If anyone started a TV series on self discovery this week, he would have enough material to write the first few episodes. As Europe’s top four teams this year approach the second leg of their semifinals, players and managers alike are hoping to push the reboot button and launch a new and purposeful version. One that will help them erase past memories and produce winning performances good enough to set them on the autobahn to Berlin in a few weeks time.
Madrid versus Juve
Real Madrid take on Juventus at the Bernabeu – their fortified stronghold where you would expect the redoubtable Italians to come up against the might of the Spanish. But reality is telling a different story.
Over the weekend, Real, playing with Ronaldo, Bale and Chicharito went down 0-2 early to Valencia. Ronaldo missed a penalty, Toni Kroos limped off, Ancelotti had to take off his full backs at the break and it took some gumption and good play for them to come back and level things at 2-2.
As things stand, it looks almost impossible for Real to make a bid for the La Liga title this season any more, even as Gareth Bale’s agent made a telling comment about how his client is not getting enough of the ball. Ancelotti has a lot to think about over the next day and a half.
The defending champions are now in grave danger of ending the season without major silverware and Ancelotti knows that retribution could be swift and harsh.
Juventus, on the other hand, had the luxury of knowing that they already have the Scudetto in their back pocket. They also were very happy to see the return of their talismanic midfielder, Paul Pogba, who not only scored a goal in a 1-1 draw against struggling Cagliari but looked ready for the big match on Tuesday night.
With the Coppa Italia final on June 7 coming up, Juventus can still think of a treble this year. Of course, the crucial away goal that Real scored against them in Juventus’s 2-1 defeat in the first leg could play a very important role in this encounter.
Bayern versus Barca
But there are no such issues with Barca. Such is their confidence and god gifted ability on the pitch that even after resting Iniesta, Busquets and Jordi Alba from the starting eleven, they carved out a facile 2-0 win over Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou. Neymar scored in typical style and Pedro rounded things off with a brilliant bicycle kick as Barca went one draw shy – after Real drew – of picking up the La Liga title.
Sociedad coach David Moyes (Yes! David Moyes!) cluttered up the midfield, tried to give little space to MNS and generally managed to get a few decent balls upfront as well using the few holes he could find in the Barca defence – but in the end the sheer relentless wizardry of Messi, Neymar and Suarez broke their resistance.
For Pep Guardiola, though, there could be some key learnings from the way Moyes approached this game. He would do well to imbibe and incorporate them in his master plan.
But then Guardiola himself is in a whole new world of pain – fighting more demons than he has ever done before. His team was reduced to 10 men against Augsburg over the weekend after Pepe Reina got sent off, and finally lost their fourth consecutive game (1-0) on the trot in spite of fielding a majority of first team players.
Media reports about his purported verbal agreement to move to the Premiership with Manchester City next season forced him to refute it strongly, but his bigger trouble is to motivate the Bayern team and find out a way to block MSN’s rampaging attacking runs – and all this in a matter of two days only.
But then, Guardiola is no stranger to rapidly changing fortunes – perhaps his experience will help Bayern recover. The chances, frankly, look quite remote.
And so the journey of self discovery is about to begin. For Guardiola and Ancelotti. For Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. For Paul Pogba and the entire Bayern team. And for the fans who have waited expectantly for these tough knock-out stages.
Myths will be shattered, magic will no doubt unfold and a few stars will be brought down to earth rudely. As pundits start whispering of a possible El Classico finale, it is up to the likes of Juventus and Bayern now to raise their game and prove them wrong. After all, to win the Champions League, you need to play like a champion!
Rathindra Basu lives, breathes, sleeps sports and is forever waiting for the next Indian sporting triumph. Since this usually takes much time and infinite patience he also listens to music, reads voraciously and eats almost anything that moves!
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Madrid versus Juve
Real Madrid take on Juventus at the Bernabeu – their fortified stronghold where you would expect the redoubtable Italians to come up against the might of the Spanish. But reality is telling a different story.
Over the weekend, Real, playing with Ronaldo, Bale and Chicharito went down 0-2 early to Valencia. Ronaldo missed a penalty, Toni Kroos limped off, Ancelotti had to take off his full backs at the break and it took some gumption and good play for them to come back and level things at 2-2.
As things stand, it looks almost impossible for Real to make a bid for the La Liga title this season any more, even as Gareth Bale’s agent made a telling comment about how his client is not getting enough of the ball. Ancelotti has a lot to think about over the next day and a half.
The defending champions are now in grave danger of ending the season without major silverware and Ancelotti knows that retribution could be swift and harsh.
Juventus, on the other hand, had the luxury of knowing that they already have the Scudetto in their back pocket. They also were very happy to see the return of their talismanic midfielder, Paul Pogba, who not only scored a goal in a 1-1 draw against struggling Cagliari but looked ready for the big match on Tuesday night.
With the Coppa Italia final on June 7 coming up, Juventus can still think of a treble this year. Of course, the crucial away goal that Real scored against them in Juventus’s 2-1 defeat in the first leg could play a very important role in this encounter.
Bayern versus Barca
But there are no such issues with Barca. Such is their confidence and god gifted ability on the pitch that even after resting Iniesta, Busquets and Jordi Alba from the starting eleven, they carved out a facile 2-0 win over Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou. Neymar scored in typical style and Pedro rounded things off with a brilliant bicycle kick as Barca went one draw shy – after Real drew – of picking up the La Liga title.
Sociedad coach David Moyes (Yes! David Moyes!) cluttered up the midfield, tried to give little space to MNS and generally managed to get a few decent balls upfront as well using the few holes he could find in the Barca defence – but in the end the sheer relentless wizardry of Messi, Neymar and Suarez broke their resistance.
For Pep Guardiola, though, there could be some key learnings from the way Moyes approached this game. He would do well to imbibe and incorporate them in his master plan.
But then Guardiola himself is in a whole new world of pain – fighting more demons than he has ever done before. His team was reduced to 10 men against Augsburg over the weekend after Pepe Reina got sent off, and finally lost their fourth consecutive game (1-0) on the trot in spite of fielding a majority of first team players.
Media reports about his purported verbal agreement to move to the Premiership with Manchester City next season forced him to refute it strongly, but his bigger trouble is to motivate the Bayern team and find out a way to block MSN’s rampaging attacking runs – and all this in a matter of two days only.
But then, Guardiola is no stranger to rapidly changing fortunes – perhaps his experience will help Bayern recover. The chances, frankly, look quite remote.
And so the journey of self discovery is about to begin. For Guardiola and Ancelotti. For Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. For Paul Pogba and the entire Bayern team. And for the fans who have waited expectantly for these tough knock-out stages.
Myths will be shattered, magic will no doubt unfold and a few stars will be brought down to earth rudely. As pundits start whispering of a possible El Classico finale, it is up to the likes of Juventus and Bayern now to raise their game and prove them wrong. After all, to win the Champions League, you need to play like a champion!
Rathindra Basu lives, breathes, sleeps sports and is forever waiting for the next Indian sporting triumph. Since this usually takes much time and infinite patience he also listens to music, reads voraciously and eats almost anything that moves!
