THE PHARAOH

 

Image Credit- Liverpool F.C. Instagram Page

Author- Shubham Priyadarshi 

When Mohammed Salah signed for Liverpool back in 2017, there was hope, but still no one could have anticipated what he will end up doing. He scored 44 goals for Reds that season, as a winger. He would have certainly won the Ballon D’or, had it not been for an injury at the hands of Sergio Ramos. Real Madrid won the Champions League, and Luka Modric won the Ballon D’or. Salah was labelled as one season wonder by the press. 

Over the next three years, this “one season wonder” averaged 27 goals per season, helping Liverpool to win their 6th Champions League and 19th Premier League title, the latter coming after a period of 30 long years. However, the talk of Salah being the best player in the world became talk of yesterday. If anything, he was not being respected for whatever he was contributing. 

But this season, Mo Salah, as he is fondly called by Scousers, is playing like a man possessed. 15 goals in 12 games, and he has already scored more than half the goals in each of three seasons in quarter of the game he has played. Still, the mainstream sports media is not discussing his ridiculous consistency, perhaps because he doesn't appeal to the masses.   Jurgen Klopp’s teams have never been about individuals, but even then, there is no denying that right now, Mohammad Salah is the best player in the world.

LES BLEUS ARE CHAMPIONS AGAIN

 

Image Credit- Sportspromedia

After an early exit in the UEFA European Championship, questions were being raised upon the abilities of the French National Side. However the French answered their critics in style by winning the 2nd edition of the UEFA Nations League. 

The second edition of the UEFA Nations League took place in Italy in the first week of October, 2021. Spain, France, Italy and Belgium were the 4 teams who made into the top 4 of the tournament.  The first semi-final took place between Italy and Spain at Milan. In the first half of the game Ferran Torres scored a brace and the Spanish were 2-0 up. In the second half Pellegrini scored, but it was not enough as the Spanish won the game 2-1. 

The second semi-final was played in Turin between France and Belgium. At the end of first half Belgium were 2-0 up. However in the second half, the French made an incredible come-back by scoring 3 goals [Courtesy- Benzema, Mbappe, Theo Hernandez] The final was set. 

The final took place in San Siro, Milan. The Spanish scored the first goal in 64th minute of the game. However just after 2 minutes Benzema equalized.  Eventually in the 80th minute of the game Mbappe scored the 2nd goal and now French had a lead. In the last 10 minutes Spanish tried their best to score, but failed. 

The French lifted their first UEFA Nations League trophy. Karim Benzema who made a comeback into the French National Side after serving 5 years of ban was awarded the man of the match trophy for his incredible performance in the final. 

[The 3rd place game was played between Italy and  Belgium in which Italy emerged as winners]. 

THE SUPER SUB

 

Image Credit- Nepal News. 

It was the 46th edition of UEFA Super Cup. UEFA Super Cup is an annual tournament played between the winners of UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.  This year's match was played between English Club Chelsea (UCL Winners) and Spanish Club Villareal (UEL Winners) at Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

Chelsea scored the opening goal in the 27th minute of the game wherein Kai Havertz's low cross from the left was swept into the net by Hakim Ziyech.  However just before the half-time Ziyech was substituted because of a shoulder injury. 

Villarreal made a comeback in the second half and scored an equalizer in the 73rd minute of the game. At the end of 90 minutes the score read 1-1. Even after extra time the score remained 1-1. But just in the final seconds of the game Chelsea made a substitution. They replaced their goalkeeper Mendy with Kepa and this turned out as a masterstroke.

In the penalty shootout, Kepa made 2 crucial saves and Chelsea won the finals 6-5 on penalties. The Super Sub did his job. 

It is pertinent to note that this is Thomas Tuchel's second European trophy with Chelsea in a span of  just 7 months. 

A TRIBUTE TO THE SPECIAL ONE

Image Credit- The Sun   

 

27th April 2014

Liverpool, needing a draw to de facto win their first title in 25 years , were playing a second-string Chelsea team. Liverpool's legendary captain made a mistake, but given that they were attacking the fabled Kop end, it was almost a certainty that a draw was the very least that they would get from the game. Well, that's now things happen with Special One. His tactical genius was there for everyone with even limited understanding to see. Chelsea defused a strong Liverpool attack, and scored in final moments to win the game 2-0, effectively ending the title hopes of Liverpool.

In a remarkable career that has spanned over a 1000 games, there are bound to be many special moments from the Special One: the victory against much-favored Manchester United in 2004, the "sweetest defeat of his career" in Nou Camp in 2010, amongst many, many others. But for me personally, this is the best Mourinho moment, and it is because of the reason that unlike other victories, there was no immediate consequence of the result. The passion manifested in his mannerism after the game showed that notwithstanding the occasion, he wanted to win. He couldn't care less what others thought about his football, because he knew that in the ultimate reckoning, its the results that matter.

Recently, his career has lost a bit of shin, but for his contributions to the game, which might not always have been beautiful, he will always be the "The Special One".

 

Written by Shubham Priyadarshi. 

THE RETURN OF THE KING

 

 

Image Credit- The Indian Express.

 In the summer of 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United to join Spanish Giants Real Madrid on a record transfer fee. After playing for 9 seasons in the Los Blancos jersey, Ronaldo moved to Turin. In Juventus F.C., Ronaldo won a couple of league titles but in the Champions League the team's performance was dismal. Furthermore in the 2020-21 season, Juventus lost the domestic title to their rivals Inter Milan. It was now quite certain that Ronaldo will leave Juventus. But, which club will he join was the question.

 PSG signed Messi in August 2021 and there were also rumors that they can sign Ronaldo. However in the last week of August, Manchester City became one of the favorites to sign Ronaldo. There were talks between Ronaldo's agent and the officials of Manchester City. But, eventually Manchester United succeeded in signing Ronaldo. Ronaldo was back to Old Trafford after 12 long years.

Everyone were excited for his second debut. And it became a debut to remember. Ronaldo scored a brace in his second debut against Newcastle at Old Trafford and the Red Devils won the game 4-1. The crowd was shouting Cristiano's name and Sir Alex looked at him like a proud father.

With this win, United are currently at the top of the table. Will this be United's year?  Will they lift the Premier League trophy after 9 years? The answer lies in the womb of time.

IT IS COMING ROME

 

Image Credit- UEFA

In 2017 the whole of footballing world was in shock. The Italians failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. No football fan can ever forget the image of Buffon crying and apologizing to his nation. 

But then came a man who changed the Italian Football for good. He was none other than Roberto Mancini. Under Roberto Mancini we saw an energetic Italian Side who were determined to win each and every game which comes there way. 

In the group stage Italians faced Turkey, Switzerland and Wales. They won all of their three group games. In these three games they scored 7 goals and conceded none. In the round of 16 they faced Austria at Wembley. After the end of 90 minutes the scorecard read 0-0. However in the extra time the Italians fought like a lion and the match ended 2-1. Italy were now in quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, the Italian side faced the tournament favorites Belgium.  Barella and Insigne scored the openng 2 goals of the game for the Gli Azzurri. The Belgian side tried their best but the game ended 2-1. The Italians were now in the semi-final where they faced the 2012 champion Spain.

The Spanish side turned out to be a tough opponent and the game went into the penalties. In the penalties it was all Donnarumma show. He was successful in saving couple of penalties and the Italians ended up winning the semi-finals 4-2.

Now came the big day. The final. In the final the Italians were to face host England. The English team were playing in their backyard with full home support. To make matters worse Italy conceded a goal in the 2nd minute itself. Wembley went wild post Luke Shaw goal and the ground was full of chants- Its coming Home. 

But the Italians fought hard and equalized in the 67th minute of the game. Just like the semi-final the final was also to be decided on penalties. This is when we saw a display of great goalkeeping from both the goalkeepers. Pickford saved 2 penalties. But, Donnarumma was able to save 3. As a result Italians won the game 3-2 and were crowned the UEFA Euro 2021 Champions. It is pertinent to note that the English side gave a tough fight, but at the end the Italian goalkeeper dashed all the English hopes.

 THE TROPHY IS GOING ROME. 

Some Stats from the tournament-

Golden Boot- Cristiano Ronaldo.

Player of the Tournament- G. Donnarumma. 

Best Young Player- Pedri.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN BARCELONA

 Author- Shubham Priyadarshi.

 

Image Credit- Barca Blaugranes

 March 15, 2018. 

Chelsea were playing Barcelona again. First leg was tied 1-1. And Chelsea were punching above their weight. I was hopeful that we will give them tough competition, notwithstanding the result. But a certain diminutive Argentinian decided that same will not be the case. It was a close match and we still lost 3-0. I realized that what I was witnessing that night was the greatest football player that I have seen and in all probability, will ever see in my lifetime.

Football was my solace in troublesome times. It still is. And I am fortunate that during this period, I saw you at the absolute peak of your powers and bring joy to millions like me around the world. Well, except when you were tormenting us.

You are widely considered the greatest of all time. And although I am not sure about how good Maradona or Pele were, but I am sure about one thing: being considered better than you is the highest praise that could be accorded to them.

Gracias por los recuerdos, Leo.