First, this columnist mourns the shocking demise of 30 year old former Ivory Coast and Newcastle Midfield-enforcer Cheick Tiote.
Rest in perfect peace Tiger.
THE UNWRITTEN RULE
Before I begin my presentation, permit me to start on the appropriate note, to adhere to one of football’s unwritten rules.
Respect the legends of the game. Giving honor to whom it is due.
This part of the column for is dedicated as the point of veneration of 4 legends of the game who made the just concluded season their last in active service.
Francesco Totti, a childhood hero of this columnist and one of the greatest Italians to ever grace the football pitch said his very tearful goodbye to the Stadio Olympico after some 25 years of dedication to the AS Roma. The fans of AS Roma have seen for the last time, their most loyal and adored Gladiator take to the pitch and fight in their colours. There were few dry eyes when he embarked on his last lap of honor round the stadium that he calls home. Fans fought tears unsuccessfully, it was a downpour. Men, women, young or old, it didn’t matter.
Their legend broke down in heavy tears and they joined him. You couldn’t fight such even if you had eyes made of glass. You’d never find such an atmosphere in many years to come.
The World of football thanks you ‘Il Capitano’.
The Simple, Gentle, Classy and adored Bayern Munich leader Phillipp Lahm together with the ever efficient midfield patrol commander Xabi Alonso also said their goodbyes to Allianz Arena and club football for good. Theirs were rather less emotional and more with some swagger as they bowed out while the team was crowned Bundesliga Champions.
With a total of a staggering 58 years and 1,614 top flight club football games amongst them, these loyal servants of the game deserve our most profound respects.
The case of John Terry is however slightly different. He hasn’t quite bowed out of the game just yet and while rivals fans will prefer to see him as nothing but a magnet for controversies, the man gave 22 years of his life bleeding profusely, the blue colours of Chelsea FC. Selfless leadership he gave in no small measure.
Believe it or not, agree or not, Captain JT earns our respect and appreciation.
From this column and other fans of the round leather game we say: Arrivederci Totti, Auf Wierdersehen Lahm, Adios Alonso and Farewell Terry.
That settled, let’s talk about Europe’s biggest football night shall we?
LET’S SAVE FOOTBALL
I feel the urge to start by lodging a formal protest and you should join me too.
Does anyone else wonder where in the world UEFA got the thoroughly disturbing idea to have Black Eyed peas perform on a night where serious football was supposed to be played?
At this rate, if we don’t execute a million man march on UEFA headquarters while chanting “We shall overcome” in 10 different languages and holding placards against this tradition, UEFA would probably consider having Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa perform some high school song about weed before a Champions’ league final game.
Save football from madness I plead.
THE GAME
It turns out the man who has made floating like a butterfly and stinging Europe’s top defences like a bee a pastime was in such mood on Saturday night.
He had previously had Bayern and Atletico Madrid in his crosshairs and none survived his ruthless assault.
Juventus was next on the chopping block. This was a team with an impenetrable Centre back combination of Barzagli-Bonucci-Chiellini, a shield for a beast in goal, Buffon. That entire defence line was only as easily penetrable as Fort Knox. No exaggeration with this stuff. This was a drop dead stingy defence (only conceded 3 goals prior to the final and shutting out Messi and co for an entire 180minutes). By logical reasoning, Ronaldo and co weren’t going to have so much fun.
Here’s the problem; football and logic do not mix.
Long story short, Madrid’s lightening fullbacks’ pace, Modric’s heavenly outside foot passes and tricky movements and Ronaldo’s finishes were enough surgical instruments to carve open the Juventus great wall like a dissection without anaesthesia.
4-1 it ended. Make no mistake, it was a rout. An old fashioned judgement execution by scourging with the whip.
Ronaldo doled out 2 instinctive goals as a personal souvenir to the ‘impenetrable defence’, adding his tally to an incredible 12 goals. 10 of which came in the latter stages of the competition.
Absolute nuts if you ask me. Some very crazy stuff that was.
A little bird tells me the Portuguese is on a fast lane to pulling off the greatest comeback in the history of football. The Ballon d’or comeback.
THAT WEIRD SECOND HALF
I’d never understand how on God’s green earth Juventus choked in that Second half after they came roaring out of the traps in the first half. It was capitulation on a ludicrous scale.
Was there a “plata o plomo” offer from Florentino Perez to Juventus President Andrea Agnelli? Did Zidane threaten to head-butt Allegri in the gonads if his boys turned up in the second half? Did Ronaldo threaten to employ his good looks to steal the mother of Buffon’s kids?
Or was Madrid that good and Juventus so wimpy?
I’m afraid we’d never find out. This we however know for sure: The old lady felt a lot older and tired during the second 45 minutes.
FINAL SHOT
To be honest, wisdom is not part of Captain Sergio Ramos’ blessings. Proper disgrace.
Football season’s over. The silly season is upon us. Transfer season is here.
Cry with me please.
Goodbye!
*Micdrop*
