Rangers and Mourinho's Big Vase Night

In mid-January, Real Madrid secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Feyenoord, overshadowing the excitement of knockout football that had captivated fans during the third qualifying round. The tension was palpable as Rangers faced Dynamo Kyiv, drawing 1-1 in the first leg. The second leg at Hampden Park ended goalless until a controversial decision by referee Marco Guida, who penalized Rangers' Jefté for a high jump against Oleksandr Karavayev. This decision, deemed one of the worst in decades by observers, ultimately dashed the hopes of over 50,000 fans as Dynamo Kyiv capitalized, scoring twice and eliminating Rangers from contention. Meanwhile, in another thrilling encounter, Aïssa Mandi's red card for Istanbul sparked hopes for José Mourinho's side, only for a late penalty awarded after a VAR review to silence the crowd. Jonathan David's successful conversion in the 118th minute highlighted the unpredictable nature of knockout football, leaving Mourinho proud of his team's efforts despite the dramatic circumstances. Ludogorets also faced heartbreak after a promising 2-1 win over Qarabag. They conceded twice in injury time, leveling the tie, but ultimately succumbed to a staggering 8-4 defeat on aggregate after conceding four goals in extra time. As the Milk Cup returns, nostalgia for a bygone era in football is palpable, with fans yearning for the simpler times of the past. The current players, however, may find themselves grappling with the expectations and pressures of modern football, as highlighted by Troy Deeney's candid remarks on managing egos in the sport.