Nicky Bandini
26.3K posts
Nicky Bandini
@NickyBandini
Writer, broadcaster and presenter. The Guardian, ESPN, BBC, Stan Sports & more. Co-host @serieachronpod
DM for work and voice-over enquiries.
Joined January 2010
- Absolutely refuse to believe (sadly!) that Tottenham are going to win a game that could hand Arsenal the title. Reminds me of 2010 when Roma needed Lazio to do them a favour against Inter. Instead they lost 2-0 and fans unfurled one of the all time iconic banners
- Maurizio Sarri was making case the other day that Italian football was undervalued in Europe because it lacked a "reference point" teams at top that could win Champs Lg. He argued that the teams in the middle of Serie A were "clearly stronger" than some other top leagues (1/2)
- Terribly disappointing if the Ronaldo to Juve deal is made official today. Thought a man of his ambition would try to upstage the World Cup final rather than just settle for the semis.
- Thanks for some lovely messages about the ESPN broadcast last night. I had a reflection that I shared on a private social channel but, sod it, some things are right to shout about and visibility isn't just for anointed days in the calendar
- Mancini even sending Sirigu on for a few minutes in goal. His approach with this squad speaks to his own regrets as a footballer. Went to a World Cup in 1990 and didn't play. Says it's still his greatest regret that he never got to play in one.
- Spain won 7 out of 7, never needing penalties, beating hosts Germany, Mbappe's France, this England of all the talents, Croatia and defending champs Italy (ok maybe that last one not so impressive this time š ). Despite losing Pedri to injury and Rodri at HT of this final.
- Last April, Ronaldo got an ovation from Juventus fans for carrying a team from Madrid to a 3-0 win over their own side. Eleven months later, Ronaldo gets an ovation from Juventus fans after carrying their side to a 3-0 win over a team from Madrid.
- One year since I wrote this piece. It feels like a different lifetime. Still here though, still telling stories, still making it work as a freelancer in a pandemic. Thank you to everyone who's come along with me and made that possible
- I was on Match of the Day last night. Now there's a sentence I'd not have guessed I'd ever say as a kid! Great fun covering the Champions League games with @markchapman @kickback_nedum and @chris_sutton73 . Up on iPlayer if you missed it! @BBCMOTDHow Diego Simeone's man-management is delivering new rewards for Atletico. āØ Watch Champions League highlights on BBC iPlayer: bbc.in/UCLHighlights #UCL #BBCFootball
00:00 - Replying to @NickyBandiniAtalanta are no midtable team. If it wasn't for cup runs & playing every 3 days I suspect they'd be 2nd or 3rd. But they aren't a team who anyone outside Italy was paying attention to before Anfield and their confidence against opponents who haven't lost all season is so striking
- Quite the most surreal spectacle unfolding in Italy right now as Juventus prepare as normal - team bus to the stadium, starting XI posted on Twitter - to face a Napoli team that everybody knows is not going to show up, seeing as they are still back home in Naples.
- Imagine winning 3-0 against both Klopp's Liverpool at Anfield and Xabi Alonso's unbeaten Leverkusen in a cup final, all in the space of 6 weeks. Come on now.
- These Euros are going to ruin me. Can't remember a major tournament where just *every game* drew you in like this.
