.bsky.social
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 8:22 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
theathleticfc.bsky.social
We need to talk about Adam Wharton.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
October 13, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
theathleticfc.bsky.social
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜’𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲

We asked the game’s dealmakers about:

▪️ Best and worst deals
▪️ Under-the-radar signings that could surprise people
▪️ Will more players go on strike?
The Athletic’s Agent Survey: From best and worst deals to selecting champions and relegation candidates
Welcome to our 2025 survey, which analyses a summer transfer window that saw the 20 Premier League clubs spend £3.11bn on 155 players
www.nytimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
jacklang.bsky.social
A day in the life of the worst football team in the world www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
Meet the worst football team in the world… and their superstar hairdresser
Ibis Sport Club once went almost four years without winning a game - the Brazilians' attitude to their status has brought them global fame
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
theathleticfc.bsky.social
🔮 Europe & South America's World Cup duopoly will end
🔮 London clubs will move out of the city/share grounds
🔮 The USMNT will be a serious force
🔮 Fewer top managers will be ex-players

@zonal-marking.bsky.social looks at some expectations about football from 25 years ago.
Eight expectations about football from 25 years ago that have proven misguided
From pay-per-view coverage to the loss of technical midfielders to indoor stadiums – some expectations from 2000 haven't come true
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
sjohnsonsport.bsky.social
Enzo Maresca said #CFC didn’t have a discipline problem last season. He is saying the same this season. The numbers say otherwise. No PL club has more bookings over the last 3 years. More here from myself, @reallycerys.bsky.social & @anantaajith.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Why Chelsea’s poor disciplinary record is not just an Enzo Maresca problem
Chelsea have registered more bookings (301) than anyone else over the past three years – and they've also had the second-most red cards (12)
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:53 AM
anantaajith.bsky.social
Wrote about the incredible synergy between Messi and Alba, creating a near-unstoppable two-man combo, and how it evolved from their first season together in 2012-13, all the way to the present day in Miami for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Why Jordi Alba’s retirement shuts off one of Lionel Messi’s most telepathic supply lines
Across more than 400 games together, the two players have combined to bypass opponents with predictable ease
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Anantaajith Raghuraman
theathleticfc.bsky.social
Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo has died at the age of 69, the Argentine club said on Wednesday.
October 9, 2025 at 10:52 AM
anantaajith.bsky.social
A breakdown of why Liverpool are in a mini-funk heading into the intl break w/ @adjones-journo.bsky.social & @greggevans40.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Teams shutting down Gravenberch
- Issues out wide & out of possession
- Substitution inconsistency
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Why are Liverpool struggling? Opponents wise to Gravenberch, Salah gamble backfiring
Three straight defeats have raised some questions over Liverpool's chances of another Premier League title. But what has caused this dip?
www.nytimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:52 AM