"I am very sorry for Rasmus Elm, but I think that he will never play football again. I only want to wish him to be healthy, and maybe he will start again as a coach or a scout. If he continues his playing career, he will become disabled. Our medical staff are categorically against it." Those were the words of CSKA Moscow president Yevgeny Giner in a December interview with Russian outlet Bobsoccer.

A few days later, the Swedish midfielder terminated his contract with the Russian champions. There...

The impossible trick Seydou Doumbia showed at Bayern Munich last month tells the story. After running past Dante, whose tackle turned out to be mistimed, the CSKA Moscow striker still faced three Bayern defenders ahead of him. His route appeared to be blocked, but just a fraction of a second later, he was suddenly facing goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

An incredible move left Jerome Boateng, Sebastian Rode and Gianluca Gaudino for dead, all at once. None of them could understand what happened. It remains...