Opinion »

Definitely we can say that one of the Circuses that more fans follow in the World and especially in Europe, without forgetting South-America, is back. Proof of that it’s the frenzy number of matches offered by the different TV channels, practically every day can a fanatic of this sport being satisfied with.

The last weekend we had matches, in La Liga, at Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Without time to take a rest, Málaga played the second match for qualifying to the group stage of the Champions League, earning a 0-0 draw gold’s worth. For the first time of their history, the team of the “Bored-Sheik” and the most “Petro-rich” city of Spain, will join the most important competition of the football’s panorama.

The draw will take place today around 17:45h, I don’t know what have the UEFA, but they like to make the things just after 45 minutes of every o’clock. Perhaps, can be a wink to each one of the halfs of a match

About UEFA Champions League I’ve would like to talk about. A competition, that from my point of view, it lost his grandeur these past years. Because today I woke up and said to myself, let’s take a view to the lottery drums, to see which teams can Valencia face up.

First I’ve seen the drum number one, compound by big teams, the head-seed called teams thanks to the statistics made by UEFA considering the matches played, won, lost or draw in European competitions as well as in the own country leagues. That ranking is another thing to talk about, but another day ;-). All of them won at least one Champions League, except Arsenal, the nursery of Europe thanks to Arsene Wenger.

Let’s go with the drum number two: Formed by teams with great European tradition, won through the years (Valencia, Benfica, Dinamo de Kiev, Schalke 04), together with another teams that have reached that position thanks to personal capital investments (Shaktar Donetsk, Zenit and Manchester City), and at last to complete the drum we find Sporting de Braga, one club that renewed all their areas and there shows the fruit of a good made job.

The penultimate drum, composed for old school teams of the continental competition such as Ajax, Juventus, Anderlecht or PSG. A PSG that after his gold period transferred their baton to OL, OM or Monaco. A team that revolutioned this year’s transfer market coming up in direct competition with Manchester City. Paying really stratospheric quantities looking at the situation of most of the clubs of Europe. Then we find the always “annoying” and fighting clubs of Turkey and Greece, this year represented by Galatasaray and Olympiacos respectively. At last, a maid that made his debut last year in this castle and closing the drum we find Lille representing the Russia’s league.

Finally we come to the drum number 4. Formed by teams of doubtful quality for this Champions League, except Borussia Dortmund, with the only purpose of increase the number of matches in this competition.

A cast of 32 teams for the supposed best competition in a worldwide level. But I have to disagree, that was in the past, where really the CHAMPION of each country went there to compete. That was really a CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, a competition where you waited with enthusiasm, with eager to watch the best teams to face each other. Without bullshit, those days each match was a supermatch.

On the other side, what we have those days? A phase of groups where with an average of 80% of the pre-thought results takes place, cutting the surprises. Really, the excitement comes those days from quarters. From this point in advance should be called CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, till there, I’ve would call it TAKINGS LEAGUE.

Julián Roncal