NO FOOTBALL supporter would admit that their team ever does things the easy way. A trip through the wringer is a ritual of sadistic fulfilment, plain sailing the luxury preserve of some other elite and burgle a fitness influencer's cliched mantra - the journey all the more worthwhile for the bumps along the way.
It is why, even as Bayer Leverkusen arrive at London Stadium tonight, 2-0 up and on the back of 43 matches without flaw, Sunday's Bundesliga title win still comes with a narrative of triumph against adversity-of the 'Neverkusen' ghosts put to rest, of a team addicted to comebacks and late goals, of the Bayern Munich behemoth dethroned.
David Moyes, though, insisted yesterday that West Ham's infatuation with the undulating road is something more, something inherent in this club that means even with a simpler draw and a fairer wind, tonight's Europa League quarterfinal second leg would inevitably still be in the balance, at best.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 18, 2024-Ausgabe von Evening Standard.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 18, 2024-Ausgabe von Evening Standard.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
ANGRY ANGE SLAMS SPURS' WILL TO WIN
MANAGER REVEALS CONCERNS 'OUTSIDE AND INSIDE' THE CLUB | SAYS FOUNDATIONS ARE 'FRAGILE' BUT VOWS TO HELP TURN CORNER
Ange's outburst shows his desire after strangest night in noe home
ANGE POSTECOGLOU had called for Tottenham to show progress against Manchester City and his players responded, producing one of their better performances since November and coming so close to a deserved draw when captain Heung-min Son missed a late one-on-one.
Caicedo shines bright with Enzo in shadows
AFTER a difficult start to life at Chelsea, Moises Caicedo is looking back to something like his best ahead of his return to Brighton tonight.
Raspberry Pi eyes 500m valuation in London PQ
COMPUTER maker Raspberry Pi gave the London stock market a huge boost today when it became the first major British company this year to unveil plans for an IPO in the City.
Co-op central: the battle for the soul of Lewisham
Amid rising rents and closing businesses and venues, locals in the capital are increasingly taking charge of spaces themselves to reinvigorate their communities. Kemi Alemoru reports on the co-op scene leading the way
Secret garden of art delights is a feast for the eyes
Ladbroke Hall now has a special al fresco spot to dine in amid rare art. Co-founder Loic de Gaillard tells India Block about his vision
Fallow boys flex with mammoth second act
TO be a veteran Londoner is to be reflexively befuddled by Canary Wharf; a surveilled, corporate theme park that transforms, at the weekend, into a culturally barren ghost town of shuttered Prets, bored families looking at massive fountains, and bodycam-wearing security guards.
‘This super sewer will help us reconnect to the Thames
LONDON was buzzing last week with news of Sadiq Khan's huge mandate for a third term as Mayor. Commentary that focused on other candidates getting it wrong misses the point, and sells us Londoners short. Sadiq was the only candidate who actually likes our city.
Win or lose the title, this is the season Arteta has emerged from Pep's shadow
As a midfielder coming through Barcelona's youth ranks, Mikel Arteta was constantly compared to the great Pep Guardiola, who was then senior statesman for the Spanish club and Spain national team.
Trailblazing Smokin' Jo knows the highs of DJing as I do... and the crushing lows
I'M not being funny but... I can't believe it's been two years since my life was changed forever. On May 22 2022, I released I Don't Take Requests and it went to the top of the Sunday Times bestseller charts.