Commerically Champions

Does Champions League become the target for commerical giants?

UEFA Champions League! I consider it is the 3^rd most prestigious football competition behind Fifa World Cup and European Championship. The advantage of Champions League is that it is held annually with never ending and common excitements plus emotion, rivalry and history.

This season, 2005-6, the two finalists are the young gunners, Arsenal and Spanish giant Barcelona. The surprised record is that there is only one Champions League trophy between them.

Reaching the final of Champions League is very high achievement for Champions League shy Arsenal. Until last five or six years, they never pass the group stage. Similarity goes to Barcelona as well. Only one Champions League trophy for such as giant club shows that their European form is not good either.

I have a very personal opinion for this year Champions League as well. I can mention that even as a ‘doubt’. Well, you may be confused. I want you to carefully study the pair first knock out stage and quarter finals. It is very hard to believe that those are not men made.

Well, what a coincident! Barcelona Vs Chelsea, PSV Vs Lyon and finally, Real Madrid faced Arsenal. Those are really commercial in my opinion. It is quite obvious that UEFA promote the game by making two revenge matches. Rijkaard Vs Mourinho! What more do you want? The advertising and football tabloid price would be sky high that time.

Personally, I didn’t satisfy the way Mourinho was portrayed in Barca clash. The media emphasized his frustrations especially in second leg. My football even said it was an absolute ‘agenda setting.’ I do not have any argument for that comment at all.

Moreover, at that period, Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, was in the short-lists for the tilll now vacant Real Madrid post. Life is magical. Isn’t it? We can find out the same aim for PSV match.

In quarter finals as well, Arsenal faced Juventus. Haha! Magic or men made? Former Gunners’ captain Viera had to play in Highbury again. Haha! What a coincident? For me, it is too commercial rather than football.

Thos reasons can even find out in Group stage. Liverpool and Chelsea were in the same group! Wow, they love each other so much. Isn’t it? I was surprised Juventus and Bayern Munich were in the same group for two consecutive years.

Huu.. What wrong with Champions League? I want that competition purely for football. Please do not add other colors into that. Year by year, the commercial reason becomes obvious. Moreover, football is now in his prime. Everybody knows what is next after the prime. So, UEFA! Please! See football just as 11 against each. Thanks a lot.