Ugly football?

Well, it has been a while but I have been busy. So Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League beating Bayern Munich on their home turf. Many pundits said they were happy Chelsea won, but were not happy with the style of football they played. Look, as a Chelsea fan five minutes from the end and trailing 1-0 I said to myself, I don't think they have given it a right go but I wasn't unhappy with the 'style'. Step up Didier Drogba......again. With Chelsea's first corner of the match he strikes one of the best near post headers you are ever likely to see and keeps Chelsea in the game. The rest is history. But my problem with the press reaction is this. Because Chelsea don't/can't play like Barcelona does that make their football ugly? My answer is no, it is just different. There is more than one way to play football and it depends on your squad, the opposition and the result required. More than that there is more than one way to win football matches. Chelsea didn't play all out attack, so what? If they did they would likely have been beaten comprehensively. But Chelsea did win at the end of the day and they beat Barcelona over two legs on the way. What more do you want?

I must say I am looking forward to the upcoming world cup qualifiers and European championships. Unfortunately I will be travelling during this period but I plan to catch as many games as possible. I got the chance to watch a few Euro warm up matches over the weekend though. However, I don't think they really told us very much. Germany and Netherlands were average but Germany were without their Bayern Munich stars  so I wouldn't take much notice. Always there and there abouts Germany haven't won a major tournament since 1990. It may be their time I reckon. France were even worse although Ben Arfa looked lively and Ribery changed then game when he come on. I saw Italy at 14/1 in betting yesterday, good value by anyone's standards. Spain will be hard to beat but I can't help thinking they are on the slide after having what really was a golden generation of amazing footballers at their disposal. It sure will be interesting. I hope a dark horse wins it to be honest.

Adelaide United take on Nagoya Grampus tonight in the knockout stages of the Asian Champions League. It should be a good match. Adelaide have surprised many considering their form in the A-League this season and I am tipping them for the victory. Also as the only Australian side left in the competition I don't have much choice. I like Adelaide, and for some reason I like their controversial coach John Kosmina. Never short of a few words he tells it like it is. And who will ever forget when he grabbed Kevin Muscat by the throat...Lol. Anyway till next time.

Where does football go from here?

Sunday night's Premier League final round proved why the A-League should play their last round of fixtures simultaneously. What a great night of football it was. One minute Bolton are relegated, Manchester United have the title and Tottenham are finishing in third, the next City score two goals in time added on, Arsenal rescue their match against West-Bromich Albion and Bolton concede a controversial equaliser to Stoke sending them into the Championship next season. I was on the edge of my seat all night, unable to sleep for an hour afterwards, blown away by what I had just witnessed. Honestly, it was a privilege to have seen such an end to Premier League season and it will stick in my memory for many years to come. Congratulations must also go out to Queens Park Rangers and their manager Mark Hughes who played the almost perfect game of organised, counter attacking football. Joey Barton let his team down.....again. He is officially a thug and should be let go by QPR. I will be honest, I thought he had a good season and mostly kept out of trouble, I thought he was getting 'better' so to speak. But to do what he did was just plain stupid. Does anybody else remember him getting sent-off in Newcastle's relegation season, Alan Shearer going off his head at him as he walked off? The pressure gets to him and he can't handle it. Have a look, it is worth watching a few times!

Here is Sunday's disgrace.

Anyway, well done to Manchester City they played the best football over the course of the year and deserved the title this season. But United's effort must also not be forgotten. They finished with more points than the total that won them the league last season and lost only on goal difference, a great effort from a squad that really doesn't stack up man for man with City's. I can't wait till next season.


Congratulations must also go to Juventus who completed the whole Serie A season undefeated. What an achievement. Allesandro Del Piero, what a legend, the ultimate professional who has won everything played his last game for 'the old lady'. No wonder there were tears.

There were a few tears in Milan also as they said goodbye to their own legends. Players that I have watched and respected all my life Inzaghi, Seedorf, Nesta, Gatusso, all champions. 'Pippo' even got on the scoresheet. It was a sad weekend.

When does next season start? It doesn't matter so much anyway, the fun never stops for those who follow the world game, European Championships are still to come during the northern hemisphere summer. And in Asia we have important World Cup Qualifiers to get excited about plus two Australian teams are still alive in the Asian Champions League. The UEFA Champions League final and English championship play-off final are also both on this coming weekend. My tips Bayern Munich and West Ham. Anyway, till next time.

What the f&*k Fergie?

Where to begin? I have been a bit slack lately as I have been really busy at work. I guess the big news of the last week or so was Manchester City returning to the top of the English Premier League. I watched the Manchester derby last Tuesday morning (+10 GMT), it was tense, fast, furious and loud. However, United just were not really in the game.....at all. Ferdinand had a shocker, Rooney was isolated and seems to be lacking a bit of sharpness and the United midfield was just overrun the whole game. The big talking point for me was Fergie's team selection. Starting Park Ji Sung in place of Valencia was just plain weird, unless Fergie knew something we didn't. Valencia has been United's stand out other than Paul Scholes in the second half of the season and Park has hardly played a minute in the last few months. He got it wrong. In my opinion, this was not the first time Ferguson has made an error of judgement in such a big match. Starting Ronaldo centre forward in the Champions League final against Barcelona a few seasons back comes immediately to mind.

However, you have to also give credit where credit is due and City deserved the win. I have enjoyed watching them this season when at their best. Nasri, Aguero and now Tevez are all now playing well. They have also been good at the back, Kompany deserves more applause then he gets. However, for me Yaya Toure would have to be close to player of the season in the Premier League. He is fit as hell, strong, fast and has great vision and skill. Could you ask for anything more from a midfielder. I bet you he can cook too! Anyway, it has made for a great Sunday evening this week, City facing the in form Newcastle and United at home to Swansea. Unfortunately, I watched Newcastle outplay my beloved Chelsea midweek, they are a top team playing great football. Tiote is a midfield general, reminds me of Essien when he was at his best. Make no mistake they will give City a mighty good game tonight (+10 GMT) and I am tipping them for the win. I might even put a small wager on them given they need to win to remain in fourth going into the final day. And United well, I have lost a little faith. They should beat Swansea but who knows, they should have already secured the title. I am just a bit disappointed I cannot watch the Milan derby in the morning. With all this football and work among other things one has to prioritise. I hope A.C. Milan win though, I have always liked them. Good luck to all the teams tonight I am sure you will put on a great show.

Oh almost forgot, Chelsea won the F.A. Cup! Ramires and Drogba with the goals. The game started slow but eventually it turned into a competitive and entertaining match. Bring Andy Carroll on changed the game for Liverpool. He was able to hold the ball up and bring other players into the game. And of course he is strong in the air. What a save by Cech though! You won't see too many better all season. He is in great form at the moment. If I had suffered a head injury like he did I wouldn't be playing. That's courage, or stupidity. One or the other. Anyway here is the save if you didn't see it.