MARCH 2012

UPFRONT

22 Top 10 unlikely heroes Men, women and animals who saved the day 26 Premier League substitutions: analysed Does your gaffer know what he’s doing? We find out 40 Ask A Silly Question: Wayne Routledge The Swansea man on military strategy and cakes 45 FFT columnist: Salgado

Why Henry’s return wouldn’t be possible in Spain 47 FFT columnist: The Player

Our insider on when mid-season jollies go wrong 48 Letters

MLS, Olympics, corners – get it off your chest here

FEATURES

10 One-on-One: Denis Law

The Scottish striking legend tackles your teasers on being half-blind and crossing the Manchester divide 52 COVER STORY Enter Madrid, exit Barcelona

Last season he ran them close, this time he looks like toppling the world’s greatest team. But how has Jose Mourinho finally matched Pep Guardiola’s champions? And can he really get Los Merengues over the finishing line? FourFourTwo investigates... 62 Will Ronaldo ever take Messi’s crown?

One is universally loved; the other loathed. But why? It’s not as obvious as you might think 66 Fear and loathing on the North West coast

“Plastic Scousers”, “horrible rent boys” – it’s a bitter old rivalry between Southport and Fleetwood Town. Now they’re fighting each other in a double-header for a place in the Football League. Brace yourselves! 70 From non-league to the Premier League

We speak to Chris Smalling and those who traded park football for the Emirates and Old Trafford

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Paris St Germain: Europe’s new superclub We lift the lid on the men with world domination in their sights – starring Leonardo, Ancelotti, Platini, Sarkozy and some seriously minted Qataris

82 How England’s clubs can conquer Europe

FFT’s battle plans for the Prem’s five representatives – including interviews with Ramires and Szczesny

Crazy stuff fans do for their clubs

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From pimped up Man City cars to houses painted in homage to the Swans – plus many more maniacs

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Action Replay: Hereford conquer Newcastle s The story of the ultimate giantkilling, retold 40

years on by the heroes (and losers) of the hour

PLANET FOOTBALL

109 Phantom fans buy match tickets despite ban 110 David Trezeguet explains his return to Argentina 117 Messi’s cousin speaks – he’s won a title, y’know Plus Refereeing nightmares; the player without a nationality; the football guide to Naples

PERFORMANCE

119 Chocolate milk – the tasty way to recovery 122 Franco Baresi on defending like a genius 128 The living room workout Who needs the gym? Plus Michael Owen on goal-poaching; winning body language; the soundtrack to your season

8 March 2012 FourFourTwo.com Denis Law p10

MARCH 2012

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52 “If thisBarça didn’texist, Madridwould reignsupreme”