As the end of the international club season nears its conclusion, I find myself beginning to look back and take stock of the season we've just experienced.
What lessons are we to learn from the triumphs, collapses and comebacks of this season.
While the list is still unfinished, as the competitions themselves still have much action to deliver, there are two lessons which have already distinguished themselves in the madness this year:
Lesson No. 1: The English Premier League is the best league in the world.
No doubt there has been debate in recent years as to which league is tops in the world.
Spain, Italy and England, among others, have made claims to housing the greatest teams in the world, and rightly so. But this year, I don't think there can be much debate about the supremacy of the EPL.
Half of the teams remaining in the Champions League are English, and two of them stand poised to advance to the semi-finals (this allows for the fact that Fenerbahce may pull off the upset of Chelsea, though it remains a daunting task).
But more than just having great teams at the top, the Premiership is strong top to bottom (well, maybe not the very bottom).
Every week brings a match which warrants a team's full focus, even a match between leaders Manchester United and lowly Derby County: United barely edged out a 1-0 win.
In recent weeks, there's been a serious jostle at the top of the table, with United finally emerging as the leader.
But the title is anything but assured, with Chelsea and Arsenal following closely behind, and the final weeks will serve up some exciting soccer as this league reaches its climax.
Granted many leagues will have close races down to the end. But this race features three Champions League quarter finalists, and quite possibly semi finalists as well.
No other league comes close to being able to match that claim, nor the level of football being exhibited by this league this season.
Lesson No. 2: No matter how strong a lead seems, teams cannot afford to ease up.
This lesson, no doubt, has been proven in many seasons before.
Of course, we can all conjure images of AC Milan's collapse in the 2005, Champions League Final against Liverpool. (For those of you who don't know, Milan was up 3-0 at half time, only to see their lead disappear in the second half. Liverpool went on to win the title on penalties.)
But the turnover at the top of the English Premier League this season lends serious credence to this lesson.
At one point, Arsenal appeared ready to survive the stretch and hold off the mounting charge of Manchester United.
At one point, Chelsea seemed in disarray after the sudden departure of their coach Jose Mourinho, falling several points off the pace, and doing so in ugly fashion.
At one point, though it seems quite long ago now, Liverpool looked prepared to run away with the Premier League, before Rafa began to shuffle his line-up repeatedly, and the team lost their chemistry.
4 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Shawn Sieiro about 1 year ago
Excellent article, very enjoyable read. One thing you failed to mention though is that in the EPL its also as much about the the rivalry between managers. The latest Rafa-Fergie match up had an almost sinister tinge to it and I'm sure Benitez went home and stuffed himself full of fattening ice cream after the loss.
The EPL has solid play not only within the top 6 teams but throughout the league, right down to the relegation battles which, to a true EPL fan at least, is almost as appealing as the race for the title. Anyone remember the magical day that was when Everton won on the final day to stay up? I've had a soft spot for that team ever since.
And you are right in saying the EPL is more or less unpredictable [and I was about to say Liverpool wont be touching the Cup anytime soon but then again they will be STRONG contenders next season]. Spurs were supposed to be top contenders for Europe and perhaps even for first place, but fell away horribly at the start of the season [much to my dismay].
Arsenal just don't know how to play consistent soccer after the departure of Henry. In any case...Man United are just playing such classy football of late it is hard to see them slip up 5 points.
Portsmouth have been a great addition to this league and I was hoping Manchester City and Villa would have done better too.
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Jeff Harbert about 1 year ago
The EPL is definitely the best league in the world... no argument there.
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Salaar Arshad Shamsi about 1 year ago
Well Writen..
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nero black about 1 year ago
its absolutely fantastic
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