Lotw Diary- Champions League
The last few days, well, week and a bit, has seen the cash beast that disguises it’s self as Europe’s premier fitba competition has come under fire from pundits, managers and players.
The reason? Well, with Arsenal and Liverpool thumping middle to bottom order teams 7-0 and 8-0 respectively, people questioned the quality involved in the competition.
This is not a new fad, a quick look at Champions League history shows Juventus and Man Utd scoring 7 and Leeds- against Besiktas strangely enough- and Real Madrid scoring 6 all in games this century. Also 9 goals have been shared twice and 11 goals were shared in a game between Monaco and Deportivo in 2003, so why the worry now?
The answer is money and limelight. As pointed out in this Guardian article, only teams from Spain, England and Italy have any chance of winning the thing. Teams from those countries sleep walk through the group stages on most occasions. Yes, there is the occasional blip, the occasional fantastic result for the wee men, but all in all, it goes to form.
With players, like Wayne “Wazza” Rooney bemoaning Dynamo Kiev’s “wattienaccio” approach, Messi and the Spanish press bemoaning the butchers and masters of the “anti fitba” it all sounds like egotistical moaning from the rich for me.
For us the group stages is the holy grail as if you are not there, then Thursday night graveyards that are UEFA Cup group games is your fill and if your one of the 2nd or 3rd seeds of Champions League hopefuls then the first chance of stretching opponents could only be served up after Christmas when the not good enough drop from the cash beast.
Right, maybe the rich bemoan playing wie us peasants, hell, they probably get annoyed getting a “slap” from peasants like us- hello AC Milan, Juve and Man Who- but when match day 5 comes along the excitement, that the big three feel from the quarter finals onwards, will be felt in the middle order, decent UEFA Cup sides who have a chance to go one step further than expected.
If anyone can tell me, right I’m biased, if they would rather be watching Man Utd going through the motions or Celtic V Shakhter in the humdinger of a 2nd place decider then they are just lying.
The problem wie the big three is by this stage the focus has drifted towards the wee teams, who are privileged- in their eyes- to be sharing the stage wie them. It’s like John Entwhistle upstaging Pete Townsend, Ringo upstaging Paul, and Bungle upstaging Zippy.
This week the big three got their way by defeating Platini's plans to bring in national cup winners to the cash beast. UEFA won a minor victory for the ethos of the game by ensuring a passage into the group stages for 6 smaller nations - Romania, Scotland, Belgium, Ukraine, Czech Rep and Turkey all would have benefited this season but….all teams, bar Belgium, from those countries qualified anyway- and the big boys got their way by ensuring more failure in the big leagues- i.e. finishing third- is rewarded by entrance to the cash beast.
The threat by the G14 to expand brought this result. We can expect this to happen again the next time UEFA decides to try and bring fitba back to the poor.
Oor manager talked about a European league the other night and he won’t be to far wrong wie that shout, as the teams involved in the expanded G14 are the ones that will be asked to form this league.
This won’t improve the gripes that are currently floating around regarding the Champions League. In fact I’m sure Crvena Zvezda v Anderlect would be as attractive as Bolton v Derby to a European audience. The gripes would still be there and the occasional hidings would still be dished out.
Still, I’m looking forward for to being in the limelight for once. The big boys get enough limelight and they can feck off to their VIP areas, wie their Chrystal and WAGS, the gatecrashers have arrived trackied and trainered up and we’re luvin it……
Forza
The reason? Well, with Arsenal and Liverpool thumping middle to bottom order teams 7-0 and 8-0 respectively, people questioned the quality involved in the competition.
This is not a new fad, a quick look at Champions League history shows Juventus and Man Utd scoring 7 and Leeds- against Besiktas strangely enough- and Real Madrid scoring 6 all in games this century. Also 9 goals have been shared twice and 11 goals were shared in a game between Monaco and Deportivo in 2003, so why the worry now?
The answer is money and limelight. As pointed out in this Guardian article, only teams from Spain, England and Italy have any chance of winning the thing. Teams from those countries sleep walk through the group stages on most occasions. Yes, there is the occasional blip, the occasional fantastic result for the wee men, but all in all, it goes to form.
With players, like Wayne “Wazza” Rooney bemoaning Dynamo Kiev’s “wattienaccio” approach, Messi and the Spanish press bemoaning the butchers and masters of the “anti fitba” it all sounds like egotistical moaning from the rich for me.
For us the group stages is the holy grail as if you are not there, then Thursday night graveyards that are UEFA Cup group games is your fill and if your one of the 2nd or 3rd seeds of Champions League hopefuls then the first chance of stretching opponents could only be served up after Christmas when the not good enough drop from the cash beast.
Right, maybe the rich bemoan playing wie us peasants, hell, they probably get annoyed getting a “slap” from peasants like us- hello AC Milan, Juve and Man Who- but when match day 5 comes along the excitement, that the big three feel from the quarter finals onwards, will be felt in the middle order, decent UEFA Cup sides who have a chance to go one step further than expected.
If anyone can tell me, right I’m biased, if they would rather be watching Man Utd going through the motions or Celtic V Shakhter in the humdinger of a 2nd place decider then they are just lying.
The problem wie the big three is by this stage the focus has drifted towards the wee teams, who are privileged- in their eyes- to be sharing the stage wie them. It’s like John Entwhistle upstaging Pete Townsend, Ringo upstaging Paul, and Bungle upstaging Zippy.
This week the big three got their way by defeating Platini's plans to bring in national cup winners to the cash beast. UEFA won a minor victory for the ethos of the game by ensuring a passage into the group stages for 6 smaller nations - Romania, Scotland, Belgium, Ukraine, Czech Rep and Turkey all would have benefited this season but….all teams, bar Belgium, from those countries qualified anyway- and the big boys got their way by ensuring more failure in the big leagues- i.e. finishing third- is rewarded by entrance to the cash beast.
The threat by the G14 to expand brought this result. We can expect this to happen again the next time UEFA decides to try and bring fitba back to the poor.
Oor manager talked about a European league the other night and he won’t be to far wrong wie that shout, as the teams involved in the expanded G14 are the ones that will be asked to form this league.
This won’t improve the gripes that are currently floating around regarding the Champions League. In fact I’m sure Crvena Zvezda v Anderlect would be as attractive as Bolton v Derby to a European audience. The gripes would still be there and the occasional hidings would still be dished out.
Still, I’m looking forward for to being in the limelight for once. The big boys get enough limelight and they can feck off to their VIP areas, wie their Chrystal and WAGS, the gatecrashers have arrived trackied and trainered up and we’re luvin it……
Forza
Posts
10 comments:
"Gatecrashers" ?!?
At least we're there as champions of our league and there's the wee matter of having a gold star on our badge.
I hate these smug bastards, thanks to the mega-money they get from their national TV deals, that look down at the other clubs that are trying to compete on a very unbalanced playing field.
Despite all their big spending, the likes of Chelsea have never won anything and we give the Man Yoos and Meelans a run for their money everytime.
How smug would they be if everybody had a "sporting" chance - Champions only , 32 teams (after prelims), 8 groups of 4, no seeding. The top 2 going into a last 16 knockout, with the draw stright out the hat.
Or would that be too much of a throwback to the days when sport was sport?
Champions League is a blight on sport! The matches are often very exciting! Our European run now costs us over £100!(4 matches) We`ll miss the official game 6 on TV because we have Falkirk at home that night.
In Angleterre the main individuals against expanding the CL or the proposed Euro Leagues are the same individuals who are dead against ourselves and them joining the EPL.
It always seems to be the fans outside the 'Big 4'. Listen to Talksport and you'll hear the 'Who wants to watch Anderlecht v Sparta Prague Brigade?' (ref. Ian Danter everytime this issue is discussed) Wish some one would point out that it is far more than would want to actually watch Bolton v Fulham on a Mon night.
They are always going to be against anything which disrupts the EPL gravy train, but how long will Sky allow this to last? Things will change and WGS is totally right about the way ahead for Euro Football.
Sky will have to develop new markets, its not going to do that by supporting poorly attended EPL matches with a limited audience when well supported teams in growing economies/markets are there to be tapped.
The arguments about travelling are a complete fallacy as well. It was cheaper for me to fly to Aberdeen for example with Mrs. Baldy than it would have been to drive there and back. The same with the cheap flights across Europe from my local airports. The same arguments are always pulled out and they are generally terrible.
Anyhow - Faddy to us. Would be very happy to see him and Shaun arrive in Jan along with two full backs but not holding my breath.
Hail hail
baldy
Post was lost in cyberspace last night.
Sixtaeseven- Yes, I feel we are termed as gatecrashers, no matter the wee star. Read the guardian article again, it sums up the them and us attitude that exists between us and them.
Chelski huvnae got the history of us but can throw their oligarch gained power around the corridors of UEFA, derailing the G14 at the same time, to more effect that the SSM can only dream off.
Us, giving them slaps and the fact UEFA do like us, is the only kudos- well we will make money for whoever plays us and we are a draw- that we have and the reason we have been invited. Oh, also nae baggage of another club close to us.
We will never get a sporting chance as it has been proved that over a 2 legged affair anything can happen as does happen in the CL knockoot stages.
Ian- I never realized that, so we could be a CP watching a game while hoping the eagles of Lisboa do us a turn in the Ukraine?
Baldy- Agree, Sky know Celtic v Anderlect is a crowd puller, viewing figures wise and given have the chance to be showing the hoops they will take it.
The big 4 and the big 3 countries could run scared as well if a league gets of the ground and all get the same telly money. Mind you they would probably veto that at the first hurdle.
UEFA will be the competitions orginisers but the clubs will run the show.
I have been informed Faddy could be a goer and talks have taken place but I will remain silent on the Scottish Di Canio until it happens.
Full backs yer having a laff…..
Got a few tidbits to post but have job interview tomorrow so studying tonight for it…..Saturday or Sunday before normal service resums…..maybe not then maybe tomorrow……
Maybe the other match in group D has to be played that evening too.
You always get that, ` the champions league really starts now` patter on ITV after the groups finish. >:~(
Is there something happening this Saturday?
Only 9 days to wait to see the Bhoys!
Forza.
aye lads shaktar v benfica is the same night as we are in milan.
p.s. iain i know i can't wait until the real football is back.
this 2 week break is crap only thing is hopefully it lets a few players injuries recover.
Chelsea had a decent enough European history pre-Abramovich, and fair enough to them for that. Now, if the "nouveau riche" Chelski ever managed to win the CL, could it ever be looked upon as a great achievement?
What profit a club if it should gain the whole world but suffer the loss of its ain soul?
Never ever liked them - is it OK if I call them London Huns (well, except for Charlie Cook and Pat Nevin).
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Hope our Bhoys come through the international(s?)injury free and a wee win for Scotland would go down well in the 67 household.
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Faddy, Shaun and one full back in Jan would give us a fantastic buzz for the run-in. Especially as I don't see the Huns adding anything like that to theirs. However, if results in the CL don't go our way and there's no Euro fitba, we're definately on to plums and a dour dogfight for the silverware this season.
All of the above ramble is sposored by Beaujolais Nouveau, so pls excuse any biblical references and mentions of Huns - ach, I wish a plague of boils on them just for good measure.
Allez les Cerceaux!
Six,
some man!:-)
Hi Seven!:-)
Seven- welcome back...:-) Where u been hiding?
Sixtaeseven- Forgot that the London Huns had won a few CWC in thier time.
Pat Nevin lost his kudos long time ago after his we are setarian rant in an interview and saying he was no longer a Tim.
This weekend...what's the patter wie all the workies wearing Ecosse tops......?
This place will go into meltdoon when Luci Toni scores in the 76th minute to give the Italians a 1-0 lead..riot vans to the glesga green will be the order of the day...buckie being lobbed in the streets and pubs being awash wie petty fueds that were forgotten at kick off time.....
magic..don't you just love this country...?
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