Pre-match preparation
Kolo Touré always had to be the last player onto the pitch during his time at Arsenal – a situation which caused him trouble during a 2009 UEFA Champions League match against Roma. With team-mate William Gallas’s half-time treatment for an injury delayed, Touré felt unable to re-enter the field until Gallas emerged, and the game resumed without either player. The Ivorian ended up being booked for rejoining the fray without the referee’s permission.
Czech Republic captain Tomáš Rosický never sang the national anthem aloud, having realised while playing for his country …