Richard Hughes was learning plenty in the most famous youth academy in Italy, at Atalanta. Coach Cesare Prandelli gave him his debut for the senior youth team against Brescia. And in Brescia's ranks was one of Italy's greatest future players, Andrea Pirlo. That was challenge enough, but Richard was to play out of position, at Centre Back. The prospect was, in his words, a nightmare. 

Episode 9: Andrea Pirlo and the debut from Hell

The Match is a weekly podcast in which broadcaster Dave Farrar talks to someone that he knows about a football match that had a huge impact on their lives, one that has stayed in the memory. There are ex players, managers, and people around football, all of whom have new and amazing stories to tell. Funny and sad, reflective and instructive. Because 90 minutes can last a lifetime.

Professional

Sports & Recreation

Sports

In 2005, David Prutton was a Premier League up and comer. A tough tackling midfielder, but one who’d always managed to stay on the right side of the disciplinary line. And then, one afternoon at St Mary’s in Southampton, he lost it. Two minutes of madness that would shape the rest of his career. In the last episode of Season One, he tells us his story with wit and self-effacing honesty. 






Episode 10: The day I lost my head

In 1988, Clive Allen made a surprise move to France to play for Bordeaux. Early in that season, Bordeaux played PSG at the Parc Des Princes and Clive missed a penalty that would have won them the game. The next day he was called in to see the President. This week, it's the story of what happened next. 

Episode 8: It's not manque, it's monkey

In April 1993, a young Matt Jackson was playing at right back for Everton against QPR. He'd had a good season to that point but always sensed that he didn't really know his position, that he was winging it, that he was guessing what a defender should do. One day this lack of guidance would surely catch up with him. And then it did. On an afternoon at Goodison Park when he came up against the England left winger Andy Sinton. 

Episode 7: 28 minutes with Andy Sinton

In September 1995, West Ham United went to Highbury to play Arsenal, and the West Ham midfielder Don Hutchison was furious with his manager Harry Redknapp. The two had argued, communication had broken down, and when Redknapp decided to bring on the 37 year old reserve goalkeeper Les Sealey as a substitute instead of Don, that was the end of the road, and player told manager that he would never play for him again. It would be a compelling story, if it was true. The fact that it isn't makes it even more so. 

Episode 9: Andrea Pirlo and the debut from Hell

Download our free app to listen on your phone