I’m going to step away from this website and my Twitter account (@BlameTheKeeper) for a while. Hopefully, I'll be back online soon.
Why didn’t these goalkeepers win the Ballon d’Or?
On this day in 1963, Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin was awarded the Ballon d’Or, which is a prestigious individual accolade that recognizes the footballer perceived to be the year’s best player. The Ballon d’Or had only been awarded for the eighth time that year, but Yashin’s victory meant... [READ MORE].
GK Analysis: A goalkeeper breaks down Sergio Ramos’ penalties.
Try as he might, Neto just could not reach Sergio Ramos’ penalty shot. On Saturday, Oct. 24, the FC Barcelona man became the latest in a long list of goalkeepers tasked with trying to save a Ramos penalty attempt... [READ MORE].
Classic GK Analysis: Roman Bürki defies logic with stunning Slavia save.
The chaaampiooons! Ahh, it’s going to feel so good hearing that again. On October 20, the UEFA Champions League returns with its first batch of group stage games. Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Club Brugge and Dynamo Kiev... [READ MORE].
GK Analysis: Breaking down Édouard Mendy, Chelsea’s newest addition. (Part Two: Aerial ability, distribution & sweeper keeping)
One of the biggest criticisms Kepa Arrizabalaga faced last season was his reluctance to attack crosses and set-pieces. The Spaniard was very reserved -- he rarely, if ever, left his line, and it was even rarer to... [READ MORE]
GK Analysis: Breaking down Édouard Mendy, Chelsea’s newest addition. (Part One: Shot-stopping)
Chelsea fans, your wish has been granted. With the current season already underway, the Blues have finally found a new goalkeeper in Édouard Mendy. Days after Chelsea manager Frank Lampard confirmed the 28 year old's medical... [READ MORE]
Bernd Leno or Emiliano Martínez? It shouldn’t even be a debate.
It was the dream start to Arsenal’s 2020-21 season. On August 29, the Gunners defeated reigning Premier League champions Liverpool in the FA Community Shield. Arsenal, who qualified for the match as 2019-20 FA Cup champions, won... [READ MORE]
Samir Handanović & 3 other top goalkeepers who never won a major trophy.
On August 21, 2020, Sevilla etched their names into European club history once again. The Europa League veterans came into the final as the competition’s most decorated club, and they concluded the match by adding a sixth... [READ MORE].
Revisiting my bold 2019-20 GK predictions.
After what seems like forever, the 2019-20 season is finally coming to an end. I think it's safe to say that we've never had a season quite like this season. Obviously, the biggest story is the presence of COVID-19
The Glove Bag: Why Kepa cost so much, Iker’s goodbye & new penalty encroachment rules.
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Glove Bag! This weekly mailbag looks at some intriguing goalkeeper topics from the past week (Monday to Sunday). This edition covers some topics that happened between Monday, August 3 to Sunday, August 9.
The Glove Bag: Fillol’s birthday, Kepa’s struggles & what to expect from Faríñez.
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Glove Bag! This weekly mailbag looks at some intriguing goalkeeper topics from the past week (Monday to Sunday), from a moment in goalkeeping history to highlighting some star performers. This edition covers some topics that happened between Monday, July 20 and Sunday, July 26.
The Glove Bag: Moacir Barbosa’s tragedy, missed penalties & the near post myth.
Welcome to this week's edition of the Glove Bag! This weekly mailbag looks at some intriguing goalkeeper topics from the past week (Monday to Sunday), from a moment in goalkeeping history to discussing a popular goalkeeping-related topic. This edition covers some topics that happened between Monday, July 13 and Sunday, July 19.
The Glove Bag: Iker’s World Cup moment, Miller’s overeagerness, & Banks’s save vs. Grohe’s save.
Welcome to this week's edition of the Glove Bag! This weekly mailbag looks at some intriguing goalkeeper topics from the past week (Monday to Sunday), from a moment in goalkeeping history to bite-sized goalkeeper analysis.
This edition covers some topics that happened between Monday, July 6 and Sunday, July 12.
GK Analysis: How Mikel Merino illegally obstructed Thibaut Courtois’s line of sight.
On Sunday, June 21, Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad by a score of 2-1. Goals from Sergio Ramos -- the new top-scoring defender in Liga Santander history -- and Karim Benzema sealed the deal for the visitors, who've... [READ MORE].
3 goalkeepers to watch when Spanish, Italian and English football return.
Football is back, baby! Well, OK, football has been back for a while; the South Korean K League 1 opened their season on May 8, the German Bundesliga returned on May 16, and the Portuguese Liga NOS returned on June 3... [READ MORE].
GK Analysis: What Bürki could’ve done better (and no, ‘stronger wrists’ is not one of ’em).
The title race is over, eh?
With seven games remaining going into Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund had a golden opportunity to close the gap on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. The North Rhine-Westphalia-based club... [READ MORE].
7 goalkeeper pairs you forgot were once teammates.
Football has seen some curious crossovers in its history -- as should be expected, given the sport is over 150 years old. Given that, it should come to no one's surprise to learn that many of the game's top... [READ MORE]
The 50: Top 10 European goalkeepers of all time.
On April 25, 2020, Between the Sticks will turn one year old. To celebrate the site's anniversary (as well as its 50th post), goalkeeper journalist Mouhamad Rachini is ranking the 10 best goalkeepers from each of the five continents; Africa, Asia/Oceania, Europe, North/Central America, and South America.
The 50: Top 10 North & Central American goalkeepers of all time.
On April 25, 2020, Between the Sticks will turn one year old. To celebrate the site's anniversary (as well as its 50th post), goalkeeper journalist Mouhamad Rachini is ranking the 10 best goalkeepers from each of the five continents; Africa, Asia/Oceania, Europe, North/Central America, and South America.
The 50: Top 10 South American goalkeepers of all time.
On April 25, 2020, Between the Sticks will turn one year old. To celebrate the site's anniversary (as well as its 50th post), goalkeeper journalist Mouhamad Rachini is ranking the 10 best goalkeepers from each of the five continents; Africa, Asia/Oceania, Europe, North/Central America, and South America.
The 50: Top 10 African goalkeepers of all time.
On April 25, 2020, Between the Sticks will turn one year old. To celebrate the site's anniversary (as well as its 50th post), goalkeeper journalist Mouhamad Rachini is ranking the 10 best goalkeepers from each of the five continents; Africa, Asia/Oceania, Europe, North/Central America, and South America.
The 50: Top 10 Asian & Oceanic goalkeepers of all time.
On April 25, 2020, Between the Sticks will turn one year old. To celebrate the site's anniversary (as well as its 50th post), goalkeeper journalist Mouhamad Rachini is ranking the 10 best goalkeepers from each of the five continents; Africa, Asia/Oceania, Europe, North/Central America, and South America.
The 50: Top 50 goalkeepers in football history.
On April 25, 2020, Between the Sticks will turn one year old. To celebrate the site's anniversary (as well as its 50th post), goalkeeper journalist Mouhamad Rachini is ranking the 10 best goalkeepers from each of the five continents; Africa, Asia/Oceania, Europe, North/Central America, and South America.
Classic GK Analysis: Saint Iker performs two miracles in Seville.
For a number of soccer fans, especially those who grew up in the 21st century, former Real Madrid and Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas may be the greatest goalkeeper in the sport's history. He's... [READ MORE[].
Classic GK Analysis: The game that introduced Lev Yashin to the world.
How can you say this player was so good when you never saw him play?
It's the go-to argument for when a player of the past is mentioned in a positive light. I'm sure you've heard it dozens... [READ MORE]
Classic GK Analysis: Manuel Neuer’s performance vs. Algeria was nothing short of iconic.
Every player has that one game that we remember them for; that performance that trumps any other single-game show the player has put on. It's not just one spectacular goal or gritty tackle; this is... [READ MORE].
GK Analysis: Muslera save shows how important a one-man wall can be.
It's a victory 21 years in the making. For the first time since 1999, Galatasaray beat their cross-town rival Fenerbahçe in Kadıköy, Istanbul. The reigning Süper Lig champions defeated their eternal enemies by a score of 3-1... [READ MORE]
GK Analysis: What to make of Thibaut Courtois on Levante’s game-winner?
Stop me if you've heard this before: Thibaut Courtois' error cost Real Madrid a win. It seems to be the story of his Los Blancos career. Since controversially forcing his way to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in 2018, Courtois'... [READ MORE]
GK Analysis: Last-minute save showcases all of Oblak’s strengths.
Jan Oblak clearly doesn't believe in New Year's resolutions. While most of us are spending our first days of 2020 living through our "new year, new me" fantasies, Oblak has continued doing what he's always... [READ MORE].
The 2010s: Top 10 goalkeepers of the past decade (Men, 5th to 1st).
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE].
The 2010s: Top 10 goalkeepers of the past decade (Men, 10th to 6th).
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE].
The 2010s: Top 10 ice hockey goaltenders of the past decade (5th to 1st).
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE]
The 2010s: All lists.
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE]
The 2010s: Top 10 ice hockey goaltenders of the past decade. (10th to 6th)
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE]
Yann Sommer: The undersized ‘keeper inching Gladbach towards a historic Bundesliga title.
When a deflected shot from Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich slipped under the leg of Borussia Mönchengladbach's Yann Sommer, Borussia-Park held its collective breath. The Bundesliga-leading Foals were hosting the reigning champions Bayern Munich on Saturday... [READ MORE]
GK Analysis: Kepa could do nothing to stop Daniel Wass’s game-tying goal.
What's with Spanish football clubs and Champions League goals being scored from incredibly acute angles? A day after Atletico Madrid conceded a Paulo Dybala freekick from the left side of their goal, Valencia struck a... [READ MORE]
Counterparts: Agility and footwork the keys to Navas and Quick’s success.
Ice hockey and soccer nets are pretty big for their sports. It's not rocket science. In the National Hockey League, the world's premier ice hockey club competition, a goaltender must guard a goal measuring 120 cm tall and 180 cm... [READ MORE]
Counterparts: Neuer and Brodeur’s distribution changed their sports forever.
From an honours perspective, it's easy to see where some of the similarities between goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and goaltender Martin Brodeur lie. Both goalies have won practically everything there was to win in their careers. Neuer... [READ MORE]
Predicting Petr Čech’s hockey success based on his soccer career.
Petr Čech trudged down the tunnel to a chorus of cheers. The 37-year-old had just played a full match, complete with overtime and a shootout. He had backstopped his side to a 3-2 victory... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter Five
"That's enough, for fuck's sake!" Iker Casillas was livid. The Real Madrid goalkeeper raised his right arm disapprovingly, his mouth clenched and his eyes fixated on the ground beneath him. Unable to contain himself, Casillas... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter Four
"Mourinho saw him as a grass, a mole, a traitor and an egoist." Those were the words of Diego Torres in his 2014 book The Special One: The Dark Side of José Mourinho. José Mourinho, not a stranger... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter Three
On November 29, 2010, Barcelona and Real Madrid met in one of the most highly-anticipated Clasicos in recent times. The match was the first of its kind to be played since Spain's World Cup win. 13 players... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter Two
If you're a young football fan, you'd be forgiven for thinking of Spain as a perennial football powerhouse. After all, the past 11 years has seen La Roja reach a Confederations Cup final... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter One
Every 16-year-old wishes they could be pulled out of class because of an emergency. We've all dreamed of it at some point. You imagine yourself sitting in class, bored out of your mind, your surroundings... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: All Chapters
This is the homepage for my six-part series on the career of Iker Casillas, as told by rival fans. Chapters will be revealed every three days, with Chapter One coming out on September 15 and Chapter Six coming out on September 30. You can access all six chapters here.
3 free agent goalkeepers your club could still sign.
Every team needs a hero every so often. Sometimes though, that hero is the least expected of people. When Alisson Becker was forced out of Liverpool's 4-1 opening day win over Norwich City due to a calf injury... [READ MORE]
