THE CAPTAIN IS BACK

 

Image Credit- BBC.

There aren't many Indian football fans who would desire to recall 2024. This can be attributed to the fact that we did not win a single game this year. Yes. You read correctly. We had a winless year in 2024. Even though we occasionally drew games, it is startling and disheartening that we were unable to record a single victory. To make matters worse, our charismatic leader, Sunil Chhetri, hung up his boots in the middle of the year. His retirement coincided with the lowest point in our team's history.

However, in 2025 a miracle happened. Reversing his decision to hang up his boots last year, Indian football star Sunil Chhetri has unexpectedly returned to the national squad at the age of 40. India's most-capped player has returned for the March international window. 

India is currently aiming for the Asian Cup in 2027 after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Given the significance of the tournament and the upcoming matches, the Indian head coach talked with Sunil Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the national team.

The legend agreed to the same and is back in the team. Will this turn the fortune of the Indian side?  The answer lies in the womb of time. However, the presence of an inspirational leader has surely boosted the morale of the side. 

THE MAGPIES HAVE WON A SILVERWARE

 

Image Credit- BBC.

With a well-earned victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, Newcastle United won their first domestic trophy in 70 years and broke a major trophy drought that dated way back to 1969. Dan Burn's and Alexander Isak's goals on either side of halftime threw the Toon Army into a frenzy, setting them up for a victory that will make manager Eddie Howe and his team living legends in Tyneside. 

Newcastle's strategy in their past meetings against Liverpool this season have been to strike them on the break and frustrate them in the remaining time. However, Howe seemed confident enough to take full advantage of the present situation by pushing the Reds high after facing a team that had endured the mental and physical strain of playing PSG in the middle of the week. Newcastle's top three set the tone with their speed and enthusiasm, but the true struggle was won in midfield. Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, both Brazilians, dominated the middle of the park, engaging in 27 duels and winning nine apiece, which was the greatest record of any player on the field. Throughout the game, Newcastle was more energetic and dangerous than a sluggish Liverpool, but the last few seconds annoyed everyone in black and white when the video assistant referee ruled Chiesa's goal offside after much consideration. 

 Remarkably Burn, a boyhood Newcastle supporter capped off the best week of his career by opening the score by taking advantage of lax Liverpool marking. Isak provided Newcastle much-needed breathing room after the half with a brilliantly taken goal that extended the Magpies' lead.

Notably when the final whistle was blown, no one could believe that what has happened: Newcastle defeated Liverpool to break their lengthy trophy drought and snap a ten-year losing streak against the mighty Reds. Almost no one has been able to make a team with a 12-point advantage at the top of the Premier League look more ordinary this season than they did. Interestingly with this victory, Newcastle has ended nine straight Wembley losses and the dreary years since they won the FA Cup 70 years ago, marking a historic event. Inside Wembley, it kicked off the party of all parties, which would surely continue all the way back to Tyneside.

WILL MAN CITY MAKE IT?

 

Image Credit- Goal

Manchester City are the defending Premier League Champions. However, it is quite certain that at the end of the season we are going to get a new winner. Afterall they are 22 points behind the league leaders with just 9 games remaining. Furthermore, they have also been knocked out of the Champions League which implies that they are alive in just in one tournament i.e., the F.A. Cup. A defeat in the F.A. Cup would mean a trophyless season (Something which they have not experienced since the 2016-17). Apart from that the defending champions are presently positioned 5th in the Premier League. This too is a sign of danger. Afterall in order to qualify for the next year's Champions League, they need to finish top 4.  Hence it can be said that there is still a lot many things for which City should strive this season. 

The men in blue need to play well in the remaining games of the Premier League or else they will be playing Europa or Conference League next season. Furthermore, they cannot afford any kind of laxity in their F.A. Cup Campaign as well. Hence it can be said that the 2024-25 Season has now become a fight of honor for the defending champions. Will City make it? Or will they perish in between? The answer to this lies in the womb of time. 

WHAT LIES AHEAD?

 

Image Credit- Sky Sports

Football is a funny game. Why I say so? A couple of months ago Liverpool looked invincible. They were the league leaders in both Premier League as well as the Champions League. In addition to that they were also looking good in the Domestic Cup Tournaments. It seemed that they could achieve the Historic Quadruple- Something which no English Team has ever done before. Unfortunately, a shocking defeat against minnows Plymouth Argyle dashed their F.A. Cup hopes. However, the men in red bounced back from the defeat and got back to winning ways in no time.  A Treble was still very much in the cards. 

The hopes of treble got lifted up when Liverpool edged PSG in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Interestingly this win came in Paris which implies that a draw in the home would have ensured their qualification for the quarterfinals. However, PSG came from behind and knocked Liverpool out from the Champions League. It was a tough game wherein both sides fought hard. At Last, it was the Visitors who got better of Liverpool in the penalty shootout as the Reds failed to get past the PSG keeper.  The Parisians thus silenced the Anfield and marched forward into the competition. 

Unfortunately, another tragedy unfolded before Liverpool in just 3 days' time as they lost the Carabao Cup Final to Newcastle in Wembley. The men in black literally blew away the mighty Liverpool in this must win game. It was indeed a shocking moment for every Liverpool fan as no one gave Newcastle a chance. The Reds were on course of scripting history but are currently reeling with defeats. 

With this defeat in the final the Scousers are now out of 3 of the 4 tournaments. The only place where they are still alive is the Premier League wherein, they are the table toppers. Currently Arsenal which is second in the League are 12 points behind Liverpool. However, they are looking in good touch whereas Liverpool is struggling. So, the question is- Will Liverpool bottle the league? Can Arsenal script a comeback? We will get to know all of this after the International Break. But currently everything is in shambles in Liverpool. 

   

THE TURKISH TRAGEDY

 

Image Credit- BBC

Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, the two biggest clubs in Turkey, played a dull 0-0 draw in Monday's Istanbul derby. The highlight of the match was when Mourinho accused the Galatasaray bench of "jumping like monkeys" at his press conference. In response, Galatasaray accused Mourinho of racism, a charge that Fenerbahce disputes. The club's vice president insisted that Mourinho's remarks had nothing to do with racism. Galatasaray is simply attempting to manipulate this situation by merely acting like animals.

However, Jose Mourinho has now been fined 35,194 pounds and banned for four games for remarks he allegedly made. It is quite unfortunate that a Manager who has played a key role in developing players from Africa is facing the charges of racism and has also been punished for the same. 

What relation did Mourinho had with African Players. I am just posting the tweet of Drogba to show my readers the same. 

To be honest it is quite unfortunate that Jose has been accused and punished of something like this. One can only hope that in the coming times Turkish Football Association will realize its mistake and would thus rectify the same. Afterall it's a disgrace. ******* Disgrace. 

THE RISE OF FC BARCELONA

 

Image Credit- FC Barcelona

In previous blogs we have discussed how Hansi Flick has transformed the Blaugranas. The club finished second in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and are currently the Spanish Super Cup Champions. Apart from that FC Barcelona is also one of the semi-finalists of this year's Copa Del Rey wherein they will be facing Athletico Madrid. However, in between November-December 2024, they lost their flow in La Liga and were reeling on third position. At one stage it even appeared that they can never reach where the clubs from Madrid are positioned in the table. 

However, football is a game of uncertainty, as everyone knows. On any given day, anyone may defeat any opponent.  The same was true of FC Barcelona, who overcame a deficit to take the lead in La Liga right now. Even though the difference between the team placed first and third is just one point, but a lead is a lead. Will they maintain their domination, or we will see the Clubs from Madrid win the league? The answer to the same lies in the womb of time. But, for the time being everything is wonderful in Catalunya. The Sleeping Giants are well and truly awake.  The Mighty has arisen. 

THE LEGEND OF LIGUE 1

Image Credit- Fox Soccer. 

When Cristiano Ronaldo compared Ligue 1 to the Saudi Pro League, the Social-Media Account of Ligue1 immediately responded with an equally ironic remark, hitting the Portuguese star in the most painful place by pointing out one area in which Lionel Messi outperforms him: winning a World Cup. It all began after the awards ceremony in Dubai when a journalist specifically asked the star to compare the two leagues: the Saudi league, which has recently tried to become competitive by spending a lot of money to hire international players, mostly veterans, and the French league, which is regarded as one of the top five leagues in the world. 

Ronaldo responded to the query by saying that Ligue 1 is inferior to the Saudi League. The reason for this is that France only has Paris Saint-Germain. Every other French Club is just struggling to survive. He also emphasized the challenges of running in temperatures of 38, 39, and 40 degrees Celsius, which are seldom experienced in France. With a message on its X account and a picture of Lionel Messi holding the World Cup he won in Qatar 2022 and his award as the tournament's best player, the Ligue 1 team's Spanish account did not miss the chance to respond to his criticism by reminding Cristiano that his opponent, playing for PSG in France, won the World Cup under similar circumstances. 

Interestingly, Brazilian sensation Neymar has supported Cristiano Ronaldo's previous assertions that the Saudi Pro League (SPL) is more competitive than Ligue 1 in France. Ronaldo's remarks at the 2022 Globe Soccer Awards generated a lot of discussion, and Neymar's recent transfer to Al Hilal has allowed him to observe the league's rising prominence up close. I concur with Cristiano. The Saudi League, in my opinion, is superior to Ligue 1 today. The Saudi Pro League is getting better, and it's better than Ligue 1, in my opinion. Having played in Ligue 1, I can attest to the league's strength, which is one of its advantages. However, Neymar claimed that the Saudi Pro League's players are now superior. 

Today I had a look at the Ligue 1 Points table and I can easily say that what Cristiano Ronaldo said in the prize ceremony is absolutely right. The French Clubs are struggling to compete in against the Champions PSG and the other European Clubs. Yes they might win a game here and there, but that doesn't improves the standards of Ligue 1. To be honest it would have been better had they worked upon improving their standards and facilities than mocking Cristiano Ronaldo.