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The moment Arjen Robben dinked the ball past Roman Weidenfeller, the Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper, earlier this summer in Wembley to clinch Bayern Munich their first Champions League title after twelve years, I rubbed my hands with glee. Immediately, my mind drifted from the high-intensity duel in Wembley to the UEFA Super Cup clash that would take place between the Champions League winners and the Europa League winners – between Bayern Munich and Chelsea come August. So, the wait is finally over. And, this evening, we’ve arguably the first big European game of the season.
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Over the years, the Super Cup, in spite of being an unique European final, has lacked the intensity of a Champions League final. Most Champions League winners, who take it as another walk in the park, always get beaten by their less illustrious opponents – winners from UEFA’s second tier competition (the name of which keep getting changed every few years, though the status remains the same) year in and year out.
Over the last six years, Barcelona and AC Milan have been the only European champions to win the Super Cup. But, then, Barcelona are a Spanish team and usually the Iberians have a very good record in this competition. It’s the first time since 2008 that a Spanish outfit isn’t contesting the Super Cup final. But, Guardiola is there to make amends and keep the Spanish flag flying high. However, I can assure you, he has much more on his mind than just to contest the final.
One of the unsaid reasons why Guardiola left Barcelona was to prove his mettle by doing well with other teams, just as Mourinho has done. It could possibly be a reason why he chose Germany over England. He can always coach a big English team in the future. But, Bundesliga and Bayern don’t come calling every other day. If Mourinho could do wonders in Italy, Guardiola can do the same in Germany.
Moreover, since Bayern’s unlucky defeat at the hands of Chelsea in their own stadium in the 2012 Champions League final, the Bavarians have been seething with revenge. They won the Champions League last season, but the pain of that loss remains. Thus, the Germans won’t miss the chance tonight’s game offers to make amends for that bitter loss at the hands of the Londoners, and what better incentive than having a manager, who’s a nemesis of their opponent’s manager.
The traditional El Clasico rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was taken to the worst possible level of bitterness by Mourinho and Guardiola. Though, Mourinho was the prime culprit there. Widely considered as the two best coaches in the world of football today, these two tactical masters routinely outdid each other in the three seasons they crossed swords in La Liga. The level of intensity they infused into their teams really made Barcelona and Real Madrid the most feared teams in the world, and the El Clasico the most ill-tempered sporting affair of recent years.
Both Chelsea and Bayern showed the door to their European title winning coaches to accommodate these two successful managers. Hence, each manager will want to start the season with a bang by winning a European trophy over a principal adversary. And, what no better opportunity than this game to get one over your rival and show the world who’s the best again. I really expect a cracker of a game. A real physical battle is on the cards. Don’t miss it.
