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As the schedule for the club football season is announced ahead of the new campaign, every fan earmarks certain clashes to watch out for. These are the colloquial "big games" against cross-city rivals, old-time foes or simply teams that vie for the same positions in the league table.
The top five leagues in Europe offer plenty of these match-ups over the course of a season. La Liga and the Premier League, in particular, offer some mouthwatering clashes.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla lookout for the fixtures against each other in Spain. Back in England, clashes between the London trio of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea often make the headlines. Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City complete the "Big 6" in English football.
These matches are often cagey and tight, with the sides resorting to a safe approach that keeps their clean sheets intact. In these clashes, a moment of individual brilliance can settle the tie and the player who provides it becomes a darling of the media. On the flip side, those who underperform are often slated for failing to step up and the spotlight shines bright on their statistics from the game.
Over the years, several players have consistently copped up criticism for failing to step up in matches that matter the most. Here, we look at five top-quality players who have perennially struggled in big games:
#5 Gareth Bale | Real Madrid
Few footballers divide opinion in the manner Gareth Bale has managed to over the course of his career. An exceptionally talented footballer, the Welshman's career has been massively derailed by his off-the-field antics and injury problems.
Bale has an extremely respectable club record. In 488 games combined for Real Madrid and Tottenham, the winger has 177 goals and 129 assists. But a deeper look at his numbers proves Bale has flattered to deceive in big matches.
The 32-year-old has just four goals and eight assists in 35 combined matches against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in all competitions. In England, Bale has managed just 13 goals in 59 matches for Tottenham against the rest of the "Big 6." While he has scored iconic goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals, the Welsh captain's overall figures against big teams don't particularly make for great reading.
#4 Antoine Griezmann | Barcelona
Antoine Griezmann is one of the best all-round forwards in the modern game. The Frenchman's game goes beyond his goalscoring abilities as he is often pivotal in building up play. He also carries out his defensive duties extremely well.
But a big-money move to Barcelona meant pundits and fans alike have consistently criticized Griezmann for his lack of a final product. The 30-year-old was often the focus of scrutiny when the Catalans failed to collect victories in any of their big matches. Griezmann's overall record against big teams makes for okay-ish reading, but it simply isn't good enough.
The Frenchman has managed just 15 goals and 12 assists in 71 combined matches against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. His record against big teams in the Champions League is poor as well. Griezmann has scored just two goals in 16 combined matches against the likes of Bayern Munich, Man United, Chelsea, PSG and Juventus.
#3 Raheem Sterling | Manchester City
Raheem Sterling has captured headlines so often in recent years that it's easy to forget he is just 26. The Englishman has often sparkled for club and country, but his record in big games for Manchester City and Liverpool has been quite woeful.
Sterling is yet to score in 23 matches against rivals Manchester United, while he has just three goals in 15 appearances against former employers Liverpool. The winger has also managed just four goals in 20 appearances against Chelsea.
However, Sterling's record against Arsenal and Tottenham is extremely admirable. The 26-year-old has 16 goals and seven assists in 37 games against the North London heavyweights.
His UEFA Champions League numbers against big clubs are poor, however. Sterling has scored just one goal in 10 combined matches against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus. He also has no goals against Borussia Dortmund and PSG, having played a match apiece against both clubs. However, he is bound to have several chances to improve these numbers in the coming years.
#2 Olivier Giroud | AC Milan
Olivier Giroud's game has never been about goalscoring. In fact, France won the 2018 World Cup with him upfront by merely using his off-the-ball abilities and physicality. Yet, as a forward with more than 250 Premier League games worth of experience, his record against big teams is quite poor.
Giroud has scored a meager 12 goals in 65 combined matches for Arsenal against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham. In fact, the only club from the "Big 6" he has enjoyed a reasonable amount of success against is Liverpool. Giroud has eight goals and an assist in 16 games against the Reds.
#1 Mesut Ozil | Fenerbahce
Mesut Ozil is one of the most intelligent footballers to have graced the beautiful game. With his ability to spray passes all over the field in addition to an eye for key passes and assists, the German was incredible during his time at Real Madrid and Arsenal.
Ozil has a tremendous club record. In 413 combined matches for Los Blancos and the Gunners, he assisted 157 goals in addition to scoring a further 71. However, Ozil's biggest pitfall was his inability to perform consistently in big games.
The midfielder possesses a rather dismal record against the "Big 6" of English football. Ozil has just two goals and four assists in 29 matches against London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham. He also recorded just four goals and four assists in 24 matches against Liverpool and Manchester United. Ozil didn't score a single goal and assisted just four in 12 matches against Manchester City.
His record against big clubs outside of the Premier League is also quite poor. Ozil managed just five goals in eight assists in 35 combined matches against Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The numbers quite clearly point to why the 32-year-old often drew criticism for his performances against quality opposition.
