Ok, so it is back. The lure of this competition is like no other; the Champions League is what makes or breaks you as a player. Ninety minutes of opportunity, will you grasp it, or let it slip? This competition is a war, a unique collection of the best footballing talent that Europe has to offer. Let us be honest, the Champions league has never disappointed us, year in and year out it takes our breath away. The passion that is expressed in these matches, whether from player or spectator is something special, an occurrence that is a representation of what true love for this game of football is all about.
In my experience, the playing field is leveled for these games. There are so many intricate factors that become important, that, on any given day, a team from a city that cannot full a stadium can take down the largest of European powerhouses. What is the measure of your heart; how far are you willing to go to realize your dreams? Whoever finds the answers to these questions will see that they have that little extra something, that spare trick or moment of pure genius that separates the good players from the really great ones. This makes it possible for any team, from any country to write their name in the record books and be recognized as legitimate competitors. This is the beauty of the Champions League; there is none other like it.
Despite the unpredictable nature of this competition at times, as they say, perception is reality. The perception is that the teams with more money, or more history, or simply more pedigree will ultimately succeed. How many of you remember Jose Mourinho running down the Old Trafford touchline after his FC Porto side (yes the clear underdogs!) knocked Manchester United out of the champions league? What is your perception now? However, more often than not, the bigger teams do find a way to triumph. Great teams find it within themselves to conquer regardless of what is put in front of them. With the happenings of this most recent transfer window, as well as, the early assessments of the individual teams, who is in the lead at the moment? Will there be a Cinderella story that captures all the headlines, or will a household name stamp their authority on the competition; we will see.
Forgetting about Cinderella stories for the time being, I have recognized a trend in this competition over the past few years. In recent times, the team that is in possession of the perceived best player in the world for that year ends up with their name on the trophy. Let us take a closer look. In 2006, FC Barcelona won with Ronaldinho in 2007 AC Milan won with Kaka in 2008, Manchester United won with Ronaldo and in 2009, FC Barcelona won with Messi. This occurrence is either a strange coincidence, or calculated genius on my part. These players all had the skill and ability for the spectacular, and the capacity for the subtle brilliance that is required at times when nothing else counts. Again, what is the measure of your heart, the extent of your passion; it seems that is what really counts.
So who has what it takes this year? Real Madrid has splashed the cash and utilizes the services of the current World Player of the Year, as well as the 2007 ballon d’or winner. Maybe they have recognized my calculated genius, who knows. Chelsea looks every bit of a team going places, they are solid from front to back and have a coach with immeasurable experience in this competition. Who can count out the special one and his team? Jose Mourinho has finally got an opportunity to build and shape his own team at Inter Milan; it will be interesting to see just how far they can progress. Do not discount a run from a smaller team, diamonds are created from immense pressure, you may just see a star emerge from the destruction.
The fact of the matter is that when it comes down to it, football is a game that is won and lost by the slimmest of margins. Who can predict accurately and consistently just what will happen, this is the beauty of it all. Passion, drive, heart and a deep appreciation for the delicacy of thin lines will determine who takes home the accolades and I dare not stick my head out and play the raffle. I’ll see you in May at the Bernabeu, maybe then I’ll take a stab at that unpredictable gamble.
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