======================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo
And the long wait is over... The beautiful world of European football is alive again! BRAWL of wills and wits - on the pitch! Bring it on!
***
The clash of Spanish Titans ushers in the new La Liga season
And so, the 2011-2012 season of the Spanish La Liga is ushered in by a Clásico!
The 2010-2011 La Liga - Primera Division winners, FC Barcelona, clash with the Copa del Rey winners, Real Madrid CF, for the first leg of their Spanish Super Cup contest at Estadio de Santiago
Bernabéu in Madrid today. Pundits rate the first Clásico as a must-win for Los Blancos, who were outclassed by Barça last season and, therefore, have a lot to prove this season. The Blaugranas, on the other hand, had an almost perfect 2010-2011 season, winning both the La Liga - for the third time in three straight years, and the UEFA Champions League - for the second time in three years, with only the Copa del Rey slipping out of their grasp through a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid on extra time. While many rate this season opener as a meaningless match and just a mere teaser for what is to come this season, hey, a Clásico is a Clásico! It's going to be as "explosive" as ever! But, will it, really - be "explosive"? While admitting their desire to win the Super Cup, Barça's coach, Pep Guardiola downplays their chances,
Pep Guardiola, Barça's caballero boss.pointing out the late coming together of his squad for preparation with key players, including Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and the new acquisition, Alexis Sanchez, not able to participate in the pre-season matches as they were called by their respective National Teams to take part in the Copa America last summer. That resulted in a defeat against Manchester United in their Stateside clash in Washington D.C. Six more men from his squad were called by the Spanish National Team coach, Vicente del Bosque, to play in a friendly with Italy last Wednesday in Bari, which the Spanish Team lost, 1-0. Add to that, Guardiola pointed out, the fact that Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol are still not 100% healthy for a 90-minute feature - in a Clasico no less - and you have a real problematic situation. But, Guardiola refuses to make excuses. His side travels to Madrid with an intention of winning, he insisted.
Real Madrid's coach, José Mourinho, on the other hand, didn't disappoint. He is being his "explosive" self again - off
José Mourinho... Real Madrid's oh,
so "special" manager. the pitch. Now, that is surely something to be expected. Mourinho does have something to be arrogant about though - in his twisted belief of "self-entitled" arrogrance. Real Madrid did fantastic in their pre-season friendlies. They were "trigger-happy" on the pitch, trashing all their opponents completely. They are definitely gelling nicely to a cohesive force... threatening to make good of Mourinho's boastful warning last season that his second season with a squad is usually his best year, not that he lasted more than three years in the three sides he managed before Real Madrid anyway.
But yes, after last season, it would be too optimistic to expect "friendly" competition between these giant Spanish sides. And with Mourinho running the show in Bernabéu, we pray that no incident would happen that might mar the reputation of Spanish football (if last season's tongue-clicker of Clasicos hadn't turned off some football fans yet) and football as a whole as that beautiful game. Amen. :)
***
English heavy weights feature at the EPL opening
Over at the English Premier League, three of the "big four" from last season are in action this weekend, and one will see action on Monday.
Arsenal went ahead yesterday, Saturday, with a disappointing scorless match against Newcastle United. The Gunners played without their team captain, Cesc Fàbregas, who is in the process of finalizing his transfer to FC Barcelona - finally! Samir Nasri, who was also missed in the Gunners' opening match is also in the process of finalizing his likely move from the Emirates Stadium to the City of Manchester Stadium.
Today, Manchester United, fresh from their exciting win of the
Manchester United, the EPL 2010-2011 Champs.Community Shield contest against Manchester City last week, will see action against West Bromwich Albion. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be away to meet Stoke City, in what the Portuguese hotshot coach, Andre Villas-Boas's maiden match as The Blues manager. Many are speculating on the outcome of his first outing with The Blues. Well, we will find out soon enough, won't we?
Manchester City will see action against Swansea City tomorrow, Monday, with their new acquisition, Argentine striker, Sergio Aguero taking part in their opening match. Aguero transferred from Atletico Madrid this summer. Roberto Mancini decided to bench his captain, Carlos Tevez, who just returned from vacation this week, following his Copa America stint with the Argentina National Team. The Citizens are the heavy favorites to take their first match to a win, with the exception of José Mourinho, who believes Swansea's manager, Brendan Rodgers - Mourinho's former second man during his tenure as Chelsea manager - can pull an upset against The Citizens. We shall see if the Special One's crystal ball is telling the truth.
***
Photo credits: Photos were grabbed from the Zimbio website - thanks.
