THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER FOR LIONEL MESSI

AUTHOR- AAYUSHYA PRAKASH 

 

Image Credit- NDTV 

In the final of Copa America 2021, Argentina and Messi were to face the hosts and defending champions Brazil. Brazil defeated a brave Peru side to secure a spot in the Final. The atmosphere was electrifying at Maracana. It’s the same venue where Germany handed Argentina a world cup defeat 7 years ago. The star-studded Brazilian team featured Neymar, Caseimero, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Vinicius Jr. Firmino and Ederson. Argentina were also nothing less than that playing Angel Di Maria, PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, Lautaro Martinez, veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi  and two very creative and underrated midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso.  The match was going to be full of attacks and high voltage drama. In simple words Box Office.

The Selecao were looking to attack from the beginning. Fred was awarded the first yellow card of the match. Soon after Argentina got possession and within 20 minutes they landed their first blow. This match was nothing like slowly settling in the game and finding possession or maintaining formation. In fact it was an ‘attack is the best defense’ kind of game. Both teams were trying hard to intercept almost every pass and not letting the opponent find rhythm. While Brazil enjoyed more possession, Argentinians were always looking dangerous on the attack.

Angels to the God

The Brazilian defence looked solid with the likes of Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and CDM Caseimiro. In the 21^st minute of the game an ecstatic pass from the Argentine midfielder Rodri De Paul set Angel De Maria free on the right wing who controlled it with sublime delicacy. Renan Lodi failed to intercept which compelled Ederson to charge on De Maria. Angel saw the opening and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper which found the back of the net, the only time in the game. Two angels collaborated to accomplish God’s will. Till the final whistle, it remained the only difference between the two teams.

Missed chances

In the 52^nd minute Brazil had the chance to equalize. Richalison slided one into the net on rebound from Otamendi. But the referee raised the offside flag and the goal was disallowed. In the 55^th minute, Martinez made a superman save to deny Richalison who hammered one on the target.

Late in the 89^th minute Messi missed a simple chance. On the counter, Messi crossed the ball to Rodri on right flank who offloaded it to Messi. Only Ederson was in the way, but one wrong footing ensured an easy save from the City’s Wall. Otherwise, Brazil was done for good.

What it takes to win a cup?

Argentina won Copa America after 28 years. In 10 edition after 1993, La Pulga played in 5. In 3 of them he carried his team into the finals. He lost two of the finals on penalties while the last edition saw Argentina facing humiliation by the hands of Brazil. But this year, something was different with the Argentinean team.

Over the group stage matches we saw a team which was not playing without a cause. We saw a hungry team who wanted to achieve something for someone special. They were ready to go on war for the one the whole Argentina loves the most. We saw a coach who was questioned time and again, ever since he was given charge of the team. He defied all odds to win a major trophy with his team and silenced every mouth around the footballing world. We saw a group of people which was not all about one man’s performance. As I’m writing this article, Coach Scaloni in a press meeting stated that Messi played with a hamstring injury. In the semi final he was fouled many times. His left sock turned red near ankle just around 1 hour mark. In the final fullback Montiel met the same fate. We saw a team who played with dirt on their jersey, blood drenched socks and a heart full of trust, resilience and will. In the end it was all emotions.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE SPECIAL ONE

 

It was the summer of 2004. Arsenal were the winners of the 2003-04 Premier League Season. It is noteworthy that Arsenal Football Club went unbeaten the entire premier league season and were indeed at the top of their game. Apart from Arsenal FC, Manchester United and Liverpool were the other dominant forces of the Premier League who used to be the major contenders of every single trophy in England.

However then arrived a manager who changed everything. He was none other than Jose Mourinho. Jose Mourinho was a famous name at that time. After all in a span of two years he had led a small club like Porto to Champions League glory.   

In his first press conference as a Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho described himself as the special one.

"Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm a European champion and I think I'm a special one," Mourinho said

This press conference gave him the title of the special one. So now the question is that was he a special one?

The answer- Yes. Mourinho led Chelsea to Premier League glory in 2004-05 season. This was Chelsea’s first premier league win in 50 years. Apart from the Premier League trophy Chelsea also lifted the League Cup and went up to the semifinal stage of the 2004-05 Champions League Season wherein they were eliminated by their domestic rival Liverpool F.C. [P.S.- It was a ghost goal].

Chelsea started the 2005-06 season well as they defeated Arsenal 2–1 to win the 2005 FA Community Shield. In this season Chelsea defended their Premier League title and at one stage it appeared that no English club can come close to this club form West London.

In the 2006-07 season Chelsea lifted both the domestic cups [League Cup and F.A. Cup] but failed to win the Premier League trophy. In this season as well Chelsea went up to the semifinal stage wherein they were once again eliminated by their domestic rival Liverpool F.C. in a penalty shootout.

Eventually in September, 2007 Jose Mourinho left the club. But, by now Chelsea were a dominant force in English Football. Mourinho returned back for the second time in 2013. In his second tenure Chelsea lifted the League Cup and the Premier League Trophy in 2014-15 season. However due to a disastrous start in the 2015-16 season Mourinho was sacked in December, 2015.

Today Jose Mourinho manages Roma F.C. But, he will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea

THE BATTLE OF BUFFET

 

 Image Credit- Scroll 

The Battle of Buffet is the name of Premier League game played between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford, Manchester, on October 24, 2004.

Arsenal were the defending Premier League Champions and were unbeaten for 49 premier league games [An English Footballing Record]. On the other hand Manchester United were struggling in the Premier League. However when the two sides met at Old Trafford the equations completely changed.

Arsenal dominated the first half of the game. But, in the second half Manchester United looked more threatening. In the 73^rd minute of the game Wayne Rooney was fouled by Arsenal defender Sol Campbell which resulted in a penalty.

Ruud van Nistelrooy converted the penalty and the hosts were 1-0 up. Eventually in the 93^rd minute of the game Wayne Rooney doubled the lead and the game ended at 2-0. The Invincibles were defeated. The 49 match unbeaten streak was broken.

However many felt that Rooney had dived and the penalty should not have been given. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger criticized the referee for his performance and even said Ruud van Nistelrooy a cheat.

Arsene Wenger was fined 15,000 pounds for his misconduct. Whereas Ruud Van Nistelrooy was retroactively banned for three matches, for a challenge on Ashley Cole that was missed by Riley.

Furthermore in the tunnel after the match, tempers boiled over between the staff of both the clubs. The brawl ultimately resulted in a throwing of a slice of pizza at Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, by Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas. 

Now we all know why this game is called as the Battle of Buffet.

 

CRISTIANO RONALDO AND GROUP OF DEATH

 

                                                                           Image Source- Marca 

 

The UEFA European Football Championship is back. Originally it was scheduled in June-July 2020. However, due to the Covid pandemic the tournament was postponed for a year. Eventually the tournament is now being hosted in June-July 2021.

 Every football fan was eagerly waiting for this tournament to start. However everyone's eye was on one particular group and that was Group F- The Group of Death.  It is because this group contained 2018 FIFA WC Champion France, 2014 FIFA WC Champion Germany and the defending European Champion Portugal. Apart from these 3 teams there was also Hungary who had the caliber of creating upset in this major tournament. 

However, the entire show of the Group F was stolen by one man and that was Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese striker scored 5 goals and provided one assist in three group games. His brace against Hungary helped Portugal win the match 3-0. He scored as well as assisted a goal in the losing cause against Germany. However in a do or die match against  France he scored a brace and helped Portugal qualify for the Round of 16 match against Belgium.  

 Eventually the journey of Portugal in the European Championship ended in the round of 16 match against Belgium, but the heroics of Cristiano Ronaldo in the UEFA EURO 2021 will always be remembered.

  

THE BATTLE OF OLD TRAFFORD

 

                                                            Image Credit- Sky Sports Retro 

 

The Battle of Old Trafford is the name of the Premier League game played between Arsenal and Manchester United on September 21, 2003 at Old Trafford, Manchester. The final result of the game was 0-0. But, still it became one of the most memorable games of the Premier League era.

The game was a very physical and intense game as we witnessed a lot of fouls (13 by Manchester United, 18 by Arsenal). In the 80th minute of the game, Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira received a second yellow card and was sent off. However in the very last minute of the game referee Steve Bennett awarded a penalty to Manchester United.  Unfortunately Ruud Van Nistelrooy missed the penalty kick and the game ended 0-0.

However after the final whistle, Ruud Van Nistelrooy was confronted by a lot of Arsenal players. Martin Keown jumped up next to Ruud Van Nistelrooy and brought his arms down hard on  Nistelrooy's  back, while Lauren pushed Van Nistelrooy, Parlour and Cole offered verbal abuse. The Manchester United striker did not react and was escorted by his fellow Manchester United players. 

This game was significant because Arsenal later went on to win the league and remained unbeaten throughout the season. Something that had only been achieved  by Preston North End in the 1888-89 English Season. The 2003-04 season gave Arsenal the title of "THE INVINCIBLES". However, the same would not have happened if  Ruud Van Nistelrooy would have got his penalty right.

LETTER FROM A FAN

Author- Shubham Priyadarshi

 

 

Image Credit- FIFA. 

  

Dearest Chelsea Football Club,

"When you start supporting a football club, you don't support it because of the trophies, or a player, or history, you support it because you found yourself somewhere there; found a place where you belong."

I started following club football around 2008-09, when arguably the greatest dynasty in club football, led by the best player of all time, was taking shape. I was fascinated by something called tiki-taka. They were to face some club from west London, called Chelsea, who were well run. It was a mere formality, Barcelona were going to win. However, Chelsea were no pushovers. In the deciding game, Barcelona till the final minute, were not able to register a single shot on target and qualified for the final only because of what is undoubtedly the worst performance in a match of such severity. A club was wronged despite giving its all and as things go, no one cared apart from its fans. But on that eventful night, I found myself there, perhaps found a place where I belonged.

Chelsea FC is no European royalty like Real Madrid or the dynasty which was FC Barcelona. But we have our own identity. Fighting against all odds, some created by our own mistakes, some which exist without our fault. Even half of this season, we were no were near good enough but we turned it around through decisive action and against quality components. And that's why the results of this football club which is present in London, impacts the lives of someone living in India and all over the world.

I know this fickle moment of euphoric joy won't last long but I guess it is for moments like these that we stick together through thick and thin and always will.

From,
A Fan.

THE GAME OF OUR TIMES [CNLU BATCH OF 2020 V. CNLU BATCH OF 2021]

CNLU 2021 BATCH WITH THE RUNNERS UP TROPHY [2018 Edition]

 Image Credit- Lawman's Photography

 

It was February, 2017. Some of the football enthusiasts from my batch decided that we should have an inter-batch football tournament. Inter-batch tournaments were not new in our college. We had inter-batch tournaments of cricket and kabaddi (Both male and female).  So why not football. As a result the foundation of the first CNLU Inter-Batch Football Tournament was laid. However the game which eventually became the El-Classico of our university was the game between CNLU Batch of 2020 and CNLU Batch of 2021. 

The first encounter between the two sides was a close one. However at the end, the batch of 2020 won the game because of an own goal by a defender of 2021 batch. But, this was just the beginning of a great rivalry.

In the second edition of the tournament, the rivalry became even more intense. The two batches first played against each other in a group stage game which ended in a 1-1 draw.  The tension, the drama was unparalleled. So much so that even the referee and the linesmen felt the heat (P.S.- The author was linesman in this game and out of anger and frustration he threw the flag on a supporter and left the ground swearing). 

The two sides again faced each other in the finals of the 2018 Inter-Batch Football tournament. The score read 1-1 at the end of 45 minutes. Aman Singh scored for the 2020 batch, whereas Vivek Thakur scored for the 2021 batch. The final was now to be decided on penalties. In the penalties the 2020 batch were successful in scoring 3 of their 5 penalties. On the other hand CNLU Batch of 2021 were able to score only one penalty. The CNLU Batch of 2020 lifted their second Inter-Batch Football Trophy.

In the opening game of the third edition, the 2021 batch were all over the defending champions.  However they failed to get past their defense as well as their goalkeeper (P.S.- The author was the goalkeeper so there can be certain element of bias).  On the other hand the 2020 batch scored one goal which remained the only difference between the two sides. 

In the final of the third edition, both the teams lost their crucial players. However still the quality of the game remained the same. The score was 0-0 at the end of 45 minutes. One more final was now to be decided on penalties. Once again the CNLU Batch of 2020 turned out to be winners. The 2020 batch got three out of five penalties correct. On the other hand the 2021 batch were successful in only couple of occasions. The author of this post got the best goalkeeper's trophy, whereas Nishant got the top scorer's trophy. But, most importantly the CNLU Batch of 2020 lifted the winners trophy for the third consecutive time.

The batch of 2020 and 2021 were gearing up for their final encounter in the 2020 edition. However the pandemic had some other plans. The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the closure of university as well as the inter-batch football tournament. The rivalry met a fatal end.

Today both 2020 batch and 2021 batch have become an alumni of Chanakya National Law University. But, their rivalry will still be felt in the grounds of our college. The cheers of their supporters will still echo in the grounds of our college. 

 

CNLU BATCH OF 2021 WITH THE RUNNERS UP TROPHY [2019 Edition]

Image Credit- Lawman's Photography

CNLU BATCH OF 2020 WITH THE WINNERS TROPHY [2019 Edition].

 Image Credit- Lawman's Photography