Jose Mourinho is a man after my heart. In my opinion, the greatest manager of my lifetime, the Portuguese's managerial ingenuity took a hit in front of his own fans (who he has for most part of the season ripped apart for their lack of support) when PSG came from behind twice to end Chelsea's chances of qualifying for the last eight of Europe's premier club competition. The way they did it? The Mourinho style. I don't think I have ever seen a team with so much heart in my football life. Maybe I have and probably forgotten.
In a game expected to be a cake walk for Chelsea, PSG fought like wounded lions that they were. With 10 men, they dominated all aspects of play, thanks to Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti. But for Edinson Cavani's wastefulness, they could have been home and dry before the end of normal time. Bjorn Kuipers, one of the best referees in the World, was given the whistle for this great game but he let himself and his status down by sending off Zlatan Ibrahimovic early on for a tackle that was worth a yellow at worst. His decision was most likely influenced largely by the barrage of blue shirts. Chelsea players, including Diego Costa who ran 50 yards, were all up in the face of the Dutch official who had to brandish the red card at the Swede. Without their talisman and top scorer, le Parisien wore their hearts on their sleeves and put on a show that will be talked about for years and years to come. It was Blanc who took centre stage rather than his more illustrious managerial colleague. A turnaround in fortunes that meant justice was served in the end.
The rather shambolic and classless display by the hosts when Ibra and Oscar went in on a 50-50 was the talking point of the match even above the excellent game played by the French champions. All 9 outfield players (Oscar was rolling on the floor like he was hit by a truck) surrounded Mr Kuipers who is no stranger to the big occasions haven been placed in charge of the 2013 UFA EUROPA LEAGUE final, the 2014 Champions league final among others. He caved in under pressure and off Ibra went. Daniel Taylor's piece on the utterly scandalous display by Chelsea players is the best I have read in my life. I almost stopped writing mine in order not to look like a befuddled clown in the eyes of those who have digested the aforementioned piece.
As Daniel Taylor said, Chelsea are not the only guilty ones. Mourinho may have Rui Faria but Diego Simeone also has German Burgos, Gustavo Poyet has Mauricio Tarrico...all of whom are 'the smaller the pip, the louder the squeak' kind of people, except Burgos whose frame alone can scare the hell out of whoever is unlucky to be his victim. All attack dogs mentioned take it upon themselves to literally pounce upon match officials when they feel decisions have gone against them.
Last Wednesday, justice was served when PSG, despite all the unfair treatment meted out on them, qualified for the quarter-final of the Champions League at the expense of the more fancied Chelsea. The match represents Mourinho's worst ever. Not the scoreline but the way it played out. He may have been a brute and an ogre in the Spanish League but his rants and constant complaints this season have far outdone all his previous atrocities and misdemeanors. The man who is driven by the fear of failure every single week will taint his legend if he continues this way. Even Cesc Fabregas has become an Oscar nominee in football's version of playacting.and pretense. Our beautiful game is becoming a terrible nightmare with all these situations repeating themselves every time.
OHIREIME P EBOREIME
'@lordbaruda1987
Monday, 16 March 2015
LVG's struggles at MANCHESTER UNITED...overstated or not? Let's find out
Louis Van Gaal with the sobriquet-LVG has credentials that make for fantastic reading anywhere in the world. The Dutch physical education teacher and managerial myth has carved a niche for himself in the world of football management and it is the major reason he could still attract a job as lucrative and challenging as the one he is presently doing, despite his age.
Sought by Tottenham Hotpurs last summer, it was no surprise he chose Manchester United ahead of the North London outfit when the opportunity presented itself. No 63 year old man will pass on the chance to captain the red army ship. No one. Preseason was nothing short of blissful but he was given a reality check by Swansea in the first home game of the season and since then, it has been up and down for the ex-Bsyern manager. The travails and tribulations came to a head supposedly last Monday when the last attempt to end the mini trophy drought was ended by former red, Danny Welbeck and Arsenal. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the club and supporters and many have called for an end to LVG's reign.
However, I am not one of those who are calling for the manager's head because in my opinion, he has worked wonders despite inhibitions which have come in form of injuries and lack of cohesion. It is a well known fact that United have suffered at least 50 injuries since August and to still be sitting comfortably in 4th position and having the 3rd best defensive record in the league after more than 12 central defensive partnerships is a miraculous return and should be praised rather than criticised. The job became very demanding and difficult after the wretched and sorrowful season the club had last time with now Real Sociedad manager, David Moyes at the helm. But now, things have shaped up with the club in prime position to qualify for next season's European cup tournament. LVG and his team have had to deal with prolonged absences and suspensions which many will say are indeed part of the game but when you are a newbie learning the ropes, you are given a breather, irrespective of the resume you boast of. Yesterday's annihilation of Spurs, the bashing of Liverpool, the win at Arsenal, the inspired performance at the Etihad, the last gasp draw v Chelsea are enough to sway our minds and give us hope that the United grinding machine will get switched on pretty soon.
Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria and big money signings that haven't sparkled since their arrival. The Colombian marksman, one of the most feared attackers of the past 5 years hasn't lit it and this has been because he is still coming to terms with his return from a career threatening ACL which only a 'few' footballers have recovered successfully from, That hunger is still very much evident but the finishing ability has waned and that is the major problem. For Di Maria, the winger cum playmaker has found life and the football in Britain difficult to adapt to but if we remember a certain David Silva at City, the realisation will dawn on us that hope springs eternal. Despite his poor form, he is second only to Cesc Fabregas in the assists ranking. A good achievement if you ask me. Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind, also part of LVG's recruitment drive, have been wonderful. Bar the insipid performance in the FA Cup quarter-final, the duo from Argentina and Holland have rarely put foot wrong. Blind has come to his employers' rescue twice already this term and Rojo's defensive abilities, largely underestimated, have been very impressive so far. There are obvious signs of improvement and as the season wears on, we will see if LVG is the same man we all saw at Ajax, Barcelona, AZ, Bayern Munich and the Netherlands or not. For now, his report card reads 'FURTHERANCE'. It is at the end of the season that his performance will be appraised and assessed based on objectives met or otherwise. I want to see the Dutchman at the club next season and beyond.
OHIREIME P EBOREIME
@lordbaruda1987
Sought by Tottenham Hotpurs last summer, it was no surprise he chose Manchester United ahead of the North London outfit when the opportunity presented itself. No 63 year old man will pass on the chance to captain the red army ship. No one. Preseason was nothing short of blissful but he was given a reality check by Swansea in the first home game of the season and since then, it has been up and down for the ex-Bsyern manager. The travails and tribulations came to a head supposedly last Monday when the last attempt to end the mini trophy drought was ended by former red, Danny Welbeck and Arsenal. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the club and supporters and many have called for an end to LVG's reign.
However, I am not one of those who are calling for the manager's head because in my opinion, he has worked wonders despite inhibitions which have come in form of injuries and lack of cohesion. It is a well known fact that United have suffered at least 50 injuries since August and to still be sitting comfortably in 4th position and having the 3rd best defensive record in the league after more than 12 central defensive partnerships is a miraculous return and should be praised rather than criticised. The job became very demanding and difficult after the wretched and sorrowful season the club had last time with now Real Sociedad manager, David Moyes at the helm. But now, things have shaped up with the club in prime position to qualify for next season's European cup tournament. LVG and his team have had to deal with prolonged absences and suspensions which many will say are indeed part of the game but when you are a newbie learning the ropes, you are given a breather, irrespective of the resume you boast of. Yesterday's annihilation of Spurs, the bashing of Liverpool, the win at Arsenal, the inspired performance at the Etihad, the last gasp draw v Chelsea are enough to sway our minds and give us hope that the United grinding machine will get switched on pretty soon.
Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria and big money signings that haven't sparkled since their arrival. The Colombian marksman, one of the most feared attackers of the past 5 years hasn't lit it and this has been because he is still coming to terms with his return from a career threatening ACL which only a 'few' footballers have recovered successfully from, That hunger is still very much evident but the finishing ability has waned and that is the major problem. For Di Maria, the winger cum playmaker has found life and the football in Britain difficult to adapt to but if we remember a certain David Silva at City, the realisation will dawn on us that hope springs eternal. Despite his poor form, he is second only to Cesc Fabregas in the assists ranking. A good achievement if you ask me. Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind, also part of LVG's recruitment drive, have been wonderful. Bar the insipid performance in the FA Cup quarter-final, the duo from Argentina and Holland have rarely put foot wrong. Blind has come to his employers' rescue twice already this term and Rojo's defensive abilities, largely underestimated, have been very impressive so far. There are obvious signs of improvement and as the season wears on, we will see if LVG is the same man we all saw at Ajax, Barcelona, AZ, Bayern Munich and the Netherlands or not. For now, his report card reads 'FURTHERANCE'. It is at the end of the season that his performance will be appraised and assessed based on objectives met or otherwise. I want to see the Dutchman at the club next season and beyond.
OHIREIME P EBOREIME
@lordbaruda1987
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