When you've seen a team struggle in the previous round to score a single 'legitimate' goal (c'mon, THAT ball did NOT cross the goal line) against fellow English opposition and then find them trailing 3-0 against an Italian team in a cup final, how many footer fans would have bothered to stay awake and watch till the final rites were performed. I do not have the exact numbers and I am sure even the Anfield faithfuls at Istanbul must have been thinking of catching an early flight back home but, as they say, football is a great leveller and 6 minutes of sheer madness was the fine line that separated the victors from the vanquished. Of course, I promptly switched off telly at half-time and hit the sack imagining the scathing headline I would use for this post "You don't mess with 'em Italians" - Fortunately for me, insomnia raised its ugly hood and when I switched on again, it was 3-3 with 16 minutes to go. Yeah, Shevchenko came as close as that proverbial whisker to breaking the deadlock in the second half of extra time but somehow, my gut told me that the trophy would go to Anfield which is how finally things shaped up.
So what does this mean to English Football ? The debate about a 5th Champions League spot for England is bound to dominate headlines, Rafa Benitez vs Jose Mourinho has the potential to become another Fergie vs Arsene battle and Steven Gerrard might not move to Stamford Bridge after all.
Anyway the curtains have come down on yet another exciting year of Champions League football and though yesterday's match was a great advertisement for football, IMHO the 6 goal thriller between Chelsea and Barca at Stamford Bridge was the highlight of this season.
Next year My Men In Blue will rule. Till then...adios !!
4 comments:
Firstly a team did not so much NOT desreve to win as did Liverpool.
Schocking football, totally out of depth at this level,and they still hold aloft the champions of Europe tag, because of some shocking refreeing. Schevchenko's goal was disallowed when it was kicked by liverpools defense, and then dudek plays like a schoolboy and becomes a hero.....
and u celebrate them!"
Maams,
Yes, Liverpool probably did not deserve to win it as much as Milan simply coz they created lesser chances but you've got to give credit to a team that comes back from a first half mauling to finally win... that too against Italian opposition...
...Bad workers blame their tools.. The Shevchenko decision was marginal...of course, the benefit of doubt in such close calls shud go to the striker to make the game exciting but in such big matches refereeing tends to be on the non controversial side...so bottom line is Milan failed to take their chances and they paid for it...
Btw, I did not celebrate Liverpool anywhere...did i ?
If the most was a mere observation then I may have been a mite too rude.
Losing both the La Liga to Juventus and the UEFA in one week, is too harsh a punishment on AC.
Is there any one who doubts destiny, any more. Not me.
Liverpool does not play defensive so much, its just their forward line can hardly ever get in front, with Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard in the midfield, Kaka was drilling holes through them.
Harry Kewell, is just tht a Kool looking dude who can but limp off with a strained groin in 20 mins...
Cant still believe Lpool won it!!
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