REAL MADRID MOVES FORWARD

 

Image Credit- ESPN

It is a rare moment in Champions League history when a club plays another club three consecutive times. It all started with the last group stage match between Real Madrid and SL Benfica, wherein the Portuguese side got the better of the Galactico's, as they thrashed them 4-2 in Lisbon. It was quite a dramatic game wherein we saw the goalkeeper coming in the opponent's half for the last kick of the game. And boy! He scored at the very last minute, which helped Benfica qualify for the play-offs. However, a defeat meant that Real Madrid were now required to play in the playoffs in order to qualify for the Round of 16. It was thus an embarrassing moment for the men in white who, before the start of the game, looked certain to qualify for the round of 16 but failed to maintain their position after 90 minutes.

Interestingly, in the play-offs draw, Real Madrid got SL Benfica as their opponent. Thus, they had an opportunity to seek revenge. The first leg in Lisbon ended in a 1-0 win for Real Madrid. Vini scored a magnificent goal in the second half of the game, which turned out to be the difference between the two sides. However, the excellence of Vini got overshadowed by the alleged racist abuse inflicted upon him by Gianluca Prestianni. Moreover, manager Jose Mourinho's comment also didn't go well with the footballing fraternity, which meant that the second leg would be a blockbuster.

The second leg in Madrid, however, turned out to be a perfect end for this duel, as the hosts secured a comfortable 2-1 win and marched forward to the round of 16. It is interesting to note that it was Benfica who scored the opening goal of the game. But the goals of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Vini made sure that Madrid qualified for the round of 16. However, the thing which was most pleasing to the eyes was the style of football played between the two sides. It was truly an incredible game between two great teams. Moreover, there were multiple moments wherein we felt that a team might score a goal, but there were equally saves.

After the end of 90 minutes, the scorecard read Real Madrid 2-1 SL Benfica as the Galactico's marched forward to the round of 16 on an aggregate of 3-1.

To watch the Group Stage Encounter, Click Here.

To watch Leg 1 of the Play-Offs, Click Here.

To watch Leg 2 of the Play-Offs, Click Here. 

WHO WILL BE THE SPANISH CHAMPION?

             

Image Credit – The Real Champs.

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are always the favorites to win a La Liga title. In the past 2 decades there have been only 2 occasions wherein a club other than these two has lifted the league title in Spain. This season it's nothing different. FC Barcelona is presently the table topper, with Real Madrid just one point behind. However, it is interesting to note that the points table is continuously fluctuating. Moreover, the same is happening because these clubs are struggling to maintain consistency. Whenever it appears that the club has achieved stability, they go on to lose a match to a random team.

A week ago Barcelona did that, due to which Madrid became table-toppers for a week. This weekend it was Madrid's turn to secure an upset which helped Barcelona secure the top spot. With just 13 games left, it will be quite interesting to see which club will lift the league title this year. Will the defending champions defend their crown, or will the men in white regain the lost crown? The answer lies in the womb of time. But, for the time being, we know that an exciting time awaits the football fans.

WELCOME TO BERNABEU

 

Image Credit – ESPN. 

Today is going to be a big day for football fans all over the world. The European royalty Real Madrid will be facing SL Benfica in the second round of the UCL play-offs. After losing in the group stage, the men in white fought hard in the play-offs and secured a 1-0 win in Lisbon. However, the goal of Vini Jr got overshadowed by the alleged act of racism inflicted upon him by Argentinian Gianluca Prestianni. Moreover, manager Jose Mourinho's comment also didn't go well with the footballing fraternity, so there will be tensions all around when the second leg is played in Madrid.

Even though both Mourinho and Prestianni will not be there in the second leg, that won't lessen the anger of the Madrid fans. The crowd in the Bernabéu will surely make the 90 minutes hell for the visitors. Let's see whether SL Benfica does what Ajax did a few years ago or it will be another shining chapter in the history of Real Madrid.

To be honest, whatever might be the result of the leg, one thing is for certain: that the match will be remembered for ages. A Blockbuster awaits at the Bernabeu. 

THE RECORD BREAKER

 

Image Credit- NDTV Sports.

After much chaos, confusion and uncertainty, the new season of the Indian Super League has finally started. And boy! We got a record on the very first matchday as Sunil Chhetri became the oldest player to score a goal in the Indian Super League. At the age of 41 years and 196 days, he scored the first goal of the season and helped his team secure a win on the opening day against Sporting Delhi in Bangalore [The previous record holder was Robert Pires, who scored a goal at the age of 41 years and 15 days].

It is interesting to note that Chhetri came in as a substitute in the 78th minute of the game but was quick to get his name in the scorecard, as he scored in the 94th minute of the game. One will thus expect that he continues his good run throughout the season.

At the end of 90 minutes when the final whistle was blown, the scorecard read Bengaluru 2-0 Delhi. It was truly a dominant performance by the home side, who secured a comfortable win in front of their home fans, who have been waiting for long to see their team play.

THE RED DEVILS ARE BACK

 

Image Credit – The Indian Express.

Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs not just in English football but also in world football. However, their performances in recent years have been far from satisfactory. Since Alex Ferguson's departure from the club in 2013, the men in red have failed to win a Premier League title. Moreover, there have been seasons after seasons wherein they have gone trophyless. Barring the Europa League triumph in 2017, the only trophies which the Red Devils have managed to win in the last decade have been the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup and the Community Shield. This is not the Manchester United we all have seen while growing up. The club which used to win league titles for fun is now even struggling to finish in the top 4.

The 2024-25 season was probably one of the worst seasons in the club's history as United finished 15th in the league. The 2025-26 edition was going no better, as they were knocked out of the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup in the very first stage itself. Moreover, they were also struggling in the league. As a result, the management sacked Ruben Amorim and replaced him with Michael Carrick as an interim manager.

But boy! What has happened is nothing short of a miracle. The Red Devils are on a roll like never before. In just 5 games, Carrick has transformed the club into a champion side. In these 5 games, United have beaten their arch-rivals Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Moreover, the club is presently ranked 4th in the league and looks set for the Champions League next season.

Though it is too early to comment upon, one cannot deny that the Red Devils are well and truly back to the position where they truly belong.

THE BOYS NEED TO GROW

Image Credit- Football Espana.

The footballing world was shocked when the news of Xabi Alonso's sacking came out. After all, he was removed from his position even before completing one complete season with the Galacticos. The major reason behind this surprising move was the fact that the manager-player feud had reached an all-time high during his coaching stint. Moreover, a defeat in the final of the Supercopa de España acted as a final nail in the coffin.

It was quite evident from the post-match presentation that the team no longer was listening to Xabi and the players' egos had taken over. Eventually Xabi got sacked, and a new interim manager has taken over. But was Xabi the problem? The answer is no. It's the players' egos that have been the reason behind the downfall.

Since Xabi's departure the form has even dipped further. Not only did we suffer a humiliating defeat in the Copa del Rey, but we also suffered a shocking defeat to Benfica, which meant that we have to play the play-offs now to qualify for the Round of 16. Interestingly, we will be facing Benfica itself in the playoffs, which is going to be a tough contest.

Though we are just a point behind Barcelona in the league, it is not going to be an easy second half. The players and the staff need to show character now, or else it will be another trophyless season for the Galacticos. 

THE DRAMA AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

 

Image Credit- Chelsea Football Club.

New Year's Eve was full of drama for Chelsea fans; their manager, Enzo Maresca, has left the club with immediate effect. No one could believe what has happened. A manager so popular among the fans and the one who has been winning silverware after silverware has left us in the middle of the season. It is pertinent to note that Maresca won us two trophies in just 18 months, which includes the UEFA Conference League and the Inaugural FIFA Club World Cup. Mind you, he won us the Club World Cup by defeating the European champions, Paris Saint-Germain, and that too by a margin of 3-0. So, he was a brilliant manager who knew how to beat big clubs on the biggest of stages.

Presently there have been multiple stories circulating among the footballing circuit. Some say he has an offer from Manchester City, while the others say that there was a tussle with the management. No one exactly knows what has happened, but we have a new coach in the Bridge. 

Liam Rosenior, a 41-year-old English coach who has been managing the French club RC Strasbourg Alsace, has been assigned the task of coaching and managing Chelsea. Is he fit for the job or not? Something that only time can tell. But presently, it all seems like nonsense. 

The club this season has performed inconsistently. Will Liam get the side back on track, or are we looking towards another trophyless season? Amidst this uncertainty, only one thing is for sure, and that is we won't be short of drama in the Bridge.