We Knew That You Don't Get to Be World Champions Without a Struggle

I have read a lot of derision toward the Europa League, by many supporters of Manchester United, and Manchester City, all over the internet.  It is all over Twitter.  It is all over commentboards.  It is anywhere that any half-wit with an opinion can vomit from his fingers, hoping someone else will agree with him.

I may be in a minority here, but I am growing bored with the Champions League.  There are only so many permutations of the same 16 teams that can be seen, before eye-gouging becomes a legitimate form of escape.  England’s domination of the last 6 years of Champions League has been interesting to see.  Especially since each of the Big Four teams has played in a final during this period.  However, with only two of those four teams bringing home the European Cup, it makes you wonder just how far England has come, in terms of the competition.  Since the establishment of the Group Stage, the number of teams that could enter, from any nation via their league coefficient, has created a certain level of stagnation in the competition.  In England, you have the same three to four teams battling it out for the Premier League trophy, for the most part.  City, Liverpool, Spurs, or any other team on the fringe, are virtually interchangeable at this point.  Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United have established nearly a chokehold on their domination of maintaining their standing reservation in Champions League.  In Portugal, it is assumed that FC Porto, Sporting Lisbon, or Benfica will make at least the Group Stage.  In Italy, AC Milan and Inter are usually amongst the teams that make at least the Group Stage.  Real Madrid and Barcelona, effectively round out the list of teams that are almost definites.

As I said in my previous article about Champions League, I speculated that the establishment of the Group Stage, has effectively destroyed the chances for a team with smaller resources to be able to make a valiant Cup run in Europe.  This season just had to prove me wrong though.  APOEL and FC Basel defied odds that were supposed to be stacked against them, to make it to the final Knockout Phase of the Champions League.  While I tip my hat to them, I hope they understand that their days in Europe, this season, are surely numbered.  With Chelsea, Barcelona, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Inter, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan all still alive, the concept of the European football food-chain will once again be on display for the world to see.

What does this have to do with the Europa League?  Quite a bit.  Outside of Sevilla’s two years of domination in the UEFA Cup, no one team has stood out against the rest.  Sure, Spain has had more successful teams in terms of appearances in the finals, of late.  However, in that time, four different teams played in those finals, and three of them won.  Only Espanyol losing to Sevilla is the anomaly here.  But looking back at the history of the UEFA Cup and Europa League, the anomalies are sort of what defines the charm of this “lesser” European trophy.  To highlight this point, I am going to look at the UEFA Cup/Europa League Final match-ups since 2005.

In 2011, there was the all Portugal Final between FC Porto and Braga.  Braga were parachuted down into the Europa League, following their third place finish in the Champions League Group Stage.  Meanwhile, Porto fought their way through the Europa League Group Stage, to earn their place in the Knockout Phase.  It was the first all Portuguese major European final.  Meanwhile, in the Champions League, you had Man United vs. Barcelona II: Electric Bugaloo.  Duly, Barcelona continued to make United look like a school for the blind.

In 2010, Atletico Madrid beat Fulham.  Fulham were a team who got into Europe by the UEFA Fair Play draw.  And they got to the Final, when no one expected them to do anything more than continue their erratic run of results in England.  Atletico, meanwhile, are the bastard stepchildren of Madrid football.  They are a sensational team, in their own right, but they are merely also-rans next to Real.  They got into the Europa League Knockout Phase, via the Champions League parachute device.  In the Champions League final, you had Inter beating Bayern Munich.  The one interesting point about these two finals, to me at least, is that it is the first time that I can think of where all four major football nations had representation in the two major European finals.

In 2009, Shakthar beat Bremen.  That was the year that both of the semi-finals were derby matches.  Shakthar faced Dynamo Kyiv, while Bremen faced Hamburg.  To me, the intrigue in the match-up came more for the previously mentioned derbies, than the final itself.  Though, the fact that Shakthar beat Bremen in extra time, without going to penalties, did make for an interesting climax to that season’s UEFA Cup.  Both qualified for the UEFA Cup via the parachute rule.  Over in Champions League, you had the first round of Manchester United limping away from a hiding against Barcelona.

In 2008, Zenit beat Rangers.  Zenit were a fantastic team, full of speed and guile, the likes of which I had never really seen before.  And this was at the point where UEFA Cup matches to watch, were nearly as impossible as getting blood from a stone.  Rangers, well, they were Rangers.  They were playing their style of anti-football that made me wish that they were sponsored by Sominex.  Rangers got into the UEFA Cup via ye olde European parachute, while Zenit fought through the honest way.  Over in Champions League, Manchester United beat Chelsea, in the rain in Moscow in penalties, for European football’s top prize.

In 2007, Sevilla beat Espanyol.  This was the first time in quite a number of years, that a European trophy was actually defended by the winning team from the previous season.  The team previously to do that feat was AC Milan in 89-90, in the European Cup.  They were also the first team since Real Madrid, in 85-86, to win the UEFA Cup in successive seasons.  Also, it should be mentioned, Espanyol are the Atletico Madrid of Catalan region of Spain.  Always playing second fiddle to Barcelona.  Both teams started in the UEFA Cup Group Stage, and Sevilla ultimately won the prize in penalties.  In Champions League, you had a rematch of the 2005 Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan.  AC Milan won via Pippo Inzaghi goals, one of which was a uncalled handball. 

In 2006, Sevilla beat Middlesbrough.  Yes, that Middlesbrough.  They qualified through the winning of the League Cup.  While Sevilla, fought their way through.  In Champions League, Barcelona beat Arsenal, mostly because Jens Lehmann lost the plot. 

In 2005, CSKA Moscow beat Sporting Lisbon.  CSKA got into the UEFA Cup via that damned parachute.  While Sporting, being the lions they are, fought their way through.  In Champions League, Liverpool beat AC Milan, via Dietmar Hamann’s one man show on defense, that turned the tide for the Merseysiders. 

Just looking at those years, there is enough variance in the nations represented in these selected finals to make a case for the diversity of the Europa League to be one of its strong points.  And now that two big English fish are in the pond, it should make for even more interesting times.  They will now have to prove their meddle in all parts of Europe, not just Barcelona.  Or Marseille.  Nor Paris.  Or London.  Or Rome.  Or Milan.  Or any traditional European football hotbed.  They will have to contend with teams who would love nothing more than to say that they got The Great Manchester United’s scalp in the Europa League.  Imagine how big that could be.

Though the competition may seem lesser, the style of football is more tactically aggressive, at least from what I have seen, involving teams not called Rangers.  Both United and City will need to find a way to call upon their resources to not get outplayed.  Especially United, who are currently dealing with rectifying their own European shortcomings.

I cannot recall which blog it was that I read this on, but the idea did stick with me.  It was that for the younger players at Manchester United, and for City as a whole, the Europa League is a great place for them to gain European experience.  Because of the diversity of opposition, it will give those players a chance to compete against various styles of football, which can only help them in the long run.  Especially as regaining a spot in the Champions League is one of the highest priorities for both of the Manchester clubs.  Maybe City could parlay a Europa League victory into a Champions League victory.  Or maybe a Europa League victory could be the springboard for United to finally shake themselves free from Barcelona’s hoodoo.  Or, both teams could realistically get themselves eliminated from the competition.  Mostly by fielding weaker squads, and squandering the potential opportunities for progess that could be built from this experience. 

I guess we will have to wait and see how seriously both Manchester clubs take the Europa League draw, and see how serious they are about possibly meeting in the final in Bucharest in May.  And see how either club lays its priorities between the League campaign and the Europa campaign.  That, to me, will be the truly telling sign.  If both go into both competitions looking to out-play and out-wit the other.  I cannot see City getting both the FA Cup and the League Cup this season.  Maybe one.  But again, this comes back to how they choose to set their priorities.  So, we will see how this all plays out, and see just how mentally fortuitous the big fish are, in the “small pond”.

Well, Clive, It's All About the Two M's—Movement and Positioning

For as much as I love football, I think we can all agree its far from a perfect game. Beautiful, yet far from perfect. And no I don't mean in as much as the club you support doesn't win every game or couldn't sign a star player for next to nothing, or how for some reason God hasn't rendered Villas Boas speechless with a serious case of bronchitis, or some other ailment that effects his vocal chords; so we no longer have to hear from the miserable bastard. I mean actual issues. Inconsistent refereeing and missed calls on obvious penalties is a major one. Recently racism has moved to the forefront of issues as well. Both real problems along with others but right now I wanna share my personal frustration on something completely different. Diving.

That's right diving. It seems like every match is full of players flopping all over the pitch in an attempt to get a call and even worse, faking injury to draw a card. Not only does this taint the credibility of the game, but the individual players as well. How hard is it to respect a player like Luis Suarez who spends more time trying to draw penalties than trying to create chances? I realize that a lot of goals come off set pieces but for me this type of behaviour is without a doubt cheap and classless. It seems like every team has a few players with this mentality and I can't help but feel it lessens the quality of the match.

I played the game from 6 years old til I was 16 and I can't remember playing with anybody who would give up on a play simply to try to get a call which is far from guaranteed. I know the quality of play was far from top notch, there was no real pressure to perform, and none of us were exactly on our way to being professional footballers but taking a dive was the last thing on our minds. I know for myself that even when actually fouled I made every effort to keep on and keep the play going, not hit the turf to have a free kick. As someone who played with this mentality I find it aggravating to see actual professionals, men who are living the dream, act in this manner, nor will I ever understand this mentality.

The thing that really gets me about the repeat offenders here is the attitude that is then created towards them. It seems like they don't realize that we have footage of every game in multiple angles. We know when you go down soft or aren't even touched. We all have access to this info. We all lose respect for them once they have been outed. Haven't they figured out that once they develop the reputation as a diver the calls become harder to come by? The refs know who the guilty parties are and act accordingly. I'll even make an example out of one of my beloved gooners. Our boy Gervinho has a tendency to drop as soon as he feels his chances of creating a shot have disappeared. Now I know I'm making an example out of a player I like due to him playing for Arsenal but like I said, every team has one or two and its even more frustrating to see on my club. I haven't seen this as much recently but upon his arrival at the start of the year it was an obvious flaw. Once this is realized by officials the offenders like Gervinho, Suarez, Rooney, Drogba, Cole, Larsson, Ronaldo, Robben, Nani,as well as many others will find it hard to get a call when actually fouled. No ref wants to be made to look stupid by falling for the trick and awarding the penalty. This not only angers teammates and fans at non calls but hurts the team in general as they often times lose possesion when the actual foul occurs.
A lot of the problem as well as maybe even solution has to come from the refs and the FA. Players obviously feel like they won't get a call if they stay on their feet. The refs need to recognize that it is possible to be fouled and not go down. Making a few calls or at least recognizing them with a play on would make players feel more inclined to keep on I believe. The feeling that you have to go down to get a call or that you're going to get it if you go down hard needs to be changed before play will change. A few calls going to players who stay up could go a long way towards the positive change. The FA needs to start suspending offenders when video evidence is clear. Even if its a bit questionable but its the same player multiple times. Players and teams need to understand this behaviour is unacceptable and teams need to be punished for this to happen. But as with most issues nothing will probably change any time soon and we will all remain frustrated by it. Just my thoughts and opinions though.

If I Am Hated at Barcelona, It is Their Problem But Not Mine. Fear is Not a Word in My Football Dictionary

I just got finished watching the El Clasico match between Barcelona and Madrid.  It was a match of contrasts, in a lot of ways.  With that in mind, here are my thoughts on the match:

Playing on a wet surface makes for interesting times, if you play a possession-based game

At times, both teams’ passing seemed erratic and haphazard.  Madrid could not string more than three passes together, before wasting their possession.  Barca were having a less difficult time, but it looked like the wet surface unsettled their rhythm at points. 

Too much time spent on the floor, or jawing to the referee

Sanchez, Messi, Ronaldo, even Puyol to a point; all of them spent a good portion of the match contesting decisions.  To be fair, I saw it more from the Barcelona players than I did Madrid’s.  There was not that much in the way of questionable calls, to me at least, during this match.  It got to the point where just before the end of the first half, Xabi Alonso took to diving, to see if any ground could be made up.  On the other side, Alexis Sanchez seemed to go down, and then get up and protest, at the slightest of breezes.  Messi received a yellow for dissent.  It dialed up the absurdity of this fixture, that was already pretty high, to a level that goes beyond plaid.

Mourinho continues to get his tactics wrong against Barca

The Special One seems to have a rough time against Barcelona.  I believe it was mentioned that the only team he has beaten the Catalan juggernauts with, was Inter.  Mourinho put out a Madrid squad that was bound and determined to take the game to Barca.  And they did that, for the first five minutes.  After that the familiar rhythm of the Barcelona game reappeared, and Madrid got caught out more times than I could count.  Between playing the back four a little higher, their man-marking system seemed to fail them.  Especially once the frustration set in, and Madrid’s back four reverted to the youth football tactic of crowding the man with the ball.  Granted it was Messi.  However, they should all know that Messi does not hold the ball any longer than is absolutely necessary.  Thus, space was created in Barcelona’s attacking third, and Madrid were exposed.  That ultimately led to Fabregas’ goal.

This is not the end of the world for Madrid

Okay, so Barcelona and Madrid are tied atop La Liga in terms of points.  Madrid still has a game in hand over the Catalans, which could prove pivotal later in the season.  Madrid, going into this game, was riding a 15 match win streak.  Okay, so that streak is broken.  They can turn around and start another, and make the rest of the season difficult on Barca, to keep up with.  This Madrid team has the talent.  Likewise, Barcelona were on a pretty good run themselves.  They had a streak of 14 wins, 2 draws, and a loss; all in the same time period as Madrid’s 15 match streak.  It will be a horserace to see who finishes atop La Liga.  As well as how these two teams fare in Europe.  As both are currently being tipped to lift Big Ears at the end of the season.

The 'Hand Of God' Now Belongs to Me

Luis Suarez.  Love him or hate him, the man gets attention.  Between alleged racist comments to Patrice Evra, and now flipping off Fulham supporters at Craven Cottage; he certainly knows how to keep the spotlight on himself.  The question is whether this behavior is detrimental to his teammates and his club, as well as himself.

The Premier League is full of over the top characters.  There is Wayne Rooney and his outburst at the Boleyn Ground.  Or John Terry and his alleged racist comments at Anton Ferdinand.  Or Mario Balotelli and his personal foibles.  Or Ashley Cole and his air rifle.  And those are just the recent ones that made the news.

Suarez’s gesture continues a run of ridiculous vulgarity in London.  And continues his own streak as a marked man by the Football Association.  Love him or hate him, his presence and charisma is undeniable.  He is definitely a leader on the pitch.  He is currently the leading scorer for Liverpool.  He is also their leader in assists.  And strangely, he has only managed to be booked twice.  Both of which were yellow cards.

Suarez is considered, by many, an expert at gamesmanship.  He is notorious for his practice of the art of simulation.  He also stopped, what could have a goal for certain, with his hands for Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup.  Not to mention biting the shoulder of a PSV player, while he was at Ajax.  Obviously, he is no stranger to controversy.  In fact, I think he welcomes it.

With Kenny Dalglish attempting to revamp and build Liverpool into a powerhouse again, it is feasible that Suarez could prove a distraction.  With his disciplinary problems, Dalglish may find that Suarez’s presence to be counter-productive to the vision he has for Liverpool Football Club.

Suarez is not Graeme Souness.  Nor is he Emlyn Hughes.  Nor is he Robbie Fowler.  In a lot of ways, he has not defined his presence on the squad, to be seen in the same light as those various Livepool legends.  Souness was a notoriously hard tackler.  Hughes was a physical force who helped lead Liverpool to European glory.  Robbie Fowler was a fantastic goal-scoring forward, who has been repeatedly accused of diving on numerous occasions.  With these three randomly chosen legends of Liverpool as a point to contrast against, Suarez does not stack up.  At least in his current state.  Maybe if he tempers his zeal and learns how to play football in the English way, he could see his name added to a future list of favorites of the Kop.

I personally think that Suarez is a dynamic player.  One who I can enjoy watching, when he is not resorting to gamesmanship.  He has fantastic vision, and can set up just as much as he scores.  He is fantastic on the ball.  He is always looking to create space, or to find space when off the ball.  There is something to be said for someone who has can do that.  But I see his discipline problem being the one mitigating factor to his success.  I cannot seem to avoid going back to it.  In fact, I think he will be remembered more for his shenanigans, than he will be for his attacking prowess.

Currently, he is the target of two investigations by the Football Association.  He has not received any punishment, as far as I can find with a bit of research.  All I can find is that he is being charged with improper conduct.  I have read ample comments on Twitter, Facebook, and the various blogs that are calling for Suarez to be banned from English football for his alleged comments to Evra.  I do not know the full extent of how Liverpool supporters feel about him.  But I know that friends of mine who support other top flight English clubs would prefer he did not play in England, and especially against the teams they support.  And if that is not a resounding endorsement of Suarez’s abilities, both positive and negative; I could not tell you what is.

Suarez is a talented footballer.  He is perpetually a threat on the attack.  He has the potential to be remembered for the dynamic player that he is.  Unfortunately, his decision-making, in the heat of the moment, tends to undermine his talent.  Because of this, I do not see him ever truly living up to his potential in football.

The More Unfair Competition, the Better

Is the Manchester Derby the new stylish rivalry in England?  More importantly, is it the new Liverpool vs. Chelsea?  Will the rivalry extend beyond the boundaries of the Premier League?  Or, more importantly, the city limits of Manchester?

With the recent development of both Manchester clubs falling out of the Champions League, and into the Europa League, it brings a lot of interesting thoughts to light.  As much as both teams feel as though one is superior to the other, in a lot of ways, they are stuck on a level playing field.  They are currently the top two teams in the Premier League.  They drew each other in the FA Cup.  They both have been eliminated from the Champions League at the Group Stage.  The only thing that either team has over the other, is that City are in the semi-finals of the League Cup.

For the better part of the last six years, the marquee match that you could not seem to avoid was Chelsea vs. Liverpool.  They were playing each other five to seven times a season.  And each of those matches were intense dramatic affairs that were not to be missed.  Especially in that run from 2005 through 2008.  While Liverpool may not have been in strong contention for the Premier League title, they fought valiantly for any hardware they could get their hands on.

On the other side of that rivalry, Chelsea were a force in England.  Under the management of Jose Mourinho, the west London club assailed heights they had never thought of.  They were a force on the pitch.  They dominated England in ways that had not been seen in quite some time.  But, unfortunately, Chelsea could never really get over the hump, outside of the domestic campaigns.

For many years now, Manchester United has been the dominant club, in a lot of regards, in the city of Manchester.  However, in the last few years, with the assistance of Sheikh Mansour, City look to be forging a trail to rival United’s.  City wants to, to borrow a phrase of Sir Alex Ferguson’s regarding Liverpool, “Knock United of its fucking perch.”  And if this season so far is any indication, City may have the groundwork in place to do so.  But it won’t be for a while.

United, on the other hand, are a club in some form of upheaval.  I cannot call it a crisis, but it definitely does not bear the hallmarks of stability.  There are the injury woes that seem to stack up more and more with each week.  There is the discontent from supporters since the club did not buy the services of Wesley Sneijder.  There is discord between the Supporters Trust and the ownership of the Glazers.  But, through all of this, Sir Alex Ferguson has managed to win at least once piece of hardware every year from 2005 onward.  While things may look dire for Ferguson and United, he will navigate these stormy seas with little problem.  He has navigated his club through more frustrating times.

So, with that in mind, where does the comparison to the Liverpool and Chelsea rivalry come in?  Well, for starters, there is the frequency with which there are fixtures.  In the last two to three seasons, both Manchester clubs have spend a lot of time facing each other.  There was the scintillating series of matches between the two clubs in 2010.  Matches have taken on a life of their own.  Filled with moments that have come to resonate both positively and negatively, with each fan base.

There have been controversial goals.  Michael Owen’s versus City, in the 96^th minute of stoppage time.  Or Luis Garcia’s phantom goal against Chelsea in the 2005 Champions League semi-finals second leg.  In the minds of those who have been a part of these rivalries, these goals have helped to define the antipathy that exists between the clubs.

But there have been other controversial moments that threw gasoline on the fire.  There was the transfer of Carlos Tevez to City, from United.  Indeed, a far higher profile move than Fernando Torres from Liverpool to Chelsea.  The Tevez move created far more animosity within the confines of the Manchester Derby.  Tevez, before his petulance got the best of him again, was hated by United supporters and cheered by City.  The coup to bring Tevez to City, was considered to be the first in many steps of gradually plying the empire out of United’s hands.

There is the animosity that exists between managers.  Or at least the perceived hostility.  Part of what made the Liverpool rivalry with Chelsea so much fun, was watching how Rafa Benitez would respond to Mourinho’s goadings.  Much in the same way that there is quite a bit of intrigue as to how Roberto Mancini will respond to Sir Alex Ferguson’s latest commentary on the state of football in Manchester.

With time, I think the Manchester Derby could easily become the match to watch in England every season.  It is poised to replace the derby between Liverpool and Manchester United as the most heated rivalry in England.  With the continual rise of City, and the seemingly unexpected turns that United is taking, the history will merely build upon itself.  The intrigue will grow of its own volition.  And the stakes that come with each match will mean more to each set of players, managers, and supporters.  Especially as either team continues to vie for English dominance parlayed into European staying-power.  Either way, I see a future most interesting for the Manchester Derby, especially now as it moves outside of England, and into the realm of European competition.

Football is a Simple Game; 22 Men Chase a Ball For 90 Minutes and At the End, the Germans Win

One of my passions is football’s history.  Couple this with my love of the Football Manager game series, and it makes for many a interesting discussion with my friends.  Especially those who have as much of an appreciation of football’s past.  Lately, I have spent ample time on YouTube watching classic football matches.  I have mostly been watching whatever matches I can find from the 1950s, as footage of those are difficult to come by, that is longer than two or three minutes long.  But thanks to that, and the Guardian’s Joy of Six column, I have been inspired to tackle the idea of building a team.

I have often speculated, but not really put to paper, my ideal football squad.  Mostly because it seems like there would be a lot of variables to factor in.  What sort of a philosophy is this team built around?  Is it a side that can relentlessly attack?  Or are they stingy in defense?  Do they play a short passing game like Barcelona or a more English style direct passing game?  Do they play a more aesthetically pleasing, entertaining brand of football?  Or do they grind out results using physical play to counter-act any opposition tactics?  So many questions have to be asked, before putting effort into building the sort of team that fits your vision.

One of the hardest parts about this, to me, is setting up a format upon which to build this team.  What formation do I want to use?  How many substitutes do I want available?  Those two factors, more than anything, create limitations for how to build a team to one’s liking.  My friend Preben has challenged me to build this team with only one substitute.  However, I do not feel that this would suffice.  Given that the modern game includes five substitutions, I think this should be the parameter to use for building this squad.

For my formation, I am thinking that a 4-4-2 is the best shape for the team I want to build.  As far as shape is concerned, I have am not sure that I want to deviate from the standard flat positioning.  With that in mind, I will not venture into putting players into specific roles.  It will just be the standard forwards, midfielders, defenders, and keeper.  With that in mind, we should get to the team.

Forwards

Ferenc Puskas – I would pick Puskas for both his killer instinct as a finisher, and his vision, movement, and leadership.  As far as appearances to goals ratio, few equal Puskas at both the club and international level.  He was a major force for Hungary during their “Mighty Magyars” period in the early to mid 1950s.  Not to mention a part of the Real Madrid teams that won the European Cup in 1959 and 1960.

Dennis Bergkamp – With a sublime first touch, and vision that to create scoring chances at will.  Bergkamp was an efficient finisher himself.  During his club career, he scored 234 goals.  During his time at Arsenal, alone, he set up 124 goals.  His goals to assists ratio during this period was 120:124.  That’s almost a goal for every assist.  I cannot think of a better foil for Puskas, than Bergkamp, in terms of their creativity and goal-scoring ability.

Midfield

Garrincha – Between his pace and his amazing footwork, there is really very little to say about him.  Garrincha would routinely make anyone who attempted to mark him look sluggish and lost.  The fluidity of his movement, the precision of his feints, and the ability to make every defender within ten feet of him chomp at everything he threw at them, more than proves his place.  With the space he created, by his movements with the ball, he could draw the defense out for Bergkamp and Puskas to create trouble in their final third.

Duncan Edwards – Edwards is considered by many, including Sir Bobby Charlton, to be the greatest football they had ever seen.  He was a hard-working two-way midfielder.  He could tackle.  He could pass.  He could shoot.  He had a versatility to play virtually any outfield position needed of him.  Had he not been killed in the Munich Air Crash, many people believe that he would have led England to World Cup glory before 1966.  Despite all of the what-ifs, the limited footage of Edwards that exists online, is barely the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to him.

Giuseppe Meazza – Meazza’s legend in Italy looms large, especially in Milan.  As both as striker and a midfielder, he was quite the accomplished goal-scorer.  He also had a proficiency with his feet, in his movements and his passes.  More importantly, he was one of the biggest names in football, of his generation.  He was the one of the driving forces behind Inter and Italy’s successes during the 1930s.

Sir Tom Finney – While he may not have won a glut of hardware as a player, there is a lot to be said for Finney.  He was the Football Writers Association’s player of the year for 1953-54 and 1956-57.  He spent his entire career playing at the Deepdale, for Preston North End.  For his diminutive stature, he had pace and was a master at dribbling around defenders. In a lot of ways, his leadership, pace, vision and concentration made him as much of a legend that his loyalty did.

Defenders

Phil Neal – Was steadfast in the full back role for Liverpool as it transitioned from the era of Bill Shankly into the era of Bob Paisley and European domination.  He captained Liverpool during the late 70s, and spent a good period of his early career at Anfield as the primary penalty taker.  His ability as a passer, in terms of setting up play, or holding up play cannot be denied.

Roger Byrne – He was known for being a hard working full back who chose to use intelligence over physicality to dictate his style of play.  His ability to read play meant that he found a way to put himself into position to disrupt any attack that came his way.  He captained Manchester United to three League titles the 50s, and was a regular member of the England squads of that period.  His leadership and guile made him gained him respect both on and off the pitch.

Franz Beckenbauer – Beckenbauer redefined the role of a full back.  He would regularly move forward with the attack.  He was a natural leader, and he took charge whenever he was on the pitch.  Every team he played for won everything they competed for.  Most likely due to Beckenbauer’s influence.  Again, this is something that cannot be understated.  As much as he was an innovator, he was a leader.  For that reason, I believe I have to give him the armband.

Emlyn Hughes – One thing that this team is missing, is a hard man.  Hughes was a physical presence who helped to define the Liverpool teams of the mid to late 1970s.  He was known for his temper, and his tackling.  Something that I feel that this team lacks.  We need a stronger physical presence to compliment the beauty of those who play ahead of him.

Goalkeeper

Oliver Kahn – Widely considered to be one of the greatest keepers to ever play the game.  He helped lead Bayern Munich to ample success, as well as Germany to Euro success.  He led Bayern to the European Cup, and ample Bundesliga titles.  He is widely respected by his peers and critics alike.  Including being named goalkeeper of the year multiple times.  His ambition, that helped this teams be so successful, is one of the main reasons why I feel that he should be in goal for my team.


Substitutes will follow later.

The Lack of Money Is the Root of All Evil

As the transfer window quickly approaches I'm starting to feel some of the emotions that come with it start to stir. There's the excitement of who might join my beloved Gunners. Seeing who might be the big names to move. Finding out which of the many rumours that get spread are complete b.s. As well as the overall feelings of betrayal that come from seeing players either ask to leave a club you love or get sold regardless and have to move on to become endeared in the hearts of supporters of another club. All of which will be drawn out as long and painfully as possible in as annoying a way as possible.

Unfortunately for the month leading into it and the month the window is open we're gonna have to hear about how every player in the world has been linked with another club no matter how ridiculous the move may be. And we just have to sit in front of our tvs and computers rolling our eyes at the absurdity of Ronaldo’s move to Crystal Palace as they try to win the Carling Cup and stay in contention for future trophies or whatever retarded story some moron with an outlet feels like "reporting" simply because some asshole at the bar heard about it from a friend who knows a guy whose cousin heard it from a neighbor that cleans toilets at the stadium. Its mind boggling all the crap that gets spewed from news sources when there’s no evidence to back any of it up. So far I can honestly say Arsenal alone has been linked to half the players in the world and I can't say I believe any of it. If the rumours were actually true we would have a completely different squad the second half of the season than we do now. And why should I believe any of it? How many players will actually move? Very few in all reality especially in comparison to the number who are currently linked to moves.

And I can’t help but wonder how much is played out behind the scenes by the players themselves in search of the supposed greener pasture and more of the almighty dollar? Can we trust these men to repay the love and support we show them week after week? How many players have agents or people close to them in their ear telling them there's better out there and they deserve more? And how much of this semi-annual debacle is created by the worst of the worst, the players agents themselves in an attempt to pad their own bank accounts at the expense of clubs and supporters alike? After all, when a footballer moves, the ripple in the water is felt by all, not just the few involved. Greed seems to have taken charge during these transfer windows more than bettering squads or making the game better. I do realize sometimes its in the best interest of everyone to cut ties and move on or to make moves to strengthen a side but to what extent is this good for the game?

For me personally the transfer window always brings up questions of loyalty and begs the question, where has it all gone and why does there seem to be so little of it in today’s game? I know from the fans perspective we criticize everyone’s performance after every match and always wanna see the club we love win but at the end of the day we support and love our players like they were brothers or close associates. When they thrive we thrive. When they hit a rough patch we support and can't wait for them to perform at the level we know them to be capable of. Seeing one go down to injury seems to hurt us all and we can't wait to see them on the pitch again. So why then is it asking so much to get the same in return?

For example, when Clichy left to be apart of a team that should feel no pride in any sort of victory this past summer, it was the kind of transfer you like to see. The man had spent years at The Arsenal, is getting up there in age, and was making enough errors and causing goals to where the change of scenery was the appropriate move. He wasn’t leaving for the payday. His current club at the time was definitely better off giving someone else a chance, he was gracious in his departure, and left on terms that didn’t leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. Other than maybe the club he chose to go to. Both teams in the end feel stronger due to the move and fans on both sides can be happy at the same time. This is the kind of transfer I like seeing.

But when it came down to the move of another Arsenal footballer to exactly the same squad, things were completely different. $amir Na$ri left for the bigger payday. He can say he left for glory, but what glory is there in joining a team that is comprised of nothing but paid mercenaries? No homegrown talent whatsoever. Where is the pride and glory in being apart of the team with the highest price-tag in history? More shame than anything if they prove incapable of winning multiple trophies every year. Na$ri was offered a very nice wage to stay and return the loyalty to the club that recognized his potential at a young age. They were also willing to teach him to be a world class player and even deal with runs of poor form in the process. Only for him to turn his back on the ones who showed him respect for the bigger payday. Arsenal received a hefty sum in exchange for his services which would’ve taken a bit of the sting out of the whole betrayal had he not then went and talked shit about his former club’s supporters. Na$ri had the nerve to claim Arsenal had no pride since leaving Highbury and that City supporters were way more passionate. I call bullshit. First of all what the fuck does he know about Highbury? I'd be surprised if he could even spell Highbury let alone comment on differences between one of the greatest, most history rich stadiums in the world, and the current attempt to make history at the Grove. He let greed become the deciding factor and let supporters down worldwide all while creating a hatred that will never be forgotten.

Even players like Cesc Fabregas don't repay loyalties shown themselves. I can honestly say I understand his reasons for wanting to leave but to allow the team that raised you, made you its captain, and supported you through multiple injuries to take a payment nowhere near what’s deserved is completely wrong. Seeing such a classy young man do this further hurts relationships between clubs and further tears the rift between fans and players

I don’t know the exact facts or stats but I have a hard time believing players from the eras when footballers weren't making ridiculous salaries would turn their backs on us that love them so easily. Even more recently, I could never imagine someone like Tony Adams even considering a move away regardless of the sum of money involved. Players like him had class and real pride and it’s sickening to think todays game is missing this. Players used to be honored to wear the crest on front of their strip instead of wondering where the next payday was coming from. I can't imagine a single fan wouldn't jump at the chance to play for their beloved club for just a place to sleep and a hot meal, let alone the chance to live comfortably. So why then is it too much to ask for a little of the same in return? Players like Jack Wilshere who promise to stay forever are few and far between. Men like Emmanual Frimpong who seem to love their clubs as much as its supporters, leave it all out on the pitch every opportunity , and are willing to actually allow the developmental process to take place and earn playing time are becoming harder to find when all we as fans want to see is more of these types of players. I'm sure every club has a couple of these guys but they seem to be a rarity these days and it begs the question, how much are we as fans supposed to endure before we don't feel the same connection to the men on the pitch? And when the connection is gone where is the fun in supporting a club and wearing its colors

Management of Many Is the Same as Management of Few. It Is a Matter of Organization

The revolving door cavalcade of stars that is top flight football management has gotten ridiculous.  In the Premiership, managers like Steve Kean can hold on to their jobs, even though relegation looms menacingly on the horizon.  Yet managers like Steve Bruce have a rough calendar year, and as soon as the opportunity becomes available; he promptly is shown the door.  Bruce’s replacement, Martin O’Neill has quite a bit of work cut out for him at Sunderland.  But, given O’Neill’s philosophy toward management, I get the feeling he will start to see results by the end of this current season.

Humorously, the joke is that Venky’s, current owners of Blackburn Rovers, believe that Kean can take Rovers back to the summit of English football.  That is all well and good, except that I doubt that Venky’s took the time to do some research into BRFC’s history.  Prior to 1995, when Rovers won the Premier League title, they had not won a top flight championship since 1913-14.  They have not won the FA Cup since 1928.  And the most recent piece of hardware in their dusty old trophy cabinet would be their League Cup from 2002.  Other than those two trophies in the last 16 years, Blackburn have not done much in terms of resembling a contender.  But the faith of Venky’s, in putting their backing in Steve Kean is to be commended.  If not to howl with laughter at.  Blackburn, as of the writing of this piece, are currently sitting on 18^th in the Premier League.  They currently have an abysmal two wins, to go with four draws, and 8 losses.  Luckily for them though, Rovers are joined by two Lancashire neighbors, Bolton and Wigan.  It seems like this season may prove to be a difficult one for Steve Kean.  But, if Venky’s are going to give him time to build the team as he wants them to, and not pander to the trigger-happy media and supporters, then I get the feeling in two to three years’ time, BRFC may be mid-table finishers in the Premiership.

Sunderland under Steve Bruce was a team with promise.  Promise that a lot of people accuse Bruce of pissing away.  Read any one of the articles that appeared in places like The Guardian, where painstaking characters were spent belittling and mocking the limited legacy that Bruce had left at the Stadium of Light.  The point that the articles, like Louise Taylor’s mentioned previously, drive home is that Steve Bruce was a man out of his league. I cannot say I completely agree, or disagree, with this statement.  There were times where it did look like Bruce could not have led a horse to water, much less make it drink.  Then there were times where his Sunderland squad could make believers out of fools, as opposed to the fools out of believers stance that so many in the media want to take.  Bruce had Darren Bent, one of the more prolific English strikers in recent history.  He also signed Asamoah Gyan, Connor Wickham, and got Danny Welbeck on loan.  Those four would make for a formidable striker rotation, at any club.  But it also sort of belies one major point, very little was done to shore up the rest of the squad. Wes Brown is a affable defender in his own right.  But he can have positioning problems, and give up own goals.  Lee Cattermole?  As captain?  That is nearly as laughable as Titus Bramble going to Barcelona.  Actually, now that I think of it, that decision defines Steve Bruce.  He is the embodiment of the absurdity of football.  He seemed to genuinely believe that someone like Lee Cattermole, with a disciplinary record that makes him more enforcer than leader, is captain material.  And that was supposed to solve the Mackems’ problems?  Only Steve Bruce knows.  Currently, Sunderland are 16^th in the table.  Doing better than Kean’s Blackburn.  But the Black Cats are teetering dangerously close to the relegation zone.  Maybe a bit too close for Sunderland’s board’s comfort. 

So what does Sunderland do?  They send old Steve Bruce packing.  I am of the mindset that managerial changes should not be done during the season.  It disrupts the team.  It kills any continuity to build from, because it means that the players have to learn a new system, and how to deal with a new manager.  While it could potentially turn results around, this sort of upheaval and rash decision-making should not be done while the season is still going.  But, Sunderland wanted Steve Bruce out.  So, they got their wish.  Who did the choose to pin their hopes on now?  Martin O’Neill.  I like Martin O’Neill.  I think he was a fantastic manager at Aston Villa, before his team was sold out from under him.  I think had Milner and Barry stayed at Villa, they could have continued to fight to break the Top Four oligarchy.  But it was not meant to be.  So O’Neill went on a bit of a hiatus from football.  Now, he is back.  He is taking charge of a team that is underachieving, and in dire need of direction.  Well, they need a direction that is not freefall.  And I believe that Martin O’Neill could be that man.  But I believe this to be the case if a few things were to happen.  First, he needs time to sort through the squad, and to get rid of any dead weight that may drag the team down.  Cattermole, your days as captain may be numbered.  Second, he needs money to bring in players.  This could be necessary come the January transfer window.  When O’Neill could bring in a couple of guys to stabilize the defensive and midfield ranks.  Then, in traditional Martin O’Neill fashion, he takes his team “back to basics”.  Maybe, by March or April, there will be improvements shown by Sunderland and its players, and their supporters will once again believe that this club is capable of producing, like they did in flashes under Bruce. 

Martin O’Neill got Aston Villa to the Europa League, and the League Cup final in 2010.  I cannot see why it may not be possible for Sunderland to set their sights on trophies like these, maybe next season or two seasons down the road.  I also cannot see this happening this season.  The gulf of points, even at this stage of the Premier League, will mean that Sunderland would just about have to win every match between now and the end of May, to be able to qualify for Champions League.  The Roker Men are 27 points adrift of Manchester City, at the top.  And 17 points adrift of Champions League qualifying.  With 25 matches to play yet, it will be a grueling test of Martin O’Neill’s mental acumen, and man-management skills, to see if he can right the ship enough to finish in mid-table respectability.

Violence Is the Last Refuge of the Incompetent

To me, one of the biggest problems that exists in football, and its subculture, is the idea of tribalism.  Or rather, exceptionalism manifesting itself in vehement aggression against those who do not wear the same color as you.  It is gang warfare, or hooliganism, in its latest form.  Without the pomp and circumstance which defined that era, at its height.  With the infinitesimal expansion of social networks, and the opportunity to co-mingle with anyone who has a computer, or smart phone, and the minimal capabilities of putting together thoughts; this tribalist mentality has taken on a life of its own.  Most likely, in ways that I would feel safe in venturing to guess, that the old hooligans never thought possible before.

Growing up in the US, my experience with football hooliganism was limited to brief news blurbs and soundbytes that never delved into any detail.  I vaguely recall hearing about the Heysel tragedy in 1985.  I do not recall ever hearing about the Hillsborough tragedy.  My full education on both of those came much later in my life.  I also remember hearing brief snippets of news chastising the hooligan culture in England.  I never heard anything of hooligans from other nations, only England.

As I have grown, and immersed myself in football, especially its history and culture, I have spent ample time learning about the darker side of the game as well.  I am quite familiar with the sectarian violence that defined the Old Firm derby for many years.  I have become quite familiar with the animosity that exists between West Ham and Millwall.  Or, well, the animosity that exists against anyone who plays Millwall at The Den.  I have read extensively on the political and sociological acrimony that defines the El Clasico, between Barcelona and Real Madrid.  Or the political rancor of the Derby della Capitale between AS Roma and SS Lazio.  Not to mention the perceived malevolence that English teams and their supporters seem to encounter when playing against Roma.

There is a deep history of antipathy that exists in football.  It is defined by borough, in the case of London and its derbies.  It is defined by region, as is the case of any team that seems to play in Lancashire, or the Basque region of Spain.  It is defined by religion, like the divide in Glasgow between Rangers and Celtic.  It is defined by political ideologies, like Real Madrid and Barcelona, or Lazio and Roma.  Even, to an extent, it is defined by national history, like Scotland and England.  There is a sense of identity that exists within the parameters of these heated rivalries.  A sense of purpose on both sides of the hostility.  Not just the pride that comes with defeating your hated rivals, but a sense of karmic comeuppance being played out before you, if you happen to support the underdog in any of these cases.

In understanding these, even in the most basic of senses, then you can infer at the level of passion and emotion that exists within football, and its subculture.  The concept of identity, as paraded by the local club, or regional club, or national team; is a very integral part of being a supporter.  You are judged by the crest you wear on your shirt.  You are judged by the color of that shirt.  You are judged by the dialect you speak.  You are judged by any, and all, who support a football club.  Especially if those supporters do not share your taste in teams.

This is especially obvious in the medium of social networks.  I have been witness to friends of mine receiving torment for the club they support.  Duly, I have also seen them torment supporters of other teams.  I found myself aghast at the choice of barbs that have been exchanged.  I have read lengthy articles on places like The Guardian about songs between rival groups of supporters, highlighting tragedies in each respective team’s histories.  I have witnessed such insults and comments traded in comments sections of websites, between rival supporters, and passed off as “banter”.  It is crass.  It is absurd.  And it only serves to complicate the experience of being a football supporter.

This problem is not limited to interactions between rival squads.  It is exists within the confines of certain supporters groups, who support the same team.  There is a certain exceptionalism that supporters a club, say they are from England, carry toward supporters of their club who do not live within a certain distance from the club’s home ground.  Or, in the case of certain political groups within those supporters groups, supporters who are deemed to be “casual”, are ostracized and verbally berated, or even physically attacked, by those who call themselves “passionate”.  I have seen the term “plastic” bandied around at people an absurd amount of times.  In this case, “plastic” is a term used to insult supporters who are considered to beneath those who are doing the insulting.  It is a term that I abhor.  It is a classification that I feel belittles the experience of supporters who support clubs in their own way.  It is classless to me, to treat fellow supporters that way.  And it is something that needs to be addressed within the supporter culture.

Unfortunately, with the relative anonymity that exists within the online medium, accountability is at a bare minimum.  This transition of the hooligan, from a beer-swilling fisticuff-engaging barbarian, into a relatively anonymous collection of words on a screen has been relatively seamless.  The ability to vocalize one’s hatred at a rival supporter is taking the terraces into a new place.  It has taken the street fight and moved it into a textual pissing match.  The vitriol is there, in spades.  The disdain is amplified.  And the virulence has taken on a life of its own.  And that is something that needs to be addressed as well.  As a football supporter, or a fan of any sport, the experience is generally shared.  The agony of defeat.  The exhilaration of victory.  Those are experiences shared with one’s friends, and fellow supporters.  While there is a place for sour grapes, lashing out either in violent means, or verbal, has no place in the culture.  It is as deplorable to me as racism, or sexism, or anytime that Andy Gray opens his gaping maw.  It detracts from my ability to enjoy supporting my club, if I am surrounded by hostility.  It detracts from my interest in wanting to be a part of this culture, when that antagonism is aimed at fellow supporters, and rival supporters alike.

This has to stop.  This in-fighting between supporters.  It leaves a blemish on this beautiful game, that I love so passionately.  This tribalism that led to acts like Heysel and Hillsborough.  This mentality that got England banned from European competition from the mid to late 1980s needs to stop.  Violence, either physically or verbally, needs to be excised from football’s culture.  And it needs to happen soon.  It turns away people who could potentially fall in love with the game, because it shows that it has a repugnant side.  It leads to drastic action that can have a lasting affect on clubs, or nations.  And it makes the media treat football and its supporters as though they have barely crawled out of the primordial ooze.  Football is more cultured than that.  Football supporters are more cultured than that.  They have seen what has happened before.  They need to heed the lessons of the tragedies, and senselessness, of the generations before.  More importantly, they need to bring the game back from this precarious threshold.

His Style Is Chaos Illumined By Flashes of Lightning

I have to admit I've never really considered myself a writer nor have I at any point had any desire to have/be involved in a blog but I have been a fan of the game of football as long as I can remember. (However as an American I just fairly recently started referring to it as football instead of soccer) I played for many years growing up and while I'm far from an expert, nor do I have the credentials to be a coach or manager, I do feel as if I have a very good general understanding of the game and many opinions on it.

Recently I was having a conversation via text with my buddy Eric , having our usual discussion of the recent events of English football and pieces from blogs we enjoy when the topic of Eric’s previous blogging came up. Needless to say, the man has missed it quite a bit since his last ventures in it. He, himself, is a writer, and a damn good one at that. I suggested he start his own blog to provide himself a place to put down and share his thoughts and provide an outlet for his regular musings into the strange and often times corrupt world that is football.

Anyway, once the topic came up a few ideas were tossed around and the man extended an invitation to me to contribute whenever possible to provide a little diversity to his works and maybe even entertain a bit while at it. With the offer on the table I was slightly honored to be a part of this and accepted with little hesitation. After all, Eric has been a longtime buddy of mine and I'm more than interested to see what he has to say and who or what will be the subject of his rants which are sure to follow.

Having read his previous efforts I can say that he never fails to entertain and is a well spoken, intelligent writer, who knows his stuff. I will always respect him for his knowledge of the game and its history as well as his ability to form opinions without bias. This is where he is well qualified to be the man writing the blog taking a critical look at the game and its many ups and downs that undoubtedly come year after year. That being said he does have teams/players he likes and supports as well as teams/players he cant stand just like the rest of us but I do know for a fact he calls it like he sees it and while he may be up front and in your face at times, he can always back up what he says and have reasoning behind it. Like he said already, feel free to exchange ideas.

As for me personally, I feel as if I contradict the mission statement here right off the front. I am very biased a lot of the time. I do give respect where respects due (A majority of the time. Some teams and players I will never respect regardless. I mean come on, Tottenham are the Lilywhites and their logo is a chicken standing on a fuckin beachball for fucksake. And don't get me started on the team that’s spent more money in the past two years than anyone in the history of the game. That’s right, fuck the oilers, er uh City), but a lot of my opinions are formed by where my loyalties lie. I am a die hard gooner. The Arsenal FC is by far the greatest team the world has ever seen after all. A fan for many years I can’t help but be slightly consumed by the goings on of the Arse. This being the case you can expect a lot of the pieces I post to involve AFC in one way or another if not completely be about them. I do not however feel this compromises the integrity of this blog as I am only a guest, who will be stopping in every week or so to share a few thoughts and fade into the background once again where I belong here. My role being as it is you may not hear from me as regularly and my posts might be short at times but hopefully I will provide a decent read, possibly a few laughs, and a few moments of entertainment on occasion.

Til next time- Dan

The Mother of Excess Is Not Joy But Joylessness

Whatever happened to European football’s traditional powerhouses?  Are they victims of the current football culture to spend far and beyond their own means, with the hope of possibly bringing home old Big Ears?  Or, more importantly, are they victims of the mentality of extravagant spending to lead to a big European pay-day?

Looking back at the history of European Cup champions, it is amazing to see how many of those teams have seemingly fallen into relative obscurity.  Even more telling, is looking at the teams who were runners-up.  Factoring out Real Madrid’s utter decimation of any, and all comers in the first five years; there was a pretty vast array of club who fell just short of the mark, to be able to lift the European Cup. 

Since the European Cup metamorphosed into the UEFA Champions League, that parity has gradually waned.  Instead of teams from Sweden or Yugoslavia making it to the final match, there is disproportionate domination by clubs from Germany, Italy, Spain, and England.  There have been four teams who have played in the Final, who were not from those nations: Marseille, Porto, Monaco, and Ajax.  These four teams represent an anomaly that stands starkly against the hegemony of the previously mentioned nations.

Prior to 1992, in England for example, before the creation of the Premier League, the top four teams were usually a crapshoot.  Sure, one team may have a run of domination, but the teams just under them could range drastically from year to year.  That, in a lot of ways, was a microcosm of how the European Cup played out.  You could have teams like Liverpool, Manchester United, Leeds United, or Arsenal have runs at the top.  But just on the fringe there would be teams like Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, or Ipswich Town who would be there looking for a chance to steal the championship.

In relation to Europe, there have been dominant teams since the creation of the UEFA Champions League, and the introduction of the Group Stage.  Barcelona being the most recent.  Or Manchester United.  Or even Real Madrid.  Teams who have a history of European pedigree, by this I mean that these teams have either won or played in the Final at least once prior to the creation of the Champions League; they have seemingly fallen by the wayside.  Benfica and Celtic are fantastic examples of this.  As Serie A, the Bundesliga, the Premiership, and La Liga have built a strong financial base, the Scottish Premier League, Portuguese Liga, and French Ligue 1 have fallen behind.  A very large reason behind this relates directly to the distribution of television rights.  In the US, via the outlets of Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN, I have access to the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga.  To a lesser extent the Dutch Eredivisie and Portuguese Liga are shown.  But that’s really it, unless I watch streaming matches online.  That, in its own way, seems representative of the problems that these lesser leagues face.

Another theory regarding the problem, that I have seen postulated, is that the implementation of the Group Stage, was designed to make sure that the power in the European Cup, stayed with the nations whose clubs traditionally drew large crowds and strong gates.  The oligarchy at the summit of European football have come to depend on the financial boost that is dispersed following the Champions League final.  Therefore, it stands to reason, to those who believe it to be so, that they will do everything in their power to maintain their stranglehold on that financial boost.  This includes going as far as insinuations of match-fixing and favoritism being aimed at the powers that run UEFA.  I cannot say that I necessarily agree with this stance, but there are all sorts of patterns that could be interpreted as being a bit suspicious, if one is inclined toward that school of thought.

However, it should be noted that the Champions League has gone through a few changes since its rebranding and modification.  The biggest of which being the elimination of one of the Group Stages.  That alteration, though, does not make it any easier to qualify for the Group Stage.  There is still the knockout round that begins shortly after the previous season’s final.  But those teams, if they manage to make it past that knockout phase, tend to be little more than fodder for the giants, to be able to qualify for the Knockout Phase.  If those teams are lucky, and can manage to get a shock result or two, they may get parachute into the Europa League, but the money there is nowhere near the same, nor is the prestige.

If Celtic or Benfica are the example of the power-shift that occurred in movement from European Cup to Champions League, then Ajax must be the exception.  Ajax has won Champions League, to compliment their European Cup successes from the 1970s.  However, nowadays, Ajax is seen as little more than a developmental club for the European elite.  Because of this status as a developmental territory, Eredivisie titles are now harder to come by.  However, this past season, they won for the first time since 2004.  But this is a team that is rich in European lore, and a team whom I feel should be represented more often in the later stages of Champions League.  But, unfortunately, due to the power of the teams coming out of Spain or England or Italy, teams like Ajax tend to miss out on opportunities to advance.

As an epilogue to this tale, I just wanted to mention Stade de Reims and Eintracht Frankfurt.  Reims were unfortunate to lose to Real Madrid twice during the Galacticos’ run at the pinnacle of the fledgling European Cup.  Eintracht were Madrid’s opposition in what was considered to be the greatest European Cup final ever, at the end of Madrid’s amazing run.  Reims has currently been languishing in the second division of French football, Ligue 2.  And even spent a bit of time in the Championnat National and the Championnat de France amateur, the third and forth divisions of French football.  Unfortunately, it does not appear that they will be fighting to return to their former European glory and status, anytime soon.  Eintracht on the other hand have spent much of the last fifteen years bouncing between the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.  While they have not duplicated their run from the late 1950s, they still maintain a devoted following, and mid-to-lower table finishes in the Bundesliga, that ultimately led to their relegation at the end of this past season.

The financial monopoly that the European elite have created in the Champions League has effectively shut out teams who have a proud history of in Europe.  Teams who are considered to be “small market” are knocked out of the competition early, or get their chances snuffed out in the Group Stage.  Thus, forcing them to ply their trade for European glory, in the Europa League.

While I did not discuss it in this article, I will touch on it in a later article, I do sincerely hope that the Financial Fair Play regulations open up the door for lesser teams to advance and create a stir in the later stages of the competition.

With Rebellion, Awareness Is Born

This is a beginning.  A new way to look at football.  A new way to look at its culture.  A new way to look at its world.

This is Zidane's Razor.

This is our mission statement:

Our aim is to take a critical look at football, and to boldly go where so many blogs aspire, yet so many fail to reach.  We intend to examine the issues we see, without bias or prejudice or tribalism.  We want to convey our love and affection for the game of football.  We want to encourage a free exchange of ideas.  We want to encourage intellectual discourse, without falling into the traps that undermine other football blogs.

Most importantly, we hope you, the reader, enjoy the essays that comprise the content of Zidane's Razor.  And we hope that you join the conversation.