Matt Pearson

Freelancer covering Bundesliga and European football for @dw_sports, @thesetpieces, @FourFourTwo. Featured on @bbc5live, @talkSPORT and more.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

On my way out of Paris, so here’s a chronological thread on my experience covering the #UCLfinal for @dw_sports.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

PSG having a bit of a shocker with the tifo before the Champions League final.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

In 72 hours, Afghanistan’s women’s refugee team are supposed to be making their first FIFA-sanctioned appearance since the return of the Taliban. Instead, they can’t leave home.

Still no announcement on a tournament that can’t go ahead as planned.

https://t.co/aGXyEnagXI

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

That said, not a great stewarding job. Could be dangerous for some.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

Thousands of PSG fans have breached the security at the front of the stand and are on the pitch at the #UCLfinal

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

Security now trying to move them back in. Think the goal has been uprooted in the middle there. Seems pretty good natured from here. #UCLfinal

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

No German player on the pitch to start (Bisseck on the bench) but Munich looks to have been a good #UCLfinal host so far.

Must be a few frustrated Bayern players tonight.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

Hmmmm.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

Just travelling to the #UCLfinal for @dw_sports. 3 hours + from kick off and passengers can’t board the train line to the stadium from a few stops away. Early days but trains about 12 minutes apart so more flooding in.

Hopefully lessons have been learned from other UEFA finals.

[Jonathan Crane @jonathancrane5]

BREAKING: Germany's top tennis player Alexander Zverev has settled his assault case with his ex-girlfriend.

He was accused of strangling her at a Berlin apartment in May 2020.

The two sides have now reached an out-of-court settlement. There's no admission of guilt by Zverev.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

Toni Kroos has won as many Champions Leagues as Bayern Munich. It’s hard to remember many players who have gone out while still at their best, as he was tonight.

It’s so different for Marco Reus. He’s been a runner-up in a major competition 12 times. https://t.co/tEbLzdNU2n

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

The flares are out for the second half.

“Let’s go Dortmund. Fight and win!”

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

Chaotic start at the #uclfinal as pitch invaders enter, one after the other, from opposite sides of the ground. Marcel Sabitzer ended up pinning one down after he’d given security the slip.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

@casey_szn12 @Sunskyii Yep, I missed that one, was out of my seat at the time.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

Dortmund fans taking aim at UEFA in the #UCLfinal with a couple of banners.

First one reads (I think): “You don’t care about football, all you care about is money.”

The second links to a website. “No to Champions League reforms.”

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

The finished product.

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

The Dortmund fans unfurl their tifo ahead of the #UCLfinal

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

Dortmund fans in early at Wembley. They’ll surely at least win the decibel battle. #UCLfinal

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

A piece for ⁦⁦@dw_sports⁩ on the jailing of 12 fans in Saudi Arabia for singing a religious song. And what that means for fans travelling to big events in the country, like the 2034 World Cup.

https://t.co/io99npZPqO?

[DW Sports @dw_sports]

Ignorance to women's health and its potential to dramatically enhance sporting performance is holding back women's sport.

✍️ @thisismpearson

https://t.co/UACMzmxQEc

[Matt Pearson @thisismpearson]

I’ve been to Liverpool a fair bit in recent years. Few clubs are so united. Klopp has plenty to do with that.

Full story here: https://t.co/xk9xOuSezZ

[DW Sports @dw_sports]

“Who’s going to fill his boots?”

Liverpool supporters are having a tough time coming to terms with the shock announcement of Jürgen Klopp’s departure. 💔

#LFC #YNWA