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.

Ronaldinho's back!

He's back! Ronaldinho finally looks like he's on his way back to the top of world football. Granted he won the game for Milan in the UEFA Cup against a team unknown to most of the world (Braga), but there is no denying that he is playing much better this season with his new club. Although I didn't watch the game, the reaction of the goalkeeper after Ronaldinho's screamer flew in says it all. Braga deserved a point. Ronaldinho's moment of magic robbed them of it. Not that many of us care. It's good to see Ronaldinho back on form and his winner last night was not unlike this one.



Another last minute winner. Moments like those seemed like an eternity ago as Ronaldinho struggled at Barca for the past two seasons. The good times seem to be back. Hopefully it won't be a flash in the pan. It'll be like WWE, never as good as it was a few years ago. Somehow, you get the feeling that Ronaldinho is here to stay.

Moving onto another Brazilian, have a look at Robinho's fantastic strike below. It's a highlights package so be patient. It's not that long anyway.



I have to admit I was a bit skeptical of how Robinho would fit in at City when he first signed. I thought he had a bit too much talent to fail miserably but there's always the lingering doubt that accompanies South Americans to the Premiership. Brazilians have evolved over the years but Robinho isn't exactly tall and stocky. I'm pleased that I've been proven wrong for now but then again Juan Sebastian Veron promised so much when he first signed for United, especially in Europe. There's still a slight doubt in my mind but for the most part I've gladly accepted that Robinho has settled in nicely in England and with the extensive media coverage of Premiership clubs, I can easily watch one of my favourite players regularly.

On a completely unrelated matter what's up with Werder Bremen? These guys score for fun in the Bundesliga, yet always seem to udnerachieve in Europe. They scored five goals again on the weekend. I think I've seen them do that twice before but I'm a bit lazy to check up on that. What I do know is that they're underachieving in Europe and it's getting to me. Maybe they attack too much for their own good. Whatever it is they need to sort it out. They were expected to qualify from their Champions League group comfortably behind Inter. Instead they find themselves behind Cypriot wildcards Anorthosis and Panathinaikos. I still expect them to qualify but it's won't be a smooth path to the last 16. Anorthosis have proven to be no mugs and Panathinaikos showed what they were capable of by beating Bremen. Should be an interesting end to Group B.

I just previewed the layout of this post and I have to say the preview picture of the first video of Ronaldinho fits in perfectly with the title. RONALDINHO 80. Brilliant. Of course should you choose to watch it, the artistic nature of it will disappear. However, it is a sacrifice worth making. When did anyone prefer looking at a picture as opposed to a video?

Refs and others

I have attached the Roma Chelsea highlights above. If you don't like them you can go look for your own or pay for TV. Keep an eye out for Vucinic. His goals last night were both of top quality.

However the night was soured by the sending off of Deco. I have seen some truly horrific decisions by referees (including a goal given when a goal kick was appropriate), but last night the decision was simply wrong. Deco who was already on a yellow, took a freekick quickly which released a teammate on the right flank. The referee trying to look like he fit in the cool crowd then pulls out a yellow and sends Deco off. For what? A genuine piece of creativity and invention. That is just criminal to say the least. Even if he had warned Deco to wait prior to taking the kick, was a yellow necessary? It's not like anyone was harmed or a serious foul occurred. This sort of performance from refs make the Respect campaign look utterly ridiculous. Or in less formal jargon, retarded. I know the Respect campaign is only ongoing in the Premiership and doesn't apply to Europe but there have been some truly bad decisions being made week in and out in the Premiership and Europe. Poor refs in European football aren't going to help the reputations of refs in general either. Sure refs make mistakes but there was no excuse for any mistake or misjudgment in this case. Taking a freekick early is not a yellow card offense in any part of the world. Ok maybe if the player constantly ignores the ref's orders to wait five times in a row then that's asking for it. Deco was not guilty of that particular offense. The fact that he was sent off as a result of his creative genius is even more difficult to fathom. If you're going to give an inexplicable yellow, at least make sure the person receiving it is not already booked. It just makes the stupid decision twice as bad.

Moving on to less retarded matters, I am going to comment on Dimitar Berbatov. Yes I'm biased but I can't help it. The guy looks like he is settling in and is displaying his wide array of skills, tricks and flicks. Pure class. Have a look at his assist for Ronaldo's goal below.


Stunning. That's all I can say. My jaw doesn't usually drop a lot when it comes to football but that took my breath away. He looks more comfortable in the side and is beginning to show why he commanded such a high price. He's been getting goals as well as his fair share of assists, not to mention the various tricks and skills he pulls off in matches. His first touch is first class and I think his form can only get better as he still isn't at his best. Scary. The only downside to his brilliance is that Tevez has been benched a lot. Hopefully Fergie will find a way to keep him happy because I would not be pleased if he left.