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Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League has come and gone as the continent were treated to two days of riveting football, spectacular goals and some aesthetically pleasing matches. But what things did we learn most from the first spate of matches? Read on and find out.
Of course so many conclusions could have been drawn in the wake of 16 good matches in addition to bags and bags of goals.
Shortening the list down to five proved to be a tad difficult although we at In The Stands are confident you will agree with our learned list below:
No Team Can Play Midfielders As Defenders At The Highest Level
In the wake of their 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad and then AC Milan at the Camp Nou, Pep Guardiola’s experimentation of playing his midfielders (namely Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano) as centre-backs appears unwise especially given how vulnerable the holders looked.
The two good goals the hosts did score were easily erased by embarrassing schoolboy-like moments of slack defending most notably in injury-time where Thiago Silva rose unmarked rose head home an underserved equalizer for the Rossoneri.
Yes, Barcelona are innovative, and when it comes to modern day football, La Blaugrana are revolutionary in many ways, but even coach Pep Guardiola must ‘stick to the script’ and play midfielders as midfielders and defenders as defenders…DUH!!!
Manchester City Should Not Get Too ‘Gassed’
‘Gassed’ is the slang term used to donate the fact that somebody has become over-confident, believed too much in the surrounding hype and is dangerously close to overplaying the situation they currently find themselves in.
After a great start to the new campaign City fans could perhaps be forgiven for being a little ‘gassed’ although their rather fortunate 1-1 draw with Napoli at Eastlands would have kept that excessive feeling of euphoria in check one suspects.
Roberto Mancini’s men are good but until they have actually won the thing, or played in successive Champions League tournaments, or reached at least the quarter-finals, modesty would not be too much to ask for.
Inter Milan Are Rubbish!
16 months ago Inter Milan powered their way towards European Cup glory after Jose Mourinho’s men toppled Chelsea, CSKA Moscow, Barcelona and then Bayern Munich to lift the famous jug-eared trophy in Madrid.
Diego Milito was the hottest striker in Europe, Samuel Eto’o partnered him superbly, Wesley Sneijder was super-motivated, Maicon was an angel-like right-back not seen since Cafu and the Nerazzurri were the team to avoid.
Today Milito cannot hit a cow’s backside with the proverbial banjo, Eto’o has defected to Russia, Sneijder does not seem bothered, Maicon had his virginity taken by Gareth Bale at White Hart Lane (metaphorically speaking), and everybody, including the likes of Palermo want to face Inter.
Defeat in the Champions League is not bad per say, but losing at home to Champions League newcomers Trabzonspor without creating any chances is downright poor.
The Inter press have already had enough and in the wake of a 4-3 loss to Palermo during Serie A’s opening weekend, are already calling for new coach Gasperini’s head. And we thought Wenger had it bad!
Hulk Has Massively Improved
There was a time not too long ago when the only good thing about Givanildo Vieria da Souza; aka ‘Hulk’, was his rather headline grabbing name.
Time-after-time the big Brazilian failed to convince whenever FC Porto came up against English opposition, or any decent opposition for that matter. However, that has since changed.
Hulk right now is one of Europe’s hottest strikers and most recently was the subject of a truly outrageous £87million bid from financially doped Russian club Anzhi.
A blockbuster goal against Shakhtar Donetsk during FC Porto’s 2-1 win over the Ukrainians at the Estadio Dragao was the pick of the week’s goals and Hulk can hold his head high after a superb start to the new campaign. Don’t make him angry we warn you!
Champions League Football is the Pinnacle
Compare Tuesday and Wednesday’s double-day of top class European action to the rather drab, uninspiring round of international matches on show during the September break.
In terms of excitement, quality, thrills, unpredictability, pace, skill and global audience there is no contest!
So it is boo to Macedonia vs France and England vs Wales, and hello to APEOL Nicosia vs Zenit St Petersburg and Villarreal vs Bayern Munich! Sigh…has international football become that bad?
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