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. 

THIS IS FOOTBALL

 

Image Credit- Liverpool F.C. 

Liverpool F.C. are in red hot form right now. They are leading the Premier League Table and are even the Table Toppers in the UEFA Champions League. Furthermore they are also the finalists of this year's Carabao Cup Tournament and are favorites to win the same. However, on 9th of February, 2025 something unexpected happened. Some even call it the greatest upset in the history of FA Cup as a lower division club Plymouth Argyle F.C. knocked out the mighty Liverpool from the 4th Round of the FA Cup. 

Before the start of the game no one outside UK even knew where this club existed in England. But, at the end of 90 minutes entire world got to know about them. Yes the Club won the game by a thin margin of 1-0, but a win is a win. And a win against the Mighty Reds is no small feat. On one hand wherein the Premier League Clubs are struggling to survive against Liverpool, this club from Plymouth  not just survived, but rather knocked them out. I guess this is what football is all about. 

The Legend of the Beautiful Game continues.

THE LEGEND OF MOHUN BAGAN

 

Image Credit- Indian Super League.

The Indian Super League Season 2024-25 is in progress. Every team is trying hard to make it into the knockout stage of the ISL. However, defying all odds Mohun Bagan is once again on the top of the table. Furthermore it is interesting to note that they are not just winning the league, but are also dominating the same. Afterall the team which is positioned second is currently 10 points behind them. So it is now for certain that they will be lifting the Shield after the conclusion of the League Stage. No one is coming close to them. However, will they win the ISL Trophy is the only question left to be answered. For the time being it looks like they will complete the double. But, as we know this is Football. Anything can happen anytime. So its fingers crossed for the Mohun Bagan Fans.   

THE DREAM RUN OF NEWCASTLE UNITED

 

Image Credit- India Today.

In the past few years Newcastle United has shown some tremendous progress in both Domestic and European Competition. Even in the present season they are positioned six in the league and are also the finalists of the Carabao Cup wherein they will be facing Defending Champions Liverpool.  However, their path to final was not an easy one. Afterall they were facing Heavyweights Arsenal in the Semi-finals. However, they did surprise everyone when they defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the first leg. It was literally unexpected that they will register a win in Emirates. But, defying all odds they came out victorious in the first leg.

Hence, there was a belief that Newcastle could make into the finals. However, no one wrote Arsenal off completely because they are a top team with top players and a top manager. So everyone expected a tough fight in the second leg. And Boy they did try hard to make their way out. Newcastle, however, ultimately prevailed as they defeated Arsenal 2-0 at St. James' Park to earn a 4-0 aggregate victory and a spot in the Carabao Cup final. Next month, the Magpies, who haven't taken home a major trophy since 1955, will take against Liverpool at Wembley.

Newcastle have now made it back to the League Cup final for the second time in three seasons thanks to their overwhelming performance over the two legs against a dominant Arsenal side. They will now be looking to improve on their 2023 loss to Manchester United and end their trophy drought.