THE CRISIS REMAINS

 

Image Credit- Chelsea FC.

For the last one year I have written innumerable posts on the declining form of Chelsea FC. Afterall the 2022-23 season was one of the worst seasons of Chelsea Football Club in 21st century. When the season finally ended the fans breathed a sigh of relief because the carnage finally came to an end. 

In the summer break there were signings and change in management staff. Though the expectations were not that high, but still there was an element of hope. However after 4 weeks of club football that hope has completely vanished away. 

At the end of 4 league games we have only 4 points. That one win too came against a newly promoted side Luton Town. Furthermore the two defeats have not come against top 6 clubs, but against clubs like West Ham and Nottingham Forest. God save us when we will face Manchester City and Arsenal.   

The International Break has come at a very right time. Its high time for the Chelsea Players and Management to introspect and deicide for the upcoming games. The Club needs to act fast or else forget about titles the Blues will be fighting the battle of relegation. 

TIME FOR INTROSPECTION

 

Image Credit- Wikipedia.

The Serie A has begun and it is not the start which AS Roma dreamt of. At the end of three games they have just 1 point and are currently ranked 18 in the league. In the last couple of years, Roma has played some wonderful football. They won the inaugural Conference League in 2022 and were finalists of the Europa League last season. Furthermore they defeated major Italian teams both home and away in Serie A.  As a result no one was expecting a start of this nature. 

Luckily the International Break has come which has given Mourinho a time to think and ponder upon. Jose have to make sure that he gets all his combinations right before it is too late. Post International Break, the Europa League will also begin. So a lot of planning has to be done. 

 

AGING LIKE A FINE WINE

 

Image Credit- GOAL.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest footballers the beautiful game has ever seen. For the last two decades they have been scoring goals after goals and breaking records after records. However, in January 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United and joined Saudi Arabian Club Al Nassr. In July 2023, left PSG and joined Inter Miami. 

For the first time in 2 decades, we won't be seeing these all-time greats compete in the European Football. This was bound to happen one day, and it has happened.  However even though both these greats are not at the peak of their powers, but still, they are lighting-up the teams for which they are playing. 

Inter Miami and Al Nassr both won their first silverware after the coming of these two giants of the game. Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup, whereas Al Nassr won the Arab Club Champions Cup. Furthermore, both these legends often end up on the scoresheets of their respective teams.

They have literally aged like a fine wine.   

NEW MANAGER OLD TOTTENHAM

 

Image Credit- ESPN 

Tottenham Hotspur has been knocked from the Carabao Cup as city rivals Fulham knocked them down in the penalty shoot-out. After a 1-1 draw, Tottenham was defeated 5-3 by Fulham in the second round on penalties. Before England's best teams have even competed, Spurs have been eliminated. The third round of the League Cup is when the Premier League clubs that are in this season competing in Europe play.  It is interesting to note that Tottenham hasn't suffered a second-round defeat since an ugly loss to lower-league Grimsby in 2005. 

There has been a lot of change in the London club this season. Their star striker Harry Kane has left for Bayern Munich, and they have a new manager Ange Postecoglou on helm. Though they defeated Manchester United a week ago in their home, but Spurs performance in crucial matches have always been poor. 

This is the reason why they have failed to win a silverware since 2008. It is very much important for the team and the manager to pull up their socks before it's too late. 

MAN CITY WINS THEIR MAIDEN UEFA SUPER CUP

 

Image Credit- Al Jazeera. 

In August 2023, UCL winners Manchester City took on Europa League winners Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup Match at Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece. Everyone was expecting an exciting game as Manchester City were in their best of forms, whereas Sevilla has a history of performing big on crucial occasions. Initially the match was supposed to take place in Kazan, Russia, but the same was changed because UEFA and FIFA have banned Russia from professional football. So, the venue was shifted to Greece. 

In the eighth minute, Nathan Aké's header was saved by Yassine Bounou as Manchester City came close to taking the lead. In the 17th minute, Bounou also turned away a shot from Jack Grealish that came from outside the penalty area. Youssef En-Nesyri was able to head the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal in the 25th minute after Marcos Acua crossed the ball into the penalty area. This gave Sevilla the lead. En-Nesyri was given a clear shot at goal by Lucas Ocampos in the second half, but Ederson blocked his shot. In the 63rd minute, Cole Palmer equalized the score by heading the ball past Bounou off of a cross from Rodri.

En-Nesyri was again given a clear shot at goal by Ocampos in the 64th minute, but Ederson again stopped him. In the 69th minute, Palmer also had a curling attempt blocked by Bounou. Aké's header was eventually pushed over by Bounou as a result of City's persistent pressure. After 90 minutes of play, the score remained tied, necessitating a penalty shootout. The first four penalties were converted by both clubs, and when City captain Kyle Walker converted the fifth, Nemanja Gudelj missed the key opportunity for Sevilla by hitting the crossbar, giving Manchester City a 5-4 victory in the Super Cup.

With this the Men in Blue won their fourth trophy of this year.