(Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
SO, following on from my article yesterday, where I said Lyon would give Liverpool a run a for their money, it is safe to state now that not only was I proved right, but Lyon also came away with all three points, which leaves the group ever so wide open and leaves the Reds with work to do to pass out of the group stages.
I honestly think Rafa has lost the plot. It is good to be staunch with your principles, but any rational person would change it if it was not working. Why on earth is Rafa sticking to the much criticized zonal system? And would someone explain Lucas’ role in the team? Playing cheerleader, eh?
I am not a Liverpool fan and can choose not to care, but the football fan in me tells me it is time for Rafa to make changes or leave the sinking ship, because they cannot afford to have so many defeats so early in the season.
You can blame the fact that Gerrard did not play at all, but it is not saying much when, despite all the money they have spent in bringing in misfits like Lucas and Dossena, all we can talk of is them. Two players do not make a club.
Yesterday also underlined the true beauty that is European football. Hands up for those who heard about Rubin Kazan before they made it to the Champions League this season…yes, did not think I’d have many hands up.
And yet, there they were, the small town club from Russia facing the might of the European champions in their own backyard, and coming out with all three points when most observers were not even giving them a whiff at being competitive, let alone being victorious against Messi and co.
The fact that Dynamo Kiev led twice at the San Siro and AZ Alkmaar getting a draw against Arsenal goes to show that underdogs will not die wondering. Sure, if Rubin Kazan were to play Barcelona 20 times, they would probably lose 19 times, but yesterday was the OTHER time. You see, these so-called small teams (not Lyon, but Rubin and Dynamo, to some extent) know that this is their opportunity to show what they can do, and they are more motivated than ever to make a fist of it against the European big boys.
Special mention should also go to Debrecen for their outstanding attacking play against Fiorentina yesterday night, and to Rangers for their quite dreadfully abysmal display, at home, against Urinea.
I read on Soccernet the other day about the Rangers hierarchy harping about not having enough competition in the SPL and about possibly moving to the EPL. Are you kidding me? They just do not have the quality to even compete against Urinea and they are talking about tackling the likes of Man City, Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham (Have you noticed I haven’t mentioned the Big Four at all?).
My point is, how can you talk of moving house when you don’t have your PRESENT house in order? Walter Smith was only being honest when opining that Rangers do not have a squad capable of competing in Europe, but even THAT does not speak for the absolute hiding they got yesterday, and with due respect to Urinea and Dan Petrescu, we are not talking about one of the big guns here. Begs a question or two about the standard of the SPL. Gone are the days of the Laudraps and the Hartsons gracing the SPL.
All in all, yesterday was a magical European night, full of surprises and shocks. Congratulations to the victors and commiserations to the victors.
Yesterday’s performances from the likes of Rubin Kazan and Debrecen will do much to vindicate Michel Platini’s belief that the Champions League needs to go outside the big leagues and take in teams from smaller nations as well. Yesterday proves just how romantic it can be.
Too bad I did not bet 10 on Rubin yesterday. Would have walked away with 300 on bets of 30/1…
I just cannot wait for tonight’s matches. Let the battle continue, I say…
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