Chelsea's prelude to implosion...
If Chelsea win the Champions' League this year - it may not be such a bad thing. It would be the culmination of Roman's puerile ambition. He would have won whatever he set out to win and may, just may, decide he's had enough and start preparing for a pullout. Eventually, he may divest himself of Chelsea and they will sink back to the glorious mediocrity whence they came, devoid of those plastic fair weather fans they have come to attract.
Jose himself, may finally decide he too has had enough and move on to different pastures. Either way, he may decide that this year is his last and if he leaves, having failed to make Chelsea into European Champions, the helmsmanship of Chelsea may be viewed as a poisoned chalice that will keep potential managers at bay. Ironically, knowing the fickle nature of football - especially in Spain - do not discount Mourinho taking over Barcelona if and when Riijkaard gets sacked. If Barcelona do not make it out of the group stage this year - Frank may be shown the door.
It would be hilarious to see Chelsea fall apart if Mourinho and/or Roman leave. Lampard and Terry will then realise that they are indeed above average players excelling in a stiff system backed up by chests of Siberian gold. Their stockpiled talent may be allowed to leave for teams where they will be better appreciated and needed, and a bit like Juventus, most teams will pick and choose over the carcass that remains. It will be rather pathetic
Juventus' community service...
Speaking of Juventus, their relegation to Serie B may have another latent benefit. As a result of their demotion, people all over the world who follow football are now curious to see who they are playing every week. The likes of Rimini, Bologna and Ascoli would normally be Greek to most armchair football fans arounds the world, but now, thanks to their weekly jousts against the Bianconeri, they pique the curiosity. As a result, Serie B now gets more attention than it has received at any time in the past little while - and this is good for football on the whole. Since we're on the topic of Italian football, Inter and Roma both won - the latter handing Milan yet another defeat. Inter thought, seem to be settling into their stride and should finally win this title on their own accord. Not of course, if Palermo have anything to do about it, now topping the table on goal difference after another convincing win over Torino 3-0. Inter however, have strength in depth and an unbeaten record - Palermo lack both.
German flair...
German football is often considered to be dull and boring while being efficient. A bit like the German national team. However, based on this year's evidence, it is anything but. Some of the best goals this year have been scored in the Bundesliga (Marko Pantelic step forward). Personally it was refreshing to see Borussia Dortmund (them of the 70,000 fans) beat leaders Werder to throw open the title race. 10 days ago Borussia looked like doing a Newcastle, now they're just off the Champions' League places. At the other end of the table, man for man, Hamburg may be the best team to sit in a relegation place in Europe this year. They won't go down of course, but they should really be doing so much better. It's fitting, that in a year in which Germany finally showed relentless attacking flair on the international stage, their league should be dominated by the more attack minded teams.
In Spain, Barcelona went back on top but their wins have lately seemed to always have a tinge of favour from the referees. Sevilla drew to fall off the top, while Valencia's mini slump seems to be jeopardizing their chances of challenging, this early, in the season. Deportivo kept yet another clean sheet while Athletico burst back into life with a big win. It's obvious, any team that maintains a shred of consistency will pull clear, this dog eat dog league taking care of the chasing pack - no pun intended. Just who will be that first among equals - remains to be seen. At this rate the Champions' League places may go to anyone from Celta to Getafe - now that would be something
In some of the bigger games on the weekend - PSV scored a flukey winner to beat Ajax and go back on top of the table. The goal reminded me of the ridiculous opener that the Dutch conceded against Germany at Euro 2004. In England, Arsenal produced one of the performances of the season in comprehensively dismantling Liverpool at Ashburton grove. Finally, a big home win at the new stadium.
In France, Lyon resumed normal service after their shock defeat to Rennes last week. Meanwhile my favorite French undercards, Lille, beat Marseille to go second. As I keep maintaining, Lille may very well advance in the Champions' League. Also good to see Monaco return to some semblance of form with a solid 4-0 away win against Troyes. Lyon have been keeping one eye on their match against Real next round in the Champions' League. Marseille, meanwhile seem to be stcuk in perpetual limbo, yo-yoing up and down in midtable.
As I write this, I notice that today's Euro Qualifier between Portugal and Kazakhstan, features a starting lineup comprising players (bar one) from only the 3 Champions' League participants - Porto, Sporting and Benfica. No surprise then to notice the fact that it is the same triumvirate that fill the top 3 spots in Portugal. In truth, Porto and Sporting are pulling away at the top while Benfica is mired in the chasing pack.
I've been so busy the last 2 weeks - working till the late hours of the night. Footbal though has been just as occupied. I'll leave you with one word - Mitropa.
Cheers.
If Chelsea win the Champions' League this year - it may not be such a bad thing. It would be the culmination of Roman's puerile ambition. He would have won whatever he set out to win and may, just may, decide he's had enough and start preparing for a pullout. Eventually, he may divest himself of Chelsea and they will sink back to the glorious mediocrity whence they came, devoid of those plastic fair weather fans they have come to attract.
Jose himself, may finally decide he too has had enough and move on to different pastures. Either way, he may decide that this year is his last and if he leaves, having failed to make Chelsea into European Champions, the helmsmanship of Chelsea may be viewed as a poisoned chalice that will keep potential managers at bay. Ironically, knowing the fickle nature of football - especially in Spain - do not discount Mourinho taking over Barcelona if and when Riijkaard gets sacked. If Barcelona do not make it out of the group stage this year - Frank may be shown the door.
It would be hilarious to see Chelsea fall apart if Mourinho and/or Roman leave. Lampard and Terry will then realise that they are indeed above average players excelling in a stiff system backed up by chests of Siberian gold. Their stockpiled talent may be allowed to leave for teams where they will be better appreciated and needed, and a bit like Juventus, most teams will pick and choose over the carcass that remains. It will be rather pathetic
Juventus' community service...
Speaking of Juventus, their relegation to Serie B may have another latent benefit. As a result of their demotion, people all over the world who follow football are now curious to see who they are playing every week. The likes of Rimini, Bologna and Ascoli would normally be Greek to most armchair football fans arounds the world, but now, thanks to their weekly jousts against the Bianconeri, they pique the curiosity. As a result, Serie B now gets more attention than it has received at any time in the past little while - and this is good for football on the whole. Since we're on the topic of Italian football, Inter and Roma both won - the latter handing Milan yet another defeat. Inter thought, seem to be settling into their stride and should finally win this title on their own accord. Not of course, if Palermo have anything to do about it, now topping the table on goal difference after another convincing win over Torino 3-0. Inter however, have strength in depth and an unbeaten record - Palermo lack both.
German flair...
German football is often considered to be dull and boring while being efficient. A bit like the German national team. However, based on this year's evidence, it is anything but. Some of the best goals this year have been scored in the Bundesliga (Marko Pantelic step forward). Personally it was refreshing to see Borussia Dortmund (them of the 70,000 fans) beat leaders Werder to throw open the title race. 10 days ago Borussia looked like doing a Newcastle, now they're just off the Champions' League places. At the other end of the table, man for man, Hamburg may be the best team to sit in a relegation place in Europe this year. They won't go down of course, but they should really be doing so much better. It's fitting, that in a year in which Germany finally showed relentless attacking flair on the international stage, their league should be dominated by the more attack minded teams.
In Spain, Barcelona went back on top but their wins have lately seemed to always have a tinge of favour from the referees. Sevilla drew to fall off the top, while Valencia's mini slump seems to be jeopardizing their chances of challenging, this early, in the season. Deportivo kept yet another clean sheet while Athletico burst back into life with a big win. It's obvious, any team that maintains a shred of consistency will pull clear, this dog eat dog league taking care of the chasing pack - no pun intended. Just who will be that first among equals - remains to be seen. At this rate the Champions' League places may go to anyone from Celta to Getafe - now that would be something
In some of the bigger games on the weekend - PSV scored a flukey winner to beat Ajax and go back on top of the table. The goal reminded me of the ridiculous opener that the Dutch conceded against Germany at Euro 2004. In England, Arsenal produced one of the performances of the season in comprehensively dismantling Liverpool at Ashburton grove. Finally, a big home win at the new stadium.
In France, Lyon resumed normal service after their shock defeat to Rennes last week. Meanwhile my favorite French undercards, Lille, beat Marseille to go second. As I keep maintaining, Lille may very well advance in the Champions' League. Also good to see Monaco return to some semblance of form with a solid 4-0 away win against Troyes. Lyon have been keeping one eye on their match against Real next round in the Champions' League. Marseille, meanwhile seem to be stcuk in perpetual limbo, yo-yoing up and down in midtable.
As I write this, I notice that today's Euro Qualifier between Portugal and Kazakhstan, features a starting lineup comprising players (bar one) from only the 3 Champions' League participants - Porto, Sporting and Benfica. No surprise then to notice the fact that it is the same triumvirate that fill the top 3 spots in Portugal. In truth, Porto and Sporting are pulling away at the top while Benfica is mired in the chasing pack.
I've been so busy the last 2 weeks - working till the late hours of the night. Footbal though has been just as occupied. I'll leave you with one word - Mitropa.
Cheers.
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