Where there are “Champioooooooooooooooons!”

This week featured the semifinals of the Champion’s League. (Which features the best theme song of any sport.) For the first time in a long time there are no English teams remaining in the competition. For the most part there are only 4 English teams who ever qualify for the Champion’s League(Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United, none of whom I particularly like), so this season is a breath of fresh air. The first game on Tuesday featured holders Barcelona traveling to Milan to take on Inter Milan. I was expecting a 1-1, draw. Barcelona opened the scoring, only for Inter to come back and win 3-1. Inter dominated play for much of the game. Many People think Inter will go through to the final, but I’m not so sure, I’ve seen Barca do the impossible time and time again, and I think they’ll pull it out.

The other match was Bayern Munich and Lyon. unfortunately I couldn’t find a coughillegalcough online stream, so I didn’t watch the game. Munich won after a goal from Arjen Robben, but the game was marred by two red cards. One which was thought to be correct(Munich’s Frank Ribery), one that was a little controversial(Lyon’s Jeremy Toulalan). I would give my thoughts but again I didn’t see the game…sigh…

Where lots of rivalries happen.

When looking at the different things that happened this week, I noticed that a bunch of Derbies, or as their known in America rivalries, happened. I though I’d talk a little about them.

El Clasico
The annual clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona, are probably the biggest match in the world. And for the second straight year Barcelona won both matches. This year’s was probably for the Spanish championship. I though Barca would come away with the win and they didn’t disappoint, winning 2-0 in impressive fashion. This Barcelona team are the most dominant of the past 10 years, and this win probably clinched them another Spanish title, their second in a row.

North London Derby
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur really don’t like each other. They faced each other midweek. Heading in Arsenal were distantly still in contention for the Premier League Championship, while Tottenham are battling for a Champion’s League. I came in expecting a draw, but I was wrong. Tottenham debutant hit a rocket goal to give Tottenham the lead. For the most part Tottenham were the better team, extending the lead to 2-0, before Arsenal got one back. Tottenham picked up the 2-1 win, to put themselves right in contention to get a Champion’s League spot. It was Tottenham’s first win over Arsenal in over 10 years. Personally I hate both teams, so whatever.

Manchester Derby
Possibly the most lopsided rivalry ever. Manchester United are commonly known as the dominant team in English football, while Manchester City are pretty much bumbling idiots. But not anymore. City were bough by rich Arab businessmen, and spent a crap load of money this summer. City look to be in position for a Champion’s League spot, trying to fend of aforementioned Tottenham. The already heated rivalry, got more heated, when United beat City on a controversial late goal(not gonna explain why it was controversial, I could go on, and on, and on). Then United beat City to make the Carling Cup Final(where they beat my beloved Aston Villa *sob*) Now United are trying to remain the hunt for the Championship, while City try to make the Champion’s League. Should be interesting.

Where I talk about someone who is really, really, really good.

I’ve mentioned it several times before in this blog, but Lionel Messi, is really, really, really good. Last week his Barcelona team traveled to London to take on Arsenal, and drew 2-2, despite missing several chances. Well the second leg between the teams happened this week. Arsenal scored a shock goal early on, but Messi scored a rocket goal a few minutes later, then scored two more before halftime. He added a fourth late in the game for good measure. Barcelona moved on to the semifinals in the Champion’s League, where they will play against Inter Milan. Lyon will play Bayern Munich in the other semifinal.

El Classico
This weekend we will see what is quite possibly the biggest rivalry in the world. Barcelona will travel to Madrid to take on their arch rivals Real Madrid. Last season Barcelona smashed a very different Real team 6-2, in Madrid. Since then Real went out and spent a loooooooooot of money on players like Cristiano Ronaldo(2nd best player in world), Kaka(4th best), Xavi Alonso, and many others. But Barcelona are still the favorite, that’s how good this team is. I’m of the opinion that Barcelona will get it done, but I can’t wait to watch it.

FA Cup
This is a rather big weekend in the world of soccer, there are also many league games, but the biggest game for me is my favorite team, Aston Villa taking on Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinals. Just 2 weeks ago Chelsea smashed Villa 7-1, but anything can happen in this game. By no means do I think Villa will win, but I’m definitely not expecting another 7-1. CMON VILLA!!!!!!

Where I get mad….again.

Aston Villa Football Club, who I support, traveled to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea last Saturday. Earlier in the season Villa defeated Chelsea 2-1 in a pretty impressive performance. Villa isn’t in the best form at the moment, but I was expecting a good game. What did I get? A 7-1 Chelsea win. 7-1. 7-1! It was a pathetic performance. For most of this season, this team was challenging for a place in next year’s Champion’s League. Now even I (who usually only sees sunshine and roses when I look at Villa), will admit that we’re done. We will finish 7th in the league and do nothing. My only hope now for the season is that we win our FA Cup semifinal (against Chelsea…yipee), and maybe win the Final, so we get something from what should’ve been a much better season. Needless to say I’ll still support them until the end, but really? 7-1!!!!!!

Champion’s League
This week was the first leg(soccer term, google it) of the Champion’s League. The big match of the round was last season’s winner Barcelona traveling to London to take on Arsenal. These teams play very similar styles (always looking to score goals, lots of passing, when they get the ball, its tough to get it back). It finished 2-2, but that was veeeeeery deceptive. Barcelona could’ve been up 100-0 at halftime, and I’m only slightly exaggerating. It went into halftime 0-0, but Barcelona would come out and score 22 seconds into the second half thanks to a nice goal from noted Champion’s League choke artist Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Zlatan added another and Barca looked to be on their way to a victory. Arsenal got a goal back from Theo Walcott, but it looked to be too little too late. Until, Barcelona captain Carlos Puyol “brought down” Cesc Fabregas in the penalty box. Penalty was awarded controversially, when replays showed it didn’t look like a penalty. Fabregas scored it and Arsenal escaped with a 2-2 draw, despite Barca dominating.

Title Races
The domestic leagues throughout Europe are winding down, and all the major ones are relatively close(excpet Scotland). In England Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal are all within 4 points of each other, with Manchester United holding a 1 point lead over Chelsea, with the two playing this weekend, please watch it, yes its 7:45 AM EST (on ESPN2), but you won’t be dissapointed, with what’s at stake its bound to be riviting even if it finished 0-0. In Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid are tied with 9 games to go, they too will play each other in a few weeks, and you have to figure the winner will take the title. Inter Milan lead AS Roma in Italy. Inter are probably the better team, but Roma haven’t lost since October 28th, as long as Inter don’t slip up, they should win. The most interesting race is in France where the top 6 teams are all withing three points of each other. Bordeaux are tied with Montpellier, and Auxerre having played 2 less games, so they’re probably the favorite, but other than that I have no clue who wins it there.

Where I talk about Scousers, Argentinian midgets, and Terminators

I’ll be honest, I didn’t watch a ton of soccer this week (I was watching some basketball thing, you might’ve heard of it.) So I thought maybe that would mean my post would be short, but so much has happened that I have to talk about, even if I didn’t watch a ton of it.

Scousers and Mancs
On Sunday, Liverpool traveled to Old Trafford to take on their bitter enemies Manchester United. Liverpool and United are the two most successful teams in English history. Liverpool have won 18 English Championships, 7 FA Cups, 7 League Cups, and 5 European Cups. Manchester United similarly have 18 English Championships, 11 FA Cups, 4 League Cup, and 3 European Cups. That alone would probably make them dislike each other, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that the two cities are only about 30 miles apart. Liverpool dominated the 70s and 80s, but have won the league since 89-90, while Manchester United have been dominant winning the last 3 titles and 11 out of the last 17. Last year Liverpool took United down to the wire but couldn’t wrestle away the title and United tied Liverpool with their 18th of all time. This year Liverpool were the trendy pick to win the title, but in reality they’re awful. They’re struggling to get to 4th to qualify for next year’s Champion’s League, while Manchester United are battling Chelsea and Arsenal for another title. Despite that Liverpool won the first meeting 2-0, with two late goals in what was a fairly boring game.

This time around Liverpool took an early lead, with a 5th minute Fernando Torres goal. The big talking point of the match came just 4 minutes later when Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano brough down United’s Antonio Valencia in what was a clear foul, but referee Howard Webb thought it was inside the box and awarded a penalty. I wasn’t watching the game, but upon watching the replay it wasn’t inside the box, and wasn’t a penalty. Wayne Rooney had his penalty shot saved, but put in the rebound and the game was tied. United’s Ji Sung Park would head in a Darren Fletcher cross to give United a 2-1 which they wouldn’t lose. Could the penalty have changed the final? Yes, probably, but even though they only scored one other goal, I have the sense that United still would’ve pulled out the game anyway. Liverpool’s Torres had a couple of late chances to save a draw and couldn’t. I won’t be complaining with the result, as I don’t like Liverpool, whom its not looking good for.

The Terminator: CD9
No that’s not the new Terminator movie, that’s my new nickname for American National team, and Sochaux(from France) forward Charlie Davies. In October Davies was involved in a serious one car accident, which took the life of another passenger. Davies was a shoe-in to start on the USA’s World Cup team this summer, and it looked in jeopardy. Many suspected the injury was career threatening, but lo and behold, 5 months later, he’s back. It’s and incredible story, I wish him all the best, and I root for him, as he’s slowly becoming one of my favorite players.

Lionel Messi
I said this last week, but he’s good.

Where I talk about the world’s best manager and world’s best player.

In June 2003 Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea Football Club. The Southwest London club had a pretty average history at that point. They won the English league Championship in 1955, they had won 3 FA Cups, 2 League Cup, and 2 UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup. (I’m not gonna explain what all those are know, just Google them if you need to know.) But they never really were a powerhouse club. In the 2003-2004 season, the first under Abramovich’s reign, then Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri qualified the club for the UEFA Champion’s League. (The Champion’s League is the biggest competition any European club team can win.) However, Ranieri was fired and Abramovich brought in the man who had just won the Champion’s League with Portugal’s FC Porto, Jose Mourinho.

On his debut press conference the charasmatic Mourinho famously said, “Please don’t call me arrogant, but I’m European champion and I think I’m a special one.” Which lead to the English press nicknaming him “The Special One.” As arrogant as that may sound, he’s right. Chelsea would romp to the 2004-2005 English Premier League Title to give the Blues their first league championship in 50 years, not to mention they also won the League Cup. Chelsea would take the title again the following season, in another fairly dominating championship. They would narrowly lose out on the title the next year, but they brought home both the FA and League Cups. Mourinho had been there three seasons and had already won every thing there was to win, except the Champion’s League, he was already the most sucessful manager in Chelsea history. Chelsea made a few deep Champion’s League runs, but couldn’t make it to the Final. After a very slow start in the 2007-2008 season Mourinho left the club by “mutual consent,” but in reality he was fired by a certain Russian. Chelsea would fight their way to second in the league and to the Champion’s League Final, where they lost. The man who took over for Mourinho, Avram Grant, would also be fired at season’s end.

On June 2nd, 2008 Mourinho was presented as the new manager of Italian club Inter Milan. The Mourinho led Inter club would romp to the 08-09 Serie A title as Italian Champions, while Chelsea faded in the English league after a fast start. Chelsea would again fire their manager, this time midseason, and rallied behind interm manager Guus Hiddink to secure their Champion’s League place, as well as bring home the FA Cup. Hiddink didn’t stay on and Chelsea brought in Italian Carlo Ancelotti, their fourth manager since Mourinho left.

On December 18, 2009 the draw for the Round of 16 for the 09-10 Champion’s League took place. It just so happened that Chelsea would draw Inter Milan. Mourinho would face the club he took to all those trophies for the first time in a competitive game. On February 24 Chelsea traved to Inter’s San Siro stadium for the first game. Chelsea dominated much of the game, but Inter walked away with a 2-1 win. Pundits everywhere suspected Chelsea would easily win at their home ground and win the tie. I’ll be the first to admit, I thought so to. But boy were we(yes, I just grouped myself in with people who do this for a living) wrong. On Tuesday, Inter took the Stamford Bridge pitch would win 1-0, but even that’s a little decieving. Chelsea never looked like they were going to score. Jose Mourinho got the last laugh over his former meddling owner, Mr. Abramovich.

There is no doubt in my mind that Mourinho is the best manager in the world. People were thinking that Chelsea were one of the favorites for the Champion’s League, and he took his team and dispatched them easily. He may not have more League championship’s that Sir Alex Ferguson, or have the most dominant team, like Pep Guardiola. But he’s, in my opinion, the only manager that could’ve lead that Inter team to a win over Chelsea. I am a bit biased, because I like Mourinho, and I find him to be the most interesting character in all of sports, but I just don’t think there’s anyone better than him in the world.

From the best manager in the world let’s go to the best player. Many people claim its Cristian Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney, but for me they’re both a clear step behind one Lionel Messi. Yes, he’s on a great team and is surrouned by great players, but Messi does it all. In just 26 Spanish La Liga games this season, he’s scored 22 goals, and has 9 assists. Last year he won the Ballon d’Or as Europe’s best player after scoring 40 goals, with 18 assists in 49 games. All you need to do is watch him to realize why he’s the world’s best.

Where I complain about a ref, who might be right.

I was very excited Sunday morning.  For the first time in 16 year my team, Aston Villa, was playing in a Cup Final(a pretty big deal, but not as big as you might think, this is probably the 3rd biggest competition Villa can win).  They took on maybe the biggest and most popular team in the world, Manchester United.   But like a lot of sporting events it was ruined by a ref.  In the 4th Minute, Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor was dragged down in the penalty box by United’s Nemanja Vidic.  Referee Phil Dowd correctly awarded a penalty to Villa, which James Milner confidently put home to give Villa an early 1-0 lead. But Mr. Vidic was the last man in front of Agbonlahor, which by rule means he should get a red card and be ejected from the game. But he didn’t even get a card, and United came back to win 2-1 leaving me rather angry. It wasn’t just me who was angry. That sent me into a bad mood, which only worsened, because of some hockey game you might have watched. Some people are defending him, including one former referee, who is no stranger to controversy. I still believe it was the wrong call, but whatever, its over. As long as Villa can keep on the winning track I’ll get over it. And I’m sure Phil Dowd is happy with his winners medal.

Where even random college students can talk Soccer.

I don’t know a ton about soccer, but I have to do this blog about something, why not the beautiful game.

I’ll talk about England’s Premier League , a little bit about Spain’s La Liga, and maybe even a little bit about Italy’s Serie A. I’ll talk about the European Champions League, which features the best teams from throughout Europe. It’s also a World Cup year, so I’ll talk about players which should make their National Teams, but I’ll probably devolve into talk about James Milner.