A date with History

4/18/2012 Will bring in a flood of memories for Barcelona fans when once again they travel to London's Stamford Bridge to take on one of their toughest rivals, Chelsea in yet another European champions league do-or-die match up. The prize? A place in the final against either the free-flowing German attacking machine of Bayern or the ...well, a Madrid team that frankly has lost all its glorious tradition and respect of the yore mostly because of the methods and attitude of their coach, one sad little man called Jose Mourinho.

Any football fan, even the neutrals would wish for a Bayern-Barcelona final. If for nothing else, just to watch two contrasting attacking styles go head to head to see whose knife is sharper and whose cut  runs deeper. But first, Barca have to deal with a rejuvenated Chelsea, fresh off a thumping 5-0 win over no less than Tottenham this week-end. One wouldnt bet against many eyes in the Bridge to focus on a diminutive, balding figure of Iniesta who dealt the death blow with his last minute shot three years ago that eliminated Chelsea and helped Barca go all the way to win the trophy.

Who will steal the spotlight this time 'round? Don Andres? or the greatest football player the world has ever witnessed, Leo Messi? Perhaps the most overlooked but greatest midfield masterminds of our time, Xavi? Or maybe it will be a new name and someone most people would have overlooked whose flash of brilliance will see Barca through? Yes, as is evident, I am betting on Barca stealing the three points necessary. Come on. Should we discount the magnificent form Barca is at the moment? Then it is on to the mother of all battles, this year's final (looks like it, if Bayern has a say in it) Clasico in Nou Camp where Barca will make life a living hell for the dirty, unsporting and pampered lot from Madrid.

Speaking of Madrid's diving team, did it come as a surprise that as soon as they faced a decent team they crumbled and looked so vulnerable and weak in both defense as well as midfield, while their so called star players mis-firing against decent defenders and opposition? The way bayern approached their first leg, I wouldnt be surprised if we see another flowing attacking display in the return leg with Madrid  still smarting after yet another defeat at the hands of Barcelona.

Barcelona f.c. defeats Madrid Zoo f.c.

Spanish Super-copa, 2011. Football, the beautiful game, triumphs over ugly animalistic circus called Real Madrid. That game was more like a match between 11 skillful football players committed to the beautiful game versus 11 ugly, rabid dogs, led by one of the most disgraceful coaches in the world, hell bent on reminding the world why they dont have the respect of the true football aficionados.

If there was any doubt remaining in the mind of some people who were either in denial or suffering from extreme bias, Mourinho’s disgraceful behavior, twisting the ears of Barca’s assistant coach, Vilanova, in hope of provoking even more reaction and controversy should have been proof enough as to who the instigator behind Real Madrid’s shameful displays ever since this pitiful man took over as coach. It is no wonder his team continues to fail in terms of sportsmanship and discipline, if their coach is anything to go by. The Spanish F.A. ought to consider if such things go unchecked, there could come a time when Pepe or Marcelo or a host of other Madrid players may take things too far with a rash tackle and end up depriving the world of football of the likes of Messi or Xavi or Iniesta.

He single-handedly gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘sore loser’. And if the Spanish League authorities have an inkling of fondness for the game of football, they ought to take a very serious look at Mourinho’s antics and especially violent players with track record like Marcello, Pepe and a few others in the Madrid side. Otherwise, Mourinho and his Madrid team will cause untold damage to the game of football as well as the Spanish football as a whole.

It is a shame to see this happen since the Madrid side, jam-packed with highly skillful players IS capable of playing attractive football without such horrible antics.

However let us not get distracted by the ugly display and miss the positive side of the game too. Real Madrid came into the match full of energy and hope that their strategy of high pressing and full intensity frontal attack on Barca’s back-line would bear fruit as it did in the first leg. This is testament to the ability of its players who can put the best club in the world under such intense pressure (which begs the question why should they resort to unsportsmanship and violent behavior). But Barcelona once again proved why they are hailed as arguably the best football side in the history of football, by shrugging off the initial pressure and settling into their game and scoring some magnificent goals that will be etched in the memory of all those who watched the game. From Messi's exquisite through pass to Iniesta that carved the Madrid backline with a hot knife through butter for the first goal, to the central defender, Pique’s cheeky backheel to Messi who scored the team’s second, to the marvelous combination play involving the new signing Fabregas, for the match winner. Barcelona lived up to its reputation as the most fantastic footballing side with pomp and heralding the shape of things to come in the upcoming season.

By the by, did I mention this win marks Guardiola’s amazing 11th title (equaling Johan Cruyff's) out of the possible 14 since he took over as the coach of Barcelona and Xavi's record breaking 16th title at the club?

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Foolad’s prolific striker, Reza Nowroozi has been named Asia’s top goal scorer (clubs) with 24 goals scored in a league season. Nowroozi’s name is on the 7th rank in the World’s best goal scorers’ list (compiled from the world’s top 60 leagues), which sees Real Madrid’s Ronaldo heading the bunch with a whopping 40 goals, followed by Barca’s Messi with 31 goals. At the same time, another Brazilian who plies his trade in Iran’s pro league at Mes Kerman, Edinho with 22 goals is ranked 9th.

"Barcelona - Manchester United" weekend bash

With the two spirited victories by Iranian clubs at Asian champions league, I'm expecting a hat trick of joy when Barcelona defeats Manchester United in London this weekend. One thing is for sure, though. Unlike the series of El Classico's we witnessed when under Jose Mourinho Real Madrid resorted to some shameful negative football (a total waste of potential if you ask me, given the sheer number of skilled stars at their disposal), I seriously doubt Sir Alex would lower himself and his team to that level.

I expect a very spirited and hard fought match between two of the most popular clubs in the world. And may the best team (Barca, of course) wins.