Through the mid to late eighties and early nineties, if you were to ask someone within the football fraternity what was the best league in Europe? The answer would almost certainly come back as Italy’s Serie A. Leading into the late nineties there was a changing of the guard though no-one seemed really sure who’s shift it was.
Teams from Italy, England, Germany, Spain and Portugal all winning Europe’s top prize around. The so called Real Madrid Galacticos had created a false economy in Spain. They were undoubtedly the best side though perhaps not playing the best league.
Picking up at the present day, I think it’s acknowledged that it’s a toss up between the English and Spanish domestic leagues. A duel between two very different footballing mentalities. The skilful technical; La Liga or the pacey and powerful English Premier League (EPL). Both have their plaudits and both have their critics. I think with Barcelona and Real Madrid currently at the height of their powers, each sporting one of the two best players in the world, it’s difficult to look past La Liga as king. Though you could argue that there’s no real comparable strength in depth, to the EPL that is. I mean when is the last time a team in the bottom three of Li Liga beat, three of the top six in the same season? As Wolves have done this year in England. It simply doesn’t happen. OK the technical ability of a Blackburn or Wigan is some way off the likes of an Osasuna or Seville. But I’d still rather watch the EPL if only for the potential to be a great game out weighs that of their Spanish peers.
Last Wednesday night was shining example. Another El Classico, this time the Final of The Copa Del Rey, Messi Vs Ronaldo (again), Barca V Madrid (again) cue the Sky Sports marketing machine. Meantime on the same evening just off Seven Sisters Road, Spurs were playing Arsenal in the North London derby. The difference in entertainment couldn’t have been greater. I realise that it’s unfair to judge on just one game but it hardly unusual is it? People say that Barca’s thrashing of Madrid earlier this season was one of the great exhibitions of football. But I’d still argue it wasn’t a good game, any team winning 5 nil is never a good game, it falls short on the vital ingredient that is competitiveness. The fact is, one sided games are boring.
Anyway back to Wednesday night and North London, this was a full-blooded, committed encounter with both teams playing quick, powerful exciting football. OK the Spanish cup final may have been tense, both sides trying to out wit one another akin to a well played game of chess. Well, news flash chess is boring. This game offered nothing in terms of excitement, the best part of the evening came during the open top bus celebration. Where as in London it was the complete opposite, end to end and action packed. The movie equivalent would boost the star performances from; Stallone, Statham and maybe a cameo from Van Damme.
So you can keep your tippy tappy football give me a 50/50 challenge and the crowd reacting to it in a manor befitting a 30 yarder belter smashed into the top corner…
No comments:
Post a Comment