THE IMPOSSIBLE HAS HAPPENED

 

Image Credit- Bundesliga. 

Bayer Leverkusen had a dream 2023-24 season. They lost just one game in the entire campaign and that was the Europa League Final against Atlanta. Apart from that they won or drew every other game they played. They had an invincible Bundesliga Season along with an equally fantastic DFB Pokal Campaign. In short, they won everything which came their way. Furthermore they started their 2024-25 campaign with a bang. 

They won the DFL Super Cup as well as the first game of the Bundesliga Season. However, the world came crumbling in their own backyard in the very next week as Leipzig did the impossible. They defeated the Champions. They defeated the Invincibles.

The Hosts started off the game pretty well and were 2-0 up at the 45th minute. However, the Visitors came from behind and won the game 3-2. Interestingly they scored the winner in the 80th minute. This is something what Leverkusen used to do in the previous season. Furthermore everyone was expecting an equalizer in the final moments of the game. However, Leverkusen failed to do the same in their own stadium. 

The Impossible has happened. The Invincibles have been beaten.

Will Leverkusen defend their titles? The answer lies in the womb of time. However, for the time being there is tension in the Leverkusen Camp. Xabi Alonso need to a think a lot before the club football resumes this weekend.  

To watch the Highlights of the Game, Click Here.   

COMETH THE HOUR COMETH THE MAN

 

Image Credit- Eurosport

The UEFA Nations League has begun. In the first leg, Portugal were supposed to face Croatia and Scotland. It was not going be an easy task for the 2019 Champions. Afterall Croatia is a strong side led by charismatic Luka Modric. On the other hand, Scotland too are dark horses who can beat any team on their day. However, defying all odds Portugal beat both Croatia and Scotland in the first leg of the Nations League and took vital 6 points. The game was between equals, but one man turned it for his side on both occasions. The man was Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo scored the opening goal of the game against Croatia and gave Portuguese an early lead in the game, Interestingly it was also his 900th professional goal. However, it was his late winner against Scotland which grabbed the headlines. 

Against Scotland, Ronaldo started on the bench. He was not in the playing XI.  Eventually he came out to play in form of a substitution. And Boy! What an impact he created. The game was 1-1 in the 88th minute. It seamed the match would end in a draw. However, from nowhere Ronaldo scored the winner and earned 3 points for his team. Despite passing his prime, Ronaldo showed why he is considered as one of the greats of the game. Afterall he performs when it matters the most. Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man. 

THE END IS NEAR

 

Image Credit- Forbes.

 The Top 30 of 2024 Ballon d'Or edition has been announced. There are many new names in the roll. However, what garnered everyone's attention was the omission of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi from the list. Since 2003, both of these giants have made it into the table of  Ballon d'Or. Messi holds the record of winning this prestigious honor for a record 8 times, whereas Ronaldo too has won it on 5 occasions. The duo literally smashed the footballing world between 2008-2018. For these 10 years either it was Messi or Ronaldo who used to win the Ballon d'Or.  

Even though Messi and Ronaldo are still active in football. But, they have well passed their prime. Ronaldo plays in Saudi Arabia, whereas Messi plays in United States of America. Though both of them appeared for their national team in this international break, but it is quite evident that the end is near and they may hang their boots any moment. 

Today we have a bunch stars eying for glory. However, they are struggling to come anywhere close to the levels of Messi and Ronaldo. We were indeed a lucky generation who witnessed the prime of these two legends of the game. Legends who cannot be replaced. They were the Ultimate. 

CHELSEA FC- AUGUST REVIEW

 

Image Credit- Bloomberg.

Premier League Football returned to Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2024. However, it was not the best of starts as we were hammered 0-2 in our backyard by the defending champions Manchester City. Though we tried to create chances, but we were no match in front of them. Erling Haaland was unstoppable that day and Cucurella was nowhere to be seen.

Fortunate enough we managed to get past Servette in the Conference League Qualifier. However, it was not a comfortable win as Servette outperformed us in the Second Leg. Yes. We did blow away the Wolves in their backyard, but a draw against Crystal Palace in home means that we have just 4 points after 3 games. 

It is not a very great start to the season. But it is not that worse as well which we saw in the previous few seasons. However, there is an ample scope of improvement, and it is expected that the Team and the Management will work upon it in the Internatinal Break.        

THE HAMMERING

 

Image Credit- This is Anfield.

September 1, 2024, marked one more episode of the great rivalry between Liverpool FC and Manchester United. Whenever these two power houses clash, fireworks are always expected. As a result, every football fan was excited for this mouth-watering encounter. However, what happened on September 1 will never be forgotten by both Liverpool and Manchester United fans. The Red Devils were crushed and hammered in their own backyard. 

Luis Diaz scored a brace, whereas Salah scored a snorter as the Scousers won 3-0 in Manchester. To be honest it was unlucky on the part of the visitors that they did not score more. The Manchester United defense was in absolute shambles as the opposition strikers got past them very easily. The Home Side performed so bad that the majority of the crowd left the stadium even before the final whistle was blown. 

The men from Liverpool are up and running in the League as they have won all their 3 Premier League Games of the Season. On the other hand, Manchester United are struggling on the bottom as they have lost 2 of the 3 Premier League Games. It is lucky on the part of Manchester United that the International Break has arrived or else they would have faced more hammering. However, it is necessary for the Management in United to chalk out a plan as early as possible or else this season will go like the previous one. 

For Liverpool. Everything looks good now. 

To watch the Highlights of that Match, Click Here.