Upset of a Lifetime

Tell me you watched. Tell you me were able to get off work or had the game recorded and you experienced the same wondrous, awe-inspiring, history-defining moment that occurred on Tuesday in Barcelona. If you don’t know, you’re about to: Chelsea, a club that has been disappointing in Premier League play this season, pulled off the upset of the century in the Champions League semifinals against the mighty Barcelona.

The week before at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea played phenomenally and held off Barcelona 1-0 to take a lead going into the leg in Spain. Even though they were down, no one expected that Barca would have any trouble regaining their form and moving on at home. Then, Saturday happened. What happened, you ask? The all-important match with Real Madrid that pretty much decided the La Liga title ended with a loss for Barcelona. In that match, and in the first leg with Chelsea, something looked off with the Spanish giants. They didn’t have the consistent and precise touch and finishing that has been so frustrating for opposing sides the last few years.

After that loss, I thought that Chelsea might have a chance to move on, even though on paper they were the far inferior team. This thought was weakened when the game began. Camp Nou was rocking and Barcelona came to play, dominating from the get-go. Sergio Busquets gave them a lead in the 35^th minute and then John Terry committed a dirty knee-in-the-back foul and earned himself a red card just a couple minutes later. Chelsea found themselves a man and then another goal down after Iniesta scored Barca’s second. However, just before halftime, Ramires took a wonderful through-ball from Frank Lampard and scored a beauty of a goal, chipping the ball over Victor Valdes from the edge of the box. This goal evened the aggregate score and gave Chelsea some hope.

For me, the deciding blow came shortly after halftime. Barcelona were again pressing heavily in the Chelsea box and Didier Drogba, who has played so well in Champions League, committed a penalty in the box. Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player of this generation, stepped to the spot to finish the Blues off. Right as he went to kick it, there seemed to be a moment of hesitation and he banged it off the crossbar.

After the Messi miss, there were still an innumerable amount of chances for Barcelona to score the winning goal. They had possession almost non-stop and were in Chelsea’s half constantly. In this manner, they looked the Barca of old. However, they lacked just the right amount of finesse to finish off their chances. Chelsea even tried to help. They brought on Fernando Torres, who up until that time was the biggest bust of recent transfer memory, for Drogba. Torres struggled a bit in defense and it seemed that he could be the goat once again. But in the 90^th minute, Torres broke free on a clear and coolly slotted home the goal that assured Chelsea of advancement. To have Torres finish off this monumental upset was symbolic of the greatness of this accomplishment.

Taken as a whole, this round was as unlikely as anyone could have imagined. Even the most loyal of Chelsea fans had to admit that their chances were minimal. But Chelsea showed that heart and willpower could trump a less-than-perfect Barca squad. Over a span of eight days, Barcelona fell hard from glory. They were bounced out of both Champions League and La Liga title contention and on Friday, coach Pep Guardiola stepped down as Barca’s top man. Barcelona will have to use this offseason to re-group and evaluate how to get back to the pinnacle.

Chelsea, on the other hand, will have a tough time in the final against Bayern Munich, who won in astonishing fashion against Real Madrid, as they lost several players on yellow cards and Terry’s red. Though their chances will be slim yet again, I will not doubt Chelsea’s chances, even if they have to travel to Bayern’s home stadium to play. No matter the result, I have to like interim coach Roberto Di Matteo’s chances of becoming the permanent coach, as he has done an amazing job of keeping this squad on task. We can only wait and wonder until May 19^th to see how this crazy and exciting Champions League season comes to a finish.

The Hunt for Silver Lining

Leagues around the world are winding to a close as we enter the end of spring (already?) and the beginning of a summer that will include Euro 2012, the Summer Olympics, and World Cup Qualifying. The last few weeks of the English Premier League have seen Manchester City squander away their stranglehold on first place. City fell apart to the extent that Manchester United climbed to an eight point lead last week and it seemed that the race was all but over. Even though this has been a down year for the EPL, this race has ensured that the title run will have some excitement.

City has regained some semblance of their early season form over the last two matches, winning by a combined score of 10-1. Meanwhile, United lost to lowly Wigan and now, after Saturday’s matches, sit only two points of City with a game in hand. If United struggle with Aston Villa on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson and crew will feel less than comfortable. The Manchester derby now looms larger than ever on the last day of April.

As I mentioned before, this has been a disappointing year for the EPL. The level of competition has been lower as it seems that injuries and lack of top form have ravaged many clubs. The title race has long been a two-team race and the battle for the last two Champions League spots has seen each team try to give it away. Tottenham started strong but has faltered. Arsenal started, well, like Arsenal, but they have come back with a vengeance to snatch third place. Liverpool continues to oscillate between competent and unmotivated. Chelsea fired their millionth manager in five years but have found a way to stay competitive. And Newcastle United continue to stick around with impressive victories and striker play from Demba Ba.

Last season, I stated that the EPL was the strongest club league in the world, closely followed by Spain’s La Liga. Barcelona and Real Madrid have been so strong this year that I can no longer state this as fact. However, there is plenty left to cheer for in England. Chelsea remain alive in the Champions League and if they can play as a unit, they may have a chance to surprise Barcelona in the semifinals. Arsenal have shown that it is possible to overcome the critics and ridicule they suffered in October. The staying power of Newcastle and Tottenham give credit to the unmatched top-to-bottom depth of the Premier League.

While this season has left many sour tastes in the collective mouth of the fanbase, there is hope that all will be better. The competition at the top of the table has been running hot for several years in a row, so we had to be aware of a letdown sooner or later. Given the apparent lack of fire by some clubs, we are still being treated to battles for the title, Champions League spots, and avoiding relegation. When players return from injury or clubs like Chelsea regain stability, the battle for glory will once again be intense and fun to watch. Until then, we can enjoy what is available and savor the last few matchdays of the season.

As the EPL Turns

It was an interesting week for the top teams in the English Premier League. Sunday brought us an upset of Manchester City by recently promoted Swansea while Wayne Rooney led Manchester United to a victory over West Brom. This turn of events allowed United to leapfrog its rivals for the top spot in England. With only 10 matches remaining, City finds itself in a precarious situation.

Both teams also played in the Europa League during the week. If you remember, both were embarrassingly knocked out of the Champions League in group play and relegated to playing in the second-tier Europa competition. Of course, both were knocked out that this week. This was just the final punctuation in what has been a miserable year for English teams in European competition (except you Chelsea, congratulations on advancing, or whatever).

So now the teams from Manchester only have the EPL title to fight over. City had been coasting along most of the season, but United has been able to fight through injuries to get results and stay within striking distance. With the shocking loss to Swansea, City finally cracked and let United into the driver’s seat.

While examining the remaining schedules, I always thought that City had the tougher road to glory. They still have to play the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Arsenal. Even more importantly, a second match against United (who they manhandled earlier this season) looms. This match may very well decide the championship.

I still believe that both teams have some kinks to work out and whichever squad is able to regain composure will take the title. Overall, the league has seen some new teams sustain success (Newcastle United and Tottenham) and a familiar face regain some pride (Arsenal). The contest for a top four spot in the EPL and thus a spot in the Champions League next season also remains in the balance.

The end of this season, however disappointing it was in Europe, still guarantees excitement as we wind down. While many may say that the EPL had a down season, I think (and hope) that they saved everything for the last two months. Whoever takes home the title will have earned it and will show the world that there are still competent soccer clubs outside of Barcelona and Madrid.

Rivalry Not New, But Fierce As Ever (September 2011)

While each team has historic rivalries with other teams that are considered more bitter than this one, fans and players of both teams will tell you that no other rival has come close to bringing the intensity that Manchester United and Chelsea have brought against each other over the past several years. In sports, history weighs heavily on every team; it brings undue pressures, lofty expectations, and lots of media attention.

Over the last decade in the Premier League, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal have been at or near the top consistently. Recently, the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City have peeked their heads while Liverpool and Arsenal have dealt with bumps in the road. Chelsea and United, however, have stayed strong by way of big acquisitions and youth development to stay neck-and-neck. Since Arsenal won the league in 2004 by going undefeated, the trophy has traveled back and forth between Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, where it currently resides.

While some have argued that the lack of variation in champions has shown a plateau in the EPL, there is no lack of excellent soccer. Chelsea and United were so dominant that in 2008, after a hard fought battle in the Premier League race, they both reached the Champions League Final as the two best teams in Europe, with United giving Chelsea the blues in penalty kicks to take the title. Furthermore, during Chelsea’s title defense last season, United were able to start the season with a prolonged stretch without a loss to see saw the momentum of this rivalry back to northern England.

This Sunday’s matchup, to take place at Old Trafford, is the first of two games that will prove pivotal in deciding this season’s champion. Both teams reloaded for this year’s title race. Chelsea added forward Juan Mata, young phenom Romelu Lukaku, midfielder Raul Meireles, and new manager André Villas-Boas. Meanwhile, Manchester United somehow strengthened a squad that went to the Champions League Final with winger Ashley Young, defender Phil Jones, and an infusion of promising young talent.

Not only will both teams be fighting it out until the end (with the likes of Manchester City by their sides), but they could be on a collision course in the Champions League as well. There is no doubt that fantastic soccer will be played any time these two meet up, but a healthy display of yellow cards and a busy referee are sure to be at Sunday’s match as well. Yours truly will be taking in the match with a pint at his local soccer pub, and he recommends you do the same. This is not one to miss!

Excitement, pressure aplenty as EPL comes to a finish (April 2011)

This season’s race to become champion of the English Premier League has certainly been an interesting one. A few years ago, the big four—Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal, dominated the EPL. While those teams are still consistently toward the top half of the table, other teams are stepping up. Tottenham Hotspur (I love that nickname), Manchester City, and Everton have all had strong showings this season in creating an interesting battle for Champions League spots next year.

Though Manchester United and Arsenal had been battling for the top spot most of 2011, it was Chelsea who jumped out to a strong lead in the first half of the season, only to choke it away on over-coaching and a surprising move to bring in highly touted striker Fernando Torres. Not only has Torres struggled (scoreless in almost 700 minutes in a Chelsea uniform until his first goal Saturday), but he has also taken playing time away from the always-dangerous Didier Drogba. Admirably, Chelsea has fought back to 2^nd place, and are threatening to take the title if United should falter.

After the last week’s events, it seems that Arsenal are officially out of the title race, dropping to 9 points out of the lead after a loss at Bolton. Time and again, Arsenal field squads that are solid on paper, but are missing chemistry on the field. After he tried to inspire confidence by saying Arsenal were within reach of the Quadruple, manager Arsene Wenger can only be frustrated and befuddled by a team who fails to win the “big matches”, as rightly he should. Now he awaits his fate as to whether he will be returning to the sidelines in Emirates Stadium next season. A new manager is not necessarily the best move, but it may be what is needed to light a spark for the Gunners.

Finally, in the top spot since late last fall, Manchester United have rather quietly set themselves up for the Double (Premier and Champions League titles). After a rather disappointing loss to their Manchester counter-parts in the FA Cup, United can focus on what are the two most important races for a team of this caliber. Sir Alex Ferguson has done a rather commendable job in balancing his multitude of starting-XI worthy players throughout the various competitions; even though both Arsenal and Chelsea remain on the schedule, United should coast to the Premier League title. Many critics will view this season as one of Sir Alex’s finest if he can lock down both titles. With many intriguing matchups still remaining, the Premier League again gives fans an exciting finish to the season.