So, 2018 is over, welcome 2019 ! Eeerrr…not so fast please, because this was a vintage year, a year to remember for all the football fans ; this was the year of the World Cup, the event who unites all the football supporters and leave  the no- football addicts in rage of what they call”urban disturbance” like Klaxons still blaring out after midnight or people  carrying flags and singing in the streets…

This was a WC to remember, the one without Italy, in which pundits had already announced the teams attending the semi- final and as usually failed , will  they ever learn … It was the Cup of disillusion for several big national teams like Germany, Spain, Argentina and Brazil and the Cup of happiness for France. A new generation of young players graced the competition and carried their squad like Kyllian Mbappé  burning through opposition defenders and Harry Kane captain of England, a squad  where high optimism was put beside their proverbial low expectations.

There were so many other moments…Leo Messi‘s geometry-defying goal against Nigeria, Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick versus Spain, disappointment from several big names like Neymar and Mo Salah, future promises from players like Pogba, De Bruyne, Torreira, Betancur; so much individual talent, can’t wait for the next  one !

In Europe, the King is dead, long life the King ! Zinedine Zidane‘s Real Madrid secured for the fourth time running the prestigious Champions League Cup, after a controversial game against Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool; penalty or not penalty, Ramos and Salah were not on the same wavelength and eeerrr… did Karius suffer from a head injury during the game ? Details needed, up to you Liverpool and Real Madrid faithful !

After all these emotions, football took his stride again: rich clubs bought more players( Platini’s financial fair play, where are you ?) less fortunate bought too, but one might wonder where this money comes from… Tottenham Hotspur are the only club in the top five European championships, without any new signing; will they stay in the top four or will they crash  out in the second part of the Premier League games ?

The French championship’s winner is (un)officially known already…who else but PSG ? Money talks, this year the french league  will be again the Parisian garden of the Qatari’s own club. Does it mean that football is slowing die in France? Maybe not, french clubs like Olympique Lyonnais, FC Rennes, FC Lille, Olympique de Marseille are still up and fighting to stay alive, but for how long? Year after year, PSG wins not only the championship, but also the domestic cups and AS Monaco are too busy avoiding  relegation to fight …

In Spain, business as usual: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Real Madrid… Serie A is almost done too: Juventus, what else ? In Germany, after Borussia Dortmund quick start the resistance is on: Bayern Munchen are leading the pack.

About England’s Premier League, how many of you have already bet that Liverpool will be the next EPL winner /Or Manchester City,(if Pep Guardiola uses some of his magic, the same one used in Spain ?)Good luck to everyone !

Southgate’s England have a biggie to play this summer; the Nations League semi-final vs Netherlands in Guimaraes(Portugal) on 6 June 2019 ; the winner will face Portugal or Switzerland and NO,  a Cup Winner is always a Cup Winner, even if it’s of a lesser importance!

This year will be the year of qualification for the Euros 2020 and it’s just as important for the fans who dream to go to the games and support their country…good luck to all of you! Just remember that there’s no team who can win every game, so please when your team lose(national or club), don’t ask to sell the players or sack the manager; they too are gutted about the defeat but hey, they’re humans just like you! Support your club/country, ALL OF IT if not, then go support another one, ok ?

Once again, I’d like to thank you for your support and wish you a very happy new year !

Categories: Analysis

Tags: EPL, HAPPY NEW YEAR FOOTBALL, Ligue 1, World Cup 2018