For the English clubs at least, this season's Champions League group stage was really nerve-wrecking, and most, (3 of them to be exact), had to go into the final day needing to get some sort of result to ensure qualification into the knockout stages of Europe's premier club competition. Arsenal guaranteed their progress on Matchday 5, while their counterparts in London needed to beat or draw against in form Valencia, former club of Juan Mata and the Blues surprisingly played their best match of the season to roll past the Spaniards into the knockout stages, and topping their group in the process.
United needed to get a draw against Basel while City had it out of their hands in terms of having a chance to qualify, needing assistance from the Navy guys, well they're better known as the Yellow Submarines, (Too-mah-toe, Too-mei-toe). The shock result of the day was obviously Basel beating Sir Alex's team 2-1, getting four out of a possible six points against United in the group stages. Man City meanwhile, played a controlled game, managing to beat the Germans from Munich 2-0, courtesy of goals from David Silva and also a nice passage of play to enable Yaya Toure to toe-poke the ball past Munich no.2 keeper' Hans Jorg Butt.
What this means is that England are now represented by only the two London clubs, while the boys from Manchester are heading into the Europa League, yes the Europa League (Europe's 2nd tier club competition). Sheer embarrassment for both Manchester clubs, considering that the duo are top of the BPL at the moment, and looked like being the strongest clubs in England at the start of the season. That may still be true, but a combination of a few events have now put them in dire straits.
For City, it has to be first season syndrome, not having the relative experience in the Champions League, and perhaps a manager who is not great in Europe, considering his failures with Inter Milan, unable to get them beyond the quarter finals despite being top-dogs in Italy when he was in charge. One would also point to the happenings at the Allianz Arena when Carlos Tevez refused to come on for the game, and the after-effects it had on the team as a whole. That, and also the result in Naples when a draw would have put them in a comfortable position, though it is immaterial discussing about the 'What if's' now.
Sir Alex looks to have made a huge blunder in the last couple of months. Up till late September, the Reds looked like being a team with not only blood in their veins as they were steam-rolling over all comers but they did not get their European campaign of to a good start. It seemed that after the goal fest against Basel at Old Trafford when both teams grabbed 3 goals each was the turning point in Fergie's philosophy this season. They started the season playing the much famed 'free-flowing, attacking, beautiful, majestic football', with Rooney at the spearhead of thing. Recently though, the English talisman has been thrust into a more withdrawn role in midfield, and United have seemed to lack a cutting edge up front. This could perhaps point to the manager's failure to bring an attacking midfielder into the club, and things might've been a whole lot different had the Glazers given him another five million to add to their original bid of 20 mil pounds for Frenchman Samir Nasri.
All said and done, both of them will now ply their trade in the Europa League, far from ideal under any circumstance. From a personal point of view, I think they should just forget about this competition. The only reason is the 'Thursday night-Sunday afternoon' kickoff times if one were to be involved in the competition previously known as the Uefa Cup. If they intent to pursue they Cup, then the chances of them failing to cope up in the Premier League will be much higher. One thing that is certain is both clubs will now put all their eggs into one basket i.e the Premier League. I cannot help think that the FA Cup 3rd round tie will play a huge role in determining the whole outcome. City still have the Carling Cup semifinal to look forward to, but United of course have already been knocked out. So it might also be sensible for Fergie to take the Europa League more seriously if they lose to their bitter rivals in the FA Cup. Realistically, both clubs' seasons depend on THAT tie in England's oldest club competition. The team that loses is going to be in serious trouble.
Personally, I'm looking forward to the Champions League draw, though Manchester fans will definitely prefer watching 'HIMYM' or some half-baked movie just to avoid the embarrassment of witnessing a draw which does not include their team. Today's events though could signal bad times for English clubs as a whole, though next season will be a totally different story.
Till next time,
Jay Jay Denis.
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