The group stages of the UEFA Champions League have come to a close. No more lovely Champions League music until 2011 unless you recorded matches or have the internet. If you’re reading this, I’ll assume you have the internet unless you subscribe to Nutmeg Radio in hard copy. Anyway, this pending hiatus from the Champions League encouraged me to do some deep thinking (more…)
Inter Milan and Bayern Munich square off in today’s UEFA Champions League final live on your local Fox station. The fact that the final will be shown on regular network television, on the people’s television, shows how far soccer has come in a relatively short period of time in the United States. (more…)
Oh Champions League, how you entertain me. Alas, there are no more English teams in Europe, well except for Fulham and Liverpool. The horror. But really, Fulham and Liverpool aren’t really in Europe anyway. They’re just in Europe’s basement, which is great and all because you’re still in Europe’s house, but you’re still not in the nice part of the house. (more…)
While watching the Barcelona – Arsenal game yesterday I realized how cruel love could be, even on a football pitch. On one side you had Thierry Henry, a former Gunner, playing for Barcelona. On the other side of the field you had Cesc Fabregas, a former Barcelona protégé, doing the same for Arsenal. Both players ended their long-standing relationships with their favorite teams in order to advance their careers. As can be expected, such difficult decisions often result in unintended consequences. In their case, they were forced to play their old clubs. (more…)
Outside of France, the big match today is Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich. In 1999, the Champions League final was played between these two European powers in Barcelona. I recall flying into Barcelona the morning after the final. I met up with two friends at the airport who had tickets to the final. One friend went, the other friend informed me (more…)
In the aftermath of yet another disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is rumored to be on the verge of making drastic changes to his team of highly paid mercenaries, I mean stars. As has become routine at this time of year, Chelsea players and coaches are on the proverbial hot seat. In fairness, the owner has let it be known that he covets one thing above all else, a Champions League trophy. Since his arrival, the Russian oligarch has thrown money at the problems facing Chelsea. He has reportedly spent upwards of £600 million in his quest for the crown, with nothing but six measly major trophies to show for it. By most accounts, Chelsea is one of Europe’s elite football teams. However, Roman remains unsatisfied. He needs to win the Champions League quite simply because he wants Chelsea to be the best football club in Europe.
Roman’s demanding nature reminds me of George Steinbrenner. (more…)
On the sidelines of yesterday’s Chelsea vs. Inter Milan match, Carlo Ancelotti looked like he was in the third hour of a four hour session on the fourth day of a physics conference. His face was dead. Expressionless. Emotionless. It was priceless. My sense is that Ancelotti would make a terrible mime.
The obvious angle here is that Ancelotti’s lack of emotion was passed on to his team. But Chelsea’s performance can hardly be said to have been emotionless. Chelsea certainly created chances on the night. There were a few calls that Chelsea fans will claim were clear penalties. Crazier assertions have been made. Penalties have been called for less. (more…)
So what’s the lesson boys and girls? That’s right, you can’t buy success. Although money certainly helps, it doesn’t help to have crazy people running your club. There’s something heartwarming about Real Madrid, a team that went out and bought the two best players in world, losing to a Lyon side who sold Madrid their best player as well. That’s the football gods for you.
Yesterday’s Champions League fixtures brought controversial victories for Bayern Munich and Porto. Both matches offered further evidence that controversial decisions by referees cannot be avoided in football. Although technology might have been more helpful in Germany yesterday, how many controversial decisions need to be made before referees are offered some form of assistance?
If you love perms or Didier Drogba, you’ll love the Les Éléphants shirt …
Spain is trying to conquer the world again. This time, they might succeed.
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