From the swanky Bernabeu in Madrid to the proper cups of tea at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, what a difference 24 hours can make on a whistle-stop week away from home covering European football.Visiting different cities and stadiums around the continent is one of the best parts of my job. Munich and Milan, Porto and Paris, every city is reflected in their stadiums and each venue offers something unique. The real beauty is that no two ever look or feel the same. There’s always an extra bit of excitement going to a new stadium, and this seasonI got my first trip to Stade Velodrome in Marseille. I’d heard such good things, yet it was still much cooler than I expected. There’s a huge stairway from the busy street leading up to the entrance, which is covered in multicoloured graffiti. The surrounding area is gritty and has an edge to it, and when you get inside the ground it’s magnificent.
