So that is the lovely festive period over for another year, sigh. Little more than a week into 2013, which will hopefully be a good one and wish it to be for you all out there.
Haven't watched nearly as much football as usual. Have caught most of Manchester Uniteds matches but even those have been restricted at times, as I've had my Mum staying during the week as she is on secondment here. Nevertheless, there have been some very good matches to keep me occupied. Quite predictably it is mostly Juventus, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund that I've caught.
Undoubtedly the biggest highlight, well for me anyway was seeing Celtic getting both those results against the mighty Barcelona. A Barcelona that is in super form, yet to lose a match in La Liga. Unfortunately for Celtic the draw does not favour the brave as they have resurgent Juventus up next. Fantastic achievement, especially when the holders and other moneybags clubs in Europe failed to make it out of their group.
Summary of the Best Matches August-December 2012 (Club Level Only)
Dortmund vs Real Madrid
The German League Champions vs The Spanish League Champions. The camera swept around Iduna Park, a sea of yellow, a plethora of banners and a crazed atmosphere it could only be a big game. Real have been struggling this season and not living up to the heights they reached, the season just gone. Internal problems are suggested to be the main reason. Akin to Real, Dortmund are also not enjoying their best form. Injuries and a small squad had seen them fall quite far behind league leaders and rivals Bayern Munich in the league.
The sides played one another in game week 3 of the Champions League group stage. Fans of the game couldn't have been more excited with this group, which also contained Ajax and Man City. This match started with Real, mainly through Ronaldo providing the biggest threat. Their play was dangerous and it was forcing the Dortmund back-line to be unsettled and nervous. Real were comfortably the better side for the first 20 minutes. Dortmund, then looked to have settled themself and were getting their passing game going. Not the easiest, as the surface looked quite slippy. Nevertheless Dortmund, zipped the ball around in their usual fashion and pressed Real. Was very impressed by how well they kept the ball and how quickly they moved it. They took the lead, Lewandowski scoring from a lovely pass from Bender who capitalised on a mistake from Pepe. What Dortmund could do, Real could do better and three minutes after the goal Real via Cristiano Ronaldo get one back. Ramos sends a long diagonal ball, which Ronaldo controls beautifully and then fires passed Weidenfeller. Dortmund, after half time continue to have chances, forcing Casillas to make a number of excellent save. On the 64th minute Schmelzer scored. Dortmund manage to keep the scoreline at 2-1 and defended superbly. Dortmund did so well to press and also restrict Real Madrids threat and service in the wide areas. Alonso barely had a sniff. It was a masterstroke by Klopp to set up his team as he did. As a whole the Dortmund team was excellent, Gotze was particularly outstanding. Reus who has settled well also provided a good threat whilst he was on the field.
Can find myself running out of plethoras for this German club, their football, their fans, their focus on youth, principles and much, much more. As much as it was a delight seeing them beat the baddies, aka powerhouse Real Madrid with the brilliant, masterful but pantomime villanesque Jose Mourinho. It was also a very good game, most importantly!
Manchester City vs Manchester United
Almost didn't watch this and was admittedly a bit nervous. United hadn't been impressing as much and the defence- leaky. Memories of last season still fresh which didn't help and the less said of that the better. So, it was with a knotted stomach that I settled down to watch the game opting to skip all the usual preamble and observe straight from KO. A Rooney double put United ahead at half time, a pleasing result and better than could have hoped for. Chances came for United with Ashley Young, Rooney and Rafael standing out the most. After the early lead, City drew level in the second. A free kick was awarded on the edge of the box, deep into injury time. The new recruit, Dutchman Robin van Persie whom I thought had a quiet game, stepped up. And he did it. Scoring the winner in the derby like that cue mentalness. What a signing the man has been and has sure been an instant hit with his quality and match winning goals in many big games.
The game itself and the manner it was won was so exciting. United were the better side and thoroughly deserved the win. Tense moments were had when City came back in the second half. Was relieved that the git Tevez did not start. The difference he made for City when he came on could well have earned them a point or all three. United had done it to them again, as only they could with another last minute goal. Victory all the sweeter as it was away and yes, it really was the ultimate feel good amazing result. It also brought to an end a very impressive winning streak for City at their home ground. Good game, great result. Only negative was the petulance of the City players and their fans throwing coins onto the pitch.
Cagliari v Juventus
Played at a neutral venue in Palermo. Mere days earlier they (Cagliari) had beaten the Old Lady. Exciting match it was, Juventus not at there best and were missing Chiellini. Found it a really enjoyable game and what a spirit this Juventus side has. Their win means that they hold a record total of points ever gathered in Serie A's history. In the process of which they enjoyed an impressive 49 game unbeaten run in their league stretching back to last season. Cagliari's keeper, Michael Agazzi pulled off some fantastic saves. He was really put to it by relentless Juventus attacks in the second half.
The match ebbed and flowed, with Cagliari contributing to making it a good watch. They often unsettled and tested the Juventus defence. It had a bit of everything the game itself. Arturo Vidal missed a penalty and also gave one away at the other end, Cagliari had a man sent off and Juventus got their victory via two last minute goals. The closing stages of the game were crazy, Juventus having chance after chance. Seeing the stats after the match, Juve had a staggering 30 shots (10 on target)! The extra man advantage they had was clear and Cagliari tired as a result. Exciting game, full of drama and incident. Mirko Vucinic had a fantastic impact on the game, coming on as a sub in the 70th minute scoring one and making another. Matri scored a brace against the team he once played for. Andrea Pirlo, who it is always a delight to watch was really on his passing game, some of the long passes he played were outstanding. Juventus finished up winter champions and will hope to continue in the same vein, whilst also managing their cup exploits too. Enjoyable football they play, they are just missing that final piece- a top quality striker, a reliable goalscorer. Perhaps, they should look to their rivals Napoli and a certain Edinson Cavani!
Special mentions also to the early Super Cup matches- Spanish, German and Italian, Juventus vs Genoa, Hannover 96 vs Borussia Mönchengladbach, Napoli vs Pescara, Roma vs AC Milan and Man Uniteds league cup games. Hopefully will get round to seeing more in 2013, plenty of good matches coming soon.
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