This is a comment that I wrote in response to an article that Odin had posted on his blog. I thought that it was so well written (If I don't say so myself) that i reposted it on by own blog. Please feel free to comment. Bring it on.
begin:
I do feel I must comment on the articles views of the Italian football league. I am aware of the Italian football culture of playing at home in their own league, but that in no way make their league better than anyone else’s. The EPL is by far the best football league in the world, to the detriment of the English National team. It only takes a minute to look at the "Super Teams" of Chelsea, Man. Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool to see that the best of the best play their football in England. Spain and Germany both (IMHO) have better leagues than Italy. Yes, AC Milan had a very good "Super Team" in the past (with Sheva, Dida, Cafu, Crespo (on loan) it is proven in their champions league final vs. Liverpool and their previous CL wins. But again they were a "super team" not relying on Italian players alone. Yes, I think that is unique for a country to have this culture of only playing in their home country, and I do think it does help when it comes to National Team Titles, Euro/WC etc. But as far as everyday league matches or club teams on a whole, no country can outmatch England.
Ehh? I expected more from Germany, as many have already said on TV. But in England fashion, they didn't play their best and still got through. Argentina only lost due to (again, same with Australia) bad coaching/managing. They where tired at the middle of the 2nd half and seemed to just want to kick back, up 1. Um, HELLO, this is not your average German )team, California Klinsmann has totally changed this team. They will attack you all day long, it's they're defense that needs work. And that was where Argentina was supposed to take it's advantage. THEY where supposed to ATTACK and score those goals.
Well, whatever. I was just glad because either one of these teams could EASILY beat The Italians (hey Oldin). So I was glad. I just didn't want to see anyone hurt. Ballack is a bit ####ed up, so I hope he can get some rest to beat those Azzurri in the quarters (if Ukraine fails, which they probably will.)
Anyway Bobby McMahon has already broken down the PKs. The Argentines need to just whack those things in there and worry about finesse later, as already said. Felt bad for Messi and Saviola who could have turned this game around. Messi is young and will get another shot at the WC but poor Riquelme, he's kinda old. Crespo should make South Africa too, right. Well anyway. The left hand bracket is in the books. Germany and Italy (2-0 at 60 min).
