The 1996–97 season was encouraging but ultimately frustrating for Liverpool under Roy Evans. The team, dubbed the “Spice Boys,” played exciting, attacking football and spent much of the campaign challenging for the Premier League title. Led by Robbie Fowler, Stan Collymore, and Steve McManaman, Liverpool scored heavily, with Fowler netting 18 league goals. However, inconsistency and defensive lapses cost them, and they eventually finished 4th, seven points behind champions Manchester United. In the FA Cup, Liverpool were knocked out in the fourth round by Chelsea, and they fell early in the League Cup. It was a season of unfulfilled promise.

The 1987–88 period was a high point for the Soviet Union national team. Managed by Valeriy Lobanovskyi, the squad blended tactical discipline with flair, heavily influenced by Dynamo Kyiv players. At UEFA Euro 1988, the USSR impressed, topping their group after defeating the Netherlands 1–0, England 3–1, and drawing with Ireland. In the semi-final, they beat Italy 2–0, with goals from Oleksiy Mykhaylychenko and Oleg Protasov. In the final, they met the Netherlands again but lost 2–0, highlighted by Marco van Basten’s iconic volley. With stars like Rinat Dasayev, Vasyl Rats, and Igor Belanov, this squad is remembered as one of the USSR’s finest.

Ajax and Bob Marley’s connection comes from the club’s adoption of Marley’s song “Three Little Birds” as an anthem.

The story began in 2008, when Ajax played a friendly against Cardiff City. After the match, the stadium DJ played “Three Little Birds,” and Ajax fans instantly embraced it, singing along passionately. From then on, the song became a tradition, sung before matches at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

The Marley family has recognised this bond, with Bob’s son Ky-Mani Marley even performing it live with supporters. In 2021, Ajax released a special third kit inspired by Marley and the song, featuring the iconic three little birds on the back.

In the 1997–98 season, Orlando Pirates remained one of South Africa’s strongest sides in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). They finished 2nd in the league, just behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, keeping the title race alive until the end. The squad featured key figures like Williams Okpara, Helman Mkhalele, and Jerry Sikhosana, who were central to the team’s attacking play. In cup competitions, Pirates fell short, with early exits in both the Coca-Cola Cup and Bob Save Super Bowl. Although no silverware was secured, the season reaffirmed Pirates as consistent contenders during a competitive era in South African football.

The 1990 Yugoslavia national team is remembered as one of the country’s most talented sides, blending stars from across the federation. At the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, they reached the quarter-finals, their best result since 1962. Led by Dragan Stojković, who scored twice against Spain in the Round of 16, Yugoslavia showcased flair and technical brilliance. The quarter-final against Argentina ended 0–0, but Yugoslavia were eliminated on penalties despite a strong performance. With players like Robert Prosinečki, Dejan Savićević, and Safet Sušić, this was seen as a golden generation, whose promise was cut short by the breakup of the country.

The 2013–14 season was thrilling yet heartbreaking for Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers. Playing attacking, high-tempo football, they pushed Manchester City to the wire, ultimately finishing 2nd in the Premier League, just two points behind the champions. The strike duo of Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge scored freely, with Suárez netting 31 goals to win the Golden Boot. Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, and Philippe Coutinho added creativity and drive. However, defensive frailties and the infamous slip against Chelsea cost them the title. Liverpool exited the FA Cup and League Cup early, but the season rekindled hope of a long-awaited league triumph.

The 1998–99 season was one of the greatest in Parma’s history. Coached by Alberto Malesani, the team finished 4th in Serie A, securing Champions League qualification. Parma shone in the cups: they won the Coppa Italia, defeating Fiorentina in the final, and lifted the UEFA Cup, thrashing Marseille 3–0 in Moscow. The squad was packed with talent — Gianluigi Buffon in goal, Lilian Thuram and Fabio Cannavaro in defense, Juan Sebastián Verón orchestrating midfield, and Hernán Crespo and Enrico Chiesa forming a lethal strike partnership. This season remains the pinnacle of Parma’s golden era in the 1990s.

Olympique de Marseille, managed by Frédéric Antonetti, competed in Division 1 (now Ligue 1) aiming to reclaim domestic dominance. The squad featured stars like Jean-Pierre Papin, whose goalscoring prowess spearheaded the attack, and Chris Waddle, providing creativity and width. Marseille finished 2nd in the league, narrowly missing the title to AS Monaco, showcasing attacking flair but occasional defensive lapses. In European competition, they competed in the European Cup, progressing to the later rounds but ultimately falling short. Domestically, cup campaigns were modest, reflecting a season of near-misses but laying the foundations for the club’s eventual dominance in the early 1990s.

1996/97: Big-money signing Alan Shearer arrived for a world-record fee, scoring prolifically. Newcastle again challenged for the title, but inconsistency cost them and they finished 2nd once more. Keegan resigned in January 1997, shocking fans, with Kenny Dalglish taking over and guiding them into the Champions League.