While half the Western world is happy to have Christmas off, all of England is looking forward to Boxing Day.
(Foto: Action Images via Reuters)
London While the professionals in the Bundesliga are enjoying the Christmas break, the English Premier League traditionally can’t stop playing. The highlight is again the “Boxing Day” on Boxing Day. “It’s the best game of the year for me,” said Manchester United Spain international Mata. “There is a great atmosphere in every stadium and there are many children in the stands.”
Originally, on Boxing Day, workers or employees received gifts from their employers in England, a so-called “Christmas Box”. Since 1966, football has regularly given its fans Boxing Day on the island. The stadiums are full, and many millions of supporters are sitting in the pubs or in front of the television at home.
But not all professionals are so euphoric when it comes to the games at Christmas. National player Antonio Rüdiger will enjoy Boxing Day for the first time. “It’s a new experience for me. It’s definitely not easy. But you have to go through with it,” said the defender in an interview with the dpa news agency.
At his former clubs AS Roma or VfB Stuttgart, Rüdiger was always able to spend Christmas with his family. He is now hosting newly promoted Brighton & Hove Albion with Chelsea at 4 p.m. on December 26. “It’s the first time I’ve experienced that,” explained the defender.
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Nevertheless, some professionals manage to spend Christmas with their families instead of traveling and staying in hotels. Ex-pro Kevin Nolan (West Ham and Newcastle United) managed the feat five times in a row to have to watch the games between Christmas and New Year because of a red card or yellow card suspension. 30 players currently have four warnings under their belt and could give themselves a little break with another yellow card before they continue with a double match day on December 30th and New Year’s Day.
Originally there was even a plan to play a game on Christmas Eve for the first time since 1995. At the request of the TV broadcaster “Sky”, FC Arsenal should play against Jürgens Klopps FC Liverpool on December 24 (4:00 p.m.). In the end, the league pushed the match forward two days. “I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to watch a football game that night,” Klopp complained at the time.
Ilkay Gündogan and Leroy Sané are still free with Manchester City on Boxing Day. The game of the sovereign leader at Newcastle United will not take place until December 27th. A day later, Mesut Özil, Shkodran Mustafi and Per Mertesacker take on Arsenal at Crystal Palace.
