Farce? Maybe but it's for the good of the game

So we have the usual complaints from the champions of Europe at this time of year again as well as all the media criticism. This is a Mickey Mouse tournament, the gap in class is massive ie. we don't feel like playing here cause we'll win anyways etc.

Of course all these arguments only apply to the European champions. For the rest of the world, it is their opportunity to pit themselves against greater opposition. Gamba Osaka may have lost 5-3 but they treasured the experience greatly and will have a great story to pass down to their kids. Have a look at Hashimoto's fine strike. His face tells the whole story.




Yamazaki's placed finish was a well worked goal too but I can't be bothered to find it. Back to the topic. Gamba were 5-2 down. Hashimoto lashes a fine effort past van der Sar. Cue celebrations. Sure United were only in third gear and Gamba couldn't defend a sandcastle from a wave if they had to but the fact is such games are needed to gauge and close the gap between football's confederations. One game may not change anything anytime soon but eventually some team outside of Europe and South America will win this tournament and make the world sit up. Of course everyone will say the champions of Europe were not motivated etc etc but that's an argument for when it actually happens.

I know it is a farce and the gaps in quality are huge. But for the sake of the rest of the world it must go on. Only the Europeans don't like it. Well live with it. The rest of us would like some sort of stage to get global recognition thanks.

Meanwhile Juande Ramos checks in and suddenly decides to bring the future English team with him. Or at least that's his plan for now. Papers have mentioned Adam Johnson, Aaron Lennon, David Bentley and Ashley Young. It will probably remain paper talk but the link is intriguing nonetheless. Hard to see Bentley at Madrid though. It just doesn't feel right.

On the upside at least Ramos is getting support within the Madrid camp already. Robben has already declared he prefers life under Ramos and the new man in charge has also received support from Higuain. Signs are already positive that Ramos will take Madrid forward instead of back as clearly shown under Schuster this season. Time will tell and it should be a pretty interesting show as well.

And the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League has been made. I may be a bit biased but United vs Inter certainly looks like the tie of the round. For the most part the big guns have all been drawn against each other. Other significant ties include, Real vs Liverpool, Chelsea vs Juventus and Arsenal vs Roma. Of course in today's world any tie involving Premiership teams automatically qualifies as significant but this time they are all facing opponents capable of knocking them out. I see five potential winners of the Champions League this time around - United, Inter, Liverpool and Barcelona. Chelsea just don't seem like they will be thereabouts this season but should they comprehensively beat Juve, you can add their name to the list. Inter may be inconsistent in Europe but their side is undoubtedly filled with matchwinners, Ibrahimovic and Mancini to name two. United have a rock solid defense and perfect ammunition going forward in Rooney and Ronaldo. Liverpool under Benitez have always been strong in Europe and their form this season suggests they will be around come the end of the Champions League season. Barcelona have been scoring for fun and Eto'o looks like a player transformed, sitting pretty at the top of the La Liga scoring charts.

I'll be very surprised if none of those four win the Champions League this season. But at least you'll be able to say the team that wins it deserves it. For now it is to be forgotten till February. More Premiership saturated news and transfer rumours till then. Ugh.