I do love a bit of banter. United hate Liverpool. And Liverpool hate Everton. Geordies hate Teesiders, Gooners hate Spurs, Barca hates Real, Ateltico hates Real, Espanyol hates Barca, Roma hates Lazio, Boca hates River…all of them with (arguably) more vitriol, passion and commitment than any citizen of Red Sox nation has ever felt towards a Yankee.

These games matter. More than you can possibly believe. And when you’re watching, you can’t help but be dragged into the emotion, the turmoil, the history and the importance of what’s taking place.