World Soccer: March on Moscow

Enough of wanting the same venue for the Champions League Final, we instead should be discussing this years finalist's. Being the first all English final should come as no surprise, and i firmly believe the ban imposed on English clubs had a major contributory factor in the lack of success in European competitions. The progression of English clubs made in recent times in Europe surely is proof that this country has now woke up and are now in tune with playing at such a level, a level they lost touch with following Heysel.

For once, we have two finalists who actually deserved to be there in Moscow later on this month. Manchester United always looked at ease throughout the tournament by and large and looked comfortable over Barcelona in both legs of the semi-final, with Messi the only likely threat to halting there route to Moscow. Chelsea may have been gifted by Riise's last gasp own goal blunder at Anfield, but on the overall play in both legs, Chelsea deserved the overall aggregate victory. Talk of penalties not given folowing a challenge on Hyypia at the bridge are quickly dismissed by my good self. Essien's strike befoehand possibly should have stood to put the game beyond any doubt, despite four Chelsea players being in offside positions. Was they active or not? Who knows in this ridiculous ruling.

As far as i am concerned, if you are on the field of play then you are interfering with opposition players minds, simple really. However, football's governing bodies have made it there business in over complicating the beautiful game. Whether the challenge on Hyypia was a penalty or not, one has to feel it was a somewhat justified reversal of Garcia's goal that never should have stood at Anfield several years ago, that ultimately and unceremoniously dumped Chelsea out. Both Chelsea and Manchester United deserved to be were they found themselves, i personally will be rooting for the Londoner's in the final and wish Zenit St Petersburg all the success in the UEFA Cup against a once ungrateful Rangers, whom now have unsurprisingly changed there tune.

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Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

Edited by stephen_woodside (02/05/2008 22:36)

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