For lack of elitist European club competitions, one forgets what Tuesdays and Wednesdays are made of in terms of soccer. A quick mix of what happened these past two days in Europe.
Italy
The weekend is for the Serie A, and nothing can change that. So the Italians fill their weekdays with minor tournaments such as the Coppa Italia (equivalent of the FA Cup or Copa Del Rey for the rookies). Not so minor though. In fact for the fifth time over the last six years, Wednesday’s final opposed Roma and Inter. Add the frantic and contemporaneous Serie A race between the two and you’ve got an electric Stadio Olimpico ready to explode. Six yellow and one red cards later, and Inter have acquired their first title of the season. The road seems paved toward yet another Serie A title for Mourinho and a historical triple crowning if the Champion’s League follows. His ego won’t shrink, doubtlessly, but, as an Inter fan, the feat seems more than in reach, and we could finally obtain a long awaited European recognition. Seeing Zanetti raise the (obsolete) Tim Cup, I could not help imagining him lifting the Big Ears. Oh yeah, the game, sorry I forgot. Well not much, in fact, mostly the usual. An express Motta-Milito counterattack, finished off beautifully by the Principe for the lead with a CC to Maradona, a couple of monstruous Julio Cesar saves to hold the score, a Snejder injury and Totti’s red card for a horrible foul on Balotelli. 1-0 final score. The first battle in a war that opposes Inter with Roma, Bayern, time and History (How to End a Paragraph Epically 101).
The weekend is for the Serie A, and nothing can change that. So the Italians fill their weekdays with minor tournaments such as the Coppa Italia (equivalent of the FA Cup or Copa Del Rey for the rookies). Not so minor though. In fact for the fifth time over the last six years, Wednesday’s final opposed Roma and Inter. Add the frantic and contemporaneous Serie A race between the two and you’ve got an electric Stadio Olimpico ready to explode. Six yellow and one red cards later, and Inter have acquired their first title of the season. The road seems paved toward yet another Serie A title for Mourinho and a historical triple crowning if the Champion’s League follows. His ego won’t shrink, doubtlessly, but, as an Inter fan, the feat seems more than in reach, and we could finally obtain a long awaited European recognition. Seeing Zanetti raise the (obsolete) Tim Cup, I could not help imagining him lifting the Big Ears. Oh yeah, the game, sorry I forgot. Well not much, in fact, mostly the usual. An express Motta-Milito counterattack, finished off beautifully by the Principe for the lead with a CC to Maradona, a couple of monstruous Julio Cesar saves to hold the score, a Snejder injury and Totti’s red card for a horrible foul on Balotelli. 1-0 final score. The first battle in a war that opposes Inter with Roma, Bayern, time and History (How to End a Paragraph Epically 101).
England
It seems the people in charge of the English Premier League schedule were oracles. This Wednesday the EPL’s make up session proposed an enticing Manchester City – Tottenham. At the beginning of the season, many had talked about a change within the Big Four, well this was more than the materialization of such a concept. The Citizens’ petrodollars went up against the Spurs’ relentless quest for recognition in a fight for the oh-so-desired fourth place, synonym of next season’s Champion’s League qualifying rounds (and the nice batch of money that comes along with it). Needless to say the game was filled with passion and muscles, the EPL supermen performing at maximum level for the whole ninety minutes. Forget the tactics, forget ball possession, all that mattered here were the goals. In a games that saw Gomes pull out some decisive saves (even against his own teammates), a lot of running, wet jerseys and Adebayor’s cute pigtails, it was Peter Crouch to emerge the hero, scoring the only goal of the game, at the 82nd minute that is. Throughout the game, although difficult to analyse because of its erratic nature, Totthenham had seemed the more convincing. The same Crouch had hit the post within the first half, Bale had flirted with the post and Defoe had pushed Fulop (those of you who ever partied in Florence will find this name most reminiscent, or not…) to a good save amidst other good opportunities. Mancini’s men struggled to react with only a few dangerous situations brought about by Tevez and Johnson. In a year where Real Madrid failed to reach its supreme goal (the European title that is), the theorem is proven once again: you can’t just hope money does the trick, a coach needs time to build a successful team and (this is not yet proved but we will see) the owners will only remedy by adding more exclusive names to the shopping list. Tottenham will take part in next year’s Champion’s League, after a well-fought season. Until then, forget about it and watch the World Cup (How to End a Paragraph with a Diminishing Comment 101).
It seems the people in charge of the English Premier League schedule were oracles. This Wednesday the EPL’s make up session proposed an enticing Manchester City – Tottenham. At the beginning of the season, many had talked about a change within the Big Four, well this was more than the materialization of such a concept. The Citizens’ petrodollars went up against the Spurs’ relentless quest for recognition in a fight for the oh-so-desired fourth place, synonym of next season’s Champion’s League qualifying rounds (and the nice batch of money that comes along with it). Needless to say the game was filled with passion and muscles, the EPL supermen performing at maximum level for the whole ninety minutes. Forget the tactics, forget ball possession, all that mattered here were the goals. In a games that saw Gomes pull out some decisive saves (even against his own teammates), a lot of running, wet jerseys and Adebayor’s cute pigtails, it was Peter Crouch to emerge the hero, scoring the only goal of the game, at the 82nd minute that is. Throughout the game, although difficult to analyse because of its erratic nature, Totthenham had seemed the more convincing. The same Crouch had hit the post within the first half, Bale had flirted with the post and Defoe had pushed Fulop (those of you who ever partied in Florence will find this name most reminiscent, or not…) to a good save amidst other good opportunities. Mancini’s men struggled to react with only a few dangerous situations brought about by Tevez and Johnson. In a year where Real Madrid failed to reach its supreme goal (the European title that is), the theorem is proven once again: you can’t just hope money does the trick, a coach needs time to build a successful team and (this is not yet proved but we will see) the owners will only remedy by adding more exclusive names to the shopping list. Tottenham will take part in next year’s Champion’s League, after a well-fought season. Until then, forget about it and watch the World Cup (How to End a Paragraph with a Diminishing Comment 101).
Spain
Spain doesn’t mind having full matchdays within the weekdays. On Tuesday, a less than convincing Barcelona (still) defeated Tenerife 4-1 under a torrential rain. The first half ended on a surprising and worrisome 1-1 score, Martinez having thanked Puyol for a rare mistake after Messi had scored his usual goal, his thirtieth please. Everything came back in order after the second 45 minutes where Bojan, Pedro and Messi (again, his 31st this time) helped Guardiola keep the lead of the Primera Division. Ibrahimovic walked out yet again useless and contested. Today it was Real Madrid who had the right to answer against Mallorca, this season’s sensation. The Madrilenes were clueless against a valiant team, until Mister Everything Ronaldo (the new one) stepped up to the plate and scored 3, for a final 4-1 scoreline. The first goal is a won duel with the keeper, the second is a chesting-shot combination from a Sergio Ramos cross and the third is the lonesome raid through the Mallorcan defence (nutmeg and favourable bounce included) with a clinical finish. Real Madrid is now hopeful to see Barcelona fall at Sevilla this weekend to pounce on the occasion and take the lead. After a strong, long and suspicious run in third place (since January), Valencia has validated its ticket to next year’s Champion’s League thanks to it golden duo Mata-Silva (trio with Villa, absent tonight). Atletico Madrid won their confrontation with now doomed Vallaloid 3-1. In the same way that Inter can finally succeed in Europe, Atletico can prepare their Europa League serenely and reverse the fail-ish tendency that has struck them over the last couple of seasons (How to End a Paragraph referring to the Beginning of the Article 101).
Spain doesn’t mind having full matchdays within the weekdays. On Tuesday, a less than convincing Barcelona (still) defeated Tenerife 4-1 under a torrential rain. The first half ended on a surprising and worrisome 1-1 score, Martinez having thanked Puyol for a rare mistake after Messi had scored his usual goal, his thirtieth please. Everything came back in order after the second 45 minutes where Bojan, Pedro and Messi (again, his 31st this time) helped Guardiola keep the lead of the Primera Division. Ibrahimovic walked out yet again useless and contested. Today it was Real Madrid who had the right to answer against Mallorca, this season’s sensation. The Madrilenes were clueless against a valiant team, until Mister Everything Ronaldo (the new one) stepped up to the plate and scored 3, for a final 4-1 scoreline. The first goal is a won duel with the keeper, the second is a chesting-shot combination from a Sergio Ramos cross and the third is the lonesome raid through the Mallorcan defence (nutmeg and favourable bounce included) with a clinical finish. Real Madrid is now hopeful to see Barcelona fall at Sevilla this weekend to pounce on the occasion and take the lead. After a strong, long and suspicious run in third place (since January), Valencia has validated its ticket to next year’s Champion’s League thanks to it golden duo Mata-Silva (trio with Villa, absent tonight). Atletico Madrid won their confrontation with now doomed Vallaloid 3-1. In the same way that Inter can finally succeed in Europe, Atletico can prepare their Europa League serenely and reverse the fail-ish tendency that has struck them over the last couple of seasons (How to End a Paragraph referring to the Beginning of the Article 101).
France
A little side note regarding the French Ligue 1. Marseille has finally regained the title of champions after a mere 18 years of dry cropping. Coincidences if you please: last time the Oympiens obtained a trophy, it was Didier Deschamps lifting the Champion’s League’s Cup in 1993, that same Didier now coach of the team. Way to win yourself the love of the fans. And since it seems to be the theme of the night, I really hope to see Marseille progress far into next year’s Champion’s League. The cards seem right for the DD. Part of the ever-idolized France 98 squad, Deschamps understands the high level club experience that is so essential on the European stage, maybe that same one that Laurent Blanc lacked this year with Bordeaux. In any case, to my many Marseillais friends, congratulations! (How to End an Article with a Recurrent and Sympathizing Gimmick 101).
A little side note regarding the French Ligue 1. Marseille has finally regained the title of champions after a mere 18 years of dry cropping. Coincidences if you please: last time the Oympiens obtained a trophy, it was Didier Deschamps lifting the Champion’s League’s Cup in 1993, that same Didier now coach of the team. Way to win yourself the love of the fans. And since it seems to be the theme of the night, I really hope to see Marseille progress far into next year’s Champion’s League. The cards seem right for the DD. Part of the ever-idolized France 98 squad, Deschamps understands the high level club experience that is so essential on the European stage, maybe that same one that Laurent Blanc lacked this year with Bordeaux. In any case, to my many Marseillais friends, congratulations! (How to End an Article with a Recurrent and Sympathizing Gimmick 101).
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