It was bound to be an interesting final no matter what happened between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, and indeed, it is now confirmed that the final in Lisbon on May 24th will be a local derby between David and Goliath, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
Real Madrid are favourites for sure, but Atletico Madrid showed great quality when they brushed aside Chelsea 1-3 in Stamford Bridge. It was a strange Chelsea side. The line-up without Schurrle and Azpilicueta as right-half seemed a bit surprising, but they seemed to dominate and with patience, went ahead 1-0. But Atletico's 1-1 right before halftime made Chelsea lose their nerve while it gave Atletico a boost of energy. Chelsea's defense looked the shakiest I have seen them in the season as Atletico's pressure improved. Although it was not a big penalty, it was only deserved when Diego Costa made it 2-1. Arda Turan's Turkish delight of a third goal only sealed a legendary night for Atletico Madrid, and what must be one of the most embarrassing defeats for Chelsea and Mourinho.
I cannot help but think that Chelsea underestimated Atletico Madrid, and already had their minds in Lisbon. At this level, underestimating an opponent is an unforgiveable mistake.
I will definitely support Atletico Madrid in the final, as I think everyone who is not a Real Madrid fan will. They are huge underdogs in every sense of the word, but Real Madrid will know that their opponents will fight to the last second. That is one of the great inspirations Diego Simeone have given this side. At the same time, I cannot feel but a lingering doubt about Atletico's nerves, as I cannot but help to think of the CL final of 2000 (which is very painful to me): Valencia were having a splendid season, far better than Real Madrid, and arrived at the Champions League final almost as favourites against Real Madrid. In that final they completely lost their head, impressed by the setting and by them being so close to the title. Real Madrid tore them apart with a 3-0 victory...
I am afraid something similar could happen, but certainly hope not. It would only be wonderful for Spanish football if Atletico Madrid won both la liga and the Champions League..
Showing posts with label Champions Leage 2013-2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Champions Leage 2013-2014. Show all posts
Thursday, May 01, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Bayern Raus
The Bayern Munich fans did not even have their bratwurst for consolation as a far superior Real Madrid trashed Bayern Munich in their first victory ever in Munich. It was doubly humiliating as Carlo Ancelotti proved to be a far superior tactician and football brain than Pep Guardiola's, who seemed to have completely set his side without considering the Spanish side's obvious strengths in counter-attack. When down 0-3 he seemed to have no idea what to do.
Surely a lot of people in Munich must be missing the great Jupp Heynckes.
Real Madrid were very close to perfection, dominating every aspect of the game, and with Cristiano Ronaldo on fire. Their only downer was Xabi Alonso's yellow card, which means he is suspended for the final. That said, they will be huge favourites against either Chelsea or Atletico Madrid in the final. I will unashamedly support either of those two sides, but aware that Real Madrid will be favourites.
Either side that makes it, it will be interesting: an Atletico Madrid-Real Madrid final will be historic for the city of Madrid, where Atletico will surely fight their heart out to beat their gigantic neighbours. It will truly be a David against Goliath of the city of Madrid.
Chelsea-Real Madrid will be more interesting in a footballing sense: Chelsea and Real Madrid play some of the best counter-attacking football right now, and their two coaches, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti are two of the best football tacticians in the world. It would be as much a chess contest as a football match. Also, I guess many people will focus as much on the Jose Mourinho-Real Madrid clash, but that is more for the coloured press than for football fans.
Surely a lot of people in Munich must be missing the great Jupp Heynckes.
Real Madrid were very close to perfection, dominating every aspect of the game, and with Cristiano Ronaldo on fire. Their only downer was Xabi Alonso's yellow card, which means he is suspended for the final. That said, they will be huge favourites against either Chelsea or Atletico Madrid in the final. I will unashamedly support either of those two sides, but aware that Real Madrid will be favourites.
Either side that makes it, it will be interesting: an Atletico Madrid-Real Madrid final will be historic for the city of Madrid, where Atletico will surely fight their heart out to beat their gigantic neighbours. It will truly be a David against Goliath of the city of Madrid.
Chelsea-Real Madrid will be more interesting in a footballing sense: Chelsea and Real Madrid play some of the best counter-attacking football right now, and their two coaches, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti are two of the best football tacticians in the world. It would be as much a chess contest as a football match. Also, I guess many people will focus as much on the Jose Mourinho-Real Madrid clash, but that is more for the coloured press than for football fans.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Forget the World Cup: don't miss Bayern Munich-Real Madrid
In a World Cup year there are bound to be many memorable matches, and the final in Maracana, no matter who wins it, will be historic.
That said, the best match of the year is unlikely to be in the World Cup, where first round in particular is set to be full of mediocre sides playing not to lose rather than to win. The knock-off rounds are more likely to be dramatic than well-played as the more mediocre teams get knocked out.
But what match is vying to be the best of the year? The Champions League final is likely, but more so tomorrow's match in Munich between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, surely among the best teams in the world at the moment, if not the best.
Bayern Munich has very much applied Pep Guardiola's style of possession, but still playing more directly (they shoot more on goal). That said, Pep Guardiola made some tactical errors in the first match which he may have to correct. Firstly, although Rafinha had a fine match against Real Madrid, Javi Martinez seems to be a more obvious choice in the defensive midfield to break the counter-attacks. Phillip Lahm should be back in right-back position, while the core questions are whether Mario Gotze or Arjen Robben should be chosen for the right half, and whether Thomas Muller or Toni Kroos should be offensive midfielders. I personally favour Mario Gotze ahead of Robben, who I think lacks passion the most important matches. Also, while I like Toni Kroos, I think Thomas Muller's defensive abilities and experience will be more important to feed Mario Mandzukic up front. The weakest point may be central defense with Dante and Boateng, but this is a luxury weakness, and the strengthening with Martinez should be enough.
In the meantime, Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid plays eminent counter-attacking football, getting the best out of an incredible Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel DiMaria, Gareth Bale and even Karim Benzema. In defense Pepe has been extraordinary in the last matches, while the combination of Xabi Alonso and Luca Modric works very well; they are both very complete midfielders with excellent defensive and offensive abilities. On the left-hand side I have been very impressed by the young Isco, who is already a star and is bound to become even better.
I am certain there will be goals, drama and a very high level of tactical, physical and technical skills, far above anything we will see in Brazil this year. While the World Cup appeals mostly to petty nationalism (that is why 90% of people watch), the high quality football that real football fans like is what we will see tomorrow.
That said, the best match of the year is unlikely to be in the World Cup, where first round in particular is set to be full of mediocre sides playing not to lose rather than to win. The knock-off rounds are more likely to be dramatic than well-played as the more mediocre teams get knocked out.
But what match is vying to be the best of the year? The Champions League final is likely, but more so tomorrow's match in Munich between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, surely among the best teams in the world at the moment, if not the best.
Bayern Munich has very much applied Pep Guardiola's style of possession, but still playing more directly (they shoot more on goal). That said, Pep Guardiola made some tactical errors in the first match which he may have to correct. Firstly, although Rafinha had a fine match against Real Madrid, Javi Martinez seems to be a more obvious choice in the defensive midfield to break the counter-attacks. Phillip Lahm should be back in right-back position, while the core questions are whether Mario Gotze or Arjen Robben should be chosen for the right half, and whether Thomas Muller or Toni Kroos should be offensive midfielders. I personally favour Mario Gotze ahead of Robben, who I think lacks passion the most important matches. Also, while I like Toni Kroos, I think Thomas Muller's defensive abilities and experience will be more important to feed Mario Mandzukic up front. The weakest point may be central defense with Dante and Boateng, but this is a luxury weakness, and the strengthening with Martinez should be enough.
In the meantime, Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid plays eminent counter-attacking football, getting the best out of an incredible Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel DiMaria, Gareth Bale and even Karim Benzema. In defense Pepe has been extraordinary in the last matches, while the combination of Xabi Alonso and Luca Modric works very well; they are both very complete midfielders with excellent defensive and offensive abilities. On the left-hand side I have been very impressed by the young Isco, who is already a star and is bound to become even better.
I am certain there will be goals, drama and a very high level of tactical, physical and technical skills, far above anything we will see in Brazil this year. While the World Cup appeals mostly to petty nationalism (that is why 90% of people watch), the high quality football that real football fans like is what we will see tomorrow.
Friday, March 21, 2014
The Champions League quarterfinals
I do not feel that the last-16 of this season's Champions League was overly exciting. Most games were largely decided in the first match, and only Manchester United fought back to a memorable, if not wholly deserved, comeback against Olympiakos.
Today was the draw for the quarterfinals, and these look more exciting:
Today was the draw for the quarterfinals, and these look more exciting:
- FC Barcelona-Atletico Madrid: A Spanish quarterfinal between the giants of Barcelona and the newcomers Atletico Madrid, who will have another chance to annoy the Catalonians. FC Barcelona will be under pressure as favourites and being behind in the league, so expect a dramatic clash!
- Real Madrid-Borussia Dortmund: This will be a repeat of last season's semifinal where the German underdogs managed to upset the Spanish favourites in two excellent and emotional matches. This season Borussia Dortmund is not looking as strong as last season, while Real Madrid have been looking to become better and better. If anything, Real Madrid are bigger favourites than last season, but they must never underestimate the German side.
- Paris St. Germain-Chelsea: The current league leaders in England and France is bound to be good. The Parisians have become stronger and stronger under coach Laurent Blanc. They are leading the French league, which they are likely to win, and have looked strong in the CL. Chelsea is fighting to keep first spot in the Premier League, but under Jose Mourinho they are a dangerous team that can beat anyone.
- Bayern Munich-Manchester United: A quarterfinal between two of the greatest clubs in the world is bound to be interesting. However, this time Bayern Munich would seem way too strong for Man U, which is struggling in the Premier League and struggled to be in the quarterfinals. Bayern Munich are surely big favourites, but Manchester will have everything to fight for, and the match will surely be worth watching.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
B - B - R
Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid is a very likeable side. He has brought in many young players from Real Madrid's youth side, but at the same time he has managed to get most out of the stars. In the Champions League match match against Schalke 04 tonight the B - B - R (Benzema, Bale, Ronaldo) was deadly: with two goals each they were instrumental in destroying the German chances for advance with a 1-6 away win (that said, Klaus Jan Huntelaar's goal for Schalke was the best of the match!).
The first leg of the last-16 of the Champions League have seen Real Madrid rise above the rest in spite of some impressive result by other sides as well: Bayern Munich's 0-2 away win to Arsenal continues to make them favourites. FC Barcelona's 0-2 away win to Manchester City also put them back as contenders for the title in spite of the current difficulties, and Paris St. Germain's 0-4 away victory to Bayer Leverkusen also made them a team to be reckoned with. In my view the favourites must be Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but anything can of course happen.
The first leg of the last-16 of the Champions League have seen Real Madrid rise above the rest in spite of some impressive result by other sides as well: Bayern Munich's 0-2 away win to Arsenal continues to make them favourites. FC Barcelona's 0-2 away win to Manchester City also put them back as contenders for the title in spite of the current difficulties, and Paris St. Germain's 0-4 away victory to Bayer Leverkusen also made them a team to be reckoned with. In my view the favourites must be Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but anything can of course happen.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Tears for Naples
12 Points are usually enough to make it to the second round of the Champions League but it was not enough for Napoli, who will have to console themselves with the Europa League after defeating the leading English side, Arsenal, 2-0 in their last round match. It did seem at one point that both teams were through as news were coming in that Marseille and Borussia Dortmund were 1-1, which put the Germans out. But a last minute goal put Dormund in front and meant Napoli had to win 3-0 to go through. Although 3-0 over Arsenal sounds difficult, it is disappointing that the Napoli side, when up 1-0 and hearing the score in Marseille stopped attacking. Their second goal came when it was too late to go for a third, but who knows if they could have made it eariler....?
Dortmund ended up winning the group by the late goal, with Arsenal second.
It is a pity Napoli is out, but this was indeed the group of death with three teams that all deserved to be in the next round.
Dortmund ended up winning the group by the late goal, with Arsenal second.
It is a pity Napoli is out, but this was indeed the group of death with three teams that all deserved to be in the next round.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Real Madrid Fan Club in Liberia
I am not a Real Madrid fan. But yesterday a friend invited me a long to the "Yellow Bar" in Monrovia to watch the match between Real Madrid and Juventus among the recently created Real Madrid Fan Club of Liberia. This is the first fan club of its kind in Liberia.
There was a good atmosphere in the bar, in spite of loud annoying music playing during the match. And the fans were lively and with good knowledge of the match. Although Real Madrid won 2-1, it was nevertheless not the best evening to be a Madrid fan: the team is playing poorly under Carlo Ancelotti. There is lack of creativity, speed and pressure on the opponent, and yesterday they were indeed helped by a referee who gave a thin (although defensible) penalty and an outrageous red card to Giorgio Chiellini. One had to feel sorry for a Juventus side that during the first half largely outplayed Real Madrid.
Real Madrid is nevertheless looking solid to win the group where Copenhagen again lost, this time to Galatasaray. In spite of this, Real Madrid fans have to expect more from their team that what they saw last night (the referees will not always be helpful).
There was a good atmosphere in the bar, in spite of loud annoying music playing during the match. And the fans were lively and with good knowledge of the match. Although Real Madrid won 2-1, it was nevertheless not the best evening to be a Madrid fan: the team is playing poorly under Carlo Ancelotti. There is lack of creativity, speed and pressure on the opponent, and yesterday they were indeed helped by a referee who gave a thin (although defensible) penalty and an outrageous red card to Giorgio Chiellini. One had to feel sorry for a Juventus side that during the first half largely outplayed Real Madrid.
Real Madrid is nevertheless looking solid to win the group where Copenhagen again lost, this time to Galatasaray. In spite of this, Real Madrid fans have to expect more from their team that what they saw last night (the referees will not always be helpful).
Thursday, October 03, 2013
A historic day
If anyone were ever to write a biography about me (pretty boring, but please play along), today would be a day to write down: the very first time in my life that I supported Real Madrid! It was of course the Danish champions of FC Copenhagen, whose second defeat in a week would give me more happiness after Brondby finally defeated them last Saturday in the Danish league.
However, after Real Madrid went up 2-0, I must admit that I stopped watching: Real Madrid were not even trying, but were obviously far superior to FC Copenhagen. Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel DiMaria ended up giving Real Madrid a comfortable and easy 4-0 victory, and I am grateful.
But in the end, I could care less.
Instead, I switched channel to watch a much more interesting match, where the defending Champions League champions, Bayern Munich, under Pep Guardiola, played a fantastic match away against Manchester City, winning 1-3, putting themselves firmly at the top of Champions League Group D. In that same group I should mention that CSKA Moscow defeated Viktoria Plzen 3-2, and their third goal was probably the silliest goal ever in Champions League history:
However, after Real Madrid went up 2-0, I must admit that I stopped watching: Real Madrid were not even trying, but were obviously far superior to FC Copenhagen. Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel DiMaria ended up giving Real Madrid a comfortable and easy 4-0 victory, and I am grateful.
But in the end, I could care less.
Instead, I switched channel to watch a much more interesting match, where the defending Champions League champions, Bayern Munich, under Pep Guardiola, played a fantastic match away against Manchester City, winning 1-3, putting themselves firmly at the top of Champions League Group D. In that same group I should mention that CSKA Moscow defeated Viktoria Plzen 3-2, and their third goal was probably the silliest goal ever in Champions League history:
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Masterly Madrid
I have seldom seen Real Madrid play so well as this did this evening in their Champions League 2013-14 opening match against Galatasary in Istambul. Galatasaray are a frightening side, not least playing at home, and today they did not play badly, even after Isco brought the visitors ahead in the first half. In the second half they were even close to equalizing, but an unforgiving and well-organized Real Madrid side was not shaken at any point in the match, instead playing with an awesome patient efficiency that could get them far in the tournament. Two goals by Karim Benzema and three goals by a fantastic Cristiano Ronaldo were the result. Umut Bulut's goal for Galatasaray did not matter a bit for a Real Madrid side that played like possible champions.
They mean it. But there is a long way to go!
In the meantime, in their group, Juventus was again unable to play in Copenhagen (where I am not aware whether people with a foreign-sounding name were able to attend the match?), where 1-1 against the locals should be a huge disappointment, and the Italians are already trailing the Spaniards in the fight for first spot in the group.
They mean it. But there is a long way to go!
In the meantime, in their group, Juventus was again unable to play in Copenhagen (where I am not aware whether people with a foreign-sounding name were able to attend the match?), where 1-1 against the locals should be a huge disappointment, and the Italians are already trailing the Spaniards in the fight for first spot in the group.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
First time ever I will support Real Madrid
The draw for the 2013-2014 Champions League took place yesterday. Real Madrid ended in Group B with Italian champions Juventus, Galatasaray and the champions of the great Danish league, FC Copenhagen. I sincerely hope Juventus will win the group. However, more notable than that, I have come in a situation where, for the first time in my life, I will be supporting Real Madrid. In the fixtures against FC Copenhagen I will be celebrating each Madrid goal as it were of my own team, just because I want to see Copenhagen crushed.
The Champions League draw looks as follows:
Group A:
Group B:
Group C:
Group E:
Group F:
Group G:
Group H:
The Champions League draw looks as follows:
Group A:
Group B:
Group C:
- Benfica
- Anderlecht
- Olympiacos
- Paris Saint-Germain
Group E:
Group F:
Group G:
Group H:
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