The 1996 European Championships in England were a renewal to European football in many ways. Firstly, it was the first European Championships where the new off-side rules and returning the ball to the keeper were applied. Also, a victory would now give three points instead of two, all aspects promoting a more attacking football style. Another reform was the introduction of “sudden-death” in the extra-time of matches, where first goal scored would end the match, and thus avoiding the apparent lottery of a penalty kicks decision.
Also, the tournament saw a significant expansion: between 1980 and 1992 the European Championships had featured eight teams in two groups of four, where the two winners went to semifinals. In 1996 16 teams participated in four groups, where the two winners of each group would go into quarterfinals. It was thus the biggest European Championship ever.
Germany entered the tournament hungry for success after their sensational defeat to Denmark in the 1992 Euro final, and their humiliating elimination to Bulgaria in the 1994 World Cup. The team had many starts, most of all Lothar Matthaus, who had nevertheless not been called up for the tournament by coach Berti Vogts. Germany did enter the tournament as favourites with a long list of fantastic players: in defense the experienced veterans from Borussia Dortmund, Jurgen Kohler and Stefan Reuter, played alongside Bayern Munich's Thomas Helmer; in midfied Mattias Sammer and Andreas Moller, both from Borussia Dortmund, formed a strong axis alongside the veteran Thomas Hassler from Karlsruher SC, and complemented by Bayern Munich's Mehmet Scholl and Christian Ziege. Up front Jurgen Klinsmann was the undisputed striker and captain of the team.
Although Germany entered the tournament as title contenders, doubt remained about the team's cohesion after the controversy surrounding Lothar Matthaus. However, the side also seemed to thrive in such a climate. In the first round of the tournament they had been in a difficult group with the Czech Republic, Russia and Italy. After defeating the first two countries 2-0 and 3-0 respectively, 0-0 against Italy was enough to put them in the quarterfinals, where they defeated Croatia 2-1. The Germans were surely as excited about the semi-final against England as the English were, hoping to get revenge for the defeat of 1966, which they felt very much had come thanks to an illegal goal. In an intense match Germany defeated England after penalty kicks, and were going to face the surprising Czechs in the final.
The Czech Republic were participating in their first international tournament after Czechoslovakia had split into the Czech Replublic and Slovakia in 1993. When part of Czechoslovakia, the country had a proud footballing tradition, winning a European title in 1976. In qualification the Czechs had won their group ahead of the Netherlands, but few people considered them by the time the tournament started, with their side of largely home-based players, but many of whom would become household names by the end of the tournament. The team captain was Kaiserslautern's veteran Miroslav Kadlec, who alongside him had some extremely talented young players: Slavia Prague's Karel Poborsky, Radek Bejbl, Vladimir Smicer and Pavel Novotny. Also, the young Patrik Berger from Borussia Dortmund and Pavel Nedved from Sparta Prague, the last who would go on to have an extraordinary career in Italy.
In the first round the Czechs had started by losing 0-2 to Germany but had then stunned Italy by winning 2-1. This had practically sealed their progress as Italy was unable to defeat Germany in their last match, and 3-3 against Russia had been enough for the Czechs. In the quarterfinals the Czechs had defeated Portugal 1-0 on a fantastic Karel Poborsky goal, and had in the semi-finals defeated France after penalty kicks. It had been a hard-fought tournament for the Czechs, but they were now eager to repeat Denmark's sensational victory of 1992. Also, the final came 20 years after Czechoslovakia had stunned West Germany in the 1976 European Championship final.
Although Germany were favourites, the side was plagued by injuries, with even Klinsmann playing with a calf injury, and this was also a hope for the Czechs, who knew to control Matthias Sammer, one of the tournament's great players. Although a tactically controlled first half, Germany had a couple of good chances that were cleared by the Czech defense, and on the other side the German defense looked a bit shaky although the Czechs did not have as clear chances as the Germans, except for a Pavel Kuka shot that he shot straight at goalkeeper Andreas Kopke. The Germans certainly had some problems controlling Karel Poborsky, who had become the best player of the tournament. 24 minutes into the second half Poborsky made one of his characteristic runs towards goal and Matthias Sammer brought him down at the edge of the German penalty area. While the foul had been outside the penalty area, the referee awarded the Czechs a penalty which Patrik Berger scored on.
The sensation was half an hour away, and Berti Vogts did not have many cards to play. With 20 minutes to go he brought in the Udineses striker Oliver Bierhoff for the creative Mehmet Scholl. Bierhoff had been a substitute throughout the tournament, but only four minutes after he entered the match he got ahead of the Czech defense after a Christian Ziege free-kick and equalized for Germany.
1-1 and the match had to go into extra time. It only took five minutes before Oliver Bierhoff became the hero for Germany: receiving the ball inside the Czech area he turned and shot between two defenders. The shot was not particularly hard, but it grazed a defender and went around Petr Kouba. First goal, first winner, and there was nothing more to play for.
Germany were champions.
London, 30/6/1996,
Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 73,611
Referee: Pierluigi Pairetto
Italy
Germany-Czech Republic 2-1 (aet)
Germany: Andreas Kopke; Thomas Helmer, Matthias Sammer, Mehmet Scholl (Oliver Bierhoff, 69), Thomas Hassler, Steffan Kuntz, Markus Babbel, Christian Ziege, Thomas Strunz, Jurgen Klinsmann (c), Dieter Ellis (Marco Bode, 46). Coach: Berti Vogts
Czech Republic: Petr Kouba; Jan Suchparek, Pavel Nedved, Miroslav Kadlec (c), Jiri Nemec, Karel Poborsky, Pavel Kuka, Radek Bejbl, Patrik Berger, Michal Hornak, Karel Rada. Coach: Dusan Uhrin.
Goals:
1-0 Patrik Berger (59) (pen)
1-1 Oliver Bierhoff (73)
2-1 Oliver Bierhoff (95) (gg)
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Monday, April 25, 2016
One victory away
Tottenham have been in the heels of Leicester in the title race for the English Premier League. Or not really; Tottenham have been under pressure to keep the difference of 5 points. After Leicester destroyed Swansea 4-0 (without Jamie Vardy) Tottenham needed a victory over West Bromwich Albions to keep the difference of 5 points with three games left.
But it was not Tottenham's evening: they started well, went ahead 1-0 and even hit the woodwork three times in the match... Bad luck, yes, but in the second half they never managed to keep the pressure against a West Bromwich side that played as if they were Leicester.
The match ended 1-1 and seemed like a defeat for Tottenham. And it probably was. Leicester are now seven points clear with three matches left. They only need to win one of the three matches to take a title nobody expected and which the entire football world is waiting for.
I cannot wait. I will be celebrating a Leicester title!!!!
But it was not Tottenham's evening: they started well, went ahead 1-0 and even hit the woodwork three times in the match... Bad luck, yes, but in the second half they never managed to keep the pressure against a West Bromwich side that played as if they were Leicester.
The match ended 1-1 and seemed like a defeat for Tottenham. And it probably was. Leicester are now seven points clear with three matches left. They only need to win one of the three matches to take a title nobody expected and which the entire football world is waiting for.
I cannot wait. I will be celebrating a Leicester title!!!!
Thursday, April 21, 2016
The Greatest Euro Matches: England-Germany (1996)
The English were excited to host the 1996 European Championship 30 years after hosting the World Cup. Back then they had taken the title, so now hope were high that England had the chance of a repeat. The official anthem of the English national team was a song called “Football's coming home”, underlining the high expectations to the English side.
England had a mixed record in the 1990s. After reaching the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup, they had been eliminated in the first round of Euro 1992 and had failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup in the USA. After such a debacle Terry Venables had taken over as manager. England's layers were all drawn from the English league, with the exception of Paul Ince, from Inter Milan, and the controversial and super-talented Paul Gascoigne, who at the time was playing in Glasgow Rangers. Gascoigne's talent had brought him to many clubs, but his controversial personality and heavy drinking had caused him much criticism. In the second game of the tournament he scored a memorable goal against Scotland, and celebrated it by pretending to be drinking, in order to get back at his many critics.
The English side was captained by Arsenal's experienced defender Tony Adams, and with Nottingham Forest's Stuart Pearce and Aston Villa's Neville Southgate in defense, in front of Arsenal's David Seaman in goal. Gaiscoigne, Paul Ince, Arsenal's veteran David Platt and Liverpool's Steve McManaman made for a qualified midfield, Tottenham's Teddy Sheringham and Blackburn's Alan Shearer were Venable's preferences up front.
England opened the tournament with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Switzerland, but a 2-0 win against Scotland and a 4-1 trashing of the mighty Netherlands returned optimism to the English. In the quarterfinals England had to resort to a home referee (Spain had one clear penalty call and two goals disallowed for offside, one of them controversially) and penalty kicks to defeat Spain.
The echoes of history were all over when it became clear that England would be facing their eternal arch-rivals of Germany in the semi-final at Wembley, same place where they had defeated them in the World Cup final of 1966.
After winning the 1990 World Cup Germany had been full of confidence, if not to say arrogance, about the prospects for German dominance in the football world. But this had soon been shattered when they sensationally lost the Euro 1992 final to Denmark, and in the 1994 World Cup Germany had been eliminated by a strong Bulgarian side in the quarterfinals. For the qualification for this European Championship they had gotten some revenge as they had won their group ahead of Bulgaria.
Berti Vogts continued to coach a team captained by the Bayern Munich striker Jurgen Klinsmann. The veteran Lothar Matthaus had not been called up due to feuding with Vogts, but the team still had a wide base of experienced players coming mostly from the two dominant German clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Matthias Sammer from Borussia Dortmund had taken over the role of the dominant midfield-player alongside Andreas Moller, also from Dortmund, and the veteran Thomas Hassler from Karlsruher SC. Bayern Munich's Mehmet Scholl, Christian Ziege and Mario Bassler complemented a strong midfield. In defense there were solid veterans like Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Kohler and Stefan Reuter, as well as Bayern Munich's Thomas Helmer. Klinsmann was the undisputed striker, other choices were Udinese's Oliver Bierhoff, Besiktas Stefan Kuntz and Stuttgart's Fredi Bobic.
Surely Germany entered the tournament as title contenders, but doubt remained about the team's cohesion. But as had been seen in previous tournaments in history, German teams seemed to thrive more in the face of internal disagreement. In the first round of the tournament they had been in a difficult group with the Czech Republic, Russia and Italy. After defeating the first two countries 2-0 and 3-0 respectively, 0-0 against Italy was enough to put them in the quarterfinals, where they defeated Croatia 2-1. The Germans were surely as excited about the semi-final against England as the English were, hoping to get revenge for the defeat of 1966, which they felt very much had come thanks to an illegal goal.
The match was only three minutes on before the locals erupted in cheers. Shortly after Andreas Kopke had made a good save on a Paul Ince shot, Allan Shearer scored after Darren Anderton had flicked a corner kick at the first post, to leave Shearer to head the ball in. But Germany was quick to react and in the 16th minute Andreas Moller played Thomas Helmer in the English area and his flat cross was reached first by Stefan Kuntz, who pushed the ball into 1-1.
England seemed to want the victory more and were denied a couple of good chances, even though both teams played with tactical discipline in the second half. The match ended 1-1 and would have to go into and extra time with a new “golden goal” rule where first goal would win the match. England, already fearful of a dreadful history of penalty shootouts tried pressing the Germans but without results. Still, Stefan Kuntz managed to score for Germany on a strong header after a corner-kick, but the goal was disallowed for an apparent foul in the area by an England-friendly referee.
But the match ended 1-1 and once again penalty kicks would be decisive. All England's memories were surely in 1990, when they lost a legendary World Cup semifinal by penalty kicks to the later World Champions of West Germany.
History repeated itself, but it was an agonizing penalty shootout. Both teams scored on their first five shots, until Gareth Southgate's weak sixth shot was saved by Kopke, and Andreas Moller scored on the following shot to put Germany in the final.
Germany went on to win the final in Wembley agains the Czech Republic, get a small revenge for the famous 1966 World Cup defeat in that same stadium. For the English it was a bitter defeat to their arch-rivals, losing for yet another semifinal. Gary Lineker's famous quote just rang more true to English fans: "Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win”.
London, 26/6/1996 Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 75,862
Referee: Sandor Puhl, Hungary
England-Germany 1-1
Penalty Kicks: England-Germany 5-6
England: David Seaman; Stuart Pearce, Paul Ince, Tony Adams (c), Gareth Southgate, David Platt, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Darren Anderton, Steven McManaman. Coach: Terry Venables
Germany: Andreas Kopke; Stefan Reuter, Steffen Freund (Thomas Strunz, 118), Thomas Helmer (Marco Bode, 110), Matthias Sammer, Andreas Moller (c), Mehmet Scholl (Thomas Hassler, 77), Steffan Kuntz, Markus Babbel, Christian Ziege, Dieter Elits. Coach: Berti Vogts
Goals:
1-0 Alan Shearer (3)
1-1 Stefan Kuntz (16)
Penalty Kicks:
1-0 Alan Shearer
1-1 Thomas Hassler
2-1 David Platt
2-2 Thomas Strunz
3-2 Stuart Pearce
3-3 Stefan Reuter
4-3 Paul Gascoigne
4-4 Christian Ziege
5-4 Teddy Sheringham
5-5 Stefan Kuntz
Gareth Southgate missed for England
5-6 Andreas Moller
England had a mixed record in the 1990s. After reaching the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup, they had been eliminated in the first round of Euro 1992 and had failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup in the USA. After such a debacle Terry Venables had taken over as manager. England's layers were all drawn from the English league, with the exception of Paul Ince, from Inter Milan, and the controversial and super-talented Paul Gascoigne, who at the time was playing in Glasgow Rangers. Gascoigne's talent had brought him to many clubs, but his controversial personality and heavy drinking had caused him much criticism. In the second game of the tournament he scored a memorable goal against Scotland, and celebrated it by pretending to be drinking, in order to get back at his many critics.
The English side was captained by Arsenal's experienced defender Tony Adams, and with Nottingham Forest's Stuart Pearce and Aston Villa's Neville Southgate in defense, in front of Arsenal's David Seaman in goal. Gaiscoigne, Paul Ince, Arsenal's veteran David Platt and Liverpool's Steve McManaman made for a qualified midfield, Tottenham's Teddy Sheringham and Blackburn's Alan Shearer were Venable's preferences up front.
England opened the tournament with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Switzerland, but a 2-0 win against Scotland and a 4-1 trashing of the mighty Netherlands returned optimism to the English. In the quarterfinals England had to resort to a home referee (Spain had one clear penalty call and two goals disallowed for offside, one of them controversially) and penalty kicks to defeat Spain.
The echoes of history were all over when it became clear that England would be facing their eternal arch-rivals of Germany in the semi-final at Wembley, same place where they had defeated them in the World Cup final of 1966.
After winning the 1990 World Cup Germany had been full of confidence, if not to say arrogance, about the prospects for German dominance in the football world. But this had soon been shattered when they sensationally lost the Euro 1992 final to Denmark, and in the 1994 World Cup Germany had been eliminated by a strong Bulgarian side in the quarterfinals. For the qualification for this European Championship they had gotten some revenge as they had won their group ahead of Bulgaria.
Berti Vogts continued to coach a team captained by the Bayern Munich striker Jurgen Klinsmann. The veteran Lothar Matthaus had not been called up due to feuding with Vogts, but the team still had a wide base of experienced players coming mostly from the two dominant German clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Matthias Sammer from Borussia Dortmund had taken over the role of the dominant midfield-player alongside Andreas Moller, also from Dortmund, and the veteran Thomas Hassler from Karlsruher SC. Bayern Munich's Mehmet Scholl, Christian Ziege and Mario Bassler complemented a strong midfield. In defense there were solid veterans like Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Kohler and Stefan Reuter, as well as Bayern Munich's Thomas Helmer. Klinsmann was the undisputed striker, other choices were Udinese's Oliver Bierhoff, Besiktas Stefan Kuntz and Stuttgart's Fredi Bobic.
Surely Germany entered the tournament as title contenders, but doubt remained about the team's cohesion. But as had been seen in previous tournaments in history, German teams seemed to thrive more in the face of internal disagreement. In the first round of the tournament they had been in a difficult group with the Czech Republic, Russia and Italy. After defeating the first two countries 2-0 and 3-0 respectively, 0-0 against Italy was enough to put them in the quarterfinals, where they defeated Croatia 2-1. The Germans were surely as excited about the semi-final against England as the English were, hoping to get revenge for the defeat of 1966, which they felt very much had come thanks to an illegal goal.
The match was only three minutes on before the locals erupted in cheers. Shortly after Andreas Kopke had made a good save on a Paul Ince shot, Allan Shearer scored after Darren Anderton had flicked a corner kick at the first post, to leave Shearer to head the ball in. But Germany was quick to react and in the 16th minute Andreas Moller played Thomas Helmer in the English area and his flat cross was reached first by Stefan Kuntz, who pushed the ball into 1-1.
England seemed to want the victory more and were denied a couple of good chances, even though both teams played with tactical discipline in the second half. The match ended 1-1 and would have to go into and extra time with a new “golden goal” rule where first goal would win the match. England, already fearful of a dreadful history of penalty shootouts tried pressing the Germans but without results. Still, Stefan Kuntz managed to score for Germany on a strong header after a corner-kick, but the goal was disallowed for an apparent foul in the area by an England-friendly referee.
But the match ended 1-1 and once again penalty kicks would be decisive. All England's memories were surely in 1990, when they lost a legendary World Cup semifinal by penalty kicks to the later World Champions of West Germany.
History repeated itself, but it was an agonizing penalty shootout. Both teams scored on their first five shots, until Gareth Southgate's weak sixth shot was saved by Kopke, and Andreas Moller scored on the following shot to put Germany in the final.
Germany went on to win the final in Wembley agains the Czech Republic, get a small revenge for the famous 1966 World Cup defeat in that same stadium. For the English it was a bitter defeat to their arch-rivals, losing for yet another semifinal. Gary Lineker's famous quote just rang more true to English fans: "Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win”.
London, 26/6/1996 Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 75,862
Referee: Sandor Puhl, Hungary
England-Germany 1-1
Penalty Kicks: England-Germany 5-6
England: David Seaman; Stuart Pearce, Paul Ince, Tony Adams (c), Gareth Southgate, David Platt, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Darren Anderton, Steven McManaman. Coach: Terry Venables
Germany: Andreas Kopke; Stefan Reuter, Steffen Freund (Thomas Strunz, 118), Thomas Helmer (Marco Bode, 110), Matthias Sammer, Andreas Moller (c), Mehmet Scholl (Thomas Hassler, 77), Steffan Kuntz, Markus Babbel, Christian Ziege, Dieter Elits. Coach: Berti Vogts
Goals:
1-0 Alan Shearer (3)
1-1 Stefan Kuntz (16)
Penalty Kicks:
1-0 Alan Shearer
1-1 Thomas Hassler
2-1 David Platt
2-2 Thomas Strunz
3-2 Stuart Pearce
3-3 Stefan Reuter
4-3 Paul Gascoigne
4-4 Christian Ziege
5-4 Teddy Sheringham
5-5 Stefan Kuntz
Gareth Southgate missed for England
5-6 Andreas Moller
Monday, April 18, 2016
Book Review: Danish Dynamite
I just read the book "Danish Dynamite", by Rob Smyth, Lars Eriksen and Mike Gibbons.
This book is for the football romantics, and specifically for the football romantics who adore the Danish national team of the mid-80s.
I am myself one of the fans with fond memories of that side: notably the 1986 World Cup, which was the best World Cup of legendary sides, where the Danish team was one among many. In that sense I do not see this book as totally objective. It is a declaration of love to this team, and as many declarations of love, it overplays the superlatives and fails to mention some of the darker sides: surely the 1980s were other times, but they were not always good. The game was harsher, and some of the Danish players did not hesitate to play as harsh as anyone, with tasteless tackles and acting. This is only mentioned superficially (specifically on Klaus Bergreen's excessive attack on Charlie Nichols in 1986), and only excused. The same can be said for the Danish Roligans; indeed, great fans that became very popular at a time when Hooligans were overshadowing fan culture. But that is also why they became so popular, and one cannot ignore some of the more tasteless aspects of Roligans such as rowdy drunken behaviour (without getting violent admittedly) and a general disrespect for opposition, mostly seen in the tradition of whistling during other team's national anthems.
The most interesting parts of the book are about the role of Sepp Piontek as a coach who inculcated discipline and a new offensive strategy based on a very talented generation of Danish footballers. There is nevertheless little about the football tactics behind this, where Piontek indeed used a strong midfield that both looked back to Total Football, but also looked ahead at more modern use of holding midfielders and a hanging striker.
The last chapters of the book were the most interesting in terms of the legacy of the team: when the 1980s team ended, Denmark went on to win the Euro 1992 under coach Richard Moller Nielsen, playing a style of football that in many ways seemed the antithesis of the 1980s team. In my view Danish football has suffered from this, as Denmark now seems light years away from producing players of the technical level of the 1980s side, but seems intent on producing technically mediocre work-men, like some of the players that won the 1992 Euro. It is mentioned shortly in the last chapter, but it seems that Denmark is stuck between what in Argentina is the Menotti-Bilardo schizophrenia. This was perhaps illustrated by the role Morten Olsen played as national team coach: I am certain that Mr. Olsen would have wanted to play a similar style to that practiced by the 1980s side he captained, but he never had the players for it, and also, an also, he was pushed for a focus on results, rather than “glory”... In that sense, the heritage of the legendary 1980s Danish side appears as little more than fond memories, and that is truly a pity for Danish football.
But if you are a romantic about the 1980s side, this is your book.
This book is for the football romantics, and specifically for the football romantics who adore the Danish national team of the mid-80s.
I am myself one of the fans with fond memories of that side: notably the 1986 World Cup, which was the best World Cup of legendary sides, where the Danish team was one among many. In that sense I do not see this book as totally objective. It is a declaration of love to this team, and as many declarations of love, it overplays the superlatives and fails to mention some of the darker sides: surely the 1980s were other times, but they were not always good. The game was harsher, and some of the Danish players did not hesitate to play as harsh as anyone, with tasteless tackles and acting. This is only mentioned superficially (specifically on Klaus Bergreen's excessive attack on Charlie Nichols in 1986), and only excused. The same can be said for the Danish Roligans; indeed, great fans that became very popular at a time when Hooligans were overshadowing fan culture. But that is also why they became so popular, and one cannot ignore some of the more tasteless aspects of Roligans such as rowdy drunken behaviour (without getting violent admittedly) and a general disrespect for opposition, mostly seen in the tradition of whistling during other team's national anthems.
The most interesting parts of the book are about the role of Sepp Piontek as a coach who inculcated discipline and a new offensive strategy based on a very talented generation of Danish footballers. There is nevertheless little about the football tactics behind this, where Piontek indeed used a strong midfield that both looked back to Total Football, but also looked ahead at more modern use of holding midfielders and a hanging striker.
The last chapters of the book were the most interesting in terms of the legacy of the team: when the 1980s team ended, Denmark went on to win the Euro 1992 under coach Richard Moller Nielsen, playing a style of football that in many ways seemed the antithesis of the 1980s team. In my view Danish football has suffered from this, as Denmark now seems light years away from producing players of the technical level of the 1980s side, but seems intent on producing technically mediocre work-men, like some of the players that won the 1992 Euro. It is mentioned shortly in the last chapter, but it seems that Denmark is stuck between what in Argentina is the Menotti-Bilardo schizophrenia. This was perhaps illustrated by the role Morten Olsen played as national team coach: I am certain that Mr. Olsen would have wanted to play a similar style to that practiced by the 1980s side he captained, but he never had the players for it, and also, an also, he was pushed for a focus on results, rather than “glory”... In that sense, the heritage of the legendary 1980s Danish side appears as little more than fond memories, and that is truly a pity for Danish football.
But if you are a romantic about the 1980s side, this is your book.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Valencia making me happy
It has not been a good season to be a Valencia fan. They are out of the Europa League, far down in La Liga, with no prospect for European football next season. But in all the misery, a 1-2 victory against mighty FC Barcelona in the Camp Nou makes me more than happy!
Valencia CF were more organized than I have seen them at any time during the season, and looked dangerous in their counter-attack. In fact, they had seen Atletico Madrid's recent victory over the Catalans, and played a similar way, and it worked perfectly.
Great teams are measured more by how they face adversity, and in that, FC Barcelona is failing miserably. Not only are they out of the CL, but they have lost three consecutive La Liga matches (first time this happens since 2003). They squad clearly lacks depth, with no options when things go against them.
La Liga is now on fire, with FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both with 76 points, and Real Madrid with 75.
But I could care less, because I am just delighted that Valencia won!
Valencia CF were more organized than I have seen them at any time during the season, and looked dangerous in their counter-attack. In fact, they had seen Atletico Madrid's recent victory over the Catalans, and played a similar way, and it worked perfectly.
Great teams are measured more by how they face adversity, and in that, FC Barcelona is failing miserably. Not only are they out of the CL, but they have lost three consecutive La Liga matches (first time this happens since 2003). They squad clearly lacks depth, with no options when things go against them.
La Liga is now on fire, with FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both with 76 points, and Real Madrid with 75.
But I could care less, because I am just delighted that Valencia won!
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