Football matches are competitive games played between two teams of players, typically consisting of eleven members each, who aim to score goals by getting a ball into the opposing team’s net using any part of their body except their hands and arms (goalkeepers are an exception). They are played on a rectangular field, known as a pitch, with a goal at each end. The match is regulated by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Matches are usually divided into two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, with a short halftime break in between. The team with the highest score at the end of the match wins; if the score is tied, the outcome may vary depending on the competition’s rules, possibly leading to extra time or a penalty shootout. Football matches can occur at various levels, from amateur games to professional leagues and international tournaments, and are watched by millions of fans around the world.
As Christmas approaches, Juventus faces an early challenge in the Coppa Italia. The team, having undergone significant changes since their last competitive match, is set to meet Cagliari, a familiar…