The final game of the season was the Champions League final as per usual. It was much better than most with Dortmund having a real go at Real, but unfortunately the result went Real's way. Was it ever going to be anybody but the Champions League specialists? It was a disappointing end to the season for me with City, Leeds and Dortmund losing their respective matches. I'll have to make do with the fourth league win in a row!
Generally it was another good season. In the EPL we had a 3 up fight for the title. How a lackluster City won it, I'll never know.
Liverpool losing at home to Palace and Arsenal at home to Villa changed everything. Arsenal must surely rue not having a go at City at the Etihad.
We also saw the end of Klopp's reign at Liverpool. The big German will be sadly missed. It would have been great to see him bow out with a trophy but Liverpool imploded in the run-in. He will be remembered mostly for his formidable Salah-Firmino-Mané team that destroyed defences at will, but for me as a non-Liverpool supporter I will miss his pressers where he put the world to rights. Just last month he had a go at TNT sports for implying that the TV companies pay the EPL teams. Klopp pointed out that it was just the other way around. All the managers attack the scheduling but Klopp seemed to hit the target more often.
As Klopp bowed out of England this season, so will Pep next. It seems increasingly likely that Pep will leave after his contract runs out.
There really is not much more he can achieve in England and many think that the other teams deserve a chance of winning the league! What will City offer next season? This season they were so unsafe at the back and so open to counter-attack that something needs to change there.
Will South American wonder kid Savio come to Manchester or will he be loaned out? Will Bernardo and KdB be sold? Knowing that Pep will probably leave, will the players drop off? Will we see a resolution of the FFP charges? So many unknowns.
In Europe's big leagues, we saw Stuttgart, Girona, Brest, Bologna and Villa finish in the top 4, proving that there is still plenty of opportunity for "small" teams challenging the top. Leverkusen went unbeaten for the whole Bundesliga season, which is truly remarkable.
The big established clubs want to continue their domination and I want, so badly, that ability is rightly rewarded. The new format for the Champions League better work or the Superleague vultures will come calling again. American style closed leagues are just not acceptable and we must fight to the bitter end to protect qualification and promotion/relegation.
Generally it was another good season. In the EPL we had a 3 up fight for the title. How a lackluster City won it, I'll never know.
Liverpool losing at home to Palace and Arsenal at home to Villa changed everything. Arsenal must surely rue not having a go at City at the Etihad.
We also saw the end of Klopp's reign at Liverpool. The big German will be sadly missed. It would have been great to see him bow out with a trophy but Liverpool imploded in the run-in. He will be remembered mostly for his formidable Salah-Firmino-Mané team that destroyed defences at will, but for me as a non-Liverpool supporter I will miss his pressers where he put the world to rights. Just last month he had a go at TNT sports for implying that the TV companies pay the EPL teams. Klopp pointed out that it was just the other way around. All the managers attack the scheduling but Klopp seemed to hit the target more often.
As Klopp bowed out of England this season, so will Pep next. It seems increasingly likely that Pep will leave after his contract runs out.
There really is not much more he can achieve in England and many think that the other teams deserve a chance of winning the league! What will City offer next season? This season they were so unsafe at the back and so open to counter-attack that something needs to change there.
Will South American wonder kid Savio come to Manchester or will he be loaned out? Will Bernardo and KdB be sold? Knowing that Pep will probably leave, will the players drop off? Will we see a resolution of the FFP charges? So many unknowns.
In Europe's big leagues, we saw Stuttgart, Girona, Brest, Bologna and Villa finish in the top 4, proving that there is still plenty of opportunity for "small" teams challenging the top. Leverkusen went unbeaten for the whole Bundesliga season, which is truly remarkable.
The big established clubs want to continue their domination and I want, so badly, that ability is rightly rewarded. The new format for the Champions League better work or the Superleague vultures will come calling again. American style closed leagues are just not acceptable and we must fight to the bitter end to protect qualification and promotion/relegation.
Let's see what the new season brings, but before then . . . the Euros.
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| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports |
Transfer window & next season's fixtures become available next week ! RM winning the C L most season's is beyond compare . They make it look so easy . Every other team makes it look impossible . Roma , Atletico , Napoli , P S G , Arsenal have never won a Euro Cup . With Mbappe in the squad , don't be surprised if they do yet another double next season . Ancelotti is a genius .
ReplyDeleteAs regards the Reds , # Top 4 is the best we can hope for . Back to the pre Klopp era # Deja vu
The whole Spanish football system is set up to help them win. Matches are moved to help them rest before or recover after. Plus they usually only need worry about Barça in La Liga so can rest players against Eibar or Almeria. And don't forget they have a long break at Xmas. English clubs have it much harder.
DeleteI'm hiding behind the sofa when Chelsea play next season.
ReplyDeleteI still think Poch would have pulled it together.
DeleteWhat d you think of the sacking of Poch? Surely he deserved another season?
DeleteIt had me completely baffled. I thought he deserved at least another season as we were starting to gel.
DeleteIt was telling how quick it came just as soon as the season ended though, clearly it was a mutual decision. From what I gather he wanted more say over transfers than the yanks would tolerate.
Now another managerial merry-go-round. Fuck sake, no wonder I've got The Fear.