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Post the international friendlies and qualifiers, club football returned this weekend and how! Jose Mourinho lost his first home match in 9 years, AC Milan knocked the stuffing out of Inter courtesy of Alexandre Pato’s brilliance and Manchester United pulled themselves out of a hole in typical fashion to strengthen their lead as their rivals dropped points. It was a crazy weekend as title race predictions went haywire in Europe’s big leagues. All of this and more in this edition of ‘Football Bloody Hell’ as Sportskeeda’s Joydeep and Zico analyse the week’s happenings and provide answers to burning questions and talking points.
AC Milan thumped title-chasing Inter 3-0 to seal the derby. Scudetto dreams over for the Nerazzurris?
Z: It was a horrible night for Inter and an unhappy homecoming for Leonardo, one that saw Julio Cesar take his ‘typical walk’ home after the embarrassing defeat while Alexandre Pato came of age. Inter have the best attack in Italy and I fully expected them to go for the kill, but what was embarrassing was how their midfield was so easily by-passed time and time again, not to mention their shambolic defence. Maybe the pressure of performing against his former employers got to young Leonardo, who has rallied his troops brilliantly this season. Full marks to Massimiliano Allegri, who handled the intense pressure heaped on him ahead of the derby with grace and composure. There are 7 more rounds to go in the Serie A and there are 5 points to make up for. Inter are capable of anything, as they have proved this season, but the Scudetto might just be beyond their reach. After their shambolic defensive performance on Saturday night, I am not sure if they deserve to win the title. Besides, Napoli have now moved into second after winning a thriller over Lazio and Edinson Cavani is taking the league apart. But the Serie A is where the impossible becomes possible and madness becomes reality almost all the time. So it’s not over yet.
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Milan's flying duck put a huge dent into the title aspirations of Inter
J: It has always been observed that a change in the coaching department has instantly brought success to a team. After a nightmare stint at San Siro for Rafael Benitez which led to a shambolic start to the season for the Internazionale, the coming of Leonardo brought in a whiff of fresh air . And he got his troops to believe in themselves and staged a remarkable fightback for the Serie A crown which they are so used to seeing Roma do. But AC Milan who dominated Inter before the match fixing scandal damaged their future prospects must be licking their lips at the prospect of going one over their city rivals. And they amply demonstrated their desire to win the Scudetto with a five star performance. What really puzzles me about Inter this season is the face which we are going to see. On one hand they churn out a shambolic performance as like the one in the derby and sometimes they play like the true champions. They need to plug the holes in their defence if they want to avoid getting beaten by Raul inspired Schalke, who are very much capable of an upset. As for the Scudetto, it’s done and dusted.
Manchester United produced a typically resilient fight-back while title-rivals Chelsea and Arsenal lost their plot yet again. 19th title in touching distance for the Red Devils or any more surprises in store?
Z: Well, we’ve seen this happen all the time: Manchester United coming back after throwing it away, and are thus mathematically and psychologically well placed to taking the title. Chelsea were lucky to get a point after that fantastic second half performance from Stoke City while Arsenal were, well, typically Arsenal. Arsenal are genuinely out of it in my opinion due to their consistent display of lack of bottle and if it’s one team that could challenge United for the title, it was going to be Chelsea, but that’s not going to happen if they lose points at the business end and watch and admire United do their thing week in week out. The Champions League is where Chelsea have better chances. Manchester United: deserving winners is my verdict and I don’t expect to be proven wrong.
Wayne Rooney the saviour
J: Truth to be told, Chelsea were never realistically in the hunt as opposed to Arsenal who can still go one point behind Manchester if they win their game in hand and the match against the league toppers. Arsenal can never be predicted and it seems, their season is going to go down a similar route as opposed to what they had made us believe not long ago. And if Arsenal can rectify their problems, they are still my favourites to win the crown . As for Chelsea , I can just say , the season is not yet over . The topsy turvy nature of the league is yet to show its true face I believe. Manchester United have proved themselves to be deserving league leaders and their magnificent comeback led by the temperamental Rooney was a treat to watch. But weren’t they 0-2 down? What if Rooney the saviour didn’t step up? The script is not yet complete my friend.
Jose Mourinho lost his unbeaten home record and thus the chance to close the gap on Barcelona. What are Real’s chances this season?
Z: I guess it’s time for Real to concede victory in the title race, especially because they are now 8 points adrift and the loss to Sporting Gijon coincided with Barcelona picking up three points over Villareal, who are really tough opponents. Mourinho saw this coming, though. He has spoken several times earlier in the season about how his teams always do well in his second season in-charge and that his Real team is a work in progress. I always felt Real’s chances this season lay in the UCL and Copa del Rey. However, with the injuries that they have suffered to Ronaldo, Benzema and Marcelo, I am beginning to think if the UCL is a realistic dream in itself since Mourinho works on a wafer-thin squad. If Jose can pick up one trophy this season, probably the King’s Cup, it will be a huge achievement considering the amount of pressure he’s been in and the flak and lack of support he has received.
Not happy times these are 'The Special One'
J: It’s time for Jose to quit Real Madrid. He has publicly accepted defeat in the race to the La Liga crown and injuries notwithstanding Tottenham looks the more likely candidate who can step up and collect the win in my opinion. Most fans have already started relishing the prospect of an El Clasico in the semi finals. Copa del Rey is as good as lost if Barcelona plays like the true Barcelona and I believe it is going to another trophyless season for Real. But just whatever be Real’s real chances this season, take a bow Mourinho. Nine years without a home defeat in domestic leagues!! An achievement of the likes of UnderTaker’s 18-0 at WrestleMania. But every monumental streak comes to an end. The injury crisis has also engulfed the Spurs side to some extent and a match up between two even teams at the moment looks too irresistible.
Was Fabio Capello right in restoring John Terry to the England captaincy, or is too much fuss being made about the captaincy issue?
Z: I don’t believe that the arm band holds the importance that it is hyped about in football. Capello sacked Terry because he felt his off-field conduct would damage his ability to inspire his fellow team mates and the media would assassinate him if Terry stayed. I don’t buy into this belief because footballers are professionals who are expected to leave their personal differences aside while playing for the team. His off-field antics aside, Terry is an inspirational figure on the pitch, the man who always puts his body on the line for club and country and if he is to be judged by his football, John Terry deserves to be captain. What has been distasteful about this episode is the way Capello has played roulette with Gerrard and Ferdinand, ultimately losing their respect and thus creating unwanted tension in the dressing room, the very thing to avoid which the Italian manager sacked Terry in the first place.
J: You are spot on Zico. Although I am not sure whether an inspirational captain is really the answer which this clown football team called the Three Lions wants is another matter. But the way Capello handled the situation in the wake of doing it professionally has been a joke. His reasons for not talking to Ferdinand on the phone were to give it a personal touch. Yet failing to meet him, he relieved him off his duties without taking him into confidence. Capello sure is digging his own grave. Terry is a born leader and an effective captain which is so amply demonstrated at Chelsea. And the real captain of Manchester United is Sir Alex Ferguson, which is why Terry is the best man suited for the job. And regarding his sacking, I would beg to differ. The English media would have assassinated Capello if Terry had continued in the job.
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